Eco Friendly Bags: Shopping Without Hurting Our Environment

Our environment is a testament of us; for it is through our environment that we survive, that we grow and that we progress. The deterioration of our environment could very well mean our deterioration. It is through our environment that we eat; it is through our environment that we breathe. Without a good environment, it would probably result to the deterioration of the things that we are dependent on it for, like food and water and air. This could then result to the deterioration of our health. This is why it is important to take care of our environment. In today's world of constant technological advancements and material options, our environment has been neglected.

Many people do not think of the consequences of even the puniest of their actions. Even throwing a little piece of candy wrapper can go a long way to hurting the environment and eventually to hurting us. Because it is not there yet, we neglect to ponder on the possibilities of what will happen if we continue to ignore the care of our environment in pursuit of more surface purposes. Responding to the call for a better environment, many environmentalists and other ecologically-conscious people have created ways to prevent the deterioration of our environment. One of these ways is through encouraging the replacement of plastic bags with Eco friendly bags.

Plastic bags vs. eco friendly bags.

Many of us love to go shopping. After we have bought what we ant to buy, these things are then placed in plastic bags. We may not think much of it, but plastic bags are very harmful to our environment. They are non-biodegradables, which means that once you throw them they will probably wander around for as long as nobody takes them. With the millions of people shopping and buying stuff from stores everyday, you can just imagine just how many of these plastic bags are wandering about and littering our streets today.

What is more is that if you burn these plastic bags, it will give off chlorofluorocarbons (CFAs) which are the main factors in the widening hole of our ozone layers. You would be amazed at how much damage a small, seemingly harmless plastic bag can cause. This is why we now have Eco friendly bags.

Eco friendly bags are the kind of shopping bags that environmentalists are pushing for today. Unlike plastic bags, these bags are significantly less expensive, they are reusable and they are washable. You can use Eco friendly bags for as many times as you like without having the deterioration of the environment on your conscience. These bags are usually made of various kinds of recycled materials.

Eco friendly bags may be environment friendly, but they do not deprive you of the pleasure of toting around a beautifully designed bag. This is because Eco friendly bags today that is designed in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes, donning different patterns. With Eco friendly bags, you have fun shopping, you sport a nicely designed bag, and you are helping the environment.

Businesses have also now come to realize the significance of catering to Eco friendly bags. Many of them now use these bags for their products and services. It is also a good way to market the business, for it shows that you care about the environment. So if you want to help the environment without being deprived of a great shopping experience, Eco friendly bags are the way to go.

About the Author

Matthew Stanton writes an article about Eco Friendly Bags which will provide you with ideas on why there is a need for this and in what way you can help the environment. Simply visit this website at http://www.reusablebagsdepot.com

A Career As An Environmentalist

                        Most people who want to become environmentalists don't do it for the money, but do it to protect the environment. Environmentalists help people make better decisions about using limited natural resources frugally. They help research on how to improve the environment, write articles on the environment and the air, give press releases and campaign. There are various types of environmentalists in many different positions. Necessary Education Whatever type of environmentalist you want to be, you should have a background in science. It's not only necessary but also helpful. It helps in researching for scientific purposes, engineering, technical consultation, hazardous waste recycling and other technicalities. The education that you acquire depends on the type of environmentalist you want to become. A bachelor's degree in science, be it natural science or physical science, is necessary.

                        If you want to pursue a career in environmentalism where you would be working with an NGO or doing social work, then you also require a bachelor's degree in humanities or sciences. You can also opt for a Masters degree in other related fields of environmental science such as environmental studies, environmental planning, public policy and many more. Some popular universities like University of Michigan, Evergreen State College, University of Montana and Yale University offer courses in Environmentalism. Getting Internships Education is not the only thing that's important if you want to be an environmentalist. It is important that you get the right amount of exposure on the job. This is possible through internships. Internships usually do not pay but can give you enough experience and exposure to get a good job. Internships normally involve making internship reports based on a particular project or assignment. Most internships are a part of the degree program, whether it is an undergraduate or master's degree. There has to be satisfactory completion of the internship to complete your environmental studies. Experience Though education is important, experience has much more value. Experience in any given field can give you much more information and knowledge than in class training or education. Being an environmentalist, you can get great training by working in a non-profit organization or by volunteering. Internships also give sufficient experience in the field of environment. While doing an internship, it is important that you display your skills and learn as much as you can. Most organizations will take make interns full time employees if they are good because they have spent time and energy training them and guiding them on the intricacies of the job. It is important that you get an internship or a volunteer's job at a reputable company or preferably a government agency, though getting into these places as an intern is as difficult as going for a job interview. Remember that the more experience you get, the better it is going to be for you to secure a good job a few years down the line.

About the Author

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Help Your Children to be Kind to the Environment

Many children today don't learn to think at all about the environment. Others do, of course, but if there's no example set, what else can be expected? This is something important for all parents to consider, although it can be easier for stay at home parents such as myself to set the example. I consider keeping to the facts to be one of the most important things you can do. You want your children to trust you, and if they find out you exaggerated, there goes some of that trust This can be challenging. Trying to explain the issues at age appropriate levels is not easy. You can start off at a fairly young age, however. Preschoolers can be great about turning off lights and asking before throwing items in the trash or recycling bins. They love helping in the garden. All very simple, very preschooler friendly. As they get older you can discuss some of the more serious issues. Why we don't want to produce more garbage than we have to, for example. You can also get into why you have to be more careful about disposing of things such as electronics and batteries.

Then there are endangered species, rain forests, air quality and water quality issues you can teach about. Exactly when each is appropriate can depend on the interests of your children. Some will love animals intensely at a very early age and may want to learn about endangered species early. Others will not. Perhaps the most important thing you can teach your children is what they, as individuals can do. It can be hard to realize how much just one person can do. Discuss the big choices as well as the little ones that can mean so much. Little choices can include such things as merely deciding to recycle, picking which items to buy and so forth. Bigger choices can include the car you drive and how you power your home. Especially as they approach high school age, it can be good to encourage your children to become more actively involved in the issues that particularly interest them. I do strongly encourage you to allow them to pick their own causes, rather than your own pet cause. The main thing is that they participate, not that they do only what you think is most important. Getting involved can start at a very early age. If you make it just a fact of life, children can learn to think about the environment as they grow. The younger green habits start, the easier they should be to live with.

About the Author

Stephanie Foster blogs at http://www.greensahm.com/about her experiences trying to live a more environmentally friendly life. She offers tips on going green and also discusses other environmental topics.

What's Actually In Biodiesel?

                        Rising prices of energy fuels have prompted companies and individuals to search for low-cost sources of fuels for their machines and automobiles. One of the most popular alternative fuels is biodiesel, a fuel derived from vegetable and animal fats. Biodiesel, in the strict chemistry sense, is made from alcohol esters that are processed from the oils of veggies such as soybeans, mustard seeds and rapeseeds. Tallow is also sometimes used. Making biodiesel is actually quite simple when you think about it. You just mix the vegetable oil with the alcohol compound like methanol or ethanol along with a catalyst that is hydroxide-based such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

                        Although there are many alternative sources of fuels that are emerging in the market, biodiesel is winning votes and creating quite a following. This is perhaps because of its versatility. So far, biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that can be used in engines without the need for any modification. The fuel has similar properties as that of the diesel, making it easy to use. This is also the reason why the biofuel can be mixed with diesel for those who are reluctant to put their faith in the alternative. The most common mixture is called the b20, which is 20 percent biofuel and 80 percent diesel. And because it is more lubricating than petroleum diesel, it is gentler with engines, thus extending its life.

