Green Planet and Me

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Living Green Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

 
Living green doesn’t have to be hard. While it may feel like you need a major lifestyle change to get eco-friendly, the truth is with a few simple changes, you can live green with no inconvenience—and even save some money while doing so. The trick is to start small. Don’t reinvent the wheel; just make a few simple changes in your routine and go from there. Then, before you know it, you’ll be living green.

 
Water
A simple first step is to start turning off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth. When you bathe, resist the urge to fill the tub to brimming. While a long, hot soak is a nice treat, is it really necessary to have all of that water if you’re getting in and out in a hurry? If you shower, consider buying a water-efficient shower head. Make sure the dishwasher is full before you run it, or better yet, wash those few dishes by hand.

 
Energy
Little things that cost nothing and save loads include lowering your water heater to 120 degrees F, washing your clothes in cold water, lowering the thermostat during winter, and in warmer weather giving your dryer a rest and line-drying your clothes. Low-cost ideas include: insulating your water heater, attic, and HVAC ducts; installing a programmable thermostat; and ensuring your home is properly sealed against large air leaks (i.e. by having proper Door Insulation).

 
Travel and Commuting
Depending upon where you live, commuting “green” may seem one of the more difficult things for you to embrace. But there are alternatives you can at least consider. Check out your local public transportation and see if there is a feasible option to driving to work every day. Taking the bus may seem unpleasant at first, but you may find time a commute spent reading, listening to music, or just watching the scenery puts you at work more relaxed than if you had driven.

 
Consider car-pooling. It might not be an option for work, but think about getting together with neighbours for shopping trips or play dates to the park. Think about walking instead of driving; taking your bike; or selecting vacation spots a bit closer to home.

 
When it comes time to buy a car, consider fuel-efficient models. But, don’t just replace the car you have in order to “be greener”. The energy used in new car production may outweigh the benefits of replacing the one you have.

Recycle
Probably one of the easiest ways to live green is to become aware of waste. How much of what you throw away can be recycled or reused? With most neighborhoods offering recycling programs, there is really little excuse to not participate. Donate unwanted items to charity; find out what stores participate in e-waste recycling programs and get rid of old electronics that way; return iPods and cell phones to the manufacturer for use as parts. There are some companies, such as Gazelle, that buy used electronic devices and recycle them.

 

These are just a few of the many simple ways you can live a greener life with no hassle. Think about it. If it’s this easy to be green, then what excuse can you have not to be?

If you’re looking for more ideas, check out this eBook (no trees were harmed during its making ) Going Green In Your Home, as well as our Green Lifestyle section.

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If you’re interested in tapping into grants of up to $42,000,000, check out this resource by clicking here.

 
Relevant Details on the Obama Administration’s Stimulus Package Tax Credit For Hybrid Vehicles

 
President Obama’s stimulus bill, which is also referred to as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, enables us to claim certain benefits for hybrid vehicles. More specifically, Hybrid vehicles are offered a tax credit as per the stimulus package. All vehicles purchased from the year 2006 are eligible for the hybrid vehicle tax credit. The following includes some of the details of of the stimulus package.

 
Note that the best person to guide you effectively in this aspect is your tax consultant. Choose a good consultant and check out all possible details before filing your returns. You can also go online and read reviews, analysis and reports on the stimulus tax credit for hybrid vehicles to find more details.

 
The credit amount depends on multiple factors:

 
First, you must be the owner of extended range electric vehicles or plug in hybrids. Your hybrid model has drive trains which are powered by both rechargeable batteries and internal combustion engine.

 
Second, your eligibility depends on the vehicle model and the state where it was purchased. This scheme is also known as the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit and all vehicles purchased after 1st January 2006 are eligible for this.

 
Third, if your hybrid vehicle was on road in the year 2008 and you are a taxpayer, then you can certainly claim credit. However, according to the stimulus package, credit will be given only to those who are the actual owners of the hybrid vehicles and not for those who have purchased the vehicle on a resale in the year 2008.

 
Fourth, the vehicle size and battery pack also plays a role in determining your eligibility for tax credit in the plug-in hybrid range. If you own a Chevy Volt, you should get a credit somewhere around $7,500 if you qualify. If you own a plug-in truck you may even be eligible for credit that can be as high as $15,000.

