Archive for November, 2009

UK Urged To Lead the Way in Sustainable Food Farming

The Royal Society, a national scientific debate academy has suggested that it should be the UK at the forefront of environmentally friendly and sustainable farming research and development. Further to this they state that the UK needs to consider how to support farmers and rural populations through their farming methods, when most advances in agriculture seem to be promoting mechanical and automated farming systems that are putting people out of work. From new roaming seeding machines to factory glassware production for product bottling, they are not taking the local communities into consideration.

One of the government's top agricultural scientists, Professor John Beddington, has responded to the Royal Society's claims and even elaborated on them. He has stated that "a number of solutions" are required to not only solve some of the problems that UK farming currently has, but also to be able to share knowledge and resources with those countries than follow the UK's lead when it comes to agriculture.He said that national demand for agricultural commodities is definitely on the increase, largely as a result of the rise in the amount of dairy and meat products we are eating causing increased demand for livestock feed. Beddington went on to say that early predictions indicate that by 2030, we will have seen a rise in demand for food by around 50%.

On top of the £60mil that the UK currently invests in food sciences, a further £2bn is recommended by the Royal Society. The recommendation has been made on the basis that not only does the UK need to stabilize its own farming, but also look to help those less developed countries find feasible farming options that are sustainable. It is these countries that have the most pressure on them to produce crops at unreasonably low cost and many have turned to the less stable farming methods in order to achieve this, which can mean they have very hard habits to break

For more information on food and drink issues and related products such as a wine rack, wine glasses and wine cooler fridges visit Wineware, the store that supports ethically sourced products.

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Should We Risk Using Solar Panels in Winter?

You may be wondering how solar panels can work in an area that experiences severe winters. After all, days or weeks of dark skies, snow flurries or heavy rains hardly seem compatible with a technology that depends on sunlight to run it.

But the last 10 years have brought a lot of innovation and progress to solar panel technology. Now, even when it's snowy, cloudy or rainy, solar panels can easily make electricity.

What Can I Come Up Against With Solar Panels In Winter? See The Review Here!

Off grid systems will include a set of storage batteries (similar to a car battery) that are designed to store extra power that your solar panels generate during the daytime. If the battery storage system is properly designed for your region, it will have the right number of these batteries to store power for the number of cloudy days that are typical for where you live.  

If your system is tied to the grid (connected to the local electric company) it won't use storage batteries. Once the sun goes down or if there is a prolonged period of bad weather obscuring the sun, your system will automatically use electricity from the local power company. Of course, during sunny days, your solar panels will be generating your electric power, so you will still be benefitting from lower electric bills.

The Energy2Green Solar Panel Way Review

In some places, you may even be able to sell power back to your local power company. This is yet another way solar panels can prove cost effective. How this works is that any surplus electricity that your solar panels generate goes back into the energy company and you are allowed a credit for it on your electric bill.  That way, even if you have to use electricity from the grid at night or during overcast days, any excess power that your solar panels were able to generate will still be reducing your overall utility bills.

Have You Heard About a Solar Panel Project?

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Washing Machines To Stop Needing Water

Is the world changing for the better, because it is really changing? There are so many people out there that seem to be interested in saving money by going a bit greener which is why these washing machines will sell. This isn’t just for the home either; many companies are looking for greener commercial washing machine and commercial dishwashers.

So is the washing machine set to be replaced by a newer piece of technolgy or will they stick around forever? Well washing machines are supposed to be getting a complete overhaul by 2030 according to many sources. Apparently it will become the norm to have an ultrasonic washing machine. What exactly is this ultrasonic washing machine?

Well they are set to be run with hardly any water at all with water being needed just at the start. Getting the detergant off of the clothes is not easy to do which is why water is needed to wash it away from the clothing. These futuristic ultrasonic machines will actually fire sound waves out at the clothes and tear the detergant away from the clothes which in turn rakes the dirt along with it. The real question is are all types of clothing going to be able to be put into this machine or will we still have to do hand washing.

If you think this idea is brand new it really isnt but was laughed at in the 80s. However with energy prices soaring through the roof and the worlds resources looking very thing, companies are looking for solutions like this to have in their commercial laundry equipment.

It is also said that the spin on these washing machines will be strong enough to power things like the dishwasher and that our future showers will be powered by recycled rainwater. If you think about it the water that we use for out showers is actually recycled already it just gos through a lot of stages to make it clean?

Is this really likely to takeover from the washing machine?

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What are the Known Causes of Global Warming?

