The Green One » Environment

Window on the Earth

Ryan — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:37:34 +0000

There are some places in the world where it’s easier to be environmentally conscious than others. One of the great benefits to living on the east coast, then, comes from the curious blend of lifestyles that nearly everyone adopts here. The changes of seasons can be brutal, exhilarating, or breathtakingly sweet, reminding everyone that the rhythms of nature affect everything. There is also a fascinating array of landscapes that commuters get to witness every day. People living a thousand years ago could only have dreamt of moving between heavily populated urban areas and idyllic spots that look almost untouched by human hands. Today, it’s something that people get accustomed to very quickly. But there’s rarely a time when the sheer beauty of things does not permeate at least a part of the mind. It is not difficult to imagine why eco-friendly ideas and products are so widely available these days, but in places like Rockville, the sheer beauty of the place gives plenty of reason to want to take care of the natural balance of things.

With plenty of natural food stores in the area, and places like MOM’s, it’s pretty easy to keep diet and lifestyle in a perfect and graceful balance. With such a variety of produce available from the local farms, anyone who ventures into a natural, organic, or vegetarian lifestyle will find plenty of reasons to continue on the path. Being conscious of the earth is one of the kinds of dedication that really does come naturally, and it has its own built-in rewards. Eating, of course, is one of these, and often ranks the highest on the list.

Beyond food, there are other adjustments that can come very easily, or at least, most people who live here have the opportunity to adjust without much of a struggle. Cleaning products are widely available, along with many other kinds of day to day supplies. There are other ways to make demonstrable commitments, and ones that have their own built-in pleasures and rewards. Re-vamping the house in major and more subtle ways have a very pronounced affect on one’s balance. This could mean the kind of restructuring to make a house ready for alternative energies, or something easier, like a trip to the Next Day Blinds Rockville store. Here one can not only make the interior more beautiful, it also gives one a more pronounced connection with the world outside. There are always hundreds of things one can do to change their way of living, but the ones that have the most pronounced eco-friendly affects also carry great rewards.

(Image by Leon Wycz?kowski)

Eco-friendly home remodeling

Uses for Old Tires

Ryan — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 05:00:00 +0000

It is the age of recycling. People no longer just throw things in the trash — well, not as many things as they used to. Even in communities that do not have curbside recycling, people are taking the extra effort to separate their trash and deliver recyclables to special collection centers. Another option is to reuse items rather than disposing of them. Many people have found alternative uses for car tires rather than taking them to the dump.

There are several common uses for worn out tires. The image of the tire swing hanging from a backyard tree is an iconic picture in American film, television, and even cartoon strips . Many tires are filled with dirt and turned into planters in areas where the native soil is not as arable as home gardeners want it to be. Tires also serve as exercise equipment for football players and can be used to construct an obstacle course at playgrounds and schools.

Those who are looking for other ways to repurpose their old kuhmo tires may want to consider cutting their tires into strips and attaching them as protection on the sides of homes, fences, or other structures. Some communities also collect tires to have them shredded and then it is used as padding and cushioning under playground equipment.

Earth Day Is Coming on April 22

Alice — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:06:01 +0000

“Make everyday, Earth Day” is how the saying goes, and every year we come together to celebrate our beautiful planet by making changes that keep our environment healthy and clean. One of the easiest ways to make each day a little greener is through small lifestyle changes that have a big, long-term impact. Here are a few ideas to get you to save energy and help save our environment.

Use Less Energy - You may be using more energy in your home or apartment than you think. Unplug electronics when they aren’t in use, because they will still consume energy even if they are turned off. Check to be sure your home or office is properly insulated to prevent heat or cooling loss. Don’t forget the windows, either. Windows in any home or office are typically the source of energy leaking out of the building. Try going to your local windows experts to find out what kind of window coverings will work best to prevent energy loss and keep your space properly insulated. Next Day Blinds in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area is one company that can help you with this. With proper blinds or shades, you may need to run the heater less in the winter and the air conditioning less often in the summertime.

Recycle – Most plastics take years to break down in landfills. Recycling as much plastic as you can will make a big difference in the environment. If you’ve already committed to recycling at home, try to encourage your workplace or favorite shopping center to start a recycling program, too. You can even recommend a local recycling center to help make the change.

Orchids in New York

Ryan — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:08:44 +0000

The destruction of natural habitats, and the excessive collection of wild orchids have put them at the risk of extinction. Many countries around the world are coming together, to create regulations meant to ensure the survival of the species. Seventy-five percent of the exotic plants seized and confiscated at the borders by the Department of Agriculture are orchids. The New York Botanical Gardens, in 1990, set aside a division of plant rescue with the specific intention of caring for the illegally imported flowers. Recognized by the United States Department of the Interior, the Garden is a shelter for the confiscated plants. Those confiscated include many varieties coming from such countries as Mexico, Thailand, Peru, and India. Like most transplanted and rescued wildlife and fauna, the plants come to Garden in a poor state.

