Niche Article Directory

In many countries, a solar heating system can provide a very high percentage of domestic hot water requirements. In many northern European countries, combined hot water and space heating systems are used to provide 15% to 25% home heating energy.

A solar heating system is composed of solar thermal collectors that move the heat to its point of usage and a reservoir or tank for heat storage. The system may be used to heat domestic hot water, swimming pool water or for space heating.

In order to heat water using solar energy, a collector is fastened to the roof of a building or on a wall facing the sun. The collector could be made of simple glass topped insulated box with a flat solar absorber made of sheet metal.

The system pumps cold water to a collector to be heated. The heated water flows back to a collection tank. This type of collector would be able to provide hot water for an entire family.

There are three main kinds of solar thermal collectors in common use : Formed Plastic
Collectors, Flat Collectors and Evacuated Tube Collectors.

Formed Plastic Collectors consist of panels through which water is circulated and heated by the sun’s radiation. This is suitable for extending the swimming season in swimming pools and most suitable for heating an open-air swimming pool where heating the pool with non-renewable energy sources is not allowed. This inexpensive system offer an ideal solution. The disadvantage of this panel is that it is not suitable for year round uses to provide hot water for home use.

A Flat Collector consists of a thin absorber sheet backed by a grid or coil of fluid tubing and placed in an insulated casing with a glass cover. Fluid is circulated through the tubing to remove the heat from the absorber and transport it to an insulated water tank or some other device for using the heated fluid.

Evacuated Tube Collectors are made of a series of modular tubes mounted in parallel. This type of collector consists of rows of parallel transparent glass tubes, each of which contains an absorber tube. The tubes are covered with a special light-modulating coating. In an evacuated tube collector, sunlight passes through an outer glass tube and heats the absorber tube contained within. The simplest type, pumps a heat transfer fluid through a U-shaped copper tube placed in each of the glass collector tubes. The heated liquid then circulates through a heat exchanger and gives off its heat to water that is stored in a storage tank.

Because technical innovation has improved performance, life expectancy and ease of use of these systems, solar hot water systems are very popular, apart from in the U.S. also in Austria, Germany and China. In Israel and Greece, installation of solar hot water heating has become the norm. It is fast spreading into other countries as well.

Make Power at Home
with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get our complete guide at www.solarpowernow.net

Recycling bins are often thought of as nothing more than a container that sits in the corner collecting unwanted materials. For nonprofit organizations, youth groups, and other programs in need of a unique fundraising idea, recycling containers offer a few options. Unlike selling chocolate bars or a magazine subscription, these ideas have effects that go well beyond the cause. The environment gets an added boost, the groups gets the money they need to reach their goals, and others are encouraged to live an eco-friendly lifestyle. In the end, everyone wins.

Selling Recycling Bins

Everyone should have recycling containers, so why not provide an opportunity to support two good causes at the same time? Even communities that already have programs in place can use this idea simply by selling smaller and more aesthetically pleasing versions of the ‘green bin’ that fit easily into homes and business. You can add a small fee on top of the original price tag. Because your group would be purchasing a large amount at one time, some companies may give you a better deal than standard retail stores.

Corporate sponsorship is another option. You can have businesses help to purchase the recycling containers that you can sell to the public. In return, you might have to mention the business’ name, hand out a brochure, or you can have the company’s logo and contact information printed on the side of the bins. Combining this fundraiser with other events is a great way to multiply the money made from your fundraising efforts.

Use Recycling Bins To Collect The Junk

In many areas, items such as cans and bottles can be returned for their deposit. Often called ‘bottle drives’, fundraisers help others get rid of some of their unwanted materials and your organization can collect the profit free and clear. This is particularly great for restaurants and other establishments since they can be issued a receipt that can save them money on their taxes.

Communities that do not have organized pick up can use help. The elderly and the sick need help getting their items to the center or outside cans. Some people don’t recycle just because of the inconvenience. Why not offer to pick up and drop off their items for a small fee on a weekly basis. For organizations that operate year round, this provides them with a consistent cash flow.

Go On An Earth March

The garbage strewn across the world’s ditches and green spaces are not only unpleasant, but bad for the environment. Get your group together and collect sponsorship to clean parks and ditches. This can be decided on the amount of area cleaned or the pounds of refuse that is picked up along the way. After the cleanup is complete, you can sort it into bins and have it hauled away.

The more the public get used to seeing and using recycling bins, the more benefit to the environment and the happier the world will be long into the future. Using recycling containers for your next fundraiser gives the organization the opportunity to interact with the community and benefits the entire globe while still allowing you to reach their goals.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information Recycling
Bins, visit http://www.wastewiseproducts.com/.

Global warming is an urgent, but solvable problem. That is why we have joined the We Campaign, a powerful nonpartisan movement of concerned citizens that was founded by Nobel Prize Laureate and former Vice President Al Gore. Read on to find out how easy and safe it would be to implement a renewable energy solution for America.

Given the tentative speculations that in 10 years oil will no longer be available to us in the quantities we require, we must strive to produce 100% of our electricity via clean and renewable sources by that time. Oil is not the answer and coal is not the answer.

Here are a few reasons we need to move away from coal and oil, and start investing in renewable resources:

* Even today, half of our electricity is produced by coal rather than oil. OK, but what you may not know is that coal is a top contributer of global warming, and negatively impacts the environment in many other ways. We need to abandon this archaic source of energy for something much cleaner.

* Even ‘clean coal’ power plants do not prevent carbon molecules from being released into the atmosphere. They are absolutely no help to the global warming / clean environment cause.

* Early in 2008, Saudi Arabia committed to producing more oil to alleviate high oil prices. OK, but what you may not know is that since that time the price of oil has actually increased. America has no effect at all on the price of oil. We need to relinquish our dependence on it 100%.

* Wind power is a clean and renewable source of energy. OK, but what you may not know is that the potential for wind power in the US would provide more than 5 times as much electricity as we currently use. In fact, North Dakota alone can provide 33% of the total electricity required by America today.

* Solar power is another clean and renewable source of energy. OK, but what you may not know is that we can harness enough solar power during the day to provide all the necessary electricity needed to operate at night. In fact, by laying solar panels on a 100 square mile patch of land anywhere in the US (think desert land), solar thermal facilities could provide 100% of our electricity needs, day and night.

So, what does that tell you about clean renewable energy resources? By combining wind power, solar power, and by developing additional alternative energy resources such as Ethanol powered and hybrid vehicles, the US could potentially be free of environmentally and economically damaging sources of power.

Support the Challenge

It will certainly take more than just one man to stand up for this movement. Please do your best to support America in this time of energy crisis. Do it for the Earth, for your kids, for your kid’s kids, but most of all do it because it’s the right thing to do.

Al Gore just challenged the nation to take bold steps towards solving the climate crisis. Join the We Campaign and support a movement to more efficient, clean, alternative energy.

The Energy Superstore was developed with a singular purpose: to enable residential, business and industrial customers to save energy in the most efficient and cost effective ways possible. With over 40 years of experience, we provide many tools including energy audits, products, and recommendations.

Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFLs) and Energy Saving Tips From Your Energy Saving Superstore

The incandescent light bulb was invented in about 1802. Practical incandescent light bulbs were not invented until 1878 when tungsten was used for the filament. In many respects the technology hasn’t changed much after the initial refinements. First let me explain how an incandescent light bulb works.

How Incandescent Light Bulbs Work

Electricity goes through a thin strand of material called a filament. The material gives off light after it is heated in a process called incandescence. The filament is tightly would like a spring so that there is more length to give off light. Being enclosed inside a glass shell protects the filament. The excessive heat produced by the electricity would cause the filament to burn up if it were exposed to the oxygen in the air. Incandescent light bulbs are usually filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen to prevent the filament being exposed to oxygen. To better project the light outward a pear shaped bulb is usually used.

The Drawbacks of Incandescent Lighting

There are several drawbacks to incandescent light bulbs.

* Incandescent light bulbs use significantly more electricity than other light emitting bulbs such as fluorescent bulbs. Depending on the cost of your electricity, average savings for using fluorescent lighting for a comparable incandescent bulbs may be $60-$75 per year assuming 4 hours of usage a day.

* The incandescent bulb works by heating the filament. 90% of the energy used is converted to heat. For a few months in the winter you add heat to the house and its welcome. The other 9 months of the year its unwanted heat you will air condition or attempt to vent away. Remember the child’s toy oven that baked cookies with nothing but a light bulb inside it? Also, when the incandescent bulb burns out you must wait for it to cool before you change it, or protect your fingers from being burnt.

* The quality of incandescent light is poor. Your eyes adapt to it, but uncorrected photographs show the yellowish orange cast given by incandescent light bulbs. Poultry farms avoid raising fowl under incandescent lights because it can cause self-destructive stress in the birds.

* Incandescent light bulbs have a relatively short life span. Many other light systems such as the fluorescent will last up to 13 times as long.

* The hazards of an incandescent bulb breaking off in the light socket. If you have light fixtures mounted high up on the ceiling like I do, and an incandescent light bulb breaks, replacing it is like a surgeon removing his own appendix.

First you have to remember to turn off the socket so you don’t electrocute yourself. Then you have to put on a leather glove, or use half of a raw potato to ‘bite’ into the broken glass so you can try to twist the bulb out of its threads. All of this is done while balancing on a ladder.

