Naming the Problem in Order to Solve It
By Brad Allenby
Framing the environmental challenges that we face as simply as possible allows people to act, even if ineffectually; frame it as the complex adaptive system that it is, and ...
A place for worthy news and notes and an abundance of links full of helpful tools and tips. We seek the ways and means to help make the world a better place to live and work and be - the best that we can be.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Green Funerals
Lessons from Deathcare: The Greening of the American Funeral Home
By Andrew WhitakerPublished: July 28, 2008
Unlikely as it may seem, the obstacles, benefits and opportunities encountered in the greening of the funeral home business offers take-aways applicable to making change happen in any industry.
By Andrew WhitakerPublished: July 28, 2008
Unlikely as it may seem, the obstacles, benefits and opportunities encountered in the greening of the funeral home business offers take-aways applicable to making change happen in any industry.
How Banking Became Green
How Banking Became Green
By Victoria Pennington, BusinessGreen
Why the risks posed by environmental issues and climate change are similar in nature to those of the subprime crisis.
By Victoria Pennington, BusinessGreen
Why the risks posed by environmental issues and climate change are similar in nature to those of the subprime crisis.
GreenBiz Resources
GreenBiz is an information resource on how to align environmental responsibility with business success. They provide valuable news and resources to large and small businesses through a combination of Web sites, workshops, daily news feeds, electronic newsletters, and briefing papers.
Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability
This wiki is a collaborative platform for writing a thesis for a Master's course on Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability.
Thesis was presented May 26th - 9AM at BTH - Karlskrona, Sweden - Click here to check the final presentation on Youtube
You're invited to read the paper before watching the presentation.
You can download the final paper here.
Keywords of this thesis are Strategic Sustainable Development and Cradle to Cradle. Our main research question is: How can an organization plan strategically using the cradle-to-cradle concept?
Thesis was presented May 26th - 9AM at BTH - Karlskrona, Sweden - Click here to check the final presentation on Youtube
You're invited to read the paper before watching the presentation.
You can download the final paper here.
Keywords of this thesis are Strategic Sustainable Development and Cradle to Cradle. Our main research question is: How can an organization plan strategically using the cradle-to-cradle concept?
Wind Turbine Maker Adding 1,000 Colorado Jobs
Wind turbine maker Vestas adding 1,000 Colo. jobs
Associated Press - August 15, 2008 10:24 AM ET
DENVER (AP) - Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter says wind turbine manufacturer Vestas will add 1,000 jobs in the state.
Ritter scheduled a news conference for Friday to give the details.
Denmark-based Vestas Wind Systems currently employs about 200 people at a plant in Windsor, 50 miles north of Denver, producing wind turbine blades. The operation is expected to have 650 workers when it reaches full production.
Associated Press - August 15, 2008 10:24 AM ET
DENVER (AP) - Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter says wind turbine manufacturer Vestas will add 1,000 jobs in the state.
Ritter scheduled a news conference for Friday to give the details.
Denmark-based Vestas Wind Systems currently employs about 200 people at a plant in Windsor, 50 miles north of Denver, producing wind turbine blades. The operation is expected to have 650 workers when it reaches full production.
Wind Energy Legislative Action Website
Interested in Wind Power and the Pickens Plan? Write your represenatives by using the AWEA.org site.
Encyclopedia of Alternative & Sustainable Energy
Check out the Encyclopedia of Alternative and Sustainable Energy at - http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/AEmain.html
There are plenty of links and lots of good information availble on this site.
There are plenty of links and lots of good information availble on this site.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Backing Solar Cells with Cotton & Castor Beans
Backing solar cells with cotton, castor beans
Posted by Elsa Wenzel 4 comments - August 12, 2008
BioSolar has developed a plant-based plastic for making durable, less expensive, and more sustainable solar equipment, the 2-year-old company said Tuesday.
The company's BioBacksheet is a protective coating for crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. Its material consists of layers of cotton fiber and a nylon resin from castor beans provided by Arkema, a Philadelphia chemicals company. Genetically modified crops aren't involved, according to BioSolar.
Castor beans and cotton make up the backing of this solar cell.(Credit: BioSolar)
Unlike many plant-based plastics, which are ideal for throwaway forks and food packaging, BioSolar's material is supposed to withstand extreme temperatures and moisture, keeping solar photovoltaic equipment safe when exposed to the elements. The company, based north of Los Angeles in Santa Clarita, aims to develop thin-film solar applications down the road.
Stan Levy, chief technology officer of BioSolar, was set to release details about the use of cotton and castor beans in BioBacksheet on Tuesday morning at the SPIE Symposium on Solar Applications and Energy in San Diego. "Not only is this product produced from sustainable and renewable resources, but is expected to be more cost effective than the current backsheets," Levy said in a statement.
If he's correct, then BioBacksheet could serve as an alternative to DuPont's Tedlar brand material, which is composed of polyvinyl fluoride. In July, DuPont Photovoltaic Fluoromaterials said it created one-step production of the polymer, licensing the technology to Tokyo-based Toppan Printing for commercialization within photovoltaic backsheets by 2010.
Small makers of solar cells reportedly have been waiting as long as six months for Tedlar, which is in short supply.
Silicon solar backsheets also use polyesther and ethylene-vinyl acetate. BioSolar's executives hope that rising costs for fossil fuels and concerns about the toxicity of petroleum-based plastics will drive solar equipment makers to consider its product.
Posted by Elsa Wenzel 4 comments - August 12, 2008
BioSolar has developed a plant-based plastic for making durable, less expensive, and more sustainable solar equipment, the 2-year-old company said Tuesday.
The company's BioBacksheet is a protective coating for crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. Its material consists of layers of cotton fiber and a nylon resin from castor beans provided by Arkema, a Philadelphia chemicals company. Genetically modified crops aren't involved, according to BioSolar.
Castor beans and cotton make up the backing of this solar cell.(Credit: BioSolar)
Unlike many plant-based plastics, which are ideal for throwaway forks and food packaging, BioSolar's material is supposed to withstand extreme temperatures and moisture, keeping solar photovoltaic equipment safe when exposed to the elements. The company, based north of Los Angeles in Santa Clarita, aims to develop thin-film solar applications down the road.
Stan Levy, chief technology officer of BioSolar, was set to release details about the use of cotton and castor beans in BioBacksheet on Tuesday morning at the SPIE Symposium on Solar Applications and Energy in San Diego. "Not only is this product produced from sustainable and renewable resources, but is expected to be more cost effective than the current backsheets," Levy said in a statement.
If he's correct, then BioBacksheet could serve as an alternative to DuPont's Tedlar brand material, which is composed of polyvinyl fluoride. In July, DuPont Photovoltaic Fluoromaterials said it created one-step production of the polymer, licensing the technology to Tokyo-based Toppan Printing for commercialization within photovoltaic backsheets by 2010.
Small makers of solar cells reportedly have been waiting as long as six months for Tedlar, which is in short supply.
Silicon solar backsheets also use polyesther and ethylene-vinyl acetate. BioSolar's executives hope that rising costs for fossil fuels and concerns about the toxicity of petroleum-based plastics will drive solar equipment makers to consider its product.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Free Is Good
Free Is Good
Give and Get Cool Things For Free!
What is a reuse group?
It's not a charity or a business: It's an idea that perfectly good used stuff deserves a home other than the landfill. Instead of throwing out things like furniture, dishes, bikes, and electronics, people in a reuse group give these items away for free to other people in their community who can use them.
Find a local reuse group.
Give and Get Cool Things For Free!
What is a reuse group?
It's not a charity or a business: It's an idea that perfectly good used stuff deserves a home other than the landfill. Instead of throwing out things like furniture, dishes, bikes, and electronics, people in a reuse group give these items away for free to other people in their community who can use them.
Find a local reuse group.
BigBelly Solar Trash Receptacle
BigBelly Solar Trash Receptacle
Upon first glance you may think that a solar trash can is an extravagance municipalities can certainly do without, but perhaps we need to take a closer look. The BigBelly is a self-powered compacting trash receptacle. Instead of drawing electricity from the power grid this trash can uses solar power for 100% of its energy. From the company: “The unit takes up as much space as the ”˜footprint’ of an ordinary receptacle—but its capacity is five times greater. Increased capacity reduces collection trips and can cut fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. BigBelly also provides cost efficiencies from labor savings, fuel cost and maintenance savings, as well as environmental benefits from reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.”
Upon first glance you may think that a solar trash can is an extravagance municipalities can certainly do without, but perhaps we need to take a closer look. The BigBelly is a self-powered compacting trash receptacle. Instead of drawing electricity from the power grid this trash can uses solar power for 100% of its energy. From the company: “The unit takes up as much space as the ”˜footprint’ of an ordinary receptacle—but its capacity is five times greater. Increased capacity reduces collection trips and can cut fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. BigBelly also provides cost efficiencies from labor savings, fuel cost and maintenance savings, as well as environmental benefits from reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.”
Solar Powered Air Conditioner
Solar Powered Air Conditioner Released
A company called GreenCore Air has released an air conditioner than can be powered by a single 170 watt solar panel. The GreenCore air conditioning unit can heat and cool a 600 square foot room. It runs on DC power, so there is no need to put an AC inverter between the solar panel and the air conditioner. This eliminates the power losses associated with converting AC to DC.
A company called GreenCore Air has released an air conditioner than can be powered by a single 170 watt solar panel. The GreenCore air conditioning unit can heat and cool a 600 square foot room. It runs on DC power, so there is no need to put an AC inverter between the solar panel and the air conditioner. This eliminates the power losses associated with converting AC to DC.
Arctic Could Be Ice Free By 2013?!
From: http://www.guardian.co.uk
Published August 11, 2008 11:02 AM
Meltdown in the Arctic is speeding up
Ice at the North Pole melted at an unprecedented rate last week, with leading scientists warning that the Arctic could be ice-free in summer by 2013.
Satellite images show that ice caps started to disintegrate dramatically several days ago as storms over Alaska's Beaufort Sea began sucking streams of warm air into the Arctic.
As a result, scientists say that the disappearance of sea ice at the North Pole could exceed last year's record loss. More than a million square kilometres melted over the summer of 2007 as global warming tightened its grip on the Arctic. But such destruction could now be matched, or even topped, this year.
'It is a neck-and-neck race between 2007 and this year over the issue of ice loss,' said Mark Serreze, of the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre in Boulder, Colorado. 'We thought Arctic ice cover might recover after last year's unprecedented melting - and indeed the picture didn't look too bad last month. Cover was significantly below normal, but at least it was up on last year.
Article Continues: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/10/climatechange.arctic
Published August 11, 2008 11:02 AM
Meltdown in the Arctic is speeding up
Ice at the North Pole melted at an unprecedented rate last week, with leading scientists warning that the Arctic could be ice-free in summer by 2013.
Satellite images show that ice caps started to disintegrate dramatically several days ago as storms over Alaska's Beaufort Sea began sucking streams of warm air into the Arctic.
