tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21605180525809799492024-02-18T22:18:55.387-08:00Save the environment - change the worldUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-19363472683458967762010-06-16T07:24:00.000-07:002011-05-20T13:08:47.865-07:00Top 10 Things You Can Do to Reduce Global Warming<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal packaging (including the economy size when that makes sense for you) will help to reduce waste. And whenever you can, recycle paper, plastic, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">newspaper, glass and aluminum cans. If there isn't a recycling program <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://environment.about.com/od/recycling/a/benefit_vs_cost.htm"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"></span></a>at your workplace, school, or in your community, ask about starting one. By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">2. Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and installing weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25 percent, by reducing the amount of energy you need to heat and cool your home.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Turn down the heat while you're sleeping at night or away during the day, and keep temperatures moderate at all times. Setting your thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">3. Change a Light Bulb<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://environment.about.com/od/greenlivingdesign/a/light_bulbs.htm"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL will save you $30 over the life of the bulb. CFLs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">If every U.S. family replaced one regular light bulb with a CFL, it would eliminate 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">4. Drive Less and Drive Smart<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://environment.about.com/od/greenlivingdesign/a/public_transit.htm"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and biking are great forms of exercise. Explore your community mass transit system, and check out options for carpooling to work or school.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">When you do drive, make sure your car is running efficiently. For example, keeping your tires properly inflated</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://environment.about.com/od/greenlivingdesign/a/tire_pressure.htm"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"></span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> can improve your gas mileage by more than 3 percent. Every gallon of gas you save not only helps your budget, it also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">5. Buy Energy-Efficient Products</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">When it's time to buy a new car, choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models, and compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide more natural-looking light while using far less energy than standard light bulbs.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Avoid products that come with excess packaging<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://environment.about.com/od/greenlivingdesign/a/zero_waste.htm"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"></span></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">, especially molded plastic and other packaging that can't be recycled. If you reduce your household garbage by 10 percent, you can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">6. Use Less Hot Water</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Set your water heater at 120 degrees to save energy, and wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is more than 5 years old. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of hot water and the energy required to produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households. Use the energy-saving settings on your</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> dishwasher<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> and let the dishes air-dry.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">7. Use the "Off" Switch</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. And remember to turn off your television, video player, stereo and computer when you're not using them.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">It's also a good idea to turn off the water when you're not using it. While brushing your teeth, shampooing the dog or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing. You'll reduce your water bill and help to conserve a vital resource.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">8. Plant a Tree<br /><a href="http://environment.about.com/od/whatyoucando/a/billion_trees.htm"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth, but there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <font size="2"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;">9. Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company<br /><br /></span></font> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Many utility companies provide free home energy audits to help consumers identify areas in their homes that may not be energy efficient. In addition, many utility companies offer rebate programs to help pay for the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">10. Encourage Others to Conserve</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">These 10 steps will take you a long way toward reducing your energy use and your monthly budget. And less energy use means less dependence on the fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming.</span></font><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <font size="2"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"></span></font><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> <font style="" face=""" size="12pt"></font><font style="" face=""" size="12pt"><o:p></o:p></font>adeelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15092115780359792770noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-80670151851215987032010-06-14T05:24:00.000-07:002010-06-14T06:04:45.172-07:00Problems to Solve & Helping Out<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;">PROBLEMS TO SOLVE:</span><br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-family: courier new;"><br />AIR POLLUTION:</span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><b><br /></b></span><ul style="font-family: courier new;"><li><span><b>Have Plants</b> – Plants can absorb some dangerous chemicals that are polluting your air. In doing so, they reduce your risk of getting sick.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOweX5eYG3Qvd5tX9aGnkxjlAkrT-j7_vj9OqA6KhAwlA_-nkvFdoJC9FN_OAMWYqWK6MfaBwV2cTzaKMieObO95veByzJkjRy6hKiaSRBO3OfMEZf6kTkSYTl75SAUbQTo2uOaAfPwVfI/s1600/WLW098.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOweX5eYG3Qvd5tX9aGnkxjlAkrT-j7_vj9OqA6KhAwlA_-nkvFdoJC9FN_OAMWYqWK6MfaBwV2cTzaKMieObO95veByzJkjRy6hKiaSRBO3OfMEZf6kTkSYTl75SAUbQTo2uOaAfPwVfI/s400/WLW098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482613977933013490" border="0" /></a></li><li><span><b>Minimize Air Conditioning </b>– If you can avoid air-conditioning, do so. By keeping windows and shades shut, you may be able to avoid needing air conditioning, which will mean using less energy.</span></li><li><span><b>Use Efficient Appliances</b> – To cut down on energy usage, buy energy-efficient home appliances. Less energy usage will not only decrease pollution, it will decrease your energy bill too.</span></li><li><span><b>Watch Out For Formaldehyde</b> – Don't buy products containing formaldehyde because it can enter the air and cause chronic respiratory problems.</span></li></ul><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: courier new;">WATER POLLUTION:</span><span style="font-family: courier new;"><br /></span><ul style="font-family: courier new;"><li><span><b>Use Nontoxic Substances</b> – If you can avoid purchasing products containing toxic chemicals, do so. Otherwise, there is a threat that these chemicals could enter the environment and the water supply.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIKndaDgLVv_-rsrEtfLKUqD7qOhkkqRC66W4zHT7UqGlGIOwdbCwIXNWaKwy9JM3FCY5AmxFNuZOyJ04zTIewXjLu-GmBO_0aRmMc90_xAfT2MytbRr_O7IHhRudq9dWY2n75EoF-kwP/s1600/Hazardous-Material-Disposal-Bags-BEN_i_lb17_910.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIKndaDgLVv_-rsrEtfLKUqD7qOhkkqRC66W4zHT7UqGlGIOwdbCwIXNWaKwy9JM3FCY5AmxFNuZOyJ04zTIewXjLu-GmBO_0aRmMc90_xAfT2MytbRr_O7IHhRudq9dWY2n75EoF-kwP/s400/Hazardous-Material-Disposal-Bags-BEN_i_lb17_910.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482614095961817458" border="0" /></a></li><li><span><b>Substitute Substances</b> – You can make your own non-toxic versions of many popular products, such as insect repellents. Doing so prevents the toxic chemicals found in these products from entering the environment and the water supply.</span></li><li><span><b>Don't Dump Chemicals</b> – Never pour toxic substances down the drain. Although water is cleaned, cities do not have the equipment to eliminate all toxic substances from the water supply.</span></li><li><span><b>Dispose of Hazardous Waste</b> – Make sure that hazardous waste is properly disposed of, not simply left around or placed with other garbage.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >HELPING OUT:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">WHILE SHOPPING:</span><br /></span><ul style="font-family: courier new;"><li><span><b>Buy in Bulk</b> – By purchasing large quantities of an item, you reduce the amount of packaging that you will need to throw away.</span></li><li><span><b>Buy Recyclable Products</b> – When deciding between products, pick the one that can be recycled rather than sent to a landfill when you are done using it.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJqYK9dH9RKUIHha7chqfZ2d9yRkpkyTpO8pKj5-A0TEgQ5q560WrPVY_B-pfSJX1Cu-4XhyphenhyphenJ2qGPgMPhYS2kbxiqKIvTXEefpUbUH_HAM9wDn2u4iRDT06vi1zMhioaqqW2birFEKFHG/s1600/Javanese_market_place.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJqYK9dH9RKUIHha7chqfZ2d9yRkpkyTpO8pKj5-A0TEgQ5q560WrPVY_B-pfSJX1Cu-4XhyphenhyphenJ2qGPgMPhYS2kbxiqKIvTXEefpUbUH_HAM9wDn2u4iRDT06vi1zMhioaqqW2birFEKFHG/s400/Javanese_market_place.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482613867457374226" border="0" /></a></li><li><span><b>Eat Organic Food</b> – If you have a chance to eat organic food, do so because it will prevent food producers from using pesticides and other dangerous chemicals.</span></li><li><span><b>Get Durable Products</b> – If you can avoid buying disposable products that will end up in landfills, get more durable ones that will last longer.</span></li><li><span><b>Look at the Packaging</b> – Don't buy products that have excessive layers of packaging. These packages only end up in landfills anyway.</span></li><li><span><b>Purchase Recycled Products</b> – On the labels of many products it will say if a product is made from recyclable materials. Many of them are, and buying these will help to cut down on waste.</span></li><li><span><b>Use Recyclable Bags</b> – Plastic bags that are used by some grocery stores are not fully biodegradable. Instead, ask for paper bags, which can be reused and then recycled.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-style: italic;">ON THE ROAD:</span><br /></span><ul style="font-family: courier new;"><li><span><b>Carpool</b> – Driving releases a huge number of toxic chemicals into the air and damages the environment. If you can carpool, you will cut down on the amount of pollution that is created.</span></li><li><span><b>Do Not Tailgate</b> – By having to stop and then accelerate again often, you waste gas quickly.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8kz1ME7HqtADmkQS20MSH6DTMoUa_RiVVcRTsm6AKXzu3xnd9fpyJuzNsByEzEAh-Y1ClgnsrAnmMNbU_Cy9jucsGzobKvM7B3qM4YglsPiY6Lc3XjFDDMPbLRUR1SoF3qQvLQDk1rMg/s1600/the_road_and_the_clouds_thelma_louise.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8kz1ME7HqtADmkQS20MSH6DTMoUa_RiVVcRTsm6AKXzu3xnd9fpyJuzNsByEzEAh-Y1ClgnsrAnmMNbU_Cy9jucsGzobKvM7B3qM4YglsPiY6Lc3XjFDDMPbLRUR1SoF3qQvLQDk1rMg/s400/the_road_and_the_clouds_thelma_louise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482614233925381106" border="0" /></a></li><li><span><b>Get a Fuel-Efficient Car</b> – Not only will a fuel-efficient car pollute less and use up less gas, it will save you money too.</span></li><li><span><b>Inflate Your Tires</b> – By keeping your tires inflated, you can prevent them from wearing out as fast and increase their lifetime.</span></li><li><span><b>Recycle Your Motor Oil</b> – Every year, the United States puts about 350 million gallons of motor oil into the environment. It is possible that this oil can enter the ground and our water supply. As a result, you should always take your motor oil to a gas station to have it recycled.</span></li><li><span><b>Take the Bus</b> – Taking public transportation helps to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road, reducing the amount of pollution that is created.</span></li><li><span><b>Take the Railroad</b> – When travelling long distances, railroads are by far the most environmentally friendly option.</span></li></ul>crookedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01842470216960456269noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-54853381128439651022010-05-18T17:14:00.001-07:002017-05-16T07:08:33.883-07:00Saving electicity and waterGood ways to save electricity:<br />