Global warming is a serious issue in the world today and being aware of the causes of global warming is crucial. We have heard Al Gore talk about it as well as plenty of others, but there are still so many people out there who are just not sure what global warming is all about. People are not sure what all the fuss is about. It is important to be aware of environmental issues in the world today, and the same goes for global warming.

There are actually several known causes of global warming and only by acknowledging the causes of global warming can anything positive actually get done about it.

Causes

Although there are different causes that are contributing to global warming, more than anything it has to do with humans and what we as a nation are doing to the earth and what sort of an effect it is having. Greenhouse gases are thought to be the number one cause of global warming. These can occur naturally but they are also the result of many human processes including fuel consumption.

By driving cars for instance, greenhouse gases are emitted and when you stop to consider how many millions of people are driving around each day, it is easy to see why this would be such a problem. This is certainly one of the most major causes of global warming and one that is therefore crucial to pay attention to.

Aviation is considered as being another of the main causes of global warming. People are constantly traveling around the world for personal and professional reasons and it is costing us because it is having a negative effect on the world that we live in.

People rattling need to start paying more aid to what they are doing and reach that there are very simple steps that can be taken in order to have a more ordained impact on the earth and take care of it. Global warming is just one of many environmental issues that we are dealing with right now but there are many others as well. At least by being aware of the causes of global warming, we are able to move forward and do what we can in order to protect the environment. Riding a bicycle or walking when possible for instance, can do a lot and if everyone were to cut down on consumption of cars and airplanes, it would help dramatically with global warming.

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What's green printing?

Becoming green is the lingo of the decade, and with good reason. Everyone would like to do their part in keeping the environment safe and clean for the new generation. Occasionally it's the small things that we do that really count.  Imagine all of the business cards and leaflets that are out there in the world today.  Making them eco-friendly business cards and green flyers  is definitely a clever move on our part.  But what is equal friendly printing?

First of all, let me tell you that turning green when printing your business stationary can save you money. So not only do we help the environment, we're able to keep a bit of cash in our pocket. Sounds like the only way to go.

When you're making a call to go green with your business selling and communication ideas select a company that offers recycled paper and soy ink for printing.  This makes you stand out as a responsible corporation. Everyone likes to be told about the firms that are trying to contribute to a Healthier earth.

Recycled paper is employed in ecologically friendly printing like, business cards leaflets and so on .  Using an organization that offers at least 80% recycled material can make a surpassing difference on the environment.  Green recycled materials and paper are non-toxic and use such materials as a hemp, garlic skins, coffee chaff, junk mail and denim.

ecological inks are used as well.  These inks consist of soy or other vegetable oil based inks.  Soy ink is made of soybeans.  Traditional ink is petroleum-based, which is not extraordinarily friendly to our surroundings. The great thing about soy-based Ink is that it isn't only ecological, but makes recycling the paper less complicated, and produces brighter colours.

As of current, only 25% of all commercial printers in the U.S. are using soy ink. On a good note however,over 95% of America's daily newspapers do use soy based ink.

So even though we are making enhancements in the printing industry towards a greener way of living, we are not quite there yet. It is up to every one of us to do our part. For more insights go to Pixxlz.com

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The Eco Mobile Phone

So many things are now going green and it now looks like the mobile phone is set to join the ranks.

All electrical appliances with the energy star are already deemed to be green and of course you have the option of going green when it comes to the car thanks to the hybrid. However, when looking at purchasing your next mobile, will there be an option out there for somebody who wants to save the world?

Well unbelievably there now is and it comes in the form of Samsung and Sprint teaming up. Unbelievably the new phone is made from corn and is made up by using 80% recyclable materials. The real query is why this hasn't been done before? With just about everybody in the developed world owning at least one mobile phone, it seems really strange why this sort of thing wasn't released earlier!

The phone charger itself has the energy star on it and some of the applications on the phones are even put on there beforehand to make you a greener person. Pre-loaded apps from the Discovery Channel have been put on there to help turn you into a greener person as a whole. There also happens to be a glossary on there explaining things on climate changes.

This isn’t it for this phone, it is also a smartphone that has GPS, Web browsing and speech recognition. It also confirms that technology seems to be leaping forward at an alarming rate.

Of course it doesn’t just have to stop on the phone, you can buy so many different things for the home that are green and eco-friendly now whether that is accessories for the kitchen as well as eco bathroom accessories So whatever home furnishings you are looking to change there is always something out there for you to choose.   I wonder what they will think of next. Wonderful as technology is, we wonder where it might all end?