As a result, scientists say that the disappearance of sea ice at the North Pole could exceed last year's record loss. More than a million square kilometres melted over the summer of 2007 as global warming tightened its grip on the Arctic. But such destruction could now be matched, or even topped, this year.
'It is a neck-and-neck race between 2007 and this year over the issue of ice loss,' said Mark Serreze, of the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre in Boulder, Colorado. 'We thought Arctic ice cover might recover after last year's unprecedented melting - and indeed the picture didn't look too bad last month. Cover was significantly below normal, but at least it was up on last year.
Article Continues: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/10/climatechange.arctic
The Pickens Plan - Do Everyone A Favor, Sign Up!
From: Reuters Published May 15, 2008 09:02 AM
Pickens' Mesa Power orders GE wind turbines
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil investor T. Boone Pickens' Mesa Power LLP said on Thursday it ordered 667 wind turbines from General Electric Co as part of the $2 billion first phase of a planned Texas wind farm. It said the turbine order was the world's largest for a single-site wind power development. The 667 turbines are capable of generating 1,000 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 300,000 average U.S. homes, Mesa said in a release.
The four-phase Pampa Wind Project would be the world's largest wind energy generator, with more than 4,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for 1.3 million homes, when completed in 2014, Mesa said.
GE will deliver the 1.5-megawatt wind turbines in 2010 and 2011 to the site in the Texas Panhandle, which has been one of the fastest growing wind power producing regions in the nation over the past decade because of its strong, steady winds. Upon completion, the Pampa project will grow to more than 2,500 turbines, Pickens said. "It will be about $8 billion in wind turbines and $2 billion in transmission (lines). It will probably be over $10 billion," he told CNBC.
(Reporting by Matt Daily, editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Derek Caney)
For More Information See - The Pickens Plan
Pickens' Mesa Power orders GE wind turbines
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil investor T. Boone Pickens' Mesa Power LLP said on Thursday it ordered 667 wind turbines from General Electric Co as part of the $2 billion first phase of a planned Texas wind farm. It said the turbine order was the world's largest for a single-site wind power development. The 667 turbines are capable of generating 1,000 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 300,000 average U.S. homes, Mesa said in a release.
The four-phase Pampa Wind Project would be the world's largest wind energy generator, with more than 4,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for 1.3 million homes, when completed in 2014, Mesa said.
GE will deliver the 1.5-megawatt wind turbines in 2010 and 2011 to the site in the Texas Panhandle, which has been one of the fastest growing wind power producing regions in the nation over the past decade because of its strong, steady winds. Upon completion, the Pampa project will grow to more than 2,500 turbines, Pickens said. "It will be about $8 billion in wind turbines and $2 billion in transmission (lines). It will probably be over $10 billion," he told CNBC.
(Reporting by Matt Daily, editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Derek Caney)
For More Information See - The Pickens Plan
Anti-Noise Silences Wind Turbines
From: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Published August 11, 2008 11:35 AM
'Anti-noise' silences wind turbines
If wind energy converters are located anywhere near a residential area, they must never become too noisy even in high winds. Most such power units try to go easy on their neighbors' ears, but even the most careful design cannot prevent noise from arising at times: One source is the motion of the rotor blades, another is the cogwheels that produce vibrations in the gearbox. These are relayed to the tower of the wind turbine, where they are emitted across a wide area — and what the residents hear is a humming noise. "People find these monotone sounds particularly unpleasant, rather like the whining of a mosquito," says André Illgen, a research associate at the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU in Dresden.
If the wind energy converters hum too loudly, they are only permitted to operate under partial load: They rotate at a slower speed and generate less electricity. In some cases the operators have to install additional damping systems or even replace the gearbox — an expensive business. However, the effectiveness of the passive damping systems used until now is somewhat limited: They only absorb noise at a certain frequency. Since modern wind energy converters adapt their rotational speed to the wind velocity in order to generate as much electricity as possible, however, the frequency of the humming sound also varies. Despite noise attenuation measures, humming noises penetrate the surrounding area.
In a joint project with colleagues from Schirmer GmbH, ESM Energie- and Schwingungstechnik Mitsch GmbH and the Dr. Ziegler engineering office, IWU researchers have developed an active damping system for wind turbines. The project is being funded by the "Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt". "These systems react autonomously to any change in frequency and damp the noise — regardless of how fast the wind generator is turning," says Illgen. The key components of this system are piezo actuators. These devices convert electric current into mechanical motion and generate "negative vibrations", or a kind of anti-noise that precisely counteracts the vibrations of the wind turbine and cancels them out. The piezo actuators are mounted on the gearbox bearings that connect the gearbox to the pylon. But how do these piezo actuators adjust themselves to the respective noise frequencies? "We have integrated sensors into the system. They constantly measure the vibrations arising in the gearbox, and pass on the results to the actuator control system," says Illgen. The researchers have already developed a working model of the active vibration dampers, and their next step will be to perform field trials.
'Anti-noise' silences wind turbines
If wind energy converters are located anywhere near a residential area, they must never become too noisy even in high winds. Most such power units try to go easy on their neighbors' ears, but even the most careful design cannot prevent noise from arising at times: One source is the motion of the rotor blades, another is the cogwheels that produce vibrations in the gearbox. These are relayed to the tower of the wind turbine, where they are emitted across a wide area — and what the residents hear is a humming noise. "People find these monotone sounds particularly unpleasant, rather like the whining of a mosquito," says André Illgen, a research associate at the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU in Dresden.
If the wind energy converters hum too loudly, they are only permitted to operate under partial load: They rotate at a slower speed and generate less electricity. In some cases the operators have to install additional damping systems or even replace the gearbox — an expensive business. However, the effectiveness of the passive damping systems used until now is somewhat limited: They only absorb noise at a certain frequency. Since modern wind energy converters adapt their rotational speed to the wind velocity in order to generate as much electricity as possible, however, the frequency of the humming sound also varies. Despite noise attenuation measures, humming noises penetrate the surrounding area.
In a joint project with colleagues from Schirmer GmbH, ESM Energie- and Schwingungstechnik Mitsch GmbH and the Dr. Ziegler engineering office, IWU researchers have developed an active damping system for wind turbines. The project is being funded by the "Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt". "These systems react autonomously to any change in frequency and damp the noise — regardless of how fast the wind generator is turning," says Illgen. The key components of this system are piezo actuators. These devices convert electric current into mechanical motion and generate "negative vibrations", or a kind of anti-noise that precisely counteracts the vibrations of the wind turbine and cancels them out. The piezo actuators are mounted on the gearbox bearings that connect the gearbox to the pylon. But how do these piezo actuators adjust themselves to the respective noise frequencies? "We have integrated sensors into the system. They constantly measure the vibrations arising in the gearbox, and pass on the results to the actuator control system," says Illgen. The researchers have already developed a working model of the active vibration dampers, and their next step will be to perform field trials.
U.S. World Leader In Wind Power
US now world leader in wind power production
US wind capacity is expected to increase 45% in 2008 although Congress' failure to extend the production tax credit (PTC) for the renewable energy industry threatens to derail further development, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
US wind capacity is expected to increase 45% in 2008 although Congress' failure to extend the production tax credit (PTC) for the renewable energy industry threatens to derail further development, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
Sunday, August 10, 2008
5 Tips To Limit Cell Phone Risk
5 tips to limit your cell phone risk
See Video Clip - http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/07/31/ep.cell.phones.cancer/index.html#cnnSTCVideo
By Elizabeth CohenCNN Medical Correspondent
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- "I hope you're talking to me on a speakerphone," Devra Davis barks at me when I call her on my cell phone. "You'd better not be holding that phone up to your head."
Cell phones do emit radiation. No one knows definitively whether it's enough to worry about.
Indeed, I'm not. This is a good thing, because you don't want to get into an argument with Davis on this subject. She's the director of the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Environmental Oncology, and her group recently put out recommendations that we should be using a speakerphone or ear piece. The report says children, who have thinner skulls and developing brains, should use cell phones only in case of emergency. And heaven forbid anyone should carry a cell phone in a pocket or clipped to a belt. "You're just roasting your bone marrow," Davis said.
Oh, boy. Another thing to worry about. Or maybe Davis is an alarmist. It's so hard to tell. Although there are many large studies showing no connection between mobile phones and cancer, there are a few that do. As Davis puts it, do you really want to play Russian roulette with your head? Explainer: Radiation fields and the brain » But if you do buy the cellphones-cause-cancer argument, you have to figure out the best way to talk on a cell phone, seeing as how most of us can't live without them. Should you use the wired headset that came with your phone? A Bluetooth earpiece? iReport.com: Does your kid have a cell phone?
Don't Miss
Cancer expert warns staff on cell phone use
In Depth: Empowered Patient
I embarked on a journey this past week to answer these questions and at many points have been very sorry I did. This is the mother of all "the jury is still out" issues.
Cell phones have been wildly popular for only a matter of years, and it can take at least a decade for cancers to show up. Studies contradict each other, and scientists bicker: Some will tell you with great conviction that there's nothing to worry about. Others will tell you with equal conviction that an epidemic of brain tumors may be just around the corner.
The cell phone industry itself says "the overwhelming majority of studies that have been published in scientific journals around the globe show that wireless phones do not pose a health risk." You can watch the experts go at it on "Larry King Live" » this week.
So what are we all to do until they figure it out? After enough interviews with physicists, engineers and doctors to make me want to stick my head in a microwave oven, one common line of reasoning emerged. Cell phones do emit radiation. No one knows definitively whether it's enough to worry about. Mobile phones meet federal safety limits, but if you're still worried, there are some simple steps you can take to lower your exposure to radiation. Watch more on limiting your risk »
1. Use the speakerphone
This was, without question, the favorite alternative of the experts I talked to. Nothing is near your head. "Hold it away from a minimum of a few inches. A foot or two is ideal," said Magda Havas, an associate professor with the Institute for Health Studies at Trent University in Ontario, Canada. Havas gives me a little math lesson. Every inch you can get away from your body, the radiation reduces very quickly. "Hold it out two inches, and the radiation drops by a factor of four. Hold it out four inches, and it drops by a factor of 16," she says.
In other words, said Louis Slesin, editor of Microwave News, "every millimeter counts."
2. Use a wired headset with a ferrite bead
No, this is not a piece of jewelry. A ferrite bead is a clip you put on the wire of a headset. The concern is that the wire itself emits radiation into your ear. The bead is designed to absorb the radiation so you don't. They're inexpensive and available at stores or online.
These clips are a favorite of Slesin's. "It's the way to go," he said. Another fan: Lawrie Challis, physicist and former chair of the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme, a government panel in Britain. "They did tests at the University of York and found that under even the worst conditions, if you use a ferrite bead, you can't even measure the radiation coming off the wire. This common device kills the radiation."
Of course, if the phone is in your pocket or clipped to your belt, all bets are off, because the phone itself will be radiating into your body. So if you're worried about radiation, keep the phone as far away as possible, and Challis adds to do your best to make sure the wire isn't touching your body.
3. Use a Bluetooth earpiece
A Bluetooth earpiece still has radiation, but it's at least 100 times less than the radiation you get when you hold a cell phone to your head, Havas says.
