Crime, education, environment top Jersey City Ward B debate

ABB Wins $20M Substation Order In Greece
ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order worth $20 million from Public Power Corporation (PPC), Greece’s national power utility, to build a 150/20 kV (kilovolt) substation in Athens. The order was booked in the third quarter

Read more on ElectricNet

Goat Milk Stuff Offers Gift Packs of Natural Goat Milk Soap, Lotion, & Bath Products at GoatMilkStuff.com
Great gift pack ideas online at http://www.GoatMilkStuff.com

Read more on PRWeb via Yahoo! News

NASCAR to use environmentally-friendly fuel in ’11
NASCAR will move to an ethanol blend fuel in all three of its national series beginning next season.

Read more on CBS Sports

How to sort out and #8216;green’ marketing claims by companies
This is a consumer advice column written by the Better Business Bureau of Northern Indiana. It #8217;s in Business on Thursdays.

Read more on Fort Wayne News-Sentinel

Crime, education, environment top Jersey City Ward B debate
Crime, improving city schools and going “green” were among the topics residents at tonight’s Jersey City Ward B council debate were most interested in.

Read more on El Nuevo

“Spotlight on: Environment”

“Spotlight on: Environment” is a 5-minute film underwritten by NAPCOR. The film emphasizes the importance of recycling PET and provides examples of common end-uses for recycled PET. This film has been “uplinked” to Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations throughout the United States and will be shown beginning in May 2006. Look for it on your local PBS station.

Green Hotels: Serving Man and the Environment

We all are well aware about the fact of increasing global warming and its causes with the consequences. The day by day increase in all kind of pollution is becoming a deliberate reason for global warming to increase rapidly. And to overcome the ill-effects so many dedicated campaigns are being launched and functioning. However, to cope up with the rapid increase in global warming due to the pollution created in daily life on an instantaneous basis, launching only such campaigns are not going to help. Our daily life and activities should be mould in a way so that instead of finding a cure for the disease we avoid the disease by taking some precautions. And for this, different business sectors for so many reasons have started adopting some innovative steps to help mother earth survive longer. Green Hotels from the hospitality sector are the best example of such kind of business.

Green hotels:
The hotels that strive to be more environmentally responsible by the judicious use of energy, water and material while providing quality services are termed as ‘Green Hotels’. Green hotels have seen benefits for instance reduction in cost and liabilities, high yield and lesser risk in investments, increase in profits and better cash flows.

Green Hotel certification and benchmarking Recommendations

There are so many certification opportunities and benchmarking tools available for green hotels to help track the progress in becoming a green hotel. Following are mentioned some of those:-

Benchmark hotels:
This is a site which contains a web-based tool specifically meant for green hotels to asses their environmental performance.

Ceres Green Hotel Initiative:
This organization provides an online best practice survey checklist which is an awesome way to track your progress in becoming a green hotel. The questionnaire deals about water conservation and energy saving practices. They also provide suggestions for product purchasing and systematic process of developing a green hotel.

Green Hotel Association:
The green hotel association provides detailed information about green hotels and some amazing ways to develop into a green hotel. It teaches them about the ways to substitute less toxic product. They give green hotels an opportunity to receive a catalog for green accommodation amenities and become a member.

Green Leaf Program:
Green Leaf Program of Canada applies a 1-5 scale to green hotels to help them monitor their improvement towards becoming green.

Cool Companies:
This institution not only provides tools for checking energy efficiency in all the aspects to green hotels but also homes.

Oregon Metro Donation Resources:
Metro’s Food Donation Resource Guide connects business with food rescue programs in different areas. Green hotels can donate leftover food items to them.

Thus, green hotels not only abide to all the laws of land and nature but also benefit both by n number of ways. They enhance the brand image and the reputation of the company. Green hotels give rise to new revenue opportunities and helps in reduction of operating and maintenance costs. They open a path for new markets and provide international recognition. On top of that green hotels strengthen the community inter-relations and eventually give a healthier work environment. Therefore, there is a wise message to the world –“Go green and opt for a green hotel and help the environment build stronger and healthier”.

