Dr Robert Muller - The Zeitgeist is Changing

Beyond “Free” or “Fair” Trade: Mexican Farmers Go Local - We Usually Think of the Demand for Local, Organic Foods as Coming From the North. But in Southern Mexico, the Growing Localist Movement is a Strategy for Survival

2012-01-28T12:14:00.001+10:30

Image via Wikipediaby Mike Wold, Yes! magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org

Tío Joel rode his small donkey down the dirt road to his greenhouse to show us his solution to keeping small farmers on their land in southern Mexico.

At about seventy years old, he could handle a machete or lift a 20-kilo sack of compost as easily as any of us, though the brace he wore around his waist was a sign of problems to come.

Trade policy in the United States usually gets cast into two opposing camps - "free" trade and "fair" trade, a dichotomy that assumes local production in the Global South must be sold elsewhere.

Taking a break from chopping green manure for compost for his popular tomatoes, he explained why a campesino like him could benefit from using organic methods: “In the harvest this year a lot of tomatoes were being harvested and the price went way down to five pesos per kilo, but we sell ours for seven. I go from house to house and sell it small-scale, but we sell out our tomatoes because they’re well-known … on Sunday we ran out of tomatoes, we sell so many.”

Trade policy in the United States usually gets cast into two opposing camps - "free" trade and "fair" trade, a dichotomy that assumes local production in the Global South must be sold elsewhere. Indeed, we usually think of the demand for local, organic foods as coming from North America or Europe.

But within countries like Mexico, there's another way to approach the issue, looking at global import and export versus local production and consumption. In the United States, it has emerged as the "localist" movement, which to many seems an unaffordable luxury compared to the accessibility of cheap imported food.

But in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, raising and eating your own food and producing for the local market has become a strategy for cultural and economic survival in a hostile trade environment.

To read further, go to: http://www.yesmagazine.org/peace-justice/beyond-free-or-fair-trade-mexican-farmers-go-local?utm_source=wkly20120127&utm_medium=yesemail&utm_campaign=titleWold

Local Economies for a Global Future: Yes, We Need to Relocalize - But That Doesn’t Mean We're Headed for Provincialism. Anticipating Our Near-Heavy, Far-Light Future

2012-01-21T12:18:00.001+10:30

Image via Wikipediaby Jason F. McLennan, Yes! magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org

This article is about a simple, singular idea, yet the significance of the idea to modern society is profound and far-reaching.

Here it is: In the near future anything heavy will become intensely local while at the same time the limits to things that are ‘light’, ideas, philosophies, information will travel even further than today - literally and figuratively. This is a new paradigm for humanity and it has huge implications for the complete reordering of society.

Environmentalists, economists, and sociologists agree: we are in an incredible state of flux, and this is simply the beginning. The planet is undergoing massive change and critical resources are diminishing, conditions to which the human race must respond. Population growth, resource scarcity and climate change will propel us, whether we like it or not, toward a new energy, food and resource paradigm.

The world’s economies, based on cheap plentiful energy and the exploitation of people and the environment are starting to crumble. We are beginning an era in which the cozy assumptions of the last half-century are turned upside down, a time when the institutions and technologies that run our civilization are re-engineered.

To understand how radical this new paradigm will be, let’s explore similar re-orderings in the past.

To read further, go to: http://www.yesmagazine.org/happiness/local-economies-for-a-global-future?utm_source=wkly20120120&utm_medium=yesemail&utm_campaign=titleMcLennan

Supporting Biodiversity With Wildflowers in Urban Built Up Environments

2012-01-14T12:39:00.000+10:30

Image via WikipediaBy Paulus Thurlbeck

I've been reading various sustainability journals and magazines for over twenty years now. That is not a boast about length of time nor can I claim to be an expert on sustainability - yet I am an enthusiastic supporter of it.

Yet every time I put the journals down I am back in reality of inner city districts with little or no local projects in the way of nature and biodiversity support actually exist.

Having lived in urban areas I ponder how the disappearance/reduction of nature has disconnected people particularly children, teenagers and adolescents and they grow into adults assuming the concrete jungle is the norm.

I've believed in green cities since the 1970's when I passionately read (then) 'book of the future' that spoke of solar roofs, self-sufficiency, wind turbines, greener cities, vertical farming, electric cars etc. My expectations of how the early 21st-Century would turn out and the reality check are somewhat very different.

Just going off the subject of nature for a moment; having undertaken investigation into many social situations in human life the last ten years and having undertaken sustainability projects.

Please note I don't use the word 'eco' and prefer to use word 'green' sparingly as it often has a backlash of too many negative social connotations; images of idealism, re-invented hippies, failed 'eco-projects' that will not function in the real world - all of which conventionalist/contemporary good people (90% of us) just disengage from all too frequently.

Nursery

What started off as community garden project has expanded quite well over the decade. Starting with a few indigenous seedlings sourced from accredited organisations, with each successive year the wildflower population expanded which would then be distributed across the emerging projects. Up to twenty indigenous wildflowers were grown including:

Betony
Devisbit Scabious
Foxglove
Lesser Knapweed
Oxeye Daisy
Ragged Robin
Cowslip
Field Scabious
Greater knapweed
Marigold
Purple Loosestrife
Teasel

This list of wildflowers is not a comprehensive one - merely a starting block.

The Island Project

I did not like this project title as people immediately assume an island in the middle of the sea. It is actually a green island in the middle of a busy inner city - yet the analogy of peaceful island in the middle of a busy sea/road is apparent.

When I became aware of this place fifteen years ago, it was always cluttered with rubbish and dog fouling. There were a few bushes and trees there, yet the soil was bald and very compacted from years of destructive people walking, sleeping and urinating or worse there.

Plants were regularly destroyed, where drunks or vagrants would sleep there or just rip them up. Litter was prolific and a battle to keep on top of. The council did make efforts to clear it every month along with the rest of the street cleaning - yet I more interested in prevention as opposed to cure. How could the littering and nature destruction be reduced?

I did ponder what positive actions could be taken? I did add some seedlings of an indigenous nature yet they were small and soon destroyed. Having matured some plants and shrubs to one metre high I added them in successive years. These were not destroyed and gave an opportunity to begin to 'in-fill' the spaces between the new shrubs and the original ones.

Given the very dense compacted nature of the soil, holes were dug and several hundred dendra/composting worms from Nursery1's established wormery were added each few months. They would no doubt procreate and increase the worm population to make the soil more pliable.

The usual ten species of indigenous plants were slowly added and checked upon each few months to see if they'd be destroyed or not. It was an uphill battle, with more plants added, this deterred people from trying to sleep on the (now minimised) bald soil areas and therefore lower levels of litter were prevalent.

Field scabious, foxgloves and Greater knapweed seedlings were attracting bees and other beneficial insects which passersby would comment on the beauty of the nature and enjoying it so close the city centre. The brighter colours were cited as a reason to enjoy looking at the plants as commuters walked past the island.

Over the course of recent years I began to notice a lack of drunks or destructive members of the community were being replaced by students and professionals beginning to sit there on the island walls. By us complimenting a green space with a few indigenous species supporting seedlings and shrubs access became more widespread and appreciated.

University Planting/Biodiversity Project

Even though I've been on the payroll of a traditional university for the last nine years I do not claim to be an academic (I'm sure many people would agree with that!).

It has annoyed me constantly that as many universities thump the proverbial tub about the need to implement sustainability measures on all fronts of social inclusion, economic stability and environmental benign activity - it frequently smacks up as 'all talk no action' or a total lack of 'practice what you preach': all this talk about green implementation - I never actually see it happening about the University site.

For this I approached the Estates Department of this particular university and made some inroads. It is important to note you cannot just wade in like John Wayne and demand that you want to implement something; it is important to understand where the organisation is coming from.