Our experts were split on which was better: a Bluetooth headset or a wired one. Israeli government recommendations issued this week specifically suggest a wire; Havas likes the Bluetooth. But even she says not to wear it when you're not talking; it still sends out a signal.
"Bluetooth is only whispering radiation into your ear. The problem is, some people wear it all the time," she says. "At the very least, switch it from ear to ear so you don't have too much exposure on one side." Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, says Bluetooth earpieces radiate 200 times less energy than cell phones. "There is no evidence that a Bluetooth headset has any adverse effects on its users," he said.
4. Use a "hollow tube" earpiece
It's just like a regular wired earpiece, except the last six inches or so -- the part next to your ear -- is a hollow tube. There's no wire under the plastic.
Health Library
MayoClinic.com: Health Library
"You're getting the sound through the air. You're not dependent on radiofrequency waves," said Dr. David Carpenter, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University of Albany. Hollow tube earpieces can be purchased on several Web sites.
5. Get a phone with less radiation
Phone radiation is measured in specific absorption rate, or SAR. To look up the SAR for your phone, check this list on CNET.com.
You might think the experts mentioned above all use earpieces or a speakerphone. Not so. Several said they hold it right up to their heads because they use their cells so infrequently, they're not worried about radiation."I use it maybe once or twice a week, no more than 10 minutes," said Challis, the former head of the British committee that studied cell phones and radiation. "I use a land line whenever I can."
It's the exposure, day after day, year after year, that matters. As Challis, who's retired, puts it, "If I were younger, I'd take this much more seriously."
See Video Clip - http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/07/31/ep.cell.phones.cancer/index.html#cnnSTCVideo
By Elizabeth CohenCNN Medical Correspondent
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- "I hope you're talking to me on a speakerphone," Devra Davis barks at me when I call her on my cell phone. "You'd better not be holding that phone up to your head."
Cell phones do emit radiation. No one knows definitively whether it's enough to worry about.
Indeed, I'm not. This is a good thing, because you don't want to get into an argument with Davis on this subject. She's the director of the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Environmental Oncology, and her group recently put out recommendations that we should be using a speakerphone or ear piece. The report says children, who have thinner skulls and developing brains, should use cell phones only in case of emergency. And heaven forbid anyone should carry a cell phone in a pocket or clipped to a belt. "You're just roasting your bone marrow," Davis said.
Oh, boy. Another thing to worry about. Or maybe Davis is an alarmist. It's so hard to tell. Although there are many large studies showing no connection between mobile phones and cancer, there are a few that do. As Davis puts it, do you really want to play Russian roulette with your head? Explainer: Radiation fields and the brain » But if you do buy the cellphones-cause-cancer argument, you have to figure out the best way to talk on a cell phone, seeing as how most of us can't live without them. Should you use the wired headset that came with your phone? A Bluetooth earpiece? iReport.com: Does your kid have a cell phone?
Don't Miss
Cancer expert warns staff on cell phone use
In Depth: Empowered Patient
I embarked on a journey this past week to answer these questions and at many points have been very sorry I did. This is the mother of all "the jury is still out" issues.
Cell phones have been wildly popular for only a matter of years, and it can take at least a decade for cancers to show up. Studies contradict each other, and scientists bicker: Some will tell you with great conviction that there's nothing to worry about. Others will tell you with equal conviction that an epidemic of brain tumors may be just around the corner.
The cell phone industry itself says "the overwhelming majority of studies that have been published in scientific journals around the globe show that wireless phones do not pose a health risk." You can watch the experts go at it on "Larry King Live" » this week.
So what are we all to do until they figure it out? After enough interviews with physicists, engineers and doctors to make me want to stick my head in a microwave oven, one common line of reasoning emerged. Cell phones do emit radiation. No one knows definitively whether it's enough to worry about. Mobile phones meet federal safety limits, but if you're still worried, there are some simple steps you can take to lower your exposure to radiation. Watch more on limiting your risk »
1. Use the speakerphone
This was, without question, the favorite alternative of the experts I talked to. Nothing is near your head. "Hold it away from a minimum of a few inches. A foot or two is ideal," said Magda Havas, an associate professor with the Institute for Health Studies at Trent University in Ontario, Canada. Havas gives me a little math lesson. Every inch you can get away from your body, the radiation reduces very quickly. "Hold it out two inches, and the radiation drops by a factor of four. Hold it out four inches, and it drops by a factor of 16," she says.
In other words, said Louis Slesin, editor of Microwave News, "every millimeter counts."
2. Use a wired headset with a ferrite bead
No, this is not a piece of jewelry. A ferrite bead is a clip you put on the wire of a headset. The concern is that the wire itself emits radiation into your ear. The bead is designed to absorb the radiation so you don't. They're inexpensive and available at stores or online.
These clips are a favorite of Slesin's. "It's the way to go," he said. Another fan: Lawrie Challis, physicist and former chair of the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme, a government panel in Britain. "They did tests at the University of York and found that under even the worst conditions, if you use a ferrite bead, you can't even measure the radiation coming off the wire. This common device kills the radiation."
Of course, if the phone is in your pocket or clipped to your belt, all bets are off, because the phone itself will be radiating into your body. So if you're worried about radiation, keep the phone as far away as possible, and Challis adds to do your best to make sure the wire isn't touching your body.
3. Use a Bluetooth earpiece
A Bluetooth earpiece still has radiation, but it's at least 100 times less than the radiation you get when you hold a cell phone to your head, Havas says.
Our experts were split on which was better: a Bluetooth headset or a wired one. Israeli government recommendations issued this week specifically suggest a wire; Havas likes the Bluetooth. But even she says not to wear it when you're not talking; it still sends out a signal.
"Bluetooth is only whispering radiation into your ear. The problem is, some people wear it all the time," she says. "At the very least, switch it from ear to ear so you don't have too much exposure on one side." Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, says Bluetooth earpieces radiate 200 times less energy than cell phones. "There is no evidence that a Bluetooth headset has any adverse effects on its users," he said.
4. Use a "hollow tube" earpiece
It's just like a regular wired earpiece, except the last six inches or so -- the part next to your ear -- is a hollow tube. There's no wire under the plastic.
Health Library
MayoClinic.com: Health Library
"You're getting the sound through the air. You're not dependent on radiofrequency waves," said Dr. David Carpenter, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University of Albany. Hollow tube earpieces can be purchased on several Web sites.
5. Get a phone with less radiation
Phone radiation is measured in specific absorption rate, or SAR. To look up the SAR for your phone, check this list on CNET.com.
You might think the experts mentioned above all use earpieces or a speakerphone. Not so. Several said they hold it right up to their heads because they use their cells so infrequently, they're not worried about radiation."I use it maybe once or twice a week, no more than 10 minutes," said Challis, the former head of the British committee that studied cell phones and radiation. "I use a land line whenever I can."
It's the exposure, day after day, year after year, that matters. As Challis, who's retired, puts it, "If I were younger, I'd take this much more seriously."
Drug Prices Up 100% Or Higher
Drug Prices Up 100% - or Higher
JULIE APPLEBY - USA TODAY
Yet another effect of having an illness-profit industry and not a national health care infrastructure.
Drug companies are quietly pushing through price hikes of 100% - or even more than 1,000% - for a very small but growing number of prescription drugs, helping to drive up costs for insurers, patients and government programs.
The number of brand-name drugs with increases of 100% or more could double this year from four years ago, researchers from the University of Minnesota say. Many of the drugs are older products that treat fairly rare, but often serious or even life-threatening, conditions.Among the examples: Questcor Pharmaceuticals last August raised the wholesale price on Acthar, which treats spasms in babies, from about $1,650 a vial to more than $23,000. Ovation raised the cost of Cosmegen, which treats a type of tumor, from $16.79 to $593.75 in January 2006.The average wholesale price of 26 brand-name drugs jumped 100% or more in a single cost adjustment last year, up from 15 in 2004, the university study found.
In the first half of this year, 17 drugs made the list."This does drive up the price of health care," says Alan Goldbloom, president of Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. "Hospitals are either eating the cost or passing it along to insurers, so you and I are paying it in increased premiums."Some of the drugs are administered in hospitals, which bill insurers, patients or government programs for them. Insured patients pay either a flat dollar amount, such as $20, or a percentage of the drug's cost.Last year, prices rose about 7.4% on average for 1,344 brand-name drugs, according to Express Scripts, which manages drug benefits for large employers and insurers.
Reasons for the larger increases are varied, researchers say."There's no simple explanation," says Stephen Schondelmeyer, director of the PRIME Institute at the University of Minnesota, which studies drug industry economics. "Some companies seem to figure no one is watching so they can get away with it."The price increases are drawing legal and political scrutiny:In a decision awaiting approval by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, drugmaker Abbott agreed last week to pay up to $27.5 million to settle a lawsuit over a 400% price increase on its HIV/AIDS drug Norvir. Settlement did not lower the price.Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., asked the Government Accountability Office last week to investigate large price hikes. Klobuchar asked the Federal Trade Commission in April to investigate Ovation Pharmaceuticals, which raised prices on four drugs in 2006 by up to 3,436%.Drug companies say the price hikes cover the costs of keeping the drugs on the market. They say the drugs are often less costly than alternative treatments, such as surgery or newer, high-tech medicines.
Questcor says on its website that it had to raise Acthar's price after struggling for years to "keep (it) financially viable."Ovation says it needed to cover its 2005 purchase of the drugs and facility upgrades. "We feel we made an important investment in keeping these older products alive," says spokeswoman Sally Benjamin Young.
JULIE APPLEBY - USA TODAY
Yet another effect of having an illness-profit industry and not a national health care infrastructure.
Drug companies are quietly pushing through price hikes of 100% - or even more than 1,000% - for a very small but growing number of prescription drugs, helping to drive up costs for insurers, patients and government programs.
The number of brand-name drugs with increases of 100% or more could double this year from four years ago, researchers from the University of Minnesota say. Many of the drugs are older products that treat fairly rare, but often serious or even life-threatening, conditions.Among the examples: Questcor Pharmaceuticals last August raised the wholesale price on Acthar, which treats spasms in babies, from about $1,650 a vial to more than $23,000. Ovation raised the cost of Cosmegen, which treats a type of tumor, from $16.79 to $593.75 in January 2006.The average wholesale price of 26 brand-name drugs jumped 100% or more in a single cost adjustment last year, up from 15 in 2004, the university study found.
In the first half of this year, 17 drugs made the list."This does drive up the price of health care," says Alan Goldbloom, president of Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. "Hospitals are either eating the cost or passing it along to insurers, so you and I are paying it in increased premiums."Some of the drugs are administered in hospitals, which bill insurers, patients or government programs for them. Insured patients pay either a flat dollar amount, such as $20, or a percentage of the drug's cost.Last year, prices rose about 7.4% on average for 1,344 brand-name drugs, according to Express Scripts, which manages drug benefits for large employers and insurers.