In conclusion, a fluorescent light bulb uses substantially less electricity, does not emit waste heat, lasts up to 13 times longer between replacement, does not emit yellowish orange light, and is very easy to replace. Given the choice, I always choose fluorescent lighting over incandescent or halogen lighting.

The Energy Superstore was developed with a singular purpose: to enable residential, business and industrial customers to save energy in the most efficient and cost effective ways possible. With over 40 years of experience, we provide many tools including energy audits, products, and recommendations.

Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFLs) and Energy Saving Tips From Your Energy Saving Superstore

Due to all the recent recalls on tainted toys, Congress and the House have become so alarmed that they voted overwhelmingly to ban lead and other dangerous chemicals such as phthalets from children’s toys.

The new legislation will toughen the rules on the testing of children’s products and take steps to give more muscle to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Parents should be able to purchase toys for their children without having to worry about if they are dangerous or not. This new bill is considered as the most far-reaching product safety bills issued in decades, which will ensure that all children’s toys will be tested in the laboratory before they are tested by your children at home.

This bill sets the toughest lead standards in the world by banning lead beyond minute levels in products that are for children twelve and younger. This bill also bans all children products that contain six type of phthalates, which are chemicals that are found in plastics and are suspected of posing health risk. The bill was passed in the House 424 to 1 and was then sent to Congress where it was approved and passed. This new bill received opposition that was voiced by the White House due to certain parts within the bill, but it has not yet been threatened with a veto. A key change in the monitoring practices will be that toys for children would have to be tested by third party testing before they are eligible to be marketed. Finally, parents and health experts know that the toys of children will not contain toxins that can be harmful to children.

There are an unlimited supply of plastic products on the market today and a large quantity of homes with the United States are filled with hundreds of plastic products. This rare action upon the part of Congress and the House reflects a growing body of scientific research showing that children ingest the toxins by acts as simple as chewing on a rubber duck. Used for decades in plastic production, these chemicals are now thought to act as hormones and cause reproductive problems, especially in boys. It also signals an important crack in the chemical industry’s ability to fend off federal regulation and suggests that the landscape may be shifting to favor consumers.

The movement to ban the toxins accelerated last year when California prohibited their use in children’s products. Earlier this year, the country’s largest retailer and the biggest toy seller told their suppliers that they will no longer carry products containing the chemicals, known as phthalates, as of Jan. 1, 2009. Toys containing these chemicals, however, will still be on many retail shelves during the holiday season.

The White House opposes the ban but that it was too early to say whether he would veto the measure, which is part of popular legislation to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The bill would ban lead in children’s products and would give consumers access to a new database of complaints or accident reports for goods. The House and Senate lawmakers agreed to permanently ban three types of phthalates from children’s toys and to outlaw three other phthalates from products pending an extensive study of their health effects in children and pregnant women. Phthalates make plastics softer and more durable and also are added to perfumes, lotions, shampoos and other items.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, dolls, and video games. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, dolls, and used video games at these sites for chemical ban on toys, dolls, and used video games.

What is global Warming?: Global warming is the process of a gradual increase in the earths atmospheric and ground temperatures throughout the entire planet. Studies have shown that global temperature has risen by 1 degree Fahrenheit over the last century. Day-to-day activities by humans since the beginning of the industrial era have resulted in the increased emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere, causing a trend of warming at a distressing pace.

Causes of global warming

Carbon emissions - Carbon dioxide traps the heat of the sun on the globe, much like a veritable balloon filled with warm air. On an average day, humans add to the atmospheric level of carbon dioxide in several ways, from power plants to vehicles. Air pollution from industrial plants is increasing at an alarming level despite steps taken to enforce environmentally friendly practices.

Deforestation - Following carbon emissions by humans, deforestation is the next most important cause of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Millions of acres of tropical rain forests are lost each year causing climate change. Temperate forests which serve to absorb billions of tons of carbon are also being cut down at a tremendous rate.

The dire consequences

Weather patterns - Apart from the wildfires caused by scorching hot and dry weather which burns millions of acres of land worldwide, the main cause for concern is drought, which also increases the risk of wildfires. Drought causes crops to fail, causing starvation and diseases in less developed countries where agriculture is the main source of food and income. Conversely, warm temperatures can also cause heavier rainfall and floods. More energy in the climatic system causes hurricanes and tsunamis. Balance of ecology is disturbed.

Health - Smog in certain parts of the world is causing allergies and asthmatic conditions to worsen. The poor air quality also results in weakened respiratory system. Droughts and other eco disruptions lead to the rapid spread of infectious diseases and food and waterborne illnesses such as malaria, cholera and dengue fever.

Wildlife - With ecosystems unable to adapt to the pace of climatic changes, several species are reaching near extinction. From decreasing numbers of polar bears to the danger of extinction of penguins in the Antarctic, this threat has roots in the vast reductions of their natural habitats.

What measures you can take?

Stop pollution! - Cutting down pollution from car emissions and power plants will decrease the rate of global warming to a great extent. Varied technologies for use of alternative energy have already been developed. And, more technology is being developed regularly. We need to continue to make use of current alternative energy resources like wind power and solar power, and we can adopt new technologies as they are developed.

Changes to the legal system - With public support on the rise, laws must be imposed worldwide to cap emissions of carbon dioxide and other green house gasses from industrial and power plants. Tighter standards for appliances such as air conditioners and heat pumps will also strengthen the efforts to reduce emissions.

Make it YOUR problem. - Energy conservation should be addressed in a right way. Reduce your energy bills by opting for little changes such as fluorescent lights and environmentally friendly refrigerators. Make an effort in every little way you can to sustain the planet for future generations. Let us embrace sustainable development.

Ranju kumar an editor of the website SustainGreenPower.com which briefs all about Sustainable Development, Environment, Renewable Energy, and important information and news on many more Green Earth topics.

There are over 400 nuclear power reactors that are up and running on the planet, and believe it or not, the number is growing. The whole process of converting uranium into nuclear power is complex, but it all starts off with a mining operation to extract uranium ore. Believe it or not, uranium is not hard to find, it is actually a pretty common element, more common than gold.

Many people don’t realize that our own body houses trace amounts of uranium! Canada’s actually taken advantage of this relatively abundant resource and is so far the number one uranium producer in the world.

Reasons to Avoid Nuclear Power

* Nuclear power is quite costly to manufacture, specifically considering start-up costs. Nuclear reactors are expensive to build. With that in mind, it’s not necessarily an option for all countries. Many 2nd and 3rd world countries do not have the economic or material resources to produce nuclear power.

* Another big problem is nuclear waste, which is left over from the conversion process, typically from using fuel. If nuclear waste isn’t safely disposed of, there can be a drastic number of health and environmental issues that arise as a result. This is perhaps the most important detractor from the popularity of nuclear power.

* The third serious issue baring the widespread adoption of nuclear power, is the potential of a nuclear power plant to melt down. One could argue it is dangerous to run nuclear power plants, simply because they could be tampered with.

If, for example, a terrorist organization was so inclined to sabotage nuclear power plants, portions of that country could become uninhabitable for hundreds of years. Nuclear meltdowns can also occur by accident, putting civilians in jeopardy on a constant basis.

Reasons to Use Nuclear Power

* One of the main benefits of using nuclear power in today’s economy, is that it decreases the need for foreign oil. By utilizing nuclear power plants to produce a portion of our electricity, we can make headway in our efforts to switch to alternative fuel sources before the oil supply dries up in a decade or so.

* Although nuclear power plants are costly to build, they are inexpensive to maintain. This cost efficiency is good news to taxpayers who, with the economic collapse of 2008, wish to reduce their taxes and their spending as much as possible in order to just pay the bills, never mind saving up for retirement.

* Nuclear power production is not limited by location. Unlike coal and oil, the conditions don’t have to be ‘just right’ to gather natural resources and produce power. Uranium can be mined from all over the world and shipped to any local nuclear power plant. The terrain and weather conditions just don’t play a factor.

* Carbon emissions are drastically reduced because carbon waste is not a by-product of a nuclear reaction. Compared to coal, nuclear power is a cheap, sustainable, efficient, and clean power source; as long as we can find an efficient way to dispose of barrels of nuclear waste.

The Future of Nuclear Power

The future for nuclear power appears to be a quiet but strong one. Although there are some areas of the world strongly adverse to nuclear power, the United States continues to expand development. In general, quick growth isn’t a possibility, as building costs and time-frames are enormous.

Countries like China, India, and Japan are all developing nuclear power, but until it becomes cheaper to construct the reactors, nuclear power won’t become as mainstream as its potential would suggest.

The Energy Superstore was developed with a singular purpose: to enable residential, business and industrial customers to save energy in the most efficient and cost effective ways possible. With over 40 years of experience, we provide many tools including energy audits, products, and recommendations.

Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFLs) and Alternative Energy Advice From Your Energy Saving Superstore.

If you sell artificial turf system components into the State of California don’t risk the embarrassment, hassle and cost of being notified you have violated Proposition 65 Laws or are not OSHA compliant!

ASGi, the Association of Synthetic Grass Installers, has published “Prop 65 & The Artificial Turf Market” a digital handbook of frequently asked questions, lists of resources and associated relevant clear and reasonable warning examples regarding California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, commonly referred to as Proposition 65 (Prop 65).