 

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Make Your Own Chemical Free Compost

compost barrels

Making your own compost has become a popular past time with todays gardeners and as an alternative to chemical fertilization of crops, its also very good for the environment.  Compost is organic and as such contains no chemicals or nitrates.

When starting out in the garden, a common question is how one should make your own compost?

A lot of people make their own compost barrels .

The most important thing when choosing your compost bin or barrel, is to be sure that it has not been used previously for toxic chemicals or other hazardous materials. This could contaminate the compost and subsequently poison or otherwise harm you or your plants.

Generally, a plastic barrel of about 55 gallons will work quite well. Many people choose barrels that are food safe. If you are interested in recycling, you may be able to get your barrel from a food service organization or a restaurant. If it has been used for deep frying oil, you will need to scrub it clean to get all traces of food out of the barrel.

Once you have your compost barrel cleaned and ready to go, you should drill half inch holes all over the barrel, in about six to nine rows. Space the holes approximately four to six inches apart, and even drill a few holes in the bottom of the barrel to allow for the drainage of excess moisture.

Make sure that if you are opening your compost container from the top the lid is hinged as well as latched. Many people turn their compost by rolling the barrel around their yard, which could be disastrous if the lid should come open.

Of course, a compost barrel is not the only structure in which you can create compost. You can also build or purchase a compost bin, or even better a compost tumbler.  A tumbler is the best option if you can afford one, as the task of turning the compost regularly becomes much easier.  To accelerate the composting process you need to ensure the compost is aerated properly.  The best way to ensure this is to turn the compost over on a regular basis.  With a tumbler all you have to do is turn a handle, as opposed to turn it with a fork.  I know which method I prefer! 

 

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An Effective Barrier For Containing Oil Spills – The Floating Boom

Environmental Sustainability

On Saturday, September 26, 2009, Typhoon Ketsana struck Metro Manila and brought with it unprecedented amounts of rainfall that the Philippines has never experienced before. Locally known in the Philippines as Typhoon Ondoy, Ketsana caught the country totally unaware and unprepared for disaster. When Ondoy finally blew its way out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it left behind at least 300 people dead and millions of people displaced by flooding. It also destroyed some 0 million worth of property.

After Ondoy has passed, the finger-pointing that is almost natural to Filipinos ensued. The displaced victims of Ondoy blamed the government for not coming quickly to their rescue. Some government heads blamed the people for ignoring flood warnings that were announced as early as the Thursday before Ondoy made landfall. Many politicians eager for attention in time for the upcoming 2010 Presidential Elections were quick to blame the Arroyo Administration for lack of preparedness in times of disaster.

Reports of oil yield per acre per year for green crude vary wildly from 5,000 to 150,000 gallons. One company, Valcent Products, claims that 150,000 gallons of green crude per acre is possible using a carefully controlled, closed loop system. Actual yields, though, currently top out at about 33,000 gallons per acre per year. Even by conservative estimates, it would take about 40,000 square miles of land to produce enough green crude oil to completely replace the United States' consumption of conventional oil. That's an area about the size of the state of Tennessee.

One of the most compelling things about Algae fuel is that it is a drop-in replacement for conventional gasoline. It can be used in conventional automobiles with absolutely no modifications to the engine. There is no need to develop a new distribution system for delivering algae fuel to consumers as the same trucks, gas stations, pumps, holding tanks, etc. can be leveraged. Logistically, algae fuel is as close to the corner gas station as any alternative to oil today. The US alone boasts over 30 companies researching, developing, and even producing algae fuel. One company, Sapphire Energy, launched a cross country tour of vehicles running on algae fuel on Sep 18, 2009.

Algae fuel is reported as being "environmentally neutral". This means that it does not change the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere because it consumes just as much carbon dioxide during its cultivation as is released during combustion. This is in stark contrast to conventional gasoline which only adds carbon dioxide to the environment during production and consumption.

If there is any lesson that needs to be learned from the coming of Typhoon Ondoy, it is definitely this: It is high time that we learned to respect our waterways. If we cannot help to clean and rehabilitate our waterways, then we should at least stop treating them as if they are our personal garbage bins. If Typhoon Ondoy, which was merely a Category 2 storm, could flood Metro Manila the way it did, what more would a stronger typhoon?

Instead of blaming other people for the disaster that happened, we should all becoming proactive and prevent another similar disaster from happening again. We need to start cleaning our waterways now!

