The term “renewable energy” describes energy sources which occur naturally in the environment and cannot be depleted as they are used. Renewable energy sources include wind energy and solar energy, among others. These are green power sources—clean-burning, non-depleting energy supplies that won’t pollute the planet or cause any other long-term environmental issues.
Why use Renewable Energy?
Using renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels such as gas, oil, and coal are desirable for several reasons. First, supplies of these fossil fuels are limited—they will eventually run out, and steps must be taken to provide alternative energy sources to replace them. Second, burning fossil fuels causes pollution, most notably the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that contribute to global warming and the Greenhouse Effect. Burning fossil fuels also causes air pollution and acid rain, both of which have a negative impact on the health of ecosystems and habitats around the world.
By signing the Kyoto Protocol, the UK government has committed to reducing greenhouse emissions by at least 12.5% by the year 2012, and to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by the year 2050.
To help meet this goal, the government has pledged to create alternative energy sources such that 10% of UK electricity will come from renewable energy sources by the year 2010, with the intention of doubling this figure by 2020. Currently less than 5% of the UK’s electricity comes from renewable sources.
What Alternative Energy Sources are Available?
There are several candidates when it comes to searching for an effective solution to the energy problem. An efficient supply of green power from renewable sources might include the following:
• Wind Power
• Solar Energy
• Hydroelectric Power
• Geothermal Energy
• Bio-fuel
• Atomic Energy
Each of these energy sources has some good and bad points, and has the potential to be an efficient source of power in different situations.
Wind Power
Wind is an enormous and never-ending supply of green power, and has already been harnessed and used as a power source for several centuries, in the form of windmills. With cost-effective technology to harness the power of wind already developed, this type of green power is the most popular choice for a clean, renewable energy source. The turbines that generate wind energy work in the same way as windmills do, and the energy they generate is stored in batteries for redistribution through the UK energy grid. The only real downside to this type of energy generation is, of course, that on windless days no energy is generated—however, as more “wind farms” are placed throughout the country, back-up energy can be stored for such situations.
Solar Energy
Capturing and storing the sun’s energy is a popular way of reducing electricity requirements in many green homes. Solar power can be used to heat water, and the sun’s energy can be captured using solar panels or solar cells. Solar panels can be efficiently integrated into the roof of a building, and provide quiet, pollution-free energy.
The main disadvantages of solar energy are that it can only be captured during the day, and that energy capture is reduced on days of medium to heavy cloud cover. However, batteries can be used to store solar energy. Another consideration is that providing solar energy to a home involves large start-up costs, however over the twenty to thirty year life of the solar energy system, very little is required to maintain the system.
Hydroelectric Power
Hydroelectric power harnesses the energy created by running water, and converts this energy into electricity. This is an efficient technology which is widely used in many countries; however in the UK less than 1% of energy is derived using hydroelectric systems. If all possible sites of hydroelectric conversion were developed in the UK, the total energy production would meet around 3% of the country’s electricity needs (the current figure is around 0.8%).
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is heat energy stored deep within the earth. In some areas, this heat rises to the surface of the earth, and can be used to heat water. There is currently one geothermal power plant operating in the UK, and ground source heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular in UK homes. This is an extremely efficient method of generating electricity however the geological requirements of harnessing geothermal energy make it a limited option for use in this country.
Bio-fuel
Bio-fuel is any substance, whether solid, liquid or gas, that is derived from biological material. This broad definition can include almost any combustible biological substance—from cow dung to raw plant materials, alcohols and oil. The most common use of bio-fuels is in powering vehicles, with many new car models able to run on biodiesel (made from oil and fat) or alcohols such as ethanol and butanol.
The main down-side of bio-fuels is that, unlike most other renewable energy sources, the combustion of such fuels produces greenhouse gases, making bio-fuel the least green of the green power sources.
Atomic Energy
Also known as nuclear energy, atomic energy technology harnesses the heat generated by the splitting of atoms. This process is called nuclear fission. Approximately 20% of the UK’s energy is generated using this technology. Atomic energy generation is extremely efficient and produces no greenhouse gases. The most significant draw-back involves safety issues in the handling and disposal of the radioactive waste that is a by-product of atomic reactions. However, the UK government is stringent in adhering to safety policies and there are regulations in place to ensure that atomic waste is disposed of safely.