The “Prop 65 & The Artificial Turf Market” handbook is a survival guide for companies doing business in the state of California, many who were caught unaware of these highly precautionary policies are now under lawsuits or notices of violation by California State Attorney General, Jerry Brown’s offices and the Center for Environmental Health (CEH). Your company could be next on the list; find out how to avoid it!

The “Prop 65 & The Artificial Turf Market” is written in easy to understand terms and is a broad source of information and intelligence to help manufacturers, distributors and installers of artificial turf systems sort through the complexities of the law’s requirements and recent allegations that some components may expose workers and consumers to lead, and other hazardous substances, while using artificial grass and synthetic turf systems for sports fields, lawns, landscape and putting greens. It clearly outlines the responsibilities and potential liabilities of companies doing business in the state of California under Prop 65 and gives the reader a roadmap of what to do to insure that their company is not at risk of legal action by the state or private citizens.

The handbook also covers related federal legislation that defines a company’s need to know about the lead contents of their products to insure a safe workplace for their employees and that they are delivering safe products into any American market, not only the State of California.

The “Prop 65 & The Artificial Turf Market” includes and answers these questions:

1. What is Prop 65 and it’s scope, Who has to Warn and How

2. Why the artificial turf market has been “targeted” under the law

3. What a manufacturer, supplier or installer MUST do to comply, what happens if they don’t

4. What is the most common mistake companies make that receive a Notice of Violation

5. Samples of appropriate MSDS, Warning Signs, Letters and Correspondence

6. A compiled list of over 20 chemicals controlled under Prop 65 that absolutely need clear and reasonable warnings that may be found in any artificial turf system

7. Copies of the current 60 Day Notices of Violation and the Complaints filed on top manufacturers
8. A Download Index Page of Legislation, Studies and Related Information for Support

If you sell artificial turf system components into the State of California - you need this handbook!

Assoc of Synthetic Grass Installers publishes articles, periodicals and publications: ASGi ONLiNE for industry pros! Synthetic Turf Market studies, rebates, HOA guidelines, grooming and maintenance and more at Assoc of Synthetic Grass Installers (ASGi) publishes articles, periodicals and publications:Synthetic Turf Market studies, rebates, HOA guidelines, grooming, maintenance and more at Prop 65 & Artificial Turf

The largest blockade to hydrogen cars is no longer the technology. Sure, it isn’t 100 percent perfect yet, but advancements are being made steadily that should see hydrogen become a perfectly viable alternative to gasoline in the next few years. Rather, the problem is infrastructure, and therefore dollars and cents from a business perspective.

Since a hydrogen car requires hydrogen refueling stations, just like a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle does, the introduction of these clean-burning machines much be accompanied by the introduction of hydrogen filling stations; and vice versa. This reality has led to a number of pairings between manufacturers and oil companies, the latest of which is a new strategic partnership between BMW and European petroleum giant TOTAL.

It isn’t exactly a new pairing, as BMW and TOTAL have both been working with one another in Berlin on the practical testing of hydrogen as a source of energy. TOTAL itself opened a public gas station that incorporated both gasoline and hydrogen in March of this year, which takes the place of the pilot test station that had been operating in Berlin since 2002. Before the end of this year, TOTAL will finish construction on another hydrogen station in Munich near the BMW testing grounds, with a third station at an undecided location to come later.

As a leading company in processing and marketing petroleum products in Europe, TOTAL also wishes to play a leading role in the industrial and technical development of hydrogen as a fuel. As a source of energy and from the perspective of environmental care, hydrogen offers clear benefits already proven and substantiated in practice, emphasizes Michel Bzit, TOTALs Director General for Refinery Operations and Marketing.

The other half of this dynamic duo; BMW, isn’t resting on its laurels either. After years of testing a fleet of hydrogen-powered MINIs and 7-Series sedans, Professor Burkhard Gaschel, a board member at BMW AG claims that in less than two years BMW will debut a production-ready hydrogen-powered 7-series. That’s somewhat behind other manufacturers, such as Ford, which introduced a hydrogen-powered Ford Focus last year and has since distributed them in small quantities to municipalities around the USA and Canada.

Even farther ahead is German competitor Mercedes-Benz which recently celebrated its hydrogen test fleet of more than 100 cars passing the cumulative two million kilometer milestone. The vehicles, which are a varied array of hydrogen powered Europe-only A-class passenger cars, buses, and Sprinter cargo vans make up the largest real-life test of hydrogen fueled vehicles in the world, and Mercedes is looking to expand that even further by taking more hydrogen test cars to Japan, Australia, China, America, and Singapore for everyday use.

Our world-wide fleet trial is running at full steam, and after two million kilometers covered, we are gaining valuable results and findings for the further development of the emission-free fuel cell powertrain, said Prof. Dr. Herbert Kohler, Vice President Group Research and Advanced Engineering Vehicle and Powertrain and DaimlerChrysler Chief Environmental Officer.

Conversely, the third German luxury car manufacturer, Audi, seems to be lagging behind, with no news or rumours of a hydrogen test fleet or potential hydrogen cars since showing its A2H2 Fuel Cell Concept car at the World Environment Day in San Francisco during the summer of last year.

Hydrogen Operated is A Leading Authority In Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology.To Find Out More About Hydrogen Fuel Systems Visit Click Here To Visit HydrogenOperated.com For Free Information

Having wall to wall carpet is the norm in most offices today. Keeping the carpet clean is essential to keeping employees healthy. Carpets can accumulate dirt and dust very easily and if they are not properly cleaned on a regular basis they will become a breeding ground for many nasty microscopic organisms.

Even if the surface the carpet looks clean you may not know what harmful organisms are lurking there, not visible with the naked eye. Dust mites, fungus and bacteria multiply quickly in dirty carpet may get so bad you can smell them. A dirty carpet may trigger allergies in your workers and affect their productivity. It is important to clean the carpets on a regular basis.

Choosing the right cleaning method and using the right products will affect the lifespan of your office carpet. It can be very expensive to replace your office carpet if it is not well maintained. You can find out the right method through a simple fiber burn or chemical test.

Having the proper cleaning equipment is also necessary. The type of carpet will determine if it is necessary to either steam, dry, shampoo or foam clean your carpets.

Depending on the type of carpet you purchase you may need to higher regular, professional carpet cleaning in order to validate your carpet’s warranty.

It is more advisable to engage cleaning services rather than to get your workers to clean the carpets. By engaging a cleaning service you can be assured that your office carpets are properly cleaned and deodorized. Clean carpets will help to maintain good indoor air quality and a healthier environment for your workers.

Going with a reputable cleaning company, one that uses environmentally friendly products and also the most powerful and effective cleaning equipment, will provide you the cleanest possible facility. Look for companies whose workers have undergone the following associations’ certification programs and training courses:

* The Green Clean Institute Certified - Technician (GCIC)
* Green Clean Institute - Microfiber Training
* OSHA Safety and health regulations

Most of the time these companies are also green certified firms who have taken proper courses and training on environmentally preferable products and techniques to maximize office cleanliness, while at the same time, reducing the negative impact on the environment. The training focuses on improving indoor air quality, reducing the exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, reducing water and air pollution, increasing worker productivity and improving morale. This is definitely what you are seeking as an employer.

Having access to toll free customer support available 24/7, onsite log book and direct contact with our Operations department via email and/or fax, it would be very easy for you to monitor the carpet cleaning and cleanliness of your office.

Universal Building Maintenance provides janitorial cleaning services throughout the Orange County. To request a proposal do visit our website at http://www.ubmaintenance.com.

You’ve probably heard the term before “phantom load”, but what exactly is it? A phantom load is any appliance that draws electricity even when their supposed to be off. In some households this can account for up to 15% of your total energy bill.

What kind of appliances contribute to phantom loads? Any appliance that has a light or clock on it while it’s “off” is contributing to phantom load. Examples of this are: satellite receiver, computer, microwave, DVD player etc.

What can I do about phantom loads? Well, the simplest answer to curing your phantom load is to cut off the power when you’re not using it. By using a power bar or a timer that’s plugged into the socket you can completely turn off the devices and only power them when you’re going to use them.

Although phantom loads do contribute to being energy efficient, you also need to look at your home as a whole. What things could you change? For many people they start by using CFL’s (compact fluorescent lights), turning their fridge and air conditioning down, and start monitoring their energy usage. If you can find what appliances you can make more efficient you can likely save upwards of 30% on your electric bill.

This doesn’t mean that you’ll have to buy new appliances or gadgets either. For example, you can cut down how much energy your refrigerator uses by simply making sure that it is full at all times. Even if it isn’t filled with food put a couple of jugs of water into it. The insures that a higher percentage of energy (coolness) will be held inside the fridge when you open the door. Don’t believe me? Put jugs of water in your fridge for 24 hours and then open the door for one minute and close it. Before you’d probably have heard it turn on, but not anymore.

It’l little things like learning what a phantom load is and how to conserve energy which most people have no idea how to find. Once you learn it you realize that “hey, this is simpler than I thought”. It happened to us, and I’m going to make sure that it happens to you. We were once as clueless as most people are, but we took the plunge– not knowing anything– and made it through. Our motto is “if we can do it, then so can you”. So the next time someone talks to you about energy efficiency you’ll be able to educate them.