The Estates division were very supportive of indigenous planting initiatives yet had more questions on how to fund it and how to maintain it, particularly in a challenging recession and reduced University budgets.

It was explained that they fully recognised that existing plants around any UK University may not necessarily be indigenous or species supportive - yet they are kept as they are easy to maintain and require (relatively) little effort as they are, for the most part, perennial therefore just requiring the yearly 'haircut'.

This concept is known as 'soft landscaping', it is embraced by many organisations as understandably they wish to have a green appearance to their precious green spaces 365 days a year as part of a positive business face.

We did offer to do all the work, cover the costs of seedlings, growing, maintaining, observation and any possible data collection. The Estates division very kindly allocated some space, dug out all weeds and put fresh soil down near to one of the universities faculties.

Planting began in the mid to late 2000's and monthly check ups were made to ensure all plants were developing okay. This was one of few projects where we did not have to constantly check for vandalism due to the universities decent security measures and a very hard working porter's team!

A flooding issue was identified in one of the pockets of the land and we specifically added teasel plants (amongst other plants) there to specifically absorb as much water as possible, make the soil more stronger and absorbable (this is an experiment and we'll get back to you with results on this in a few years time) and reduce the pathway flooding.

Many of you would recommend a sink hole be added by digging up the ground and throwing rocks in, then covering the ground again - that may be an option for another time, for now the interest is how the plants progress.

The end result? This is a token implementation pilot scheme which will encourage the staff and students in the mid 2010's to encourage planting around university buildings, the locale, the halls of residence or other buildings people may consider. I strongly recommend that the British Universities lead by example on this.

Producing a small article in the local student rag as well as the universities internal memo's will communicate the efforts being made and encourage others to join in or begin their own initiatives.

If the response rate is low? So be it - this was always recognised as a long term initiative and the subtle touch of people seeing the indigenous species and doing their own research and learning about the plants will encourage more sustainable land management and support systems in place.

It is intended that student conservation organisations will spread the work out. It is great that UK student bodies have gone out and executed some verge bashing and got rid of weeds etc. For decades now - so why not supplement this with an indigenous seedling planting programme for species support mechanisms around the university.

It only takes a few people in each university to begin such a process and hand it down to their successive peers each few years. It literally is a tokenism of a few hours per person can generate a strong signal to others and the results will obviously benefit our precious eco systems in urban built up areas.

College and School sanctuary

This was one of most contentious issues and a real challenge. To work in a 'good school' is almost a pointless venture (read on first!!) the good schools invariably have good management, efficient with money, they have a general positive culture backed by parents who will side with the school and all pull together quickly and efficiently to ensure an excellent education and upbringing for the 5-18 year olds.

Although I greatly praise these good school practices, I more interested in inner city tough and poor performing schools. Invariably in tough city districts you will find many a teenager disconnected from nature and actually rebelling against it; preferring to be at home in front of video games or on street with their mates bored out their minds.

This is not rebuke of our teenage nation, merely an observation of how things have evolved of the last thirty years. Many of you acknowledge this as a British cliche - yet we feel helpless and assume nothing can be done about it so we just get on with our own thing. Believe me when I say I am astounded by what our teenagers can pull off when they are empowered with the right tools.

I should point out that one particular school outwardly refused to have a recycling programme (as of 2010 when the other schools in the same district have implemented their own schemes in the mid 2000's!).

The local authority, Keep Wales Tidy, Wastesavers and other beneficial organisations offered to provide (for free) resources and services. Still an absolute 'No!' was given as the response to all these social and environmental improvement initiatives. It was little wonder morale was so poor. A change in management gave an opportunity to get things finally rolling.

The waste onsite had collected in the shrubs, trees and bushes over a very long period of time (and I mean ten to twenty years) so teams of litter pickers went out. Assuming one hours work per child, twenty pupils per group, and ten trips to the nature area equated to 200 hours of litter collection (150 black bags).

This barely made a dent - yet with a few more years work they should have whole area cleared. This was not entirely the schools fault that the litter had accrued there, rather a combination of the wind, local industry and the main road had contributed to the build up of litter.

The soil structure was very dense and much clay was there. Composters were added which would create soil over time. The final stage, some months later was adding some 200 indigenous species of seedlings which would support local insect populations. All this was explained to the pupils who were well aware of declining bee/butterfly/ladybird etc. populations, and now empowered with skills to actually do something about it.

The feedback off the 11-15 year olds was significant and they felt a connection with nature, mainly due to hands on work and a feeling of empowering skills.

All things progress - this may be common place in primary schools and nurseries for creating nature reserves, yet the main target should be secondary schools where many teens go through a period of social disconnection. They will get behind it when the project is spearheaded correctly.

Our children deserve every opportunity to connect with nature. Please do not assume all our children have access to fields, parks or even a garden. Please get in touch with your local schools, they may be grateful to have local experts or enthusiasts on board and support landscaping the nurseries/schools grounds. Together we can reconnect communities on some levels by supporting nature.

Overall:

The point of sharing this is - I'm doing nothing new, none of this is trailblazing or radical - merely a biodiversity practice that many of us could easily engage on their own. There is no point people complaining about how bad the locality (in Nature related terms) is - when we start doing something about it, like wildflower planting, only then will improvements become a reality.

I'm not saying planting wildflowers is the only solution, yet commencing such initiatives will help improve your locality in small steps. If you start something positive, others will continue it in their own way.

http://www.davius.co.uk

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Why Is Recycling Important?

2012-01-08T11:25:00.000+10:30

Image via WikipediaBy Erica E Balk

Recycling as we know it today came about as a result of the environmental movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Since that time the national recycling rate has increased from 7.3% to over 30%.

Unfortunately, despite the 'go green' mantra of the 2000's our national recycling rate has remained static at 33.8% over the last two decades.

But why should we be concerned with increasing our recycling rates? Why is recycling important? Here are the top four reasons why we should recycle.

Recycling reduces air and water pollution and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which contribute to global warming.

Recycling one ton of paper conserves:

17 trees
7,000 gallons of water
2 barrels of oil
4100 kilowatts of energy
2 cubic yards of landfill space

In addition, it prevents 60 pounds of air pollution.

Recycling is a gateway activity into other pro-environmental behaviors

Recycling is a relatively easy activity to engage in, and allows people to feel that they are making a difference without requiring major lifestyle changes. Once people see that 'going green' isn't a major hardship they are more willing to make other small changes in their lives, such as using energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, spending less on heating and air-conditioning or composting yard and food wastes.

Recycling conserves landfill space

Landfill space is dwindling and many states are forced to export their waste. Today Americans produce approximately 4 pounds of garbage per person per day. This figure must be reduced to ensure future sustainability. Landfills are also unpopular with residents. Homes sited near a landfill experience a 5 to 10% reduction in property values versus comparable homes sited further away.

Recycling creates jobs

Sorting and processing recyclables sustains ten times more jobs per ton than landfilling. 10,000 tons of waste will sustain only one landfill job. 10,000 tons of compost sustains 4 jobs. 10,000 tons of recyclables collected sustains 10 jobs at a material recovery facility.

The news gets better in the manufacturing industry. That same 10,000 tons of recycled material sustains 18 jobs in the paper industry, 26 jobs in the glass industry and 93 jobs in the plastics industry. In computer reuse it sustains a whopping 296 jobs! In addition, manufacturing jobs average $47,700 per year, versus about half that in the landfill industry.

Summary

Recycling reduces our dependence on landfills, conserves resources, reduces pollution and stimulates the job market. Our future sustainability in terms of both environment and economy depend on these factors. For these reasons and more, governments must find ways to increase participation in local programs and in turn boost the national recycling rate.

For more information on recycling and job creation visit http://www.ilsr.org.

