Online Supply Maker

Just another WordPress weblog

Archive for the ‘environment’ Category

The following article presents the very latest information on the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy. If you have a particular interest in the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy, then this informative article is required reading.

Investors hoping for growth will want to focus on companies focused on types of renewable energy with the largest resources. Investments in clean energy companies and projects worldwide reached $155 billion in 2008. Not including large hydro (which may be clean but is hardly green).

Investors are encouraged to research and verify facts and under no circumstances is our site endorsing the content as a recommendation to buy or sell stock. Investors hoping for growth will want to focus on companies focused on types of renewable energy with the largest resources.

Hopefully the information presented so far has been applicable. You might also want to consider the following:

Investors should note the company’s shares suffered on Wednesday after California voters struck down a proposition that offered tax rebates to buyers of more fuel-efficient cars. California-based Clean Energy has maintained that the ballot initiative’s failure will not hurt its long-term prospects.

Renewable energy technologies tap into natural cycles and systems, turning the ever-present energy around us into usable forms. Renewable energy technologies tap into natural cycles and systems, turning the ever-present energy around us into usable forms. The movement of wind and water, the heat and light of the sun, heat in the ground, the carbohydrates in plants-all are natural energy sources that can supply our needs in a sustainable way.

Renewable power has been more in demand for the last few decades although drastic change needs to take place so as to save our environment from the damaging effects of fossil electricity. Whatever we do to our world currently is going to be endured by all succeeding societies. Renewable fuels have become one of those motherhood-and-apple-pie catchphrases, as unobjectionable as the troops or the middle class.

Knowing enough about the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you’ve just learned about the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy, you should have nothing to worry about.

About the Author:

As consumers, we seldom get all emotional about an subject until it starts to affect our financial position or how we go about our days. Very few people cared about the price of gasoline when it was oscillating around $2.00 per gallon. When it gets up around $3.40 per gallon and costs over $125.00 to fill up that gasoline gulping SUV however, we become a bit more aware.

The last time this special phenomenon was apparent was in the early 1970’s, at a time when there was an oil halt and no petrol. Alternate energies began to pop up here and there with many people jumping on the band wagon. But, fuel soon returned in plenteous supply and substitute energy sources fell below the average consumers radar screen again. Now, in 2008, the common consumer is seeing petrol costs move higher and found a realization that global warming will be bearing on finances soon. Secondary energy is back in the thoughts of the common user and, perchance, this time for good.

Where did solar go? – Solar energy for the house was a big seller during the energy crisis of the 1970’s. Many households found tri-pods of solar panels on their roofs gathering what power they could. These units were found mostly in environmentally cognisant Southern California, but before long they were found all across the World. Unfortunately, the solar power cell of the 70’s just wasn’t all that effective and cost quite a bit to position and maintain. As fossil fuel returned to the market place there was diminutive need for solar cells in a time of blazing consumption. But the idea of solar power was a good one and many trailblazers appreciated that it was a good idea that had yet to find its time. Solar panels never went away; they just slid back into the lab to await solar panel 2.1.

Solar is back and ready – Today’s solar module is not your father’s pv solar cell. Depending upon which type of energy you care to generate, electricity or hot water, today’s poly-crystalline photo-voltaic solar module has come a very long way in the form of photovoltaic’s and will go further still. These modules, when combined into photovoltaic solar panel form, turn the suns rays (so-to-speak) right into power ready for use. They have also become exceedingly efficient, more environmentally sound and less expensive. Today’s solar panel will sit almost anywhere and is quickly finding itself being turned into a panel the thickness of a nano particle. Solar power technology is running at extremely fast pace and driving costs down to an affordable level.