Andrew Oke is very interested in renewable energy.He has 16 years experience living off the grid, and has completely built his own renewable energy system. Visit his website at Living Off The Grid

For years companies and individuals have been trying to find a way to use natural resources in order to run things like cars and “power” but to no avail, until recently! I have actually seen one of these cars in action, my neighbor has one, and they are pretty cool. Okay given they are usually a little “different” looking, but still, who wouldn’t want to drive in a car that runs on water?!? I think that aspect alone is enough for me to be interested in something like this! The great thing about these water hybrids is that the water is an alternative source of “fuel” and as we all know, especially lately with the energy crisis and all that, gas is super expensive!

Lucky for all of us, we can turn our regular car into a super hybrid water machine for as low as $150! Pretty cool right? These cars are a definite “plus” for anyone thinking about switching over. Not only does it take water which costs less, but it also takes less water than you think it would, around one quart of water can produce the 1,800 gallons of HHO gas (HHO stands for 2 parts Hydrogen and 1 part Oxygen). It’s very simple to install. The HHO gas generated from the system is sent to the engine’s intake manifold, and then the system uses vacuum pressure to send more HHO gas as your engine’s RPM rises. By the way, you can also use these hybrid systems for big rigs that use diesel as well.

There are tons upon tons of testimonials around the world who can testify that this process works, and not only does it work but it is the fuel of the future! It is estimated that by 2012 most auto manufactures will catch up with this sort of high technology. But thankfully for you, you can start right now! It’s actually incredibly easy to convert your car to a water hybrid. I talked to my neighbor about how she got the idea (since she’s the only one in our neighborhood to do it so far) and she said one day she was looking online and found this website with information about these hydro hybrid cars. It interested her so much that her and her husband bought one of the programs that teaches you how to convert your car and the program was less than $100, so they bought it! Soon after that they built their own hybrid with the guides that were included in the program, and well you know the rest of the story!

I even heard a story about the Honea Path Police Department located in South Carolina, converting the police cars over to the water hybrids, Chief David King says that the Honea department doesnt even have a whole lot of money available but that they were able to convert the police cars over easily and cheaply. He says that 6-8 gallons per mile is about what they get on the police cars and compared to that of gas, its incredibly affordable and really amazing that something this easy could be done! Honea Path department is now making plans to convert all the town cars to hybrid water cars because of the pure amount of money that tax payers are paying for on gas alone! Gee I wish all the cities and all the towns in the country would do this!

Listen, not only is this a great way to put less pressure on your wallet, and not only is it simple to do, but it can also help save the environment significantly! I know it never seems like one person can make a difference, but really one person can make a difference. This is how jet setting trends start, you see someone doing something and you start doing it, and then someone sees them doing it and then they start doing it and on and on. And secondly this truly is not something just a handful of people are doing.

There are millions of people that have already converted their cars, and millions more are going to be interested in this, and will convert as well! Your new clean burning engine will only add water and oxygen to the atmosphere instead of carbon and chemical particulates that cause toxic smog! Do mother earth a favor, check these programs out, taking that first step is the most important step. After that, everyone else will follow!

This author is a HUGE fan of Water Burning Hybrids

Getting children to use recycling containers consistently can be a bit of a challenge at first - particularly in schools, youth centers, and other organizations where there is a large number of children. Bins for recycling are a great place to start when it comes to showing children the importance of helping the environment and incorporating eco-friendly practices into their daily life. Studies show that the younger the children are when they start, the more likely they are to stick with it.

Make A Fun Delivery

One of the greatest ways to incorporate recycling container into children’s lives is to have fun getting the materials into the bins. It also gives you a chance to add science into the equation. Get the kids together to design an ‘amazing machine’ with various materials such as Styrofoam cups, strings, marbles, and plastics. Paper, for example, can then be crumpled into a ball and sat in a ‘truck’. The truck can make falls and jumps, go through tunnels, and over obstacles on its way to the bins for recycling. This gives children an insight into basic physics, have fun putting it all together, and testing it.

Let Kids Help

Let children help when it comes to sorting and emptying bins for recycling. Each day, designate a few children as ‘earth officers’. They can make sure that all of the used materials go into the bin. At the end of the day, they can help you sort items from small bins into the larger ones for pick up and dump recycling containers that are already full. Each day they do their job successfully, they earn a sticker on a ‘green chart’ that can be used to earn privileges and prizes.

Games

Adding games into green activities are ideal for educating children and satisfying their curiosity for the world around them. In a classroom setting, for instance, let kids ball up the paper that would normally be tossed in bins for recycling. Line up the balls in a circle around the classroom so they can see how much they use in a day.

You can even make it into a contest to see how short they can make the line by reusing paper or using alternatives. This gives the kids an opportunity to come up with solutions (using chalk boards or miniature white boards) to cut down on the amount of waste they make each day.

Another twist on this idea is to let kids design their own recycling containers. They can use shoeboxes, cereal boxes, milk jugs, or other materials. See how creative they can be making their bins and how empty they can keep them.

Bins for recycling are a quick and easy way to instill green living in the lives of children. They will grow up respecting the environment and learn to make conscious decisions about their actions. Once recycling containers are in full use, incorporate these ideas into other eco-friendly activities and watch the kids flourish while they learn to save the earth.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on recycling containers, visit http://www.wastewiseproducts.com.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are becoming far more common for indoor lighting solutions due to their human and environmental safety, cost, and longevity. An LED is a solid-state semiconductor diode that emits light when an electrical current is applied in the forward direction of the device, as in the simple LED circuit. The effect is a form of electro-luminescence where incoherent and narrow-spectrum light is emitted.

LEDs are widely used as indicator lights on electronic devices and increasingly in higher power applications such as flashlights and area lighting. An LED is usually a small area light source, often with optics added to the chip to shape its radiation pattern and assist in reflection. The color of the emitted light depends on the composition and condition of the semi-conducting material used, and can be infrared, visible, or ultraviolet.

Why Choose LED Lighting?

1. The LED advantage: LED (light emitting diodes) are solid state technology and offers the most efficient (energy savings) form of lighting available. In comparison to conventional incandescent light bulbs, LEDs can be equated at approximately 7 to 8 time equivalence. For example, a 3 watt LED can produce as much illumination as a 20 watt incandescent light bulb.

2. On average, LEDs last 3 to 5 times longer than fluorescents and 20 to 30 times longer than incandescent.

3. LED lamps allow less maintenance costs, lower heating and utility costs and reduces the need for higher rated cable, transformers and electrical components.

4. LED lamps are very resilient, shock and vibration proof and virtually waterproof.

5. LEDs are smaller and more compact and provide more light output per square inch than any other light source.

6. LED lamps produce very little heat and no UV rays, making them safer to handle and safer to use. Ideal for sensitive fabrics/paintings.

7. LEDs are not sensitive to extreme temperatures (unlike fluorescent).

8. Solid state LEDs can be controlled with a processor to achieve unique lighting effects.

9. LEDs are available in cool white, warm white and multiple colors.

10. LEDs draw (on average) about 1/10th the power of today’s conventional lighting, providing new alternative solutions to conventional energy saving lamps. LEDs are the most environmentally friendly lamp technology.

11. Along with Fluorescent bulbs, LED technology is the future of lighting. It can reduce many types of pollution and meet the need for the continued world wide energy demand

Compare LED to Standard Fluorescent and Incandescent and Light Bulbs*

Category LED Fluorescent Incandescent/Halogen
Avg. Utility Cost per Month (20w) .02 cents .35 cents .86 cents
Lumens per Watt (avg.) 50 to 60 32 to 40 14 to 18
Wattage Equivalent (20w) 3 watt 9 watt 20 watt
Average Longetivity 75,000 hrs 15,000 hrs 2500 hrs
Maintenance Zero Ballast issues Replacement
Average Cost Compared to Incandescent 3x 2x variable
Operation Instant On / No Flickering Delay and Flickering Instant On / No Flickering
Added Cost Minimal Service Ballast/ Service High Service
Safety No Gas or Glass Gas and Glass Glass and Heat
Damage due to Shock and Vibration Zero Problem Problematic Problematic
Size per Unit Smallest Medium Largest
Heat Issue Least Ballast Gets Hot Lamp Gets Hot
UV Stable (ultra violet) Stabilized Not UV Stable Stabilized
Light Control Most Control Variable Control Variable Control
Weather/Temperature Changes Not Sensitive Sensitive Some Sensitivity
Ecology/Environment Minimal Issues Some Issues Damaging

Note: These comparisons are based on national averages.

Summary on Savings: Energy bills, Heating Bills, Fixture Longevity, Maintenance and Replacement Labor. These savings may far outweigh the higher cost of solid state (LED) lighting products.

The Energy Superstore was developed with a singular purpose: to enable residential, business and industrial customers to save energy in the most efficient and cost effective ways possible. With over 40 years of experience, we provide many tools including energy audits, products, and recommendations.

Compact Fluorescent Lighting, LED Light Bulbs, Dimmable CFLs, Energy Audits, and much more from your Energy Saving Superstore.

Conserving resources electricity, water, money is an important step toward leading a sustainable lifestyle (both personally and environmentally). People strive daily to save money, and yet many do not make the connection between resources and finances forgetting that electric bills and water bills make up a significant portion of monthly expenses. But just because these resources and expenses are necessary, that doesn’t mean they can’t be cut back, or utilized more thoughtfully and effectively. Often times, we act in a wasteful manner, simply out of habit. But habits can be broken follow these tips to leave your water wasting habits behind.