Erica Balk publishes the Tips for Recycling blog at http://www.tipsforrecycling.com. She is an MPA with over a decade of experience in the solid waste and recycling field. Visit http://www.tipsforrecycling.com for ways you can recycle at home, recycling games for kids, current news in the recycling field, and information for professionals looking to increase participation in their recycling programs.

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Defining Wind Generated Electrical Power and Discussing Pros and Cons of the Technology

2011-12-31T17:08:00.000+10:30

Image via WikipediaBy Charles A Juopperi

Introduction

Wind generated electrical power exists through harnessing wind-power energy with turbines. To fully understand wind generated electrical power, one must understand how wind powered electricity is made; resources needed to utilize wind power; types and sizes of wind turbines; building a wind turbine; potential positive and negative impacts of the technology; where wind powered electricity can be effectively generated; and, offsetting the costs of wind powered electrical technology.

How Wind Powered Electricity is Made

The technology of wind generated electrical power functions by creating electricity through the use of various styles of wind turbines. Initially, one might ask, "So how do wind turbines make electricity?" Simply said, a wind turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.

Resources Needed to Utilize Wind Power

The primary resource of Wind powered technology is, of course, wind. Wind is very abundant in many parts of the United States and other parts of the world. Wind resources are branded by wind-power density classes, ranging from class 1 (the lowest) to class 7 (the highest). Good wind resources (e.g., class 3 and above, which have an average annual wind speed of at least 13 miles per hour) are found in many areas. Wind speed is a critical of wind resources, because the energy in wind is proportionate to the cube of the wind speed. In other words, a stronger wind means more power.

Wind resource development requires land and may compete with other uses of that land, and those alternative uses may be more highly valued than electricity generation. However, wind turbines can be positioned on land that is also used for grazing or even farming. Wherever a wind farm is to be built, roads are cut to make way for shipping parts. At each wind turbine location, the land is graded and the pad area is leveled. Wind energy also requires the building of wind turbines.

Types and Sizes of Wind Turbines

Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups: the horizontal-axis variety and the vertical-axis design, like the eggbeater-style Darrieus model, named after its French inventor. Horizontal-axis wind turbines typically either have two or three blades. These three-bladed wind turbines are operated "upwind," with the blades facing into the wind. Darrieus models, or vertical-axis wind turbines, have two vertically oriented blades revolving around a vertical shaft.

In addition to different types, there are many different sizes of wind turbines. Utility-scale turbines range in size from 100 kilowatts to as large as several megawatts. Larger turbines are grouped together into wind farms, which provide bulk power to an electrical grid. Single small turbines, below 100 kilowatts, are used for homes, telecommunications, or water pumping.

Small turbines are sometimes used in connection with diesel generators, batteries, and photovoltaic systems. These systems are called hybrid wind systems and are typically used in remote, off-grid locations, where a connection to the utility grid is not available.

Building a Wind Turbine

The first step in building a wind turbine is setting up the tower where the fiberglass nacelle is installed. The nacelle is a strong, hollow casing that contains the inner workings of the wind turbine. Usually made of fiberglass, the nacelle contains the main drive shaft and the gearbox. Its inner workings also contain blade pitch and yaw controls. The nacelle is assembled and attached onto a base frame at a factory.

The most diverse use of materials and the most experimentation with new materials occur with the blades. Although the most dominant material used for the blades in commercial wind turbines is fiberglass with a hollow core, other materials in use include lightweight woods and aluminum. Wooden blades are solid, but most blades consist of a skin surrounding a core that is either hollow or filled with a lightweight substance such as plastic foam or honeycomb, or balsa wood.

Wind turbines also include a utility box, which converts the wind energy into electricity and which is located at the base of the tower. The generator and electronic controls are standard equipment whose main components are steel and copper. Various cables connect the utility box to the nacelle, while others connect the whole turbine to nearby turbines and to a transformer.

Potential Positive and Negative Effects of Wind Powered Electricity

There are a variety of potential positive and negative impacts of wind powered technology.

Potential positive impacts include:

- Wind energy is friendly to the surrounding environment, as no fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity from wind energy.
- Wind turbines take up less space than the average power station. Windmills only have to occupy a few square meters for the base; this allows the land around the turbine to be used for many purposes, for example agriculture.
- Newer technologies are making the extraction of wind energy much more efficient. The wind is free, and we are able to cash in on this free source of energy.
- Wind turbines are a great resource to generate energy in remote locations, such as mountain communities and remote countryside.
- Wind turbines can be a range of different sizes in order to support varying population levels.
- When combined with solar electricity, this energy source is great for developed and developing countries to provide a steady, reliable supply of electricity.

Potential negative impacts include:

- Wind turbines generally produce less electricity than the average fossil fuelled power station, requiring multiple wind turbines to be built.
- Wind turbine construction can be very expensive and costly.
- Wind turbines can have a negative impact to surrounding wildlife during the build process.
- The noise pollution from commercial wind turbines is sometimes similar to a small jet engine.
- Protests and/or petitions usually confront any proposed wind farm development. People feel the countryside should be left intact for everyone to enjoy its beauty.

Where Wind Powered Electricity Can be Effectively Generated

Places in the world where wind blows strong and often, people and businesses can harness the wind as an option to use in the generation of electricity. Globally, these places include much of North America, southern South America, Greenland, most of Europe, Northern Africa, eastern Asia, most of Australia, and anywhere there are mountains or large hills. The top 5 countries producing electrical wind power in 2007 were: Germany, United States, Spain, India and China, respectively.

Considerable wind speeds also occur across oceans and large water bodies. Since most of the world's population lives near oceans, wind farms with strong offshore and onshore breezes could produce an abundant amount of electricity. On land in the USA, the major wind corridor is the Great Plains which includes the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

The wind corridor also extends into the states west to the great mountains west, including eastern Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. There are also considerable wind resources in eastern and southern Minnesota and the entire state of Iowa, diminishing south through Missouri and east through southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Parts of New York and the New England states also have considerable wind.

The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that wind power could supply the US with 100% of its electricity, just from the Great Plains wind corridor or from offshore wind farms alone. According to the "Pickens Plan," a $10 billion wind farm with 2500 generators can supply enough energy for 1.3 million homes, and for $1 trillion the Great Plains wind corridor could supply 20% of America's electricity. That would be about 250,000 generators to supply 130 million homes.

In a report published by the U.S. Department of Energy, "20% Wind Energy by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy's Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply," that report concluded that:

- Reaching 20% wind energy will require enhanced transmission infrastructure, streamlined siting and permitting regimes, improved reliability and operability of wind systems, and increased U.S. wind manufacturing capacity.
- Achieving 20% wind energy will require the number of turbine installations to increase from approximately 2000 per year in 2006 to almost 7000 per year in 2017.
- Integrating 20% wind energy into the grid can be done reliably for less than 0.5 cents per kWh.
- Achieving 20% wind energy is not limited by the availability of raw materials.
- Addressing transmission challenges such as siting and cost allocation of new transmission lines to access the nation's best wind resources will be required to achieve 20% wind energy.

Offsetting the Costs of Wind Powered Electrical Technology

Although wind generated electrical power seems to be an unlimited resource, and, the best wind sites appear to be competitive with market electricity prices in most U.S. regions, several factors exist that make it a less appealing source of alternative energy in terms of economic cost. First off, wind is not uniformly priced resource. Its costs vary widely depending on project scale, wind speed, region, and other factors. Second, the benchmark for comparison with wind to other fuels varies regionally. Third, extra revenue is required to make a project viable, sunk costs are considerable.

To offset the factors that make wind powered electricity a less appealing source of alternative energy and promote its continued growth, wind energy in many areas receives some financial or other support to encourage development. Wind energy benefits from subsidies either to increase its attractiveness or to compensate for subsidies received by other forms of production, such as coal and nuclear, which have significant negative impacts.

