Build It Eco

Invader Species Pose a Real Threat

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:41:00 +0000

Invading New Environments

Ballast water has received considerable attention globally over the past several years. Alien species, ranging from jellyfish to algae are among the invader species being carried by ships today as they travel the waters.

Ballast, especially when a ship is empty, is used to maintain balance, stability and structural integrity. For thousand of years ships carried (solid) ballast in the form of rocks, metal and sand. Modern ships use water as ballast. An estimated twelve billion tons of ballast water is carried around the world each year.

In order to balance and stabilize a vessel it must take on water by storing it in tanks and depending on where the ballast water is taken on board from, it may either be saltwater, fresh or brackish and is loaded with thousands of marine species that can invade new environments when released in different ports. Freed from predators and parasites, survivors of these voyages can thrive in new habitats. This in turn has had a negative economic effect, as fisheries, tourism and other commercial activities are disrupted.

Musseling In

One example of an invader species is the Zebra Mussel, believed to have been transported to the Great Lakes via ballast water from a transoceanic vessel. The ballast water, taken on in a freshwater European port was subsequently discharged into Lake St. Clair, near Detroit, where it was discovered in 1988.

Other examples include jellyfish from North America that were transported to the Black Sea and also a Japanese dinoflagellate that ended up in Australia.

"The estimated damage from invasive species worldwide totals more that $1.4 trillion annually -- 5 percent of the global economy," says the report issued on the sidelines of a major U.N. meeting in Japan aimed at combating the destruction of nature, says one Reuters article.

IMO Ballast Water Convention

In 2004, the United Nations agency responsible for maritime issues, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a new convention to establish global provisions to control and manage ships' ballast water to prevent the transfer of aquatic invasive species (AIS).

The IMO Ballast Water Convention requirement is that all ships are able to conduct ballast water treatment onboard by 2016.

This implementation is sure to safeguard some of the worlds ecosystems from invader species and will provide new business opportunities within ballast water management systems.

Some of that convention came to the following:

All ships will be required to implement a Ballast Water and Sediments Management Plan;
All ships have to carry a Ballast Water Record Book and will be required to implement ballast water management procedures to a given standard;
All ships will be required to install a treatment system by specific years (as early as 2009 and as late as 2016, depending on the size of the ship);
Signatory nations are authorized to adopt more stringent regulations of ballast water;
The treaty will take effect after it is ratified by 30 nations, respecting 35 % of the world's gross tonnage

In order for the Ballast Water Management Convention to be ratified 30 nation and 35% of the world's merchant shipping tonnage must sign up. As of August 2010, 26 nations representing 25% of the worlds tonnage have signed up. The ratification is a question of "when" and not "if" and is anticipated to happen late 2011 or beginning of 2012.

Click here to see the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention time Schedule.

With environmental sustainability becoming ever more critical, the effective and safe treatment of ballast water is also becoming an increasingly important issue.

Sources:
http://www.globallastwaterindia.com/facts_faqs.htm
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-brackish-water.htm
http://www.great-lakes.net/envt/flora-fauna/invasive/zebra.html
http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=5294&page=11
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69L13M20101022
http://www.imo.org/Pages/home.aspx
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/oep-environment-ballastwater-management-1963.htm
http://www.glc.org/about/resolutions/04/05imoconvention.html
http://www.wilhelmsen.com/services/maritime/companies/umss/WSEenvironmentalsystems/ballastwatertreatmentsystem/Pages/BWTIMOConvention.aspx

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos
Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

101 Ways to Build It Eco

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 06:41:00 +0000

Here is a list of 101 interesting eco-friendly articles, books, ideas and websites to help you "invest a little greener" in whatever you are doing:

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The Environment * Your Home * Your Investments * Your Life

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The Environment

1 * I love dogs but maybe it's time to trade yours in for an SUV, according to this!

2 * Go Hardcore - Don't just plant a tree become a real treeplanter. Plant fast and make lots of money.

3 * Join over 77,000 people promoting the preservation of European beaches at Corona Save the Beach on Facebook.

4 * Living Local Economies ensure that economic power resides locally, sustaining healthy community life and natural life, as well as long-term economic viability. Become part of a business network! (Balle Video)

5 * Green Burial Products Fill a Universal Need - Start an eco-friendly business.

6 * Layering Trees is an Art - Read about how one man has been making a difference.

7 * Transportation Alternatives NYC style - Can you car pool to work? Could you take the bus to the movies? Walk or bike to the corner store? Every small action helps the environment.

8 * Green Chemistry - 2011 is the International Year of Chemistry. Attend the 15th annual GC&E conference and learn about green chemistry. This event is partnered with the 5th annual International Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry, it will be kicked off by the 16th annual Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards.

9 * The Green Bicycle Project enhances the mobility of people in Africa to access services and also promotes environmental conservation. Get Involved!

10 * Visit each of the winning cities of the (Green Cities - Fit for Life ) European Green Capital Awards for 2010/11/12/ and 13.

11 * If you are a dance club owner, please install.

12 * Start a Service for green ratings of products and services, letting the crowds determine. An open-source model ensures the integrity of data and enlists an army of interested individuals as its labor force. A Wikipedia for green credibility.

13 * Natural Burial - An environmentally sensitive alternative to non-green traditional burials. Promotes the use of biodegradable products.

14 * Two for One - Clean up the earth and raise money for something. Copy this idea to raise money for whatever your cause.

15 * Seven activities that damage the environment - Just call them what you want.

16 * Move to a zero carbon residential development.

17 * Consider Slag cement the next time you want to pour anything.

18 * Your Car - Should I invest in a hybrid vehicle? Lenders are starting to go green with incentives for purchasing environmentally friendly vehicles.

19 * Talk to your kids - Every now and then, just a 5 minute conversation about things like fuel consumption, wasting food, greenhouse emissions, etc. can help educate your children about the issues that will be affecting them tomorrow. An educated population will do more than a non-educated one.

20 * Participate or organize a clean up in your area or neighborhood.

21 * Now get that same group to join in and clean up the world. Put your group on the global environmental map.

22 * Clu-in and familiarize yourself with Contaminated Site Clean-up, there may be a job in it for you.

23 * Green Your Business - Is your business eco-superior. Follow some trends set for 2011, follow the Ecopreneurist.

24 * After your business is green, here is another idea you and your business colleagues can model. Business site clean-ups.

25 * Pay the bag fee or Bring Your Own Bag.

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Your Home

26 * Do some "green" landscaping - 7 self-sustaining principles.

27 * Get fenced in - Grow a real bamboo fence.

28 * DIY - Maintain or repair durable products instead of buying new ones.

29 * Product reviews - When buying products check product reports for things that are easily repaired and have low breakdown rates.

30 * All that waste - See how waste is now starting to be turned into energy and could move to your neighborhood soon.

31 * Using brownfields - Building something new, land reuse is an idea. Clean up a piece of real estate.

32 * Try something that is trending - Ditch that mansion and follow this trend.

33 * A green roof will cut down on some of your household expenses and add beauty to your landscaping.

34 * Buy green power - Check in your area for green power options.

35 * Read Building with Junk and Other Good Stuff - A Guide to Home Building and Remodeling Using Recycled Materials.

36 * Ecobuild - Attend a convention about environmentally friendly buidling materials.

37 * How to build it eco with green strategies - Work with builders/architects who "go green" as part of their green strategies.

38 * Repaint old furniture instead of buying new items.

39 * Buy gently used furniture instead of new - any "house staging" furniture for sale is usually new.

40 * Why not go green pre-fab instead for low-impact living.