1. Don’t leave the water running when you brush your teeth, clean dishes, or wash your car. Thousands of gallons of water are wasted each year, simply because people are too lazy to turn off the faucet when doing any number of daily tasks. When you brush your teeth, get in the habit of turning the water off after you’ve moistened the toothbrush, and don’t turn it back on until you’re done brushing and ready to rinse. When cleaning up after a meal, stack dishes next to the sink, and fill the sink halfway to two-thirds of the way with water, then ad soap. Then bring the dishes into the warm soapy water one at a time, and stack them to dry when you’re done. This not only conserves a significant amount of water, it also keeps you from wasting soap, and from sloshing water all over the counter, floor, and yourself. Next time you wash the car, mix a soapy warm-water solution in a bucket, then turn the hose off until it’s time to rinse.

2. Avoid washing a load of laundry or dishes until you have enough dirty items to fill the machine. Washing machines and dishwashers use an incredible amount of water. Next time you have just a few things that need washing, do it the old fashioned way and wash them by hand (utilizing the guidelines in tip #1, of course). And encourage family members and roommates to do the same you’ll be helping the environment, while also lightening the financial load.

3. Be conscious of when you choose to water your lawn. Many cities and communities discourage residents from watering their lawns, gardens, and plants during the heat of the day particularly in the summer months. This is because, during the heat of the day, a larger percentage of the water will evaporate before it can soak into the soil. Whenever possible, avoid watering your lawn in direct sunlight. Instead, do your watering in the early morning or evening hours it’s more efficient, and more effective.

Regardless of whether or not you’re experiencing a shortage of water, it should always be treated as a valuable resource, worthy of conservation and care. Next time you’re tempted to cut corners and waste water for sheer convenience, remember that it’s one of humanity’s most vital, non-renewable resources. Simple acts like those listed above can go a long way in cutting back on wasted water not to mention cutting back on your water bill.

Ki is a real estate broker in Austin. He maintains a website about Austin real estate. His site provides a map search of the Austin MLS along with a tool that graphs mortgage interest rates.

There have been many natural disasters that have occurred in our country over the years, but happened during hurricane Katrina has really stuck with most of us for the years it has been since the tragedy happened. It could be that for the first times we really saw how devastating an event such as this can be because of the hours and hours of news coverage that it had. It was a part of our lives for months as we watched the residents of New Orleans and so many other towns try to get their bearings and recover.

During the storms we watched in anticipation of how bad it was going to be. It exceeded all expectations as we were able to see how many people were driven from their homes and the rescue of those who did not make it out in time and became trapped on the rooftops and even in the water itself. There were people hanging on to trees for dear life. We saw the horrible conditions that refugees were forced to live in at the stadium because they had no place else to go and the government could not respond fast enough to keep everyone supplied with adequate food and water.

This is when so many volunteers came from all over the country bringing everything they could to bring aid to these thousands and thousands of these flood victims. The water damage was everywhere and it was not possible for the refugees to go home even after the water receded. In many cases they were depending on the volunteers to help them renovate and repair their homes, that is, if they had a home that could be salvaged at all.

The supplies that were brought in by churches, other organizations, and individuals were badly needed in the months to come. The clean up work that the volunteer performed was so helpful in getting neighborhoods back in habitable condition. There were doctors and nurses who dedicated their time to help those who were injured and ill because in some cases the hospitals were either damaged themselves or could not accommodate everyone.

For those who did not get a government trailer to temporarily call home, there was simply no where for them to go. It was amazing how people from other states opened up their homes and took in entire families to live with them and help them to begin a new life in a new place. Some people that had rental homes donated their use to some of these homeless families to use until they could find jobs and do better for themselves. Sometimes human kindness knows no bounds during disasters like these, it is just a shame that it takes devastating events such as this to bring out the best in some of us.

Rachel Yoshida is a writer of many topics, visit some of her sites, like
Atlanta Water Damage Restoration and Florida Water Damage Restoration.

Carbon Offsetting involves paying an organisation to neutralise the climate impact of your own activities, thereby making those activities “carbon neutral” or “climate neutral”. Some offset schemes focus on reducing future emissions by, for example, giving out low-energy lightbulbs in the developing world or buying renewable electricity credits. Others focus on sucking CO2 directly out of the atmosphere - usually by planting trees.

The planting of trees clearly has a positive effect in the fight against global warming: the destruction of rainforests across the tropics is a significant contributor to climate change, accounting for roughly a fifth of recent human produced CO2 emissions. Tropical forests hold nearly half of the carbon present in vegetation around thew world. When they’re burned to clear land, the trees, soil and undergrowth release CO2. In addition to the CO2 from the fires, bacteria in the newly exposed soil may release more than twice the usual amount of another greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide, for at least two years. Brazil’s National Institute for Amazon Research estimates that deforestation puts four times more carbon into the atmosphere than the nation’s fossil-fuel burning does.

Rainforests also coll the climate on a more local level, their canopy helping to trap moisture and allow it to slowly evaporate, providing a natural air-conditioning effect. When the rainforest has been slashed and burned over large areas, hitter and dryer conditions often set in, although the exact strength of this relationship is difficult to quantify. Across eastern Brazil, where nearly 20% of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed, 2005 saw the region’s worst drought in a century, perhaps related to changes in the nearby Atlantic and to rain-suppressing smoke from fires as well as to the deforestation itself.

Yes, despite it being one of the more populist approaches to tackling global warming, tree-planting has also become one of the more controversial - especially in the context of carbon offsetting. It’s true that trees soak up CO2 as they grow. Two or three dozen can be enough to absorb an entire household’s emissions. However, at snow-prone higher altitudes, trees can actually accelerate climate change, according to a 2006 study led by Govindasamy Bala of the US Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. That’s because their CO2 absorbing benefit is outweighed by the impact of their dark colour, which in wintertime absorbs sunlight that might otherwise be reflected to space by bright snow cover atop barren ground.

In snow-free warmer climates, and especially in the tropics and subtropics, the dark colour of trees isn’t a problem. But there are other catches. First, when a tree dies, much of its stored carbon returns to the atmosphere. So the offset will only be permanent if each tree planted is replaced by another - and so on. Second, there are quicker, cheaper and longer lasting ways to fight climate change, such as distributing low-energy technologies to displace fossil fuels.

For all these reasons, many offset schemes have switched from tree-planting to energy-saving. That said, unless you live in a snowy region, planting a few trees in your garden is still unlikely to be beneficial for the climate - at least for the crucial coming decades.

A separate, and altogether more pressing, approach is protecting the forests that are already standing. That’s not so much because of the CO2 that mature forests absorb. It’s because deforestation, and in particular the destruction of tropical rainforests, is one of the very largest sources of greenhouse emissions.

James Nash is a climate scientist with Greatest Planet. Greatest Planet is a non-profit environmental organization specialising in carbon offset investments. Greatest Planet’s website can be found at www.greatestplanet.org

James Nash is solely responsible for the contents of this article.

Its no small wonder why scooters are so attractive to riders in the U.K. With the credit crunch problems in full force as well as petrol and diesel prices continuing to climb, sales of scooters rose almost 5% in June alone. In fact, the price of petrol is currently up to 117.6 pence, and diesel is up to 130.5 pence. Many people are making the transition from cars to scooters. Having lower insurance and tax rates than cars is another great benefit of riding scooters. We shall now take a more in depth look into more benefits of riding scooters in the United Kingdom.

Using scooters to navigate through towns and cities is a great way to get around in the U.K. If there ever is a problem or traffic jam, you have the ability to weave in and out of traffic to avoid it. Also, scooters are very good economical investments. For example, they are fairly inexpensive to buy, you can more easily find parking, parking is free and in relation to cars, fuel costs are nominal. In fact, a research group performed tests on scooters and their petrol consumption. They drove the largest, most fuel-guzzling scooter with a 125cc size engine for 150 miles per week. They concluded that it would cost you around 420 pounds per year to fuel the scooter. Not to mention the fact that, unlike a car, the scooters environmental impact is minimal. Additionally, bicycles, motorbikes and scooters have been exempted from the congestion charge in London.

Another benefit of riding scooters in the United Kingdom is that it is better than public transportation. Trains, for example, are limited by the fact that not every town or city has a station there. Not to mention what you might have to pay just so you can get to a particular train station. Tickets may be fairly costly, depending on what time of the day it is. Then you must wait and hope it doesn’t get cancelled. You must then repeat this same process on your way home. Buses, on the other hand, may be a bit better. The downside of riding buses is that they seem to go slow and stop frequently. And again, just like the trains, you are hoping that every bus shows up on time. Having taken all of this information into account, it seems that riding a scooter would allow you to travel more efficiently while using your own timetable.

Scooters are great for people who want to minimize their environmental footprint. Seeing as how cars have been such a popular form of transportation in the U.K. for so many years, many individuals believe that it is time for them to be more environmentally responsible. As cars have polluted our atmosphere and guzzled our fuel, scooters and mopeds would have the opposite effect. In fact, since scooters are smaller and lighter than cars, they use a very small and insignificant amount of fuel. This means they will also emit far less amounts of carbon dioxide as well. Not to mention your petrol costs will significantly decrease, too.

Author helps people find the best deals on Lambretta Scooters and Lambretta accessories in the United Kingdom.