 
Finally, if your vehicle is extremely fuel efficient, you may even be eligible for credit worth $3,000.

 
In addition, there are other factors to consider:

• Credits will be given to new hybrid vehicles (those models which came out last year). The limit for a manufacturer is 60,000 vehicles. After this number of vehicles is sold, the available credit starts coming down until it is completely eliminated. Vehicle owners must wait for the manufacturer to reach the sales limit and file before the end of third month following the quarter.
• The manufacturing company is not an eligibility criterion and as of now around 500,000 vehicles are eligible for tax credits.
  It is also worth noting that there are other benefits offered in this package, including a $2 billion grant for manufacturing and development in the battery sector. A tax paying buyer who goes in for vehicle conversion will be eligible for up to 10% of the conversion price or a maximum of $4,000.

 
In conclusion, whether you own a hybrid vehicle, or if you are planning on buying a new hybrid car, you may be pleasantly surprised to find a deduction in your local sales tax and auto loans.

 
If you’re interested in tapping into grants of up to $42,000,000, check out this resource by clicking here.

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As discussed in our wind energy article, switching over to wind energy grants numerous benefits. However, there are many things one should consider before determining which wind turbine is the most appropriate for his needs. Ideally, one could buy a wind turbine system which can be set up and would require very little maintenance for a long period of time.

 
There following are attributes that need to be considered:

 

1. Power requirements: it is important to evaluate your house’s power requirements. Generally speaking, the bigger the blades, the greater the power they generate. While smaller turbines require less space (and may be more appropriate for people with less land to use), they are not as efficient as the larger ones and also require constant maintenance. If you live in a small place and have modest energy requirements, getting a large wind turbine – even if it is a good option in other respects – may not be ideal for you.
   

2. Average wind speeds in your area: the power that a wind turbine can potentially generate directly depends on wind speeds in the area it will be placed in. Before buying a wind turbine, go to the US Department of Energy’s website and look for the ‘Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’ section which provides information on wind availability for various regions of the country. If you reside in an area with weak winds, then a wind turbine may not be suitable for your needs.
   

3. Quality: Since wind turbines can potentially be used for a long, long time, it is essential that the one that is picked requires as little repair and maintenance as possible. Thus, getting a high quality product may be expensive in the short term but not in the long term.
   

4. Manufacturer warranty: as stated, since wind turbines can be potentially used for a lifetime, it is important to pick one that has a long warranty. Furthermore, when a manufacturer offers warranty for a long period of time, it often means that it is highly confident of the quality of its product.
   

5. Brand name: as is always the case when purchasing a product, certain brand names are known to be good unlike product names no one has heard of. Therefore, it is a good idea to go through product reviews. These can be found on various forum sites, internet shops, and DIY websites. Of course, consulting a specialist can’t hurt either and may be the best thing to do considering the investment.
   

6. Advice from people who have gone through the process: nothing beats experience, and so asking the advice of people who have installed or used wind turbines can be invaluable. Forum websites can enable you to contact people whom have gone through the process. Even the best products may have issues, and no one would be more qualified to give an advice than a person who has tried to use a product – for better or worse.
   

7. Setup costs: these include wiring, structural modification to your land or roof and other fittings. This normally uses up to 10-40% of the budget, so clearly is an important consideration.
   

8. Residential usage: some wind turbines are simply too big for usage in individuals’ homes. Naturally you should only consider those that can actually be used.

 
In our next article, we will survey various types of wind turbines and who may benefit the most from them.

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As discussed in our solar energy article, switching over to solar power bestows a lot of advantages. However, there are so many types of solar panels it is difficult to decide which one is the most appropriate for your needs.

 
So how does one select the most appropriate solar panel for his personal and family needs?
As said, there are numerous configurations and types of solar panels available today. It takes a great deal of knowledge to identify the right one for installation in your home and that would be perfect for your needs.

 
The first step is to call a reputable solar company to evaluate the amount of power used in your home and determine whether a solar panel system is actually suitable for your needs. Some companies will send a specialist to do a solar evaluation for free. The following video demonstrates what to expect from such an evaluation.