41 * Have a party - Tell your friends to bring large furniture items and trade them amongst yourselves.

42 * Ways to saving money that grow - Learn how to let your land cut the cost of living.

43 * Go live with your retaining wall.

44 * Use linoleum - Yes, you heard it!

45 * Build your own windmill or solar panel home energy system.

46 * Greywater water saver, without the grey hair, just flush.

47 * Creative containers - reuse cool items to plant some of your favorites in.

48 * Milk your outdoor furniture with poly lumber.

49 * Work outside the home - Build an eco-workpod.

50 * Go tankless - water heater that is! Also comes in gas or electric. Saves energy, saves space, lasts longer.

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Your Investments

51 * Read up on Green Investing with The Green Investing Handbook.

52 * Ask yourself, am I doing this for the right reason. Have a passion for it, not just because it is hot right now, you'll be more successful.

53 * Consider you own attitude toward risk. Start-ups can be high risk. Maybe avoid stocks and shares all together.

54 * Decide what you mean by eco-friendly and be willing to screen accordingly. Create guidelines and boundaries for yourself.

55 * Do lots of homework. Watch out for Greenwashing.

56 * Consult an Analyst.

57* Create a Strategy.

58 * Choose a Manager carefully.

59 * Choose a sector, maybe even a sub-sector if its better suited. How about looking at your passion and interests in a field and pursue them as a company, maybe partner with others who share the same approach and philosophies to the field as you do.

60 * Get involved - Check the companies profitability and customer base.

61 * Contact SRI organizations. They are financial industry associations with an emphasis on ethical investments. They put out reports on the state of the industry.

62 * Subscribe to their newsletter and keep up to date.

63 * Stakeholding is a great way to take a vested interest in your investment. You get to vote!

64 * Need even more money for investing, start an investment club.

65 * Community investing and microinvesting. Community investing spans the globe and microinvesting helps out low-income individuals or groups.

66 * Choose companies who develop ways to desalinate water or companies who build ways to recycle water for industrial use. Water is the next big topic for sure!

67 * Invest in transportation - Anyone interested in creating a cleaner drive.

68 * Why not look at Climate geoengineering

69 * -Wind energy

70 * -Fuels from algae

71 * -The most abundant element in the universe

72 * -Green water

73 * -Eco-agriculture

74 * -Geothermal Energy

75 * Read a free report - The Green Investor is a green investment newsletter specializing in green investment. The Green Investor is a subscription-based investment newsletter dedicated solely to identifying the very best green investment opportunities for its members. Green stocks are all they focus on. By green they mean clean and renewable: no oil, gas, nuclear or "claim-to-be-green" fuels, no exceptions.

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Your Life

76 * Plan a local vacation - Sometimes the most beautiful places can be at your doorstep without you even realizing it, cutting out a long haul flight will reduce your carbon footprint.

77 * Green luggage for that vacation.

78 * Buy a unique gift for someone.

79 * Personal health care products - Try changing your personal health care products and go green with all natural deodorant, skincare, shampoo, perfume and moisturizing products.

80 * Try challenge walking - Race, not against others but against the clock.

81 * Re-design your old clothing to make them look different instead of getting rid of them by making alterations.

82 * Make a friendly investment - Do more things with friends.

83 * Volunteer - Did you know 2011 is the UN's 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers?

84 * Seek out a dark sky park - Find some natural night sky.

85 * Buy vintage/used clothing - Buying a skirt the second time around means that you avoid consuming all the energy used in producing and shipping a new one including the carbon emissions associated with it. Each item of clothing you own has an impact on the environment.

86 * Weddings - Your big day can be ethical and green, from recycled wedding invitations to organic wedding cakes. Even wedding dress designers are going green these days.

87 * Ride your way green with recycled truck and bicycle tube products - wallets, travel kits, dog leashes, dog collars, backpacks and messenger bags.

88 * Invest in eco-tourism - Learn the difference between tourism and eco-tourism, there's quite a difference.

89 * Go for zero vanity, save money and avoid getting cancer. Read someone else's story.

90 * Brush your teeth and save big money. Family of 5 = $189.00/year with this one tip.

91 * Name a new species after yourself or someone you know.

92 * Think! when changing that battery. Use a mini alkaline.

93 * Replace plastic toys with toys made of Liquid Wood as a safer alternative.

94 * Join the enviro-gadget world - Do a small favor for the environment.

95 * Donate - In case you can't climb Mount Everest.

96 * Trade your duds - One quick way is to invite your friends over for a closet swap, where everyone brings a few items they want to trade. Easy on the environment, easy on the pocketbook.

97 * A global investment - Help a community get back on its feet, become charitable.

98 * Follow celebrities who go green.

99 * Recycled plastic fibers are making their way into clothing, if you're wanting another look.

100 * Get the10 best houseplants for cleaner air.

This one is my favorite. I saved the best for last. I think it tells the whole story!

101 * The Story of Stuff - A short Youtube video I like, (watch the whole video). Then you can decide!

Call to Action

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Image: Paul / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: Paul / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Ways to Saving Money that Grow

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:38:00 +0000

Let Your Land Cut the Cost of Living

For most families, food is the biggest item in their budget, and it grows bigger as the cost of living continues to rise. There are of course many ways to saving money but if reducing your food bill is your desire you may be interested in ways to saving money that grow. This can be done substantially if you happen to have some land around your home. In fact, even small yards can be surprisingly helpful in lowering food costs.

No matter how small a backyard may be, a few vegetables can be grown there. Even the front yard can be made to produce food and still be attractive.

Planning can make the small front- and backyards of a suburban home productive of nourishing food, and an acre of land can be transformed into a food source that can cut the family food bill by hundreds of dollars a year. In many places, fruits, vegetables, herbs, rabbits, honey, chickens and eggs can be produced, supplying much of the family's needs for a year. What is in excess can be sold or traded with neighbors. Besides cutting down on the cost of living, the fruits and vegetables will be much tastier than those sold in a market, because they are fresh and can be allowed to ripen before picking.

The Size of a Garden

The size of a vegetable garden should be planned to meet the needs of the family, not that of the neighborhood. It is very easy to grow more than one family can consume. Estimates are that a vegetable garden of around 25 feet by 40 feet can feed one adult person for a year. On this basis a family can plan the garden size that fits their needs best.

Making a Productive Garden

It is one thing to put in a garden, but another thing to make it productive:

The Soil

Should be spaded deeply, fertilized and mulched
If acidic, lime can be used to neutralize acidity
Good water drainage must be maintained (to avoid root rot and damaging salts)

Irrigation

Irrigation water should be available even in localities where there usually is enough rain for growing crops. Because rain does not always fall when it is needed, irrigation can keep a garden flourishing during dry spells.

Timing of Planting

Take into consideration the number of days required for a plant to mature. When that is done, the planting of rows of one type of vegetable can be spaced over two-week intervals so that they will not all ripen at one time. Since some plants take longer to mature than others, companion-ate crops can be planted. This is done by planting long growers and short growers in the same row and at the same time. The short growers will be finished by the time the long growers will need the space.

Controlling diseases and insects

Although each individual will need to decide for him/herself what method they will use to combat pests and disease there are gardeners that have successfully grown fruits and vegetables of fine quality without using chemical sprays.

Planting a cover crop

After a plot of land has been used for a vegetable garden, a cover crop is usually planted (in the fall) so as to put nitrogen back into the soil. During the winter it will protect the soil from erosion and when the crop is turned under it will quickly rot adding organic matter to the soil.

Rotation

The same vegetables should not be planted in the same part of the garden plot year after year. You should plant in different parts of the garden for three years before planting in the same location as the first year.