* Use ceiling fans instead of the air conditioner<br />
* Turn off lights you're not using<br />
* Turn off your computer when you're not using it<br />
* Don't leave electrical appliances on stand by<br />
* Use solar garden lights<br />
<br />
Good ways to save water:<br />
* Install dual-flush toilet<br />
* Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth<br />
* Take a shower instead of a bath<br />
* Collect rain water<br />
* Check your plumbing for leaks<br />
* Don't use your toilet as a trash can<br />
* Water plants less often but deeper<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />I've personally tried some of these suggestions myself for a week and surprisingly there was about 20% electricity and water use drop during that time.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-8635838590739961422010-05-04T04:57:00.000-07:002010-05-04T04:58:08.183-07:00<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QM-mfEMssy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QM-mfEMssy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Joonasesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665828281854714848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-26567076556683584772010-05-02T11:37:00.000-07:002010-05-02T12:01:35.059-07:00The U.K. Takes Green to the Extreme<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2007/0711/cornwall_1115.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 235px;" src="http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2007/0711/cornwall_1115.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><p> In the late 1990s, Tim Smit — an archaeologist turned pop-music producer — decided to build a new Eden. The Dutch-born Englishman envisioned a grand environmental-education park in the depressed southwestern English county of Cornwall — with the world's biggest greenhouses as its centerpiece. All he needed was the money. Smit turned to private funders and gave them a professional pitch. "I told them, 'We are going to build the Eighth Wonder of the World in a clay pit west of Cornwall, it's going to be wonderful, and you'll want to be a part of it,'" Smit says. "'Also, we have no business plan.'" Amazingly, the line worked. Smit scraped together more than $100 million, and after a final construction season pummeled by 134 straight days of rain — soggy even for Britain — the park opened on time in the spring of 2001. </p><p> By all rights, Eden should have been a commercial disaster, as even its founder admits. "All environmental-science centers go bust, because they're boring as s____," he says. But Eden wasn't boring, and it didn't go bust. The park has pulled in more than 9 million visitors since it opened, and it's still one of Britain's top attractions, more popular than the Tower of London. It helps that Eden is visually stunning. Visitors descend into the former clay hole, now landscaped and studded with native vegetation, to arrive at the main attraction: two honeycombed domes, shaped like grapefruit halves, bubbling up from the base. These are the biomes, giant greenhouses that shelter the flora and mimic the climate of tropical rainforests and Mediterranean farms. Enter the humid and heated rainforest biome on a drizzly Cornish day, and you'll soon break a sweat worthy of Singapore. </p><p> The Eden Project is simultaneously futuristic and organic, and it's not hard to see why Brits voted it their favorite new building of the past 20 years. Similar efforts in the U.S., however, have been received less rapturously. Attempts to build an American version of Eden called Earthpark stalled for years as Midwestern cities like Cedar Rapids, Iowa, doubting the project's profitability, said no. (Tiny Pella, near Iowa City, finally said yes to Earthpark, scheduled to open in 2010.) </p><p> But the surprising success of Eden is also a sign of how green concerns have become a daily part of British life. London broadsheets follow global-warming news the way their tabloid counterparts cover soccer and missing British children. The country's growing environmental industries were worth more than $50 billion in 2005, a figure expected to grow to $94 billion by 2015. And politicians on both sides of the aisle compete to look greener — David Cameron, the young leader of the Conservative Party, even changed his party's traditional freedom-torch symbol to an oak tree to trumpet his environmental credentials. Green living is "just higher up on the agenda," says Alex Harvey, a Canadian environmental activist who moved to Britain four years ago. "People are looking at lifestyle and consumption, across-the-board issues." </p><p> The greenest of the green join Carbon Ration Action Groups (CRAGS), whose members pledge to reduce their personal carbon dioxide emissions. There are already 14 active CRAG chapters across Britain, but so far none elsewhere in the world. To Surrey CRAG member Jonathan Essex — who stays under his carbon limit by avoiding air travel — that just means Britain has to embrace its leadership role on the environment. "We've got to set an example for others to follow," he says. </p><p> Not every Briton is ready to join the environmental monkhood. There would go the budget holiday flights to Ibiza, for one thing. But to Smit, it's the spirit that matters, a spirit embodied in his Eden. "It's a horrible cliche, but part of our goal is to remake the world," he says. "We're here to help people realize that if they each do a few things, then times 6 billion, that adds up." </p><div id="TixyyLink" style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /><br /></div>Jaanikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12505340756898388957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-44408643922643644292010-04-27T13:55:00.000-07:002010-04-27T14:19:51.719-07:00Bathroom greenness<span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wipe your behinds with leaves, do not use the whole tree!</span><br />Worldwide, the equivalent of almost 270,000 trees is either flushed or dumped in landfills every day and roughly 10 percent of that total is attributable to toilet paper.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do not pee in the toilet!</span><br />A Brazilian environmental group is trying to get the country’s residents to urinate in the shower. The group says that if a single household flushed the toilet just one fewer times a day, it would save a whopping 1,157 gallons of water each year.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;" class="whb">Prefer showers over baths</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Showers use less water. Don't forget to install an efficient showerhead.</span><br /><b style="font-family: arial;" class="whb">Use soaps and detergents that contain <b>no</b> phosphates!<br /></b><span style="font-family: arial;">Use a mixture of water and vinegar to wash your windows</span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">. Wash clothes </span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">in cold water to avoid consuming energy to heat the water. On sunny days, use a clothes line instead of a clothes dryer. Your clothes will smell fresher and the sun's rays ensure that germs are successfully sizzled.</span><br /><b style="font-family: arial;" class="whb">Install low-flush toilets in your home!</b><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">These use 1.6 gallons per flush, instead of 3.5 gallons, cutting water consumption by more than half.</span><br /><b style="font-family: arial;" class="whb">For the ladies out there, consider using cloth (as in, reusable) tampons and pads, or using a menstrual cup!</b><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">It may seem gross, but it can't be grosser than the thought of the amount of pads and tampons women use yearly piled up in a landfill, now can't it?</span><br /></span> <span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Use rainwater to wash your face, teeth and hands!</span><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Wash and dry only full loads of laundry!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="whb"></span><br />Martin & Meelis LindeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-64414067718226948672010-04-27T12:57:00.000-07:002010-04-27T13:16:50.291-07:00Here are some tips how to save the environment:<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CJanet%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; 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margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </ul> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><u style="font-style: italic;">Help out in your community</u><i style=""><u><o:p></o:p></u></i></span> <ul type="disc"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Donate Goods</b> – If you no longer need something that might be useful to someone else, try to donate the goods rather than throwing them away.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Celebrate Earth Day</b>– Start an activity on Earth Day so that others in your community can become involved in saving the environment.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Contact Your Government</b> – Tell local officials that you are concerned about the destruction of the environment and find out what the city is doing to stop it.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Don't Dump Chemicals</b> – Avoid putting oil, grease, antifreeze, pesticides, fertilizers, paints, and cleaning agents down the gutters on sidewalks. Encourage others to do the same.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Find Recycling Facilities</b> – Find out where you can recycle in your community. Help to make others aware of the local recycling opportunities as well.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Go To Schools</b> – By telling young people about environmental problems and what they can do to save the environment, you can help to ensure that the environment will be safe in the future.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Pick Up Garbage</b> – Many people litter or do not properly dispose of garbage. While removing it from streets and urban areas is very important, equally important is getting rid of garbage that has found its way into the environment, especially coastal areas.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Support Family Planning Programs</b> – Population growth is a major threat to the environment and its ability to provide humanity with sufficient natural resources. By helping family planning programs, we can prevent the population from growing out of control.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Start An Organization</b> – Start a community group to ensure that others recycle and that there are plenty of recycling opportunities in your area.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Write to the Media</b> – Keep the media aware of environmental problems in your community and projects to help keep the local environmental clean. By contacting the media, you will be able to get through to a large audience.</span></li></ul><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CJanet%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:970789727; mso-list-template-ids:1097995954;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:36.0pt; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-18.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Symbol;} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><u>