In the United States, wind power receives a tax credit for each Kilowatt hour produced; that was 1.9 cents per Kilowatt hour in 2006. The tax the credit has a yearly inflationary adjustment. Many American states also provide incentives, such as exemption from property tax, mandated purchases, and additional markets for "green credits." The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 contain extensions of credits for wind, including micro-turbines.

Secondary market forces also provide incentives for businesses to use wind-generated power, even if there is a premium price for the electricity, socially responsible manufacturers pay utility companies a premium that goes to subsidize and build new wind power groundwork. Companies use wind-generated power, and in return they can claim that they are making a "green" effort.

Undoubtedly, further tax credits, subsidies and incentives will also be needed to achieve the goal of 20% Wind Energy by 2030. Today, wind power approximately accounts for about 2% of the electricity generated in the United States.

Summary

The technology of wind generated electrical power functions by creating electricity through the use of various styles of wind turbines is a very viable alternative energy. Although wind generated electrical power does have some negative impacts, this author feels that in terms of long-term cost and benefit compared with other types of energy, such as the burning of fossil fuels, using a renewable resource such as wind generated electrical power economically, environmentally, and socially is making more and more sense.

Charles Juopperi invites you to do your part in energy conservation by purchasing Green, ROHS, and Energy Star compliant products at his website eDiscount Electronics: http://stores.ediscount-electronics.com. When you buy products from us, you can rest assured that your doing your part for the environment while finding the lowest prices around. eDiscount Electronics sells discount wholesale desktops, servers, notebooks, tablets, audio equipment, HDTV's, and other types of consumer electronics. Please visit us today. Orders over $1000 ship free!

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Cities Take Up the “Ban the Bag” Fight: Why New Policies Across the Nation Could Mean the End of Plastic Bags

2011-12-24T17:19:00.001+10:30

Image via Wikipediaby Rebecca Leisher, Yes! magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org

Environmental activists are reducing plastic waste pollution by tackling disposable plastic bags, one city at a time. About 20 U.S. cities and towns have passed disposable bag reduction laws, including San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Whether they impose a nominal fee for single-use, disposable bags, or ban them altogether, the laws encourage consumers to develop habits to replace disposable bags, particularly those made from plastic.

The most recent city to join the effort to ban the bag is Portland, Ore., which has banned single-use plastic bags at the checkouts of large retailers. The change was met with overwhelming support from most Portlanders, says Stiv Wilson of 5 Gyres Institute, who helped give out free reusable bags at grocery stores to ease the transition for shoppers on October 15, when the ban took effect.

The Portland ordinance, unanimously approved by Portland City Council, was the culmination of a four-year campaign by the Surfrider Foundation Portland Chapter, 5 Gyres Institute, and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. It reflects growing public concern about the environmental impact of disposable plastic.

To read further, go to: http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/the-yes-breakthrough-15/cities-take-up-the-ban-the-bag-fight?utm_source=wkly20111223&utm_medium=yesemail&utm_campaign=titleLeisher

Poaching In Africa Is Still Prevalent

2011-12-17T12:06:00.000+10:30

Image via WikipediaBy John Gordon Alexander

In 2011 alone there have been 23 black and white Rhinos killed due to poaching in both Zimbabwe's National Parks and private reserves. In response to this there have been 37 arrests of suspected poachers and illegal ivory dealers.

With the lucrative Asian and Middle Eastern market present it's no surprise that poaching still exists in Zimbabwe. With poverty at its highest level in Zimbabwe people living on the outskirts of National Parks and animal reserves have the temptation to poach a Rhino and sell the ivory on to a dealer to make some quick money for himself and his family. There are very few job opportunities in Zimbabwe so in many cases it's a 'needs, must' scenario.

Efforts are being made by the wildlife authorities in Zimbabwe by devising new ways to tackle this on going problem. A solution to the problem lies in the Rhino's horn, so horn removal projects have been implemented across the country in aid of saving the Rhinos. By removing these magnificent creatures horns, poachers will have no value in taking a Rhino's life and may therefore leave them alone. The ivory will then stay with the authorities who will keep it under lock and key away from the poachers.

Another method being implemented is poisoning the horn of the Rhino, not in an attempt to harm the animal but to poison the poacher and the ivory dealers once they get their hands on the tusk. Both these methods could prove to be a resounding success as it will make life a lot trickier for both the poachers and the ivory dealers.

In other African nations, poaching is still an issue but not to the extent of Zimbabwe. Many other countries including Kenya and Tanzania have employed more fully trained rangers to patrol National Parks in search of poachers, laying traps and snares to catch them. Kenya also hopes to purchase another 14 light aircraft to patrol National Parks and suspected poaching sites which will enable them to respond much more swiftly than they would be able to on foot.

Ultimately to quell this problem there needs to be a more forceful ban imposed in Asia and the Middle East to cut off the buyers. As long as there is demand for the ivory I'm afraid there will always be people trying to supply them whatever the cost. Until that day comes the only thing authorities in Africa can do is to be vigilant and keep coming up with new ideas on how to catch poachers and ivory dealers.

Are you looking for an African adventure? If you are looking for top of the line African safari, or perhaps a high end Botswana Safari? then we are the people to come to.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gordon_Alexander
http://EzineArticles.com/?Poaching-In-Africa-Is-Still-Prevalent&id=6752410

VIDEO: Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars

2011-12-10T11:34:00.001+10:30

Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars Synopsis

From the outset FIGHTING GOLIATH: TEXAS COAL WARS was intended to serve as a tool for raising awareness, inspiring action, and creating a meaningful dialogue about how to overcome one of the greatest threats to public health contributors to global warming faced by the U.S. - conventional coal-fired power plants.

FIGHTING GOLIATH follows the story of farmers, ranchers and Mayors fighting against the construction of 18 new coal-burning power plants in Texas.

TXU Corp. withdrew eight of the 11 permit applications shortly before the case went to court, when it was announced that shareholders would sell the utility to private equity firms. The film was produced by the Redford Center at the Sundance Preserve and Alpheus Media, and directed by Mat Hames and George Sledge.

Film Credits

Narrated by Robert Redford
Written and Directed by Mat Hames and George Sledge
Executive Producers: Julie Mack and Jill Tidman
Producer: Cara Carney
Director of Photography: Shane Kelly
Editor: Sandra Guardado
Associate Producers: Beth Hames, Mat Hames and Anne Nagelkirk
Location Sound: Mark Lutte and Djakhangir Zakhidov
Assistant Camera and Photography: Stuart McSpadden
Production Assistants: Taryn Hall and Djakhangir Zakhidov
Additional Cinematography: Wilson Waggoner
Post-Production Supervisor: Mat Hames
Post-Production Assistants: Jeff Spross, Taryn Hall and Ginny Patrick
Archival Footage Coordinators: Cara Carney and Dacia Saenz
Graphics: Erik Lauritzen
Audio Design: Carl Thiel
Music By: Steve Bernal, BerxWerx, Sean Craypo, Tom Hamer, Sativa Quartet, Peter Stopschinski and Adam Sultan

Mother’s Care: Empirical Evidence Shows That Convening With Nature Can Heal the Mind

2011-12-03T11:54:00.002+10:30

Image via Wikipediaby Richard Louv, from The Nature Principle, on UTNE: Best of the Alternative Press: http://www.utne.com

As director of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, Allen Fish teaches raptor migration study and wildlife monitoring. Ninety percent of his work is with adults, the hundreds of volunteers who count, band, and track hawks.

“Many of our volunteers hang on for five or more years. Their raptor work becomes deeply therapeutic in their urban lives,” he says. “I have heard stories of self-healing here that would make a therapist tear up: of manic depression, of abuse, of chemical dependency. The strength that these people bring to their resolve to connect with nature is utterly stirring.”

