Archive for November, 2009
November 21, 2009 · Filed under Green Tips · Tagged deposits on bottles, recycling rewards
I was watching Fox News and they were discussing recycling rewards. This was a subject that I was interested in. I always thought that was a good idea. We live in a society where people need to be rewarded. People will do things for money. An example is bringing back a soda bottle for a nickel. People would pick up bottles they found just to get the money. It works. Years ago, peole had to put a deposit on milk bottles, to be sure that they were returned. Recycling rewards makes so much sense. If companies give you something for your recycling effort then you will be more inclined to recycle. It even works with shopping carts. I went to a store the other day where it cost 25 cents to get a shopping cart. I put my quarter in the slot and got my cart. I brought back my cart to get my quarter instead of leaving it in the parking lot where it would dent another car. It seems that having money is important. Even if it is only a small amount, it makes us do the right thing.
November 21, 2009 · Filed under Interesting info · Tagged decomposing garbage for beneficial use, methane gas, turning methane gas into electricity
Methane gas is produced as garbage decomposes. Alliance Landfill in Pennsylvania will turn that gas into electricity under plans which were approved by the Department of Environmental Protection. Governor Rendell has been working with landfills encouraging them to put the methane gas they produce to good instead of burning it off. Methane gas then becomes a renewable source of energy that can power our homes, schools and businesses rather than polluting the environment. The gas will be transmitted to an off-site facility. The methane gas that is generated by the landfill will be cleansed and piped to the PEI Energy Co-generation facility in Archbald Bourough where it will produce an estimated 15 megawatts of electricity – enough to power 12,000 homes. The DEP is continuing its review of a permit application from Alliance for an 87 acre expansion. For more information visit www.depweb.state.pa.us Waste management
November 21, 2009 · Filed under New Technology · Tagged carbon capture, CCS, China, China and the US, clean energy, climate change, coal, global greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas, new technologies
China has been in the news often, especially since President Obama’s visit this week. There has been much news-worthy information about China. They have developed a “Top-1000 Energy Consuming Enterprises Program”, which focuses on energy-efficient improvements in large enterprises. So far they have produced more than 10,000 energy saving projects. At the rate they are going, they will be able to exceed their goal of saving 100 million tons of coal – an emissions reduction of about 250 million tons of CO2. China generates 80% of its electricity from coal, the least “friendly” fossil fuel. China burns more coal than any other nation. and they are pioneering technologies in CCS. China is taking steps to capture carbon. CCS is “carbon capture and storage”, and is one approach to curbing global greenhouse gas emissions. The idea is to capture CO2 produced by coal-fired power plants and store it underground. China is starting storage experiments – some in partnership with the US.
China’s cities also are an environmental concern, but they are trying to correct this through a range of policies designed to improve building efficiency, mass transit and energy use. They are already seeing improvements. Real progress is possible in the future. China is developing systems for collecting accurate energy and emissions data. This week China and the US announced agreements to tackle climate change and grow our respective economies through clean energy. It looks like they are already on their way toward that goal. sustainable business update Nov 09 China FAQ.org
November 12, 2009 · Filed under Interesting info · Tagged carbon emissions, carbon food connetion, carbon labelling, eliminate fossil fuels, food guidelines, impact on farming on the environment, Soy and rainforests, Sweden gets serious
Sweden is getting very serious about the environment. The country is launching the world’s first carbon label on food along with nutitional advise that could cut emissions 20 – 50%. 
Restaurant menus and grocery items are listing the carbon emissions next to every food on it’s menu. A large hamburger is responsible for 1.7 kilograms of carbon emissions, while a chicken sandwich produces 0.4. Max, the largest hamburger restaurant in Sweden, lists carbon emissions next to every food item. The company hired a consultant to measure the chain’s carbon footprint. 75% was from its meat. Growing rice creates double to triple the emissions as does growing barley. Soon farmers that use organic practices won’t be organically certified unless they use low emission growing techniques. Greenhouse tomatoes will not be organic unless they use biofuels for heating. Dairy farmers will no longer be able to import cheap soy to feed cows. They will be required to get a minimum of the food locally. Cheap soy is at the root of much of Brazil’s rainforest deforestation. Sweden is committed to eliminating fossil fuels to produce electricity by 2020 and gasoline by 2030.