<br />Help out on the road<o:p></o:p></u></i></span> <span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; 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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Avoid Overfilling the Tank</b>– The gas pump will eventually click and tell you when your tank is full of gas. Do not try to fill the tank beyond that point because doing so will create pollution.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Do Not Tailgate</b> – By having to stop and then accelerate again often, you waste gas quickly.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Get a Fuel-Efficient Car</b> – Not only will a fuel-efficient car pollute less and use up less gas, it will save you money too.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Inflate Your Tires</b> – By keeping your tires inflated, you can prevent them from wearing out as fast and increase their lifetime.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Recycle Your Motor Oil</b> – Every year, the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> puts about 350 million gallons of motor oil into the environment. It is possible that this oil can enter the ground and our water supply. As a result, you should always take your motor oil to a gas station to have it recycled.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Take the Bus</b> – Taking public transportation helps to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road, reducing the amount of pollution that is created.</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Take the Railroad</b> – When travelling long distances, railroads are by far the most environmentally friendly option.</span></li></ul>
<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11126825717803494594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-70469203956239754142010-04-26T23:16:00.000-07:002010-04-26T23:19:28.056-07:00Green Driving = Save gasoline<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0isy-lvCjPU8AjwYUmZgud0B0Hs_IrUW-xV4KfcPiZs4IoZ3jpMBOKZqgd_-vT1nXGbt_1ulLmDLif8JsDxKxl9vtdPrBxya7fPPLmuvvHRuQdbJEjAyg8q5p-VfMKOqDfzjn3N4L2q4/s1600/green_car.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0isy-lvCjPU8AjwYUmZgud0B0Hs_IrUW-xV4KfcPiZs4IoZ3jpMBOKZqgd_-vT1nXGbt_1ulLmDLif8JsDxKxl9vtdPrBxya7fPPLmuvvHRuQdbJEjAyg8q5p-VfMKOqDfzjn3N4L2q4/s320/green_car.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464697660708329938" /></a><br />How can you save gasoline/diesel?<br />Drive the right car.<br /><br />See the list of dirtiest cars:<br />Hummer H2<br />Hummer H3<br />Jeep Gran Cherokee<br />BMW M5<br />Chevrolet Trailblazer<br />Dodge Ram 1500<br />Doge Dakota<br />Chrysler Aspen<br /><br />1) Check your tire pressure (ask tire shop)<br />Low tire pressure works like a brake<br />- you need more gasoline/diesel<br /><br />2) Check how much unnecessary things/weight you have in your car.<br />Every pound raises your gasoline consumption.<br /><br />3) Check your air filter<br />An engine needs air to burn the gasoline/diesel<br />When the air filter is clogged up, the engine has to suck harder and you need more gasoline/diesel<br /><br />4) Think about how fast you drive<br />The faster you drive the more gasoline/diesel you burn<br />Our recycling truck gets 18 mi/gallon<br />when we drive 70 mph<br />BUT it run 22 miles a gallon<br />when we drive 53 mph<br /><br />Sure, it takes more time, but just take your calculator<br />When you have to drive 35 miles with 70 mph<br />you need 1/2 an hour or 30 minutes<br />Now, you want to save gasoline/diesel and<br />you lower your speed to 53 mph<br />you will drive 9 minutes longer<br /><br />5) Think about using synthetic oil for your engine<br />Synthetic oil provides less friction<br />less friction = <br />less gasoline/diesel usage<br /><br />6) Think ahead when you drive and<br />you will save gasoline/diesel<br /><br />Don't speed to the next light<br />When you see it is red, take your foot from the pedal<br />Every time you hit the brakes, you destroy energy = your money.<br /><br />7) Save a lot of gasoline when reducing the time you idle your engine<br />The good thing about green driving is<br />that you save a lot of money and<br />eco friendly Driving<br />helps our environment!<br /><br /><br /><br />Karolina Noor 12BKarolinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10985591898962396679noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-48134003651456181622010-04-26T11:09:00.000-07:002010-04-26T12:07:47.897-07:00Green cars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LzVeHJ4ZUE7mpgHlVnKG1TkR1gqInTd2W6uirK2S-bge33WMO7BBdhxcsAPrbuxf0oMCnp5Z8yJUW6RT7ZXpajvSrjNU6ChHRgc2fWNCQqd8gnbHiV-Ul7wTFKEgQAeaPT9GvEWn3yo/s1600/Autod.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 682px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LzVeHJ4ZUE7mpgHlVnKG1TkR1gqInTd2W6uirK2S-bge33WMO7BBdhxcsAPrbuxf0oMCnp5Z8yJUW6RT7ZXpajvSrjNU6ChHRgc2fWNCQqd8gnbHiV-Ul7wTFKEgQAeaPT9GvEWn3yo/s400/Autod.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464524444447297138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It is estimated that over 600,000,000 passenger cars travel the streets and roads of the world today. Most of them use petrol or diesel for their source of power. But at the end of 20-th century engineers and scientists started to develop more alternative fuels for cars.<br />Innovative technology makes today’s automobiles cleaner and more fuel-efficient than ever. Ongoing advancements in fuels and technology will continue to drive future progress. Auto engineers have developed sophisticated emissions-control technology that is putting cleaner automobiles on the road everywhere. Catalytic converters use precious metals to reduce smog-forming emissions from cars. Automakers have dramatically reduced evaporative emissions with tighter gaskets, hoses and better gas tanks. Computers have revolutionized clean vehicle controls by precisely metering the fuel and air that go into the engine, reducing the smog-forming emissions coming out of the engine. And, a computer system called aeon-board diagnostics constantly monitors the performance of the vehicle to help keep clean technology working. Automakers are developing clean, fuel-efficient technologies that run on diverse fuels.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYONqkzDZxBCFS-6DuJBSI3an9F-m2IerkdzZkxP0l9Y1AIymdTV4UNiSG4M1BtpGRql6jLeBA1Ht6_GQwgzXFMDMj35UMm6yRpliCkMZ4sBHzN-bFa5DSoUcjsE7_HvufnYDZzzgR-LI/s1600/Fuel_cell_NASA_p48600ac.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYONqkzDZxBCFS-6DuJBSI3an9F-m2IerkdzZkxP0l9Y1AIymdTV4UNiSG4M1BtpGRql6jLeBA1Ht6_GQwgzXFMDMj35UMm6yRpliCkMZ4sBHzN-bFa5DSoUcjsE7_HvufnYDZzzgR-LI/s320/Fuel_cell_NASA_p48600ac.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464514143301458466" border="0" /></a><br />The most dramatic changes are occurring this century. Automakers have invested hugely in developing diverse automobiles that run on alternative fuels like clean diesel, biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen, and compressed natural gas or that run on hybrid technology using both conventional combustion engines (gasoline or diesel) and electric engines. These advanced technology vehicles are being introduced for sale as quickly as possible. Because consumers, as well as different regions of the world, favor different technologies, automakers are developing a range of automobiles that run on different fuels.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Ethanol</span><br /><br />Ethanol or Ethyl Alcohol can be made chemically from Petroleum or by the more traditional method of fermenting sugar derived from vegetable matter. In this case it is often known as “Bio-Ethanol”.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61OwpUQjwCmO6lsmDf-iyWz0oxRMQ_vv7QIusWd9zJ0aEqLaHZ5R-AsWxnKSAU2CtP18XrgxIRv-5sDwgmDmsuP4rluGwcpV734g6Bk3ZUtDk1yhgckp7QzcNndv-cbpj25tDoSIzeo0/s1600/Ethanol.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61OwpUQjwCmO6lsmDf-iyWz0oxRMQ_vv7QIusWd9zJ0aEqLaHZ5R-AsWxnKSAU2CtP18XrgxIRv-5sDwgmDmsuP4rluGwcpV734g6Bk3ZUtDk1yhgckp7QzcNndv-cbpj25tDoSIzeo0/s320/Ethanol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464513836075343474" border="0" /></a><br />The main sources of sugar required to produce ethanol are fuel or energy crops, grown specifically for energy use and include cereals, sugar beet, sugar cane and maize. Obviously there is a possible conflict between the need to grown these crops for food and for fuels, and next generation processes to derive sugar by hydrolysis from waste straw, sawdust, grass and other cellulose sources are now being piloted. There is also ongoing research into the possible use of municipal solid wastes.<br />The main environmental benefit of bio-ethanol is that the CO2 generated when it is burned comes originally from the atmosphere. The plants used to make ethanol absorb CO2 as they grow, so the cycle of making and then burning bio-ethanol does not increase atmospheric CO2.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. BioDiesel</span><br /><br />BioDiesel is a transport fuel oil made mainly from organic vegetable oils by a production process called trans-esterification. General feedstocks for such an oil are soybean or rapeseed.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarHhQ-32kLfvTxGReL2MS-hXXnNbJy3cjL_jUKNyIVrlwGYtloghu8WiZiNMR2j29__r8Xpci67CCBA0QfOuDfayv7E0monUlJ-zwNUGYV_8PYAoC_SsUAEGwoYrrrR_acPPd1yAfbDY/s1600/Soybeanvarieties2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarHhQ-32kLfvTxGReL2MS-hXXnNbJy3cjL_jUKNyIVrlwGYtloghu8WiZiNMR2j29__r8Xpci67CCBA0QfOuDfayv7E0monUlJ-zwNUGYV_8PYAoC_SsUAEGwoYrrrR_acPPd1yAfbDY/s320/Soybeanvarieties2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464513430485773650" border="0" /></a><br />Biodiesel can be used alone, or blended with petrodiesel. All modern diesel engines can run on up to 5% bio-diesel and higher concentrations up to 10% can be used in some vehicles, subject to limits set by the vehicle manufacturer.<br />In 2007, biodiesel production capacity was growing rapidly, with an average annual growth rate from 2002-06 of over 40%.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Electricity</span><br /><br />Battery Powered Electric Vehicles have been around in limited quantities for some time and have useful applications for inner city use because of their zero local emissions, but if the energy to recharge the batteries is generated using fossil fuels, there is no overall environmental advantage. In addition, the limited range provided by even the best current battery technology is a limiting factor in their usefulness for general use.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAed3-VQAyyCPymr9qhE3xKQfL5K4cqQY_WusLowigBHndlH324StPg6AoU2XvSzTDIk-rtKV4iu-v3hcQ3k6TACmyDj5eT39AhiYMOUxWwySPuhUuXzRL4awbU177LSFp2xdUL8Ft3w4/s1600/volt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAed3-VQAyyCPymr9qhE3xKQfL5K4cqQY_WusLowigBHndlH324StPg6AoU2XvSzTDIk-rtKV4iu-v3hcQ3k6TACmyDj5eT39AhiYMOUxWwySPuhUuXzRL4awbU177LSFp2xdUL8Ft3w4/s400/volt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464512555898947010" border="0" /></a> Nevertheless, they have their place – especially where they can be recharged using electricity which is generated without using fossil-fuels – and the electric vehicle technologies that auto manufacturers have developed for battery-powered vehicles will provide the basis of future fuel cell powered vehicles.