Reasons for the larger increases are varied, researchers say."There's no simple explanation," says Stephen Schondelmeyer, director of the PRIME Institute at the University of Minnesota, which studies drug industry economics. "Some companies seem to figure no one is watching so they can get away with it."The price increases are drawing legal and political scrutiny:In a decision awaiting approval by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, drugmaker Abbott agreed last week to pay up to $27.5 million to settle a lawsuit over a 400% price increase on its HIV/AIDS drug Norvir. Settlement did not lower the price.Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., asked the Government Accountability Office last week to investigate large price hikes. Klobuchar asked the Federal Trade Commission in April to investigate Ovation Pharmaceuticals, which raised prices on four drugs in 2006 by up to 3,436%.Drug companies say the price hikes cover the costs of keeping the drugs on the market. They say the drugs are often less costly than alternative treatments, such as surgery or newer, high-tech medicines.
Questcor says on its website that it had to raise Acthar's price after struggling for years to "keep (it) financially viable."Ovation says it needed to cover its 2005 purchase of the drugs and facility upgrades. "We feel we made an important investment in keeping these older products alive," says spokeswoman Sally Benjamin Young.
Five Fuel-Saving Technologies
Five Fuel-Saving Technologies
Car and Driver: Explaining the latest breakthroughs that will help your car squeeze the most miles from every gallon.
August 2008
The 100th anniversary of the Ford Model T is coming up. The fundamentals of the car, including the internal combustion engines that power most of them, have changed very little as far as their basic operations are concerned. An explosion happens in a cylinder, forcing a piston downward, that in turn spins a crankshaft mated to a transmission that spins a driveshaft that turns the wheels.
This is not to say advancement has not been drastic. Four-cylinder engines have gone from making 20 horsepower to more than 250—all while being more efficient and cleaner. New engine designs and advanced technologies make this possible, but all the technobabble can make things more than a little confusing for many folks. How are you supposed to know what a salesman means when he says the car he is trying to put you in is a direct-injected, turbocharged inline-four with variable valve timing, or has a clean diesel, or is capable of variable displacement?
Automobiles are hugely complex machines when viewed as a whole, but individual systems and parts are often governed by a few relatively simple principles. If you take your time and don’t allow yourself to get intimidated, you might be surprised by what you can understand.
Read on for the basics on some current engine technologies that help make more power and improve efficiency.
Clean Diesel
Despite their far superior fuel economy, diesel cars have never been a popular choice in the U.S. That’s because the first time diesel cars came to our shores in any real numbers, they rightfully earned a reputation as loud, stinky, slow machines. Since then, diesel technology has progressed greatly. No longer the compromises they once were, diesel cars are poised to make a comeback in the U.S., although diesel fuel’s price premium might limit their appeal. Soon, many manufacturers will offer a diesel alternative for U.S. buyers, but without the noise, stink, or sluggishness. Even the Car and Driver favorite BMW 3-series will offer a diesel engine for 2009.
Old diesels produced exhaust fumes with significant amounts of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (exhaust dust, or soot). The latest diesel catalysts successfully reduce NOx levels, making new diesels some of the cleanest cars on the road. A second device, known as a particulate trap, takes care of the airborne dust. The use of ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel that the federal government now mandates also contributes to diesels cleaning up their act.
Direct Injection
Direct injection is not new to the automotive world, only new to gasoline engines for the masses. It has been the standard in diesel engines for some time. It differs from standard fuel injection, a.k.a. port injection, by injecting fuel directly into each of the already air-filled cylinders. Port-injected engines mix the air and fuel in the intake manifold—if the engine is the car’s lungs, think of the intake manifold as the mouth. Direct injection improves fuel efficiency and will generally yield more power when compared with a port-injected engine of similar displacement and design.
Fuel efficiency is improved because the system can more precisely regulate how much fuel is needed at any given time and can account for the minute differences among the individual cylinders. For example, if an engine is under light load (cruising on level ground or at idle), the injectors will wait until the last possible moment and inject a relatively small amount of fuel. Less fuel used equals greater efficiency.
At the other end of the spectrum is the power advantage. The direct-injected gasoline actually has a cooling effect on the cylinder, and engines breathing cooler air can make more power.
Car and Driver: Explaining the latest breakthroughs that will help your car squeeze the most miles from every gallon.
August 2008
The 100th anniversary of the Ford Model T is coming up. The fundamentals of the car, including the internal combustion engines that power most of them, have changed very little as far as their basic operations are concerned. An explosion happens in a cylinder, forcing a piston downward, that in turn spins a crankshaft mated to a transmission that spins a driveshaft that turns the wheels.
This is not to say advancement has not been drastic. Four-cylinder engines have gone from making 20 horsepower to more than 250—all while being more efficient and cleaner. New engine designs and advanced technologies make this possible, but all the technobabble can make things more than a little confusing for many folks. How are you supposed to know what a salesman means when he says the car he is trying to put you in is a direct-injected, turbocharged inline-four with variable valve timing, or has a clean diesel, or is capable of variable displacement?
Automobiles are hugely complex machines when viewed as a whole, but individual systems and parts are often governed by a few relatively simple principles. If you take your time and don’t allow yourself to get intimidated, you might be surprised by what you can understand.
Read on for the basics on some current engine technologies that help make more power and improve efficiency.
Clean Diesel
Despite their far superior fuel economy, diesel cars have never been a popular choice in the U.S. That’s because the first time diesel cars came to our shores in any real numbers, they rightfully earned a reputation as loud, stinky, slow machines. Since then, diesel technology has progressed greatly. No longer the compromises they once were, diesel cars are poised to make a comeback in the U.S., although diesel fuel’s price premium might limit their appeal. Soon, many manufacturers will offer a diesel alternative for U.S. buyers, but without the noise, stink, or sluggishness. Even the Car and Driver favorite BMW 3-series will offer a diesel engine for 2009.
Old diesels produced exhaust fumes with significant amounts of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (exhaust dust, or soot). The latest diesel catalysts successfully reduce NOx levels, making new diesels some of the cleanest cars on the road. A second device, known as a particulate trap, takes care of the airborne dust. The use of ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel that the federal government now mandates also contributes to diesels cleaning up their act.
Direct Injection
Direct injection is not new to the automotive world, only new to gasoline engines for the masses. It has been the standard in diesel engines for some time. It differs from standard fuel injection, a.k.a. port injection, by injecting fuel directly into each of the already air-filled cylinders. Port-injected engines mix the air and fuel in the intake manifold—if the engine is the car’s lungs, think of the intake manifold as the mouth. Direct injection improves fuel efficiency and will generally yield more power when compared with a port-injected engine of similar displacement and design.
Fuel efficiency is improved because the system can more precisely regulate how much fuel is needed at any given time and can account for the minute differences among the individual cylinders. For example, if an engine is under light load (cruising on level ground or at idle), the injectors will wait until the last possible moment and inject a relatively small amount of fuel. Less fuel used equals greater efficiency.
At the other end of the spectrum is the power advantage. The direct-injected gasoline actually has a cooling effect on the cylinder, and engines breathing cooler air can make more power.
Blue LEDs Could Be Costing You Sleep
Blue LEDs could be costing you sleep
by Doug Osborne posted on July 31, 2008 8:31 am
It’s not uncommon for many of us to have several electronic gadgets sitting on the nightstand right next to us while we sleep in bed. As it turns out though, those same brightly lit gizmos could be costing us a good night’s sleep, especially if those devices have blue LEDs in them. It seems a discovery made by scientists indicate that blue light on the eye does more to the body, than just looking blue.
The scientific discovery indicates that there is a sensitive layer on the eye unrelated to the part that is used for vision. This layer sends signals to the body which affects alertness, the daily cycle of consciousness and the need to sleep for everyone. It turns out that blue spectrum of light is the most sensitive on that area of the eye and can trick the mind into thinking it is time to be awake instead of sleeping.
This discovery could be beneficial in other areas as well. One research project at the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia is looking to see if blue light can be used to help keep astronauts more attentive during missions. Another project going on at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center in New York is working with blue light to see if it can be used to aid crews on submarines in adjusting their watch schedules.
As for your gadgets that have blue LEDs in them? For more solid ZZZ’s each night, perhaps it is a good idea to put them in another part of the bedroom and not on the nightstand.
Read more at MSNBC.
by Doug Osborne posted on July 31, 2008 8:31 am
It’s not uncommon for many of us to have several electronic gadgets sitting on the nightstand right next to us while we sleep in bed. As it turns out though, those same brightly lit gizmos could be costing us a good night’s sleep, especially if those devices have blue LEDs in them. It seems a discovery made by scientists indicate that blue light on the eye does more to the body, than just looking blue.
The scientific discovery indicates that there is a sensitive layer on the eye unrelated to the part that is used for vision. This layer sends signals to the body which affects alertness, the daily cycle of consciousness and the need to sleep for everyone. It turns out that blue spectrum of light is the most sensitive on that area of the eye and can trick the mind into thinking it is time to be awake instead of sleeping.
This discovery could be beneficial in other areas as well. One research project at the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia is looking to see if blue light can be used to help keep astronauts more attentive during missions. Another project going on at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center in New York is working with blue light to see if it can be used to aid crews on submarines in adjusting their watch schedules.
As for your gadgets that have blue LEDs in them? For more solid ZZZ’s each night, perhaps it is a good idea to put them in another part of the bedroom and not on the nightstand.
Read more at MSNBC.
Tech Recycling for The Upgrade-Happy
August 8, 2008 1:39 PM PDT
TechForward: Tech recycling for the upgrade-happy
Posted by Martin LaMonica 1 comment
As people buy more electronic stuff, there's growing concern over hazardous electronic waste. A number of new companies are trying to keep that gear from fouling up landfills--and make a buck while doing it.
TechForward's spin on electronic recycling is getting consumers to think ahead and plan on returning their gadgets for resale.
The business model of the 3-year-old company, based in Los Angeles, is to sell consumers a buy-back deal at the point of sale. So when you buy a shiny new iPod or digital camera, you can plan on selling it back in two years. TechForward has devised algorithms that figure out how much a product will be worth. A consumer can decide to sell something back sooner for more money as well.
It makes most sense for people who expect to upgrade to a newer model within a year or two and want to see these goods recycled. "We saw an opportunity to help people be more environmentally responsible and still get the latest and greatest technology," said Jade Van Doren, the CEO. If a product has no commercial value, then TechForward will recycle it in "an environmentally responsible way."
To make its buy-back service available to consumers as they purchase electronics, the company is planning on announcing a partnership with a large regional retailer and a national retailer in the next two months, Van Doren said. The company has raised two rounds of venture funding in the past year and a half. TechForward has also started a trade association called Ownership 2.0 with other companies based on subscription-based services or temporary ownership models, like temporarily owning textbooks.
The TechForward buy-back program--like the electronics repurchasing service Gazelle--relies on the assumption that most consumers are not comfortable selling their individual gadgets themselves on eBay.
Since it's trying to sell to purchasers of new products, TechForward will be reselling goods from its customers, rather than actually breaking them down into their component parts.
