http://blog.greenacy.org/ News and Tips on All Things Green, Organic, and Eco Friendly en-us Nucleus CMS v3.32 � Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://blog.greenacy.org//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://blog.greenacy.org/ http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=49 The air is so unhealthy in parts of California that it causes the state to lose $28 billion in economic activity each year, says a study by two economics professors at California State University, Fullerton. Pollutants also cause more than 3,800 people to die prematurely.

Jane Hall and Victor Brajer focused on the Los Angeles region and the San Joaquin Valley, northwest of the megalopolis. They found air pollution levels in both areas rivaled only Houston, Texas in their severity."Most people cannot choose the air they breathe, and there is clear scientific consensus that people�s lives are shortened by air pollution. Kids are made sick. Workdays are lost," says team-leader Jane Hall in the San Francisco Chronicle. Hall has researched the impact of air pollution for two decades.

Filthy air causes 1.3 million children to stay home from school and adults lose more than 466,000 days of work each year, says "The benefits of meeting federal clean air standards in the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley Air Basins" report. Asthma attacks affect 141,370 people; acute bronchitis fells 16,110 children and 2,800 land people land in emergency rooms annually because of deadly pollutants in the air.

Nearly every resident "regularly experiences air pollution levels known to harm health and to increase the risk of early death," writes the report. Between 2005 and 2007, almost everyone in the Los Angeles region was exposed to unhealthful levels of ozone for more than 20 days each year. People living in the San Juaquin Valley were exposed to microscopic particulates for 30 days annually.

No time of year is exempt from dangerous pollution levels. People are exposed to high concentrations of ozone from April to September and breathe in dangerous fine particles during the rest of the year. "Not only is the standard frequently exceeded," say the authors, "But between 2005 and 2007 the maximum 8-hour concentration was significantly above the standard."

The researchers found that California�s productivity levels drop and costs increase when children miss school or their parents stay out of the office because of health-related concerns. Their doctors� bills, for instance, are covered by insurance companies, but those costs are passed as higher premiums to customers living in other parts of the state.

The study finds that the price of air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley is more than $1,600 per person per year, or $6 billion of the region�s economy. Simply meeting federal clean-air standards would save the region that annual cost, say the authors. In the Los Angeles metropolitan area the cost exceeds $1,250 per person, which translates into $22 billion in savings if emissions came into compliance with federal standards.

The San Joaquin Valley has long suffered from some of the worst pollution in the United States. Fumes from heavy-duty diesel trucks and numerous automobiles pollute the air alongside large agricultural operations. Los Angeles suffers from temperature inversions that trap smog close to the ground and from exhausts spewed by millions of vehicles on the road.

Its pollution levels are lower than in the Valley, however, because winds from the Pacific Ocean push many pollutants to the east.

The American Enterprise Institute, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, says the mortality estimates may be overstated in studies that link exposure to ill health. The conservative think tank regularly comments on government health standards. The researchers, on the other hand, argue that their $90,000 study used data and a methodology widely accepted by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Governments may be wise to read the California study in these uncertain economic times. Reducing pollution levels does not just improve people�s health. It can save billions of dollars. The trick is whether businesses and consumers are willing to modify their behavior in an age when pinching pennies has become the new norm.

Original Author:
Frank Came, GLOBE-net Editor.
http://www.globe-net.com

]]> Green News http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=49 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:38:09 -0600 http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=47
Reconditioning batteries is a great way to save batteries from ending up in the landfill. Batteries are the most expensive part of most power tools and other things. Reconditioning batteries can save you money or create an opportunity to start a business selling these reconditioned batteries. Learn more Here.]]> General Green http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=47 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:17:36 -0600 http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=44 Green Construction


It used to be that years ago home builders weren�t terribly concerned about building materials and their impact on the environment. The goal, especially during the post-war housing boom in the United States during the 1940s and 50s, was to put up a lot of houses and put them up fast. Keeping building costs down was also a concern of most builders, and inexpensive materials were used in favor of maintaining a healthy bottom line.


For this reason, the housing industry has indeed had a huge effect on the environment. Many building products are far from eco-friendly, including such materials as asbestos insulation and other products containing similarly dangerous toxins. And when those products wind up on the scrap heap during remodeling projects, they can cause even more hazards.