So, scientists and researchers, even the President have told us that using the water for your gas was friendly to our world, but many of us wonder why. I mean sure, toxic fumes aren’t getting into the air, but why else? I did some digging and here are the facts. If you are anything like me, you might be reading the chemical descriptions of what happens and why this is better than that. Trust me; it’s a bit confusing, I know. So, let me break it down for you people like me. Here are the true reasons that this is better for the environment.

We all have learned for years that trucks, buses, and cars give off pollutants that help the already polluted air that we all breathe. This is carbon that is coming out of the vehicles we use. How many of us have been behind or walking by a car as the car puts off a horrid smell from the muffler? We all have and whether you’re like me or not (I have asthma) we all cough and choke on those toxic fumes as our bodies can take only so much of the carbon that is blown into the air in those big clouds of black smoke. Scientists believe that the more that these pollutants are reduced the more Americans who won’t be diagnosed with lung diseases such as asthma or chronic bronchitis. Call it your own little air purifier for those you love and maybe don’t even know! Just think of New York and other places like that that will be a much happier place if people started converting their water in exchange for gas. It’s a win win situation for everyone. You just don’t know!

Another way that you’ll be helping is you’ll be reducing the cause of fires. How many of us have gas in the car because we are so forgetful and thus forget to fill the car on the way home. Or we’re stubborn and say we can wait just a little further. Gauges don’t read accurately on some cars and due to the gas that sits around in garages or even the gas cans that still have the residue one wrong match as has happened way to often and poof! Up in smoke it all goes. There are too many things that go wrong with the use of gasoline for cars. Maybe it is time for a change to prevent some things from happening. What do you think?
.

Did you know that you can convert your car to a water-burning car? You can run your car on water, supplemental to gasoline, to increase your car’s fuel efficiency and reduce your fuel costs significantl
Works on gas or diesel powered cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs.

With the recent push towards local, sustainable eating, Austin residents are lucky to claim quite a few local farms. Many of these farmers bring their freshly harvested produce in to town periodically as part of one of the farmer’s markets located throughout the city. Not just produce, Austin’s farmers markets also feature locally made products such as cheese, tamales, breads, jams, soaps, and other handicrafts. With live music, entertainment for the kiddos, and an air of celebration, these bi-weekly events provide sustenance for the spirit as well as the body.

Austin Farmer’s Market: With two locations, this aptly named market is held on Wednesdays from 4PM to 8PM, and Saturdays from 9AM to 1PM, year-round, rain or shine. A growers-only market, all of their produce and products are grown or produced within a 150 mile radius of Austin, and produce farmers make up at least 51% of their vendors. An offshoot o f the Sustainable Food Center, a local 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, the market is an important extension of their mission, to improve access to local, healthy and affordable food for children and adults in Central Texas. A unique feature of this group is their Chefs’ Circle - a group of well known local chefs who periodically present cooking demonstrations at the Market. (Triangle Park, 4600 Guadalupe - 46th Street between Lamar and Guadalupe, AND Republic Square Park - 4th and Guadalupe)

Sunset Valley Farmer’s Market: Claiming “The Spirit of the Farm in an Urban Setting” this weekly market is festival-like in atmosphere. With farmers, artisans, bakeries and restaurants all hawking their wares, shoppers are just as likely to get lunch as they are to get their weekly produce. Live music, face painting and inflatable slides and jumping structures make this an attractive destination for families. Held in the parking lot of the Toney Burger Center just east of Brodie off of Ben White, this weekly market is held on Saturdays from 9 to 1:00, year round, rain or shine. (3200 Jones Rd, Sunset Valley, TX, 78745)

Boggy Creek Farm: Although this market is held at, and features produce only from one of Austin’s premier organic farms, it merits inclusion in this list due to its expansive offerings of things other than produce. Boggy Creek Farm provides local, organic produce to many local restaurants, and at their Wednesday and Saturday morning market, also offers local cheeses, breads, and other carefully selected products to the general public. The eggs from their free-roaming chickens go early, but the chickens remain strolling about to delight the kids, who can also take advantage of a small play area with farm-oriented toys. (3414 Lyons Road, Austin TX 78702)

South Austin Farmers Market: This small but tenacious market features local produce, and occasionally local products may be offered as well. Held on Saturdays, year round from 8AM to 1PM, they are located in the parking lot of El Gallo Restaurant on South Congress Avenue, across the street from St. Edwards University. (2910 S. Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704)

Escapeso Realty is a small company in Austin. The provide a free search of the Austin MLS along with updated information on the Austin real estate market. Their site also provides updated mortgage interest rates for potential home buyers.

Local authorities in popular tourist destinations are beginning to take matters of environmental protection into their own hands. Governments and nonprofit organizations are banding together in the fight against pollution. Efforts to sustain tourism to favourite destinations without harmful effects to the local environment, as well as culture and social interactions, are the main focus for the most recent campaigns.

Mallorca Promotes Environmental Protection and Tourism

In order to maintain sustainable tourism in the Balearic Islands, Mallorca - often known as Majorca - is promoting a campaign that promotes environmental protection. Environment friendly tourism in heavily visited areas is important for the overall atmosphere of tourist areas.

Island tourist locations tend to take more abuse from tourism than most other areas. The new campaign, developed by Palma’s Tourism Institute, IMTUR, is called ‘Palma, Responsible Tourism.’ The World Tourism Organization also supports the initiative. The primary goal is to encourage tourists to be more environmentally responsible in Palma.

A few of the programme’s objectives are:

* To educate tourists and residents on water consumption.

* Promote Palma and Mallorca as a prime tourism destination that places emphasis on protecting the environment and the Mediterranean.

* Encourage environmentally safe tourism once tourists arrive.

* Decrease carbon levels and air pollution from vehicles.

* Increase energy awareness and introduce energy conservation practices.

This isn’t a comprehensive list, only examples of what tourists can expect from the ‘Palma, Responsible Tourism’ campaign. The programme includes incentives, activities, competitions and a cycling event available to all interested tourists. Palma Town Hall will donate 1 euro to the campaign for every tourist that takes part in activities related to the campaign.

Other Environment Friendly Vacation Locations

Palma’s campaign is new to the Balearic Islands. The general idea, however, is not new to other tourist destinations around the world. Whether it is referred to as ‘environment friendly tourism’ or ‘ecotourism’ the end result is the same.

The general idea is to introduce tourists to recycling and other activities that will help sustain tourism in their favourite destinations. In protecting their favorite vacation spots, tourists also help to protect neighbouring rivers, streams, wildlife and communities from potential harm caused by pollution.

Similar campaigns exist in the Caribbean. One development firm was quoted as saying sustainability is ‘finding the right balance between the need for development and the need for environmental protection.’

Overdevelopment of a destination can lead to a drastic downfall of the quality of vacations available to tourists. Locally owned shops and fisheries on the Caribbean Islands have joined the efforts to help combat the negative effects of mass tourism.

Resorts and hotels on Malta promote environment friendly tourism by setting a high standard for their guests and employees. Water and energy conservation are very high on the list, as are reuse and recycling.

Employees and guests are urged to turn off lights in rooms that aren’t being used and to ensure water has been used conservatively and turned off when not in use. Recycling bins are placed in hotel rooms, and guests are encouraged to use only environment friendly, recyclable containers.

Environment Friendly Hotels and Resorts

Each passing year sees more hotels and resorts join the fight against pollution. Environmental agencies have begun offering initiatives and awards to hotels and resorts that go the extra mile to protect the environment. The very environment they seek to protect is the one that draws more tourists to their location year after year.

Several U.S. ski resorts have earned awards from environmental protection agencies recognizing the work they put into protecting the environment and local forests. Their efforts include using environment friendly cleaning products and recyclable take-out boxes, cups and flatware, as well as encouraging reuse of linens and towels and composting kitchen scraps with wood chips for use in landscaping. In all, eight U.S. ski resorts were recognized by Clif Bar & Company for environmental excellence.

For more information about Majorca including cheap Majorca flights and holidays on the island see yourmajorca.net

They have a real estate and Majorca property section which includes both to rent and for sale Majorca villas

Corporations and individuals are doing more to protect the environment, but it is still not enough. The natural world is in a state of crisis that calls for action. If you are concerned about environmental causes, you can use custom T shirts to get people more interested.

One thing you will want to choose when designing a shirt for your earth-friendly cause is something with a prominent green color. The actual shirt could be green or the shirt could be another color with a large green emblem. This is important because the universal color of the environmental movement is green.

You might belong to a local group of ecologically-minded people. You can all get custom T shirts to wear to support your ideas. The focus might be on replacing fossil fuels with solar or wind energy. Your group might be concerned about clear-cutting of rainforests. Whatever the causes you wish to support, you can wear your shirts to show others how you feel about them.

You may be able to set up a design for anyone to use if you go to the right online shirt store. The message and picture could be of your own choosing. Then, you could advertise to direct individuals to the site to buy their own matching shirts to take part in the organization activity. Soon you would see your earth-friendly ideas being expressed all over town; and perhaps all over the world.

It is sometimes possible to get support from corporations with local offices. There are several ways companies can help. They can increase awareness by having a green week. For that week, employees will be asked to work on projects that help the cause. Anyone who completes their project could be given a shirt recognizing their accomplishments.