 
After determining whether solar power is suitable for you – (after all, it is possible that from one reason or another, solar panels might not be appropriate for you), you should research the leading companies that supply these panel systems. Check out Solar Panel section for a decent selection.

 
There are several types of solar panels: solar roof tiles, solar patio covers, roof mounted solar panels and ground mounted solar panels:

1. Solar roof tiles are placed over your existing roof tiles and expertly made to interlock with them. These tiles are aesthetic and tastefully designed and tend to look very sleek. They come in different sizes and shapes and provide a much more sophisticated look than the traditional roof mounted systems. Both the installation and the solar roof tile materials are expensive. If you can afford it, this is one of the best solar panels which not only makes your house more aesthetic, but is also highly efficient in solving your energy problems.
   

2. Roof mounted solar panels also come in various styles. These are the most popular variety of solar panels as they are highly functional and versatile in comparison to the other types. These types of panels are placed on a frame which is fixed onto your roof. As a result, they do not require any major alterations to the roof. Moreover, they also protect your roof from the harsh weather elements thereby extending its life.
   

3. Solar patio covers. These are the smallest type of solar panels. Solar patio covers are placed on the garden patio and are practically invisible. They serve two purposes: they provide shade in addition to supplying energy. If your home does not have a roof, then this is might be the ideal solar panel for you.
   

4. Ground mounted solar panel system. This type of of solar panel is ideal if you have a lot of land space around your home that is unusable or unproductive. These are large scale systems and are usually stationary. They can also be motorized (to move in the direction of the sun) in order to ensure efficiency enhancement by at least 39%. You can opt for ground mounted solar panel systems that can be placed on ballasts. This system generates the largest amount of energy output and efficiency.

 
Again, although these guidelines can certainly help you make a decision, asking for the advice of an expert will certainly help you decide which of the above solar panels is the most appropriate one for you.

 
In conclusion, going for a solar panel offers not only efficient and free energy, but is also good for the environment. Whether you decide to install your own solar panels or call in for an expert, you will certainly benefit from this decision. In case you’re considering installing the panels yourself, here is a video that will give you a taste of what to expect in a solar panel installation.

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More and more people are starting to become aware of the severe impact that our world is going through and the limitations of our resources. Over the past 30 years or so, recycling has become more than just a nice way to reuse resources, it’s become the vital way to save our planet’s resources from vanishing completely.

 
Recycling is not just something we should think about, it’s something we all have an obligation to participate in. When we recycle we renew or rather sustain our world’s supply of resources but it is going to take a global awareness of the severity of the problem for it to be truly effective.

 
One example of this issue in action is plastic bottles. Plastic is a 100% renewable resource and if everyone were to put plastic bottles in the right bin and take them down to be processed into new water bottles or even parts for a car, then we would not be filling our landfills with plastic that not only doesn’t degrade fast enough or offer the landfill any organic resources, but we’d save a valuable resource for use in a billion different ways. In a landfill a plastic bottle simply takes up room. Our landfills are becoming a problem because this non bio-degradable product doesn’t break down like organic matter or paper, it simply remains there – and accumulates (since more and more is generated each day).

 
An environmentally conscious world would be incredible because if we all just took the extra moment to recycle we’d have more than enough resources to sustain us for thousands of years, but if we continue to mindlessly or selfishly not recycle we will find that our world will soon not be able to sustain life as it has been.

 
The following are some great ways to recycle that you may not be aware of. Note that we have an entire section in our website dedicated to companies that offer recycling of used products.

 

1. Old computers, cell phones, and digital equipment that is outdated should not be thrown away in the garbage. There are recycling centers all over town that accept these old devices. All digital equipment can be recycled into many different parts from the metals lining the circuit board to the silicone, and metals in it. The plastic can be recycled and used in everything from cars to pace makers!
   
    

2. Recycling old car batteries and disposable batteries used in everything from remote controls to yes, pace makers. Many stores now carry an old cell phone or dead batteries bin to make it as easy as dropping them off when you go to the store. This seems like a simple move but it actually does a great deal. Car batteries are highly recyclable and in fact when you buy a new battery you get a nice chunk of change when you give them your old battery.
   
    

3. Copper, alloy, aluminum, and other metals are finite in how much our earth has left. You may not know it but you can actually take your old copper pipes, aluminum, and other metal fixtures down to recycle for cash. Going back to the digital products, there are actually several precious metals used in many devices from gold to silver to titanium!
   
    

4. Motor oil. Many don’t realize that simply bottling up their old motor oil and taking it to any auto parts store can do a tremendous amount of good for the environment. This old oil can cause a great deal of harm if disposed of improperly including causing cancer when thrown in a field and leaked into the water and food supply! Some stores will give you a discount on your new oil purchases if you bring in your old oil.

 
Recycling also leads to cost effective purchasing as well: Recycling old computers leads to refurbished computers being created and sold at a fraction of the cost of a new non re-furbished unit. The beauty is that the refurbished unit is brand new and just as sturdy and valuable as the non refurbished unit. The difference is that the company making them doesn’t have to purchase all new materials which adds to the price you pay.

 
Overall recycling is one of the most responsible things you can do and if we all do our part we can save this world, the only one we have. We believe if more people saw the impact that recycling actually has on our environment and even our economy- our wallets/purses, then they would recycle in a heartbeat. Will you?

 

 

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In our quest for becoming a greener Earth, one of the best solutions is the continued usage and utilization of hydroelectric energy. Hydroelectric energy is created by utilizing the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. This process is quite reminiscent of the way that wind energy is created. Most people don’t know, but roughly 7% of the utilized power in the United States is created using hydroelectric energy.

 
One common procedure to do so is by damming up water flowing in a river behind a large concrete wall. This water holds a large amount of potential energy. As it falls from the dam, it flows through a turbine with rotary blades. Electromagnets spin within the turbine as the water flows through it and a current is created. The energy is transferred to coils. These coils take the current to a transformer and the voltage is multiplied for transmission to homes and businesses through power lines.

 
This rather elegant method of creating energy without drilling for coal or burning fossil fuels enables us to benefit from a natural resource to create hydroelectric energy. This energy source not only does not pollute the Earth’s atmosphere but also reduces green house gasses, and consequently, the threat of global warming. Better yet, this energy is virtually limitless, as the water from streams and rivers is provided by rain fall and is naturally replenished.

 
Other advantages of this energy are that water is also a generally an available resource in many countries and eliminates the cost of the fuel used for this power source. Once hydroelectric power plants are built on waterways they are relatively inexpensive to operate. As the technology continues to mature, it is likely that power resource will become even more efficient and widespread.

 
Regardless of the source of electricity, whether it is created using wind, water, oil or coal, the benefits we gain are endless. Currently, water provides the electricity needed for homes and businesses around the world. This electricity operates everything from house hold appliances to wireless devices and large production equipment. Hydroelectric energy can also be stored to be later used in a motor vehicle to reduce our dependence on fuel.

 

 

 

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Although going green is a noble goal worthy in its own right, and choosing this lifestyle generally helps people save money, these days it is even more worthwhile than before. Thanks to president Obama’s Stimulus Bill, going green can actually help you save a lot more money than before. It’s a win-win scenario: by going green and saving money on energy, you will be getting even more money though tax-cuts. All this while helping to save our environment – sounds like a pretty good deal to us!

 
Here is a summary of things you can do to qualify for getting this money:

1. Install energy-efficient doors, windows, insulation or roof and get 10% off or $500 tax credit.
   
    

2. Install skylights or eco-friendly exterior doors and get 10% or $200 back.
   
    

3. Install central air conditioner units, biomass stoves or energy efficient heaters and get 30% off or up to $1500 tax credit. (Get a free residential solar evaluation)
   
    

4. Buy a hybrid car and get up to $3400 refund, based on the amount of gas saved and weight of the car.
   
    

5. Install a solar-power system or a wind turbine to power your household appliances and get 30% off tax credit.
   
    

6. Install gas, propane or oil furnace or hot-water boiler, and get $150 tax credit.
   
    

7. Use mass transit instead of your own car, and get up to $230 pre-tax money per month.

 
Before making your new energy-saving home improvements make sure they are eligible for the tax cuts or credits. Also make sure you check your specific state’s tax break, as each state laws can be slightly different. And finally, you can always arrange an audit with a specialized consultant, many times also offered by the utilities department free of charge.

 

 

 

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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.