Green Training for a Green Environment

An effective green training program teaches how to perform green evaluations, green building design principles and techniques, green interior design, and selection of green products. Consumers are more conscious than ever of the environmental factors affecting their lives, homes, businesses and lifestyles. They are asking for designers, architects, and builders to incorporate sustainability into their projects. Governments are encouraging green practitioners to spread knowledge and awareness about the benefits of green living, and offer tax rebates for green adaptations. For example, the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides funding for green training programs.

It all begins with education about the principles of green design. In order to become a green consultant, one must seek out a green certification program. The objective of a green certification program should be to promote sustainable practices and changes to our built environment. Green training addresses indoor air quality, renewable energy, waste reduction, conservation, resource depletion, carbon footprint, and other environmental issues.

Many institutes and companies offer green training in order to become a green consultant. BecomingGreen, Inc. trains professionals to have a superior understanding of the concepts of green building and green interior designgreen construction practices. A Certified Green Designer can help in building energy efficient homes and offices to reduce the overall energy cost and to enhance the optimum utilization of resources. A Certified Green Specialist can offer sound advise that will help the consumer make environmentally helpful choices and realize that every green action they take has a measurable impact on the environment.

Living out the Messages of Worldwide Celebrations for the Environment

Ever since scientists first began to discover the dire effects of anthropomorphic activities on our planet’s natural functions about four decades ago, the calls for people to shift to a green lifestyle have become stronger and stronger. Today, there is no sign that the green movement is slowing down; as a matter of fact, it has only become more prominent. The advent of social media has given birth to thousands of blogs, websites and personal networking sites that are dedicated to promoting green living. Legislators, especially in the developed world, are changing current laws so that they can comply with the stricter environmental and safety standards of the modern world.

There is no doubt that green living is a big thing nowadays. But during the nascent period of the green movement, its originators had to think of ways to make green lifestyle more popular among the general public. And what better way to do this than to establish international environment day celebrations that aim to inspire appreciation for the world we live in? During those days, the global village was also still in its infancy stage and doing big events was a great way to encourage people from different parts of the world to join important causes.

In April 1970, the world celebrated its first Earth Day. A brainchild of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day was originally conceived as a call to action for more responsible use of the Earth’s resources, after Senator Nelson witnessed the serious environmental consequences of the Santa Barbara Oil Spill in 1969. Americans received the event positively, and it was estimated that about 20 million people across the United States participated in it. At present, Earth Day is observed on April 22 every year in nearly 180 countries. More than half a billion people around the world celebrate the event, making it one of the world’s largest secular holidays.

The United Nations holds a similar event known as the World Environment Day. It aims to encourage political and public action for the environment among the member nations of the organization. The U.N. General Assembly first instituted the World Environment Day in 1972 and it was first celebrated on June 5, 1973. Presently, it is celebrated with a different theme every year, and it is also hosted by a different country every time it is held. The 2010 host was the African country, Rwanda, where the event was held with the theme “Many Species. One Planet. One Future.” People around the world participated by organizing activities tied to the World Environment Day like symposia, film festivals, music festivals, exhibits and many more

Lastly, there is also the Earth Hour, which is celebrated every year on the last Sunday of March. A global event organized by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, its goal is to encourage people who own homes and businesses to switch of their lights and to stop using electrical equipment for one hour in order to raise awareness about the effects of global warming and climate change. The Earth Hour celebrations have grown considerably since the first one was held in Sydney, Australia in 2007. The 2010 edition of the Earth Hour saw some 1 billion people participating in the event.

These world environment day celebrations are being held to inspire in everyone a sense of urgency about the need for people to start recognizing their activities’ impact on the environment. It is important to note that these celebrations will only be truly meaningful if we live out their messages in our everyday lives. For example, our simplest choices like using eco friendly green cleaners help protect not only the health of our families but also the environment because natural cleaning products don’t make use of harmful synthetic chemicals. Another is by consciously trying to minimize the waste materials that you throw away, especially those that are not naturally degradable. Simple lifestyle choices like these will make celebrations for the Earth more meaningful because you were able to help the planet not only through mere symbolisms and empty demonstrations.

