Global Warming 2020

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The purpose of off-shore drilling is to provide a source of energy for the American people so that we are not dependent on another country. It should also reduce our energy costs since the wells are off our coastlines. We risk the possibility of a disaster just like the Gulf Oil Spill on a daily basis just to obtain oil and gas reserves. What would you think if you knew that you helped waste more energy per year than the energy supplied by the gas and oil mined from off-shore deposits?

Most everyone wastes food, but it is a matter of the volume and frequency that food is wasted. There are discarded loaves of bread and out-of-date yogurt cups that fall into obsolescence at the back of the fridge. Maybe there are a dozen eggs absent-mindedly left in the trunk of a car or a few pounds of ground beef aged to brown and thrown into the garbage can. Half-eaten sandwiches or fries that have grown cold added into the trash that eventually makes its’ way to the landfill. Virtually every family and every individual in this land of plenty discards a percentage of their food, whether it has spoiled or is just too much to consume.

This food loss is not something the average person will even consider, but the bean counters that crunch the numbers see it as a huge, overwhelming problem. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Loss Project, Americans discard more than 25% (approximately 25.9 million tons) of all the food produced domestically and there are some estimates significantly higher. The tragedy of this substantial waste does not end once the food hits the garbage bin.

Once all of this decomposing food gets to the landfill (whether it is contained in plastic bags or not), it continues breaking down and creates large amounts of methane gas. Methane is well known for contributing to the greenhouse effect. For example in Asia, Latin America and Africa, 40 % of methane emissions or about 37 million metric tons come from landfills.

Now comes the news (in light of the recent gulf oil disaster) from the Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy at the University of Texas at Austin, that more energy is wasted in the edible food discarded by people in the United States each year than is extracted annually from the oil and gas reserves off the nation’s coastlines. (Note: This figure does not take into account waste on farms and from fishing). This loss is more than, and effectively nullifies, any contemporary attempt or strategy to improve national energy efficiency by utilizing off-shore drilling.

This is the kind of news that makes one feel utterly hopeless. However, while we may never become a zero-waste society, recent in-roads in community composting, food recovery, and gleaning have been able to make an impact on that 25% of waste. If our food waste was cut in half we would likely extend the lifespan of landfills by decades, reduce soil depletion and the application of tons of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. In order to achieve this goal, we must learn how to clean our plate like mama taught us to and manage our waste better.

Those of you who are gardeners can compost your organic waste to help build up your own flower beds and gardens. This composted waste would then be useful fertilizer to grow some of your own food, reducing the amount of produce that has to be trucked into your area. You would save money on your grocery budget, energy costs, and reduce your carbon footprint helping to save this planet that we live on. Think about the choices you make. They are after all, your choices and your decisions. Choose to do what’s right and think before throwing away those leftovers.

Lynda M. Lacroix is an accomplished writer with over 40 years experience working in areas of homesteading, animal husbandry, and conservation. She is an avid homesteader and conservationist as well as a Wildlife Biologist. It is her belief that we live in a time that neighbor must look after neighbor. By going back to basics, she is living a simpler lifestyle that is both enjoyable and satisfying while producing naturally healthy food for the table. For more information: http://environmentalconservationguide.com/waste-management/.

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Is it possible making your online business eco-friendly? Internet has been dominating the commercial world from the day it has made its ark in the commercial world. In essence, Internet has created means of producing revenue as well as gainful employment. It has provided unique opportunities for those who use it. The best part of it is that Internet does not produce any garbage that could adversely affect the environment around us.

Difference of Internet from other industries is that it does not create any such affect that would create greenhouse effects. One cannot think of the oil industry or the chemical industry to be eco-friendly. On the other hand on Internet you can carry on business without requiring any “zero out” or elimination process of harmful elements that would effect the environment around you.

To understand the issues of harmful effects on the environment one can have a look at the global warming. Such warming is the effect of greenhouse gas emission by harmful elements from various industrial establishments. At times the problem seems too big to be resolved easily. Another similar problem is the recycling or resources. People may think what harm a piece of paper to the garbage can could cause? But just think when billions of people follow suit, how massive the problem could become? That then is the problem. But what is the solution? There are any big companies that have replaced electrical installation with solar power energy system so that there are fewer burdens on the already strained energy resources. At the same time these alternative energy sources are highly eco-friendly.

Google is perhaps one of the best examples. Online Marketing Company can contribute in a major way in this regard and they could help further reduce or offset the impact on the environment around. Some of the steps that could really help eco-friendly system development are:

1 – Reduction of paper consumption is one of the best ways of making the industry eco-friendly. For instance, you can print both sides on the paper so that there is less consumption of papers and less littering of the surroundings.

 2 – Wherever and whatever possible should be recycled so that there is less pressure on the available resources. Some of the most recyclable products are papers, aluminum, and plastic.

 3 – Some of the Companies produce such gadgets and accessories that emit less greenhouse gasses through transportation and energy consumption. This is one of the best eco-friendly steps that the industrial world can take. Everyone has responsibility for making the environment eco-friendly and more than others the industries have such responsibilities.   

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Human is the most powerful and intelligent creature of God on this earth. What humans have, no other creatures in the world have. Therefore, humans are superior. But these superior creatures are affecting the environmental by their actions, such as: cutting of trees in large numbers to build buildings for various purposes. Trees are very essential that absorb the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help to keep the planet cool.

Due to the increase of temperature, the whole planet is suffering like anything. In order to reduce climate warming, planting tree is the best thing humans can do. According to a study, only planting trees won’t actually help to reduce the effects of global warming, as it depends on where the trees are planted. The new forests in mid- to high-latitude locations could actually provide a net warming. The study also confirms that planting more trees in tropical rainforests could help slow global warming across the world.

There are three different ways through which the forests affect the climate, for example: the forests soak up the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and thus, help to keep the planet cool, they also help in evaporating water to the atmosphere and increase cloudiness which keep the planet cool; and finally, as the forests are dark, they absorb a lot of sunlight, warming the Earth. However, the climate change mitigation strategies that promote planting trees have taken only the first effect into the consideration. So, instead of thinking about the effects of global warming, start planting trees and have a healthy environment.

End global warming before it becomes a real threat to human life. For latest updates on climate warming please visit http://www.webgreenworld.com

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The Australian Government has realized how important solar energy is to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and to the increase in usage of renewable resources. Their realization saw the introduction of a solar rebate, which ended on 9 June 2009. It was means tested and was available to households with an annual taxable income of less that $100, 000.

In place of the solar rebate the government has introduced the Green Loans, which will be available from 1 July 2009. The Green Loan gives households a four year interest free loan of up to $10, 000 to assist them with improving energy and water efficiency in their homes.

The Green Loan differs from the Solar Rebate in that homes are no longer given the money; instead it is now a loan that will need to be paid back over four years. This assistance requires individuals to take more responsibility for the effect they are having on the environment.

The abruptness of the solar rebate ending rebate has surprised and angered many people and influenced their decision to install solar panels. This is unfortunate, as the benefits of solar panels are multiple, and a few of these benefits include:

- money saving

- no greenhouse gas emissions

- increase value to your house

- protects individuals from the inevitable rise in electricity costs

It proved very popular as many people found the upfront costs of installing solar panels overwhelming. The Solar Rebate allowed more people to install solar energy in their homes as it reduced the cost by up to $8000.

Solar Energy is the cleanest, most viable form of renewable energy and the
solar panels convert sunlight to electricity silently, therefore it has no negatives. If the government is serious about reducing greenhouse emissions it is important that they make solar energy a realistic option for all households. The solar rebate was a good start, but will the green loan be able to do better? With the average cost of solar panels being very expensive will the new Green Loans increase the uptake of renewable energy like the solar rebate did? Only time will tell.

It was also generously extended to schools. Grants of up to $50,000 are available to each Australian school for the installation of grid connected solar power. This will be available to schools until June 2015. The solar rebate is not only good for schools, but an excellent opportunity for learning. The installation of solar panels is a great way to teach kids about renewable energy, the environment and show them that the choices they make can effect the environment positively or negatively.

To find out more about installing solar panels at your home or school give Solar Switch Australia a call today. They are waiting to hear from you and can answer any questions you have. Ph: 9401 0011 Website: http://www.SolarSwitchAustralia.com.au