To find hope, meaning, and relief from emotional pain, our species embraces medication, meditation, merlot, and more. These methods work for a time, some longer than others, some quite well, and some to our detriment.

But the restorative power of nature is there, always. Spending time in natural settings is no panacea; it’s not a total replacement for other forms of professional therapy or self-healing, but it can be a powerful tool in maintaining or improving mental health.

Read more: http://www.utne.com/Mind-Body/Ecopsychology-Restorative-Power-Of-Nature.aspx#ixzz1fQjtPzp2

ANNOUNCEMENT: Pearls of the Planet

2011-11-26T13:42:00.001+10:30

Image via WikipediaHi readers,

Below is a special announcement of an exciting project from explore.org. I'm sure you'll find it fascinating.

Cheers, Robert.

Dear Explorers,

I want to personally thank you for supporting the LIVE POLAR BEAR CAM. I call this initiative Pearls of the Planet, and the mission is simple: I want people to fall in love with the world again. I believe that by simply observing the natural world, we will develop an emotional connection that will allow us to become responsible stewards of the planet we live on.

Pearls of the Planet is a decade old dream of mine, but what makes it so special is the purity of spirit in which all of you write your comments. They are invaluable and immeasurable in any dollar amount.

Please share in the beautiful photographs and film clips on our first ever Polar Bear Wall of Wisdom.

As much as we will miss our beloved polar bears, let's rejoice that they are going home where hopefully the food will be plentiful. Until they return, please know that several new Pearls of the Planet Live Cameras will be available so we can all study the natural world we love.

Please consider explore.org your extended family and home.

Sincerely,

Charles Annenberg Weingarten
Explore.org / Pearls of the Planet

The Effects of Plastic Bags on the Environment

2011-11-19T12:53:00.000+10:30

Kamilo Beach, Hawaii - Image via Wikipediaby Greg R Johnson

It's easy to think of the negative effects of plastic bags on the environment when you consider that 100 billion plastic bags are used each year in the United States and that they take up to 1,000 years to break down.

Fifty years ago there were no bags on this planet. Now consider based on their break down rate that every bag ever manufactured, except for the recycled or incinerated ones are either filling our landfills, polluting our waterways or hanging in our kitchen closets as clutter.

Often comforts of everyday life, things we now consider a necessity were developed and pushed into our lives only because they were the cheapest option. Long-term costs, such as the impact on our environment and the clean up of it weren't considered. This appears to be the case with plastic bags.

Dependence on Foreign Oil

Plastic bags are manufactured using polyethylene a byproduct of oil. Roughly 60 to 100 million barrels of oil go into their production each year. China recently banned the use of plastic bags and their estimated savings in oil was about 37 million barrels per year.

They Take a Very, Very Long Time to Break Down

Plastic bags haven't been around for long, less than fifty years. So no one knows for sure how long they take to break down. One thing is for sure though; all the plastic bags that haven't been recycled or incinerated are still on this planet in landfills, floating in the ocean, littering our parks, roadways and lakes, or just piled in corners of our closets, garages or kitchens.

Grocery bags are made from polyethylene and are photodegradable and not biodegradable. Being photodegradable means, these bags need sunlight to break down. Therefore, burying them in a landfill accomplishes nothing other than to hide the problem and create mountains of trash buried out of sight.

When and if they do degrade, they simply break down into smaller more toxic microscopic particles called petrol-polymers that seep into waterways and eventually enter our food chain.

Plastic Bags Account for 10% of Debris Washed Up On Our Shoreline

They have been seen floating in the oceans, and washing up on shorelines as far North as the Arctic Circle and as far south as The Falkland Islands. What an awful eyesore to our planet as a whole.

Kill Hundreds of Thousands of Animals Per Year

Believing the bags to be food, marine wildlife choke on the bags and die or they enter their digestive systems until they die. After death their bodies decompose, but not the bags.

Plastic bags are cheap, efficient and strong. They make shopping simple and easy. However plastic bags have many negative effects on the environment. They increase our dependence on foreign oil, pollute our waterways, fill our landfills, kill our wildlife and are an eyesore.

Greg Johnson writes on a variety of subjects, including the environment, tips for going green, and alternative energy sources. Greg is passionate about the environment and believes we as a society as a whole are depleting and destroying our environment to fast. Get more Green Tips at: http://www.bestgogreentips.com/ and http://gogreentips.hubpages.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_R_Johnson
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Effects-of-Plastic-Bags-on-the-Environment&id=6695672

Great New Talent: Redeem Yourself by Luke James

2011-11-14T20:57:00.000+10:30

Hi everyone,

I don't do this very often, but I'd like you all to listen to a young man who I think is a great new talent. His name is Luke James, and he is the son of one of my close trusted colleagues, John James. Luke hails from Adelaide, South Australia, and as you will see, is a very talented musician and songwriter. The lyrics are powerful and match the strong visuals on the video.

It would be great to get some feedback, so ALL comments are very welcome indeed! Let's encourage local young talent!

Protesters Win Pipeline Delay

2011-11-12T11:55:00.001+10:30

Image by 350.org via Flickrby Brooke Jarvis, on Yes! magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org

The Keystone XL pipeline started out as a fairly obscure infrastructure project that most observers expected to win quick and easy approval.

But through months of determined protest, opponents of the pipeline (which would carry oil from Canada’s tar sands to refineries in the Gulf Coast) stirred up a national debate about the wisdom of building it.

And today, they’re celebrating a victory: The State Department (which must approve the pipeline since it crosses an international border) announced that it will delay approval of the project by at least a year until it can study alternative routes.

The pipeline isn’t dead, but the delay is very bad news for the developer, TransCanada - whose CEO was quoted warning that any delays might kill the project - and very good news for the thousands who have worked to keep the project from being rubber-stamped.

To get the issue on the public’s radar, more than 1,200 people volunteered to be arrested outside the White House in August; just last week, thousands of protesters encircled the building completely. Opponents also sent some 300,000 comments to the State Department and filled public hearings for months.

To read further, go to: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/brooke-jarvis/protesters-win-pipeline-delay?utm_source=wkly20111111&utm_medium=yesemail&utm_campaign=titleJarvis

BOOK REVIEW: Green Mama by Tracey Bianchi - Greening Your Travel and Worship and Planting a Tree

2011-11-05T11:50:00.000+10:30

Image via WikipediaBy Timothy Zaun

Tracey Bianchi is a married mother of three young children, living in Chicago. Her environmental concerns for both her family and future generations inspired her to write Green Mama: The Guilt-Free Guide to Helping You and Your Children Save the Planet.

Bianchi earned a master of divinity degree and is a frequent speaker and writer on topics of Christianity. Regardless of your religious beliefs or denomination, and whether or not you have children, Green Mama will enlighten you to the earth's dwindling natural resources; and how you can make a positive impact.

Here, the topics of greening your travel and worship, along with advocacy for planting a tree are discussed.

Greening Your Travel

Before traveling, ask yourself if you really need to get there at all. Monitoring your travel can reduce fuel consumption, carbon emissions and consumerism. U.S. residents are responsible for approximately 25 percent of the world's carbon emissions even though we have only 5 percent of the population.

Before jumping in the car, ask these potentially life-changing questions:

Have I chosen a green place to live? Answers vary according to circumstances. For you, that might mean multiple acres in a rural area or easy access to public transportation.
Do I live close enough to the amenities I need or the places I frequently visit? Next time you move, consider not only housing costs and school district quality. Think too about the commute time to routine travel, including the grocery store, church and library.
Do I really need to do this today or can I do it another time as part of another errand?
Can I walk or bike there instead?
Who else can I bring with me (i.e. a neighbor who needs to go grocery shopping a the same time)?
Can I combine the trip with another errand?
Am I shopping locally? Are all of my errands as close to home as possible?