Other Ways to Start Transforming Your Yard

Productive Shrubs

In place of ornamental shrubs, bush cherries can be planted that will produce many quarts of cherries suitable for pies, preserves and canning. If the bushes are put in close rows, they form a fine hedge that can be trimmed to whatever height is desired. Dwarf fruit trees can take the place of unproductive ornamental shrubs. A dwarf apple, for example, may grow no higher than six or eight feet and will still produce apples of normal size. By means of grafting, one tree could produce several varieties.

Fine Boarders

Even flower boarders can be attractive food producers. Strawberry plants make fine boarders for walkways and flowerbeds, producing not only delicate blossoms but an abundance of delicious fruit. Herbs used for seasoning food also look good as flower boarders. The sage plant has silvery leaves and blue flowers, tyme has tiny white flowers, and burnet has attractive sprays of oval leaves.

A double row of Bibb lettuce looks nice along a brick wall and is delicious in a salad. Behind low-growing flowers can be planted a few tomato plants. The flowers will hide the lower part of the stalks that lack eye appeal.

Flowers for Food

Rosebud petals, nasturtium leaves and blooms and marigold petals can be used in salads. Also, young dandelions that grow up on the lawn make nutritious salads. Peony seeds are good for seasoning food and the fiddlehead of ferns can be used in the spring, when they are young, as a delicious substitute for asparagus.

In place of a large rambling hedge along the property line a person could plant blueberries, raspberries and Rosa Rugosa. From the berry bushes you would get many quarts of berries, some of which can be eaten fresh, others canned and still others made into jam. The Rosa Rugosa beomes a thick hedge with attractive blossoms during the summer. After the blossoms fall off, a fruit forms that is known as rose hips. These are a rich source of vitamin C. A quarter of a pound of rose hips is said to be the equivalent in vitamin C content to 120 oranges.

More than Fruits and Vegetables

More than fruits, berries and vegetables can be raised on an acre of land. Two or three dozen hens are a big help in cutting food costs. They can supply eggs for the family as well as meat. A few rabbits can be another source of meat that does not require much care.

Not to be overlooked are a few bees to supply the family with healthful honey, a natural sweetener. By reading a few books on bees an inexperienced person can quickly learn how to handle and care for them.

Although the cost of living is high and continues to rise, there are ways to saving money that are possible for a family in reducing that cost by making use of the land it has. The reward for the labor put on the land will be a substantial lowering of a family's cost of living.

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Layering Trees is an Art

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 23:57:00 +0000

During the 1990's you may recall it was announced that the world had lost millions of acres of natural forests as was reported by The UN Food and Agricultural Organization. Since then, they have updated their findings and even though world deforestation has had its decreases it still remains alarming in many countries. Brazil's Amazon rain forest region is no exception.

How Some of That Has Changed

Johannes van Leeuwen, an Agronomist at INPA's (The National Institute for Research in the Amazon) Department of Agronomy is also a leading expert in the art of layering trees. His work in Agroforestry led him to help farmers in Brazil's Amazon rain forest for many years.

The agroforestry program launched by INPA (after years of surveys, questionnaires, and field collections) teaches farmers a farming method that combats soil degradation and allows farmers to use the same plot of deforested land for many years.

Agroforestry

A system in which cultivation of trees is combined with field crops or pasture in an ecologically sustainable manner.

How did so many farmers end up in the Amazon rain forest in the first place?

Farmers from the center and south of Brazil having had to leave their land, some forced off of it, other saw their livelihoods replaced, still others left drought stricken areas migrated to the Amazon rain forest on hearing promises of land, housing and fertile soil. However, they soon discovered that they had settled into an area where the humidity was high, rainfall was heavy, the climate was hot, and the soil poor. So within two to four years of cropping the soil became completely exhausted. Out of desperation the farmers would abandon that land and would tackle the problem by clearing away yet more land to serve as new farmland.

This flux of small farmers and the (slash and burn) methods of farming they practiced have partly contributed to the forests destruction.

Transforming Shifting Cultivation Fields into Productive Forests

An important alternative to the common practice of abandoning fields after only two to four years of cropping is the planting of tree seedlings that can transform shifting cultivation fields into new forests. Combining the recuperation of soil fertility with production. Forest soil does not hold the nutrients that food crops need. In contrast, trees manage to absorb and build up a supply of nutrients and maintain soil fertility. And because a large number of tree species is of interest for these forests, layering trees instead of haphazardly choosing and combining just any trees has become valuable to its outcome.

Using computer simulations of argoecosystems to help determine which species should be planted and how they should be arranged the layering of trees can begin. After a farmer agrees to adopt some parts of the agroforesty program, van Leeuwan is able to hand him a layout of the future tree farm he has drawn up.

How is Layering Trees Done

Layering Trees is done by combining certain groups of trees together, for example:

Group One (Small Size) - such as cupuacu, guarana and guava trees, they can be planted close together, they stay small and they start bearing fruit early.

Group Two (Medium Size) - such as avocado, biriba, and murumuru palm, need more space, fruit production starts later then the first group.

Group Three (Large Size) - mahogany, Brazil nut, piquia, need even more space, some produce fruit and others valuable timber.

When all three groups of trees grow up together, the farm resembles a natural forest. And by being encouraged to plant many different species and varieties of trees both fruit and wood can be harvested.

Taking Root

Just as some are helping with projects like the The "Green" Water Project and A Global Investment, argonomists hope that the deeper agroforestry takes root, the slower the deforestation will advance.

The agroforestry project certainly demonstrates what can be done when our precious resources are treated with respect.

Interesting Points

Environment News Service for December 1, 2010 says "Brazil has reduced destruction of its Amazon rain forest to the lowest rate since satellite observations began in 1988."
The UN says 2011 is The International Year of Forests

Image: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Wastewater Ultrafiltration

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 05:58:00 +0000

Nothing is taken for granted more often than water and although it is fundamental for our survival, we seem to act as if it were a perpetually abundant resource. No wonder it has been called liquid gold, the oil of the 21st century.

As the problem of our water continues to affect the world's population, wastewater ultrafiltration is a technique being used to bring clean water to many. Wastewater ultrafiltration not only treats drinking water but also treats process water, wastewater and seawater.

The process of wastewater ultrafiltration is generally done in a series of four stages, unlike the conventional method of filtration:

The Mechanical First Stage - the separating out of large components, sand and settleable solids. This can be done a few ways, settling tanks, grit chambers, screens or primary clarifiers.

The Biological Second Stage - this stage brings the readily soluble wastewater components into contact with bacteria and other microorganisms.
Chemical Purification, The Third Stage - at this stage, the purpose is to primarily remove contaminants such as phosphorus from the wastewater.
Ultrafiltration Technology, The Forth Stage - this method uses no chemicals and is necessary to remove pathogenic germs and viruses.

Ultrafiltration Technology, Its Unique Role

With its development, ultrafiltration technology because of its unique advantages, offers many significant factors over conventional methods:

Removal of germs, bacteria, viruses and all types of suspended solids
No additional chemicals are required
Regardless of the degree of contamination of the original water, the quality of the treated water remains the same
Operation and management, safe and simple

It can play a central role in the mix of physical, chemical and mechanical processing methods.

One Global Technology Leader

While the topic of water is being addressed at many levels: some are climbing for fresh water and others are developing green water projects, one global technology leader involved in wastewater ultrafiltration is inge watertechnologies AG. Among projects like Pakistan's Clean Drinking Water for All (CDWA) initiative, and the Chinese seawater treatment plant in the city of Tangshan on the Yellow Sea, constructed by Hangzhou Xidoumen, inge watertechnologies AG is also taking part in the expansion of waterworks in German Arnsberg.