Who’s using poly-crystalline pv solar modules? – As mentioned, it takes a change in the purse strings to see a marked change in a consumer’s behavior. With a technology and paradigm shift on the order of poly-crystalline pv solar module it requires a solid leap forward in panel efficiency, costs of panels , associated elements and an increase in existing costs of fuel. When these factors reach critical mass solar panels start to show up, not at the consumer level, but at the corporate and industrial level. This is simply because business moves its money where the costs-over time-are less. This is just good business. solar modules are now, as in this past two years, become more cost effective for industry to use then to not use them over time.

Why poly-crystalline photo-voltaic solar modules now? Photovoltaic solar modules are now being used primarily because fuel costs are just too high to ignore in favor of a new technology that is worth checking out. Companies have available empty roof space and the choice of trying something on a larger scale to see if it works versus continuing to pay higher fuel bills and environmental costs. The whole concept is extremely self serving. There is no environmental consideration involved. If the company doesn’t use solar panels they have to pay fuel costs and air clean-up expenses along with variable fuel charges. They try out the Polycrystalline solar panels and see if they work now. If they do, the company can; commit to a full solar panel program with even more efficient solar panels, significantly reduce fuel costs and almost eliminate air cleaning needs along the way. There is little environmental about it. It’s just good business. After industry gets rolling, solar panel costs will drop like a stone and the consumer will jump on board because it’s just good business.

About the Author:
07
Apr

Refillable Diapers?

Posted by John Seal in environment

As one of many new moms, much can be learned about what a new baby needs. A lot of effort goes into creatures that don’t eat on their own, move around on their own, or use the bathroom on their own. I was astounded to find myself changing his diaper at least eight to ten times a day. The only problem that I have found is not with the wiping of a small bum, but with adding to a huge waste issue.

One of life’s ironies is that the smallest and newest creatures on earth seem to product the most waste material. I came to understand that the bags of diapers I threw out, were only part of the fifty million that pile up in the garbage everyday. What is sadder is that these mounds of soiled diapers will cover acres of our beautiful land for about five hundred years before they decompose.

What is exciting in these times, is that people see these problems and conjure up brilliant solutions. I am not claiming myself to be one of these people, but I do know of many valuable ideas on the market today. I feel, however, that I will be of slight use to society by helping to promote these ideas to other consumers.

The most exciting product on the market today is naturally referred to as “gDiapers.” Like we have already established, my opinion means very little, but the famous mothers like Julia Roberts have preferred this product for their little ones. An ingenious family from Australia have struck gold, or should I say green, with this trendy, sleek, and yet flush-able diaper.

The product is a stylish diaper that you can order in any color or print you could think of, with a removable pad that you replace inside of it. It snaps in very simply and then when it’s time to change, you can remove the pad, and flush it! The outside diaper can also be washed. This product is far superior to any cloth diaper or diaper alternative that I’ve seen.

Price wise, don’t be intimidated that famous celebrities seem to dote on the idea. They are really affordable. Especially if you purchase a starter package, only about $27 dollars for two diaper covers and a small pack of refills. The diapers by themselves run from $15.99 to $18.99 with the refills in packages of 128 for $52. That averages about 40 cents per refill.

This may seem more expensive than the approximate 27 cents you pay for Pampers Swaddlers, 22 cents per diaper for Huggies Snug and Dry, or only 15 cents per diaper of Luvs Premium. But remember that the green you will saving instead is much more substantial than anything you can fit into your wallet. For that reason alone, the 40 cents compared to 20 something cents seems inconsequential.

Another proven company is the Seventh Generation that specialized in green, environmentally safe products of many kinds. Their diapers in particular are chlorine free, and biodegradable. This product along with the gDiapers are fully explained and available on their websites that will do them much more justice than I can. The land of our country will be much more worth having when we take care to prevent even our cutest little bums from polluting it.

About the Author:

1. When people first started using solar power the systems were very expensive and could only be afforded by a very small number of people. Now you can get a system built in 2 days and spend less than $200.

2. Once the system is built and installed you can get rid of paying your fuels bills, or at least significantly reduce them. Electricity will only keep getting more expensive and this will help you save lots of money to spend on the really important things in life, like your family and friends. Or you could save it for a rainy day.