November 12, 2009 · Filed under New Technology · Tagged microwave technology, recycling tires, waste tires
Tires can be harmful to the environment. When old tires are burned, they give off emissions that omit harmful agents such as lead and arsenic and oil run off that is extremely dangerous. There are strict standards for the disposal of tires. Always try to recycle the tires and not just dispose of them. Research indicates that there are approximately 300 million tires annually produced in the United States and another 275 million in stockpiles. Using tires for playground mulch and athletic playing fields are two solutions. Leaving tires hanging around is dangerous. They become a fire and health hazard. Abandoned tires are a problem and a landfill nightmare. Water that accumulates in the tires is a breading ground for disease carrying mosquitoes and rodents. There is a company called Global Resourse Corporation that has devoted years to laboratory experiments and has identified a frequency that is efficient for processing used or discarded tires. GRC has developed a proof of concept machine called the Patriot 1 that is capable of processsing tires on a continuous basis. For every one ton of tires processed in the GRC Patriot 1, there is 120 gallons of oil, 5000 cubic ft. of combustible gas, 200 pounds of reusable steel and 750 pounds of carbon ash. All of these are marketable commodities. GRC is a developer of a patent-pending microwave technology and machinery for materials such as waste tires, heavy oil, and shale deposts. For more information check their website at globalresources.com
November 11, 2009 · Filed under New Technology · Tagged conventional batteries vs paper batteries, energy efficient battery, nanotubes, New Technology, paper batteries, power a car with a paper battery
Paper batteries to power a car? Sounds a little like science fiction, but that is what a team of researchers are working on. Flexible paper batteries could one day meet the energy demands of the next generation of gadgets. Researchers have produced a sample that is slightly larger than a postage stamp that can store enough energy to light a small light bulb. They hope to increase that power by producing reams of paper that could one day power a car. A conventional battery contains a number of separate components. The paper battery integrates all the battery components in a single structure. This makes it more energy efficient. Research appearing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS). Remember the old TV sets that had all the tubes? The warm up time was long, the power loss was great and they malfunctioned often. With an integrated system you don’t have these problems. The paper battery contains carbon naotubes each one millionth of a centimeter thin which acts as an electrode. The naotubes are embedded in a sheet of paper soaked in ionic liquid electrolyes which conduct the electricity. You can roll, fold or cut the paper battery. The more paper, the more voltage. If you cut the paper in half, you get half the voltage.
This battery can also be used for humans. It consists of paper and carbon and can be used to power pacemakers safely. Conventional batteries pose a threat to the human body. If you place a piece of paper in the body, the blood will serve as an electrolye, states professor Robert Linhardt of a New York based institute. Not all researchers are convinced. It may be some time before this is truly perfected and we are a long time away from using it commercially some say. As of now the battery is small and it may not be cost effective to make it larger. Swedish researchers are combining algae, paper and salt water to make a paper battery. Japanese researchers are also working on developing these batteries which will play an important role in future sustainable technologies. This is the direction the world is moving and it is quite remarkable.
November 11, 2009 · Filed under Did you know? · Tagged bleaching, boreal forest, carbon dioxide, carcinogens, dangers of chlorine, destruction of forests, dioxin, disposible diapers, gDiapers, Global warming
Did you know that giant paper companies are forcing the destruction of our continents most vibrant forests and destroying the habitat of countless species of wildlife. 500,000 acres of boreal forest in Ontario and Alberto are felled each year to provide pulp for disposable paper products. Besides this destruction, the forests are storehouses of carbon dioxide that is critical to keep intact to slow down global warming. There is one thing that you may not know about paper and that is it’s use of chorine for whitening. Chlorine is used in many of the bleaching processes and this contributes to the formation of dioxins and furans, chemicals that can end up in our air and water and can cause cancer. There are many companies that process chlorine-free. Read the labels on the products. Don’t be misled by the word eco-friendly or green.
Disposable diapers are also a concern. The convenience factor is high and most people use them over cloth diapers. According to The Green Guide, 95% of U.S. families use disposable diapers, as many as 8,000 per child. The bleaching process for disposable diapers to make them as white as possible leads to the generation of the chemical dioxin. This chemical is harmful to the factory worker and the environment surrounding the manufacturing factories. It also can show up in trace amounts in the diapers themselves, potentially exposing babies skin to a dangerous carcinogen. Try to reduce your use of these products or find alternatives. There are chlorine free diapers by Seventh Generation and Tender Care. Also check out reusable gDiapers. There are still diaper laudering services available if you prefer. When you go shopping for paper products, try to think of what you can use instead. You will be doing your part to help the planet and keep yourself and your family healthy.