As the market for technologies required to process drinking water becomes one of the fastest growing markets worldwide, ensuring the availability of adequate amounts of clean water is sure to be global issue number one in the future.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Climate Geoengineering

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 00:37:00 +0000

With what some say is the failure of the world to agree on a holistic plan to halt climate change, talk is turning to how to buttress ourselves against its effects.

Geoengineering schemes, once considered nearly science fiction, are now being discussed seriously. Most attention though has focused on reducing emissions of carbon dioxide.

This field is currently experiencing a surge of interest as it has now become broadly accepted that global warming is both real and dangerous. A degree of urgency in efforts to research and implement potential solutions is based on this historic failure to control emissions, and the possibility that tipping points in the earth's climate system are close at hand.

There is no question that to stop climate change in the long run requires substantial reduction in CO2 emission. However, significant opportunities still exist to slow warming over the next few decades by reducing emission of other greenhouse gases. Only about half the warming that has occurred up to now is due to CO2, the rest, caused by other greenhouse gases.

Climate Geoengineering - Some of its Plans

One definition of climate geoengineering is: "Intentional, large-scale manipulation of the environment by humans to bring about environmental change, particularly to counteract the undesired side effects of other human activities."

From the following article climate geoengineering seems to fall into three broad categories:

Diana Bronson AllAfrica.com 7 Oct 10; Geoengineering the Planet - What is At Stake for Africa?

Changing the climate, as is obvious by the unintentional damage already inflicted on this overstretched planet, is not something that will respect national borders. Geoengineers (scientists, entrepreneurs and policy advocates) have a number of technologies they propose to study, experiment and eventually use. They fall into three broad categories:

1. The first set of geoengineering strategies is known as solar radiation management (SRM). These proposals aim to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the planet by reflecting more of it back to space, therefore reducing atmospheric warming. This is known as increasing the Earth's albedo. SRM proposals include shooting massive amounts of sulphur dioxide or aluminium aerosols or engineered nanoparticles into the stratosphere, making clouds whiter by spraying seawater at them, covering deserts with plastic, painting mountaintops white or creating a layer of foaming bubbles on the surface of the ocean.

2. The second set of technologies is composed of attempts to draw mega-tonnes of greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere and lock them up either biologically or mechanically. Examples include dumping iron (or urea) into the sea in order to 'fertilise' areas that are poor in nutrients, thereby stimulating the growth of tiny phytoplankton, which will theoretically sequester C02 from the atmosphere in the bottom of the sea. This has never actually worked. Also in this camp are suggestions to change the chemistry of the ocean to improve C02 absorption (known as enhanced weathering), artificial trees or carbon-sucking machines and appropriating and burning forest and crop residues into a charcoal that is subsequently buried for carbon sequestration (called biochar).

3. A third set of geoengineering proposals dispense with controlling the climate and attempt instead to directly control weather - intervening to reduce or redirect hurricanes or seeding clouds for rainfall in drying regions. Such technologies are widely practiced (150 incidents in 40 countries according to one report)[5] and are often connected to military objectives and institutions, being used most famously by the US to impede enemy troop movements during the Vietnam war. Often discussions of geoengineering omit weather modification, but as historian James Fleming has convincingly shown in his book 'Fixing the Sky', the historical and philosophical roots of contemporary geoengineering proposals are found in much older attempts to control the weather.

All of these proposals will have social and environmental impacts that will be felt far away from where the decisions to deploy would be taken.

Climate Geoengineering - Is it a Good Idea

The scientists may think it's possible but is it advisable? Interfering with the planet and changing the world's fragile eco-system could have unforeseen results. Are we ready for these?

Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Finance for that Splashy New "Green" Car

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:09:00 +0000

As the enormous environmental impact of cars is more clearly understood, viable alternatives to polluting cars are being presented.

Around here we like to build things and invest in stuff that is eco-friendly and good for the environment. And a new car is no exception. Although I would never buy a green (colored) car myself, I am pretty sure my next car will be "green".

Just as green growth has become a popular topic at many global conferences, whether it be the latest in eco-friendly building materials like the Ecobuild exhibition coming up in 2011 or developing bio-renewable energy from nature, just one of the topics at next years World Conference of Bioenergy, the green car too has made its way onto the stage.

What has caught the attention of many countries recently though is a new form of financing called green finance.

Green finance is available for many different types of projects. For example, Green Finance Group (GFG) specializes in assisting early phase companies in establishing a strong financial foundation for aggressive growth in energy and natural resources. Others specialize in green mortgages, which offer interest rate discounts for homes with environmentally friendly facilities.

What About That Car?

Although green cars take on a number of different forms and the term 'green cars' is fairly fluid, generally, they qualify for this category if they fulfill basic alternative fuel or energy efficiency criteria.

Some examples are:

Hybrid Electric
Flex-fuel
Biodiesel
Natural Gas
Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Battery Electric
Compressed Air
Hydrogen
Fuel-cell
Neat Ethenol
Clean Diesel
Ethonol Fuel
Gasohol

Options on 'green' finance will depend on where you live, what initiatives have been set, and so on.

Some lenders in Canada, the UK and also Australia (which advertises what it calls a "no-cost, environmentally friendly, carbon-neutral finance program for cars and light commercial vehicles") have started to finance eco-friendly vehicles.

As the world gets hungrier for environment freindly investments many more ways to finance are sure to emerge. Some Financial Services Commissions are starting to support 'Green Finance Specialized MBA' programs in schools and universities. You may have to look a little harder right now for that special financing deal but by focusing in the right direction we can all keep this planet moving forward.

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos, Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

HOW TO BUILD IT ECO WITH GREEN STRATEGIES

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:53:00 +0000

This is about reducing your carbon footprint using green strategies to build something eco-friendly.

Hear are a few ideas to help you build it eco:

Type of Build

Depending on your finances, you will first need to determine whether you are building new or renovating something existing. You might even choose something prefabricated. Since there are a number of options to choose from, you can balance low-cost options with high performance and still maintain an eco-friendly budget.

Consider How Eco-Friendly

How you invest in your eco build will determine what level of "green" you will choose from. You may want to start off with a list of things that are important to you, such as:

Am I concerned with energy efficiency?
Is water conservation on my list?
Do I want a certified sustainable building?

Size of Build Does Matter

Maybe you have heard of The Small House Trend? Building smaller has many advantages:

Uses less land - creates less impact on the environment
Uses less building materials not only during construction but also during the buildings life-cycle
Cheaper energy costs (less space to heat/cool)
A smaller piece of land itself costs less

If you are looking for some small house plans Drummond House Plans is a great website to find house plans under 1,000 sqft. Other sites offer prefabricated homes: Tiny House Blog has some relevant information.

If you do decide to build, you may want to select an architect and/or builder who has knowledge of "green" design and "green" building practices.

Build Location

Build location is very important if you are considering solar power, for example. Look for a southern exposure and pay attention to positioning of trees. Depending on where the location is can affect your build significantly.

Land re-use is another option to consider when building something new. If you want to help clean up the earth itself you could always do some research on Brownfields.

Water Savings

Investing in water conservancy is easy to do with a number of options available on the market today:

Waterless Urinals
Low Flow Shower Heads
Low Flow Toilets
On Demand Hot Water

Some quick examples can be found at Suite 101, a 2008 document, but it will give you some ideas on water saving devices.

