Small Wind Turbines
September 29, 2008
Do you think wind power is a wonderful option for alternative energy, but you can’t be putting a big ol turbine in your back yard or on the roof of your business? Well you’re right about that, sorta but smaller turbines are being developed that CAN be installed on your roof and provide your power.
UK based Quiet Revolution is one of the companies making these turbines. Take a look at some of their projects and see for yourself.
Although this company is in the UK, there are many in the US too. Take a look at this FAQ on small wind turbines for your home., and then look at this spreadsheet of just a few options out there now.
Photos: 16 best green cars at the British Motor Show 2008
September 27, 2008
Very cool designs at the British Motor Show Take a look at the Lightening, Britain’s answer for the Tesla in both design and speed as well as some more affordably priced models like the Quiet 2 and Norway’s think City. See this slideshow from SmartPlanet.
World’s largest Tidal Turbine Installed
September 20, 2008
The world’s largest tidal turbine has been successfully installed at last, in Ireland’s Strangford Lough, and I can’t help but wonder how far San Francisco is away from such a resource? The tides under the Golden Gate bridge are legendary to anyone who lives or plays near the bay and PG&E is dumping a lot of money into alternative research.
There have been a lot of environmental protests, but which would we rather have, turbines powered by waves or drilling off the Monterey coast?
Keep your pool clean and safe without chemicals
September 18, 2008
Fall may seem like a strange time to do a post about pools, but it’s actually the best time to plan a swimming pool. Contractors are crazy busy all summer, but in the fall, things slow down and it’s easier to fit a project into their schedules. If you’re thinking about building a pool you should take a look at chemical-free, planet-friendly construction and sanitation, and there are some good options.
At the very least is the dry skin, eye irritation and hair discoloration attributed to chlorine. Chlorine used in pools has been tied to asthma in children, and been linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease and rectal and bladder cancers in adults.
Salt Pool Chlorinators
Mineral systems in the filters using salts work like giant water softeners. As the water passes between the plates in the “Salt Cell”, electrolysis occurs, triggering a chemical reaction which releases chlorine from the salt. Nothing more than common table salt needs to be added to the system to keep it running efficiently. It’s really still a chlorine system, but it’s a lot less of it so you don’t get nearly as many of the negative effects.
ECOsmarte offers an alternative with a combination of ionization and oxidation. No chemicals are added to the water at all. It simply passes through the oxidation/ionization chamber and water is sanitized and bacterias, algae and even some viruses are destroyed. The system only needs to run fora few hours per week to gt the desired effect.
Natural pools are becoming more popular in Europe, and are just beginning to take hold in the US. The pools are designed with a natural plant filter, either in the pool itself (think water lilies) or around the edges of the pool. They’re more like ponds really, and some are really quite beautiful.
So, if you really have to have that pool, take a look at the alternatives to help you make a smart choice and be ready to talk to your contractor about alternatives so you don’t end up with something you don’t really want.
Palin suggests Schwartzenegger veto pollution bill
September 12, 2008
Right before Sarah Palin got the nod for the nomination she was working to keep a bill that would reduce pollution from cargo container ships entering the California ports of Oakland, Long Beach and Los Angeles, claiming that shippers are already paying too much for gas and oil and that the bill would drive business away from California’s ports. Read more details here on Planet Save.
Envorionmental hazards for children
September 11, 2008
Another great resource for environmental hazards from the EPA. This one is about children’s health issues and hazards of particular interest to parents, schools and care facilities. In addition to a list of reports available through the EPA, there are additional resources outside the agency for more information.
Dust to Dust reports
September 10, 2008
Thinking about buying a more efficient vehicle? It might be a good idea to check out CNW’s ‘Dust to Dust‘ Automotive Energy Report. The site provides downloadable reports on the energy efficiency of vehicles and also offers some comparisons for efficiency.
This is the second year CNW has compiled the Dust-to-Dust energy cost per vehicle sold in the U.S. The sit grades vehicles on the total cost of energy to society.
Plates with Purpose
September 10, 2008
If you’re going to buy decorative serving ware, these designs from PlatesWithPurpose.com are an elegant way to do that and donate 15% of your purchase to a host of non-profits.
Here’s a list of designs and the non-profits they benefit.
Butterfly, Forbes Hospice of the West Penn Allegheny Health System
Elephant, National Autism Association
Forget-me-not flower, Alzheimer’s Association, Greater PA chapter
Healing Garden, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
Heart, Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity
Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach Choir of Pittsburgh
Ladybug, United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation
Sheaf of wheat, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Stars, Persad Center and the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force
Trees, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Allegheny County
Save water and get a landscaping rebate
September 9, 2008
Hey, if you live in Santa Clara County, Ca, did you know you could get a rebate for updating your landscaping? Santa Clara County residents can receive up to $1,000* and commercial, industrial, and institutional properties can receive up to $10,000* by replacing high water using plants such as turf grass, with low water using plants from their Approved Plant List or by installing permeable hardscape.
Projects completed in Morgan Hill and Palo Alto are eligible for $150 per 100 sq. feet with a residential maximum rebate of $2,000 and a maximum rebate for businesses of $20,000.
Sustainable Communities 2008
September 8, 2008
On September 26, 2008 leading innovators will meet at the Westin-St Francis in San Francisco for a one-day seminar on the past and future of sustainable communities. Between buildings and transportation systems, the design of communities accounts for at least two-thirds of U.S. energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
The host of the seminar is the Congress for the New Urbanism, the leading organization promoting walkable, neighborhood-based development as an alternative to sprawl.
If you’re interested in being part of change, you really need to be there.
Garbage Warrior
September 6, 2008
Garbage Warrior
is a film by Oliver Hodge about Michael Reynolds, a New Mexico based "biotect" who is known for his eco-friendly architectural style which uses recycled materials. Reynolds actually lost his architect’s license because of some of his Earthship architecture ideas and the film follows him to Mexico and India where he works with local people where natural disasters have destroyed their homes, showing them how to rebuild in an eco friendly way. The film is being screened in the US now and is also available on the website.
"A fascinating documentary about an equally fascinating man, Garbage Warrior is by turns funny, heart-breaking and genuinely inspirational." - Aukland Movie Review ****
Recycled house
September 5, 2008
When this family decided to demolish the old house on the lot they were buying so they could build a new (larger) house, they decided to use as much as possible from the demo in the new house. They never even needed a dumpster, and not only did they save a lot of money, they came up with some good ideas.
Environmental hazards resource
September 4, 2008
Have you ever wondered if there are hidden environmental hazards in your home? Or maybe you know there is a potential problem but don’t have the resources to fully understand how to deal with it? Inspectipedia to the rescue. The site provides consumer advice on environmental hazard inspection, detection, remediation. The site also offers testing. complete with testing kits you can mail in to a lab for testing. This site is an excellent resource to keep in your bookmarks for future reference.
-
Subscribe
Currently Reading