                        Biofuel is also winning votes among environmentalists. Having only natural ingredients, it has no emission that can potentially harm the environment. It complies with the Clean Air Act and is found to be safe to use. Countries who are producing their own biofuel are also able to cut their importation of fuels and at the same time increase their agricultural and industrial sectors. Despite its wondrous properties, there are still few companies that directly sell biodiesel. This is perhaps because most are not yet convinced that biodiesel can have a market. Still, there are websites that take advantage of the growing demand for biodiesel. Websites have begun to offer fuels at lower prices compared to those being offered in gas stations, catering to those who want to buy in bulk. Some are legitimate but others are not. Thus, buyers should be careful in buying biodiesel online as they can be scammed into buying something that does not actually exist.

                        Below are some tips and advice that online buyers should adhere to. Although some people in forums are also sellers of biofuel, the chances of being duped is bigger in forums than when you are ordering from a company with a legitimate business and a legitimate website. Buying from a person posts several disadvantages that can far outweigh the lower prices.

                        One thing is the quality of the product. How sure are you that the fuel is made from a factory and not at home? And if the person is indeed a legitimate employee of the company, it may be possible that the product may not have passed quality control. At least by ordering from a company, you are assured somewhat of quality and legitimacy. Of course, you should also make sure that you have thoroughly researched the company and the products that it makes. Buy from an established company despite the fact that biodiesel is new in the market, there are already companies that exclusively distribute the product. If you have to buy online, buy from these companies. This is especially true if you are buying in bulk and cannot afford to be involved in any scams.

About the Author

Find out so much more about biodiesel fuel at Matthew's info-packed website all about the planet saving stuff that is biodiesel

Is my Driving Habits affects the Environment?

Pretty much everyone these days knows how environmentalists feel about SUVs and other large, inefficient vehicles. Many of them are used mostly to transport just one person, despite their ability to hold far more people. But even far smaller vehicles are not used terribly efficiently. Much of this is due simply to the fact that few people live in a situation where carpooling is an easy enough option. Carpooling is a great idea, but it's very hard to find a good carpool. You often don't live near enough a coworker for this to be possible, never mind someone who drives close enough to your own job.

                        Many cities have terrible public transportation. I live in such an area myself. People don't like to ride buses and such because it takes such an extraordinarily long time to get a lot of places. That's not true in all places, but in enough of them. Rising gas prices have made everyone more aware of how much driving costs. More people have been thinking about how much they drive and what they drive.

Cutting back on driving is difficult, but it can be done. I speak from experience, having spent the past several months having only one car between my husband and myself. It's tough, but possible for us as I work at home.

                        One of the big changes you can make to improve your driving habits is to get more efficient about running errands. If the store is close enough, walk or ride a bike. If not, make sure that you take care of your errands efficiently. Combine errands, make lists so that you don't forget anything and need to run back. Little things like that can make your driving habits more friendly to the environment. Beyond errands, you can think about ways you can use your car less. If your employer has a telecommuting program, see if you can participate. Even working from home one day a week will make a difference.

                        Look actively for a carpool. Yes, it can be hard, especially since it makes going out for lunch harder, but it makes quite a bit of sense on both the environmental and the financial level. If your area has a great public transportation system, why not take advantage of it? A good system doesn't take forever for you to get to work, and can save you the stress of driving yourself. Changing your driving habits for the better is one of the little things you can do for the environment. It's not one of the easiest things, and generally means accepting some inconvenience, but it can also help you save money. The combined benefits make such efforts very much worthwhile.

About the Author

Stephanie Foster blogs at http://www.greensahm.com/with a focus on how stay at home moms can help the environment. She offers moretips on going green at her blog.

Nature Trip - place for beauty, purity and internal soul

All of us should arrange a Nature trip for at least once in year along with our friends and families. Below I am going to share my experience with Nature trip at Satara through some excellent Nature photos. Each one is having something special and each of one talks with us. Hope you enjoying!

