FuelMonger

Don’t throw away your grass clippings.  Leave them on the yard and they will act as a natural fertilizer, leaving nutrients in your soil as they decompose.  It will be a win-win situation:  Less energy for you as you mow your lawn, more nutrients for your soil. 

Perhaps you live in an older house. Or your electric bill was way too much this winter? Here are a few things to consider when remodeling or improving your home.

1. Insulate your windows.
Heat and air conditioning escape through areas of your home with the least insulation. As long as you’re keeping your doors and windows shut, it’s probably escaping through the windows. Consider replacing older windows with newer energy-efficient models. Some are gas-filled and have multiple panes. If you’re not in the market for such a major and somewhat pricey overhaul, consider window insulation kits. These are cost-efficient and work great.

2. Replace old appliances.
If you’re appliances resemble those from the Brady Bunch kitchen, replace them with newer energy-efficient models. Technologies have improved significantly in the last ten years. So look into replacing that old refrigerator, dishwasher, dryer, microwave, oven, and water heater.

3. And speaking of water heaters…
Newer water heater models don’t store large quantities of hot water for instant showers. Newer models instantly heat non-heated water for those showers or dishwashers. These models are smaller and conserve significant energy. You can also purchase a water heater insulator for those portions of the heater that lose the most energy. These can be found at your local hardware store for $20 or less.

4. Floors.
Thinking of changing your floors? Consider materials that are natural and easy to produce. For example, bamboo grows quickly, is natural, and is affordable.

5. Landscaping.
When you’re looking at choosing the right landscape for your yard, consider maintenance, erosion, chemicals, and the amount of water required for certain plants. Use native plants that can flourish in your soil without excess water. And consider run-off that may drain into sewer systems or local creeks and rivers. Maintain your yard without harmful chemicals that go back into your drinking water.

According to the US Department of Energy an average household dedicates 11% of its energy budget to lighting. One way that you can help reduce this number is to install motion senor lighting outdoors. This way you will only be using the lights when you actually need them. These lights are easy to install (just look for DIY guides online) and available at any home improvement store.

www.washingtonpost.com
The International Olympic Committee acknowledged that air pollution could cause a serious hazard to the athletes at the Beijing Summer Olympics. Some events may have to be postponed, while one world class marathoner has already pulled out of the games due to health concerns over competing in the marathon.

www.latimes.com
Courts charged the pilot of the Cosko Busan ship that hit the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge last November. Captain John J. Cota was charged with three misdemeanors, criminal negligence, violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and violating the Clean Water Act. The collision resulted in 58,000 gallons of spilled oil.

Look for natural and organic alternatives to chemical fertilizers.  While chemical fertilizers have become popular as an easy way to add nutrients to our gardens or lawns, they add harmful chemicals to your yard as well as create a chemical imbalance in the soil over time.  Ask your gardener or local nursery for alternatives to chemical fertilizers.  They are becoming much easier to find as Americans become ever more environmentally conscience.

www.washingtonpost.com
Electricity rates in the DC region have gone up by as much as 78 percent for some people. Many residents blame deregulation of the electric companies, however the companies say that higher oil prices are to blame.

www.nytimes.com
US military post war planners promised that the money to re-build Iraq would come mostly from Iraqi oil revenues. However, at least a third of oil coming out of Iraq’s refineries is siphoned off into the black market. This money is mostly being used to fuel Iraq’s insurgency.

www.washingtonpost.com
American lawns cover over 30 million acres and are an important part of the home for most Americans. Care for these lawns is usually extremely detrimental to the environment. However, it need not be.

www.nytimes.com
In 1987, New Jersey was the first state to mandate recycling. Once a leader in the environmental movement, it has fallen behind other earth conscience. In January, New Jersey passed several new laws aimed at revitalizing its recycling program.