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Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Drive Smart, Save Green – 5 Great Tips
Drive smart, save green. It’s a great phrase, and if more people took up the challenge, the whole country – no, the whole world – would benefit immensely. How can you make a difference to the environment with your driving? In this article Eco Friendly Green Earth wants to show you with 7 great tips that you can put into action right away. You’ll save money and help the environment too. OK, time to drive smart, save green…
1. It has to be said: the very best thing you can do to help the environment with your car is stop driving it! However, you may not have that option, so drive slower instead. Most cars perform best at speeds of between 50 mph to 60 mph. Not too slow and not too fast is how to drive smart, save green.
2. A staggering 20% of your car’s fuel consumption is used up just overcoming tire roll resistance! How can you drive smart, save green in these circumstances? Buy quality tires that get great reviews. They may cost a little more, but they will perform better. And remember too that under inflated tires will cost you more in gas bills!
3. Lighten the load in your car. I’ll bet there are things in your car’s trunk that don’t need to be there. Go through each item you regularly carry. If you don’t really need it, dump it. You can drive smart, save green with a lighter load. That will let your car be more fuel efficient.
4. Switch off your engine while you wait if you are likely to be waiting more than one minute. Restarting your engine burns roughly about the same amount as one minute of idle time, so if you think you will be idling for more than a minute, cut the engine. You’ll save gas and money – drive smart, save green.
5. Drive smoothly. This one shouldn’t need to be mentioned. It should be the unspoken part of drive smart, drive green. Erratic driving with sudden accelerating and hard braking uses up extra gas. It puts extra wear and tear on your car, which means extra costs to you and the environment.
Learning to drive smart, save green is largely common sense. If you really need your car, then learn to drive it responsibly and sensibly. However, if you can walk easily to where you need to go, then do so! Only drive smart, save green when you can’t walk. by Zemanta
1. It has to be said: the very best thing you can do to help the environment with your car is stop driving it! However, you may not have that option, so drive slower instead. Most cars perform best at speeds of between 50 mph to 60 mph. Not too slow and not too fast is how to drive smart, save green.
2. A staggering 20% of your car’s fuel consumption is used up just overcoming tire roll resistance! How can you drive smart, save green in these circumstances? Buy quality tires that get great reviews. They may cost a little more, but they will perform better. And remember too that under inflated tires will cost you more in gas bills!
3. Lighten the load in your car. I’ll bet there are things in your car’s trunk that don’t need to be there. Go through each item you regularly carry. If you don’t really need it, dump it. You can drive smart, save green with a lighter load. That will let your car be more fuel efficient.
4. Switch off your engine while you wait if you are likely to be waiting more than one minute. Restarting your engine burns roughly about the same amount as one minute of idle time, so if you think you will be idling for more than a minute, cut the engine. You’ll save gas and money – drive smart, save green.
5. Drive smoothly. This one shouldn’t need to be mentioned. It should be the unspoken part of drive smart, drive green. Erratic driving with sudden accelerating and hard braking uses up extra gas. It puts extra wear and tear on your car, which means extra costs to you and the environment.
Learning to drive smart, save green is largely common sense. If you really need your car, then learn to drive it responsibly and sensibly. However, if you can walk easily to where you need to go, then do so! Only drive smart, save green when you can’t walk. by Zemanta
Go Green And Save Money
Everywhere you look these days it seems that the main message is, “go green and save money.” This is an appealing message for most people as we are constantly warned of the dire consequences of global warming out of control. Eco Friendly Green Earth knows people want to do their bit to help save the planet, and if they can save money at the same time, then it just obviously makes sense all round.
You can go green and save money just about anywhere. Your home is probably the most obvious place to start, but you can also do wonders with your car, in the office, out shopping, traveling on vacation, and much more. The opportunities are almost endless; going green doesn’t have to be more expensive, you can definitely go green and save money at the same time.
Your home probably leaks heat out during the winter and leaks heat in during the summer. For this reason most of us have winter heaters and summer air conditioning units. This should be the first place you investigate of how to go green and save money. Are all your windows tight? Are the door seals tight too? This is where heat can leak out and make your electricity bills soar.
If your house doesn’t have good loft insulation heat will pour out in winter and pour in during the summer. Insulation is one of the best ways to go green and save money. Your walls can have their cavities filled with insulating foam as well, all keeping the heat inside in winter and outside in summer for more comfortable living.
The water you use in the home is perhaps the easiest “go green and save money” source you have. Look for leaks first. Leaking faucets, even just the occasional drip, accounts for a lot of money wasted over time. You could waste as much as 140 gallons in a week!