Calm Cow

 

Rocky hill - Invites us to climb on it with brave heart

 

You must visit such a place

 

Huge water - welcomes to dive deep in the bottom

 

Forest under the fog

 

Water droplets on the grass

 

Clouds, Trees and Hills

 

 

 

 

My First Snake Rescue

On that day I found this green snake wondering near my home. Before anyone can watch it, I decide to rescue him to stay him safe. Hence I catch the snake with a pipe and bag and leave the snake away from the town.

After becoming free snake disappears in grass. I think it is a tree snake.

 

 

 

Duck singing

 

Taking rest from routine work

9 Ways To Cut Your Air Conditioning Energy Bill By 50%

In Asia, a typical household will pay up to 70% of their energy bill for their house air conditioning all year round. In summer, the average American family pays around 40%? To reduce or optimize this high energy cost, just follow these simple tips to help you keep your house cool and significantly reduce your energy bills during the hot months.

1. If you need to cool only one room, don't use your central air conditioning. Use Split air conditioner, instead. Modern split units have a very high energy efficiency rating, so it will cool your room effectively and save you a lot more money. This is the reason why mini split air conditioners are gaining popularity as they allow you to selectively cool certain rooms only.

2. Install mini-blinds or use sunshade screen or solar film on your windows to cut down the sunlight getting indoors. Mini-blinds can be very effective and can reduce heat gain from direct sunlight by 40-50 percent. You can also hang bamboo shades or tightly woven screens outside your windows. This will stop up to 80 percent of the sun's heat from getting through your windows.

3. For those who live in houses, use of sidings can greatly reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the walls. Keep all windows closed during the day. At night you can open them for ventilation and switch on a fan instead of an air conditioner.

4. If you are using a mini split air conditioner, make sure that the outside compressor is well shaded and ventilated. Do not place objects or plants next to the compressor; it needs some room for air flow. Clean the cooling fins regularly to keep them free from dust and leaves from blocking its airflow.

5. It is best to clean your air conditioner filter at least once a month (Weekly or Bi-weekly cleaning is recommended if air conditioner is used on a daily basis). Dust build-ups can significantly reduce air flow. Brushing and vacuuming is an ineffective and even hazardous way to clean. Mold can build up inside your air conditioner. These mold spores can spread throughout the household if they are not removed properly from your system. By far, the most effective and safest way to clean is to use chemical washing on your cooling coils and blower blades. Research the web to find lab tested or certified cleaning products for air conditioners. These products should not only clean but have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal capabilities. Cleaning should be done about every three month for best results. Avoid using conventional caustic hydroxide products that are frequently used by air conditioning services. These chemicals will shorten the life of the air conditioner and if not cleaned properly will produce hazardous VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds, see Wikipedia).

6. When buying an air conditioner unit, make sure that it is the right size for your room. A unit that is too small will not cool your room effectively, and an A/C that is too large will consume much more energy than necessary. But under sizing your air conditioner will also cause your energy bills to increase as the compressor will always be running since the room does not get cool enough to trigger the thermostat to cutoff. Make sure you get a reliable air conditioning dealer to size your air conditioning unit.

7. If you use central air conditioning, seal all A/C ducts. Insulate ducts that run through rooms that don't need cooling, like the basement or the attic.

8. If your air conditioner is older than 6 years, you should replace it with a modern high efficiency unit. Since Older A/C systems have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of only 6 or 7, you can save 50% of your energy by using the newer air conditioners on the market today which offer SEER as high as 13.

9. Use roller blinds to partition your rooms especially the spacious rooms such as your master bedroom. When you sleep at night, you do not need a huge space but you cool that space anyway because it is part of the room. You should partition that off. In some case where your air conditioner airflow is weak or the cooling capacity has dropped, partitioning will reduce the cooling space, enabling the room to become cooler.

