October 2007


Newspaper and glasses
www.greenwombat.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/

The city of Berkley has designed a plan that would allow the city to finance the installation of solar arrays for any of the residential or commercial properties in the city. If this initiative succeeds, Berkley could turn the solar power industry mainstream.

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Tip of the WeekReplace old showerheads with new low-flow models. This can save up to fifty percent of the hot water used for showering, therefore saving energy…and money…in the long run!

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Newspaper and glasses
www.news.nationalgeographic.com

Many blame global warming for severe flooding in much of Africa. Since early summer, 300 people have died and 1.5 million more are displaced. Some ecologists blame more industrialized nations for the extreme weather, citing Africa’s relatively small carbon footprint.

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Have a little cash to grow? Or just curious how some popular green mutual funds are doing? Here are five green mutual funds recommended by Outside Magazine November 2006…all of which are beating inflation.

http://outside.away.com/outside/culture/200611/green-investing-guide-1.html










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Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Most major towns have service stations that sell ethanol. Any vehicle is ready for E10 without modification. But is this corn substance really the next petrol and the answer to all our prayers? Is it a band-aid to get us through this next decade as transportation morphs into something emission-free? Or is it a scam by big business and corn farming lobbyists to be the next staple of global motorists?

U.S. Legislation.
Why is ethanol so backed by the US government? Is it a matter of lobbying or actual advantages to our future? Most critics argue the former. Tax codes are written to ensure tax write offs on anything flex-fueled…to include an H2. So here we are, tax payers, supporting those luxurients entrenched in some sort of false comfort of environmental-friendliness.

Is ethanol the answer?
Maybe and maybe not. The amount of energy ethanol produces is about equal to the amount of energy required to create ethanol. So all in all, it’s probably not the perfect alternative fuel. However, equilibrium is a surefire improvement to the petrol alternative. Additionally, critics claim that there isn’t enough crop land to support the driving habits of Americans on ethanol alone. Activists would argue that the crops were already going to be grown. Controversial government farm subsidies to prevent farmers from growing the crops could be altered to provide corn for ethanol. Additionally, cars burn ethanol cleaner than petrol and improve mileage. Where a Volkswagon Jetta may go 13 miles per gallon on regular gasoline, the hybrid version can manage about 90 miles per gallon on ethanol…which leads to another point.

While environmentalists ponder the next decade’s changes in fuel choice, we look for current gas stations and the companies that own them to change concurrently. If mileage is that so we don’t have to fuel up every 200 miles, a reduction in the number of service stations isn’t an issue. And that’s what it’s going to take as we transition.

So what is the way ahead? The transition is apparently this mix of hybrids we’re encountering now. With legislation undergoing alterations and ceaseless improvements on the learning curve, we may find it will reflects President Bush’s original advocacy of hydrogen. But until the technology is affordable and accessible… we wait to see.

Some related articles are:
Why do our Highways Smell Like French Fries?
America’s Fuel on You Tube

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Newspaper and glasses
www.foxbusiness.com

With rising oil prices and concerns over global warming weighing on American’s minds, universities and colleges across the country have been rolling out degree programs in everything from alternative fuels to solar power. Demand for green degrees is high not just with students but with corporations as well who are looking to employ green experts.

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tip-of-the-week.jpgHave an old water heater? Wrap the tank and pipes with an insulation blanket. When insulating a gas water heater, be sure to leave the air intake vents uncovered.

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Up-to-the-minute commodity prices:


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Newspaper and glasses
www.forbes.com
States are ranked from greenest to least green based on carbon footprint, state legislation, and other important criteria. Who’s in first? Vermont, indeed. And last? Last place goes to our friendly coal capital of the States, West Virginia.

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tip-of-the-week.jpgConsider changing your all-purpose cleaner to one that’s less toxic to both your family and the environment. Click on the link below to see the comparisons of some of the best. You may be surprised to see some classic and economical favorites like white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide!
http://www.thegreenguide.com/products/housekeeping/all%20purpose%20cleaners

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