3. You will be the envy of all your neighbors and the talk of you street when you are the first to ‘Go Green’ and install solar power panels.

OK then. Now you understand that it’s easy and cheap to get going with solar power. Even people with little or no technical knowhow can get started with building their own system.

What you absolutely must have to complete this successfully though is a excellent DIY Solar Panel System Guide.

There are a large number of guides on the market at the moment, but they are not all the same. Only a few really can help you through from start to finish and have the support to back you up should you run into any problems. Don’t get stuck with a poor quality system and see your project grind to a halt because you don’t know how to continue.

So try it, and your efforts hopefully will inspire others to do the same and we really will be able to take big steps towards saving the planet for our children

And remember the most important thing of all is to have fun while your doing it!

About the Author:

Are you searching for information on do-it-yourself solar panels for your home? This option will help you do your part for the environment, by reducing your emissions, and it will also help you to save money during the economic recession. This will enable to drastically reduce your energy costs while contributing to the safety of the environment.

Up until now your Average Joe did not have the option of installing DIY solar panels. Money has been an issue in the past to include solar energy for home use. Since they were so big, they would have needed to be installed by a group of experts in solar power, and they would also have demanded a large amount of space.

In addition they will need large batteries that usually will have to be installed in a separate building. A person practically has to have a math degree to figure out how many sunpower solar panels are needed to produce the necessary power.

Currently even common people can alter all of their power requirements at a portion of the price considering that they do some of the work. With the increase of knowledge a lot of these high tech experts have discovered ways for easy do-it-yourself solar panels.

Nowadays diy solar panels are smaller and easier to install but have the ability to power both your small and larger appliances. You will get a clear positioning guide with your diy solar panels. You will be glad to know that the energy is stored in deep cell batteries. Most of all, they are less expensive and have a better efficiency than the ancient solar panels in the past.

You won’t believe how much money you can save with do-it-yourself solar panels. First of all, the price of getting the do-it-yourself details is inexpensive. Of course, under these circumstances, you would not have to hire someone to fabricate them and put them in for you. This saves a lot of money.

Secondly, you can construct a diy solar panels project in only a weekend — although it does also depend on the level of material with which you begin the project. It’s even possible to make two of these sun-powered solar panels in 24 hours. As soon as your solar panels are up and running it won’t cost you another cent, unless you decide to expand in order to get more power.

If you are looking to harness and take advantage of a safe, renewable and dependable energy source, then do-it-yourself solar panels are a fantastic option. Electricity will be generated by each individual solar power panel. Just think–you’ll be getting all the energy you can use and you won’t have to pay a penny for it. It is better than polluting the atmosphere and emptying your wallet. The sun certainly will never send you a monthly power bill!

About the Author:

There are many causes of ozone layer depletion, all of them manmade compounds that enter the atmosphere. They are chloroflurocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, methyl bromide, halons, methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. Once they have been released into the atmosphere, they remain there for as long as 200 years.

Chloroflurocarbons are among the most damaging causes of ozone layer depletion and can be found in a number of different applications in various industries. Refrigerant gas, used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, is one example. Firefighting equipment, aerosols, the production of styrofoam and anesthetics all need chloroflurocarbons in their use or production.

Years of research have determined that chloroflurocarbons top the list of causes of ozone layer depletion because they are not destroyed by rain or broken down in the lower atmosphere. Once they reach the stratosphere, the sun’s ultraviolet rays break down the compound, thus releasing chlorine. This resulting chlorine is what damages the ozone in a repetitive process. In fact, one chlorine atom will continue to destroy the ozone for as long as two years.

The major causes of ozone layer depletion include fluorine, chlorine and bromine, all gases found in manmade halocarbons. Chlorine and bromine are particularly harmful to the ozone. Chlorine atoms come from chloroflurocarbons molecule, while bromine atoms come from halons. Although chloroflurocarbons and halons don’t hurt the environment and are safe to use, the same cannot be said in the stratosphere. They cause significant depletion to the ozone layer.