Resource Author Francisco Rodriguez Higueras
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Scottsdale Accommodations Go "Green"

http://www.istaygreen.org/cityus.cfm/city/Scottsdale/st/AZ

At this time, the city that’s long been regarded as the “desert version of Miami’s South Beach” offers quite a few choices of luxury resorts and hotels in Scottsdale   for the environmentally friendly traveler.

iStayGreen.org, the Internet’s central resource for locating and booking eco-friendly hotels motels has listed 10 hotels in the city of Scottsdale as “Green” because of the environmental initiatives they have in-place. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, Scottsdale Camelback Resort, and Hotel Valley Ho have all been awarded a 3 Green Eco-Leaf Rating provided by iStayGreen. The Green Eco-Leaf Rating goes from 1 to 5, with a 5 Green Eco-Leaf Rating earned by the most eco friendly, top environmental,best green resorts.

While trying to find sustainable hotels there are a variety of different approaches that properties undergo. At present we are all familiar with the ever present linen reuse programs. By leaving your towels on the rack or placing a card on your bed, or placing a special door hanger, the housekeeping personnel is informed by you not replace your towels and sheets. By reusing your linens your economizing both water and electricity and lowering the sum of chemicals entering our waste water. A lot of hotels in Scottsdale have also implemented the 3 R’s – Reduce – Reuse – Recycle.  Hotels in Scottsdale also are investing in energy saving CFL – compact fluorescent light bulbs and LED – light emitting diode bulbs. Scottsdale hotels that have taken advantage of these programs have found that not only are they doing something sound for our environment but hotels also improving their profits.

Associationssimilar to USGBC – United States Green Building Council offer the LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design which targets on building and design. Other associations like Green Globe and Green Key are targeted on operations and sustainability. Various states also present their own “Green Certification” program; however at present Arizona does not. The most useful rating for the consumer is iStayGreen’s Green Eco-Leaf rating as it not only takes into significance operational  environmental considerations but in addition the several certifications given to the property.

Tourism is one of Arizona’s most important industries and in Scottsdale employs 40% of the labor force. It’s because Scottsdale has much to offer. Annually hosting the TPC – Tournament Players Club golf event Scottsdale is recognized for its numerous incredible desert golf resorts. Car collector enthusiasts flock to Scottsdale for the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction from which classic cars are sold for prices into the millions. The Mayo Clinic and Scottsdale art galleries and museums, Scottsdale Spa Resorts, expensive shopping, and trendy night life are merely a a small number of additional reasons why Scottsdale is such an all the rage destination.

Looking to acquire beautiful art at one of Scottsdale's art galleries or setting up a last minute getaway to an all inclusive Scottsdale resort . . . do the earth a favor and stay at an environment friendly Scottsdale hotel or motel. Three other Green Eco-Leaf properties include the Scottsdale Thunderbird Suites, and The Phoenician Scottsdale, Comfort Inn Scottsdale which have all earned a 2 Green Eco-Leaf Rating. Accomplish your part towards insuring a sustainable future by visiting an eco friendly hotel when you take a trip.

 

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DIY Wind And Solar Panels

many people are now always looking for other sources of cheaper energy. Some of the ones that are now being prefered are wind and solar. In the article that follows the reasons they are becoming popular are talked about in detail.

I will highlight the following details: solar panels for creating electricity, Solar Wind Power and Efficiency and DIY Solar Electricity kits

DIY wind and power systems are taking the frustration out of life. Gone are the days when you had to chase the kids around and make sure the lights are turned off. With solar and wind power after you install it then you won’t be paying any energy costs. The reduction on the money for electricity bills will shock you. The extra money will allow you to direct your money to other pressing things.

The electrical power produced from wind and solar does not run out. The extra power that you create can be kept in batteries and can be used at your convenience. You can maximise the amount of electricity that you produce by installing more panels. Isn’t that a big task you ask?

No; building your own DIY wind and solar power systems is quite simple. The Instructional and DIY manuals available allow you to be able to construct and fit your own system within at least two days. So considering a period of a month its possible to have your house completely operating on green electricity. The guides will have step by step illustrations to make the task easier.

Most of the power sources that have been in use are quite harmful to the environment. The wind and solar power systems do not affect the environment and therefore considered green ways of producing electricity. The only thing that could be keeping you from trying this is not knowing where to find the material.

This should not be a problem as any reliable DIY wind and solar power system will usually provide information on where you can buy the required components. There will also give you a quote on the amount you can expect to pay. But it will not be above $250.

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