Botanists and horticulturists have spent years researching the techniques necessary for care of plants with such delicate needs. Through studying the climate of the natural regions where the specimens are indigenous, the scientists have just about perfected the care of these plants and have succeeded in bringing even the most ailing of the rescued, back to life. In the garden these plants are on display throughout the year. The Garden which is located in the Bronx, sits amid city buildings, parks, businesses and 4 star hotels New York is famous for. Environmental and preservation concerns are issues the Garden regularly addresses and they have remained dedicated to educating the public. An architect known for his botanical and naturalistic aesthetic, Raymond Jungles, is in charge of the orchid exhibit, and brings with him his expertise of the climatic habitats best suited for the care of orchids. His knowledge of the tropical regions of Florida and throughout the Caribbean, has served to ensure the perfect habitat for these healing plants. He is known world-wide for his creations in gardens, private and public, and this is his long awaited first project with the New York Botanical Garden.

Preserving the natural habitat for plant-life has been a concern and a mission for years at this garden in the Bronx. And together, with the generous donations and support through government agencies and private donors, the Garden is not only preserving and protecting ecosystems of the Eastern region of the U.S., but educating visitors from other cities on how to better care for their worlds, as well as the world in general.

Watching Whales in the Mediterranean

Ryan — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:39:56 +0000

While there are ample numbers of activities to partake in around the beaches and the coast of Spain and the neighboring Balearic Islands during the summer season, one particular activity is bound to leave every visitor and participant breathless. I am, of course, talking about whale watching. While restful, the experience can also be intense to see the impressive and mighty beauty in some of natures largest and most graceful mammals. The opportunities for this activity are plentiful in Spain and a fair number of the 5-star hotels in the Balearics have these tours on offer to curious visitors. Geography plays an integral part in providing the opportunity for so much to see. The two continents of Europe and Africa, complete with their two distinct habitats for marine life, are connected at the Strait of Gibraltar. Atlantic waters combines with the higher salt concentration of the Mediterranean Ocean, creating a breeding ground for all the indigenous marine inhabitants. The many different species create a remarkable food supply, further creating the ability for further growth and increased sustainability.

The strait of Gibraltar, along with being the flourishing natural environment for many species, known as the Whale Sanctuary, has become a busy destination on the marine life migration route, bringing with it new species daily. On a whale watching trip, one may as well be guaranteed a sighting of any number of different whales, dolphins and cetaceans and many of the tour promoters back up their tour packages with the guarantee that in the unlikely event that you would be unlucky and see nothing on the trip, the next sighting out is complimentary. The tours only occur between the months of April and October, with the stunning track record that in the last ten years, no sighting trip has returned to port without sightings of these magnificent creatures. With so many people traveling here specifically just for this reason, every precaution has been taken to protect the whales’ natural and social environments.

Natural World Singapore

Ryan — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:40:22 +0000

Tourism and business has been a long standing boom to to Singapore’s economy, whether it from the cafes and festivals and luxury hotels Singapore is a magnet, drawing the rest of the world to the island. On aspect that threatens this is the consideration of storms. Not just the typical tropical mist or, even monsoon. But the earthquake and tsunami. Both natural events cause devastation and destruction. Singapore is usually considered a safe refuge from the threat, but a fault line lies with in the floor of the the South China Sea. Earthquakes far out to sea have been known wreak havoc, as well they should, or would. Agencies around and withing the city are beginning to study the history, the geography, in hopes of sometime in the future, gaining the ability to predict the storms and to prevent harm, to the land to to the inhabitants. International business and a booming tourist economy are two driving forces behind the research, as well as the concern for the local population and society. From conventions to festivals, Singapore has relished in a reputation that is comparable to no other city.

The government and the National Environment Agency has combined resources to the tune of over two million dollars. The goal is to predict and warn. Singapore sits in the sea, a shallow area of the sea which allows, perhaps a bit of time and preparation. What scientists are hoping for is a ten hour window. The shallow waters do slow down tidal waves, break them up a bit, but not enough. With even a ten hour warning, the people of the city…most affected are the people living on the coasts, they will be allowed the time necessary to prepare, to hunker down or to get out of town. Perhaps ten hours will not be enough time to leave, but at least they will be prepared. By studying the floor of the ocean, and the fault line, the scientists are hoping to broaden that window.

