| Project Frog and Blu Homes: two exciting green building companies |
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In the past couple of months, I've encountered a couple of exciting green building companies that build beautiful green homes and buildings:
Both are hiring, but it is interesting to note that the one financed by GE is hiring a lot less (4 jobs) than the privately owned company (12 jobs). Tags: Hits: 4274 | Read more... |
| Sustainability: A Naughty Buzzword |
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What do we mean when casually referring to sustainability during environmental conversation? Many people- news organizations, teachers, students governmental officials and the general public- often refer to sustainability as the Golden Mean, meant to solve all of Earth’s pollution woes. But is this idealism pure fancy, or is there some salvageable content to be found in the hubbub over solar cells, wind turbines and alternative fuels?
If sustainability entails reducing one’s environmental impact, yes- the ominous footprint, then just what is going through the minds of people who purchase hybrid cars and solar panels in order to reach a goal of sustainability? After all, won’t solar cells reduce dependence upon coal? Won’t hybrids use less gas during their lifetime? Yes, these realities may be true in the fight against the pollution boogieman, however there is an added, more sinister, element which deserves due consideration. Production and Lifetime Value.
Buying a hybrid may seem immediately “sustainable” as we’ve said. Using less gas saves gas. This equation of savings automatically gets tangled in a mire of sustainable talk since minimalism seems to be at the core of most sustainable arguments and thought processes. This hybrid sense of security simply gives, in part at least, a false sense of sustainability. Better gas mileage, at the cost of what? It takes the same amount of industrial metal, rubber and electronic gear to make hybrids as it does any gas-guzzler. So, what?
We, the general public, politicians, marketers and manufacturers, tend to equate sustainability with the new and improved. But here’s some contrastive food for thought? Apply sustainability to a 1970 Mercedes compared to any 2008 hybrid. Which is more sustainable if both have been in running condition up to the present date? The shocker is that the Mercedes beats out the hybrid. This isn’t brand favoritism, no. Rather it’s a critique of consumerism, i.e. the most environmentally unsustainable behavior in the whole greenie movement.
Observing the Environmental Protection Agency’s definition of sustainability, one can see that sustainability means totally different things within particular contexts. Concerning the environment, sustainability strives to maintain practices that reduce the adverse environmental impact that humans and animals place on a particular environment. Oppositely, from a commercial stance, economic sustainability is synonymous with encouraging the consumption of products to sustain monetary markets. Both applications of the “S” Bomb are apropos, given their particular contexts. However, let’s consider the Mercedes vs. hybrid example. By maintaining the longevity of an older car, you are actually offsetting the energy and raw materials used to supply new hybrids to consumers that replace their hybrids ever three years. That’s not to say one shouldn’t consume. In fact, it’s probably impossible not to consume in order to survive. However, this example sheds light on the paradoxical synergy struck between the different applications of sustainability. Longevity and efficiency seems to be the key. So, while putting solar cells on your roof may not provide the most beneficial environmental impact- since it takes a great amount of energy and toxic chemicals to make solar cells- the real benefit blooms from the lifetime of a particular investment. A solar panel that lasts 50 years with easy repairs and low upkeep? Now that’s sustainable. With all the environmental hype, know the difference the next time someone choses to drop the “S” Bomb. Think sustainable; think longevity. Unfortunately, environmentalism isn’t the quick fix purchase we would like it to be. Tags: Alternative Energy | Energy Politics | Emissions Reduction | Environmental Politics | sustainability
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| What is the Scope For Ceramic Watches? |
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Ceramic watches come with insulating properties that make them an expert on A-1 for people who are looking for quality products with a huge capacity of the unborn cheap runescape money yesterday conclusive. Most people in the search for watches, look for these products. Taking into account the possibility of ceramic watches retain their popularity shows that you can see ceramic watches the rs gold sale above properties are almost always the famous one. ceramic watches are admired by a bizarre dream of people around the world.
