June 28, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Geoffrey Moore

Some people may not realize it, but looking after the environment is an important goal that everyone must tackle. The environment helps the world and those living inside it in so many ways, and if care is not taken there could be severe consequences. But how can this be handled? What can a person do to help the environment? The answers are many.

1. The next time you have a place that you need to get to, consider hanging up your car keys. Should the distance to your destination not be that long, you should consider utilizing a bike. A bike will not give off any emissions that could harm the atmosphere, and it is a fun activity to boot. You can take in the sights and sounds of nature, and not necessarily the chaos of the road. It is also healthy exercise, something that any medical practitioner would recommend.
2. Instead of constantly using paper and plastic bags provided by the grocery store, bring your own. These days, many stores are selling special, recyclable canvas bags that allow people to use them over and over when they shop. If your concern is over fashion and style, there is no need to worry. Reusable canvas bags come in many different colors and designs; there is sure to be something that would fit perfectly to your taste. Remember, they need not only be used in one place. You can use them anywhere you please, from the shopping mall to the local video game store.
3. Finally, during the colder months of the year, consider using as little of your heater as possible. This may seem like a crazy idea, but doing this will keep down the level of energy and electricity that your home consumes. There are many ways in which you could still keep warm. You could wear warm layers of clothing; frequently drink hot cocoa, and so on. You could even have a fire pit installed to keep you warm at any time of the day. Fire pits make excellent substitutes for heaters, and it is an activity the whole family can enjoy. Sit around and talk and you may just learn new things.

Geoffrey F. Moore
Fire Pit

Article Source: Geoffrey Moore
How to Be Environmentally Friendly Quickly and Easily

Posted in Enviromental | Print | 1 Comment »

June 17, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Harold Baldwin

Summer is not like other seasons. It has a decidedly relaxed and party atmosphere to it, at least if you allow it too. Summer should be a time to relax and have fun with friends and family even more so than the holidays. Even though if you have kids they may be home and omnipresent, they should add to your style, not crimp it! Here are 5 ways to enjoy summer more, a decidedly very special time of the year.

1. OK, it’s summer. Summer is not work time, it’s relaxing time. Although I don’t expect you to be lazy or non productive in summer, you will need to let some things slide. Although that may mean you don’t start as many major home or work initiatives, there may be a few projects you just want to crank on like serious fishing, the garden, or others you just want to do. Some things will fade into the fall however.
2. There are fewer hours of darkness, so expect to sleep less. Hey, most wild animals do, and they are in touch with nature and themselves. Plus it’s warm and beautiful and there can be so much more to do!
3. Spend more time outdoors. Yes, even if you live down south I recommend this. Of course your mileage and your preferences may vary and follow what you prefer, but I used to spend late July in Key West Florida pre kids - very happily I’ll add! I can assure you than even in the tropics, there are times in the summer that are absolutely wonderful outside away from air conditioning etc. - dawn and dusk come to mind immediately!
4. Spend more time with friends and family. Invite them over for a barbeque or whatever. Summer is a time to socialize. Serve food based on what is fresh and in season. It’s also a great time for lighter fare like seafood, chicken, and veggie dishes. Of course hamburgers, steaks, and hot dogs are always in summer style too. Fruit is a wonderful desert, and blender drinks as well as cold beer work well
5. Do something new, or something you haven’t done for a while. Start (or take up) biking. Learn to smoke ribs or brisket. Take painting classes. Do something that expands your mind or skills. Personally I’m trying to relearn to swim this summer. Having three little kids in swimming lessons is motivating I guess!

Summer comes but once a year, and may be short depending on where you live. Make the most of it!

I write on many things like fun and home topics among others. See my latest at kitchen trash bags and small trash bags.

Article Source: Harold Baldwin

5 Ways to Enjoy Summer More

Posted in Enviromental | Print | No Comments »

June 14, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Claire Montanaro

The oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico is bringing to light many aspects of the character of man, some of them admirable, some of them less so. We may see the compassion of the many who seek out and tend the damaged birds and animals; we may see the dignity and integrity of some Americans who accept the situation with equanimity and refuse to take advantage of it; we may welcome the determination of a few planners and strategists who are trying to learn from it and review both how to extract oil safely and how to reduce the world demand for it. Meanwhile, political expediency is driving the blame-game from the White House down regardless of the wider economic and international implications (which are considerable), and greed - literal profiteering - underpins many of the claims for compensation, from workers to lawyers.

Vested interest has the upper hand at the moment. Apart from a few economists, commentators and detached observers, no-one seems interested in considering what would happen if BP, a huge global company, is bled dry. The repercussions would be enormous and destabilizing in the extreme. Anglo-British relations are being affected already by distorted finger-pointing, and judgment reigns at the expense of fairness.

Yes, there was laxness and complacency by BP, the Americans who ran the oil rig, by the regulators and by we, the consumers who failed to ask the right questions. The heat, hyperbole and emotion which are so visible now are destructive, and it would be good to see some balance, restraint and realism replace them.

A statesman acts in the long-term interest for the highest good. A politician acts to win the next election. If the present stated desire for revenge and punishment, which mostly is generated through a sense of impotence and for PR purposes, continues, then the world will wobble, and we will know in which of these two categories our leaders belong.

Claire Montanaro is a skilled and sought after spiritual teacher, speaker, lecturer and author, with a reputation for inspiring and empowering her clients, students and audience. Based in Wales, she works internationally, spending much time abroad giving classes, lectures and one to one sessions to assist people on their path using her own powerful spiritual connections and psychic skills. Highly intuitive, she is able to help individuals, both on a private basis and in the corporate environment, by identifying and breaking down the barriers holding them back from fulfillment and success. Her book “Spiritual Wisdom” is published by Piatkus Books. Her website can be found at http://www.inlumino.org

Article Source: Claire Montanaro

BP Oil Leak in the Gulf of Mexico: What Does it Tell Us About Humanity?

Posted in Enviromental | Print | No Comments »

June 7, 2010 by jameslucas.

The Gulf Oil Leak - What Can We Do?

By David L Henderson

The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has been on everybody’s mind of late, and with good reason. Millions of barrels of oil have spewed, and continue to spew, into the waters of the Gulf, and the end is not in sight. Most of us have hoped and wished for a speedy recovery: stop the leak, clean up the mess, back to business as usual. That is not going to happen.

The world we live in is not the world of two months ago. The world has changed, and there is no going back to normal. Normal isn’t there any more. Hand-wringing and finger-pointing and name-calling are not the answer; there is enough blame to go around, but that isn’t the answer either. The time has come to set our emotional turmoil aside and bring our intelligence to bear on the situation as it is.

Before we can find solutions to the problem, we must understand what the problem is. We need to know, for starters, that the leak will, eventually, be fixed. Eventually. The logistics of such a leak so far below the surface of the ocean is completely outside our experience; whatever the answer is, it hasn’t been thought of before. Given time, we’ll get there.

Next comes the question of what to do with the oil that is already there. The staggering volume of oil, growing more staggering by the minute, is daunting, to say the least. This also is a problem the answer to which hasn’t been thought of yet.

I believe the answer to the oil problem will come in the form of an entirely new industry, which I, for the moment, am calling “oil reclamation.” Somebody is going to figure out how to separate the oil from the seawater pretty soon, and when that happens, the clean-up effort will begin to pay for itself. Besides which, the formation of this new industry could potentially create enough jobs to render the illegal alien problem obsolete.

How much oil is there, under the Gulf? Who knows? Enough to dig the United States out of debt? Enough to free us from dependence on foreign oil? Enough to bail out every bank, auto-maker and bad mortgage in the country? Very likely, to all three. Alright, let’s do one more: enough to fund some real research into clean alternative energy, like solar? I like to think so.

