Hempster's Spot

12 Post-Apocalypse Floating Cities and Homes: From Crazy Concepts to Reality : TreeHugger

2011-02-02T12:56:00.000-06:00

With all of the unusual things happening in nature, there are many wondering if we are heading toward the apocalypse that the Mayan's predicted. If you follow the link to the slideshow, you will see several interesting ideas for how our future living and working areas may look.

12 Post-Apocalypse Floating Cities and Homes: From Crazy Concepts to Reality : TreeHugger

Green Lessons From Super Bowl XLV - Earth911.com

2011-01-26T12:29:00.000-06:00

The NFL and the Superbowl are embracing sustainability. I was sure suprised to learn they have been working on their impact on the environment for the last 14 years. Read the article attached to the link below for more info.

Green Lessons From Super Bowl XLV - Earth911.com

Incredible Sahara Forest Project Moves From Concept To Reality With Major Development Deal : TreeHugger

2011-01-19T13:21:00.000-06:00

If you have any interest in alternative energy and how it can make a major difference for our world, take a look at this article. It is very ambitious and it could possibly help to reshape our renewable energy production.

Incredible Sahara Forest Project Moves From Concept To Reality With Major Development Deal : TreeHugger

Modern Modular Homes - Custom Designs for Modular Home - The Daily Green

2011-01-12T14:17:00.000-06:00

For those entertaining the idea of building an eco friendly home from alternative resources, consider the option of modular homes. Yes I know most people think of mobile homes as modular homes. Well you are in for a big surprise. Modern modular homes have increased their effeciency AND their curb appeal. Take a look at the slideshow link below and you will see a different view of modular homes. If this inspires your curiousity, take a look at shipping containber homes... you might be surprised.

Modern Modular Homes - Custom Designs for Modular Home - The Daily Green

Empire State Building Now Fully Wind Powered : TreeHugger

2011-01-07T13:18:00.000-06:00

This is a wonderful example of how renewable energy is possible for buildings of any age. Granted few can afford to spend $20 million to retrofit a building to use renewable energies, however it can and will be used to promote renewable energy.

Empire State Building Now Fully Wind Powered : TreeHugger

10 Ways to Save Gas - Save 20 Percent on Fuel Costs - The Daily Green

2011-01-06T14:10:00.000-06:00

These ten easy steps can certainly add up to fuel savings. Since the oil crooks of the world insist on robbing us every time we put fuel into our cars, every step we take to save fuel is a way of fighting back.

10 Ways to Save Gas - Save 20 Percent on Fuel Costs - The Daily Green

6 Green Resolutions You Can Actually Keep - Earth911.com

2011-01-05T13:47:00.000-06:00

Have you made any resolutions to be more eco friendly in 2011? Then perhaps you need to read through this article to help you start the year in a new direction.

6 Green Resolutions You Can Actually Keep - Earth911.com

Hydrogen Community Lolland - the Future is Here : TreeHugger

2010-12-24T11:46:00.000-06:00

This article helps to prove that alternative energy resources are a reality and that the are here just waiting to be utilized. I hope that this is just the beginning of the world moving toward renewable energies and renewable resources utilization.

Hydrogen Community Lolland - the Future is Here : TreeHugger

Why You Can’t Ignore Plastics Recycling - Earth911.com

2010-12-01T14:50:00.000-06:00

The chances are you are using plastic this very moment. Look around you, I bet there are at least three things within your view that have been made from or use plastic in their construction or use. This article helps explain why it is so important that we recycle plastics. Please read it, our future depends on decisions made today.

Why You Can’t Ignore Plastics Recycling - Earth911.com

Canadian Company Slashes Heating Bill by 91% with Simple Measures : TreeHugger

2010-11-23T13:50:00.000-06:00

This company shows that it doesn't take a huge investment, to make a huge change AND they saved a lot of money doing it. What business would not like to save $89,000 annually? Give the article a read, it's quick and it might just give you some ideas.

Canadian Company Slashes Heating Bill by 91% with Simple Measures : TreeHugger

Waste-to-Energy From the Inside - Earth911.com

2010-10-27T13:45:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered what happens to all that trash you have thrown away? This idea is one that I hope spreads around the world and especially in the Northeast where cities have a dense population. Making energy from trash could help eliminate one problem that continues to escalate every minute of every day... non recycleable trash that is taking up space.

I give Waste Management a thumbs up for stepping up and developing the waste incerators to energy plants. We need a lot moreof them and I hope they are successful enough that every city incorporates this idea as an enegy alternative.

Waste-to-Energy From the Inside - Earth911.com

Eco Cooking Tip

2010-10-14T16:18:00.000-05:00

How would you like to reduce the amount of energy you use while cooking in an oven or on a stovetop? Well this simple tip can reduce your cooking time by close to 1/3. Ready? Put a lid on it! Yes, it is that simple. By putting a lid on your pan/skillet, you can cut your cooking time by almost a third of your normal cooking time. The end result is the same, plus you use less energy.

Another bonus to using a lid while cooking, is that you can actually turn of your energy source when it is 90% cooked. Keeping the lid on will finish cooking your item AND you use less energy.

Try it. It's a challenge.

my town

2010-10-13T14:06:00.000-05:00

How has your town changed during the recent "Green Movement" ? The town I live in is Pensacola, FL. Much to my surprise the city of Pensacola now has curbside recycling. According to their stats, curbside recycling is growing by about 5000 customers per month. Plus they are now accepting even more items for recycling i.e. glass, pizza boxes and more!

After living here for 10 years, to see them take this one step is a major improvement. I actually have hope for a cleaner, greener future for our area!

Sustainability and Aesthetics

2010-10-13T14:00:00.000-05:00

Hi all,

I have a question- how come a lot of the sustainability houses such as "Earthships" or projects are soooooo unattractive? I saw a couple houses in which bottles were used extensively throughout the house and yet it was unattractive or dare I say... ugly.

Look you can build a house recyclying glass throught the design and make it look fantastic. It doesn't take much (or maybe it should) to plan things out to make them aesthetically appealing. The fact is that if we want mainstream America or the world for that matter, to get fully behind the idea of a sustainable life, then it is going to have to appeal to the most basic principle- style. Yes, I wrote style. If there isn't any eyecandy appeal to your design, people will disregard your design or they will move on. Even if it is the most kick-ass design around, if it doesn't look good- people won't be interested.

So how about it people, let's start making sustainable housing and sustainable designs more visually appealing!

Paper Bags or Plastic Bags? Everything You Need to Know

2010-09-23T16:13:00.000-05:00

I will be posting links to the basics of how to be "green". The links I am posting are from treehugger.com. I have read and learned quite a bit about the green lifestyle. Perhaps if you read them you might learn a thing or two yourself.

Paper Bags or Plastic Bags? Everything You Need to Know

Your Battery Questions Answered - Earth911.com

2010-09-23T16:02:00.000-05:00

If you have ever pondered the question of buying and using renewable batteries versus single use batteries, then you need to read this article. It will answer most of your questions about batteries.

Your Battery Questions Answered - Earth911.com

Mothballs Toxic - Mothballs Poison - The Daily Green

2010-09-23T16:00:00.000-05:00

Do you hate the smell of moth balls? Then stop smelling them! This tip gives you a few natural alternatives that may just be what you have needed.

Mothballs Toxic - Mothballs Poison - The Daily Green

Green Cleaning Recipes - Natural Green Cleaners - The Daily Green

2010-09-23T15:55:00.000-05:00

If you are a person who prefers to keep things "natural," let me ask you a question- what do you use to clean your house? There are a lot of 'green' cleaning products available at retail markets, but have you considered making your own? If the answer is yes, take a look at the following article. There may be a few techniques you haven't considered.

Green Cleaning Recipes - Natural Green Cleaners - The Daily Green

Women In Green - Earth911.com

2010-09-15T18:16:00.000-05:00

For all of the women of the world, the article listed below might make you feel better about some of your choices. I have known for quite some time that women make a lot more decisions than men. This article just reaffirms the idea that the future industries will have a lot more women who think and live in an eco friendly manner.

Give it a read, I think that if you are a woman- you just might give a fist pump of triumph.

Women In Green - Earth911.com

House Built From Hemp Is Full Of Green Surprises : TreeHugger

2010-09-03T18:18:00.000-05:00

The heasdline sreams about a house built from hemp. However that is only part of the story. This home has utilized several eco friendly technologies through out its wonderful space. There is a short two minute video of this story on CNN discussing some of the other eco friendly technologies involved with this home.

This home's style proves that you can be eco friendly, use sustaiable building methods AND be appealing.

House Built From Hemp Is Full Of Green Surprises : TreeHugger

Living in Balance

2010-09-02T16:55:00.000-05:00

It doesn’t matter if you are spiritual, a bible thumper or a pagan, the fact is that we here on planet Earth are out of balance with nature.

Granted there are a few of us who are making the effort to live in balance with Nature. To those folks, I say thank you. Thank you because you are doing something that I believe a lot more of us, actually all of us- need to be doing.

We humans have been abusing the Earth for more generations than we care to admit. Instead of traveling down the path that will lead to a symbiosis between mankind and nature, we took many short cuts. Which in turn harmed the Earth and now the Earth is fighting back- we have more severe weather patterns. These weather patterns are now more severe than any other time in our recorded history.

Because we took so many short cuts, we now have to deal with pollution in more ways than any of us need. I recently read that a large portion of our water sources contain mercury. In case you don’t know, that’s a bad thing.

The end result of us being out of balance with nature is that nature reacts to what we do to it. Now we have many species that are now extinct and many more that are on the verge of being extinct. Once they are gone, that’s all folks- we’ll never see them again.

Not only have our get-r-done as quick as possible attitude affected the animals, it is now affecting our environment in ways that may soon be deadly for us. Our winters are becoming colder our summers are hotter and our storms are a lot more intense.

We need to reach a level sustainability that many are afraid of. What are they afraid of? Well living sustainably requires effort and judging by our ever expanding waistlines, some of us are either afraid of exertion or we are lazier than we want to admit.

The simplest thing that we can do is recycle. Never in our history has recycling been easier. Many communities now offer curbside pickup. In my area, you don’t even have to separate your items [however I do it anyway.] Just by doing this one step, you are helping keep millions of pounds of items that are reusable out of valuable landspace. By recycling some items that won’t decay for thousands of years, you are helping the Earth maintain a better balance. Recycling helps keep our landfills cleaner. I can hear you now- cleaner? By keeping our landfills ‘cleaner’ we help the Earth get back some balance- a balance that will benefit all of us sooner than later.

A ‘balanced earth’ helps to produce ideal soil for growing food. Something I think all of us would agree is a good thing.

So, what do you say? Can we create a balanced Earth?

Norfolk engineer builds speedy hemp harvester - Norfolk Farming and Agriculture News - EDP24

2010-09-01T16:10:00.000-05:00

This guy has the RIGHT IDEA and he put it into action. Only through improvements in the processing of hemp will it be widely accepted and embraced.

Norfolk engineer builds speedy hemp harvester - Norfolk Farming and Agriculture News - EDP24

Perfect Plant? 7 Great Uses For Industrial Hemp : TreeHugger

2010-09-01T14:12:00.000-05:00

Even thw Discovery Channels eco friwendly website Treehugger backs the use of hemp. In this article you will see just 7 of the uses for the plant known as hemp. If we really want the USA to be energy independent i.e. biofuels, we need to have a hemp revolution. Only then will hemp's potential be truly revealed.

Perfect Plant? 7 Great Uses For Industrial Hemp : TreeHugger

Why Greening China is a National Priority - Earth911.com

2010-09-01T13:43:00.000-05:00

There have been a lot of negative stories about products coming from China. Our reality is that our politicians have allowed production to shift away from the USA. Until the USA brings back production to our shores we will continue to have a need for products from China.

Which brings be to the eco revolution that is taking place around the world. Currently China is kicking every ones butt in the race to produce eco friendly products and products that are used in building in an eco friendly manner. i.e. solar panels. Instead of us bitching and moaning about the fact we may fall behind in this race, learn from what they are doing and make it better here in the USA. The greening of the world is of the utmost importance for mankind to continue to exist.

If we want to be a world leader as president Obama suggests, we need to work with China. They have a headstart and as I stated earlier we can learn from them and improve their designs. We have brilliant people in all parts of the USA and if our government actually moves in the direction of living in a sustainable manner we CAN be a world leader and NOT a world follower.

Why Greening China is a National Priority - Earth911.com

1.25 Gigawatts of Solar Thermal Power Approved in California in Past Two Days Will Double US Capacity : TreeHugger

2010-08-31T16:50:00.000-05:00

This article talks about how one solar farm in California will actually double the USA's solar productuion! What an amazing concept. The downside is that there still is a possibility that it could be blocked by the public. The other downside is that will take three years to complete. Hopefully during that three year period solar panel technology and effeciency will greatly improve making this solar farm even more valuable.

Now if only all of the available renewable energy producing enities would work together, we could be become energy independent. There are so many available renewable resources vying for supremacy in energy production, that we the people may left waiting. If there is any way that all of these entities can work together to make us stronger and energy independent, I hope that it happens.

Some people wonder which entity to back so that we become energy independent sooner. Well my friend, there really isn't one that will work for all. So I say develope all of them so that we all can reach the same goal- energy independence.

1.25 Gigawatts of Solar Thermal Power Approved in California in Past Two Days Will Double US Capacity : TreeHugger