Fortunately, home builders of the new millennium have begun to stand up and take notice of their industry�s huge impact on the world around us and have been providing new home owners, as well as those remodeling their old homes, with options that are more eco-friendly. Today, one might say, �green building� is more than just the color you�ve selected for your siding.
Why Green Construction?


While cars and factories have an impact on the environment that�s obvious to most individuals, it�s often difficult for people to understand just how a home or seemingly-innocuous office building can affect our planet.


Simply put, a well-built �green� building can easily trump a traditional building by reducing the amount of energy (electricity, etc.) consumed as well as the amount of water used on a daily basis. In addition, by using eco-friendly, natural building products, everyone�s health may be improved simply by improving the air quality inside a building.


In a recent study released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), the organization reports that buildings account for 39% of total energy usage, 68% of total energy consumption, and 38% of carbon dioxide emissions in this country. Those are high numbers but with some simple steps, they can be reduced, say EPA officials and other �green� organizations.


Furthermore, a green building is more cost efficient for owners or landlords. Remember, green buildings lessen energy usage, therefore saving the owner money in the long run, even if it costs a little more to include green building materials in the construction process.


Building Green


What exactly does it mean to employ the use of �green� construction techniques or materials? Simply, green construction always keeps the environment in mind. Eco-friendly construction materials are those that help to sustain the environment. These include such products as organic insulation, solar panels, or wood from sustainable forests.


In general, products used include high-efficiency lighting, heating, and cooling options that lessen the buildings impact on the Earth. In addition, green buildings are also designed to be more aesthetically pleasing and to blend with their environment. That might include the extensive use of plants or trees or other organic materials. Some studies show that the use of things like plants and water features in green office buildings serve to improve employee productivity, yet another perk of a healthy, green environment.


Green Remodeling


While it isn�t difficult to plan a green building from scratch, many individuals who are eco-conscious and have a desire to convert their traditional homes to something more eco-friendly may face a few more challenges. Green remodeling is usually a bit tougher and while certainly commendable, there is much for the home remodeler to consider before making the necessary changes.


The main concern is dealing with the potentially- toxic materials that are already inside the existing house. If a homeowner is converting a home that was constructed prior to 1980, chances are that asbestos and other hazardous materials may be present. Asbestos was widely used for the first three-quarters of the twentieth century and removing it properly is critical and usually involves the services of a licensed abatement professional. Asbestos exposure can of course lead to the deadly cancer known as mesothelioma. Currently, there are no mesothelioma treatments that lead to a cure.


Fortunately, however, once the asbestos insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, or other products of concern are removed, there are much better options for their replacement. Today, eco-friendly insulation products include:


* Cotton fiber � Recycled cotton fiber has become a very popular insulation material among green builders. It consists of a batted material � often denim � that has been treated with the chemical borate to make it fire- and heat-retardant and to prevent it from developing mold. The material produces no off gases and it is totally non-toxic, carrying no warning labels. Manufacturers of cotton fiber insulation include Bonded Logic, which manufactures the popular Ultra Touch brand.

* Cellulose � Cellulose insulation is made from finely-shredded newsprint. It contains 85 percent recycled content, similar to the numbers for cotton fiber insulation. It is chemically treated to reduce mold and promote fire resistance and its use is said to reduce heating and air conditioning bills by up to 20 percent annually. US GreenFiber, a manufacturer of eco-friendly building products such as cellulose insulation, reports that cellulose is used in approximately 15 percent of new green building construction.

* Fiberglass � Though fiberglass of old was not really toxic to the environment, today�s fiberglass insulation manufacturers are now making more and better use of recycled materials in their products. In addition, well-known insulation companies � like Owens Corning and CertainTeed � are striving to have their products certified by the GreenGuard Environmental Institute for low emissions of formaldehyde and other pollutants. Also, these companies both have �green building� departments that are concerned specifically with supplying eco-friendly products to those who desire them.

* Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) � Easy to install, this foam does not emit any harmful off-gasses. In addition, this water-based spray (icynene) is said to produce a �tight� home that allows little space for mold or dust, making it very desirable for families with allergies. Its only drawback is that icynene can only be installed by certified professionals, making it more costly than other forms of non-toxic insulation. However, manufacturers claim it cuts energy costs by about 35 percent annually.