Corporations can also be given a chance to sell custom T shirts with an environmentally sound message. The corporations would foot the bill for the basic cost of the T shirt, and the employees could chip in an amount they choose to donate to the cause in order to buy the shirt. In this way, funds can be raised to do some activities such as building zero energy homes or researching alternative fuels for cars.

When corporations get in on the act, they can have a profound effect on individuals. They can encourage their employees to think about the world around them. Businesses can set up brainstorming sessions on how to clean up the land, streams, and air. If everyone is given a custom T shirt for their efforts, they will take more pride in the part they have played on the panels.

If you want to get the word out that everyone needs to think about the earth’s natural environment, you need tools to do it. A shirt can be such a tool. You can bring about a change in people’s attitudes and awareness when you share your designs and custom T shirts with them.

Ron Subs works with Sonic Shack as a public relations consultant, more information about Sonic Shack can be found at www.sonicshack.com

In America today the average price of gasoline has skyrocketed past $4.00 per gallon with no end in sight. Oil prices have doubled since the end of 2007 with $200 per barrel conceivable within months. Still, no one seems to have a solution. The government is inept, and only seems willing to add to the problem rather than solve it.

If the Congress had any concern for you or me they would lift all Federal gas taxes to help us out. That would cut out about 15% of the price per gallon of gas. If they had any concern for us they would allow us to drill for oil within the United States. They would allow more refineries to be built. They would approve clean, cheap, nuclear power.

Instead, politicians have done nothing except talk about idiotic proposals to tax oil company profits. That will only raise gas prices further because the oil companies sure aren’t going to give away their profits and make less money. They will pass on the cost of tax increases to US, and probably 3-4 times the amount they lose from increased taxes.

The bottom line is we cannot trust useless politicians to change anything. We have to do it ourselves, and force idiot politicians to go along with it. Like it or not. That would be change we can believe in.

It would be great if we could all plug in our electric cars tomorrow, and never use a drop of gas again. However, we can’t. We need to build a bridge to energy independence that will not bankrupt us. In the short-term we need cheap oil to keep our cars and trucks on the road. As new technologies develop over the next ten years we can shift to electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. We could then realistically no longer need oil for any transportation by 2020.

How do we build the bridge, and how do we force oil prices down by 50-60% in a matter of weeks?

It’s already begun. American Solutions, a group started by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, has begun an online petition asking Congress to allow us to “Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less.” More than a million people have already signed the petition. Poll after poll shows that Americans overwhelmingly support domestic drilling for oil to lower prices.

Those opposed to domestic drilling argue that even if Congress approved domestic drilling tomorrow, it would be 2-3 years before that oil would get to market. They argue domestic drilling will do nothing to lower oil prices because the global market sets the price of oil.

Wrong. In the last few weeks since gas went over $4.00 per gallon in the U.S. the people of America started making their voices heard. They want something done about the high price of gas, and they want to see action now. We have also started driving less, which has decreased demand. Just the notion that Americans are angry, and want something done has already prompted the Saudis to announce they will increase production. They also held a summit of oil producing nations to discuss the “crisis” of high oil prices.

Just the threat of possible Congressional action to allow domestic oil production already has the Saudis spooked. If Congress actually took action the real source of high oil prices, the speculators who make money trading oil futures, would begin to dump their oil future holdings. They would know that domestic oil production in the United States would reduce the future price of oil significantly. That would drop the price of oil on the international market by 50-60% almost immediately.

To insure that oil prices stay low for Americans Congress should demand that all oil produced in the United States only be available to the American market. It is conceivable that we could produce enough oil domestically to supply 80% of our consumption needs within 3 years. Some believe there may be enough oil in shale in the Rocky Mountains to supply all domestic oil needs, and even have a surplus. If American oil was only sold in America the price would likely be in the $30-$40 per barrel range. That would bring gas prices down to a reasonable $1.50 per gallon range.

Now, that is the bridge. This is not a permanent solution. No matter how much oil we can produce in the U.S. it will only last for a finite amount of time. It would be foolish to think that even if we had 40-50 years worth of oil that we should just wait until it runs out to replace it as an energy source. Not to mention the environmental impact of continuing to burn fossil fuels. We need to develop clean, renewable sources of energy.

Another provision Congress should include in allowing domestic drilling is that oil companies invest 15% of their profits in new energy sources. Rather than tax oil profits, which does nothing except put money in the government coffers to be wasted on nothing, Congress should demand those profit dollars be spent on developing new, clean forms of energy. The oil companies can then transform themselves over the next decade from oil companies to energy companies. We will need the oil companies’ massive infrastructure to deliver these new sources of energy, and the government cannot demand the oil companies spend money to put themselves out of business.

The most important investment would be to begin replacing one or two gas pumps with hydrogen refueling pumps. The hydrogen fuel cell car is already a reality. They are being sold in Japan, and tested in Southern California right now. The hurdle is that no one wants to buy a car they can’t refuel at the station down the street. If hydrogen pumps began to appear at local gas stations all over the country, the demand for hydrogen fuel cell cars would grow exponentially. This would drive down the price of hydrogen fuel cell cars, and of hydrogen fuel.

Automobile manufacturers would make more hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and more hydrogen pumps would be added. Over the next 10-15 years there would be no gasoline powered vehicles made anymore, and the term “hydro station” would replace “gas station.” The massive investment in hydrogen and other forms of energy would not just be for automobiles, but for jet engines as well. Air travel would be transformed with clean fuel sources, and air planes would be built with lighter, more fuel efficient materials. We would be free of fossil fuels for transportation.

What about energy to power our homes and businesses?

Congress also needs to approve new nuclear power plants to supply electricity for our homes and businesses. Nuclear power is cheap, clean, and now more than ever safe. The country needs 50-60 such facilities to handle the power needs of today, and to prepare for the power needs of the next 50 years.

Another solution to power needs is solar and wind power. It is unlikely that massive solar or wind power facilities will ever be effective sources of power for millions of customers. However, solar and wind power can be effective power sources for individual homes and small businesses. The major hurdle today is cost. A single wind tower costs up to $50,000 to install. Solar panels are not as expensive as in the past, but are still expensive enough that many homeowners are not able to easily afford them.

The solution is for Congress to approve tax incentives for homeowners and small businesses to install solar or wind power. By allowing a tax incentive of up to 75% of the cost of a wind tower or solar system homeowners and small businesses would be far more likely to install such systems. Such incentives would create a massive reduction in demand on the major power grids. This would then make these grids more capable of handling spikes in demand during summer months, and make the grids easier to maintain and upgrade.

These rather simple steps, if enacted now would make the United States completely energy independent by the mid 20’s. We would also be green and clean, which would benefit the environment immensely. Further, we would be the leader in clean energy development, and the rest of the world would follow, as they always do.

Demand that Congress take action now. YOU have the power. Let your Senators and Representatives know that if they don’t support building a bridge to energy independence you’re going to fire them. Forget which political party they belong to. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue, this is an issue that affects our very future. Stand up, take action, and forcefully demand that Congress and the President take action NOW.

Ted Hebert is a writer and Maverick Thinker helping companies of all sizes grow their business. He is also committed to clean, energy independence. He can be reached at Ted@Atunga.com or visit www.Atunga.com. Also visit www.BridgeToEnergy.com.

The world is committing crime. Every moment of every day, we consume oil. We shed blood, and kill Earth to burn oil as energy. Why? When the same energy is attainable free from the sun! The Technology within the solar industry is here and now. It’s ready to take on the largest portion of household energy requirements. The only thing preventing you from capturing your own solar energy is the cost.

Consumers generally have two priorities when installing a solar panel system. First, that the system be economical and second, that the system produce as much solar energy as possible. Some consumers have a cost-is-no-option mentality. In that case, we integrate the best current technology in the solar industry to install a solar panel system producing maximum solar energy by today’s standards.
As of May 2008, an efficient solar panel system for a 2000 sq. ft. home costs $13,000 - $15,000 after tax rebates and incentives.

The solar industry is totally unorganized. In a nutshell, here are the ropes that one must jump through in order to receive rebates. Each state has their own certified systems that our able to receive the State tax rebate. Uncertified systems must go through a slow certification process.

In other words, your brand of solar panels may not be rebate worthy in another State (as if it were another country) because that brand has not yet been certified. So, in each State, every solar panel must go through a very long process to become market ready, within that particular State.

A national certification will ease these issues, enable more solar panel installations, and hence drop the price of the technology. Striking the price range of more consumers is key for the solar outfitting of the United States.

U.S. Installation Requirements. Here is the next major obstacle. A Licensed, NABCEP Licensed Contractor must install a State certified solar panel system for you to qualify for the full tax incentives and rebates offered in your community. Unfortunately, there are only 60 new North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners licenses granted annually. That needs to change to meet installation demands.

One of the NABCEP Licensed contractors in our network will guarantee quality and assurance throughout the installation of your system. We will do whatever it takes to get a NABCEP certified installer out to your project to grant you the 30% tax rebate. We will send a certified installation team to your region within six months of your request.

Currently, solar panel installation/distribution companies can operate in California and achieve something remarkable. The phenomenon of selling solar panels at higher retail prices than any other state sells solar panels. But due to the state rebates, Californians pay thousands less for their solar panel systems.

This has caused a clot of solar businesses in the state of California, meanwhile the rest of the country is starving for licensed NABCEP solar contractors and solar panel system distributors to start the grass roots effect in the other 49 states. The demand exists.

