Sunday, December 14, 2008
New Energy Saving Appliances AFTER Jan 1
Congress has recently instated a new bill that will allow a $500 kick back to those who buy energy saving appliances after Jan 1. So if you are interested in doing more to be more green and to save some more money...wait just until Jan 1! In the meantime, you can caulk your air conditioner and then fix your baseboards and windows by caulking them as well. Try to keep the warm air in and the cold air- lessening the amount of energy needed to warm up your home. Also, turn down your water heater to 130 degrees- that's still warm enough to get a hot shower. Then lastly, always turn off ligths and electrical equipment- it will save you money and save energy.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Obama is Promising Green
Our President elect, Barrack Obama, has promised to have a green agenda. This past week he has promised the nation that he will fight climate change. He has plans to reduce emissions and he has promised $15 billion a year to go to low-carbon energy- including solar, wind, nuclear and next-generation biofuels.
Obama has said, "Delay is no longer an option,. Denial is no longer an acceptable response. The stakes are too high. The consequences, too serious."
So our President elect has our hopes up and hopefully he can help deliver a greener tomorrow.
For more information you can read this article.
Obama has said, "Delay is no longer an option,. Denial is no longer an acceptable response. The stakes are too high. The consequences, too serious."
So our President elect has our hopes up and hopefully he can help deliver a greener tomorrow.
For more information you can read this article.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Aviation Biofuel from Jatropha Trees
Boeing and Air New Zealand have announced that they will fly an airplane with a 50-50 mix of jet fuel and oil from jatropha trees. This is an effort to help reduce harmful emissions and conserve fuel.
Billy Glover, Boeing’s managing director of environmental strategy, said,
“The processing technology exists today, and based on results we’ve seen, it’s highly encouraging that this fuel not only met but exceeded three key criteria for the next generation of jet fuel: higher than expected jet fuel yields, very low freeze point and good energy density. That tells us we’re on the right path to certification and commercial availability.”
So we can hope that in the future, there will be more efforts to help save fuel and protect our air from the aviation industry.
To read the whole article, click here.
Billy Glover, Boeing’s managing director of environmental strategy, said,
“The processing technology exists today, and based on results we’ve seen, it’s highly encouraging that this fuel not only met but exceeded three key criteria for the next generation of jet fuel: higher than expected jet fuel yields, very low freeze point and good energy density. That tells us we’re on the right path to certification and commercial availability.”
So we can hope that in the future, there will be more efforts to help save fuel and protect our air from the aviation industry.
To read the whole article, click here.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Celebrate Fair Trade
As the holidays start approaching, it's a good idea to begin looking for some great eco-friendly gifts. How about buying some fair trade gifts? Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach to empowering developing country producers and promoting sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of a wide variety of goods.
Fair trade's intent is to work with international workers and producers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to one of security through self-sufficiency.
Here are some websites to check out that sell fair trade goods:
www.globalexchangestore.org
www.tenthousandvillages.com/home.php
www.globalstewards.org/fairtradeshops.htm
Fair trade's intent is to work with international workers and producers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to one of security through self-sufficiency.
Here are some websites to check out that sell fair trade goods:
www.globalexchangestore.org
www.tenthousandvillages.com/home.php
www.globalstewards.org/fairtradeshops.htm
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Organic labels
Organic-sounding labels can be confusing, or even meaningless. Below are examples of labels that are meaningful because there are government standards to back them up. You’ll also find a couple of examples of meaningless labels. For more information on food labels, go to www.eco-labels.org .
MEANINGFUL
“100% Organic.” No synthetic ingredients are allowed by law. Also, production processes must meet federal organic standards and must have been independently verified by accredited inspectors.
“Organic.” At least 95 percent of ingredients are organically produced. The remainder can be nonorganic or synthetic ingredients. One exception: Organic labels on seafood are meaningless because the U.S. Department of Agriculture has no standards to back them up.
“Made with Organic Ingredients.” At least 70 percent of ingredients are organic. The remaining 30 percent must come from the USDA’s approved list.
MEANINGLESS
“Free-range” or “free-roaming.” Stamped on eggs, chicken, and other meat, this label suggests that an animal has spent a good portion of its life outdoors. But U.S. government standards are weak. The rule for the label’s use on poultry products, for example, is merely that outdoor access be made available for “an undetermined period each day.” In other words, if a coop door was open for just 5 minutes a day, regardless of whether the chickens went outside, the animals’ meat and eggs could legally be labeled “free-range.”
“Natural” or “All Natural.” This label does not mean organic. The reason is that no standard definition for this term exists except when it’s applied to meat and poultry products, which the USDA defines as not containing any artificial flavoring, colors, chemical preservatives, or synthetic ingredients. And the claim is not verified. The producer or manufacturer alone decides whether to use it.
MEANINGFUL
“100% Organic.” No synthetic ingredients are allowed by law. Also, production processes must meet federal organic standards and must have been independently verified by accredited inspectors.
“Organic.” At least 95 percent of ingredients are organically produced. The remainder can be nonorganic or synthetic ingredients. One exception: Organic labels on seafood are meaningless because the U.S. Department of Agriculture has no standards to back them up.
“Made with Organic Ingredients.” At least 70 percent of ingredients are organic. The remaining 30 percent must come from the USDA’s approved list.
MEANINGLESS
“Free-range” or “free-roaming.” Stamped on eggs, chicken, and other meat, this label suggests that an animal has spent a good portion of its life outdoors. But U.S. government standards are weak. The rule for the label’s use on poultry products, for example, is merely that outdoor access be made available for “an undetermined period each day.” In other words, if a coop door was open for just 5 minutes a day, regardless of whether the chickens went outside, the animals’ meat and eggs could legally be labeled “free-range.”
“Natural” or “All Natural.” This label does not mean organic. The reason is that no standard definition for this term exists except when it’s applied to meat and poultry products, which the USDA defines as not containing any artificial flavoring, colors, chemical preservatives, or synthetic ingredients. And the claim is not verified. The producer or manufacturer alone decides whether to use it.
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