But extending the life of an electronic gadget, rather than having it lie in a drawer and eventually be thrown in the trash is a good outcome from an environmental point of view, said Van Doren and co-founder Marc Lebovitz who is vice president of operations.
Also, making money in recycling is difficult, which means that there aren't many businesses competing to offer ways to responsibly dispose of electronics.
"If you're just doing recycling, it's a tough business to be in for profit. You're not creating a tremendous amount of value and you're moving around heavy devices with (big) shipping costs," Lebovitz said.
Topics:
Green IT,
Waste and Recycling
TechForward: Tech recycling for the upgrade-happy
Posted by Martin LaMonica 1 comment
As people buy more electronic stuff, there's growing concern over hazardous electronic waste. A number of new companies are trying to keep that gear from fouling up landfills--and make a buck while doing it.
TechForward's spin on electronic recycling is getting consumers to think ahead and plan on returning their gadgets for resale.
The business model of the 3-year-old company, based in Los Angeles, is to sell consumers a buy-back deal at the point of sale. So when you buy a shiny new iPod or digital camera, you can plan on selling it back in two years. TechForward has devised algorithms that figure out how much a product will be worth. A consumer can decide to sell something back sooner for more money as well.
It makes most sense for people who expect to upgrade to a newer model within a year or two and want to see these goods recycled. "We saw an opportunity to help people be more environmentally responsible and still get the latest and greatest technology," said Jade Van Doren, the CEO. If a product has no commercial value, then TechForward will recycle it in "an environmentally responsible way."
To make its buy-back service available to consumers as they purchase electronics, the company is planning on announcing a partnership with a large regional retailer and a national retailer in the next two months, Van Doren said. The company has raised two rounds of venture funding in the past year and a half. TechForward has also started a trade association called Ownership 2.0 with other companies based on subscription-based services or temporary ownership models, like temporarily owning textbooks.
The TechForward buy-back program--like the electronics repurchasing service Gazelle--relies on the assumption that most consumers are not comfortable selling their individual gadgets themselves on eBay.
Since it's trying to sell to purchasers of new products, TechForward will be reselling goods from its customers, rather than actually breaking them down into their component parts.
But extending the life of an electronic gadget, rather than having it lie in a drawer and eventually be thrown in the trash is a good outcome from an environmental point of view, said Van Doren and co-founder Marc Lebovitz who is vice president of operations.
Also, making money in recycling is difficult, which means that there aren't many businesses competing to offer ways to responsibly dispose of electronics.
"If you're just doing recycling, it's a tough business to be in for profit. You're not creating a tremendous amount of value and you're moving around heavy devices with (big) shipping costs," Lebovitz said.
Topics:
Green IT,
Waste and Recycling
Dutch Paving Stones Clean Air Pollution
August 10, 2008 6:57 AM PDT
Dutch paving stones clean air pollution
Posted by Martin LaMonica 1 comment
A Dutch University will see if chemically tricked-out paving stones can clean the air.
The University of Twente (UT) has devised a concrete capable of converting the nitrogen oxide from car exhaust--the source of smog and acid rain--into a nitrate, another chemical that will wash away in the rain.
Green chemistry: how green bricks convert nitrogen oxide air pollution into nitrates with the sun.(Credit: University of Twente)
When fertilizers are applied heavily, high levels of nitrates can enter the soil or water and be toxic to humans or livestock. The University of Twente said that the nitrate production from its paving stones will be "harmless."
The researchers came up with the air-purifying paving stones by tapping the properties of titanium dioxide, a chemical that catalyzes chemical reactions when exposed to light.
The top layer of the University of Twente paving stones contains the material mixed with concrete. So when sun shines, smog-producing pollutants will convert into nitrates and then wash away, keeping the stones surface clean in the process.
The university received a sustainability grant to test its invention in the municipality of Hengelo.
By the end of this year, researchers expect to complete construction of a road where one side is built with the specially coated paving stones. The other half will have tradition materials.
The results of how much the stones reduce air pollution should be ready by next year. If successful, the tests could be expanded further, the university said.
It's not the first time that the Dutch have been inventive with road construction. A civil engineering firm has devised a paving technique to absorb heat from asphalt to melt ice and heat neighboring buildings.
Topics:
Environment,
Green buildings
Dutch paving stones clean air pollution
Posted by Martin LaMonica 1 comment
A Dutch University will see if chemically tricked-out paving stones can clean the air.
The University of Twente (UT) has devised a concrete capable of converting the nitrogen oxide from car exhaust--the source of smog and acid rain--into a nitrate, another chemical that will wash away in the rain.
Green chemistry: how green bricks convert nitrogen oxide air pollution into nitrates with the sun.(Credit: University of Twente)
When fertilizers are applied heavily, high levels of nitrates can enter the soil or water and be toxic to humans or livestock. The University of Twente said that the nitrate production from its paving stones will be "harmless."
The researchers came up with the air-purifying paving stones by tapping the properties of titanium dioxide, a chemical that catalyzes chemical reactions when exposed to light.
The top layer of the University of Twente paving stones contains the material mixed with concrete. So when sun shines, smog-producing pollutants will convert into nitrates and then wash away, keeping the stones surface clean in the process.
The university received a sustainability grant to test its invention in the municipality of Hengelo.
By the end of this year, researchers expect to complete construction of a road where one side is built with the specially coated paving stones. The other half will have tradition materials.
The results of how much the stones reduce air pollution should be ready by next year. If successful, the tests could be expanded further, the university said.
It's not the first time that the Dutch have been inventive with road construction. A civil engineering firm has devised a paving technique to absorb heat from asphalt to melt ice and heat neighboring buildings.
Topics:
Environment,
Green buildings
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Uranimum Field Expansion In Colorado Challenged
42-Square-Mile Federal Uranium Program Challenged
By: Center for Biological DiversityA coalition of conservation groups filed suit in federal court Thursday, challenging the Department of Energy's decision to vastly expand its uranium mining program on 42 square miles of public land near the spectacular Dolores River Canyon, a tributary to the Colorado River in southwest Colorado
By: Center for Biological DiversityA coalition of conservation groups filed suit in federal court Thursday, challenging the Department of Energy's decision to vastly expand its uranium mining program on 42 square miles of public land near the spectacular Dolores River Canyon, a tributary to the Colorado River in southwest Colorado
More Cities Join National Park(ing) Day
More Cities Join National Park(ing) Day
By: Trust for Public LandSeveral additional cities across America will gain temporary new downtown parks for a few hours next month because of a public project sponsored by The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national conservation nonprofit.
By: Trust for Public LandSeveral additional cities across America will gain temporary new downtown parks for a few hours next month because of a public project sponsored by The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national conservation nonprofit.
U.N. To Tighten Rules On Caron Offsets
U.N. to tighten rules on earning carbon offsets
The U.N.'s climate change agency on proposed to make it more difficult for speculators to earn carbon offsets from emissions-cutting projects which were already profitable.
The U.N.'s climate change agency on proposed to make it more difficult for speculators to earn carbon offsets from emissions-cutting projects which were already profitable.
Greenest Notebook Computers of 2008
The Greenest Notebook Computers Of 2008
Earlier this week, we reviewed the greenest desktop computers, so now let’s take a look at the greenest notebooks! Notebooks are typically much more energy efficient than desktops. They are, however, no greener than desktops in other regards — they typically contain the same hazardous components, and they are not easily recycled.
Earlier this week, we reviewed the greenest desktop computers, so now let’s take a look at the greenest notebooks! Notebooks are typically much more energy efficient than desktops. They are, however, no greener than desktops in other regards — they typically contain the same hazardous components, and they are not easily recycled.
MIT Splits Water Molecules
MIT has developed a simple method to split water molecules and produce oxygen gas, a discovery that paves the way for large-scale use of solar power:
http://www.flixxy.com/solar-energy.htm
http://www.flixxy.com/solar-energy.htm
Microsoft Develops Energy Efficent LCDs
Microsoft Ups Ante on Energy-Efficient LCDs
Microsoft researchers have developed a new liquid crystal display (LCD) technology that's three times more energy efficient than current designs. Read more...
Microsoft researchers have developed a new liquid crystal display (LCD) technology that's three times more energy efficient than current designs. Read more...
Bulrush Plant Packaging Cradle 2 Cradle
First Food Packaging Earns *Cradle to Cradle* Certification
A line of food packaging made from the bulrush plant has become the first in its category to earn Cradle to Cradle certification for its sustainable design. Read more...
A line of food packaging made from the bulrush plant has become the first in its category to earn Cradle to Cradle certification for its sustainable design. Read more...
Fieldbook To Sustainablity - PDF
Think Big...But Take Small Steps, Too
Fieldbook to Sustainability [download it here (PDF)], offering pragmatic suggestions for incorporatin sustainable thinking in to every day design. His message to participants? Big ideas can change the world - but they can also be paralyzing.
So while we're thinking up the Next Great Paradigm Shift, we must also take action now to create a culture where sustainability simply becomes part of the everyday equation. In doing so, we may wake up one day and find ourselves much further down the path than we knew we'd come. Some of the fieldbook's simple but powerful ideas:
Make it less complex.
Reduce material variety, and make sure there's a market for the materials you choose.
Design packaging in parallel with product.
Design for "life after death."
Don't use paint - it makes plastics much harder to recycle.
Another bonus? LUNAR's Fieldbook includes a nifty wall poster to help you keep these and other sustainable design rules in front of you at all times. ~KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, SLM Founder and President
Fieldbook to Sustainability [download it here (PDF)], offering pragmatic suggestions for incorporatin sustainable thinking in to every day design. His message to participants? Big ideas can change the world - but they can also be paralyzing.
So while we're thinking up the Next Great Paradigm Shift, we must also take action now to create a culture where sustainability simply becomes part of the everyday equation. In doing so, we may wake up one day and find ourselves much further down the path than we knew we'd come. Some of the fieldbook's simple but powerful ideas:
Make it less complex.
Reduce material variety, and make sure there's a market for the materials you choose.
Design packaging in parallel with product.
Design for "life after death."
Don't use paint - it makes plastics much harder to recycle.
Another bonus? LUNAR's Fieldbook includes a nifty wall poster to help you keep these and other sustainable design rules in front of you at all times. ~KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, SLM Founder and President
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Greenest Desktop Computers 2008
The Greenest Desktop Computers Of 2008
At MetaEfficient I’ve been waiting for years to review some exciting green computers, and now finally in 2008, we’ve seen the introduction of some truly green PCs. Although the components of green PCs cost about 10% more than regular PCs, they retail for about the same price. You can jump ahead and see our list of the greenest PCs. Or you can read about the details of the green rating processes.
