Archive for February, 2010

5 New Green Tips to Sustaining our Waterways

Salt and fresh waterways are not being taken care of today.  The problem is, since they are being assaulted, they are no longer fit for drinking and bathing and they are even losing the ability to support life within the water.  Most bodies of water on the earth include things like toxins, fertilizers, prescription drugs, and even sewage. Although a lot of the responsibility for the destruction of waterways is definitely on large businesses and various governments, every individual can do something to keep our waterways preserved.  You can do something to help take care of the waterways that we have on earth.  Here are some tips that you can use to help out and make a difference. Tip #1 - Dealing with Storm Water One reason that streams are degraded is because of storm water runoff that is not controlled.  Often the water ends up on driveways and roads, then it picks up chemicals and various other pollutants and goes into the streams.  With all the runoff, banks can become unstable, the habitat may be lost, and the streams can erode.  What can you do?  You can try capturing storm water with rain barrels or rain gardens.  Another option is to plant ...

Plastic - The Material Making Us All Fat

No doubt you already know that there is a big obesity problem in this country.  What you may not know is that plastic could be one of the big problems.  Yes, it's entirely possible that that weight gain has something to do with plastic. The chemicals that mimic hormones have quite the rap for disrupting endocrine within your body.  Now studies are beginning to show that they may also cause problems with the metabolism in the body, and depending on how much exposure there is, it can lead to obesity as well. These chemicals actually surround us.  You'll find pthalates and BPA all around you, in dryer sheets, water bottles, and the pipes that bring water into your home.  This is definitely taking a toll on humans.  Some researchers are calling them obesogens, which was a term that was coined by one of the top researchers on this issue.  Recently in Newsweek a story that was run showed more evidence that these chemicals are linked to the metabolism of the body. This becomes a two fold problem.  In both newborns and fetuses that are still developing, the chemicals can turn cells that are not yet developed into fat cells.  The chemicals can also ...

Ecoholic: Your Guide to the Most Environmentally Friendly Information, Products And Services

There are many types of addiction among individuals, harmless and harmful - chocoholics, alcoholics, shopaholics and workaholics, to name the more popular.  However, you have probably not heard of the most beneficial addiction of all - the ecoholic, of which Adria Vasil is proud to be one. Simply put, the ecoholic is somebody who is addicted to the planet Earth.  Adria Vasil's "Ecoholic: Your Guide to the Most Environmentally Friendly Information, Products, and Services", which is a comprehensive compendium of Vasil's knowledge acquired through 5 years of writing for Canada's NOW Magazine in her "Ecoholic" column, is probably the best guidebook on becoming one. When you read the book, you will observe that the language used is no-nonsense, direct and practical with just the right kind of edge and entertainment to it.  You will want to refer to it to answer your pressing questions about eco-friendly choices but once you do get your answers, you will want to know more and so far, it has yet to disappoint. There are many examples of everyday products that Vasil exposes for their dangers to the environment, the dangers to the people behind the manufacture of the product especially on children, and the dangers to the ...

New Green Home Conservation Ideas via Eco-Friendly NASA Space Program

You may ask why spend on space programs under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) when there are so many problems besetting us on Earth.  After all, research on space will not benefit quality of life for humankind precisely because we lead our lives on the terra firma, not in the heavens. Well, your doubts are valid on many points.  However, all your doubts will be erased once your realize that the NASA space programs have generated many spin-offs in technologies that have benefited and continues to benefit all of humankind especially in terms of improving our quality of life on Earth.  As a matter of fact, it can be hard finding an area of human life that has not benefited from said NASA technology spin-offs. Spin-Off Areas From national security and economy to personal productivity and lifestyle, NASA technology has touched them all.  As such, every penny spent on the space programs is well worth the taxpayer's money.  Below are just some of these beneficial spin-offs where life in the house is concerned: Air Quality Monitor - Yes, the air quality monitor used in your home has its roots in space technology although it was first used for industrial applications to determine ...

Home Solar Panels: The Future has arrived, and it’s green!

Solar energy has come to the rescue of Haiti after it was struck with January 12 earthquake that claimed thousands of lives.  There is no electricity to energize hospitals and relief work past dusk.  Sol Inc. a Palm City based company donated solar lighting supplies that would help relief workers work round the clock.  The solar revolution has finally caught up after several decades. Solar Panels for Clean Energy For decades, the world relied on the earth's resources for energy.  These resources are non-renewable and are feared to be on the decline and some of these have cause havoc on the environment causing air and water pollution.  An alternative is solar energy.  To use the sun's energy, the sun's energy is trapped and stored in solar panels. Solar panels do not produce energy, but stores the sun's energy and processed later into usable energy for homes and using this type of energy reduces C02 emissions.  With a growing awareness of environmental hazards, the world is shifting to go green with the government-approved installation of solar panels in homes, schools, churches, hospitals and other government and ...