Hydroxyl, nitric oxide, atomic chlorine and bromine are free radicals that are on the list as causes of ozone layer depletion. Hydroxyl and nitric oxide naturally occur in the stratosphere, but chlorine and bromine occur from human use. As their levels of use increase, the more harm they can cause to the ozone.

The causes of ozone layer depletion trigger damage to the earth from the resulting high levels of ultraviolet rays or radiation exposure. Skin cancer will increase, the immune system in humans and animals will be weakened, plants will be damaged and plankton in oceans will be reduced. The entire balance of the earth’s life system will be impacted.

Since the causes of ozone layer depletion were identified, solutions were put into place to reduce or eliminate their usage. The U.S. Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocols address the problem internationally. The goal of these treaties is to stop the damage to the ozone layer by phasing out known contributors. With these actions, it will still take at least a century before the harmful substances are completely eliminated from the stratosphere. Once that happens, the ozone layer is capable of recovering, returning to its normal state in about 100 years.

The year 1974 was when damage to the stratospheric ozone was first identified. Global warming has since been recognized as a concern if the causes of ozone layer depletion are not addressed. If the ozone layer wears down completely, the earth would be in direct contact with the sun’s heat and harmful ultraviolet rays. There will also be worse hurricanes, droughts and other weather events, and there will be significant melting of ice caps and glaciers as the earth’s temperature rises. The look of the earth would change as we know it.

About the Author:
13
Mar

Jail term for flower pickers

Posted by Tracy Anderson in environment

Don’t pick the flowers or you could land in jail!

This new law could soon be enforced in the 27-member European Union (EU) states. Officials are currently contemplating the passage of stricter laws against green crimes that include picking wild flowers.

In store for offenders are stiff penalties like prison terms and hefty fines. Other punishable crimes are the dumping of hazardous wastes and polluting protected areas.

These stringent measures were leaked to the press following the discovery of a draft directive that outlined these and other offences.

“The nine offences detailed in the directive include the ‘taking or damaging’ of wild flowers, damage to protected habitats and trading in ozone-depleting substances,” according to the Daily Mail.

“Offences such as serious pollution or unlawful transport of nuclear and hazardous substances would carry a jail sentence of two to five years. If death or criminal gangs are involved, the prison sentence would rise to 10 years,” it added.

The proposed directive aims to make green crimes punishable in all EU member states. This will also prevent offenders from moving to other EU states that have weaker environmental laws.

“Experience has shown that the existing systems of sanctions have not been sufficient to achieve complete compliance with laws for the protection of the environment. Such compliance can and should be strengthened by the application of criminal sanctions,” reads the directive.

“Criminal sanctions are not in force in all member states for all serious environmental offences, even though only criminal penalties will have a sufficiently dissuasive effect,” it said.

The directive was welcomed by lawmakers and environmentalists who hope it will be enforced soon.

“If this is going to ratchet up the standards and make them applicable across Europe, then that would be very beneficial,” remarked John Sauven, acting executive director of Greenpeace.

If you need flowers, don’t pick them from other people’s gardens or get those you see outside. Do your share to protect the environment by getting them from trusted florists.

About the Author:
12
Mar

Understanding the U.S. Clean Air Act

Posted by Daniel Stouffer in environment

Improving the country’s air quality is the mission of the U.S. Clean Air Act. Under the federal law, measures are dictated to reduce air pollution and harmful substances that weaken the stratospheric ozone layer. The Act specifically targets companies, such as manufacturers, utility providers and facilities with equipment that uses chemical substances, to comply with its requirements.