In general, eco-friendly insulation provides a lower risk of the release of pollutants in the home or office because it is manufactured from natural fibers. That means you�ll be breathing cleaner air at all times. Using these natural fibers also provides yet another advantage � less waste is making its way to the landfills, further reducing the impact of buildings on the environment.


]]> General Green http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=44 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:28:50 -0500 http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=42
Total US installed wind power capacity now stands at 19,549MW, up 2,726MW from the end of 2007, making the US the world leader in wind electricity generation, according to the AWEA's second quarter 2008 market report. Germany has installed generating capacity of about 23,000MW, but the US produces more electricity because of stronger winds, the AWEA said.The AWEA projects 7,500MW of new capacity will come online in 2008, a 45% increase over 2007. �The increased cost of fuel, particularly natural gas, has had an amazing impact on the industry��, said AWEA executive director Randall Swisher.

The rapid growth of the wind energy industry, however, is being threatened by the inability of Congress to pass legislation to extend the PTC for renewable energy projects, he said. The PTC is set to expire at the end of 2008, and many projects are being rushed to completion by the end of this year, Swisher said.

Investment in new wind energy projects beyond 2008 has stalled due to the failure to extend the credits, Swisher said. �If there is a great deal of uncertainty in the market and in policies in the market, that investment capacity will be deployed elsewhere��, he said. �It's just ludicrous that the Congress is letting this opportunity slip away.��

The AWEA also reported a strong increase in domestic investment in wind turbine and wind turbine component manufacturing facilities over the past 18 months with at least 41 new or expanded facilities creating more than 9,000 jobs when operating at full capacity. But uncertainty about the PTC also threatens that investment, according to the AWEA. ]]> Green News http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=42 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:49:22 -0500 http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=40
1. Municipalities and Water Utilities
Many municipalities these days are encouraging water saving devices like rain barrels, and as a result, often give them away for free. They probably have a limited supply or may only offer them on certain days or at specific events. They may refer you to the water utility company.

2. Non-profit Organizations
If your municipality has no advice, then check out non-profit environmental organizations. They may have giveaways or know of places where you can get free or inexpensive rain barrels.

3. Car Wash
I�ve heard that car washes may have 55 gallon barrels that can be retrofitted as rain barrels but have never investigated it myself. I�ve also heard that they recycle them back to the supplier, but it never hurts to ask.

4. Feed Supply Store
If you live in a rural area, then another resource to try is the feed supply store where grains might be sold in large containers suitable for rain barrels.

5. Food or Beverage Manufacturing Facility
I�ve heard that in Atlanta, GA people can get 55-gallon drums from the Coca-Cola bottling plant for free. This may hold true for other food and beverage manufacturing or bottling facilities.
]]> General Green http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=40 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:46:13 -0500 http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=38
1. China - Probably not a surprise. China comes in at #1 among developing countries and #2 worldwide (new reports show that China may actually be #1 in both categories). At 18.4% of global CO2 emissions, no one even comes close to China (except for the United States). The next country to even begin to offer a challenge is Russia, at a mere 5.6%. China also accounts for almost 20% of the worlds population with 1,325,507,000.

2. India - Pumping out 4.9%, this quickly developing country is home to roughly 1,136,665,600 (over 17% of the global population). Including developed countries, India still ranks 4th.

3. South Korea - earns a Bronze with 1.7% of global emissions, and 9th when factoring in the developed world. With a population just slightly larger than South Africa, at 48,224,000 people. #3,4 and 5 are all pretty close in terms of CO2 emissions, though Mexico has double the population of South Korea or South Africa.

4. Mexico - Also 1.6% of global emission (slightly higher than South Africa if you look at actual tons), the roughly 106,682,500 people of Mexico are 11th in the world when you include developed countries.