This country has never been short on brains, but sadly it takes a tragedy of epic proportions sometimes to focus those little gray cells in the right direction. Now that we’re there, let’s not lose momentum, huh?

—

St Enoch’s Pulpit is the place to go for the unique writing style of David L Henderson. Mr Henderson is a career health-care professional, a part-time preacher/teacher, writer, blogger, and joker. He has written a couple of short books and numerous articles, and you can find out more about him here: http://stenoch.weebly.com/st-enochs-pulpit.html

Article Source: David L. Henderson

The Gulf Oil Leak: What Can We Do?

Posted in Enviromental | Print | No Comments »

May 28, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Ivy Newport

We hear about the environment everyday. It is hard to miss all the new products popping up on the store shelves and it can all be very overwhelming. Before there were not enough options that fit into our everyday lives and now there are so many options it has become impossible to tell what products are truly sustainable and environmentally friendly. As you get bombarded with endless products, and never ending advice on all the things we “should” be doing to “save” the planet, don’t lose sight of how easy and convenient being “green” can be. Here are three easy steps to get started.

1. The Litterless Lunch

Making your lunch (or any meal on the go) litterless is the easiest first step to going green. Say goodbye to the boring brown paper bag lunch, and say hello to all the amazing and fun reusable lunch bags on the market today. Not only do they look great, but they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and most keep your food either hot or cold. Now that you have the bag, fill it with reusable snack bags and sandwich wraps, so you can stop discarding plastic baggies and plastic wrap. Reusable options are much easier to clean than a Ziploc bag and come in a variety of colours and patterns. If you’ve got something a little larger to store (like dinner leftovers) ditch the plastic containers and opt for glass, stainless steel or silicone. The litterless lunch is the easiest and possibly the “most fun” first step to going green. Once you have what you need, you never have to think about it again. Just pack your lunch (or any meal on the go) as usual and never worry about running out of baggies again - total convenience.

2. The Right Bright

Another simple step, but easy step in going green is to change your light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL’s). These bulbs use a minimum of 4 times less energy than your regular bulbs and last 8 - 15 times longer, so you change them less often. While there has been some controversy over the use of mercury in the light bulbs, the reality is that there is in fact 3mg of mercury in the CFL bulb which is about the tip of a ballpoint pen. There is no risk as long as the bulb is intact. Should the bulb break, simply ventilate the room for about 15 minutes and then clean it up by sweeping it onto cardboard and seal it in a glass container for disposal. Take these bulbs back to the store where you purchased them, or a proper recycling depot, as they shouldn’t be popped into the garbage.

3. The Green Clean

Cleaning products are another very simple and convenient step to “greening” your life. Next time you are in the store buying cleaning products for your home take a look at a more natural option. This is a step that in essence does not change your life in any way and yet will completely change your life. There are natural, chemical free versions of everything from toilet bowl cleaner to dish soap. There is even a non-toxic calcium, lime and rust remover. If every household in the U.S. replaced just one bottle of 32 oz chemical solvent-based glass and surface cleaner with a solvent-free product, that would prevent 9.3 million pounds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from being released into the environment. Just imagine what we could do if we changed more than one bottle! With the extensive damage that conventional cleaners are doing to our oceans, the least we can do is take a moment to consider the ingredients of the cleaners we buy and make a chemical free, natural choice.

Saving the planet is a big job. We can’t do it alone and we can’t do it all. But if we remember that every single choice, we make (no matter how small) can have an impact on the environment, it makes sense to make a greener start.

About the Author
Ivy Newport is the resident “green expert” at Every Little Bit Eco Shop, an online store offering everyday products that are conveniently green. Visit http://www.everylittlebitgreen.com for more tips & education on going green, as well as a wide variety of products to help individuals make better product choices for themselves, their families and the planet.

Article Source: Ivy blankport

Going Green 101

Posted in Enviromental | Print | No Comments »

May 6, 2010 by jameslucas.