Air Travel

The World Wide Institute states that one plane crossing the Atlantic Ocean uses16, 000 gallons of fuel. That's enough to power one car for fifty years.

Before flying, ask yourself if you can travel by car or train. Take public transportation to and from the airport whenever it's possible. Bring your own snacks and decline drinks, napkins and plastic cups offered on the plane.

Realize that you might be skiing at a resort that doesn't monitor its carbon emissions. Long-term, the very commodity they're selling (snowfall) could diminish with climate change. Eating at certain seafood restaurants, while enjoyable, may be purchasing their food from overfished waters. "Be an educated traveler and make a difference when you can," says Bianchi.

Green Your Hotel and Resort Stays

Bring home half-used bottles of shampoo and lotions. Use them up and recycle the containers. Look for water-saving tips from your hotel. Now, many offer water conservation programs that ask you to reuse your towels and bed linens the next day.

Vacation with a Purpose.

"Purposeful vacations take into account the social imprint of your vacation as well as the ecological practices of the places you visit," says Bianchi.

Consider an Eco-Vacation, a Mission Project or a Conservation Trip.

Your local church or park district may offer trips and ecotourism vacations to destinations where you and your family can stay together. Cleaning up trails, helping to create a habitat for endangered wildlife and serving needy families worldwide are among the many vacation opportunities.

Buy a Hybrid Car; They Make a Difference.

The smaller and slower the car, the better the fuel efficiency.

Greening Your Worship

Your place of worship (or any other community setting you experience, including work) may ignore promoting an eco-friendly atmosphere. "Turns out the very buildings that were designed to proclaim the wonders of the God of the universe are some of the least green places in the country," says Bianchi.

Styrofoam cups, individualized creamer packets and sugars, stir sticks, multi-page bulletins, and company newsletters printed with petroleum-based ink (instead of eco-friendly soy-based inks) are among the eco-savvy detractors.

"Greening up the church is not a fad or some hippie luxury; it is good stewardship and it is our future," she says. Bianchi suggests two levels to start greening your worship:

1. Begin with your senior pastor, minister, rabbi, etc. A simple meeting with him or her can initiate the dialogue. Further talks can convene with committees, elders, trustees, and others leaders. Tap into your congregation's professional talents, including architects, engineers and HVAC experts.

Discuss who will lead the greening efforts. It may or may not be you. The green team will need to research recycling options, reasonable tweaks in lighting and energy and other common sense, eco-friendly adaptations.

2. Use personal, covert greening efforts if you meet congregational resistance. This includes turning off lights in classrooms, and collecting and recycling church bulletins and newsletters on your own.

A universal response from churches, nonprofits and other organizations that resist going green is cost. Today, many establishments are working with limited funds.

Greening a place can appear to be pricey. Waste haulers may charge additional fees to remove recyclables. Recycling bins can be costly and purchasing fair-trade coffee and teas may sell for more, but, once done, long-term savings often result.

In the church, some will question if a greener life is theologically supported. Going green will have its detractors in any setting.

Planting a Tree

None of us can save the world on our own, but we can each make a difference.

Bianchi mentions Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan activist who, in 2004, won the Nobel Peace Prize. Maathai says one thing we can do to fight environmental injustice, is plant a tree. It's something we can all manage. Plant something green whether you live in a high rise, farm or anywhere else. Plunge your hands into the dirt and bring forth life.

Greening your travel and worship offer a variety of ways to reduce your carbon footprint on earth. Consider planting a tree to promote perpetual life among nature.

Green Mama offers a gallimaufry of websites to help you live more consciously and reduce consumerism. One of the best is the Center For A New American Dream. Visit them here: http://www.newdream.org/.

Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Timothy_Zaun
http://EzineArticles.com/?Green-Mama-by-Tracey-Bianchi---Greening-Your-Travel-and-Worship-and-Planting-a-Tree,-Eco-Book-Review&id=6618788

EU - Drawing a Line in the Tar Sands? A Controversial Move to Prohibit Oil Imported From What’s Been Called the World’s Dirtiest Fuel Source Could be an Example for the Rest of Us

2011-10-29T19:21:00.000+10:30

Tar Sands Collage - Wikipediaby Robert Mellinger, Yes! magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org

Tar sands imports to the EU could be banned altogether after the EU Commission on Climate Change backed new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards as part of the Fuel Quality Directive first adopted in 2009.

Pursuant to the directive’s original goal of a 6 percent reduction of CO2 emissions from transport fuel production by 2020, the new standards set values for each fuel based on estimated grams of CO2 released per megajoule of energy produced.

They set a much higher emissions value for tar sands oil than conventional oil production, making oil produced in Canada's controversial sands an unviable option if the directive’s goals are to be achieved. [1]

Although tar sands oil is not a major import to the EU, the move reveals a sharp contrast between international business interests and environmental realities, and would set a precedent for future bans on other controversial fuels—including shale gas, whose extraction process is known as fracking.

EU member states will vote in just a few weeks on the directive, which could be blocked by two nations that have expressed opposition: the UK and the Netherlands.

Britain’s Under Secretary for the Department of Transport, Norman Baker, said in a September 26 letter that he would oppose the inclusion of the tar sands in the directive, The Guardian reported.

Incidentally, the UK recently began drilling for domestic shale gas reserves, which could also be threatened if the emissions standards are eventually extended to non-transport fuels.

To read more, go to: http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/eu-considers-ban-on-tar-sands-oil?utm_source=wkly20111028&utm_medium=yesemail&utm_campaign=titleMellinger

Four Reasons We Need Less Gas: These Days, Americans are Driving Less - What That Means for the Future of our Oil Dependence

2011-10-22T23:04:00.000+10:30

Photo by Hopefoote

by Lester Brown, in Yes! magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org

As the debate unfolds about whether to build a 1,711-mile pipeline to carry crude oil from the tar sands in Canada to refineries in Texas, the focus is on the oil spills and carbon emissions that inevitably come with it. But we need to ask a more fundamental question. Do we really need that oil?

The United States currently consumes more gasoline than the next 16 countries combined. Yes, you read that right. Among them are China, Japan, Russia, Germany, and Brazil.

But now this is changing. Not only is the affluence that sustained this extravagant gasoline consumption eroding, but the automobile-centered lifestyle that was considered part of the American birthright is fading as well. U.S. gasoline use has dropped 5 percent in four years.

Four key developments are set to further reduce U.S. gasoline use: a shrinking car fleet, a decline in the miles driven per car, dramatic mandated future gains in new car fuel efficiency, and the shift from gasoline to electricity to power our cars.

The U.S. fleet appears to have peaked at 250 million vehicles in 2008. From 1994 through 2007, new-car sales were in the range of 15–17 million per year. Since then they have totaled 10–13 million per year, and they are unlikely to top 14 million again. Retirees likely will exceed sales of new cars throughout this decade.

The contraction that began when the fleet dropped from 250 million in 2008 to 248 million in 2010 is likely to continue. Sales of new cars are not matching those of earlier years in part because the economic prospect has dimmed and in part because we are still urbanizing. Today 82 percent of us live in urban areas where cars are becoming less essential.

To read further, go to: http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/four-reasons-why-we-need-less-gas?utm_source=wkly20111021&utm_medium=yesemail&utm_campaign=mrBrownLester

Plastic Is Killing Us

2011-10-16T16:28:00.000+10:30

Image by tedxgp2 via FlickrBy Norma Holt

Drowning in Plastic

Try to avoid it and you quickly find that it is impossible. In today's world just about everything comes in some type of plastic wrapping or container.