Are your hot water pipes insulated? They should be if you aim to go green and save money. Insulated pipes let the hot water reach the faucets faster, thereby saving water, while you go green and save money too. Low flow toilets are another way to save water. You don’t need to flush gallons of water away every time, just what you need.
Edison was a genius, but his light bulb invention has been superceded by the new compact fluorescent light bulbs. These are bulbs that use a mere 25% of the energy that a traditional light bulb uses. In comparison tests Eco Friendly Green Earth has found they also last 10 times longer. Replace all your traditional bulbs for compact fluorescent light bulbs and instantly go green and save money! by Zemanta
You can go green and save money just about anywhere. Your home is probably the most obvious place to start, but you can also do wonders with your car, in the office, out shopping, traveling on vacation, and much more. The opportunities are almost endless; going green doesn’t have to be more expensive, you can definitely go green and save money at the same time.
Your home probably leaks heat out during the winter and leaks heat in during the summer. For this reason most of us have winter heaters and summer air conditioning units. This should be the first place you investigate of how to go green and save money. Are all your windows tight? Are the door seals tight too? This is where heat can leak out and make your electricity bills soar.
If your house doesn’t have good loft insulation heat will pour out in winter and pour in during the summer. Insulation is one of the best ways to go green and save money. Your walls can have their cavities filled with insulating foam as well, all keeping the heat inside in winter and outside in summer for more comfortable living.
The water you use in the home is perhaps the easiest “go green and save money” source you have. Look for leaks first. Leaking faucets, even just the occasional drip, accounts for a lot of money wasted over time. You could waste as much as 140 gallons in a week!
Are your hot water pipes insulated? They should be if you aim to go green and save money. Insulated pipes let the hot water reach the faucets faster, thereby saving water, while you go green and save money too. Low flow toilets are another way to save water. You don’t need to flush gallons of water away every time, just what you need.
Edison was a genius, but his light bulb invention has been superceded by the new compact fluorescent light bulbs. These are bulbs that use a mere 25% of the energy that a traditional light bulb uses. In comparison tests Eco Friendly Green Earth has found they also last 10 times longer. Replace all your traditional bulbs for compact fluorescent light bulbs and instantly go green and save money! by Zemanta
Monday, October 3, 2011
Cell Phone Green-Tech Options
Everyone should know mobile phones are already helping us reduce our carbon footprints, by reducing travel; just like everyone should know browsing the net saves gas for a savvy shopper. Here's some news about the companies putting their green-tech awareness out there where shoppers can see it - and get excited.
* A Little Bad News
The concept of this article was to pat some forward-thinking corporations on the back by showcasing phones - re: recycled materials. The only problem is, one of the selected phones vanished. The maker's web site says "We're sorry; we didn't find any items matching… [The green-tech product they made]". Yikes...ok, well. Maybe it didn't sell. Maybe people didn't get into the groove. But the company still ought to have information lying around. The phone was only brought out in 2009. When the promo material was deeply archived a few months later, it was definitely a 'hmmm...' moment. Enough to make someone wonder if the company was just pounding sand when they introduced the phone in the first place. This was not intended as a bad news - good news article; but an extensive search of the maker's site revealed no mention of any serious efforts at advertising any subsequent green-tech product, or any sort of greening of their product line at all, and that's the bad news.
* The Great News
Green-tech phones are alive and well. Hello, Nokia and Samsung. Well done!
o A massive back-pat for Nokia.
Nokia was the first company to join "Save our Species", an organization dedicated to funding assistance for endangered species. Their site offers great messages such as: 100% of the materials in your phone can be recovered and used to make new products or generate energy. Nokia offers news articles on sustainability and recycling. They have a terrific little movie about how using a mobile device is greener than using a monster-sized computer with it attendant big screen. And Nokia has a link to the eco-profiles of all their devices. The Nokia message is: Created with the environment in mind.
o What about their green phones?
The Nokia N8, Nokia E7, Nokia C6-01 & Nokia C7 are their 100% recyclable, energy efficient phones. They are free of hazardous chemicals and contain bio plastics. In addition to those features, the Nokia C6-01 contains recycled metals and the Nokia C7 contains bio-based paints. Their packaging is also 100% recycled. Hurrah!
o A big back-pat for Samsung.
