Learning how to save energy can be as difficult as breaking old habits die-hard. Saving energy has a double benefit that impacts both the planet and the person saving the energy. Saving energy reduces the amount of carbon emissions emitted during the production of electricity it also saves the consumer money by not spending money on resources that they do not use.

One of the very best ways to begin reducing energy is to evaluate appliances and replacing existing appliances with Energy Star products which are energy-efficient. There is always the old adage to reduce, reuse and recycle too. Reduce energy use by turning off lights when they are not needed. Weatherize your home by having air conditioning ducts sealed, blanket the water heater, and add insulation to homes are three ways to significantly reduce energy use. Use heavier curtains to block head and keep cold in or explore having energy-efficient windows installed in your home. Also consider deregulated energy companies such as, Just energy some you don’t spend a fortune each year paying for energy. Evaluate how you use energy to discover how much money you waste each year paying for energy that you used bud did not need.

Air Purification
Over the past three decades, air purification technology has enjoyed numerous advancements. These air purification advancements proves the importance of switch grass to carbon dioxide reduction. In many R&D facilities, testing was performed to purify air using various natural forms of biodegradable media. One of the forms was switch grass. Testing air quality in and around heavily industrialized sites is a requirement of federal environmental agencies.

This spurred growth of more cost-effective ways of filtering particulate in air streams. For many years, industrial scrubbers managed this with reasonably [Read more...]

Many people have considered the steel industry to be dying, or dead. In fact the industry has just changed a lot and is not the same industry that we use to imagine. What is happening is that recycled steel is becoming the American Steel production’s new back bone. This has had some very positive effects on the steel industry itself, as well as the environment.

Steel is actually North America’s most recycled material in terms of amount; not plastic, aluminum, glass and [Read more...]

Zebra mussels are very diligent and rapidly appearing to expand their regions, inadvertently causing problems. A Zebra mussel can, in fact, change the environment around them, as stated by the North Texas Municipal’s Water District (NTMWD) on problems in Lake Texoma pump system troubles. They attach themselves to any hard surface, and that includes propellers, boat bottoms, pipes, rocks, and any other hard surface in the water.

These mussels are named for their striped design [Read more...]

I know it’s winter as many of you are reading this, but to me there’s no better time to plan for the future than the present. And in this case, the future that I’m planning is spring gardening. Right now (as it’s freezing and icy outside) all I can think about is my home-grown tomatoes that will greet me on the vine soon enough. Last year I used an “upside down” planter to wonderful results, and I want to use the same method this year.What I didn’t like about last year’s method was that the upside down planter that I bought lasted only one season and then it landed in the trash (nope, it was not made of recyclable materials). Plus, it retails for anywhere from 7.50 – 24.99 which impacts the efficacy of the bottom-line tomato costs.So, I’ve been doing a little research during these snowy days and I read about a nifty idea that will save my having to buy a new planter, plus be “green” in concept at the same time — use an empty 2-liter plastic bottle wrapped in duct tape (to protect the roots from the sun). Keep the cap on the bottle and cut out a small hole (about two inches) into the side where you will fill the bottle with soil and ultimately plant your starter plant.Fortunately, these liter bottles are [Read more...]

I was recently in San Francisco (what a marvelously lovely city) and while there I noticed an abundance of Zipcars on the streets. What the heck is a Zipcar, I wondered? Curious, I started asking around. In short, a Zipcar is for anyone who doesn’t need to be velcroed to their gas pedal 24/7 and wants to get involved in car sharing. It’s a time-share of sorts for those people who only periodically need a car (such as those who predominantly use public transportation but occasionally need a car to get to friends, family, or medical appointments). Great way to save money, I thought; but beyond that I started thinking of the green benefits, as well. It seems that for every Zipcar on the road [Read more...]

Now that you’re finally headed out on your own, the feeling of freedom and independence can sometimes foster a “live however I want” attitude. While you may be free to do this, consider the little ways you can make your life at school a bit more eco-friendly. After all, you do call the shots so you can finally make a few changes that you always wished your parents would do at home. Before you head off to school this fall, check out this list of five easy ways to go green on campus.

1. School Supplies: When you head to Target for your notebooks, instead of buying bound notebooks, purchase refillable three ring binders and packets of filler paper. You can reuse these notebooks each semester and just add more paper instead of buying a new notebook each time. You should also look for used books in your school’s bookstore. Not only are you saving paper by reusing, but used books usually only cost a fraction of the price of buying new.
2. Do the Dishes: This might be an adjustment for many of us who are used to mom doing the dishes all the time. But, as it turns out, doing the dishes isn’t the scary and unmanageable task you might perceive it to be. Instead of buying disposable plastic or Styrofoam plates and utensils, invest in some cheap dishes. You’ll reduce your contribution to the landfill and save money in the long run. [Read more...]

When it comes to role models, it is very rare that we point to a celebrity as someone you should emulate, but there are a few rare gems in Hollywood who are leading the way when it comes to living more eco-consciously. Sure it’s easier to make the “smart” choices when your bank account is flashing 9 figures, but nevertheless, we’re going to take a minute to give credit where credit is due.Leonardo DiCaprio has stepped into the role as Earth’s number one fan. His eco-centered website focuses on everything from the latest news on the BP oil spill to the declining tiger population in areas of Asia. After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, DiCaprio donated 1 million to the Clinton Bush Haiti fund. In 2007, he produced an environmental documentary, The 11^th Hour, discussing the current state of our planet and what needs to be done to restore our [Read more...]

For years we’ve been seeing and hearing about advancements being made to create more efficient automobiles. Hybrid cars such as the popular Toyota Prius have reduced the amount of gasoline needed to power a vehicle and rely more on an electric battery. Now, after years of anticipation, electric cars are set to hit the market. The Nissan Leaf, which stands for leading, environmentally friendly, affordable, family car, will begin sales in the US this December. Reservations for one of these cars are already being taken for a 99 placeholder fee. This affordable car will cost 32,780, but that’s before federal tax credits which can cover a significant portion of the cost. Another electric car that has been the subject of the green media frenzy is the Tesla Roadster. This is an expensive, luxury, sports car that also runs solely on electricity. These cars will use no gasoline or diesel at all. So, where’s the catch? Much of the ability of these cars to reduce harmful pollutants depends in what state they are used. [Read more...]

The youth of this generation are receiving tremendous exposure to the concepts of living green and are taught early on about the possibility and concern of global warming. However, it’s the babies being born now who will be amongst the first to grow up completely inundated with the green movement. We’ve been shifting our focus to the environment recently and making great strides, but as I was in my car driving yesterday and saw a bumper sticker that read My Baby’s Green, I began to really understand how big a part of our culture this movement has become. Even infants too young to understand the concept of a carbon footprint are being raised in a way that will hopefully facilitate a more sustainable future. It may come as a surprise but there is actually a large and growing industry for green and organic baby products.Living green is a company that sells a diverse range of green products, offering everything from home furnishings to house cleaners to baby products. A line of teenie greenie baby clothes and washcloths made from 100 bamboo fiber offer parents away to start their children out on the green foot. Living green even sells a range of soft and cuddly stuffed animals made from recycled plastic bottles. [Read more...]