If you're on a vacation, or just generally a trip abroad, it's important to put some time aside and do absolutely nothing. Seriously: no sightseeing, no hiking: just nada. A day of sheer lethargy. Do you know what animals are the best example of that kind of chill attitude? Sloths. I mean, come on: the clue is in the name.

This animal shelter is also looking for volunteer dog snuggler:

[[jwplayerwidget||https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/dAkZVhOk-Q0L14jDU.mp4||dAkZVhOk]]

So if you want to learn how to be lazy the right way, then I have news that's bound to excite you. The Nayara Springs and Nayara Resort in Costa Rica are offering visitors the opportunity to spend some quality time with some furry, friendly sloths in the rainforest.

Nayara Resorts first opened their sloth sanctuary way back in 2017, when two of the creatures wandered on to the property. Visitors to the resorts were quickly enamored with the animals.

So to protect this amazing species, and to encourage tourists to interact with them, the resort swiftly planted 300 cecropia trees and made a sloth preserve for them.

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/B7OfaxrnVTc/]]

Now guests can go out and spot some of these awesome animals in the Costa Rican jungle, or even hang out with those of them who like to wander through the resorts.

Not only that, but the resorts themselves are very environmentally friendly. As their website notes: "Our structures are built using local artisan materials that both support the Costa Rican economy and safeguard its environment."

It continued: "We believe in preventive maintenance; we use CFL light bulbs that conserve energy and our rooms are equipped with energy-saving key cards that automatically turn-off as soon as the guest leaves the room. We take advantage of natural light in all of our facilities; our rooms have screens that allow for cross ventilation."

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/B77PGSIHneH/]]

Their site adds: "Water-saving is also a large priority; we encourage our guests to reuse towels and linens, our faucets and showers have flow reducers and aerators that conserve water."

So if you want to hang out with some sloths, why not pay a visit to Costa Rica and have the time of your life?

Did you know that Jimmy Carter built an entire solar farm in his hometown and uses it to power half of the town?

That's right, after his four-year stint as president of the United States, the 98-year-old decided he was going to put his words into action in 2017 by leasing some land near his home in Plains, Georgia, and setting up his very own solar farm.

Stretching over 10 acres, the area now has 3,852 panels close to his own two-bedroom home that he shares with his wife. Though the project hasn't been up and running for a long time, it already powers half the town, generating 1.3 MW of power per year.

For reference, that's the equivalent of burning about 3,600 tonnes of coal!

Credit: Peter Adams Photography / AlamyIn a press release for SolAmerica, Carter encouraged people to get behind the movement, stating that it was "critical" that we find "clean energy" sources "to [meet] growing energy needs around the world while fighting the effects of climate change."

"I am encouraged by the tremendous progress that solar and other clean energy solutions have made in recent years and expect those trends to continue," he added.

SolAmerica's executive vice president George Mori also spoke of the incredible project, saying: "There remains a great deal of untapped potential in renewable energy in Georgia and elsewhere in the US We believe distributed solar projects like the Plains project will play a big role in fueling the energy needs of generations to come."

The former president was way ahead of his time when he first started discussing renewable energy sources. Back in 1979, he put 32 solar panels on the White House in order to heat water throughout the residence.

During a speech given at the time, he said: "In the year 2000, this solar water heater behind me, which is being dedicated today, will still be here supplying cheap, efficient energy...

"A generation from now, this solar heater can either be a curiosity, a museum piece, an example of a road not taken or it can be just a small part of one of the greatest and most exciting adventures ever undertaken by the American people."

Fred Morse, the director of Carter's solar energy initiative, told Scientific American that "President Carter saw [solar power] as a really valid energy resource, and he understood it. I mean, it is a domestic resource and it is huge."

However, despite Carter's push for the alternative energy source at the White House, after his term, Ronald Reagan removed the panels when he came into power just a few years later.

U.S. President Jimmy Carter speaking in front of Solar Panels placed on West Wing Roof of White House, announcing his solar energy policy in 1979. Credit: Glasshouse Images / AlamyRegardless, Jimmy Carter is really paving the way for green energy - it's about time other leaders take a page out of his book.