How do you judge the greenness of a computer? The two most important factors are power consumption, and the elimination of hazardous components inside the machine. Other factors such as the efficiency of the power supply, packaging and the manufacturer’s support for recycling programs are also important. Overall, there are a huge number of factors to assess, but thankfully there are now some eco-certifications that make it easier. The most important certifications are EPEAT (Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool), RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and Energy Star 4.0. All three of these certifications are standardized, so they are more specific in their assessments than the marketing claims or green initiatives of the past. Here’s a brief description of the certifications:
-The EPEAT system is currently the most comprehensive verification of a computer’s environmental attributes. EPEAT was created by a consortium of electronics manufacturers, and partially funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPEAT evaluates computer desktops, laptops, and monitors based on 51 environmental criteria including Energy Star compliance. If a computer is awarded the EPEAT Gold rating, it is one of the greenest out there. You can see a list of all the desktop computers that achieved a Gold EPEAT rating here. A summary of the criteria can be found here
-The new EnergyStar 4.0 certification assesses the power consumption of PCs, but it doesn’t cover other criteria like toxicity. To comply with the new Energy Star 4.0 standard, a desktop PC must use under 50W in idle mode and 4W when asleep.
-The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive bans from the EU market any new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than mandated maximum levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, and two flame retardants. RoHS covers everything in a computer except for the batteries, which are regulated separately.
Another useful guide is Greenpeace’s Guide To Greener Electronics which was recently updated in June. The companies that scored the highest ratings from Greenpeace were Sony Ericsson, Sony, Nokia and Dell.
Here’s our round-up of this year’s greenest personal computers:
Dell’s Studio Hybrid PC
This month Dell introduced what it calls its greenest desktop computer. The new Studio Hybrid is not only Dell’s smallest-sized desktop, it’s also its most energy-efficient. The system uses only 1 watt of power when off or in hibernate mode, a frugal 26W while sitting idle, and 44W when the system is fully taxed, according to PC Magazine. This makes it one of the most energy efficient PCs available — it uses only a couple more watts than the power-sipping Mac mini. Like the Mac mini, the Hybrid uses an external power brick instead of an internal power supply.
The Hybrid also has Energy Star 4.0 certification and a system recycling kit that allows you easily recycle the computer at the end of it’s life. Disappointingly, it only gets a Silver rating from EPEAT, rather than a Gold.
The Studio Hybrid is packaged in 95% recyclable materials, and ships with 75% less printed documentation. You can order an optional exterior sleeve made out of bamboo (more sustainable than plastic, although it costs an extra $130).
The Studio Hybrid doesn’t come with many USB ports, but you can order an optional wireless keyboard and mouse for $50. The base Studio Hybrid configuration starts at just $499 (monitor not included). More tricked-out systems run up to $1,329 or more, depending on what options you order. The Studio Hybrid is available from Dell’s web site now, and will be for sale at select retailers in the coming months.
Link: Dell’s Studio Hybrid
Lenovo’ ThinkCentre M57/M57p
Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M57p is a very green corporate PC with a no-frills “old school” design. This compact computer has Intel’s latest 45-nanometer CPU architecture (code-named “Wolfdale”), yet the whole system consumes only about 58 watts of power at peak. It also has all the important green certifications: EPEAT Gold, RoHS and Energy Star 4.0. According to Lenovo, this machines also contains up 90% re-usable and recyclable materials and the packaging is 90% recyclable.
The system’s dual-layer DVD burner and internal 160GB hard drive are full desktop size, so they’re easy to replace with standard (and cheaper) parts in case something goes bad. Since the M57p is housed in a small-form-factor case, it has no internal expansion room to speak of, so you’ll have to plug an external USB hard drive or large-capacity USB thumb drives into one of the four available USB ports for more drive space. The system also is limited to integrated Intel GMA 3100 graphics. On the plus side, there are both VGA and DVI ports for either type of monitor, and the system does support dual monitors (one VGA and one DVI).
Link: Lenovo
It’s available at Amazon.
Apple Mac mini
The Apple Mac mini is widely known for its iconic design, but it also has a number of green credentials that earn it a place on our list here. When it was introduced, the mini set a new standard for energy efficiency. It’s still the most energy efficient desktop computer available — it consumes just 20-28 watts on average.
Tom’s Hardware reports:
During testing, our Mac min was able to shine in this respect, drawing a mere 20 watts of power; during DVD playback, this rose to only 28 W. In contrast, the power requirements of current Intel-based PC systems is anything but reasonable - under comparable conditions, these power-hungry machines draw up to 160 watts.
According to Apple, the mini is about 90 percent recyclable. It received a Silver EPEAT rating.
The Mac mini has been considered a budget Mac (prices start $600), but now that it’s equipped with a Core 2 Duo processor, it’s as powerful as a larger desktop.
Link: Apple Mac mini
It’s available from Amazon.
Zonbu Desktop Mini
The Zonbu Desktop Mini is a Linux-based, minimalist computer that contains no hard drive, instead, in the spirit of “network computing” everything is stored online. After paying $99 or $299 for the computer itself, you the Zonbu owner can subscribe for the online storage service (via Amazon’s S3 network) for $12.95 a month for two years (or $149 for a yearly subscription).
The absence of a hard drive means the Zonbu is silent, and consumes just 11 watts when running (8 watts in standby mode). It has a number of other green attributes including EPEAT Gold, RoHS and Energy Star 4.0 certifications. The manufacturer also has a recycling take-back system, and they use minimal, recycled packaging for the computer.
Link: Zonbu Desktop Mini
CherryPal PC
The CherryPal is a similar to the Zonbu Desktop Mini — it has no moving parts, and everything is stored online, including its applications. The CherryPal is designed to be used for only need basic computing and Web browsing. The machines itself measures just 1.3 x 5.8 x 4.2 inches, and it has a Freescale processsor with 256MB of RAM, a 4GB solid state drive, 802.11g Wi-Fi, a Firefox browser, and a Debian Linux operating system. Applications likes OpenOffice, iTunes (including iTunes Store support), and other CherryPal-branded apps will be accessible from the desktop. Since everything is administered by CherryPal, malware protection, antivirus efforts, and software upgrades are done automatically.
CherryPal claims that this is the greenest and most affordable PC, since it consumes just 2 watts of power, uses 80 percent fewer components (than an average desktop), and can last a decade or longer. The CherryPal’s price is $249, a bit cheaper than the $299 Zonbu. (The Zonbu was originally available subsidized with a contract for $99.)
There is no contract for the CherryPal, nor any monthly fees, and 50GB of lifetime (or at least the lifetime of the company) storage is included.
Photos and more information available at MetaEfficient.
At MetaEfficient I’ve been waiting for years to review some exciting green computers, and now finally in 2008, we’ve seen the introduction of some truly green PCs. Although the components of green PCs cost about 10% more than regular PCs, they retail for about the same price. You can jump ahead and see our list of the greenest PCs. Or you can read about the details of the green rating processes.
How do you judge the greenness of a computer? The two most important factors are power consumption, and the elimination of hazardous components inside the machine. Other factors such as the efficiency of the power supply, packaging and the manufacturer’s support for recycling programs are also important. Overall, there are a huge number of factors to assess, but thankfully there are now some eco-certifications that make it easier. The most important certifications are EPEAT (Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool), RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and Energy Star 4.0. All three of these certifications are standardized, so they are more specific in their assessments than the marketing claims or green initiatives of the past. Here’s a brief description of the certifications:
-The EPEAT system is currently the most comprehensive verification of a computer’s environmental attributes. EPEAT was created by a consortium of electronics manufacturers, and partially funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPEAT evaluates computer desktops, laptops, and monitors based on 51 environmental criteria including Energy Star compliance. If a computer is awarded the EPEAT Gold rating, it is one of the greenest out there. You can see a list of all the desktop computers that achieved a Gold EPEAT rating here. A summary of the criteria can be found here
-The new EnergyStar 4.0 certification assesses the power consumption of PCs, but it doesn’t cover other criteria like toxicity. To comply with the new Energy Star 4.0 standard, a desktop PC must use under 50W in idle mode and 4W when asleep.
-The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive bans from the EU market any new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than mandated maximum levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, and two flame retardants. RoHS covers everything in a computer except for the batteries, which are regulated separately.
Another useful guide is Greenpeace’s Guide To Greener Electronics which was recently updated in June. The companies that scored the highest ratings from Greenpeace were Sony Ericsson, Sony, Nokia and Dell.
Here’s our round-up of this year’s greenest personal computers:
Dell’s Studio Hybrid PC
This month Dell introduced what it calls its greenest desktop computer. The new Studio Hybrid is not only Dell’s smallest-sized desktop, it’s also its most energy-efficient. The system uses only 1 watt of power when off or in hibernate mode, a frugal 26W while sitting idle, and 44W when the system is fully taxed, according to PC Magazine. This makes it one of the most energy efficient PCs available — it uses only a couple more watts than the power-sipping Mac mini. Like the Mac mini, the Hybrid uses an external power brick instead of an internal power supply.
The Hybrid also has Energy Star 4.0 certification and a system recycling kit that allows you easily recycle the computer at the end of it’s life. Disappointingly, it only gets a Silver rating from EPEAT, rather than a Gold.
The Studio Hybrid is packaged in 95% recyclable materials, and ships with 75% less printed documentation. You can order an optional exterior sleeve made out of bamboo (more sustainable than plastic, although it costs an extra $130).
The Studio Hybrid doesn’t come with many USB ports, but you can order an optional wireless keyboard and mouse for $50. The base Studio Hybrid configuration starts at just $499 (monitor not included). More tricked-out systems run up to $1,329 or more, depending on what options you order. The Studio Hybrid is available from Dell’s web site now, and will be for sale at select retailers in the coming months.
Link: Dell’s Studio Hybrid
Lenovo’ ThinkCentre M57/M57p
Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M57p is a very green corporate PC with a no-frills “old school” design. This compact computer has Intel’s latest 45-nanometer CPU architecture (code-named “Wolfdale”), yet the whole system consumes only about 58 watts of power at peak. It also has all the important green certifications: EPEAT Gold, RoHS and Energy Star 4.0. According to Lenovo, this machines also contains up 90% re-usable and recyclable materials and the packaging is 90% recyclable.
The system’s dual-layer DVD burner and internal 160GB hard drive are full desktop size, so they’re easy to replace with standard (and cheaper) parts in case something goes bad. Since the M57p is housed in a small-form-factor case, it has no internal expansion room to speak of, so you’ll have to plug an external USB hard drive or large-capacity USB thumb drives into one of the four available USB ports for more drive space. The system also is limited to integrated Intel GMA 3100 graphics. On the plus side, there are both VGA and DVI ports for either type of monitor, and the system does support dual monitors (one VGA and one DVI).
Link: Lenovo
It’s available at Amazon.
Apple Mac mini
The Apple Mac mini is widely known for its iconic design, but it also has a number of green credentials that earn it a place on our list here. When it was introduced, the mini set a new standard for energy efficiency. It’s still the most energy efficient desktop computer available — it consumes just 20-28 watts on average.
Tom’s Hardware reports:
During testing, our Mac min was able to shine in this respect, drawing a mere 20 watts of power; during DVD playback, this rose to only 28 W. In contrast, the power requirements of current Intel-based PC systems is anything but reasonable - under comparable conditions, these power-hungry machines draw up to 160 watts.
According to Apple, the mini is about 90 percent recyclable. It received a Silver EPEAT rating.