It was a little harder to find concrete information on the Samsung site about which of their phones were in fact green-tech. But one message spoke about screens that consumed less power than traditional touch screens, and another spoke about the availability of virtual user guides, to save paper. They too, had sustainability and recycling articles. Samsung's message was: What do you get with a phone that's built with recycled plastics, is hazardous-substance free and comes with all sorts of eco-themed apps and tools? You get a phone that fits your eco-friendly view as easily as it fits your pocket.
o What about their green phones?
The Reclaim is made with post-consumer plastics and water-based paint; it is free of hazardous chemical and has an energy star certified charger. Several other phones had the AMOLED low-power, energy-saving brilliant screen.
A few other sites made mention of green initiatives, but finding eco-profiles on their phones was virtually impossible. Both of these great companies are clearly dedicated to greening up the planet. How refreshing and exciting to not have to wade through archives to find information that should be proudly displayed.
* A Little Bad News
The concept of this article was to pat some forward-thinking corporations on the back by showcasing phones - re: recycled materials. The only problem is, one of the selected phones vanished. The maker's web site says "We're sorry; we didn't find any items matching… [The green-tech product they made]". Yikes...ok, well. Maybe it didn't sell. Maybe people didn't get into the groove. But the company still ought to have information lying around. The phone was only brought out in 2009. When the promo material was deeply archived a few months later, it was definitely a 'hmmm...' moment. Enough to make someone wonder if the company was just pounding sand when they introduced the phone in the first place. This was not intended as a bad news - good news article; but an extensive search of the maker's site revealed no mention of any serious efforts at advertising any subsequent green-tech product, or any sort of greening of their product line at all, and that's the bad news.
* The Great News
Green-tech phones are alive and well. Hello, Nokia and Samsung. Well done!
o A massive back-pat for Nokia.
Nokia was the first company to join "Save our Species", an organization dedicated to funding assistance for endangered species. Their site offers great messages such as: 100% of the materials in your phone can be recovered and used to make new products or generate energy. Nokia offers news articles on sustainability and recycling. They have a terrific little movie about how using a mobile device is greener than using a monster-sized computer with it attendant big screen. And Nokia has a link to the eco-profiles of all their devices. The Nokia message is: Created with the environment in mind.
o What about their green phones?
The Nokia N8, Nokia E7, Nokia C6-01 & Nokia C7 are their 100% recyclable, energy efficient phones. They are free of hazardous chemicals and contain bio plastics. In addition to those features, the Nokia C6-01 contains recycled metals and the Nokia C7 contains bio-based paints. Their packaging is also 100% recycled. Hurrah!
o A big back-pat for Samsung.
It was a little harder to find concrete information on the Samsung site about which of their phones were in fact green-tech. But one message spoke about screens that consumed less power than traditional touch screens, and another spoke about the availability of virtual user guides, to save paper. They too, had sustainability and recycling articles. Samsung's message was: What do you get with a phone that's built with recycled plastics, is hazardous-substance free and comes with all sorts of eco-themed apps and tools? You get a phone that fits your eco-friendly view as easily as it fits your pocket.
o What about their green phones?
The Reclaim is made with post-consumer plastics and water-based paint; it is free of hazardous chemical and has an energy star certified charger. Several other phones had the AMOLED low-power, energy-saving brilliant screen.
A few other sites made mention of green initiatives, but finding eco-profiles on their phones was virtually impossible. Both of these great companies are clearly dedicated to greening up the planet. How refreshing and exciting to not have to wade through archives to find information that should be proudly displayed.
Travelers Love Solar Powered Gear
Outdoor enthusiasts, business travelers, and everyday road-runners know these solar gadgets may carry the day.
* Outdoor Enthusiasts
o A solar lantern or floodlight offers the option of light at night in a remote location. Campers lighting up large campsites use a solar floodlight with high-efficiency, super bright LED bulbs. For a more intimate site, they use solar lanterns. Some up-market lanterns have functions to imitate the look of a flickering candle or a kerosene lantern. Reliable solar lights are weather and water resistant.
o Solar electric systems mounted on RV motor homes, boats, and small cabins provide significant electricity for weekend travels, or for longer journeys.
o A lightweight solar oven harvests the heat of the sun, allowing campers to roast meats, steam vegetables, heat stews, and bake fresh bread or other treats. Some ovens are made from recycled plastic and aluminum. The best have high-tech insulation and are designed to maintain steady cooking temperatures. Some even include an oven thermometer, a water pasteurization gauge and a recipe book.
o Solar backpacks make it easy for technophiles in fear of withdrawal to bring along an electronic gadget or two.
