Everyone wants to be first, except when it comes to lax environmental protection. The United States produces more garbage than any other country in the world, yet only 35 percent of people properly sort their recyclables from their regular garbage. Our landfills are overflowing with materials that could be used to make other items. One person can make a difference and it is up to you to be that one person and lead by example. Show others how recycling is done and how easy it can be.
There are some simple ways you can help. The first is to separate your garbage at home. This means separating the non-recyclable garbage from the recyclable materials. Glass goes into one bin, paper goes into a bin and plastic goes into another bin. Do not forget the aluminum cans either. These little treasures can actually earn you money back when taken to a recycling center. The next place to initiate environmental protection awareness is in our schools and workplaces.
Many schools and work places are not part of a recycling program. However, if recycling bins were supplied and appropriately labeled for glass, aluminum cans, plastic and paper, then no doubt people would join in the recycling movement and place their garbage in the appropriate containers. Have your employer send out a memo asking them to do so. Lead by example and always do your part. If others see your commitment, then they will likely follow suit.
Make sure you buy recycled goods. This helps recycling industries know that there are people out there who are concerned with the environment. Many of our day-to-day products can be purchased that contain recycled materials. You can buy notebook paper made from recycled paper goods. Many detergent and household cleaning products come in bottles made from recycled plastics. By taking this small step into consumerism you can help further the cause and still have the items you need for your home.
There may not be a way to change the fact that the United States produces the most garbage of any country in the world. But considering that only thirty-five percent of the garbage is being recycled leaves a lot of room for improvement. Those numbers take time to change. Those numbers can and will go up eventually if environmental protection becomes something that everyone is aware of and doing their part to rectify. It may start with one home but it has to spread in order for it to be effective in keeping recyclables out of our landfills.
Filed under Environment by on May 30th, 2009. Comment.
The world has officially gone mad. Not only is the credit crunch tightening people’s budgets and purchasing power, but heating bills are taking an increasing chunk of available income.There are also significant health risks for pensioners and low income families. It is they who are in most need of heating during the colder months. But it is exactly these people who are increasingly struggling to heat their homes.
We constantly hear advertising campaigns by multinational oil companies as well as government departments talking about Green, Renewable Energy. It is hyped up as the answer to all our troubles. You can save money and save the world at the same time – its just perfect. Secure in this righteous ideal they invest in wind farms and win votes, all in the name of benefitting society as a whole.
However the latest initiative by the UK government reveals the truth behind this egalitarian rhetoric. The plan is called the “Renewable Heating Incentive”, and aims to construct a large number of wind farms and solar energy facilities to reduce reliance on fast depleting and environmentally unfriendly fossil fuel sources. But they’re not going to ask the energy companies to invest in these desperately needed energy sources. The money to fund this scheme is ultimately going to come from ordinary people’s pockets! The plan aims to charge a levy to energy providers using fossil fuels. But these energy companies then plan to pass the charges on as increased gas and electricity bills.
Gas prices went up by 59% last year, and electricty by 26%. This meant that millions had to think twice about switching on their portable heaters. Going green has been touted as a way for people struggling to pay their bills to lower their costs. But this new legislation harms the poorest in society. Basically, if you have money, you will be able to afford the necessary home improvements to make your house ecologically powered. But if you can’t, and resort to using fan heaters or oil filled radiators to warm your house when the temperatures drop, you’ll be hit with higher energy bills. The same will be true even if you factor in the low interest loans scheme that is supposedly aimed at making it more affordable for people to go greener. It’s unlikely that a family that is already struggling to pay their gas and electic, not to mention interest on existing debts, will be willing to take on more debt, whetever the interest rate may be. If the introduction of university student loans have taught us anything, its that offering low interest loans only make these schemes more appealing to the middle classes.
Now tell me, does this seem fair to you? Far better would be taxing the energy companies directly and getting hold of a tiny fraction of their trillions of dollars of profit.The proceeds from this could be used to carry out these improvements on the homes of those for whom paying heating bills is genuinely a struggle, so that they can pay less. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this.
Filed under Environment by on May 20th, 2009. Comment.
While it is good to discover a product in the first place, it is always wonderful to discover a product with many uses like activated carbon fiber which is used as a filter to isolate much undesirable content. Go ahead and prevent entry to air pollutants and also minimize their harmful effects in your homes with an air purifier like activated carbon.The tiny activated charcoal in the filter absorbs mold spores, dust, bad odors and other disturbing elements helping the inhabitants in a house to breathe better air. Beware of the spurious air filters that make huge promises and deliver nothing and be prudent in selecting the correct one for your home after checking out different models.
Activated carbon Filtration
A medium that can discard the useless residue in water is used as the first stage in the water filtration process that follows a two stage filtration process. Activated carbon comes into play in the second part of the filtration process where the water is divested of useless particles, chemicals, chlorine while retaining the good elements to make this water right for use.Water can be fully purified only by first discarding the unwanted remains and then putting it through a medium like activated carbon which tackles the finer chemicals and gases. You have to select the most ideal water filtration system from the many that exist in the market today.
Some other applications of activated charcoal
Patients suffering from gout can make use of a cream made with activated charcoal and three spoons of flax seeds for application on the gout affected portion to detoxify helping in the cure of this disease. Human beings can be shielded from contracting nervous system complaints due to high levels of mercury thrown out by boilers that use coal as their fuel through the injection of activated carbon which adsorbs such mercury. The irritating feeling of a bloated stomach combined with flatulence can be overcome by taking activated carbon tablets as preparation before meals. Any poison or medicine accidentally consumed can be ejected out of the body by taking activated carbon in the form of pills or powder.
The current recession does not seem to have created an impact on the sales of activated carbon items due to their multiple uses.
Activated carbon is therefore an invaluable ally for Man.
Filed under Environment by on May 11th, 2009. Comment.