The Mac mini has been considered a budget Mac (prices start $600), but now that it’s equipped with a Core 2 Duo processor, it’s as powerful as a larger desktop.
Link: Apple Mac mini
It’s available from Amazon.
Zonbu Desktop Mini
The Zonbu Desktop Mini is a Linux-based, minimalist computer that contains no hard drive, instead, in the spirit of “network computing” everything is stored online. After paying $99 or $299 for the computer itself, you the Zonbu owner can subscribe for the online storage service (via Amazon’s S3 network) for $12.95 a month for two years (or $149 for a yearly subscription).
The absence of a hard drive means the Zonbu is silent, and consumes just 11 watts when running (8 watts in standby mode). It has a number of other green attributes including EPEAT Gold, RoHS and Energy Star 4.0 certifications. The manufacturer also has a recycling take-back system, and they use minimal, recycled packaging for the computer.
Link: Zonbu Desktop Mini
CherryPal PC
The CherryPal is a similar to the Zonbu Desktop Mini — it has no moving parts, and everything is stored online, including its applications. The CherryPal is designed to be used for only need basic computing and Web browsing. The machines itself measures just 1.3 x 5.8 x 4.2 inches, and it has a Freescale processsor with 256MB of RAM, a 4GB solid state drive, 802.11g Wi-Fi, a Firefox browser, and a Debian Linux operating system. Applications likes OpenOffice, iTunes (including iTunes Store support), and other CherryPal-branded apps will be accessible from the desktop. Since everything is administered by CherryPal, malware protection, antivirus efforts, and software upgrades are done automatically.
CherryPal claims that this is the greenest and most affordable PC, since it consumes just 2 watts of power, uses 80 percent fewer components (than an average desktop), and can last a decade or longer. The CherryPal’s price is $249, a bit cheaper than the $299 Zonbu. (The Zonbu was originally available subsidized with a contract for $99.)
There is no contract for the CherryPal, nor any monthly fees, and 50GB of lifetime (or at least the lifetime of the company) storage is included.
Photos and more information available at MetaEfficient.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Food Mood Body Connection
In the Food Mood Body Connection, Gary Null Ph.D. and 15 of the world’s top medical experts show you specifically how diet, exercise, nutritional supplementation and other lifestyle choices profoundly affect your moods, energy levels, overall health and longevity.
Gary Null Food Mood Body Connection
Program will air again on Monday, August 11 at 8:00 pm on Channel 12 / 12.1 KBDI - PBS Station
Watch the show "Food Mood Body Connection"On Demand at - http://www.kbdi.org/tv_schedule/program_details.cfm?id=120080811200000
Also Watch Gary Null OnDemand "Power Foods" at -
http://www.kbdi.org/tv_schedule/program_details.cfm?id=120080812020000
Power Foods is the must-see program for everyone who wants to enjoy vital health for a lifetime! Gary Null Ph.D. will help you to optimize your health by understanding the 15 most important foods that everyone needs to consume regularly and the foods that must be avoided at all costs. Join Dr. Null as he guides you through each food in this in-depth, vibrant, beautifully produced 1-hour presentation. And as a bonus, you’ll see some of the top Vegan Chefs in the world presenting mouthwatering dishes using the Power Foods
Gary Null Food Mood Body Connection
Program will air again on Monday, August 11 at 8:00 pm on Channel 12 / 12.1 KBDI - PBS Station
Watch the show "Food Mood Body Connection"On Demand at - http://www.kbdi.org/tv_schedule/program_details.cfm?id=120080811200000
Also Watch Gary Null OnDemand "Power Foods" at -
http://www.kbdi.org/tv_schedule/program_details.cfm?id=120080812020000
Power Foods is the must-see program for everyone who wants to enjoy vital health for a lifetime! Gary Null Ph.D. will help you to optimize your health by understanding the 15 most important foods that everyone needs to consume regularly and the foods that must be avoided at all costs. Join Dr. Null as he guides you through each food in this in-depth, vibrant, beautifully produced 1-hour presentation. And as a bonus, you’ll see some of the top Vegan Chefs in the world presenting mouthwatering dishes using the Power Foods
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Organic Essentials PDF
Cut Your Grocery Bill
Here's the list you want to take with you to the store...
The Organic Center has a free download of 'organic essentials.' (PDF File)
A list of the fruits and veggies you really want to consider only buying ORGANICALLY because of the high amounts of pesticides used on the conventional versions.
The Organic Center is a non-profit founded "to generate credible, peer reviewed scientific information and communicate the veritable benefits of organic farming and products to society".
So they have brainy industry heavyweights like Dr. Charles Benbrook working on the real world science of why green is good.
Here's the list you want to take with you to the store...
The Organic Center has a free download of 'organic essentials.' (PDF File)
A list of the fruits and veggies you really want to consider only buying ORGANICALLY because of the high amounts of pesticides used on the conventional versions.
The Organic Center is a non-profit founded "to generate credible, peer reviewed scientific information and communicate the veritable benefits of organic farming and products to society".
So they have brainy industry heavyweights like Dr. Charles Benbrook working on the real world science of why green is good.
Brain Scientist Experiences Nirvana After Stroke
Brain Scientist Experiences Nirvana After Stroke (video)
A wonderful story that started with pain and ended in ecstasty.
Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.
For other TED Presentations - http://www.ted.com/
A wonderful story that started with pain and ended in ecstasty.
Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.
For other TED Presentations - http://www.ted.com/
The Best Alkaline Water Purifiers
If you've not seen the reasearch on the benefits of going alkaline and are interested in a super Alkaline Water Purifier, email Fred Davis from Colorado and he'll share with you some of the best information we've seen on the subject.
Water For Life - Alkaline Water Purifiers
We absolutely love ours! (Thanks Fred!)
Water For Life - Alkaline Water Purifiers
We absolutely love ours! (Thanks Fred!)
Monday, August 4, 2008
Cutting Phantom Power - Product Reviews
Green Pics - Cut Back On Phantom Power
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 6.06
THE Exclusives (top fives)
Call it what you will: phantom load, idle current, vampire power, wall wart; they're all euphemisms for the way devices use and waste electricity when they aren't even on, and they're everywhere. Here are some ways to save some bucks and carbon emissions and gain some peace of mind by eliminating unnecessary power use in your home.
1) Devices like the Kill-a-Watt and Wattson can point you to devices that attract the largest load, leading you to get...
2) A "smart" power strip like the Wattstopper Plug Load Control and Smart Strip Power Strip, that cut the power when your devices are off.
3) The Mini Power Minder has the smarts to shut off your computer’s peripherals and doodads when the computer itself is shut down.
4) Simply unplugging things like your cell phone charger, which is only in use a few minutes per day, will make a bigger difference than you'd think.
5) See How to Green Your Electricity to learn more about keeping phantoms, vampires and warts out of your electrical life.
See Customer's How-To Comments
For more information see - http://forums.delphiforums.com/mtnpoet/messages?msg=15411.1 and http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/35509 for more reviews.
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 12. 6.06
THE Exclusives (top fives)
Call it what you will: phantom load, idle current, vampire power, wall wart; they're all euphemisms for the way devices use and waste electricity when they aren't even on, and they're everywhere. Here are some ways to save some bucks and carbon emissions and gain some peace of mind by eliminating unnecessary power use in your home.
1) Devices like the Kill-a-Watt and Wattson can point you to devices that attract the largest load, leading you to get...
2) A "smart" power strip like the Wattstopper Plug Load Control and Smart Strip Power Strip, that cut the power when your devices are off.
3) The Mini Power Minder has the smarts to shut off your computer’s peripherals and doodads when the computer itself is shut down.
4) Simply unplugging things like your cell phone charger, which is only in use a few minutes per day, will make a bigger difference than you'd think.
5) See How to Green Your Electricity to learn more about keeping phantoms, vampires and warts out of your electrical life.
See Customer's How-To Comments
For more information see - http://forums.delphiforums.com/mtnpoet/messages?msg=15411.1 and http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/35509 for more reviews.
Motion-Sensing LED Lights
Motion-Sensing LED Lights: A Review
Motion-sensing LED lights — these lights are perhaps the most efficient lighting devices available today. They switch on whenever their infra-red sensors detect movement in a room — such as when someone begins to walk down a dark hallway. I’ve been testing them in my own home, and I’ve found them to be effective and non-obtrusive. At night, I’m able to go down two floors to the basement, without turning on any lights. The motion-sensing LEDs in the ceilings switch on as I move about the house.
They illuminate with a soft, bluish light - it’s enough light to easily see where you are going. After 20 seconds they turn off automatically. The lights I have in the ceilings are Philips SpotOn LED Lights. They run on three AAA batteries, you can use rechargeable batteries of course (I recommend using hybrid rechargeables because they keep their charge for many months). They cost around $17 each from Amazon.
For more information go to - http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/37835
Motion-sensing LED lights — these lights are perhaps the most efficient lighting devices available today. They switch on whenever their infra-red sensors detect movement in a room — such as when someone begins to walk down a dark hallway. I’ve been testing them in my own home, and I’ve found them to be effective and non-obtrusive. At night, I’m able to go down two floors to the basement, without turning on any lights. The motion-sensing LEDs in the ceilings switch on as I move about the house.
They illuminate with a soft, bluish light - it’s enough light to easily see where you are going. After 20 seconds they turn off automatically. The lights I have in the ceilings are Philips SpotOn LED Lights. They run on three AAA batteries, you can use rechargeable batteries of course (I recommend using hybrid rechargeables because they keep their charge for many months). They cost around $17 each from Amazon.
For more information go to - http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/37835
Recycling CFL Bulbs
CFL Bulbs Accepted at Various Ace Hardware Stores
by Ashley Schiller on May 16th, 2008
Consumers in Great Falls, Montana were getting burned out looking for a place to recycle their CFL bulbs until Ace Hardware stores began accepting them this month. The Environmental Protection Agency, Montana Department of Environmental Quality and local utilities are funding the program, according to an article in the Great Falls Tribune.
Various stores in Montana, Utah and South Dakota are taking part in the project. Ace Hardware stores are individually owned and not all stores accept CFL bulbs, but the trend is spreading. Stores in many states, including Colorado, Arizona and Illinois, will take them.
CFL bulbs should not be simply tossed in the trash because they contain a small amount of mercury, which endangers waste workers and the environment. If you want to recycle a broken bulb, seal it in a zip-lock bag.
To find where you can recycle CFL bulbs in your area, use Earth 911’s Recycling Locator.
by Ashley Schiller on May 16th, 2008
Consumers in Great Falls, Montana were getting burned out looking for a place to recycle their CFL bulbs until Ace Hardware stores began accepting them this month. The Environmental Protection Agency, Montana Department of Environmental Quality and local utilities are funding the program, according to an article in the Great Falls Tribune.
Various stores in Montana, Utah and South Dakota are taking part in the project. Ace Hardware stores are individually owned and not all stores accept CFL bulbs, but the trend is spreading. Stores in many states, including Colorado, Arizona and Illinois, will take them.