Heating & Cooling

When thinking of heating and cooling, some things to investigate could include:

Solar Energy
Thermal Energy Storage
Geothermal Energy
Wind Power

Much in the way is being developed for home use today in this ever expanding market.

Building Materials

Again you don't have to look far to find things that are safe for the environment. You can build eco-friendly in more ways than you can imagine:

Recycled building materials
Use wood from sustainable forests
Non-VOC paints, carpets and countertops

If you are really interested in exploring the latest in building materials perhaps you might consider attending a conference or building expo. 2011 will be a great year to find out what's new in all things eco-friendly. Ecobuild - UK is hosting its largest exposition then.

Landscape

Consider what is already existing and protect that first. You may want to choose things that are native to your area and also those that are water resistant in order to help the environment. Another sort of landscape making a name right now is the Green Roof. It sits on top of your house, and serves a functional purpose in cooling you home, reducing storm water run off, is used as a wildlife habitat and is also good for growing food.

Green Home Building Advice is Everywhere

Many people offer advice when is comes to eco-friendly building. Your challenge will be to determine what is right for you. It has been said that our planet is not a science experiment, but the only planet that we have. Good research seems to be the key to this endeavor. Whichever way you choose, you are sure to realize your dream and look after the environment in doing it.

Image: xedos4 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

GREEN BURIAL PRODUCTS FILL A UNIVERSAL NEED

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:53:00 +0000

Green Burial Products Fill a Universal Need

If you are interested in starting a business that fills a universal need, one that would appeal to all different types of thinkers (traditional and progressive) and one with unlimited growth potential then green burial products might just be it. A green burial and green burial cemeteries
solve all of the basic environmental problems that traditional burial and cremation seem to precipitate.

Traditional Burial - caskets are made mostly out of wood, steel or fiberglass and are enclosed in concrete with the potential to last forever.

Cremation - uses fossil fuels and produces carcinogenic dioxins, trace metals, hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide.

Green Burial Products - Wholesale

There are some green burial product companies/wholesalers on the market today, and with the shift going in the way of "green" there are bound to be many more soon. One of these companies, Natural Burial Company, a green burial products wholesale company in Eugene, Oregon serves all of North America. Natural Burial Company is an independent business that relies on a committed network of innovative coffin, urn and product producers, truckers, project managers, and funeral service provider resellers, all working together in Asia, North America, the UK and Europe to bring biodegradable coffins, urns, and other natural green burial products to the American and Canadian public.

Green Burial Products - Standards

If you are interested in green burial products, the Green Burial Council sets out standards and eco-ratings for green burial products that are used in the industry. These rating are going into effect January 1, 2011.

An interesting 'pdf document' on their site entertains the idea that one needs to be weary of "greenwashing", a term being used to warn about "a darker shade of green" when it comes to buying "truly" green products. That there is some confusion with what is truly natural and what might not be so eco-friendly and that one needs to be careful about what they are buying and who they are buying from.

http://www.greenburialcouncil.org/assets/News/Going-Green-PDF.pdf

"Green" products are starting to show up in all places and in every corner of the earth today, and green burial products are no different. They fill a vital need and are starting to gain universal appeal. And although research and due diligence are still very necessary at this stage our only planet is worth it.

GREEN BURIAL CEMETERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 05:20:00 +0000

Green Burial Cemeteries and the Environment

Green Burial Cemeteries are a place where a persons remains can be buried directly to the earth and is a way where they will bio-degrade naturally and eventually become soil. In this way the environment is less impacted because there is less land disturbance, less resources and less energy used in the process. Natural burial offers an alternative to non-green traditional burials.

Green Burial Cemeteries are becoming more widely available and recognized and there seems to be a trend starting based on our becoming more environmentally conscious.

The Impact on the Environment

Many sources show the impact that traditional burial is having on the earth. Traditional burial involves embalming the body with a formaldehyde-based solution, building a casket and using concrete to create a vault. One example of this impact, says Valerie Streit, in the February 17, 2009 CNN online article Green Burials, A Dying Wish to be 'Home for Fish', is that each year "1.6 million tons of concrete, 827,060 tons of toxic embalming fluid, 90,000 tons of steel, and 30 million tons of hardwood board" are being buried in the United States. And all of that, according to The Green Burial Council, an independent nonprofit organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

One AARP poll suggests that 70 percent of Americans prefer green burials even though the services and practices are relatively new and many funeral directors have yet to catch up.

Where the Change is Going

Several organizations are educating the funeral industry and consumers about the break in tradition to go green. If your local funeral home does not practice green services, organizations like The National Funeral Directors Association and The Green Burial Council (mentioned above) could likely point them in the right direction.

One website that seems to be just starting up is Natural Burial Co-operative, The Centre for Natural Burial, a comprehensive listing of Green Burial Cemeteries for different regions, including:

Canada
United States
United Kingdom and Europe
Around the World (coming soon)

If you wish to leave a small eco-footprint in your passing why not do some research on Green Burial Cemeteries.

TWO FOR ONE - "BUILD" SOMETHING AND CLEAN UP THE EARTH

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:07:00 +0000

If you actually want to "build" something, and invest in cleaning up the earth at the same time, I have the piece of land for you. In the U.S., there is an association called the National Brownfield Association, (NBA), a leading non-profit, member-based organization dedicated to promoting the sustainable development of brownfields.

What are brownfields you ask? The U.S. EPA defines brownfields as "real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant."

If you have ever passed by a deserted warehouse or old, abandoned gas station and wondered why the property has been left to decay, the reason might be because the property is a brownfield.

No one knows exactly how many brownfields there are; estimates range from 400,000 to more than a million in the U.S. alone
As much as $2 trillion of real estate may be undervalued due to the presence of contamination
Many thousands make their livelihoods in the brownfield market
Environmental hazards are estimated to be present at 20-50% of all industrial real estate properties

Should you want to invest in some sort of a build, and want to turn an old piece of land into a new one, depending on where you live, your government may have a brownfields program by way of:

Assessment Grants
Revolving Loan Fund Grants
Cleanup Grants
Job Training Grants, etc.

The NBA, mentioned earlier, encourages the use of green design and construction practices, clean energy and green transportation in redevelopment projects. The NBA represents a wide range of public and private sector professionals involved with redevelopment, including property owners, developers, investors, service professionals, government representatives and elected officials. Its mission is carried out through three primary conduits: information, education and events.

Green vs Brown

So, is it better to build fresh on a "greenfield" site, where more homes are being built and families are buying, but trees are being cut and wildlife encroached on, and people protest? Or to invest in some old land and build a once dead area back to life by cleaning it up and revitalizing it?

You're the builder, you get to decide!

Image: graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

ANAEROBIC DIGESTION ON STEROIDS

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 06:59:00 +0000

What is Anaerobic Digestion?

Anaerobic digestion is a process by which organic material in an enclosed vessel is broken down by mico-organisms, in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic digestion produces biogas (consisting mainly of methane and carbon dioxide). Anaerobic digestion systems, or AD systems are often referred to as "Biogas systems."

Depending on the system design, biogas can be combusted to run a generator producing electricity and heat (called a co-generation system), burned as a fuel in a boiler or furnace, or cleaned and used as a natural gas replacement.

The AD process also produces a liquid effluent (called digestate) that contains all the water, all the minerals and approximately half of the carbon from the incoming materials.

By using these method, an assistant professor of engineering at UBC Okanagan (Cigdem Eskicioglu) has been working with municipalities, farms, factories and mills to identify effective ways to turn their organic waste into renewable energy - methane - and organic fertilizer.