Featured Image Credit: US Navy Photo / Alamy

The US hit a major renewable energy milestone last month when wind power overtook nuclear and coal to become the nation's second-highest source of electricity - if only for a single day.

On March 29, wind turbines generated over 2,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity, making them the second-highest energy producer for the first time since the Energy Information Administration (EIA) began gathering data.

In a tweet confirmed by the EIA, E&E reported Ben Storrow announced the exciting news. He added that, while wind turbines were producing more electricity than ever, they were still trailing behind natural gas which holds the top spot as the US' number one electricity producer.

"Confirmed: That was the first *day* that wind was the 2nd-largest source of U.S. electricity generation, according to our data (going back to July 1, 2018)," the EIA wrote in response to Storrow's observation.

The March 29 figures are a huge win for renewable energy resources and a massive improvement on last year, when wind was the fourth-largest electricity source in the US behind natural gas, coal, and nuclear power per EIA.

However, the US is still lagging behind much of Europe in its overreliance on non-renewable energy sources. According to the International Renewables Energy Agency, the EU and UK had a joint capacity to produce almost 49% of their electricity from renewable sources in 2020. The US, by comparison, could generate just 25% of the electricity renewably in the same year.

Meanwhile, one European country in particular outstrips the US when it comes to wind energy: Germany.

In February alone, windmills in Germany generated a whopping 20.6 terawatt-hours of energy, which made up 45% of its total energy for the month according to Rystand Energy. Not only that, but the EIA estimates that Germany got 24% of its electricity from wind in 2020 while in the same year the US got a mere 8% of electricity from wind turbines.

But that could all be set to change. With more than 100 planned offshore and onshore wind projects in the pipeline, and plans to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy alone, the Biden administration is doing its best to make up lost ground, CNN reports.

Let's hope we see more of this in our future!

Featured Image Credit: JOHN KELLERMAN / Alamy

The summer of 2020 might not be what any of us hoped for, but that doesn't mean that it's a total write off, especially thanks to new technology which can allow us to have safe, satisfying fun in the sun.

The perfect example being this floating party pod that you can rent and sail around the world.

Take a look inside the luxury pod below: 

[[youtubewidget||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTOG4OsXYC8]]

Manufactured in France, Anthenea is a floating, luxury hotel suite that looks like something straight out of a James Bond movie, and it can accommodate up to 12 people - so there is room for your entire social bubble!

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CCssr8hHGRI/]]

Anthenea comes complete with a bedroom with an extra-large round bed (duh), an overflow bathtub that you can fill with sea or freshwater, and a small living area that's got all the kitchen necessities.

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BkVGRvqgBUl/]]

According to the pod's online description, it was designed with nature in mind, but that doesn't mean that it's not a truly 21st-century experience, and it's powered by a digital tablet that allows you to fully optimize your experience.

The description continues: "Like a lotus flower, Anthenea is just set on the water. Thanks to its innovating sand screw anchoring, Anthenea makes no damage nor impact on the underwater ecosystem and environment.

"Eco-responsible, Anthenea is 100% recyclable. This recycling is provided by APER (pleasure craft deconstruction industry)."

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0DxDNA4sr/]]

The pod is solar powered too, with an energy sensor meeting all of its electrical needs, and it is kitted out with certified black and gray water stations.

Not only this, but the pod only releases clean water and "produces what she consumes" with the central well providing natural air conditioning.

[[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/B6kq916gEZ-/]]

The pod is even unsinkable (although, given past historical events, we'd take this bit with a pinch of salt): "Anthenea' design has been studied to resist cataclysms and the rise of oceans. Its spherical shape is based on the principle of « surface tension » observed in nature. This is the optimal form of resistance to extreme conditions on the water.

"By its shape and lift on water technology, the peripheral crown enhances the stability of the pod."

So, if Anthenea sounds like exactly what you need to enjoy a fun, socially distanced break this summer, further information about its cost can be found on the company website.