CFL bulbs should not be simply tossed in the trash because they contain a small amount of mercury, which endangers waste workers and the environment. If you want to recycle a broken bulb, seal it in a zip-lock bag.
To find where you can recycle CFL bulbs in your area, use Earth 911’s Recycling Locator.
State of the Planet 2007 PDF
State of the planet, in graphics
READ THE REPORT IN FULL
Global Environment Outlook [21.9MB] (downloadable PDF)
Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader
Download the reader here
Globally human populations are growing, trade is increasing, and living standards are rising for many. But, according to the UN's latest Global Environment Outlook report, long-term problems including climate change, pollution, access to clean water, and the threat of mass extinctions are being met with "a remarkable lack of urgency".
For more, go to - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/629/629/7056601.stm
READ THE REPORT IN FULL
Global Environment Outlook [21.9MB] (downloadable PDF)
Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader
Download the reader here
Globally human populations are growing, trade is increasing, and living standards are rising for many. But, according to the UN's latest Global Environment Outlook report, long-term problems including climate change, pollution, access to clean water, and the threat of mass extinctions are being met with "a remarkable lack of urgency".
For more, go to - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/629/629/7056601.stm
How To Stop Junk Mail
How To Stop Junk Mail Finally, a solution that works!
Choose the paper mail you want. Stop the junk mail you don’t.
Your personal information is being collected, bought, and sold by thousands of businesses every day. Without your consent.
ProQuo helps you to remove your name and personal information from thousands of marketing lists, data brokers and other organizations that send you unsolicited mail.
Choose the paper mail you want. Stop the junk mail you don’t.
Your personal information is being collected, bought, and sold by thousands of businesses every day. Without your consent.
ProQuo helps you to remove your name and personal information from thousands of marketing lists, data brokers and other organizations that send you unsolicited mail.
The Solar Estimator
The Solar Estimator - to give you an idea of price, savings and system size. The results are based upon many assumptions and the limited data you will enter.
An actual site assessment by a qualified Solar Pro will be needed to determine the actual costs and benefits of installing a solar system. Please read the results screen carefully, including the extensive list of Notes and Assumptions.
An actual site assessment by a qualified Solar Pro will be needed to determine the actual costs and benefits of installing a solar system. Please read the results screen carefully, including the extensive list of Notes and Assumptions.
The Green Building Process
Showing the Green Building Process
What does it look like to build a house with lots of green features? We see pictures of the finished buildings, and we read about the features that make them green. We know about the importance of good insulation and reducing electrical loads and choosing efficient equipment.
But what does it look like while it all goes together? Building Green on Montrose offers a wonderfully in-depth view into the process of constructing a green home. The project is the product of a couple of architects, Christopher & Emily Stromberg, working on the renovation of a rowhouse in south Philadelphia to turn it into a modern, efficient, green home. They are building this project as a speculative property, rather than a home for themselves, so it avoids some of the quirky indulgences that other green homes sometimes include. All of this has to make sense and be justifiable for an eventual buyer for the house.
What does it look like to build a house with lots of green features? We see pictures of the finished buildings, and we read about the features that make them green. We know about the importance of good insulation and reducing electrical loads and choosing efficient equipment.
But what does it look like while it all goes together? Building Green on Montrose offers a wonderfully in-depth view into the process of constructing a green home. The project is the product of a couple of architects, Christopher & Emily Stromberg, working on the renovation of a rowhouse in south Philadelphia to turn it into a modern, efficient, green home. They are building this project as a speculative property, rather than a home for themselves, so it avoids some of the quirky indulgences that other green homes sometimes include. All of this has to make sense and be justifiable for an eventual buyer for the house.
Algae The Greener Fuel
Algae Could Be The Next Cleaner, Greener Fuel
Don Shelby (WCCO) A new report this week says greenhouse gas emissions could double in the next 30 years. Not from buses and cars, but from ethanol made out of corn.
Scientists said turning forests into fields to grow fuel creates way more carbon dioxide than it saves, but with shrinking oil reserves and rising gas prices the search for a cleaner, greener fuel for transportation is critical.
However, the biofuel most likely to replace petroleum comes from the most unlikely place. In the laboratory of Dr. Roger Ruan over at the University of Minnesota, he is helping discover the fuel of the future.
The green stuff in his lab isn't just any old pond scum -- its hundreds of species of algae -- the next cleaner, greener alternative to petroleum.
Don Shelby (WCCO) A new report this week says greenhouse gas emissions could double in the next 30 years. Not from buses and cars, but from ethanol made out of corn.
Scientists said turning forests into fields to grow fuel creates way more carbon dioxide than it saves, but with shrinking oil reserves and rising gas prices the search for a cleaner, greener fuel for transportation is critical.
However, the biofuel most likely to replace petroleum comes from the most unlikely place. In the laboratory of Dr. Roger Ruan over at the University of Minnesota, he is helping discover the fuel of the future.
The green stuff in his lab isn't just any old pond scum -- its hundreds of species of algae -- the next cleaner, greener alternative to petroleum.
Cradle2Cradle Sustainable Community
William McDonough - The Hero of Sustainable Design in Action, has a new community forum fashioned after his wonderful book "Cradle To Cradle".
Check out - C2C Community Forum
See William McDonough on YouTube
Check out - C2C Community Forum
See William McDonough on YouTube
A Hydrogen Driven Future?
A Hydrogen Driven Future?
According to a recent U.S. National Research Council report, hydrogen fuel cells may be the best energy-saving alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles, and the technology could be economically competitive by 2023. But hydrogen-powered transportation will require a switch to alternative energy sources to avoid an increase in fossil fuel use to produce the hydrogen. The study did not include electric vehicles.
Read: Fuel Cell Vehicles 15 Years Away, Research Council Says
According to a recent U.S. National Research Council report, hydrogen fuel cells may be the best energy-saving alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles, and the technology could be economically competitive by 2023. But hydrogen-powered transportation will require a switch to alternative energy sources to avoid an increase in fossil fuel use to produce the hydrogen. The study did not include electric vehicles.
Read: Fuel Cell Vehicles 15 Years Away, Research Council Says
New Green Jobs
New Jobs in the Wind
U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory
As wind energy expands across the U.S. heartland, rural America is likely to experience a revitalization not experienced since the homestead land grabs of the 19th century. Local revenues from wind development are helping to revitalize roads, schools, and other infrastructure in once-depressed regions. But the recent growth in green jobs has only just begun, as areas with the most wind have yet to be developed.
Read: In Windy West Texas, an Economic Boom
U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory
As wind energy expands across the U.S. heartland, rural America is likely to experience a revitalization not experienced since the homestead land grabs of the 19th century. Local revenues from wind development are helping to revitalize roads, schools, and other infrastructure in once-depressed regions. But the recent growth in green jobs has only just begun, as areas with the most wind have yet to be developed.
Read: In Windy West Texas, an Economic Boom
Earth 911 - Where To Recycle In Your Area?
Earth 911.org is a great site to find recycling centers in your area. There are many useful resources on this site.
MIT - The Solar Revolution
MIT Primed to Unleash Solar Revolution
In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy for use when the sun doesn’t shine.
(video clip)
In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy for use when the sun doesn’t shine.
(video clip)
Reusable Paper
The future, reusable paper
Xerox demonstrates disappearing ink
At the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Las Vegas, Steve Hoover, vice president with Xerox Research Center Webster, shows off a technology being developed in the company's labs that enables people to reuse a piece of paper. The paper contains a photochromic compound that makes ink disappear when hit by direct heat.
Length of Video Clip: 04:17
The paperless office obviously didn't come to fruition for most people, but this may just work!
Xerox demonstrates disappearing ink
At the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Las Vegas, Steve Hoover, vice president with Xerox Research Center Webster, shows off a technology being developed in the company's labs that enables people to reuse a piece of paper. The paper contains a photochromic compound that makes ink disappear when hit by direct heat.
Length of Video Clip: 04:17
The paperless office obviously didn't come to fruition for most people, but this may just work!
Kudos To The Green Networks
We'd like to give kudos to the Green Networks from Discovery Channel & The Sundance Channel for their interesting additions to TV.
If you've not see Planet Green from Discovery, or The Green from Sundance, we urge you to check them out. Who knows, they may just inspire you to do a little more to enhance your way of live and save some money $$.
In addition to many great resources, these networks have got the first reality based shows that I've found interesting enough to watch from week to week. Specifically, I love Ed Bagley, Jr. & his wife's show "Living With Ed" on The Planet Green Channel, and "It Isn't Easy Going Green" on Sundance.
Note to Ed: I love the idea that Bill Nye "The Science Guy" has moved into your neighborhood and has started a friendly green competition with you. But I must find out where you got that spiffy horizontal driven wind power turbine for your residential roof.
Keep up the Good* Work!!
If you've not see Planet Green from Discovery, or The Green from Sundance, we urge you to check them out. Who knows, they may just inspire you to do a little more to enhance your way of live and save some money $$.
In addition to many great resources, these networks have got the first reality based shows that I've found interesting enough to watch from week to week. Specifically, I love Ed Bagley, Jr. & his wife's show "Living With Ed" on The Planet Green Channel, and "It Isn't Easy Going Green" on Sundance.
Note to Ed: I love the idea that Bill Nye "The Science Guy" has moved into your neighborhood and has started a friendly green competition with you. But I must find out where you got that spiffy horizontal driven wind power turbine for your residential roof.
Keep up the Good* Work!!
Light Bulb of the Future?
The lightbulb of the future? (video link)
Luxim's plasma lightbulb
Silicon Valley's Luxim has developed a lightbulb the size of a Tic Tac that gives off as much light as a streetlight. News.com's Michael Kanellos talks to the company about its technology and its plans to expand into various markets.
Video Clip Length: 01:34
Very Cool Lite!
Luxim's plasma lightbulb
Silicon Valley's Luxim has developed a lightbulb the size of a Tic Tac that gives off as much light as a streetlight. News.com's Michael Kanellos talks to the company about its technology and its plans to expand into various markets.
Video Clip Length: 01:34
Very Cool Lite!
Welcome to Green Colorado
Welcome!
We've created the Green Colorado Blog to highlight the many new exciting technologies in Going Green. We'll post breaking news, technology reviews, and even How-To Video Clips for those interesed in making their lives and this world work better.
After all, the old adage of leaving things better than you found them is certainly a wiser course to follow in today's world.
We've been posting information like this (and much more) in our forum at Delphi - The Writers Well for many years, but decided to take it to a new level.
Please let us know if there's something you'd like to see added here.
Thanks for stopping by :-)
We've created the Green Colorado Blog to highlight the many new exciting technologies in Going Green. We'll post breaking news, technology reviews, and even How-To Video Clips for those interesed in making their lives and this world work better.
After all, the old adage of leaving things better than you found them is certainly a wiser course to follow in today's world.
We've been posting information like this (and much more) in our forum at Delphi - The Writers Well for many years, but decided to take it to a new level.
Please let us know if there's something you'd like to see added here.
Thanks for stopping by :-)