By William KH Tan

What is a green collar worker? Firstly does a green worker exist or is it purely a politically motivated concept and if they do exist then how do the fit with the ongoing capitalist structure of the US as this is a structure that reinforces profit and competition. The situation warrants a situation of this type of worker against wealth and pollution. Pollution is caused by wealthy nations and in addition most of the environmentalists thrive in wealthy nations so how can there be a green worker in the US or anywhere else for that matter.

The old left winger green collar worker environmentalists tended to lean towards revolution and anti establishments where as today they live in wealthy nations and among the blue and white collar workers. And using such a term as green collar these politicians seem to be casting nets for voters in the hope that they can create a new question for policy that they will in turn be able to direct in the interests of their constituents. The environmental saga is one that supports capitalist interests and businesses in general

The ideology of being a worker in the US is based upon relationships between those that produce work as well as are overworked and those that manage the workers and in the interim not many have looked at what is a green collar worker. Most workers in the US literally work in order to live and there are others that do not have to work as they live off the labour of others. This notion was made note of many decades ago so there is nothing new about a green collar it is all merely a political stance to a voter audience. Realistically what oil company can afford to stop oil production and replace it with renewable resources when billions have already been invested in non renewable energy?

A so called movement to what is termed as a green collar worker is a conceptual mask as opposed to the reality of capitalist control as wealthy countries have chosen their own sets of lifestyle beliefs which are definitely not green or environmentally friendly which makes this an issue which still needs to be addressed. President Obama has addressed these issues recently and has made a promise of “green jobs” and a “green economy” but the question is who will lead these efforts.

Are green jobs becoming a reality? And should people now prioritize in their job searches. An executive director clearly stated that “green” is not a profession and that the whole green movement has not even been developed whereby it can generate enough jobs or even become a real alternative. A green collar worker will eventually become a new breed and will be trained to run sustainable practices in the future and this will depend on how quickly green technology will spread.

And once again the Obama administration has said that they intend spending billions in investments which will include training programs and in spite of this statement nothing was established as to how many green jobs would be incorporated into this spending structure.

Article Source: William KH Tan

Being a Green Collar Worker

Posted in Enviromental | Print | No Comments »

May 3, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Melissa Rubin

On April 20th, 2010 a Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig exploded and killed 11 workers, spawning what is predicted to be the biggest oil spill in this country’s history. The oil is spilling out at over 5,000 barrels a day due to the three breaks in the well pipes and hit the Louisiana coastline late Thursday night, nine days after the initial spill.

The oil company that owned the oil drill, BP, is completely responsible for the cleanup, although Obama and his office is enforcing environmental reforms, saying they will help the clean up in any way they can, including giving the aide of the Department of Defense, if necessary. The National Coast Guard has approved an experimental plan by BP to apply chemical dispersants underwater to help stop the oil spread, and the federal government is sending as much help as they can:

• There are over 50 boats and aircraft deployed from the Department of Homeland Security to help the spill
• The DHS also put out 174,060 feet of absorbent foam booms and recovered 18,180 barrels of an oily mixture from the gulf’s surface
• Interior Department deployed SWAT teams to inspect 30 other drilling rigs in deepwater sections of the Gulf of Mexico
• DHS is setting up a headquarters in Alabama as well as the already stationed Louisiana post
• Navy is sending 66,000 feet of inflatable boom and seven skimming systems
• Navy is offering its base in the region as a staging area for the operation
• National Guard troops are mobilized and ready to assist
• The situation was deemed an incident of national significance which means a National Response Team composed of 16 federal agencies will coordinate a federal response

This spill is predicted to be the largest oil spill in US history, larger than the 1989 spill from Exxon Valdez that spilled 11 million gallons of oil into an ecologically sensitive area of the Prince William Sound. The difference between the spills is that in 1989 the cause was an oil tanker which holds a finite amount of oil; this spill is tapped to an underwater oil well which is predicted to spill up to 3 months.

Effect on the Environment

Environmentalist efforts are being spawned everywhere, from Mexican and American volunteers to the oil company workers. The spread of the oil spill to the coastline poses a serious threat for marine habits as well as human health. The Environmental Protection Agency is monitoring the air quality of the affected area to measure the impact of the controlled burning. There are two national wildlife refuges around the area of the spill that has not yet been affected by the spill, but has the potential to be.

It was predicted by local fishermen/farmers that if the oil spill hit the shore, the entire population of shrimp, crab and oysters would be destroyed.

Change of Environmental Reforms

This spill comes at an inopportune time for Obama and his administration, who just last month stated they would continue in their efforts at finding less environmentally damaging ways of getting oil and said they were opening up over 150 million acres of water property for oil drilling.

The White House is now saying there will be no new offshore drilling until the investigation as to why the explosion occurred is finished.

Melissa Rubin is a senior copywriter and Web developer at OTO Networks, a digital marketing company located in Baltimore, Maryland. Her primary responsibilities include SEO, link building and creating content for multiple sites. A preview of a site on which she has worked, http://www.GreenStudentU.com, is available with this article.

Article Source: Melissa Rubin

Oil Spill 2010 Leads to Devastating Environmental Consequences

Posted in Enviromental | Print | No Comments »

April 28, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Dave Stefko

More and more Green Jobs are on the horizon. These are jobs that contribute to restoring or preserving the environment. In 2007 the Green Jobs Act was passed along with the Energy Independence and Security Act passed later that year.

These Acts were passed to provide training at both national and state level to address job shortages in the Green Industry. Included in this green industry are Energy Efficient Building, Renewable Electric Power, Energy Efficient Vehicles, and Biofuel.

In 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was passed to provide new jobs in energy, construction,manufacturing, and utilities. These jobs are also being called Green Collar Jobs or Green Technology Jobs. Van Jones (special adviser to President Obama for Green Jobs) says that jobs will be created that promote sustainable and environmentally friendly products and services. Solar, Wind Power and even the simple act of planting trees are on the agenda.

Here is part of what he says about the Cash for Caulk Program:

• He calls these humble hard working dollars.
• We put people back to work weather proofing and insulating homes
• Every dollar spent reduces unemployment
• Every dollar reduces the homes energy consumption
• Reduction in energy consumption reduces need for coal fired power, reducing pollution.
• Every dollar spent increases the value of the home

He calls these Blue Collar Jobs going Green . He says we can stimulate the economy of America by attacking our environmental woes of the past. The theory is that we can save money, save energy, and save the environment at the same time. Can these programs work? Sure they can. Would a few million people going back to work stimulate the economy? Absolutely. Does America have the necessary funding available for these projects? That is the million dollar question.With the economy the way it is there seems to be a disclaimer when ti comes to government programs. Something to the effect that the investment dollars are subject to change without notice. While the intent is to stimulate our economy by putting people back to work. We all know that a steady income promotes spending which bolsters the economy. While doing this we help save the environment at the same time.

On the surface it is a win-win situation. However these programs require co-operation from other sources. For instance lending institutions willing to help so the ones who do not qualify for paid training can get low interest student loans to pursue Green Jobs. Maybe the Bank Presidents and CEOs can take some of their bonus money and Bail Us Out. Just a thought.

Dave has a background in solar installation. He has written numerous articles around Renewable Energy and Conservation. You can visit his site here: http://www.alternative-energy-sources-info.com

Article Source: Dave Stefko

Green Jobs

Posted in Enviromental | Print | No Comments »

April 12, 2010 by jameslucas.

By James Donaldson

There’s no denying it. You have only yourself to blame for the current environmental state of our earth. Just to be clear, you contributed to the neglect and dilapidation of this environment.