Established in 1963 by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Clean Air Act sets air quality standards. But it is not the first time the United States passed federal laws to deal with air pollution. There was the Air Pollution Control Act of 1955, the Air Quality Act of 1967, the Clean Air Act Extension of 1970 and the Amendments of 1977. Even after the Act was passed in 1963, there have been several amendments and extensions to address new developments pertaining to air quality and to assist states in complying with the law.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is charged with overseeing the U.S. Clean Air Act. Air pollution prevention and control; ozone protection; air quality and emission limits; requirements to prevent substantial deterioration of air quality; and stratospheric ozone protection are among the issues addressed by the directive.

The U.S. Clean Air Act, while passed in 1963, was amended in 1990 with enhancements to the law. The amendments to the law included acid rain controls; new auto gasoline reformulation regulations; implementation of a leak detection and repair program; new controls aimed at reducing interstate air pollution; establishment of a national permits program; requirements for attaining and maintaining national ambient air quality standards; stratospheric ozone and global climate protection; and provisions for enforcement.

A main goal of the U.S. Clean Air Act is to impose air quality standards by requiring permits for certain companies and enacting monitoring and reporting methods. Funding to U.S. states is also provided under the law for program implementation. Because most of the Act’s requirements are implemented on the state level, each state receives support from the federal government, including scientific research, studies and engineering design, to help in designing air quality control programs that meet their state’s particular needs.

Through the U.S. Clean Air Act, the role of the federal government and U.S. states is clearly defined when addressing air quality measures. Specific measures to address interstate air pollution, as well as leak detection and repair, are spelled out in the regulation.

Under the U.S. Clean Air Act, the country is working with consistent air quality standards. However, each state is responsible for maintaining the consistent requirements set forth in the federal law. U.S. states are responsible for the permitting process and for administering fines on companies that violates air pollution controls. U.S. states must also illustrate how they are meeting and enforcing the law.

Because of the U.S. Clean Air Act, the air quality in the United States will significantly recover over time as smog and air pollution is greatly reduced. By improving air quality, the health of all who live in the United States will be enhanced. On an ongoing basis, the Act ensures that new problems will be properly addressed so our planet remains healthy for many years to come.

About the Author:
12
Mar

Crematorium bans artificial flowers

Posted by Tracy Anderson in environment

Here’s bad news for those who can’t afford to buy fresh flowers: artificial flowers have been banned from a crematorium in Grimsby, England owing to health and safety reasons.

In addition to that, pottery, glass items and wire mesh fences are also prohibited at the Grimsby Crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance.

The North East Lincolnshire Council issued the new rules in an effort to keep the place clean and prevent accidents.

“I hope residents and visitors with loved ones buried or cremated within the site see the difficulty in providing a dignified and sensitive service while maintaining an acceptable standard. Unfortunately some items that have been placed at the crematorium including CD holders, cards pinned in trees, wine glasses, empty cans of beer, candles, cuddly toys, wind chimes and balloons are not appropriate,” explained Glenn Greetham who spoke on behalf of the council.

“The majority of people want the crematorium and memorial gardens to be a quiet and appropriate place to remember their loved ones. Fresh plants and flowers are acceptable on the crematorium grounds. All other items will be removed as they can often pose a health and safety risk and conflict with the majority of the crematorium users,” he added.

While the council’s intentions appear to be good, they have not met favor with the people of Grimsby. Many were enraged at the new ruling and not a few lamented the fact that they can’t afford to buy fresh flowers for their deceased.

“It is a stupid and insensitive idea. I can’t get here every week to put fresh flowers in. I have had this memorial to my wife here for four years and quite frankly it is insensitive and disgusting,” said one mourner.

“We find it very offensive and lacking in sensitivity. We, like many other parents, want to display mementos for our children and colorful flowers to show we remember and love them and will continue to do so,” said another.

But the council remains unconvinced and threatened to remove any items at the graves except for fresh flowers.

If you can’t afford to buy fresh flowers, don’t feel bad. You can get bargains and discounts at selected flower shops. Surf the net for money-saving options.

About the Author: