Green Planet and Me

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Permanent Culture, or Permaculture, was initially conceived as a self-sustaining agricultural method, where agricultural systems are designed to require minimal, or ideally, no external human intervention. In modern days this term has been extended to describe a holistic approach to designing self-sufficient and ecologically-balanced human settlements, which minimizes our dependence on industrial systems of production and distribution and promotes synergy and harmony among the different components of our immediate environment.

 
Permaculture aspires to establish an ecological balance within the system. A perfectly balanced system is one that does not require external modifications and relies completely on its own resources, where one product is used to feed another. For example, a very simple permaculture farm is one which uses its animal waste to feed its crops, which in turn are used to feed the animals. At the same time, just enough crops and animal products (such as meat, eggs, etc) are generated to feed the human community. Such a simple system can evolve over time and turn into a highly complex ecosystem of its own.

 
Permaculture relies on a set of a well-defined set of design principles:

1. Underlying permaculture is observation and planning: before building a farm one needs to observe study and understand its natural components and how they relate to each other. One needs to consider the natural and artificial boundaries that define the system, as well as the natural resources that are available within it.
2. Evaluating these parameters then leads to the design, implementation and long-term maintenance of the permaculture system. The design is a highly creative and innovative process that is really the key to the success of the system.
3. Central themes in the design include the use of patterns, both natural (like a shape of a wave or spiral, common in nature) or patterns useful for a particular need (like a particular structure to minimize waste).
4. Permaculture often makes use of layers, in order to create a harmonious and efficient use of space. For example, layering different sized plants on a single soil patch will optimize space usage and allow a diverse and complementary eco-system to emerge.

 
How can we create and benefit from permaculture? There are many resources, books, courses and online websites that teach individuals how to improve their household and home-farming based on permaculture methods. We can start from planting plants in a certain pattern, raising farm animals in a certain manner or collecting and recycling water for home use. There are many levels of practicing permaculture and everyone can benefit from its obvious advantages. And on top of it all, we get to preserve our environment and live harmoniously with our planet and its many ecosystems.

 

 

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Whether we want to admit or even think about it, air pollution is a real problem, one that continues to affect our environment and our lives each and every day. Although people who live in rural areas can easily forget that such a problem exists (as they do not see smog and factories on a daily basis) or remember its causes (fewer cars on the roads), air pollution is a very real issue that affects everybody. At times we simply can’t ignore air pollution. For example, when driving past a factory pumping smoke clouds high into the sky, or when standing in a traffic jam smelling the exhaust of the car in front of us, it is hard not to imagine what damage it is doing to our body.

What is air pollution?
Air pollution consists of various types of chemicals and gases being passed into our atmosphere. The main cause of this unwanted pollution is vehicles. Second to to that are industrial factories that release dirty and dangerous fumes into the atmosphere.

Why is air pollution dangerous?

1. Health reasons: air pollution has been linked to numerous types of illnesses such as strokes, heart issues and breathing problems.
2. Global warming: air pollution is responsible for global warming. This phenomena leads to the gradual but persistent increase of the temperature of our planet. It has already started affecting entire ecosystems, and unless it is stopped, it will melt the polar ice caps which will raise sea levels. This will cause flooding in coastal cities such as New York and London.
3. Ozone layer: air pollution causes the ozone layer to shrink, thus, reducing its ability to shield us from ultraviolet radiation. This not only causes skin cancer, but also damages wildlife and plants.
4. Acid rain: certain pollutants can cause rain to turn to acid rain. This has a great impact on animals, fish and plants that are soaked in it. Acid rain can also affect the ground, making the soil toxic to many animals and plants.

How can we fight air pollution?

1. One way would be to use Hybrid vehicles. These vehicles produce about a fourth of the pollution of the average vehicle. Just imagine the global effects if everyone started driving such vehicles.
2. Using green energy, such as wind power, solar power, hydro electricity, geothermal power and biomass energy, rather than using fossil fuels for energy, would also have a large impact on air pollution.

Since this problem seems to only get worse in time, and we may reach the point where we damage the environment irrevorcably, the only logical solution is that everybody embrace ways that reduce air pollution in the hope that it will eventually, some day, be eliminated. Perhaps the only way this can be achieved is through education: although most people are familiar with air pollution and how it occurs, and are generally aware of its effects, many would rather turn their heads the other way rather than deal with this ever growing problem. The only way to truly overcome this problem is to start with the young: if we, collectively, can get our descendants to permanently change their ways by learning from our mistakes, then perhaps there is still hope for our planet – and ourselves.

 

 

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A major concern today for many people is the growing number of vehicles you see driven on a daily basis. Not only do these vehicles consume large amounts of fuel on a regular basis, but they also create an enormous amount of air pollution. There have been many attempts to combat this growing concern, and the most effective one so far has been the invention of Hybrid cars. The aim of Hybrid cars is to reduce not only the pollution in the air we breathe, but also the consumption of fossil fuels used to fuel our current mode of transportation. Furthermore, since the amount of fossil fuel is finite, this could postpone the time when none is left; hopefully, by then a superior new power source will have been found.

 
In many case studies, it’s been proven that Hybrid cars produce 80% less harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases than their gasoline counterparts. This reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released by more traditional fuels such as gasoline, as well as nitrous oxide and methane gases. These chemicals, which are stored in the fossil fuels we use today, get released when burned in our car’s engines. Hybrid cars help to reduce the production of these chemicals, lessening their dangerous contribution to the greenhouse effect. More traditional engines however, such as those in our current cars, release a significantly higher amount of these gases on a daily basis.

 
The technology that makes these cars possible, and makes them capable of such a high rate of reduction in harmful pollutants, is their unique engines. Hybrid cars come in two different forms, Parallel Hybrid and the Series Hybrid. Both types of engines use a combination of gasoline-electric engines in radically different ways. Both these types of engines contain small gasoline powered engines, that produce less pollution than their larger versions. They generally produce around 60 to 90 horsepower on their own, so to compensate for this lower horsepower Hybrid cars are constructed with ultra lightweight materials. The most common of these materials is carbon fiber and aluminum, which both make the cars lighter so there is less stress on their engines.

 
Another unique feature of the Hybrid is the way it stores energy for use by its electric engine. Hybrid cars create energy via their wheels, using the kinetic energy produced by the wheel’s movement to power their small electric engines. This means there are no plugs involved for charging, as their energy source is regenerative. When it comes down to it, for a cleaner environment Hybrid cars are definitely the way to go. They not only utilize an engine that produces less pollution in its emissions, but also are energy friendly since they generate their own electricity.

 
Finally, it is important to mention that many states are offering incentives: both cash and other privileges for consumers who purchase ecologically friendly vehicles such as hybrid cars. Including: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah.

 
P.S. Hybrids are really cool cars. If you want to participate in a short survey and possibly win a Hybrid, click here.

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Biomass is matter normally thought of as garbage or waste. The majority of it consists of old or dead trees, tree branches, leaves, yard clippings, old crops, wood chips, bark as well as tires or other rubber products – and even livestock manure.

All of these elements can be combined to produce Biomass Energy through the process of burning or heating the materials to release the stored solar energy within. Biomass Energy is a very safe, Eco-friendly power source that can be replenished indefinitely as long as the energy necessary for the process is not greater than the energy that is actually released from the biomass (a common myth).

Throughout history, biomass has been a major source of energy; this has been practiced for millennia by man in a simple manner: by burning it to produce heat. Biomass Energy is still created by this method to this day. The heat from Biomass Energy can be used directly, for heating, cooking, and industrial processes. Consequently, things that most people would consider to be trash or garbage, can actually be used to produce heat, electricity, or even fuel.

Most people aren’t aware of the fact, but biomass is commonly used. For example, California produces more than 60 million tons of biomass each year, of which a total of 5 million tons is converted into Biomass Energy for electricity. This Biomass Energy comes from the lumber mill and urban wood wastes, forest and agricultural resides and other feed stocks to help produce a renewable energy source.