Before you spring into defense, think back to the Sunday paper you tossed in the garbage instead of the recycling bin, or the cigarette butts and gum wrappers you’ve tossed out the window. It’s nearly impossible to begin calculating the amount of energy you have required and consumed since you were born.

It is unlikely that you have lived the life of a caveman, in total respect for Earth, surviving off animal remains and raw vegetables. Although you have contributed to Earth’s slow death, you can begin doing your part to repair the destruction man has inflicted.

The simplest thing to begin with is saving electricity by unplugging your appliances when you’re not using them. Believe it or not, when appliances are left plugged in they remain in a standby mode and continue to consume electricity. Unplugging will save energy for the earth and save money for you.

Try to avoid using plastic straws. After they have been used, straws go directly to the dump, crowding landfills that have accumulated tons of once used plastic straws throughout the years.

Perhaps the most effective method of going green is to live by the three Rs - reuse, reduce and recycle. Repurpose things like water bottles and newspaper, cut back on energy consumption by leaving fewer lights on and recycle items like paper and plastic. The thee Rs may be passé but they remain relevant and effective.

You can bring your new green lifestyle to your work office as well by recycling any and all unneeded paper products. Set up a workplace policy to get everyone to contribute.

These are only a few of countless ways to help bring restoration to the earth. Like these suggestions, most of them are quite simple. Be aware of the effects of unnatural climate changes and the dire need for cleaner drinking water around the world, and maintain your responsibility to do your part.

James Donaldson has been writing articles about the environment for the past two years. He also likes to write about home supplies, such as a plastic sleeve and how archival plastic sleeves can protect important documents.

James Donaldson

Article Source: James Donaldson

Save a Little, Save the Earth

Posted in Enviromental | Print | No Comments »

April 6, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Chris Paige

It’s a sad but true fact that a lot of the products you use and a lot of the things you do affect our environment in a negative way, often causing irreparable damage. The good news is that by making some small but simple changes you can help to reduce the damage that is happening. Here are 10 more going green tips you can use to help reduce damage to our environment.

1. The next time you think about having strawberries in the middle of the winter, think again. Unless you live in a southern region, chances are those strawberries are not local. Bringing foods like this to local supermarkets, no matter where they are, adds to air pollution and uses lots of energy in transportation.
2. Instead, consider freezing or canning locally available fruits and vegetables when they are in season. This is a great way to reduce “food miles” and still be able to enjoy a variety of foods.
3. Use your community library and check out books instead of buying. Unless it’s a book you love and will want to reread or use as a reference, borrowing is an environmentally friendly thing to do.
4. Say no to plastic bags when you shop. Plastic bags have a huge negative impact on our environment both in the manufacturing process and when it comes time to throw them out. Instead, keep a few reusable cloth bags in your car or hanging by the back door so they are handy when you go shopping.
5. Get a razor that uses refillable blades. That has a much smaller impact on the volume of garbage generated in your bathroom than using disposable plastic razors. Or better yet, use a straight razor and don’t even have blades to dispose of.
6. Shut off your computer monitor if you are not using your computer and conserve energy.
7. Remove pests from garden plants by pinching them off by hand instead of using poisons to kill them. If you’re squeamish, you can use gloves or dump them into a can.
8. Plant a tree on your property. Trees keep the atmosphere clean and soak up carbon monoxide. If you are renting or live in an apartment you can do your part by getting a potted tree.
9. If you have a choice, opt for a gas stove rather than an electric one. Gas is more efficient than electricity, so you’ll use much less energy to cook.
10. Install a low-flow shower head and use a lot less water when you shower.

Use these 10 going green tips to reduce damage to our environment and save money doing it.

Want to be more green? How about having a little more green to spend? Discover over 100 more going green tips that will help protect our environment, and save you money to boot. Visit Going Green Saving Green for details.

Article Source: Chris Paige

10 More Going Green Tips: Reduce Damage to Our Environment

Posted in Enviromental | Print | No Comments »