Having A Green Home Helps The Environment And Saves Energy

With all the problems we hear about the environment and the fears for global catastrophe because of its deterioration, the people’s consciousness about being eco friendly is increasingly being highlighted. From trying to recycle to using more biodegradable products to building eco friendly homes, what we call the green home, everyone is trying to do his or her part in saving the planet. It is no surprise then that many campaigns among several segments are increasingly becoming popular – what is called the green movement is now not only limited to protecting the forests and vegetation but also to every other aspect that can contribute to keeping the ecological balance and making this world a healthier place to live in.

 Apparently, building a green home has some certification requirements as stated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). There are several products that are now being marketed that consumers buy as “green products.” A product must be eco-labeled before it can be considered a certified green product. You can check online if the product you are buying is certified and that you are not being “greenwashed.”

 From materials for home building to the smallest home accessories, you can find environmentally friendly options to make your home a green home. For example, you can opt to buy organic sheets for the bedroom. Such sheets are made of organic cotton, meaning the cotton used for the production of the fabric was not treated with pesticides or environmentally harmful dyes and other chemicals. There are also other sheets and curtains that are made up of 100 percent recyclable materials and some are made from plant-derived components. All of which are nontoxic and noncarcinogenic. There is also what is called the phosphate-free laundry wash, which is made from organic plants and is also biodegradable. Building a green living space also means conserving water and energy resources. You can start with a energy-saving lighting system and energy-saving appliances. The cooling, water-heating, and the lighting systems of a home must all be energy-efficient. A water-conserving irrigation system may also be installed; for example, a house could have a system to collect and store rainwater. The house must also be open to natural daylight, which means reduced energy consumption and a structure that would allow better home ventilation. As for building the house itself, naturally renewable resources and raw materials such as bamboo must be utilized. There are also other materials made up of recycled constituents, like kitchen tiles, that are available and these should be prioritized. Outside the home, landscaping can play a big part in making your home environmentally friendly. If the space allows it, plant drought-tolerant plants that do not require being constantly watered, cover your screen windows with vines, and, if possible, have large canopy trees around the house.

 Thus, from raw materials in home building to the smallest accessories and appliances inside the house, we can make our contribution in trying to save the environment. It does not take much, and the smallest act of concern will contribute a lot in the grand scheme of things.

Opt for Eco Friendly Houses for A Greener Environment!

Climatic changes that are taking place are affecting nature adversely. There is an urgent need to tackle this problem lest it gets out of hand. Melting ice glaciers and monsoon delay is affecting everyone. Environmental pollution has caused immense damage to the nature. It has created an imbalance and also affected the climate. The only way to dealing with the problem is by using environmental friendly products for the construction of house. Eco friendly construction is not a difficult thing. With little guidance and direction, this can be made a possibility.

There are many environmental construction companies that use environmental friendly products. They can give suggestions on eco friendly construction, energy conservation & innovative ideas. Eco friendly construction methods and materials that are used can prove to be beneficial for the cause of nature.

Constructing eco friendly building is an effective means of building nature friendly houses. The climatic changes must be addressed immediately. An eco friendly house will help do your might for the cause. The rising resource depletion, pollution, is an indication of the ill effects of pollution. Such issues are all accelerating rapidly. If everyone opts for eco friendly houses, then we can surely minimize the drastic effects. Over a period of time, it will also help bring about significant changes.

Using natural products will prove helpful in the long run. You can follow some of the suggestions mentioned below while constructing house:  

•  Recycled glass counter tops are not only stylish but also eco friendly
•  Bamboo can be used in the construction of house. It is durable than hardwood
•  Eco friendly furniture can be replaced with leather sofas. These materials can be recycled.
•  Solar water heaters will help save electricity
•  Using energy saving appliances and light fixtures too can minimize the ill effects of climatic changes
•  Available sources of energy such as solar and wind power can be used to generate energy

The effects of climatic changes are felt badly. The building industry depends heavily on cheap oil, from the manufacture and transportation of its materials. Vast quantities of fossil fuels, which account to over half of total carbon emission lead to climatic changes. This has is an alarming situation that must be tackled immediately. Eco friendly construction can help build houses that are safe and nature friendly. The products that are used for construction are biodegradable and harmless. Not only do they give an earthy look but are also cool to reside. It must be noted that earlier, natural and renewable products were used to construct houses. These products not only lent a natural look but also withstood all kinds of weather. Monuments and palaces and even houses that were constructed many decades are standing tall. The architecture and the design of the house were such that it was viable from every aspect.