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br />4. CNG</span><br /><br />CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is composed primarily of methane. It is stored under pressure on the vehicle at pressures up to 250 bar (3600 pounds per square inch). CNG cylinders are manufactured to internationally approved standards and made from light, high strength composite materials.<br />There are three types of Natural Gas Vehicle: Dedicated, Bi-Fuel and Dual Fuel. Dedicated vehicles run on natural gas only.<br />Bi-Fuel vehicles operate on CNG whilst retaining the ability to use petrol as a reserve fuel. The engine can operate on either fuel but not on both simultaneously. The compression ratio of the engine must remain at a level suitable for petrol. Currently this type of engine is used almost exclusively on vehicles below 3,500kgs.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRHBIJxrmIxo-h7AJYA1YtDwztZ8QTSTwaETEfGYAtSoixKiba2jTgHeNK3kspfRKTCcfxjuw-cZR-m_-Q0NhkleosUYV7u5e0xAaDLLEqKJdI0ZePBGT4s55ehP69l4VEWWFA0Ql9iA/s1600/Carroagas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRHBIJxrmIxo-h7AJYA1YtDwztZ8QTSTwaETEfGYAtSoixKiba2jTgHeNK3kspfRKTCcfxjuw-cZR-m_-Q0NhkleosUYV7u5e0xAaDLLEqKJdI0ZePBGT4s55ehP69l4VEWWFA0Ql9iA/s320/Carroagas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464513071994850370" border="0" /></a><br />Dual Fuel engines are derived from diesel engines. A small amount of diesel is retained as a pilot source of ignition. The primary fuel Natural Gas, is mixed with the incoming air as the bulk fuel.<br />Because of its relatively high Hydrogen content it produces less CO2 (and more H2O) than Gasoline or Diesel which have a higher proportion of Carbon. It also burns at a lower temperature and so generates less NOx.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Hybrid</span><br /><br />Two main types of hybrid-electric vehicles exist, and they have different advantages and different applications, but both have fuel efficiency advantages over conventional internal combustion engined vehicles.<br />Parallel hybrids can run simply on battery power when zero emissions are required – say in the city – and purely on their parallel internal combustion engine for higher speeds and/or longer distances. In this mode they can also recharge the battery for the next phase of battery operation. In addition they can usually use both power sources together to give additional acceleration, and this means that the internal combustion engine can be relatively small and low powered, and largely avoid inefficient “transient” operation, because of the boost provided by the battery power.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZshtOhm44LVRXvPbzVdzWgi9wYYUrmZOaKi2PQvi9FSttsUaBQ1sCs4bGticSuhzKosDDgM4RDMmRh5IBD6c4QPFnbYSPAcUZ0RXKnS3BrX9W2YQaDhxUcCy53pScKe638xhwcdNBqk/s1600/hybrid-diagram-large.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 369px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZshtOhm44LVRXvPbzVdzWgi9wYYUrmZOaKi2PQvi9FSttsUaBQ1sCs4bGticSuhzKosDDgM4RDMmRh5IBD6c4QPFnbYSPAcUZ0RXKnS3BrX9W2YQaDhxUcCy53pScKe638xhwcdNBqk/s400/hybrid-diagram-large.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464512823232464898" border="0" /></a><br />Series hybrids run solely on battery power in all conditions, with a relatively small internal combustion engine available to recharge the batteries when zero-emissions are not required and to act as a “range extender”.<br />Because the internal combustion engine is only driving a generator, it can run at a constant speed and reasonably constant load, which is very efficient.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Hydrogen Fuel Cell</span><br /><br />The Fuel Cell is a means of converting the chemical energy in a fuel directly into electricity, very efficiently, without any burning, which is a wasteful process with undesirable side effects (like pollutants).<br /><br />Hydrogen is often called the fuel of the future because it contains no Carbon (and therefore produces no CO2) and it can be made from water.<br />However there are considerable problems to be overcome:<br />• the amount of energy required to make it, by separating the Hydrogen and Oxygen in water,<br />• its highly explosive nature when mixed with oxygen<br />• its very low density (the lightest material in the universe!) and consequent low energy density<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaUNEzqI_laN61XpAbeSbACw1VycShi47e6XTdVFmxfcgP-tgSCYrLCqnmSrP-3zfJKMjFAwYiZlnmhcOIoRtyzt_-b_gG-DId4LcirFyUHVfT_4-CVW6JLf8Hln_gK1LZ0SZ8Du6N5A/s1600/Pen+Tool+Tutorial+P1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaUNEzqI_laN61XpAbeSbACw1VycShi47e6XTdVFmxfcgP-tgSCYrLCqnmSrP-3zfJKMjFAwYiZlnmhcOIoRtyzt_-b_gG-DId4LcirFyUHVfT_4-CVW6JLf8Hln_gK1LZ0SZ8Du6N5A/s400/Pen+Tool+Tutorial+P1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464512151272190642" border="0" /></a>So it is likely to be some years before it becomes a serious contributor. Nevertheless, Auto manufacturers are already working hard on the technology to use Hydrogen in internal combustion engines, and in the longer term in fuel cells, which produce electricity directly from the fuel, without burning, making it more efficient and much cleaner than a combustion engine.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />* Fuel Cells</span><br /><br />The fuel cell principle has been known for many years but they only became usable devices thanks to the space race – NASA developed usable fuel cells to provide safe, clean efficient electricity generation in space craft and other organisations, including auto manufacturers, have further developed them for commercial use.<br />Although fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are still an emerging technology and are not likely to be in mass production for some years yet, they are seen by many as the long term solution for personal transportation energy. Fuel cells have the potential to very significantly reduce energy use and pollution and also to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.<br />Like series hybrids, FCVs operate solely on electric power, but in this case there is no need for a battery or an internal combustion engine as the fuel cell does the job of both, and it does so more efficiently.<br />FCVs are fuelled with hydrogen, either stored on board, under pressure or in liquefied form, or converted from hydrogen-rich fuels; such as methane (CNG) or methanol, using an onboard device called a “reformer.;<br />FCVs fuelled with pure hydrogen emit no pollutants; only water and heat; while those using hydrogen-rich fuels and a reformer produce only small amounts of pollutants.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bWF4BFp6zTW0XH29JDd88mhtEcw6cBjJvMJxpiVLdBZqghpuQrIHfkkYISUwg67UDeFuilyrfVpxW6X0gI8ugryEReXLTR8e0GP8c-7j0L_066pJhrIX3KDYHUSQUix_YyOsrfZL8N8/s1600/FCX-Clarity-Fuel-Cell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bWF4BFp6zTW0XH29JDd88mhtEcw6cBjJvMJxpiVLdBZqghpuQrIHfkkYISUwg67UDeFuilyrfVpxW6X0gI8ugryEReXLTR8e0GP8c-7j0L_066pJhrIX3KDYHUSQUix_YyOsrfZL8N8/s400/FCX-Clarity-Fuel-Cell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464511708659942770" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So our future is not covered with CO2 after all. Toyota has released a new hybrid Prius. Chevrolet's electrical Volt reaches sales by end of the year and Honda is testing hydrogen fuel cell FCX Clarity. So, when it’s time to buy a car, do it the green way = <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">the right way</span>!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB26avDDe4E4qBd93Lyf4fDFodu24_z04I1z84RkgcRke7vBUDEVVng8JQYIeoquYKX8eOYilpZvJx7Xktp9imOkjYWbZ5fD_crmzqo_38A48vcP_tslI91DJw8As1XWBDEIBz857q8gk/s1600/L%C3%B5pp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB26avDDe4E4qBd93Lyf4fDFodu24_z04I1z84RkgcRke7vBUDEVVng8JQYIeoquYKX8eOYilpZvJx7Xktp9imOkjYWbZ5fD_crmzqo_38A48vcP_tslI91DJw8As1XWBDEIBz857q8gk/s400/L%C3%B5pp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464511430030375906" border="0" /></a><br />Henry Tiirik ja Martin Lapp 12B€nz@http://www.blogger.com/profile/03371184567708168087noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-34620614690983706392010-04-25T22:17:00.000-07:002010-04-25T22:18:45.602-07:00Nuclear energy - bad idea<p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;">A technology that for years suffered ignominiously in scientific purgatory has been resurrected. Its virtues have been heralded by the likes of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the famed scientist Sir James Lovelock and even a few renegade environmental activists. The nuclear accident at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania in 1979 and the horrific meltdown at Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union in 1986 have become distant memories. Now, facing rising costs of oil on world markets and real-time global warming, nuclear technology has been given a public relations face-lift and is touted, by some, as the energy of choice in a post-oil era. However, before we let our enthusiasm run away from us, we ought to take a sober look at the consequences of re-nuclearizing the world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;">First, nuclear power is unaffordable. With a minimum price tag of $2 billion each, new-generation nuclear power plants are 50% more expensive than putting coal-fired power plants online, and they are far more expensive than new gas-fired power plants. The cost of doubling nuclear power's share of U.S. electricity generation — which currently produces 20% of our electricity — could exceed half a trillion dollars. In a country facing record consumer and government debt, where is the money going to come from? Consumers would pay the price in terms of higher taxes to support government subsidies and higher electricity bills. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;">Second, 60 years into the nuclear era, our scientists still don't know how to safely transport, dispose of or store nuclear waste. Spent nuclear rods are piling up all over the world. In the United States, the federal government spent more than $8 billion and 20 years building what was supposed to be an airtight, underground burial tomb dug deep into Yucca Mountain in Nevada to hold radioactive material. The vault was designed to be leak-free for 10,000 years. Unfortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency concedes that the underground storage facility will leak. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;">Third, according to a study conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2001, known uranium resources could fail to meet demand, possibly as early as 2026. Of course, new deposits could be discovered, and it is possible that new technological breakthroughs could reduce uranium requirements, but that remains purely speculative. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;">Finally, nuclear power represents the kind of highly centralized, clunky technology of a bygone era. In an age when distributed technologies are undermining hierarchies, decentralizing power and giving rise to networks and open-source economic models, nuclear power seems strangely old-fashioned and obsolete. To a great extent, nuclear power was a Cold War creation. It represented massive concentration of power and reflected the geopolitics of a post-World War II era. Today, however, new technologies are giving people the tools they need to become active participants in an interconnected world. Nuclear power, by contrast, is elite power, controlled by the few. Its resurrection would be a step backward. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;">Instead, we should pursue an aggressive effort to bring the full range of decentralized renewable technologies online: solar, wind, geothermal, hydro and biomass. And we should establish a hydrogen storage infrastructure to ensure a steady, uninterrupted supply of power for our electricity needs and for transportation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;">Our common energy future lies with the sun, not with uranium. </span></p>Scythehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05975634835762160531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-16432392090063259612010-04-18T10:25:00.000-07:002010-04-18T10:49:00.282-07:00Probably the best way to save money is not to buy plastic bags to put your groceries in them. People should just buy one bag, which are available in most supermarkets, that are reusable. That way we save money and also the environment. Also, while brushing your teeth or doing the dishes , you should not let the water just run, use as much as you need. The best way to do that is to fill you sink with water, wash your dishes in that same water and then later rinse it in fresh water. It saves more that it might seem. When you leave the room, turn the lights off and when you are not at the computer just turn it off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-72482526552955118662010-04-17T09:38:00.001-07:002010-04-17T09:38:59.172-07:00Kuidas korraldada keskkonnasõbralikku pulmapidu?<p align="LEFT"><b>Miks valida roheline pulm?</b><br /><br />Tihti inimesed kardavad, et säästvad pulmad kujutavad endast äärmuslikku kokkuhoidu, mida hiljem keegi meenutada ei taha. Linnalegendid räägivad lausa keskkonnaaktivistidest, kes pakuvad külalistele lauatäit tofuroogasid ja aktsepteerivad vaid jalgsi või jalgrattaga saabujaid.<br /><br />Õnneks on olemas ka palju vähem ekstreemseid viise oma elu ühe olulisema sündmuse keskkonnasõbralikumaks muutmiseks.<br /><br />Miks me neid nippe aga üldse kasutama peaksime? Põhjus on väga lihtne. Pulmad, eriti suured pulmad on väga ressursikulukas ettevõtmine. USA-s ja Suurbritannias, kus tavatsetakse pidada suuri pulmi, on koguni välja arvutatud, et 178 inimesega pulm kulutab keskmiselt 16 tonni süsinikdioksiidi. Välismaa olusid kajastavad arvutused ei tähenda muidugi, et meie tagasihoidlikumad pulmad sama suured CO2 röövlid on, aga mõtlema paneb pulmade süsinikukulu igal juhul.<br /><br /><b>Ka roheline pulm algab planeerimisest</b><br /><br />Nagu ka tavalise pulma puhul saab kõik alguse visioonist, milline pidu olema peaks. Otsus, et korraldatav üritus saab olema keskkonda säästev, peaks sündima kohe alguses, sest siis saab oma soovidest teavitada kõiki pulma osapooli - korraldajatest külalisteni.<br /><br /><b>Valige sõrmuseid hoolikalt</b><br /><br />Roheliste pulmade korraldamine eeldab, et teete oma valikute suhtes taustauuringut. Te ei taha ju terve elu vereteemanti kanda või kahtlustada, et teie sõrmuses olev kuld on saadud loodust saastavast avatud kullakaevandusest.<br /><br />Eestis ei ole teemantide kandmine väga levinud. Meil pole ka kombeks armastust kivi suurusega tõestada. Seetõttu ei taba siinne tarbija ostusid sooritades oma ehete päritolu isegi küsida. Kui soovite tingimata briljandiga sõrmust, siis küsige müüjalt kalliskivide sertifitseerimise ja päritolu kohta. Kui müüja teile vastata ei oska, siis paluge tal teemat uurida. Vereteemanditeks kutsutakse sertifitseerimata teemanteid, millest saadud tuluga rahastatakse näiteks sõdu Aafrikas.<br /><br />Kulda kannavad eestlased palju sagedamini kui teemandeid, ent kulla keskkonnamõjule pole enamus inimesi samuti mõelnud. Kas teie teadsite, et iga unts ehk 30 grammi kulda toob enesega kaasa 30-80 tonni kaevandusjäätmeid. Need sisaldavad tsüaniide, elavhõbedat, arseeni ja teisi tapvaid aineid. Mõned kullakaevandused on muutunud sama ohtlikuks kui tuumajäätmete ladustamispaigad. Kulda pestakse sageli kivimitest välja tsüaniidilahusega, sest nii on kõige odavam.<br /><br />Kulla keskkonnamõju saab vähendada, kui lasete sõrmused valmistada vanadest ehetest või võtate taaskasutusele perekonnas edasi pärandatud sõrmused.<br /><br /><b>Kutsed näidaku teie suhtumist</b><br /><br />Kui te olete pannud paika, kui palju külalisi on teie meelest otstarbekas kutsuda, siis hakake mõtlema kutsete peale. Eelistage ümbertöödeldud paberist kutseid, mis on trükitud keskkonnasõbralikke trükivärve kasutades. Või olge originaalsed ja tehke kutsed ise!<br /><br /><b>Pidutsege kodu lähedal</b><br /><br />Kui suurem osa teie sõpradest ja sugulastest elab kindlas piirkonnas, näiteks Tartus, siis korraldagegi pulmad seal. Lisaks väiksemale transpordikilomeetritest tingitud keskkonnamõjule, on teie valik ka rahakotisõbralik, sest külalised peavad transpordile vähem kulutama.<br /><br />Transpordi keskkonnamõju saab vähendada ka sel viisil, et palute autodega saabuvatel külalistel võimalusel eelistada autojagamist. Sedasi väldite ka probleemi, et külaliste autod ei mahu peokoha juurde ära.<br /><br />Kui valite kaugema pulmapidamise koha, võite külaliste jaoks tellida ka bussi. Bussi tellimine vabastab teid hirmust, et mõni külalistest istub pärast pidu autorooli joobnuna. </p> <p align="LEFT"><b>Kaunis ja loomulik pruut<br /></b><br />Kaunis pruut on iga pulma ehe. Säästvat pulma korraldades on tähtis, et ka abiellujad ennast mugavalt tunneksid. Pruut võib liivakellakujulise ja pingul korsetiga kleidi valimata jätta ning loomulikku kehakuju järgiva kostüümi valida, kui ta seda soovib. Loomulik naiselikkus on väga ilus ja sobib rohelise pulma ideega.</p> <p align="LEFT">Kõige keskkonnasõbralikum on pulmakleit laenutada, aga see lahendus ei pruugi kõigile sobida. Võib-olla tasub hoopis originaalne olla ja lasta mõnel noorel moekunstnikul ökokangaid kasutades pruudile ainulaadne kleit õmmelda.</p> <p align="LEFT"><b>Pulmatoidud säästvaks</b></p> <p align="LEFT">Pulmamenüü läbivaatamine on rohelist pulma korraldades möödapääsmatu. Loomulikult võib pakkuda vaid mahetoitu või loobuda lihast, ent see ei saa olla kohustuseks. Menüü osas ei pea langema äärmustesse! Isegi, kui tehakse vaid mõni samm säästmise suunas, on sellest abi. </p> <p align="LEFT">Miks mitte pakkuda külalistele koduseid hapukurke või oma aia õuntest tehtud mahla poekauba asemel? Võib-olla tasub noorpaaril teha külalistele enne pidu ettepanek võtta enda tehtud kooke kaasa? Või paluda pulmakingiks koduveini? Võimalusi on palju! </p> <p align="LEFT"><b>Paluge säästvaid kingitusi</b></p> <p align="LEFT">Pulmakinkideks tasub kinkida ja küsida asju, mis on oma olemuselt säästlikud. Hästi sobivad energiatõhusad seadmed, ökokangast voodipesu, puhkusereis kahele turismitalusse vms. Kindlasti tasub teha nimekiri asjadest, mida pulmakinkideks oodatakse, sest siis ei kingita asju topelt.</p> <p align="LEFT"><b>Laske mõtetel lennata</b></p> <p align="LEFT">Kõige tähtsam on roheliste pulmade korraldamise juures abielluva paari avatus uutele lahendustele. Kui fantaasia vabaks lasta, tulevad ka head ja õiged säästmise ideed, mis just sellele paarile sobivad.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-72156403335306358842010-04-17T05:53:00.000-07:002010-04-17T07:11:13.236-07:00How can we make our planet a safer place to live<span style="font-size:85%;">
<br />
<br /></span><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title></title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.1 (Win32)"><style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm</style><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;">Is our planet a safe place to live for animals, fish, birds, ourselves or plants? Many people think it is. But they don’t really understand that our planet is in great danger. And what is more, we ourselves are causing most of the problems. Of course, all of us don’t cut down trees and pollute the air on purpose but we are all slowly destroying our planet with unawareness. We just don’t notice the problems and therefore we can’t fight them. This way the air is being more and more polluted and forests are being cut down right in front of us.</span><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;"><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;">There are many problems that we could actually solve. One of them is air pollution</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uYtBiCLfjnUFwh6VplXYXa_fyI9iNG1bJCKGex9Qyh1rKaNC7l8F8PewtCaTIR9fJBT9uiFqhko9Hmuhfp_na2u9ksO_Gzm9hNw_7iLc0e05ej8JURNfB-TGaaRfc2UvBizmcFJNDDA/s1600/foto_2-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uYtBiCLfjnUFwh6VplXYXa_fyI9iNG1bJCKGex9Qyh1rKaNC7l8F8PewtCaTIR9fJBT9uiFqhko9Hmuhfp_na2u9ksO_Gzm9hNw_7iLc0e05ej8JURNfB-TGaaRfc2UvBizmcFJNDDA/s200/foto_2-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461106769562761378" border="0" /></a></span><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;">. It is mostly caused by cars and factories. So what can we do? A very good idea is to use more public transport instead of cars. But to put this in practise, public transport should be improved – the buses should be cleaner, they should drive more frequently and there must be buses driving to more destinations. This way people would understand that this is an easier, faster and a cheaper way to get where ever you want. You do not have to worry about parking and gas prizes.</span><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;"> We can also fine factories that pollute the air. We can force them to put filters on chimneys. If they do</span><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;"> not agree doing that, they will be closed. This way they would be facing a dilemma and whatever they decide, the air will be cleaner. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;"> Another big problem is deforestation. A lot of loggers are right now cutting down the forests – and what is worst, they also cut down a lot of valuable rain forest, which is home to many endangered species. If this cutting continues, these species will be wiped off the planet. So how can we fight this? One way is to hire supervisors that keep an eye out on illegal loggers. This way we get to know who they are and who hired them and finally we can fine or even put to jail these criminals. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;">Our world is facing a problem that directly affects our living standards. It is water pollution.</span><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;"> <span lang="et-EE"><span lang="et-EE"><span lang="et-EE"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/4050437.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 166px;" src="http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/4050437.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span></span>Water pollution causes the death of many species of fish and water plants that grow in rivers or lakes. This problem has dramatically increased in the last years and </span><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;">fortunately </span><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;">the governments have already started to realise that this is a problem we can solve and they have started solving it. But how do they do it? First of all, they take tests </span><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;">from the polluted rivers to find out what causes the pollution. This leads them to the factories and companies who have caused the pollution. If they can prove the polluting by the factory, they fine them, make them use</span><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;"> alternative ways to get rid of their residues or even close them up. This way pollution reduces and the fish and water plants will survive. People can also go swimming again, which is forbidden during the pollution, because pollution can be caused by chemicals which cause people allergies, cancer or even death.</span><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span lang="et-EE" style="font-size:100%;"> I hope that people are starting to notice the problems around us and realize that there is so much they can do to make our planet a better place to live in. It is so easy to sit and wait until someone does it, but why not start and be an example for everyone else? As Malcolm Bradbury said: ’’If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem’’. So let’s all try and make a difference.