5. South Africa - Responsible for 1.6% of global CO2 emissions, South Africa has a population of 47,850,000 people. Cheers to South Africa for recently announcing its plans to stabilize and reduce CO2 emissions by 2025. (#12 in the world if you include developed countries).]]> Stats and Facts http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=38 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:32:06 -0500 http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=35


With expanded and tougher criteria on toxic chemicals, electronic waste and new criteria on climate change only Sony and Sony Ericsson score more than 5/10 in our latest Guide to Greener Electronics. Nintendo and Microsoft remain rooted to the bottom of the Guide.
The Greener Electronics Guide is our way of getting the electronics industry to face up to the problem of e-waste. We want manufacturers to get rid of harmful chemicals in their products. We want to see an end to the stories of unprotected child laborers scavenging mountains of cast-off gadgets created by society's gizmo-loving ways.

First launched in August 2006 the Guide is now on its 8th edition. It ranks the top market leaders of the mobile phone, computer, TV and games console markets according to their policies and practices on toxic chemicals and take-back. It has been a key driving force in getting many of the companies to make significant improvements to their environmental policies. New to this edition are criteria to assess the impact of electronics companies on climate change.

Companies are scored on disclosure of their greenhouse gas emissions, commitment for absolute cuts in their own emissions and support for the mandatory global emissions reductions that are needed to tackle climate change. On energy efficiency, a selection of each company�s product range is assessed to see how far they exceed the current de-facto global standard, the US Environmental Protection Agency�s Energy Star. Energy Star sets minimum standards for energy efficiency for many types of electronic products. The overall percentage of renewable energy in a companies total energy use is also assessed.

What it really boils down to is not a single major electronics company, at the time being, is making the appropriate strides in environmental consciousness that they need, too. Hopefully, we can see a green Wii in the future!]]> General Green http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=35 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:36:04 -0500 http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=33
First, buying and using energy-effecient equipment saves you money. It can provide enormous savings in electricity use alone, saving you up to $180 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours of energy and cutting up to 80% off your electricity bill. It can also cut 20-30% off your air-conditioning bill because you are reducing the amount of heat that your equipment generates and that needs to be cooled.

Paper costs can be almost halved simply by printing double-sided, and you can save $100 on toner and $30 on ink by refilling your cartridges. You can also save on waste disposal costs because the amount of waste you generate is reduced.Second,the environmental benefits of using energy-efficient equipment are tremendous.By reducing the electricity you use you are reducing air and water pollution from power stations and saving a tonne of greenhouse gas for each 1,000 kilowatt-hour of electricity you save.

Refilling, reusing, and recycling the materials you use reduces the amount of waste and pollution you generate. In addition, making equipment from recycled metals, plastics, and other materials saves at least 2 kilograms of greenhouse gas per kilogram of product.

Using recycled paper saves trees. Every 100 reams of recycled office paper that is printed double-sided saves 2 trees, more than a ton of greenhouse gas and almost a cubic meter of landfill space compared to 100 reams of paper that is not recycled or printed double-sided.

Third, making you office a "green" one will involve your staff in doing something for the environment. Knowing that their actions can really make a difference will enhance a natural motivation to act in an environmentally responsible way. Since motivated staff are productive staff, you can expect an increase in productivity. Since most office-based workplaces spend about 100 times as much on wages as they do on energy, small increases in staff productivity can have a major impact on profitability and your company's bottom line.]]> General Green http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=33 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:20:05 -0500 http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=31
What if every time that you flushed your toilet you could generate just a little bit of power? That is the idea behind the Benkatine Turbine by Leviathan Energy, which aims to get power from any pipe that water rushes through. So not only could you install this within a municipal system, but according to the company, you could get power from the water rushing down your gutter drains!There is nothing really new here, after all, rushing water is the basis of all hydroelectric power. It is the location and scale of this system (ie. in your toilet!) that makes it such an innovative product. According to the company, the turbine is intended to be scalable, meaning that it can work well in both municipal water and sewer systems, as well as in smaller pipes such as residential drainage and guttering systems. It is meant to be used in conjunction with other turbines in order to maximize the efficiency of the system.

This opens yet another renewable source of energy. Solar and wind energy are great but will never meet our needs in an significant manner. Combined with the ability to turn any flowing water into power renewable energy can make its stand.]]> Green News http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=31 Fri, 23 May 2008 00:55:26 -0500 http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=29 ]]> Just for Fun http://blog.greenacy.org/index.php?itemid=29 Thu, 22 May 2008 12:17:43 -0500