Obama Issues Environment Orders; Less thirst Cars To Come?; Obama & Detroit

Obama outlines changes to energy plan, toughens fuel standards; Obama may allow states to mandate fuel economy standards; In 2007, Bush blocked 13 states from limiting car emissions; Auto industry says fuel economy changes would be costly; Obama: Washingt

Economy v. environment – an animation

Animated TV commercial depicts the effect on the natural world and its resources of our money obsession. Spoof of ‘Money Makes the World Go Round’. From WWF Brasil.

Car Rental & the Environment

With the environment such a hot topic around the world and especially in the transport industry, there are companies that are embracing new environmentally friendly technology. Hybrid Cars and ever increasingly fuel efficient diesel cars are becoming more available to mainstream motorists. I used to work for a corporate travel company and many of the major corporations were requesting the inclusion of Hybrid cars in their contracts. This was more to do with increasing business opportunities by being seen to be green as opposed to wanting to be green!

The question arises when people travel and want to maintain their commitment to the green cause. Car Rental companies will be the ones providing these vehicles… or will they?

I have chosen (for the Australia traveller) major car companies that you can book ‘green cars’ with. Working for DriveAway Holidays here in Australia, the most common request is for diesel cars. This is driven out of cost concerns and also the occasional environmental concern. (Shouldn’t it be the other way around??)

First off the rank is Avis Rental Cars.

In Australia, the group L car will give you a Toyota Hybrid. This car is the favorite for the car rental companies due to it being built by Toyota.

In the UK, there doesn’t appear to be any green cars, although there may be diesel cars on fleet, Avis don’t make them easy to find.

In the USA, like Australia, the Toyota Hybrid under group XG is available.

Second off the cab rank is Hertz Rental Cars.

In Australia, like Avis, the Toyota Hybrid is the car of choice. Book a group G and you will get this car.

In the UK, Hertz has a range of fuel efficient diesels on fleet but no hybrids. This seems to be a common factor in the UK. Being an expat, I know that Toyota car prices in the UK are reasonably expensive compared to other european manufactured vehicles

In the USA, Hertz has a range of Hybrids, although on some of the cars, I couldn’t tell if they were Hybrid or not.

Now, all credit to Hertz as they do promote their green cars as part of their Green Fleet. Avis don’t appear to market their green cars in any way, which is a shame.

Third on the cab rank is Europcar Rental Cars.

Again, unlike Hertz, they appear not to promote their green fleet. Looking at their Australia Fleet guide, they have the regular passenger vehicles such as Small, Medium, Large, Prestige, Minivans, Sport, 4WD. Europcar list the green car as part of there regular fleet, however, it does have it’s unique identifier (IHAR) in Australia.

In the UK, Europcar doesn’t appear to have any green offerings. Maybe it’s something you can request at pick up. Personally, if I could book a green car over the internet, I would do so with a company that offered that service.

In the USA, I chose LAX as Europcar have a limited presence. There were no cars I could find that looked green.

To Europcar’s defence, in other parts of Europe where they are particularly strong, one is able to guarantee a diesel for an extra few euros per day.

In this brief look, Hertz appears to be the only car rental company that is actively promoting green cars. Avis & Europcar seem to be a bit hap hazard in their approach to a green fleet. Whilst it may be a case of logistics and a supply issue, there is no reason why they couldn’t promote their green cars.
I am sure that in 12 months time, the situation will be that every car rental company will be actively marketing green cars. The consumer can currently offset their CO2 emissions in the various transport sectors and I am sure that the car rental industry will follow suit in the near future.

The Environment is a marketers dream and I do think that some of the car rental companies have missed the boat so far. Hopefully their marketing departments will wake up and smell the cleaner air..

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