The earthquakes that occur out at sea are responsible for tsunamis or tidal waves that can wreak havoc on islands at sea. Such an earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean in 2004, and was the cause of much devastation and disaster. As with all major natural disasters, various agencies conduct studies, which do tend to come too late for the immediate situations but are intended to better prepare for the next time, to learn more about better courses of action and preparedness should such a threat be posed again in the future.

Green IT is no longer a Mystery

Alice — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:29:11 +0000

A new "Dummies" book, "Green IT for Dummies" was featured in a MarketWatch article yesterday. There are so many simple, easy things that businesses and IT departments, especially, to save energy – which also saves companies money and it helps the environment, too. Companies across the nation are losing out if they aren’t using power efficiently. As a famous frog once said, "It’s not easy, being green." Hopefully books like these will help enlighten people how to save green by being green. The book is schedule for a traditional paperback release in March 2009.

Save Energy While You Search

Alice — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:17:28 +0000

There�s no denying that Google is the industry leader when it comes to searching the Internet. Environmentalists are eager to find ways to reduce the amount of energy spent while surfing, and in this process the idea of using a dark background would use less energy than a white background emerged. An interesting article about the issue can be found at the ecoIron blog. The most important point of this issue is whether or not black pixels really save more energy than white ones. Quite simply, the answer depends on what type of monitor is being used. For CRT and Plasma screens, the answer would be yes. More energy is used to display a white or light colored image than a black or darkly colored image. According to Google�s official blog LCD monitors, the most widely-used and available worldwide, use the same amount of energy regardless of the colors being displayed.

Even though the results are debatable, energy savers are energized about the idea of a Black Google. Many say it reminds them to be power conscious, even if it doesn�t save energy. Here are a list of black light search engines:

black-google.blogspot.com

blackle.com

blaxel.com

cuil.com

The new Cuil search engine features a black layout for its start page, but its results are still predominantly displayed with a white background. Think of it as a hybrid.

Oil Spill near New Orleans

Alice — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:31:45 +0000

It�s a dark day for Mississippi River locals and wildlife. A terrifying collision between a fuel barge and a chemical tanker has sent around 420,000 gallons of dense fuel into the nation�s second longest river. Reportedly, the oil spill occurred thanks to a massive accident in which a chemical tanker severed a fuel barge in two – yes, it was cut in half, Yahoo! News featured pictures. Thankfully the local, state and Coast Guard environmental teams instantly began the cleanup process by bringing out the booms and skimmers, ensuring the mess did not spread out even more. There are no injuries reported so far.

Perhaps the most distressing thing about this whole happening is that the drivers of the tugboats in this case were not properly licensed and they had no authorization to be operating the boats. The river will be closed for several days and lots of people are working hard to clean up the mess. It�s unfortunate that so many people, and the environment, have to suffer due to the carelessness of others.

U.S. Open Tennis Championship at Same Time as Olympics

McKinney Represents Green Party in 2008 Presidential Election

Alice — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:12:20 +0000

Even politics can go green. Like the economy and health care, our environment is a crucial issue in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The news media has turned all its attention to the contest between McCain and Obama. For those wanting another perspective, one that is finely tuned to the issues of environment, the Green Party has chosen Cynthia McKinney.

McKinney�s nomination was announced on Sunday, but her dedication to environmental issues was clearly evident at the nation�s first Green Presidential Debate. Her campaign centers around six central environmental solutions, as seen on the following YouTube video.

In summary, the solutions she has on her agenda are:1. �Leave the oil in the soil� �Initiatives to end dependence upon petroleum must be taken seriously to succeed.

2. �Utilize and grow existing green technologies� � We have the technology it is time we started using it.

3. �Develop green jobs in underdeveloped communities� � outsourcing and a stressed economy have reduced the job bank. Green collar jobs will give back to nature and the community�s finances.

4. �Encourage Organic Farming� � Pesticides aren�t just unhealthy for human consumption, but they unnaturally reduce the insect population.

5. �Just Say �NO� to Genetically Modified Foods� � Many of the foods we enjoy today have been genetically altered in one way or another; however, it is still debatable that these processes are unhealthy for humans and the earth.

6. �Implement Sustainable land and water use policies� � Ensuring clean water and ecologically conscious construction/building procedures can be sustained for years to come.

It�s evident that none of these initiatives are truly revolutionary ideas. Environmentalists have been clamoring for this type of action for years. If nothing else, McKinney can serve to represent those who take the earth�s future to heart and at the same time put the pressure on both Obama and McCain to remember the future green economy is a powerful issue not to be taken lightly.