The oceans and everything alive is drowning in it as the chemical nature of the substance does not break down and particles are becoming the new covering on the beach, the new food forced down baby animal's necks, the top layer over the sea and the toxic waste that will eventually kill us all.

Recently the Canadian government declared bisphenol A (BPA) a 'dangerous substance' and thereby opened the door for it to be banned. This is a chemical found in hard plastics used for containers such as baby bottles, food storage boxes, drink bottles, and as a sealant in dentistry.

It has attracted some media attention in Australia but the Food and Drug authority here sees no reason to ban it. In fact they are so slow to even consider that it might be a toxin.

Scientists have published reports that prove this chemical leeches into food when the plastic is heated, as in the bottling process or even in the microwave where it may be simply warmed up for consumption. To have it removed from the market place would involve a hefty change of practices for most manufacturers and a great big increase in costs.

But how did we let this happen? A glance around the supermarket demonstrates that things that were once packaged in glass or a better substance are now contained in plastic. Such things as sauces, fruit, frozen meals, spices and even mustard comes in it now with no choice to buy it any other way. The shopper wants the product and apparently does not take into account that the wrapping might just give them cancer.

There are no warning labels or ways to alert the buyer who happily puts the product into the shopping basket and continues on home.

Everything made of plastic eventually gets into the landfill and then the oceans. While wave action will break it into ever smaller particles there is no way it will disappear. Ultimately it may sink to the bottom or be washed ashore onto the beach.

Fish are suffering as shown by salmon in a Canadian river where they no longer go to the depths to avoid the sun and heat of the surface. Their exterior is showing signs of sunburn and the reproduction of their species is suffering as well.

Many ocean animals are becoming extinct and fishermen around the world catch fewer in their nets and many have retired because they cannot survive.

People are just too relaxed about what they buy and of the danger some products may cause them. This site is a wake up call and demonstrates what plastic is doing to the environment

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Norma_Holt
http://EzineArticles.com/?Plastic-Is-Killing-Us&id=6620753

Adelaide Custom Tours: The Adelaide Experience

2011-10-10T21:00:00.002+10:30

Old Government House, Belair National Park - Image via Wikipedia
Hi everyone,

If you are planning a visit to Australia, stop in to Adelaide which is a wonderful city. I operate custom walking and driving tours around the city and surrounds.

Experience #1: Adelaide's Universities - This is a half-day tour where you are driven to each university campus around Adelaide. As I have worked in all 3 universities here, I have a unique insight into the history, architecture and philosophy of each institution, and I know each campus intimately. Maximum - 4 people (A$50 per head).

Experience #2: Bushwalking in Belair National Park and Mount Lofty - This is a full-day tour where you will be picked up from the city to go bushwalking in the Park. I live about 5 minutes from Belair Park and so I know it intimately, the old buildings (Governor's residences, old railway stations and pavilions, the only cafe in the vicinity (included the best coffee in Australia, seriously!). I know the terrain and the story of much of the flora and fauna of the region. As for Mount Lofty, I know a number of trails, most of the cafes, the private Botanic Gardens, and the strange stories of the region (and there's a few). Maximum - 4 people (A$60 per head).

Experience #3: Cricket Adelaide style - This is a half-day walking tour for cricket fanatics! Being one of the spiritual homes of cricket, Adelaide has a great history and a great group of organisations who have recorded it's history. There's the Bradman Collection Museum, the South Australia Cricket Association Museum, Adelaide oval (of course), the State Library Bradman Collection, and the Bradman Digital Library. Also, having played cricket for many years and knowing lots of great cricket stories, this would be a very entertaining experience for people. Maximum - 25 people (A$40 per head).

Experience #4: The Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour at the Adelaide Botanical Gardens - This is a short walking tour lasting for 2 hours, through the Aboriginal Bush Tucker (tucker is food) tour in the Adelaide Botanical Gardens. Very few people (even locals) know that this exists. I have taken a number of visiting school groups through this tour and they love it. This is an interesting cultural experience. Maximum - 25 people (A$20 per head).

Experience #5: Mitcham and Springfield, the heart of historic Adelaide - This is a full-day walking tour after being picked up in the city. These are some of the oldest suburbs in Adelaide, nestled into the foothills, where some of the first settlers lived, with many old homesteads still standing. Great old churches, cafes, tea houses, hotels, picturesque streets, Carrick Hill (Adelaide's most famous stately mansion), and even the beautiful Brownhill Creek Recreation Park. Lots to see, all of which can be done on foot. Maximum - 4 people (A$60 per head).

If you are interested in seeing Adelaide with your own personal guide, just call me on 0433 354 383 or email me on: dr.robert.muller@gmail.com

CASE STUDY: Can Households Help Create a Carbon Neutral City?

2011-10-08T12:36:00.001+10:30

Image by Leonski via Flickrby Richard Conlin, on Yes! magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org/

Seattle hopes to become the world's first climate-neutral city. It's no small task: The City must account for, and reduce, the carbon footprint of everything from transportation to trash for hundreds of thousands of people. City Council President and YES! Magazine board member Richard Conlin is blogging about the city's efforts.

Much of the work on climate change has focused on making major policy or systems level changes that will have dramatic impacts on carbon emissions. Critical as it is to change emissions systems, create new technologies, develop energy efficient buildings, or provide better travel options and renewable energy systems, most such big ideas require pose major barriers to implementation.

As the saying might go, ‘you can lead a community to a low carbon future, but you can’t make them stop emitting carbon.'

But there are lots of actions that people can take that do not require systems change, and may form the best foundation for making systems change happen. In 2009, a group of scientists developed a model for specific actions that people can take without major new technological or policy inventions.

They published an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences entitled ‘Household actions can provide a behavioral wedge to rapidly reduce U.S. carbon emissions’.

The article suggests that a set of behavioral changes that could be taken right now would reduce US carbon emissions by some 7.4 percent - an amount, they note, “slightly larger than the total national emissions of France." These savings can be realized at a very low cost using current technology and without significant changes in lifestyle.

To read further, go to: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/richard-conlin/household-actions-make-a-difference?utm_source=wkly20111007&utm_medium=yesemail&utm_campaign=mrConlin

VIDEO: Innovative Energy

2011-10-01T11:54:00.000+09:30

by FRANCE 24 Environment, on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/show/france24environment?s=2011

This week Environment is looking at innovative energy. To start, French researchers try to identify the sweetest of trees with a high sugar content to produce a fruitful harvest of biofuels.

Meanwhile in Spain CO2 from a cement factory is sucked up by algae leading to the mass production of bio petroleum. Finally how green are the latest shiny engines to hit the road? They avoid polluting petrol but nonetheless need powerplants many still fueled by coal to run.

http://www.france24.com/en/20110205-2011-02-05-0010-wb-en-environment

The Climate on the Farm Is Changing

2011-09-23T11:22:00.001+09:30

Image via Wikipediaby Keith Goetzman, UTNE Reader - The Best of The Alternative Press: http://www.utne.com

Farmers are often among the first people to notice a shift in the climate.

So while I rely on scientists for my big-picture information about climate change, I also take seriously the cumulative daily - and yearly - field research of a trusted source: My local CSA (community supported agriculture) farmers, Michael Racette and Patty Wright of Spring Hill Community Farm in Prairie Farm, Wisconsin. They are keen observers of wind, water, air, and soil, living so close to the land that they literally sink their hands into it every day.

Farming has of course always been an uncertain business, due to the naturally variable whims of weather, but lately it’s more uncertain than ever - some would even call it wildly unpredictable. Here’s what’s happening in the furrows as reported by Patty in this season’s Spring Hill newsletters:

July 19

Sometimes rain is a lovely thing, sometimes it’s not. Last Friday we had about half an inch of rain. It made harvest not very pleasant or pretty, but we appreciated it knowing we were in for a blast of heat over the next week.