How Do Solar Panel (Photovoltaic) Systems Work? A photovoltaic (PV) or solar cell is the basic building block of a Solar Panel (or solar electric) system. An individual PV cell is usually quite small, typically producing about 1 or 2 watts of power. To boost the power output of PV cells, we connect them together to form larger units called modules. Modules, in turn, can be connected to form even larger units called arrays or Solar Panel Systems. In this way, we can build systems able to meet any electric power need, no matter how small or large.

Almost all of today’s solar cell modules do not concentrate sunlight but use only what the sun produces naturally, what researchers call “one sun insolation,” which achieves an efficiency of 12 to 18 percent. However, by using an optical concentrator, sunlight intensity can be increased, squeezing more electricity out of a single solar cell.

Solar Panel Distribution. As a distributor for several major solar panel manufacturers, we are able to offer our clients the best possible solar panel system solution economically and technologically. We will give you system options based on your economical needs or technological needs for those who desire the best most efficient “cost-is-no-option” system for your home or business.

The solar industry has been unforgiving for many solar panel distribution/installation businesses for the past ten years. With constant technological advancements and a rapid price drop in the solar panel industry, businesses have been caught between a rock, and a hard place owning pallets of out-of-date, over priced, solar panels.

We have found the solution to that problem by collaborating with manufacturers that enable per-job distribution. Many of these manufacturers have research and development laboratories capable of producing new solar panels with higher wattage and module efficiency every few months.

It is crucial that the best possible solar panel system be installed in your home or business for either economic or technological reasons. Consumers generally have two priorities when installing a solar panel system. First, that the system be economical and second, that the system produce as much solar energy as possible. Some consumers have a cost-is-no-option mentality. In that case, we integrate the best current technology in the solar industry to install a solar panel system producing maximum solar energy by today’s standards.

Shane Burke is the founder of Solar Panels and Installation. A site offering solar house plans for living off grid. Please visit Solar Panels and Installation

When you think of global warming, you might envision dramatic scenes like melting glaciers and flooded coastlines. Agriculture is yet another area that will be seriously affected by climatic changes. Farming challenges may become even more intense. Today it is even more likely that a farmer will face droughts, floods, heat waves, and hurricanes. These types of weather events that are so traumatic for farming will certainly be less rare.

In regions that are already warm, global warming will cause the plants to languish in the heat. Soil evaporation rates will be very high, leaving parched earth and burned plants. Often rain will come down hard when it does come, leading to greater than usual soil erosion.

Some studies show that the news of global warming is not all bad for farming, at least not in the short run.

An increase in temperature has some temporary benefits. For a while, it will simply mean more time for crops to mature because of a longer growing season. This is especially true of regions where the spring and fall were once quite cool.

Strangely enough, all the extra carbon dioxide in the air also has a fertilizing affect on crops. This type of fertilization is most helpful for crops such as wheat, soybeans, and rice. Carbon dioxide fertilization is a beneficial by-product of global warming. However, this benefit may all be in vain. When global warming pushes ground level ozone to higher stages, the carbon dioxide fertilization is voided out by tropospheric ozone. These ozone levels are influenced by both emissions and temperature. When the temperature rises, the ground ozone levels will rise as well.

The overall predictions for farming in North America are neither all bad nor all good. Crops are expected to benefit from the effects of global warming in many regions for a short period of time. Crops will suffer in some places due to regional variations. The Great Plains are now more susceptible to drought. However, Canada will probably benefit from the added heat, causing farming of some crops to shift north.

Right now, and in the near future, global warming does not seem to pose a serious risk for North American farmers in general. There may even be some positive outcomes. However, in the long run, nothing will be able to mitigate the damage to agriculture that will occur if global warming is not slowed or stopped.

Knowledge is the key to solving problems associated with the Climate Change and Global Warming situation. You can get more information at www.globalwarming-101.com
www.the-home-sauna-center.com

If you’re thinking about giving your closet a makeover, you might want to consider getting some custom closet cabinets. These systems are custom-installed and usually designed by someone who works for the company that makes or sells these systems.

Your closet will be measured by the designer or by a measuring specialist. Afterwards, they will go back to their office where they will start a closet design that will suit your needs.

These designs often have a small fee associated with them, but the cost of the product does usually include installation.

There are dozens of options available for closet cabinetry. But you’ll also have hanging space for long and short garments, as well as extra shelf space.

You’ll also have shoe options, which might include flat or tilted shelves, or even gliding racks. Hanging areas will be placed at the perfect height, and all the extra space will be maximized with shelving.

Drawers are often included as part of the design, too. The closet designer should work with you, asking questions to determine exactly what you need in your space.

However, there’s one thing you should know: Installing closet cabinets will make your small area feel even smaller. You can get around this drawback by installing more lighting.

Sometimes, the closet designer will be able to include this, but other times, you will need to do it yourself or hire an electrician. Be sure to bring up any concerns about this with your closet designer.

Closet cabinets come in a variety of materials and finishes. From melamine to hardwood and white to walnut, you have the choice of many different looks.

Remember to purchase new hangers to complement your new closet system. Otherwise, it will look very funny with that mix of pastel hangers from high school!

Once you and your closet designer agree on a design, you can schedule the installation.

Be sure to ask the designer if you will be expected to empty your own closet, or if that is included as part of the installation process. You will love your new closet cabinets!

Prabhupada: Vaisya means the mercantile community. They are meant for giving protection to the animals, for producing grain and trading. That’s all. Because formerly there was no industry, people generally depended on agricultural work. Therefore the duty of the mercantile community was to produce food grains, distributing them, and giving protection to the cows. As the king was entrusted to protect the lives of the citizens, similarly the vaisya class, or the mercantile class, were entrusted to protect the lives of the cows. Why particularly cows are protected? Because milk is a very essential food for the human society. Therefore cow protection is the duty of the human society. That is the conception of the Vedic literature.

Protecting the cows and providing them grass for grazing are among the essential needs of human society and for the welfare of people in general. Animal fat required for the human body can be also derived from cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is very important for the human body and the economic development of society depends on sufficient food grains, sufficient milk and sufficient transportation and distribution of these products. Lord Sri Krsna, by His personal example, taught us the importance of cow protection. This is not only meant for India but for all human beings all over the universe.
Less intelligent people underestimate the value of cow’s milk which is also called “gorasa”, or juice from the cow’s body. Milk is the most valuable form of “gorasa” and from milk we can prepare many important and valuable foodstuffs for the upkeep of the human body. The killing of cows by human society is one of the grossest suicidal policies, and those who are anxious to cultivate the human spirit must turn their attention first toward the issue of cow protection.

As written in Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.1, and similarly the vaisyas, krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam vaisya-karma svabhava-jam [Bg. 18.44], they should be trained in three things:

1.Production
2.Agriculture
3.Cow protection

That is essential, agriculture and cow protection. And vanijyam. Vanijyam means trade. If there is excess milk product, if there is excess grain product, then you can sell them to others. Nowadays the trade is that you take as much milk as you can, and then kill the animal and sell the flesh to other countries. That is going on. No. Go-raksya. Cow protection is very, very essential in human society because it gives milk, the miracle food. You can make hundreds and thousands of preparations, all not only delicious, but they nourish the brain. You can get good brain. Therefore go-raksya, cow protection is especially recommended.

As written in the purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.18.52, if one is trained to honor and worship the cows and brahmanas, he is actually civilized. The worship of the Supreme Lord is recommended, and the Lord is very fond of the cows and brahmanas (namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca). In other words, a civilization in which there is no respect for the cows and brahmanas is condemned. One cannot become spiritually advanced without acquiring the brahminical qualifications and giving protection to cows. Cow protection insures sufficient food prepared with milk, which is needed for an advanced civilization. One should not pollute civilization by eating the flesh of cows. A civilization must do something progressive, and then it is an Aryan civilization. Instead of killing the cow to eat flesh, civilized men must prepare various milk products that will enhance the condition of society. If one follows the brahminical culture, he will become competent in Krsna consciousness.

Here we see Maharaja Pariksit, as soon as he saw that a cow was being attempted to be killed, immediately he took his sword and inquired “What nonsense are you doing? You are killing my citizen.” This is a good government. Why the cow is not a national? She was also born in the land, so she’s an important national as you are. Krsna has given her grass to eat. She’s not interfering with your food. What right you have got to kill her? You have got your own food. The cow has got the grass as her food. You have got food grains and the cow is giving you milk. Just give her protection. The cow is saying, “Don’t spill my blood, yet drink my milk. Please do not kill me.” So why are these things happening? It is because there is a ‘rascal’ government. Kalina upasrstan. Rascal government. So one should lament that, “We are under this rascal government, under the rascal guru, rascal father. They, who are meant for giving protection, are all rascals. This is our position.”

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books. You can find the best marketplace for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books at these sites for cow art, cow protection gifts from India, and Cow milk products.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all do something to help with global warming? Actually, wait a minute, we can! You would have to be on a different planet not to know about how bad global warming has become. You only need to take a look out of the window to observe the ever increasingly unpredictable weather. The weather is becoming so bad that natural disasters are becoming more frequent and causing more death and destruction than ever.

Why is it important for us to change the way we live?

As you know, the earth as we know it is damaged. The way we humans have lived has taken its toll on the planet and because of it, global warming is causing things to happen that shouldn’t happen. Icecaps are starting to melt an