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| The Next Big Fashion Trend is Summer Time Watches |
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One of the best British brands Sekonda thomas sabo rings watches. This is one of the first watch brand was launched and television advertising through Maddness, one of the biggest bands in the UK. Sekonda chanted the slogan, "For Sekonda, which will fill you with joy." This clever thomas sabo bracelets advertising promotion Sekonda pointed out to be one of the largest watch brands and best-selling UK in 1980 and 1990. Tags: Hits: 1689 | Read more... |
| These watches are identical copies with enough similarities with unique versions. |
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These watches are identical copies ghd straighteners with enough similarities with unique versions. They are cheap and widely available. People like to give them more than the original. These watches are available to all manufacturers and designers' collections. They look exactly ghd styler the same, have the same colors and designs. Their sources of useful resources can be very different lifestyle and efficiency can be shorter, but the best addition to the appearance it will have, the style you want to join.
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| Economical solution of replica watches |
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You are correct in guessing as a replica of the "replica watch" with the name. It has been planned and built as a prototype. Do not you think my words? Since the item is not authentic, people perceived to be illegal . Well, you're right if you put a priority on the original solution. The ray ban sunglasses topic of discussion is very far indeed, to become one or not. Tags:
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| Meat-Eating Vs. Driving: Another Climate Change Error? |
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Tags: Climate Change | Environment | global warming
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Here we go again. On March 22, a scientist at the University of California at Davis pointed out a flaw in "Livestock's Long Shadow," a 2006 report by the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that attributes 18% of the world's carbon emissions to animal agriculture. It didn't take long for the bashing to begin again. "Eat Less Meat, Reduce Global Warming — or Not" ran a headline on the FoxNews website. "Meat Avoidance Cures Flat Feet and Other Lies," mocked another on a the Cattleman's Blog. London's Telegraph put it succinctly, "Now It's Cowgate."| Water-wise around the house |
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Tags: How-To | water | House | Saving water at home
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The U.S. population nearly doubled between 1950 and 2000; however, the demand for water during that period more than tripled. Americans now use an average of 100 gallons of water every day, enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses.¹| Everything You Know About Going Green is Wrong |
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Tags: shopping | Science | News | recycling | pollution | Waste
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What if that brand new Prius is worse for the environment than a 1995 Chevy Suburban, despite getting | 5 Ways to Protect Yourself From ... Chicken |
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Tags: Health | Food and Drink | Safety | Tips
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Be thankful that turkey is the bird of choice for Thanksgiving, because Consumer Reports has just released the results of a startling study about America's favorite bird: Two-thirds of chicken tested in 22 states is contaminated with either salmonella or campylobacter, the leading causes of food-borne illness.| Three Reasons Hanukkah is a Green Holiday |
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Hanukkah 2009 begins at sundown on Friday, December 11. A couple years ago, The Daily Green interviewed Rabbis Arthur Waskow and Jeff Sultar of the Philadelphia-based Shalom Center, who were working to make Hanukkah a holiday focused on sustainability, with a "Green Menorah" campaign. Their teachings are just as relevant today. Tags: Holidays | Green Holidays | sustainability
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| “Green” Means More Than Just Money When Choosing A College |
 This time of year, thousands of budding young students (and their parents) flock to college campuses across the U.S.Armed with notepads and college guidebooks, they weave through university grounds on tours, invade dorms on recruiting visits, and congregate in the cafeteria to share impressions and rate what they've seen. As students and their parents inspect every aspect of the institution with a fine-toothed comb, most colleges have armies of campus representatives strategically placed to answer any question, from "What academic programs do you offer?" to "How good are the parties?" But another question is now being posed by this new generation of college-bound students -- the answer to which could be a deciding factor for a growing number of applicants: "What is your campus sustainability plan?" Future leaders know green is here to stay
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| "You in” for green kindness? |
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Inspire others (or get ideas) by posting your eco-friendly acts of goodwill, such as these: Tags: Charity | Tools | Activism