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<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">Simple Ways to Save the Environment</span>
<br /></span></div> <ul style="text-align: justify; font-family: times new roman;font-family:times new roman;"><li> <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Why not resolve to plant some trees every year?</span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">If each of us plants one little tree, it can amount to a great amount of afforestation making the environment healthier. Increasing the use of bicycles or making a habit to walk down short distances can contribute to reduction in air pollution. Try to minimize the use of vehicles. Use CFC-free products. For some destinations, the use of vehicles has no better options. But at least maintain your vehicles; clean their exhaust pipes, keep the pollution they cause under strict control.</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:100%;" >Look at the gadgets you use at home. Are all of them necessary?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Do you maintain them well and use them efficiently? Replace the air filters for your air conditioning unit once a month. Turn off the ACs as also the lights and fans in unused rooms. Make sure to switch off the lights, the television or radio systems before you leave the house. Do not keep your computer switched on while you are not using it. Did you know that your refrigerator and water heaters consume a lot of power? A careful use of these gadgets is a good way to save the electricity.</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:100%;" >One of the most important constituents of the environment is water</span><span style="font-size:100%;">. Preventing the wastage of water and curbing water pollution is one of our primary duties. Turn off the taps; do not let the buckets overflow! The use of bath showers and heavy-flushes in toilets leads to an excessive usage of water. Do not dump garbage down a storm drain. Do not pollute water bodies.</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:100%;" >Recycling is one of the best measures of saving the environment</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:100%;" >.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Try to use renewable sources of energy. Resort to the use of renewable natural resources. A simple way to do this is to lessen the use of rubber and plastic. Instead, use paper bags and cardboard containers. Even a simple habit of buying in bulk can save a lot of packaging material, thus contributing to saving the environment. Buy the products that you can reuse.</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:100%;" >When in office, print only when it is absolutely necessary</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:100%;" >.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Printing every soft copy leads to a heavy wastage of paper. Remember to switch off your computer when no one is using it. Avoid an excessive use of air conditioners in the office. Use emails instead of paper correspondence. Do not use disposable cups when you have an option of using the ceramic ones.</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:100%;" >Minimize the use of animal products, which involve their killing</span><span style="font-size:100%;">. Animal fur and ivory are some of the excessively used products that are gradually leading to the extinction of the animals that provide them. Resolve not to hunt animals. Follow the principles of saving the environment and encourage others in taking to environment-saving activities.</span></li></ul> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxCT-FTjuACIN3JuBOPTMb3HrDV7n4ovIt7wWzFK93zrH02TZddYcjd4EZIuHFUcDqH1vC4JX837W-22Elw3Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" >Triinu, Liina 12e</span>
<br /></div></div>Triinu Metshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16669116598111952951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-40951316760656113452010-04-16T06:06:00.000-07:002010-04-16T11:02:53.691-07:00Conscious Consuming<a href="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/1/m_8d75cb05b3b6dc56dfb3c2c1ed33548d.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 170px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/1/m_8d75cb05b3b6dc56dfb3c2c1ed33548d.jpg" /></a><br /><div>One basis of economic lifestyle is <span style="color:#009900;"><em>conscious consuming</em></span>. It is important in buying everyday food products and also in purchasing clothing and footwear. Next I bring you some useful tips on how to be a conscious consumer.<br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><u>What to keep in mind while buying food products?</u></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br />*<span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Prefer</strong> <strong>local products</strong></span> over imported ones. Their transport doesn't require so much fuel and there is a bigger chance of them not containing preservatives. For example the preference for buying apples regarding the environmental effect should be(if living in Estonia): Estonian apple, then Polish, Spanish and the most condemnable choice would be Australian apple.<br /><br /><br />*The <strong><span style="color:#000099;">less package</span></strong>, the <span style="color:#000000;">better</span>. Preferably buy one big than many small ones - you get more product and less package. If you get to choose between paper and plastic, then it's more economical to select packages, which are made out of renewable natural resources, like wood for example. When going to the store, take with you your paper or plastic bag, which you already have before. Small plastic bags are easily reuseable for buying open candy, bread or fruits.<br /><br /><br />*While choosing drinks, your choice, in aspect of packages, should be as follows: <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Reuseable glass</strong></span>(beer bottle) > <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>recycleable glass</strong></span> (non-standard wine bottle) > reuseable plastic (all PET plastic bottles) > plastic packages (packaged milk) > cardboard package (wax, plastic or aluminum and paper composite)<br /><br /><img src="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_429/1250339479N8V3bJ.jpg" align="left" width=150 height=150/><br />*<span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Eco-signs</strong></span> on products show that no artificial fertilisers or poisonous chemicals were used.<br /><br /><br />*While finding the balance between meat and vegetables it is recommended to increase the percentage of <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>vegetarian foods</strong></span>, because the production of meat requires 5 times more energy(growing provender, pasture, feeding, barns and slaughter-houses)<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><u>Plastic bag, paper bag or fabric bag?</u></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><img src="http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3347/6a00d8341caca853ef00e55.jpg" align="right"/><br />The most eco-friendly is to purchase a <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>fabric bag</strong></span> and avoid buying plastic bags every time you go to a store. Fabric bags have many advantages over plastic or paper bags. Fabric bags are made out of flax or cotton, which are renewable resources, also fabric bags are longer lasting and easy to wash. If we compare plastic and paper bags, then they can be treated as equally environmental-friendly, but only if the <span style="color:#ff0000;">plastic bag</span> is used repeatedly. Paper bags have the advantage of renewable raw-material; plastic bags have the advantage in the duration of use.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><u>Disposable dishes?</u></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Disposable dishes</span> are an eyesore for the environmentally-conscious people. The production wastes a lot of nonreproducible natural resources and their usage time is very short. After throwing them away it takes a hundred years for plastic dishes to decay and many years for cardborad dishes to turn into soil, because the last are covered with a layer of wax. It isn't allowed to burn used dishes because they contain plastic in them and they can only be recycled if they are clean and washed. For domestic birthdays and garden parties it is recommended to <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>use regular dishes</strong></span>, because they leave a more solid and dignified look to the occasion. If there aren't enough dishes, then you can borrow them from friends or, for a symbolic price, buy them from the <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Recycling Centre</strong></span> and later return them. It is more environmental-friendly to wash dishes in a bowl and not under a running water, that uses less water.<br /><br /><img src="http://we.motivators.com/image.axd?picture=eco-friendly.jpg"/><br /><br />By Rauno Rüütel and Alan Väli </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-78515735309708770962010-04-11T01:21:00.000-07:002010-04-11T02:30:51.512-07:00Saving the Environment at Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlxyJXLQFxV_g8lOxnwbywifOO_CGEnPTjC0MG-fFu5ZfPGT3MYV9tQLSFvFQsiL6kIyVa5IrC_PJtfVaWuci8NcDazofBtJaDDlUXZQR5IytCSkR75w-wNq_JrURT3QJHKf0U63X8qyR/s1600/thumbnail.aspx+(1).jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYcmdMdLVjg4hOCKUkgtcMZPVjfqOtr1iInzjpKikn7DtwDCBCADiLk_KnMm9vJJLwLA-izEt2PEHDN6sdyAbOCVPzrDkJlG5DmC65pLV1ebVJHG_Y0obk46xp9VMxKq73CDF6ZkO0gCo/s1600/thumbnail.aspx.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYcmdMdLVjg4hOCKUkgtcMZPVjfqOtr1iInzjpKikn7DtwDCBCADiLk_KnMm9vJJLwLA-izEt2PEHDN6sdyAbOCVPzrDkJlG5DmC65pLV1ebVJHG_Y0obk46xp9VMxKq73CDF6ZkO0gCo/s320/thumbnail.aspx.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458807043591156274" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Turn off appliances</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">. Turn of the computer, and the computer monitor when not in use. Approximately 40% of the time computers are in use, they are idle with no operator. Turn off the lights that are not necessary. Use your judgment and determine when to turn off lights at night or day. There are timers that can be put on to control automatic lighting. Unplug major devices that are not in use. Cable boxes and digital receivers still consume about 40 watts- that adds up to hundreds of dollars a month.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Lower your thermostat.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> In winter, try to maintain air flow between rooms by not closing the doors unnecessarily. Find the best temperature setting. Try to put a thermostat in every room to give you better control. One degree change can save you a big percentage, as the heater will be idle longer. In summer, try to use efficient air conditioners and do use the thermostat. It can lower your consumption by half.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Switch to florescent lighting. </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">It can save 30% of your electric bills.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Let dishes dry by mere air flow.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> Just turn off the dishwasher before it drys the dishes. Just leave the door slightly opened and the air will dry the dishes.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> Your clothes will get just as clean.</span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Copy and print</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> on both sides of paper.</span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Clean Your Fridge.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> Refrigerators use a tremendous amount of energy every year. To cut down on waste, clean the condenser coils every year. Also, do not keep the temperature unnecessarily low.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Recharge Your Batteries.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> If you recharge your batteries, you will save money and help stop multiple environmental problems. You can prevent potentially hazardous metals from getting into landfills or the air, where they can be dangerous. So, buy rechargeable batteries and recharge them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Stop Junk Mail.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> If you stopped all the junk mail that comes to your house, you would save the equivalent of 1.5 trees every year.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Use Reusable Goods.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> Everything that you throw away at home ends up in a landfill. Whenever you can, use reusable goods in place of disposable goods. For example, in the kitchen, use rags instead of paper towels. <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlxyJXLQFxV_g8lOxnwbywifOO_CGEnPTjC0MG-fFu5ZfPGT3MYV9tQLSFvFQsiL6kIyVa5IrC_PJtfVaWuci8NcDazofBtJaDDlUXZQR5IytCSkR75w-wNq_JrURT3QJHKf0U63X8qyR/s320/thumbnail.aspx+(1).jpg" /></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Just say no to plastic bags.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">The plastic bags you bring home from the supermarket probably end up in a landfill. Every year, more than 500 billion plastic bags are distributed, and less than 3% of those bags are recycled. They are typically made of polyethylene and can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade in landfills that emit harmful greenhouse gases. Reducing your contribution to plastic-bag pollution is as simple as using a cloth bag (or one made of biodegradable plant-based materials) instead of wasting plastic ones. For your next trip to the grocery store.