November 10, 2009 · Filed under Did you know? · Tagged biofuel, carbon sinks, destruction of tropical rainforests, endangered species, Global warming, greenpeace, Indonesia, Malaysia, orangatans, palm oil, palm oil plantations, palm oil production, peatland, peatlands, rainforests, RSPO, transfat
Did you know that palm oil is dangerous to rainforests. Food industries are using palm oil as a healthy alternative to unhealthy shortening because it is trans-fat free. Palm oil is found in 1 of 10 food products. Some products are chocolate, chips, margarine and bread. It is also found in detergents and lipsticks. There is a trans-fat labeling regulation and manufacturers are seeking alternatives to partially hydronated vegetable oil. If companies replace 2.5 billion pounds of partially hydronated vegetable oil the US palm oil imports would triple. The demand for palm oil is forecast to double by 2020. To achieve that increase, thousands of square miles of new planting on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo would kill off the remaining orangatans, rhinos and tigers. 75% of the world supply of palm oil comes from Indonesia and Malaysia. The rainforests are known for their impact of the Earth’s environment. They are carbon sinks and can help slow global warming. Tropical rainforests have been described as the lungs of the planet. Year round tropical plants take carbon dioxide out of the air and replace it with oxygen. These forests house at least half of all Earth’s species. Changes will have a large impact on global bio diversity. “Forest” , a book by Tom Warhol published in 2007 , states “the tropical rainforest is the most diverse and productive biome on the planet. Two and a half acres contain 750 species of vascular plants and 42,000 species of insects.” Deforestation has multiple implications. Deforestation caused by palm oil plantations can add to global warming as well as bio diversity loss. Trees store carbon dioxide and when they are cut, tons of CO2 heads skyward. The expansion of the palm oil plantations is the greatest threat to the orangatan habitat. The use of palm oil is big business and we may not be able to stop it. It is up to the countries involved in palm oil production to regulate the industry. Greenpeace is trying to get food companies and supermarkets to stop trading with palm oil suppliers involved in this environmental destruction. RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable palm Oil) was set up to establish ethical and ecological standards for producing palm oil, but still the existing standards are not protecting our rainforests. Peatland is one of the most concentrated stores of carbon. Clearing the forest on top of it releases greenhouse gases. Consumers need to become aware of this very grave situation. We should try to find alternative products or use palm oil sparingly if we decide to use it. We can try to do our part by signing a petition at gopetition.com. There are 2600 orangatans that die each year so we can eat palm oil. Seventh Generation is the 1st consumer packaged goods company in North America to try and tackle the issue of palm oil production and it’s effects on the rainforest. We should support these companies.
November 9, 2009 · Filed under Interesting info · Tagged ADHD, benefits of play, dangers of computors for kids, dangers of video games, kids and natrure, nature, nature deficit disorder environmental awareness, respect our world, rising obesity, technology and kids
Nature deficit disorder is a new philosophy. I just read the review of a book that came out recently. The book is titled, “Last Child In The Woods”. The author, Richard Louv underscores the importance of fostering a connection between kids and nature. He feels that children have what he calls, “nature deficit disorder”. Kids are being raised on a diet of video games and junk food. Kids are not being taught to appreciate our world. With the green movement so popular, environmental issues are certainly taught in school and your child probably knows a lot, but it is not the same as really experiencing it. As a parent it is your job to reinforce what the schools teach. Teach your children about the history of where you live and teach them to respect wild plants and animals.
Explain to your children why you eat what you do whether it be vegetarain, organic or another type diet. They should learn what environmental impact that foods have on our planet. If you start a garden, let your child help and learn about organic gardening. As a family nature outings and discussisons are important. Don’t rely on schools to teach your children. Our children are the first generation to be raised without meaningful contact with the natural world. This is surprising with the heightened awareness created by the green movement. One reason is the fear factor. Violent criminals, sex offenders, kidnappers, diseases, including technology are what is keeping kids inside. This new generation is raised in fear. This really is a disorder of society and children are the victims. Family fun on a farm in almost non-existant. Louv states in his book that there is a correlation betwen the decline in kids contact with nature and the rising obesity epidemic. Kids used to come home from school and run and play outside until dinner. That is becoming a rare occurence. Schools do offer sports, but it is a structured activity and not the same as exporing the woods. Schools may teach students everything there is to know about the Amazon Rain Forest but they do not encourage kids to have a personal relationship with the world. These are virtual experiences. It is one thing to read about a frog and another to hold a frog in your hand. In the past, kids played outside building secret forts, playing hide and seek, hunting frogs and building snow igloos. Children of the digital age are becoming increasingly alienated from the natural world with disastrous implications. They don’t have the freedom to explore the world. Back in 1991, a study showed that the radius children could roam outside their home shrunk to a ninth of what it was 20 years ago. I am sure that now it is even less. This fast paced world does not allow kids to have a lazy afternoon of daydreaming. I suggest reading, “Last Child In The Woods”. It is a bit controversial. Some feel that video games and computors are good for our children. They make them smarter and they do aquire certain needed skills. This may be true, but at what expense? Nature play can reduce symptoms of stress, and ADHD. It increases creativity and cognitive skills and teaches us to use All our senses. I vote for nature. What about you?
November 9, 2009 · Filed under Go Green Questions For Thought · Tagged carbon emissions, cattle flatuence, CFU cow fart unit, climate change, cow farts, cow farts harmful to atmosphere, greenhouse gases, methane
You would not usually associate cow farts with climate change, but there is a lot of talk about cows lately. Methane is a product of cattle flatuence and a signifigant grrenhouse gas. At least 15% of the world’s greenhouse gases are produced from cattle. Scientists have now isolated the cow farting gene. The Environmental Protection Agency says cows are responsible for about 80 million metric tons of methane gas each year. Now that the gene has been isolated and studied, vaccines will soon be available against agricultural flatuence. There are different solutions in different countries. A tax in Estoria was approved – farmers will have to pay extra for cow farts. Who would have thought? Some farmers are changing the cows diets. The UN – says cow farts are more harmful to the atmosphere than man. The top destroyer of the environment is not the car, the plane or George Bush – it is the cow! There is now an approved universal standard for measuring greenhouse gases and carbon credits. it is a CFU or cow fart unit.