About the Author

James MacGyver has co-published a very useful report on the Dangers of Split Air-Conditioner. This To get this FREE Report go to: http://air-conditioner-dangers.concaire.comFor the right way to clean, go to http://concaire.com

Source: http://www.articopia.com

Can you do this

Here I want to share some ideas to save electricity and to avoid pollution. If any one idea will be implemented by you, then it will contribute to the nature.

1) Use as much energy as possible from sun. This can be done by number of ways like solar heaters, solar panels, solar cookers, solar water heater etc.

2) Instead of private vehicles use public transportation, it will save grate amount of fuel.

3) When not required turn off the lights. Many time peoples sitting in one room and lights from all rooms were on.

4) Use energy efficient devices like refrigerator, AC, TV etc, Energy efficient devices can be easily identified. Star marks are present on such devices and more the number of stars, higher the efficiency of the device.

5) Do not waste water. Close the taps when not required. Water is just not a fluid, it is a life.

6) Do not spill oil on the soil or on the water. Synthetic oils are polluting nature with adverse effect on the animal life. If oil contaminated water will drunk then the hydrocarbons presents are seriously damages our body. Hydrocarbons are carcinogenic substances and can cause Cancer.

7) If oil spills on soil, for hundreds of year’s trees cannot be grow on that place.

8) Plant as much trees as possible. If is not possible to plant trees around your house, then plant the trees on public places, gardens, schools, colleges and around the roads.

9) Teach our children’s about nature and relationship of life with nature and issues related with it.

10) Use natural bags like cotton bag instead of plastic bags.

11) Drive the car with speed around 40-50 km/hr. At this speed the economy will be highest and pollution from exhaust will be lowest due to full combustion of fuel particles.

12) Construct the house in such a way that there will be maximum utilization of natural light.

13) Reserve some place around house for gardening.

14) At least plant one tree per month per person.

15) Do not use artificial fertilizers instead of that use natural fertilizers.

16) Reserve one day in a month for nature.

17) Arrange nature trips with family so that our family members can engage with nature and everybody can understand the issues related with nature.

18) Do not cut trees. Trees are our friends.

19) In our daily life try to use things which are natural instead of artificially created one.

The list will goes on increasing, if you have some fantastic and easy ideas then please let everybody know. We all are waiting for your comments.

How We Can Preserve The Rainforest

 

We should all be concerned with saving the rainforest, and we can do our part by making small changes to our lifestyles. If everyone chose to do so, the results would be amazing. Trees offer us beauty and shade of those hot summer afternoons. Trees also help reduce the effects of carbon dioxide. Planting more trees is a very easy way you can help to preserve the rainforest. You can help reduce the amount of waste by recycling, especially recycling paper. The number one reason why rainforests are being destroyed is to provide more wood for paper.

Another reason is for building homes and businesses. There are plenty of other types of materials you can choose from so that the rainforest can be preserved. Other products produced from rainforest trees include rubber and lumber. Take a good look at how much of these commodities you are using. Try to limit the use of them to only necessities and look for alternative materials when it comes to luxury items.

Do you drink large amounts of coffee or use spices each time you cook? If so, you can be damaging the rainforests. This is because the demand for coffee and spices are so high areas of the rainforest are being cleared away to grow them. Americans contribute to 25% of the pollution worldwide. This is due to the fact that they consume more fossils fuels for their vehicles and factories than any other country.

There are many changes you can make to cut down the amount of pollution you contribute on a daily basis. Consider taking public transportation or carpooling to and from work. There are also many great models of hybrid vehicles that can operate for long periods of time on electricity. This is a good investment for the environment as well as to save money on the cost of fuel. Each animal in the rainforest is important to the balance of its ecosystem. Make sure you report any illegal hunting in the rainforests as well as the illegal sell of animals that are removed from that natural habitat and sold as pets. The most common ones are parrots and iguanas. Individuals need to realize that purchasing the parts of poached animals in the rainforest or these live pets encourages that behavior to continue. If we all do our part to make sure there is no market for such activities, then the financial motivation for doing so would be gone.