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Use the microwave to cook small meals. </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">It usses less power than an oven.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Keep drinking water in the refrigerator </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> Wash your teeth with cold water. </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> You normally are finished by the time the water gets hot anyway. The cold is more pure since hot water tanks are source of impurities.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Do not flush sanitary napkins or Kleenex down the toilet. </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">It wastes water and septic space, whether public sewer or private sepic system. It is expensive to pump out your septic system.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Do not dump any oils or other hazadous wastes into the sewer. </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">This changes the chemical balance in your public sewer system, and can cause extra maintenance to your septic.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Leave the milk, eggs, juice out in the morning so refrigerator is opened only once. </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">You will save energy if you leave these items out of 45 minutes instead of bringing them out each time someone else needs them. </span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Use cold water to fill the teapot or sacepan. </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">It heats almost as fast, costs less and has fewer impurities.</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Go paperless.</span></span></span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">There are so many benefits from going paperless, mainly by signing up for online services. Your information will be more secure, you’ll save a lot of paper and help businesses cut down on the costs of mailings. Imagine having to get rid of an extra filing cabinet or two at home!</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Use traps instead</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Put leaves in a compost heap instead of burning them or throwing them away</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">. Yard debris too large for your compost bin should be taken to a yard-debris recycler.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Take your car to a car </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">wash instead of washing it in the driveway. <img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:qouf-NIFfFGaJM:http://www.global-change-seminar.org/images/home_page.jpg" /></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Maintain and repair durable products</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> instead of buying new ones.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Buy used furniture</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> – there is a surplus of it, and it is much cheaper than new furniture.</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use.</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Join a </span></span></span></b><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">carpool</span></span></span></strong><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"> </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">to get to work.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></li></ol>maihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06907995787430569997noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-32407629963741522832010-02-25T22:11:00.000-08:002010-03-07T04:08:07.495-08:00Oil shale - environmental side<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxFMg6Wo0kDwgBNp4Hy8VD7RvBQE6-vbyyEnSQTi1MG0_jGucCgd2UW02L92s6mPrKH2ZpS2MjmITig7brjQzYrhouFGbb32gNG59CwiYJ7zCLz3yf7fLspL6gKObonl7rF2mdTO1JWUL/s1600-h/oil.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxFMg6Wo0kDwgBNp4Hy8VD7RvBQE6-vbyyEnSQTi1MG0_jGucCgd2UW02L92s6mPrKH2ZpS2MjmITig7brjQzYrhouFGbb32gNG59CwiYJ7zCLz3yf7fLspL6gKObonl7rF2mdTO1JWUL/s400/oil.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445862306117651586" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Disposal and upgrading of the oil shale wastes by fluid- and gas-phase extraction in chemically active media</span><br />Extensive utilization of the oil shale as the main natural resource of Estonia for oil and electricity production has been engendered millions of tons organomineral wastes and to those millions of tons are added every year. Semicoke, fusses and shale ash are oil shale wastes of different degree of technological transformation and contain different content of organic matter. In this fashion the oil shale wastes are unfit for use and hazardous ones and there is no technology for those re-utilization. Just the re-utilization of oil shale wastes is the clue question for continuation of the pre-existing technology of oil shale processing. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhsym0bYnR_Nw0IuUa-8Hgd9qxtVpw5otoH_H8k0BtzEAjiUHjrLUBLA9wowlxJkm12MSnhWfAdXQStMTCWf5vNrrHDmOiawdkSGJ9ESPnuTOHS0w3vEsMCmF7NqaOGNDnxJn7szDXIlJ/s1600-h/kaevandamine.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 395px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhsym0bYnR_Nw0IuUa-8Hgd9qxtVpw5otoH_H8k0BtzEAjiUHjrLUBLA9wowlxJkm12MSnhWfAdXQStMTCWf5vNrrHDmOiawdkSGJ9ESPnuTOHS0w3vEsMCmF7NqaOGNDnxJn7szDXIlJ/s400/kaevandamine.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445862174226706562" /></a>The main goals of the present project are to work out novel and effective methods basing on sub- and supercritical extraction in chemically active media for separation the organic matter from fusses and semicoke as the liquid product in order to upgrade simultaneously both the organic (into a product similar to shale oil or its fractions) and mineral part (purified as much as possible from organics by the yield of liquid and gaseous products) with the aim for further utilization of the products obtained as well as to determine the character and stability of carbon and sulphur modifications present in shale ash. The project results in utilization of oil shale wastes as an alternative raw material for production of the products needed, estimation and diminishing the environmental hazard of oil shale wastes deposits and that all leads to the significant increase in oil shale processing and to the liquidation of more and more enlarging semicoke and ash deposits - the main source of pollution in Estonia.<br />Oil-shale mining causes numerous negative changes in the environmental conditions, some of which are unavoidable due to technological, some for economic reasons.<br />Fortunately environmental achievements also matter for our oil shale companys and they keep up with the regulations and future principes.<br /><br />Urmas Metsmaa, Henek Tomson, Madis Salumaa 12AUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-58885584776514704412010-02-25T12:31:00.001-08:002010-02-25T12:33:57.414-08:00<iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dGRHdlREVGo5WUJHZFRjZU5sTHRzZGc6MA" width="800" height="600" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0">Loading...</iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-29036756718453979312010-02-25T07:57:00.000-08:002010-03-07T04:12:54.922-08:00Is it Estonian future?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhht7D1qsECReVK5I1Ic4gS79gyHKeh0xnOVEegw5lEjnoBpWzL0W2P8yr-XKUYV8ISTRv6BpurYLf2g6AikSlnfaua_VOzhbIAPRsVPlJfaKvyuBiDb8k3_-O6cmOE-GrFpYomnBrLgsxB/s1600-h/klaviatuurid.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhht7D1qsECReVK5I1Ic4gS79gyHKeh0xnOVEegw5lEjnoBpWzL0W2P8yr-XKUYV8ISTRv6BpurYLf2g6AikSlnfaua_VOzhbIAPRsVPlJfaKvyuBiDb8k3_-O6cmOE-GrFpYomnBrLgsxB/s400/klaviatuurid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445863582997826962" /></a>Urgent action is needed to tackle the "mountains" of e-waste building up in developing nations, says a UN report.<br />Huge amounts of old computers and discarded electronic goods are piling up in countries such as China, India and some Africa nations, it said. India could see a 500% rise in the number of old computers dumped by 2020, found the survey of 11 nations. Unless dealt with properly the waste could cause environmental damage and threaten public health, it said. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Precious hazard</span><br />The report gathered information about current levels of e-waste in 11 nations and also looked at how those totals might grow in the next decade. Globally, e-waste is growing at a rate of about 40 million tonnes per year as consumers, in both developed and developing nations, buy new gadgets and discard their old ones. Many of the older items end up in developing nations. By 2020, China and South Africa could see e-waste generated by old computers rise by 400% by 2007 levels. In a decade, estimated the report, e-waste from mobile phones will be seven times higher in China and 18 times higher in India. <br />Some nations are happy to take in e-waste to use in order to extract some of the precious materials and metals that go into making modern consumer electronics. For instance, said the report, in an average year global production of mobile phones and computers uses 3% of the silver and gold mined, 13% of the palladium and 15% of the cobalt. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneYsPqJ0jpw4LpUqizZXAa_q91ablHcaoE-BGT5VTqzrxl-X1OpY5Dzh9rpO1Oc5hpKD-tYxq_kqaWte1PFYibd-YGom7Bi14HVHz4DmtneH0BCReip9WgSGQuL4q1lMmaBQdrIdSjUxR/s1600-h/eproduktid.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneYsPqJ0jpw4LpUqizZXAa_q91ablHcaoE-BGT5VTqzrxl-X1OpY5Dzh9rpO1Oc5hpKD-tYxq_kqaWte1PFYibd-YGom7Bi14HVHz4DmtneH0BCReip9WgSGQuL4q1lMmaBQdrIdSjUxR/s400/eproduktid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445863663107201074" /></a><br />However, it found, in some places efforts to extract these metals are inefficient and do not do enough to handle the hazardous materials recovery produces. For instance, it said, e-waste treatment in China typically involved back yard incinerators which were a wasteful and polluting way to recover precious materials. "China is not alone in facing a serious challenge," said Achim Steiner, executive director of the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) which issued the report. "India, Brazil, Mexico and others may also face rising environmental damage and health problems if e-waste recycling is left to the vagaries of the informal sector." <br />The report said Bangalore in India was a good example of how local initiatives could reform the gathering and treatment of e-waste. It urged nations such as Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Morocco and South Africa to set up state-of-the-art e-waste treatment centres now, while the amounts they produced were relatively small. "One person's waste can be another's raw material," said Konrad Osterwalder, rector of the UN University. "The challenge of dealing with e-waste represents an important step in the transition to a green economy." <br /><br />Source: news.bbc.co.ukUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-2490626396097191642010-02-24T13:03:00.000-08:002010-03-07T04:10:54.137-08:00AIR POLLUTION<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq1YAyN1r8ZaDOx4f8dO7m9Nf-_1OpX3xDd3T27Sc1jkVkLf5W6l5IsI8oG_HYpUNVt1tVpzxHUEHBbWy-SUDrzLxFCRnoYuGJxqGXpiJ1ifr9jFohMyA-UXAbyDrn5HrkHxRm6Y7taB_/s1600-h/pollution1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq1YAyN1r8ZaDOx4f8dO7m9Nf-_1OpX3xDd3T27Sc1jkVkLf5W6l5IsI8oG_HYpUNVt1tVpzxHUEHBbWy-SUDrzLxFCRnoYuGJxqGXpiJ1ifr9jFohMyA-UXAbyDrn5HrkHxRm6Y7taB_/s400/pollution1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445863089815935058" /></a>Air pollution means the presence of one or more unwanted substances in air. Air pollutants have a negative impacts on humans, animals and plants, and on air quality.<br /><strong>What causes air pollution?</strong><br />The main sources of air pollution are the industries, agriculture and traffic, as well as energy generation. During combustion processes and other production processes air pollutants are emitted. Some of these substances are not directly damaging to air quality, but will form harmful air pollutants by reactions with other substances that are present in air.Examples of large-scale air pollutants are VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and small dust particles. When large concentrations of these substances are emitted this negatively affects ecosystems, materials and public health.Traffic is held responsible for one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions caused by traffic are mainly those of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, VOC and small dust particles.Consumers are also partly responsible for air pollution. Firstly because the products they use have caused air pollution during their production and distribution and secondly because heating of houses and offices causes chemicals release into the air.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UxD_tserA0gy5IHDnfQOZIZ3bUszm2au1DBz1B3wDJFuK_4tAWzqV5uywaf8yIXiM2CP5fa2ZYrite3daumGpVNv26VvsqrfWY0sRJGAmrGTG2bLSP3rB4ICQDsQP8LuzVPpzG1xgtjd/s1600-h/pollution2.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UxD_tserA0gy5IHDnfQOZIZ3bUszm2au1DBz1B3wDJFuK_4tAWzqV5uywaf8yIXiM2CP5fa2ZYrite3daumGpVNv26VvsqrfWY0sRJGAmrGTG2bLSP3rB4ICQDsQP8LuzVPpzG1xgtjd/s400/pollution2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445863181780041442" /></a><strong>How does air pollution spread and how can we handle this?