Then there was Saturday morning. Very early Saturday morning we woke up to thunder and lightning and heavy, heavy rains. When we went out to take a look there was over four inches of rain in the gauge. Our little stream had become something of a river and we were unable to cross it.

Our plan to pick peas with the members who were to arrive shortly was curtailed when we sank up to our ankles in mud. Plans to pick cilantro were changed to basil from the hoophouse when we saw the flattened cilantro.

To read further, go to: http://www.utne.com/Wild-Green/The-Climate-on-the-Farm-Is-Changing.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_content=09.16.11+Environment&utm_campaign=UTR_ENEWS&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

FREE YB12 Public Information Seminar in Adelaide

2011-09-18T13:04:00.002+09:30

Image by Gerard Stolk presque 64 via Flickr
Would you like to have the best 12 months of your life - ever?

Find out how you can do it!

FREE public seminar in Adelaide on Wednesday 21 September: http://www.yb12.net/

TAKE THE LEAP - HOW GOOD IS THAT!

What Are the Causes of Global Warming?

2011-09-18T12:19:00.000+09:30

Image via WikipediaBy Trevor Miller

The main causes of global warming have been well documented and covered in the media, however, this is at a basic surface-level, if you want to find out the true causes of global warming, you have to look beyond the obvious and below the surface.

I will, however, be firstly explaining to you what "global warming" is; Global warming is the current rise in the average temperature of the Earth's oceans and atmosphere. It is also the increase of the Earth's average surface temperature.

The main causes of global warming are due to the effect of increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the burning of fossil fuels to create electricity. Fossil fuels are made of dead plants and animals. Some examples of fossil fuels are oil and petroleum.

Many pollutants are sent into the air when fossil fuels are burned. Some of these chemicals are called greenhouse gasses. Other forms of greenhouse gases are, water vapour, nitrous oxide and methane. Greenhouse gases trap heat and light from the sun in the Earth's atmosphere, which increases the temperature.

Another cause of global warming, is deforestation, or the cutting down or burning of forests. Forests absorb carbon dioxide and trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth. This is a type of greenhouse effect.

Trees are 50 percent carbon. When they are felled or burned, the CO2 they store escapes back into the air. Between 25 and 30 percent of the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere each year - 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide - is caused by deforestation. The most important direct causes of deforestation include logging, the conversion of forested lands for agriculture and cattle-raising, urbanization, mining and oil exploitation, acid rain and fire.

Now that I have mentioned the main causes of global warming, I will tell you the true causes of global warming; and this is caused by the greed of opportunity seekers, constantly on the lookout for any opportunities to exploit.

The constant need for energy to satisfy first-world countries and the Earth's growing human population has provided a huge opportunity for the above to exploit whatever, whoever and wherever they can, in order to profit.

The greed and lack of conscience of "opportunity seekers", leads them to exploit people and/or the Earth's natural resources, in order that they may profit.

The exploitation of the Earth's natural resources by "opportunity seekers" has been one of the major causes in the upset of the balance of nature and in effect, of "global warming".

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New Research Looks at Land Use, Farming and Protecting Biodiversity

2011-09-10T11:36:00.000+09:30

Image by David Cornwell via FlickrBy Ali Withers

New research has prompted debate on how best to use land for farming and to preserve biodiversity. A study by researchers at the UK's Cambridge University was carried out in Ghana and India to assess the diversity of birds and trees on land being farmed in a variety of ways as well as land that was left natural. The study also looked at the amount of food being produced.

The researchers do say that more work needs to be done in other locations to allow for factors like climate, land quality and different ecosystems, the area of land involved and whether, for example, several smaller but separated areas interfere with the hunting or migratory patterns of the animals within them.

The findings from this first piece of research showed that farmland with some retained natural vegetation had more species of birds and trees than high-yielding monocultures of oil palm, rice or wheat but produced far less food energy and profit per hectare. However, farms that were supposedly nature friendly did not provide enough good habitat for either trees or birds in the two regions studied.

The preliminary decuction is that the best option for ensuring diversity is to leave some land untouched and to farm on separate areas.

This suggests that farming will need to concentrate on improving yields on cultivated land while at the same time preserving its quality in order to continue to be able to use it sustainably and to meet the projected increasing amount of food that will be required for a growing global population.

Planting some ground cover in between a crop, crop rotation rather than monoculture and using more natural pest management and yield enhancement products could all be part of this effort.

One thing that is crucial to using farmland with maximum efficiency and sustainability is minimising the waste including the loss of crops due to pests and diseases. Farmers will need effective alternatives as the older generation of chemical-based pesticides and fertilisers are being taken off the market in response to consumer demand for healthier and more natural food.

This will include the new low-chem agricultural products increasingly being devised by the biopesticides developers from natural sources. They already include a range of biopesticides, biofungicides and yield enhancers.

However, it can be a costly and lengthy process to get each product from development through trial, testing and regulation and in many cases this can take up to eight years. This is something that needs greater harmonisation between governments, many of which have their own individual rules and regulations and the process needs to be accelerated to provide easily accessible alternatives for farmers all over the world.

Biodiversity may be best maintained by leaving some land entirely natural while farming on other land according to new research. Farmers may need to adopt sustainable techniques to protect their land and minimise waste to get maximum yield and low-chem agricultural products can help. By Ali Withers.

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The Benefits of Living a Green Life

2011-09-03T11:35:00.000+09:30

Toxic Pesticide Spraying - Image via WikipediaBy Joann J Carlisle

The benefits of going green extend far beyond saving the environment. Simple changes towards living a greener, more eco-friendly life also positively affects personal health and finances. It can also contribute to a positive change in the nation-wide economy and political climate.

The health benefits of eating organic produce over pre-packaged foods are immediate. Organic foods have lower levels of sodium, sugar, and fat, as well as fewer calories and none of the pesticides and herbicides used in commercial farming.

These pesticides pollute water sources by increasing algae and bacterial content, and have been linked to increased risks of cancers and neurological disorders. Organic produce is cheaper to grow by using only natural compost as fertilizer and poses none of the health risks associated with exposure to pesticides.

Using green products and energy sources in the home is also healthier. Homes built with green resources reduce occupants' incidences of allergic reactions (asthma, migraines, etc.) as well as the risk of developing cancer.

These "green" homes often use cotton insulation as opposed to fiberglass, exposure to which can cause skin infections and the growth of scar tissue and tumors inside the lungs. Many green houses also use paint with little to no VOC's (volatile organic compounds), which pose the same health risks as the pesticides found in commercial produce.

Despite common misconceptions, going green does not have to be expensive, but can actually save money. Energy Star appliances and programmable thermostats use less electricity, which can drastically reduce energy costs. Solar panels can almost completely eliminate a home's need for electricity and natural gas, eliminating energy bills after the initial investment.

Walking, biking, and carpooling are greener methods of transportation, save money, and can greatly benefit personal health. With fewer health hazards present in the everyday environment, the need for intermittent and long-term healthcare is also reduced, thus reducing medical bills and other expenses associated with health maintenance.

When these changes are applied on a larger scale throughout the country, the nationwide economy can benefit. The reduction in energy, transportation, and healthcare costs is not limited to certain demographics, and can id government spending. In addition, going green will reduce national dependency on foreign oil, which can save millions of dollars per year and the lives of thousands of soldiers and civilian workers sent into high-risk combat areas for oil drilling.

The benefits of green living don't just apply to the environment. They are direct, tangible benefits to health, the economy, and overall quality of life. For any citizen, the benefits of going green far outweigh the costs or effort of switching.

Joann Carlisle is a writer who looks forward to sharing her knowledge and advice with readers. For more on going green, Frugally Green offers readers tips for how to make green cleaning supplies.

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