Write letters to Congress to encourage the government to place stricter laws on those who hunt illegally and remove animals illegally from the rainforest. You also need to write to encourage them to restrict how much land in the rainforest a company can clear as well as require them to plant new trees in the location afterwards. Children need to be taught from a very early age just how important the rainforest is to our well being. They need to learn what they can do to protect the rainforest as well as to appreciate how it helps keep the air clean, affects our water cycles, and affects the climate around the world. Children need to be educated both at home and at school. With the rainforests being completely cleared away at the rate of 6,000 acres per hour, we need to make some serious changes. Taking the right steps in our own lives and teaching our children to do the same will help ensure the rainforests and the animals that have a home there are able to survive for future generations.

The rainforests are essential to our well being. The trees produce oxygen that we need to breathe. They also help keep the air clean, and we need that due to the chemicals, emissions, and pollution we put into our environment.

About the Author

Learn about Conservation& Preservation Initiativesat http://www.paradiseearthonline.com/

Now it's Our Turn

During our development, human utilized resources from nature and reaches at the top above all other living things. But during this journey we ignore our mother nature and everything on earth changes so rapidly from last century. From ancient times human cut trees for making land for fields, houses and fuel due to which trees on land vanishes rapidly. Due to unbalance of the nature and pollution on earth, the environment affect badly. Global warming spreads everywhere in the world. It is very serious that in Maharashtra, in my town temperature reaches up to 42 ºC and from my birth it is the first time that I have experienced such tremendous heat. At night under full speed fan my all body becomes wet due to sweating because everything as like flour, walls and the roof becomes so much hot during the day.

It is estimated that around 29-30% of the land area is covered with forest but to maintain the health of earth around 35% area is required to be covered with trees. Due to fire, disease and due to cutting of trees by humans, around 5-7% deforestation is happening in the world. Hence we have to come together and decide how to save our environment otherwise a time comes when we have to leave our earth and live in the space ship.

 I think now it's our turn to do something for nature which is everything for us. I think the objective to write this blog will be reached if I ever save a single tree in the world through this blog.

What happens when Oil Spills in Water bodies?

There is hardly anything that helps to sustain humanity and other species on our planet more so than water. Conservationist and regular people everywhere are more concerned than ever by the many types of pollution that has infiltrated all our waterways Water pollution and the damage it can do to our future is very real and becoming a greater problem everyday.

Although there are many people who are doing their best to implement new solutions to water damage, it is not enough to keep up with the growing problem. Contaminants from factories and industries all over the world contribute to this problem. Many industries are committing themselves to help keep water pollution and the damage it can cause to a minimum.

Another source of water pollution and the damage that it can cause is from oil spills from ships that carry oil. There gave been several serious incidents involving ships that have leaked large amounts of oil into the oceans they travel on. These spills do not only contaminate the water, but the effect that it can have on fish and wildlife is horrendous.

Birds, fish, and other animals that ingest it or are caught in the oily residue will become sick or die from the exposure to this substance. Unless the oil spill is small or contained very quickly, it will eventually end up on the beaches and shorelines of the closest land area. Plant life on the coastlines can be destroyed as well. This is just one more form of preventable pollution that threatens us.

It is never the intention of industry or oil carrying ships to damage our water, land, or air. We have grown into a society that demands certain things and in trying to supply our demand these companies inadvertently cause this kind of damage to our planet. We must bear a certain amount of responsibility for the problem because if not for our want and need for the products they produce, no damage would occur, or at least it might be on a smaller scale.

We can all feel bad as much as we want to that our planet is getting dirty, but until we take a bigger stand and encourage real solutions for the pollutions, nothing may get done quickly enough. Our children will inherit this planet that we will one day leave behind and it is up to all of us to ensure that it will still be a decent place for them to live.

About the Author

Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality water damage restorationcontractors and Miami water damage restorationcompanies across the United States.