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The end of the year is a traditional time for giving back to the community. This year, Yahoo! encourages you to spread the word about your good deeds through the new "You In?" campaign. Tell the world what great, green acts of kindness you've done recently and encourage others to join in.| “You in” for green kindness? |
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- I donated old towels to use as animal bedding at the Humane Society. You In? - I gave a reusable shopping bag to the person in line behind me at the grocery store before the cashier could say "paper or plastic?" Tags:
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The end of the year is a traditional time for giving back to the community. This year, Yahoo! encourages you to spread the word about your good deeds through the new "You In?" campaign. Tell the world what great, green acts of kindness you've done recently and encourage others to join in.| Climate Change: Profit Or Problem? |
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The popular agricultural press has taken the USDA to task over its position that the Climate Change legislation (HR 2454) will have little impact on agriculture. USDA’s analysis of the House-passed legislation, which is now in the US Senate for consideration, originated in the Office of the Chief Economist. The study says, “In summary, USDA’s analysis shows that the agricultural sector will have modest costs in the short-term and net benefits – perhaps significant net benefits – over the long-term.” But how did it come to that conclusion? Tags: Climate Change | Environment Hits: 411 | Read more... |
| Eco-Friendly iPhone Charger….Without Sunlight! |
Charge your iPhone without Using the Wall Outlet or Sunlight Creator and Designer, Peter Thuvander, invented this unique and Eco-friendly way of charging your iPhone, iPod, etc with this great iYoYo charger. The induction powered yoyo charger is based on electrodynamic induction principle. The yoyo charger stores electric energy when the magnets within the yoyo spins around and causes current. Don’t worry about all the geek talk, just rest assure that you will always have a charged phone when you’re exploring undiscovered caves and caverns. To view other Eco-friendly products such as bedroom furniture, etc. visit GreenCulture.com Tags: Apple | Eco-Friendly | gadgets | green | iphone | mac | phone
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| Obama Touts Clean Energy Achievements |
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President Obama delivered a speech against a backdrop of solar panels at Nevada’s Nellis Air Force Base on Wednesday. Speaking at Nellis Air Force base in Nevada, home to the nation’s largest solar electric installation, President Obama hailed the accomplishments of the economic stimulus package on Wednesday, placing special emphasis on clean energy. Tags: Alternative Energy | Automobiles | Buildings | Consumers | Emissions Reduction | Energy Politics | Government Policy | air force | barack obama | Germany | Japan | loan guarantees | military | Nevada | solar | stimulus
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| Of Buying Green and Being Green |
 Last weekend, several thousand Britons gathered at UK Aware 09, “the U.K.’s only green lifestyle exhibition,” for tips on leading more climate-friendly lives.One of the visitors was Will Rayward-Smith, a Cambridge University student who made the trip to London to survey the field of green businesses and organizations. “Some of the ideas here are great,” he said — though he added that some businesses seemed only interested in cashing in on the current wave of green popularity. “It is surprising how successful they are becoming,” Mr. Rayward-Smith said. Indeed, compared to last year’s event, UK Aware ‘09 hosted 40 percent more exhibitors and a few thousand additional visitors – an impressive feat given both the faltering economy, and the fact that buying and selling additional goods as part of a movement ostensibly dedicated to reduction presents something of a paradox. In one corner of the expo, Colin Murtagh, the founder of CompoViz, was selling arboreal-themed compost bins which allow buyers to “recycle in style.” Mr. Murtagh admitted that composting could be done equally efficiently with “just four pieces of cardboard,” he said, but his products do offer an aesthetic advantage. Tags: The Environment | Consumers | Commerce | green products | uk aware 09
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| Climate Bill Could Override Regional Efforts |
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By Kate Galbraith
Tucked deep into Tuesday’s hefty climate bill draft is an innocuous-sounding sentence: ‘‘Notwithstanding section 116, no State or political subdivision thereof shall implement or enforce a cap that covers any capped emissions emitted during the years 2012 through 2017.” Tags: Climate Change | Conventional Energy | Emissions Reduction | Energy Business | Energy Politics | Government Policy | california | cap-and-trade | Edward Markey | Henry Waxman | Massachusetts | Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative | rggi Hits: 484 | Read more... |
| Recession Cuts Europe’s Carbon Emissions |
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By Jad Mouawad Tags: europe | carbon emissions | cap-and-trade | The Environment | Energy Economics | Emissions Reduction Hits: 552 | Read more... |