In her article (by Jody Jacobs) she says: "In Canada, our waste is not utilized as a resource," says Eskicioglu. "If we can make use of the waste in innovative ways to extract energy and recycle it within our communities, this will take Canada a step closer to acheiving its Kyoto targets for greenhouse gas reduction.

Eskicioglu has also talked to the City of Kelowna in the B.C. Interior about a more sustainable disposal method for biosolids from the community's wastewater treatment plant.

“Currently, the municipal biosolids are being mixed with woodchips to produce compost, but composting has a large carbon footprint as well as some other environmental issues such as odour,” says Eskicioglu.

Eskicioglu hopes to test the concept of co-digesting the biosolids anaerobically with other organic waste available in the region. If the process produces significant methane, the gas could be captured and used to generate electricity.

Bit's 1st Annual World Congress of Bioenergy is developing the theme: Developing Bio-renewable Energy from Nature for its up and coming Conference April 25-29, 2011 at the World Expo Center in Dalian, China.

One of the speakers will be Dr. Eskicioglu on Thursday April 25, from 11:20-11:45 am.

She will address: Advanced Anaerobic Digestion Technologies to Enhance Biogas Yield from Pulp & Paper Mill Waste Sludge.

Image: Carlos Porto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

WHO WILL BUILD IT ECO?

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:03:00 +0000

Everyone wants their website to be on the first page of the search engine, right? Yesterday, I thought I would just see where I might come up in their page ranking. Low and behold, I was on page two, for the words I was indexing, not bad considering I just got started not so long ago.

I started this site to look at ways and explore eco-friendly ideas so that we could all be eco-friendlier in some part of our lives by investing greener in the environment, in our homes, our investments and ourselves.

And although I am not on page one just yet, I thought I would see who was. I found a site that looked quite interesting called Ecobuild. Maybe you don't live in the UK, but maybe you'll be travelling there soon. Ecobuild is holding an exhibition March 1-3, 2011.

Ecobuild is the world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK's largest construction event of any kind. It hosts:

the biggest showcase of sustainable construction products anywhere - more than 1,300 exhibitors
over 100 free seminars - practical advice from real-life experiences
the renowned Ecobuild conference - world-class commentators tackle the most pressing issues facing the built environment
600+ highly regarded speakers
dozens of interactive attractions and live demonstrations

In 2010

Ecobuild's biggest exhibition yet - over 41,000 visitors (20% over 2009) with more than 1,000 suppliers.

In 2011

In 2011 Ecobuild moves to London's ExCel Exhibition and Conference Centre - a bigger and more modern venue. A new conference stream for 2011 will look at sustainability from the perspective of architecture and design, and debate topics such as the role of architects in a resource stressed world, how designers can help change behavior, what a sustainable community looks like, how ecologically successful cities can be created and how sustainability and art can be combined.

Perhaps all who attend this exhibition in 2011 will get the chance to build something and build it eco friendly.

Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

'THE HELPER'S HIGH'

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:29:00 +0000

Have you ever heard of 'The Helper's High'? - Dr. Douglas M. Lawson, an expert on volunteer work, confirms that researchers have found that "often during just a few hours of volunteering a person's general physiological demeanor and psychological well-being are so heightened that this has been nicknamed 'The Helper's High'." Studies have also found that those who volunteered were happier and healthier than those who did not.

On November 20, 1997, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed the year 2001 to be the "International Year of Volunteers," (IYV2001). The United Nations decided to use that year as a time for turning the spotlight on volunteer workers. According to the UN there were four objectives to be achieved during the year.

Increased recognition Governments were encouraged to recognize the importance of volunteers by studying and recording their achievements and bestowing awards on outstanding volunteer activities.
Increased facilitation Countries were urged to encourage volunteerism, for example, by accepting volunteer service as an alternative to military service or providing certain tax exemptions.
Networking The media were invited to assist more in publicizing success stories of volunteer work. As a result, such projects could be replicated, "avoiding the need for each community to reinvent the wheel."
Promotion Volunteer organizations were encouraged to arrange exhibitions to inform the public about the benefits that society is reaping from volunteer work.

10 years ago the UN hoped that IYV2001 would result in more requests for the services of volunteers, in more offers from people to serve as volunteers, and in more funding and facilities for volunteer organizations to tackle society's growing needs. A total of 142 governments have joined in sponsoring the objectives of this UN resolution.

Ways of volunteering have changed along the way:

from regular volunteering
to semi-regular/flexible volunteering
to online volunteering, from home doing data entry and research

The year 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) in 2001.

Opportunities exist for activities throughout 2011 that will showcase the diversity, breadth and depth of volunteering worldwide and offer the chance to raise the profile of volunteering and mobilize many more volunteers. For more information on volunteering you can contact: United Nations Volunteers

Image: Filomena Scalise / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

"GREEN" SPARKING INVESTMENTS

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:23:00 +0000

What is Green Finance?

Green Finance is any market-based investing or lending program that factors environmental impact into risk assessment or utilizes environmental incentives to drive business decisions.

If you have a project you are looking to get financed record-high oil prices and increased desire by the public and governments to stop global warming are sparking investments in innovative projects.

Green Finance Group (GFG) is a multidisciplinary strategic finance advisory group specializing in assisting early phase companies to establish a strong financial foundation for aggressive growth.

GFG was formed by the combination of three companies providing financial and strategic support to energy companies: Green Corporate Finance, Devitor and IndoChicora. The founders formed a cohesive organization to offer a broad range of financial and business development capabilities to promising early-phase companies in energy and natural resources with short term funding and business development needs and longer term equity and debt finance requirements.

Green Finance Group provides a broad range of services tailored to the needs of small-to-mid-cap energy companies.

Services Include:

Early Phase Fund Raising
Institutional Fund Raising
Project Financing: Debt Finance, Equity Finance & Bonds (w/partner Devitor)
Arranging & Negotiating Farm-Ins/Outs
Oil and Gas M&A
Arranging Debt and Lines of Credit
Strategies and Support for Listing on Public Exchanges
Finding Partners for Growth
Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions, Support & Advice
Recommendations on Board Directors, Management & Other Key Personnel
License Acquisition

Despite the drumbeat of headlines about the troubled banking and finance industries, one area is coming up green.

ADJUSTING OUR SAILS TO MEET THE WIND

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:29:00 +0000

Mankind has long harnessed the power of the wind to propel sailing ships, turn grinding mills, and pump water. In recent years, though, enthusiasm for wind power has swept the globe.

There is huge and growing global demand for emissions-free wind power, which can be installed quickly, virtually everywhere in the world.

Compared to the environmental effects of traditional energy sources, the environmental effects of wind power are relatively minor. Wind power consumes no fuel, and emits no air pollution, unlike fossil fuel power sources.

The capital cost of producing wind turbines has fallen steadily over the past 20 years as turbine design has been largely concentrated on the three-bladed upwind model with variable speed and pitch blade regulation. Manufacturing techniques have been optimized, and mass production and automation have resulted in economies of scale.

Large investments of predominantly private but also public funds are expected to flow into the growing wind power markets. These investments will directly benefit regional developments by creating jobs, such as:

Manufacturing
Transportation
Construction
Project Development
Operation and Maintenance

If you are interested in a comprehensive study of global wind energy, please consider the following:

The Global Wind Energy Council is the global wind industry trade association, providing a credible and representative forum for the entire wind energy sector at the international level. Their mission is to ensure that wind power establishes itself as one of the world’s leading energy sources, providing substantial environmental and economic benefits.

GWEC also works with national associations around the world to develop high quality conferences and exhibitions. In 2010 they will have had events in Brazil and China, and in 2011 they will have an event in India and China.

THREE BILLION YEARS AND STILL UNDER A MICROSCOPE

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:13:00 +0000

Algae are found in the fossil record dating back approximately three billion years. Algae, buried and compressed, make up part of what we know today as "oil". With the eventual depletion of oil, comes the alternatives that are swiftly emerging.

During photosynthesis, algae and other photosynthetic organisms capture carbon dioxide and sunlight and convert it into oxygen and biomass. Using land that is not suitable for agriculture, an interest in Algaculture (farming algae) has formed. Directly related to the potential to produce more biomass per unit area in a year than any other form of biomass, Algae based fuels hold great promise.

Although research is being done that suggests that algae could supply enough fuel to meet all of America's transportation needs in the form of biodiesel, states a report by Nick Hodge/Green Chip Stocks, these claims remain unrealized, commercially, at present. Even though algae cost more per unit mass (as of 2010, food grade algae costs ~$5000/tonne), due to high capital and operating costs, it can theoretically yield between 10 and 100 times more energy per unit area than any other second-generation biofuel crop. Several companies and government agencies are funding efforts to reduce capital and operating costs and make algae fuel production more commercially viable.

For more comprehensive information on:

classification of algae
properties of algae
algae growth cycle
composition of algae
uses of algae
algae harvesting
algae oil extraction, and more

Oilgae

Oilgae is a global information support resource for the algae fuels industry. Oilgae has grown into a large web resource, assisting hundreds of individuals and companies around the world in their efforts to produce fuels from algae. For more information please go to: http://www.oilgae.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_fuel
http://www.greenchipstocks.com/report/investing-in-algae-biofuel/109
Image: Boaz Yiftach / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

DARK-SKY PARK

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:42:00 +0000

In 1999, a 4,900-acre parcel of Crown land in Muskoka Lakes district (north of Toronto) is believed to be the first ever dark-sky park in the world. Called the Torrance Barrens Conservation Reserve it offers Canadian stargazers views of the night sky that are unobstructed and nearly free of light pollution. Whether you've never really looked at the night sky before, or whether you're a lifelong astronomy enthusiast the dark skies above any dark-sky park will amaze you.

What is a Dark-Sky Park

The natural night sky is an endangered resource: a dark-sky park is a park that displays little or no artificial light in order to give the best possible view of the night sky, generally to promote astronomy. In the Canadian Program, lighting within the area must be strictly controlled to minimize the impact of artificial lighting on wildlife.

The idea of a human-created dark-sky park is fascinating since the artificial skyglow is becoming ever more a serious hindrance to the enjoyment of the starlight and astronomical research. Light pollution also hinders enjoyment of (nocturnal) nature.

One list I found of several dark-sky parks, includes parks in:

Canada
U.S.A.
U.K.
Hungary

This list is composed by IUCN - Dark Skies Advisory Group (DSAG). You can follow this link for more information on the location of these parks:

http://www.darkskyparks.org/docs/DSP%20world%20list.pdf

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

THE MOST ABUNDANT ELEMENT IN THE UNIVERSE

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:57:00 +0000

Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, combustible gas and is the most abundant element in the universe. Besides being one of the two components that form water, hydrogen is an integral part of plant and animal tissue and is also bound up in fossil fuels. One way, the journal, Science News, states that water "can be split into hydrogen and oxygen is when electricity passes through it". Nature on the other hand performs this task wonderfully through the process of photosynthesis.

Capable of satisfying mankind's future needs, many see hydrogen as the most promising of the alternative fuels. This optimism is based on recent dramatic improvements in a device known as the fuel cell.

Fuel Cell Power

A device known as a fuel cell is one that produces electricity from hydrogen. Instead of burning it, it is combined with oxygen during a controlled chemical reaction. The only by-products of the reaction are heat and water with this exception: pure hydrogen must be used rather than a hydrogen-rich fossil fuel.

Fuel cells are being developed today for a number of purposes including:

replacement of the internal combustion engine in motor vehicles
to provide electricity for commercial and domestic buildings
to power small electric devices, such as mobile phones and computers
to power forklifts, buses and also marine power
telecom power, backup power and so on

Fuel Cell Markets

If you are interested in building partnerships to take hydrogen and fuel cells to market then you may be interested in Fuel Cell Markets. Fuel Cell Markets, a business facilitator, assists fuel cell, hydrogen and related sustainable energy companies with building the necessary partnerships to take their technologies and services to market. Providing services that utilize business to business marketing tools in conjunction with their business development team who assist by establishing direct introductions to prequalified potential partners as well as developing market entry strategies.

Other Services Include:

showcasing business opportunities for development and growth
events calendar
job postings
free newsletter
section to "promote your own products"
extensive industry directory
news and information section

"There is a consistent pattern in the evolution of markets – superior technology is not the only factor that will determine the market leaders from the market failures. The development of strategic business relationships and the supply chain as a whole can have as much influence in determining which technologies succeed and when, as the technologies themselves." Toddington Harper, President Fuel Cell Markets Ltd

To find Fuel Cell Markets, click on the link below:

http://www.fuelcellmarkets.com/fuel_cell_markets/1,1,1.html

http://www.sciencenews.org/search/seek?for=water+split+into+hydrogen+and+oxygen&go_submit=go

READY TO RIDE THE STORM

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 21:04:00 +0000

A number of unprecedented factors are converging on the green industry as we speak. Making it the perfect storm.

The renewable energy investment space is extremely fragmented and chaotic. Some technologies are mature and fully developed. Some have peaked and are on the decline. Others are decades away. The transition from a fossil fuel-centric economy to one powered by clean renewable energy is going to be all but smooth and orderly.

Factors Affecting the Green Industry

The effects and consequences of greenhouse gases on the environment are becoming globally understood
The end of cheap and abundant fossil fuels
Green technology maturation
National energy independence and economic security
Unprecedented government and private funding

Whether you are an individual investor or a professional money manager you are going to need expert analysis, insights and recommendations.

The Green Investor is a green investment newsletter specializing in green investment. The Green Investor is a subscription-based investment newsletter dedicated solely to identifying the very best green investment opportunities for its members. Green stocks are all they focus on. By green they mean clean and renewable: no oil, gas, nuclear or "claim-to-be-green" fuels, no exceptions.

You can read their Special Free Report by clicking on the link and scrolling down towards the bottom.

http://www.thegreeninvestor.com/app/html?page=home

A FRESH CLIMB

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 20:18:00 +0000

Today as never before, both the quantity and quality of our planet's fresh water supply are under threat. Those who face this problem every day understand it all to well. We should not be misled by the apparently abundant supply in some fortune parts of the world.

Where is the Fresh Water?

About 97 percent of the water on earth is salt water from the oceans. Only about 3 percent is fresh, and the majority of it is not that easily accessible:

68.7% - Permanent (yet melting due to global warming) Ice and Snow
30.1% - Groundwater
0.9% - Permafrost, Underground Ice
0.3% - Lakes, Rivers and Swamps

Climbing for Water, Why so High?

The Climbing for Water Everest Expedition 2011 is a charity event to spread awareness about water related probems in mountainous areas across the world. This time Climbing for Water has chosen to raise funds for a specific project in Nepal. The expedition is part of the foundations program "The 7 Summits For Water Project". And yes, you can join, donate, or help sponsor this charity event and help Climbing for Water spread awareness and raise funds. The website link is: http://www.climbingforwater.org/

Glass Photo
http://www.123rf.com/

THE ECO AGRICULTURAL FARMER

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 06:33:00 +0000

Biofuel energy is next on the list of renewable energy sources I covered in the article Green Investing-The Clock Has Begun. I discussed several factors about how biofuel energy is produced. As I started researching this topic I uncovered an interesting project the Canadian Federal Government calls the ecoABC Initiative.

The ABC's of it

On April 23, 2007, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Foods officially launched the ecoAGRICULTURE Biofuels Capital (ecoABC) initiative, a $200 million initiative that will provide repayable contributions of up to $25 million per project to help farmers overcome the challenges of raising the capital necessary for the construction or expansion of biofuel production facilities.

If you are a Canadian agricultural producer, to qualify, you need to:

Build the facility in Canada
Supply at least 5% of the costs of the project
Keep the factory for at least two years after construction is done and biofuel is being produced
Use plant material, like corn, to make fuel like ethanol or biodiesel
Get an environmental assessment
Produce at least three to five million litres of fuel per year

The deadline for the construction or expansion of biofuels facilities funded by the ecoABC Initiative has been extended from March 31, 2011 to September 30, 2012. This will provide more time for projects to secure necessary financing and complete construction.

Maybe you are a farmer or know someone who is and want to get involved. This could be a place to start.

Links to this program include:

Eco Agriculture - The ecoAGRICULTURE Biofuels Capital Initiative (ecoABC)
http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca/ecoagriculture/biofuels-biocarburants-eng.cfm

Eco Agriculture Biofuels Capital Initiative (ecoABC) - Gov. of Canada - Agricult. & Agri-Food Canada
http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2128/

Please leave me a comment if you think that this series of articles on renewable energy has been helpful.

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

SIGNIFICANT STEAM IN "HOT ROCKS"

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 23:54:00 +0000

Geothermal energy is part of the list of renewable energy sources I discussed in the article titled: Green Investing - The Clock Has Begun.

What is Geothermal Energy?

In its simplest terms, geothermal means earth-heat. It is related to the thermal energy of the earth's interior.

If a person were to dig a hole in the earth's crust toward its hot core, which is estimated at 5,000 degrees Celsius, the temperature would increase, on average, by about 30 degrees Celsius for every kilometer dug.

Where people live close to thermal springs or volcanic fissures, the earth's heat is more readily available.

Why so Attractive?

Geothermal energy is particularly attractive because of its consistency - it generates energy 24/7. Because of this reliability, it pairs well with solar and wind, serving as a stable source of baseload capacity, while wind and solar contribute intermittently. Geothermal also requires less land than wind and solar. These advantages are what's driving growth in this rapidly evolving sector.

What's its Future?

In the U.S., for example. over the past year and a half or so geothermal projects were simmering. Developers were finding land to lease, collecting permits, arranging financing and generally putting their ducks in a row so that the real work of developing geothermal energy projects could begin.

An article in Renewable Energy World says the Geothermal Energy Association or (GEA) said that around 2,800 direct and indirect jobs will be created to the end of 2010 and throughout 2011, mostly in Nevada and California, according to this report.

Want to Get Involved

Want to support Geothermal Energy say, in Canada, the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association is looking for help to promote and develop geothermal energy. Their site lists several up and coming events and conferences. You can visit their site for details: http://www.cangea.ca/.

With the proper technology and implementation, Geothermal Energy could prove to be an excellent basis for clean, efficient energy in the future.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/10/gea-2011-job-growth-in-geothermal-steady

Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

YES I SAID OLD FASHIONED LINOLEUM

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Are you planning to revamp your flooring? If you are, then linoleum flooring might be the right choice for you. I was surprised to know how natural good old fashioned linoleum really was while researching this article.

It is made from powdered cork, linseed oil, wood resin, wood flour mixed with chalk, and is pressed onto a backing of burlap or jute. Linoleum is made of all natural, biodegradable ingredients, not petrochemicals, so there is no harmful off-gassing.

From Linoleum to Marmoleum

Imagine it as a countertop. At first you might think that linoleum isn't sturdy enough for countertop material. But if you stop to think that it's meant to be walked on, you'd understand why it's so durable. Marmoleum, linoleum's cousin is being used for just that purpose, as well as flooring. Just like linoleum, marmoleum is all natural.

Health Benefits

Living Green Magazine says that marmoleum has the same hygenic benefits as linoleum. And because of the ongoing oxidation of linseed oil, it has natural anti-bacterial properties that hinder the growth of harmful micro-organisms.

If you are planning to install the floor yourself, marmoleum tiles are easier to install. Plus, you can mix and match to create patterns of your own choice. If you are tired of looking at your lackluster floor, marmoleum can be an excellent do-it-yourself project.

Benefits of Marmoleum Flooring:

In addition to the environmental benefits of marmoleum, there are several material benefits that make it an excellent flooring choice for homes.

Marmoleum is:

resilient (great for kitchens and other places where people are standing most of the time)
easy to clean and low maintenance
durable and can stand up to high traffic areas (needs replacing less often)
anti-static (good in areas where there are a lot of electronic items such as TV rooms and offices)
hypo-allergenic (Marmoleum Click is endorsed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
low VOC therefore no off-gassing of harmful chemicals
available in a variety of colours and sheet or tile options provide great design variations
Marmoleum Click can be installed without glues in various tile options

Also according to Living Green Magazine, marmoleum is a brand of linoleum flooring produced by Swiss company Forbo Group. The brand's offerings of bright colors and faux finishes have reignited the popularity of linoleum, which is probably the most eco-friendly and healthiest floor covering available.

http://www.livinggreenmag.com/archives/natural_home_garden/marmoleum.html
http://www.forboflooringna.com/

Image via Linoleumstore.com

HOW TO COPE IN A THROWAWAY SOCIETY

noreply@blogger.com (W. M. Gheorghe) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:00:00 +0000

Most of us know that in nature, there is no such thing as waste: the way in which dead or discarded material from one part of the ecosystem is always used to benefit other parts. Even though humanity is far from zero waste, innovative technology is constantly developing. With the right attitude toward certain basic principles of good conduct we can cope better with the problems of living in a throwaway society.

Avoid Being Wasteful

Knowing that so many people go to bed hungry should impress upon us the need to appreciate food and avoid wasting it.

To reduce garbage and waste, if you are a parent, you can teach your children to put only as much as they will eat on their plate. It is better to take small portions at first before asking for seconds. As a parent, of course, you need set the example.

We can show that we appreciate what we have by keeping things in good repair and using them for as long as it is practical to do so. Before discarding items still in good condition consider who else might be happy to have them. Clothing for example - children are always growing out of their cloths, could other children still get some use out of them? The same with furniture, you could pass it along and someone else use it or like I did, keep it and repaint it:

This is the kitchen table and chair set that I bought new in 1997 and after I moved in 2008 I repainted it and added two more chairs to the set. After that, I also repainted and reused my coffee and end tables.

Still, you may have other possessions that you no longer use as much that could also be passed along. By sharing in this way you counteract the negative effects of a throwaway society.

Avoid Greediness

This is an interesting quote: "Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction", Erich Fromm, 20th Century Philosopher.

In an attempt to have us feel dissatisfied with what we have, the advertising world would have us fall prey by offering us something bigger, better, faster, stronger. Of course we have every right to replace possessions that are still usable but before doing so, its good to evaluate our motives.

Being Content with the Necessities

The idea here is to be content with what we have, as we simply cannot have everything. Being content may require some changes, but contentment does lead to happiness.

A throwaway society can never bring about true happiness, even less so a throwaway mentality. It does appear though that more and more are getting the message that a throwaway society isn't the answer. Are You?

Your comments and/or ideas are welcome...

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