* Business Travelers
o Solar messenger bags and power units are excellent carry-along generators designed to charge assorted handheld electronics. The bags are usually padded to carry and protect a laptop. Some have large zipped pockets for documents, and multiple small pockets for electronic devices. Having the right connection for a particular cell phone is the biggest factor when travels are choosing a bag. Most bags also have their own plug-in charger (for plugging into an auto) just in case the storage cells need topping up on a rainy day, or after heavy use.
o Some solar powered alarm clocks use so little power they can make it through the night after absorbing just an hour of ambient room light. There are also a few solar clocks that will set themselves automatically to the time signal from the US Atomic Clock.
* Folks on the Road
o Solar Powered LED Flashlights are convenient and practical. The beams on the best ones are bright and stable. Some versions have a built-in compass. Compact and lightweight, they're easy to take anywhere you go.
o Travelers crossing blistering stretches of open highway use energy from the sun to run solar fans. The fans are also popular with beach-goers, campers, and hikers. The fans will run as long as the sun shines on a connected photovoltaic panel.
o Smart road runners know a solar charger is a very handy device for putting a trickle charge on an automotive battery when an alternator throws a belt, forcing them to try to nurse a car's electrical system home on the battery.
o LED road flares may not be solar, but travelers who've used them know they last a long time, and can be run on rechargeable batteries topped up by a solar charging unit.
Lastly, if you're an outdoorsman or frequent road-runner, one of the best gizmos around is a hat with a built-in solar light. The newest photovoltaic technology is combined with durable construction and ultra-bright LEDs, making a solar hat the perfect accessory for campers, cyclists, fishers, hikers and hunters; for anyone struggling to change a tire in the dark; for shading your head from the elements; or for hands-free lighting should you run out of daylight anywhere.
* Outdoor Enthusiasts
o A solar lantern or floodlight offers the option of light at night in a remote location. Campers lighting up large campsites use a solar floodlight with high-efficiency, super bright LED bulbs. For a more intimate site, they use solar lanterns. Some up-market lanterns have functions to imitate the look of a flickering candle or a kerosene lantern. Reliable solar lights are weather and water resistant.
o Solar electric systems mounted on RV motor homes, boats, and small cabins provide significant electricity for weekend travels, or for longer journeys.
o A lightweight solar oven harvests the heat of the sun, allowing campers to roast meats, steam vegetables, heat stews, and bake fresh bread or other treats. Some ovens are made from recycled plastic and aluminum. The best have high-tech insulation and are designed to maintain steady cooking temperatures. Some even include an oven thermometer, a water pasteurization gauge and a recipe book.
o Solar backpacks make it easy for technophiles in fear of withdrawal to bring along an electronic gadget or two.
* Business Travelers
o Solar messenger bags and power units are excellent carry-along generators designed to charge assorted handheld electronics. The bags are usually padded to carry and protect a laptop. Some have large zipped pockets for documents, and multiple small pockets for electronic devices. Having the right connection for a particular cell phone is the biggest factor when travels are choosing a bag. Most bags also have their own plug-in charger (for plugging into an auto) just in case the storage cells need topping up on a rainy day, or after heavy use.
o Some solar powered alarm clocks use so little power they can make it through the night after absorbing just an hour of ambient room light. There are also a few solar clocks that will set themselves automatically to the time signal from the US Atomic Clock.
* Folks on the Road
o Solar Powered LED Flashlights are convenient and practical. The beams on the best ones are bright and stable. Some versions have a built-in compass. Compact and lightweight, they're easy to take anywhere you go.
o Travelers crossing blistering stretches of open highway use energy from the sun to run solar fans. The fans are also popular with beach-goers, campers, and hikers. The fans will run as long as the sun shines on a connected photovoltaic panel.
o Smart road runners know a solar charger is a very handy device for putting a trickle charge on an automotive battery when an alternator throws a belt, forcing them to try to nurse a car's electrical system home on the battery.
o LED road flares may not be solar, but travelers who've used them know they last a long time, and can be run on rechargeable batteries topped up by a solar charging unit.
Lastly, if you're an outdoorsman or frequent road-runner, one of the best gizmos around is a hat with a built-in solar light. The newest photovoltaic technology is combined with durable construction and ultra-bright LEDs, making a solar hat the perfect accessory for campers, cyclists, fishers, hikers and hunters; for anyone struggling to change a tire in the dark; for shading your head from the elements; or for hands-free lighting should you run out of daylight anywhere.
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