</strong><br />The dispersion of air pollutants mainly depends on physical processes is air; those of wind and weather. How far air pollutants are transported mainly depends upon particle size of the compounds and at which height the pollution was emitted into the air. Fumes that are emitted into air through high smoke stags will mix with air so that local concentrations are not very high. However, wind will transport compounds and the pollution will become very disperse. Rain can remove pollutants from air. This causes precipitation and consequentially soil and water pollution.For environmental agencies it is very important to determine exactly how an air pollutant spreads. Air is not a very complex medium. This enables us to predict the dispersion of air pollutants with computer models. In a computer model dispersion is calculated by means of different parameters, such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, air humidity and cloudiness. These predictions are of great significance when we are dealing with toxic clouds or radioactive radiation, because these are a danger to human health and because inhabitants of polluted areas need to be warned.<br /><p></p><br /><p>Häli Nelis, Epp Mänd, Krete Kiider; 12D</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-1053525591806984032010-02-24T08:29:00.000-08:002010-03-07T05:11:40.881-08:00Implications of nanotechnology<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.treehugger.com/images/2007/10/24/nanotechnology-kd-001.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 468px; height: 322px;" src="http://i.treehugger.com/images/2007/10/24/nanotechnology-kd-001.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The implications of nanotechnology run the gamut of human affairs from the medical, ethical, mental, legal and environmental, to fields such as engineering, biology, chemistry, computing, materials science, military applications, and communications.<br />Benefits of nanotechnology include improved manufacturing methods, water purification systems, energy systems, physical enhancement, nanomedicine, better food production methods and nutrition and large scale infrastructure auto-fabrication. Products made with nanotechnology may require little labor, land, or maintenance, be highly productive, low in cost, and have modest requirements for materials and energy.<br />Risks include environmental, health, and safety issues if negative effects of nanoparticles are overlooked before they are released; transitional effects such as displacement of traditional industries as the products of nanotechnology become dominant; military applications such as biological warfare and implants for soldiers; and surveillance through nano-sensors, which are of concern to privacy rights advocates.<br />There is debate about whether nanotechnology merits special government regulation, and regulatory bodies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Health & Consumer Protection Directorate of the European Commission have started dealing with the potential risks of nanoparticles.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Projected benefits</span><br />Nano optimists, including many governments, see nanotechnology delivering benefits such as:<br />* environmentally benign material abundance for all by providing universal clean water supplies<br />* atomically engineered food and crops resulting in greater agricultural productivity with fewer labour requirements<br />* nutritionally enhanced interactive ‘smart’ foods<br />* cheap and powerful energy generation<br />* clean and highly efficient manufacturing<br />* radically improved formulation of drugs, diagnostics and organ replacement<br />* much greater information storage and communication capacities<br />* interactive ‘smart’ appliances; and increased human performance through convergent technologies<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Potential risks</span><br />Potential risks of nanotechnology can broadly be grouped into four areas:<br />* Health issues - the effects of nanomaterials on human biology<br />* Environmental issues - the effects of nanomaterials on the environment<br />* Societal issues - the effects that the availability of nanotechnological devices will have on politics and human interaction<br />* "Grey goo" - the specific risks associated with the speculative vision of molecular nanotechnologyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-32665236197387133872010-02-22T10:40:00.000-08:002010-02-22T10:42:16.589-08:00Awore of the consumptionOne saving lifestyle base is awore conpsumtion. It is important when we are buying everyday food, clothes or shoes.<br />Useful tips how to an aware consumer:<br />*Prefer local products instead of imported goods. Local products doesn't consist preservatives.<br />*The less packages, the better. It is better to buy one big than several small ones – you get more product and less package. It is better to use cloth bag rather than plastic bag.<br />*Multiple use glass, recyclable glass, recyclable plastic.<br />*ecoworkings on the products show thatthere isn't used any artificial fertilisers or poisonous chemicals<br />*It is better to eat vegetarian food than meat products, because meat production requires five tiems more energy.<br />The mos environment friendly is to buy cloth bag and avoid buyin a newq plastic bag every time you go to store.<br />When buying clothes, prefer natural materials to synthetic. There isn't used any un recoverable resources – oil or land gas.<br />Before buying anything, consider your needs – do you wish to use your shoes on city streets or on rough landscape. It is rewcommended to buy practical design and quality shoes. You should avoid buying products you don't use very often and seems to be low quality. Risto Nõukas, Andri Vanem, Roby Lõbus, Triin Jõgi 12A.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-75343270171513415072010-02-22T09:55:00.000-08:002010-02-22T10:02:12.378-08:00Air pollution in EstoniaTwo recently published e-publications on air pollution from 1990 to 2007 show that air pollution emissions have decreased in Estonia. All air pollution emissions have decreased in 2007 compared to 1990. This has mainly resulted from the restructuring of economy and changes in proprietary relations in Estonia since regained independence. Air pollution emissions have also decreased due to stricter requirements in legal acts concerning environment (limit values, requirements on fuel quality etc), which entered into force in Estonia after becoming members of the European Union. Compared to 2003, most air pollution emissions analysed in the survey decreased by 2007, except for CO (on the same level) and heavy metals, which have increased by 10%. Majority of pollutants are emitted in Harju and Ida-Viru county, where most of the polluting enterprises are located. <br /><br />Pollutants emitted by transport and industry have a significant effect on the quality of ambient air. Acidification is caused by emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitric oxide – these compounds react to water vapor in the atmosphere and fall down as acid rain. The main sources of sulphur and nitrogen are industry and power production, although most of nitric oxide is emitted by transport.<br /><br />In addition to nitric oxide and sulphur dioxide many hazardous substances like heavy metals, sulphur hydrogen, ammonia, formaldehyde, particulate matter etc. are emitted by industries. Within the EU, limits on atmospheric release and concentration are established for hazardous substances and acidifying gases.<br /><br />Air pollution damages public health, causing e.g. respiratory diseases or allergic symptoms. It also affects the condition of landscapes, water and damages buildings.<br />In recent years, an increase in concentrations of NO2 has been observed in Tallinn and Kohtla-Järve (Ida-Viru county) due to upsurge in road transportation. Concentration of sulphur dioxide has remained low and shows a decreasing trend as a result of positive effects due to use of sulphur-free fuels and cutting of emissions from point sources. Most problematic is the concentration of particulate matter (PM10) – the limit values are often exceeded in the monitoring stations of Tallinn and Kohtla-Järve.<br /><br />The quantity of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds emitted by stationary and mobile sources of pollution has decreased by 59% and 51% respectively, compared to 1990.<br /><br />Greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 54% by 2005 in comparison with 1990. Estonia is among ten biggest per capita emitters of carbon dioxide in the world. Estonia emitted 12.2 tons of carbon dioxide per capita in 2005. The main cause for higher carbon dioxide emission is energy production based on fossil fuels. In 2005, the oil-shale related carbon dioxide emissions accounted for 71% of the total carbon dioxide emission. The emission of carbon dioxide caused by fuel combustion activities decreased 55% by 2005 compared to 1990.<br /> <br />The stability and continuity of the decrease in emission rates have been secured by environmental legislation promoting installation of modern filter systems and adopting environmentally friendly techniques. <br /><br />Source: keskkonnainfo.ee<br /><br />Elisabet Arge, Tiina Seppel 12AUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-57343949325526755212010-02-09T21:58:00.000-08:002010-03-07T05:16:01.594-08:00DeforestationToday forests cover about 30% of mainland. Before global wood cutting started forests covered over 60% of mainland. In Estonia forests cover nowadays about 47%. Deforestation is limited in Estonia and until 1950's the area of forests has started to grow. The general principle in Estonia is that you cannot deforest more than the forests grow in a year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://uudised.err.ee/failid/96307_01.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://uudised.err.ee/failid/96307_01.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">What is Deforestation?</span><br />Deforestation is defined as the destruction of forested land. It has proved to be a major problem all over world. However, the rates of destruction of forests are particularly high in the tropics.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Causes of Deforestation</span><br />The causes of deforestation vary form place to place. The most common causes, however, are logging, agricultural expansion, and mining.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Effects of Deforestation</span><br />Deforestation has been the cause of many problems facing the world today such as erosions, loss of biodiversity through extinction of plant and animal species, and increased atmospheric carbon dioxide.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Importnace of Vegetation</span><br />Deforestation consequently decrease the supply of oxygen found on earth. Oxygen is essential to the existence of all living things and without it every living creature (including humans) will not be able to sustain life. In addition, forests provide homes for many important species such as the Northern Spotted Owl which can only survive in the northwestern United States . Furthermore, forests prevent desertification by replenishing nutrients in the land. These are just a few reasons why forests are soon important.<br /><br />Ats Põdra, Kristina Oolu 12cUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-24960789317986053002010-02-09T09:03:00.000-08:002010-02-09T09:18:39.510-08:00Nord Stream<div style="width:425px;text-align:left" id="__ss_3115560"><a style="font:14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;display:block;margin:12px 0 3px 0;text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/yhiskond/nord-stream" title="Nord Stream">Nord Stream</a><object style="margin:0px" width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=nordstream-100209110404-phpapp01&stripped_title=nord-stream" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=nordstream-100209110404-phpapp01&stripped_title=nord-stream" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="font-size:11px;font-family:tahoma,arial;height:26px;padding-top:2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/yhiskond">Kuressaare Gümnaasium</a>.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2160518052580979949.post-52131935119522777962010-02-08T13:04:00.000-08:002010-02-08T13:26:19.355-08:00Greenhouse effect<span style="font-weight:bold;">The greenhouse effect</span> is where the temperature of the Earth increases. This happens as less heat is radiated back from the Earth than is received from the Sun.<br />The atmosphere becomes clogged up with "greenhouse gases" such as carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels and methane. This lets the heat from the Sun in but stops some of it from be radiated back out again.<br />This is just how the glass on a greenhouse works. So the inside of the greenhouse gets warmer and warmer over time.<br />In the case of the Earth the warming up has happened very slowly over decades and centuries. However the levels of greenhouse gases have risen sharply recently.<br />As the temperature of the Earth increases it is predicted that we will see changes in weather patterns, including drought and flooding.<br />The Polar ice caps may melt and so produce raised sea levels. Low-lying areas will be flooded including many major cities.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.myclimatechange.net/UserImage/3/Definition/GreenhouseEffect.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 384px;" src="http://www.myclimatechange.net/UserImage/3/Definition/GreenhouseEffect.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Kristiina Tänav, Marek Hendrikson, 12DUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0