There multiple ways to use biomass to create energy:

• When plant matter is heated (but not burned), it breaks down into various forms such as gases, liquids and solids. These can be processed and refined into useful fuels. These fuels can either be burned in gas turbines to create electricity, or be stored in fuel cells and later used to create electricity when necessary. The advantage of this process is that very few emissions are created – and at times none.
• By using biochemical methods, equivalent to fermentation, it’s possible to convert biomass into a combustible fuel. This fuel can be burned to create power and heat.
• Biomass oil, such as soybean and canola oil, can be chemically converted to liquid fuel that can be used to create “biodiesel” fuel for trucks.
• Biomass can also be used to create compost, which is decayed plant or food products mixed together in a pile and spread out to help plants grow.

No matter what method we use the outcome is the same, a cleaner, safer energy. Each improvement in the Biomass conversion technology means we’re that much closer to a cleaner environment and a safer energy source for everybody.

Please take a look at our composting section, which provides links to products that convert Biomass Energy to compost that can be used for your garden.

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Green Superstores: The following stores offer a wide range of products, and so, we felt we should not classify them in one specific category.

 
(1) BuyGreen.com Your Trusted Source for Green Products: this store offers everything green: from green baby clothes, green furniture, Green games to green building materials

(2) The Ultimate Green Store: your one-stop green shopping destination for home,office and everyone in the family: this store offers a wide variety of green products: for the home and garden, for the office, for babies, even green apparel.

(3) The Alternative Energy Store: this store has free educational information on renewable energy systems and great prices on solar panels and wind turbines for your home.

 

 

 
Tags used: Green baby clothing, Green furniture, Green games, Green superstores, Green Apparel, Solar Panels, Wind Turbines

 

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Green Energy Jobs and Businesses:

It’s possible to take going green to the next level. By finding a green job of starting a green business, a person can not only make a decent living, but also help make the world a better place. Generally speaking, renewable energy careers are where the world is going. The following is a list books that can help one make the transition:

 


 

 

 


tags: Green job, Green Business, Solar energy, Wind energy, Biofuels, Geothermal energy, Hydro energy, Green building

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Green Lifestyle:

Going ‘Green’ does not only mean that you will live a healthier life and help protect the environment, but it also often means that you’ll be able to lower your utility bills. Here’s a collection of books that can help promote a greener lifestyle:

 


 

 

 


tags: Green lifestyle

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Green Oil Filters:

 

microGreen Oil Filters aims to create products that both reduce costs and protect the environment. Some of the advantages of its oil filters include:

1. Reduce oil usage by 70%
2. Reduce filter usage by 50%

 

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Green Computer Equipment:

 
(1) Verdant Computing: at this store you’ll find computers and computer equipment that is:

1. Made with recycled or sustainable materials.
2. Energy efficient or uses renewable energy
3. Contains fewer toxic materials
4. Uses eco-friendly packaging

Naturally, this store has everything: monitors, printers, peripherals, hard drives, ink & toner, and even laptop bags.

 
(2) Green Computing and Green IT Best Practices on Regulations and Industry Initiatives, Virtualization, Power Management, Materials Recycling and Telecommuting (eBook for the price of $17.95): this eBook covers all areas in Green IT including an increased awareness of environmental danger, concern about power bills, regulatory requirements and government procurement rules.

 

 

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Solar Panels:

 
If you consider getting solar panels, you may want to read our article on picking solar panels that are suitable for your needs, and may want to watch a video explaining how to install them.

 
(1) GoGreenSolar website: at this store you’ll find Solar Panels, Global Sun Ovens, Solar Cookers, 80W Solar Electric Backup Generator Kit and more. Moreover, the store will help connect you with renewable energy professionals in your area, and help you get started with green energy.




 
(2) The Alt Energy Store: has a lot of information on installing Solar Panels as well as a wide variety of Panels to choose from. They offer help: in a simple phone call you’ll get all the information you need to choose the right Solar Panel for you.

 
(3) Amazon has several Solar Panels and related items in its stock. including:

 

 

(4) Search in the Home Improvement Superstore: