Be honest - how many of those flyers and leaflets that drop through
your letter box do you actually read? Thousands of leaflets are thrown
away each year, contributing to paper waste. Simply put a notice up
saying 'no junk mail'
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tip number 131: See Double
Always choose double glazing for windows. The layer of air trapped
inside the glass prevents heat loss into the cold outdoors and will
insulate your house against hear loss in winter. Similarly it will
keep you cooler in summer. The optimum space between two panes is
20mm. A smaller one leads to greater heat loss.
inside the glass prevents heat loss into the cold outdoors and will
insulate your house against hear loss in winter. Similarly it will
keep you cooler in summer. The optimum space between two panes is
20mm. A smaller one leads to greater heat loss.
Taken from '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd
Tip number 129: Do a headstand
It might sound a strange way to live, but in a double story house it
actually makes more environmental sense to have your bedrooms
downstairs and your living space at the top of the house because heat
rises, and you are likely to want your living space to be warmer than
your bedrooms.
actually makes more environmental sense to have your bedrooms
downstairs and your living space at the top of the house because heat
rises, and you are likely to want your living space to be warmer than
your bedrooms.
Taken from '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd
Tip number 127: Sunny side up
When house hunting or looking for a site to build your new home,
remember that it should face the sunny aspect and be sheltered from
the prevailing cold winds. This will make considerable savings on your
heating bill.
remember that it should face the sunny aspect and be sheltered from
the prevailing cold winds. This will make considerable savings on your
heating bill.
Tip number 126: In the hot water
Solar hot water heaters are becoming much more common as technology
makes them more efficient and less bulky. Solar power is a great wat
to heat water in your home, via copper pipes that transfer heat quickly.
makes them more efficient and less bulky. Solar power is a great wat
to heat water in your home, via copper pipes that transfer heat quickly.
Taken from '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd
Tip number 124: Wood is good
For the sun-facing parts of your house, choose wooden floors as they
make the most of the warmth they get from the sun. They hold onto the
warmth for longer, meaning you're wasting less energy. But make sure
you don't have gaps between floorboards that can cause draughts.
make the most of the warmth they get from the sun. They hold onto the
warmth for longer, meaning you're wasting less energy. But make sure
you don't have gaps between floorboards that can cause draughts.
Taken from '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd
Tip number 123: Search for Sunlight
In order to avoid relying on electric lights unnecessarily, try to
arrange your space around the way light falls naturally. In the
northern hemisphere, south-facing portions have the most available
light) or north-facing in the southern hemisphere), so think about
making these the rooms you use the most.
arrange your space around the way light falls naturally. In the
northern hemisphere, south-facing portions have the most available
light) or north-facing in the southern hemisphere), so think about
making these the rooms you use the most.
Taken from '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tip number 155: Conserve your sun
Add a conservatory to your home to trap the heat of the sun and cut
your heating bills. Bat make sure you have firmly closing doors
between the conservancy and your house. If you don't, heat will be
sucked from your homne on gloomy days.
your heating bills. Bat make sure you have firmly closing doors
between the conservancy and your house. If you don't, heat will be
sucked from your homne on gloomy days.
Tip number 107: Paper your floor
For extra insulation, lay newspaper under your carpet underlay. Choose
a good-quality underlay that is thick and foamy to the touch, and it
will hold the heat in better.
a good-quality underlay that is thick and foamy to the touch, and it
will hold the heat in better.
Tip number 106: Make yourself a log
Instead of throwing away your old newspaper, invest in a log-making
machine that compresses and moistens old newspapers and makes them
into slow-burning logs for your fire or wood-burning stove.
machine that compresses and moistens old newspapers and makes them
into slow-burning logs for your fire or wood-burning stove.
Magnetic cows
they more often than not align themselves North to South. It is
believed that the cows can sense the magnetic field of the Earth.
Follow the link to read the full article:
http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080825/full/news.2008.1059.html
A star set in Ice
There is a very interesting article at Nature.com about a discovery of
a disk of debris around a star.
a disk of debris around a star.
The following abstract was taken from the site:
'Astronomers have spotted a disk of dust and ice ringing a young Sun-
like star 165 light years away. The icy signature of the disk and the
collisions between bodies inferred to be taking place there suggest it
is similar to the Sun's Kuiper belt, a disk of small icy bodies that
extends beyond Neptune."
You can read the article at http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080822/full/news.2008.1058.html
Scientific journal site
If you are looking for some very good scientific articles I suggest
you head over to http://www.sciencedirect.com.
you head over to http://www.sciencedirect.com.
They have hundreds of thousands of articles in thousands of journals
on any field in science including Physical Sciences and Engineering,
Life Sciences, Health Sciences and Social Sciences and Humanities.
The following subjects are included under Physical Sciences and
Engineering
* Chemical Engineering
* Chemistry
* Computer Science
* Earth and Planetary Sciences
* Energy
* Engineering
* Materials Science
* Mathematics
* Physics and Astronomy
and the following can be found under Life Sciences
* Agricultural and Biological Sciences
* Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
* Environmental Science
* Immunology and Microbiology
* Neuroscience
Documentaries
There are a number of excellent environmental documentaries that have
been produced during the last few years. National Geographic Channel
has a specific time slot called Preserve our Planet where they
regularly show off some of the best environmentally themed
documentaries every made.
been produced during the last few years. National Geographic Channel
has a specific time slot called Preserve our Planet where they
regularly show off some of the best environmentally themed
documentaries every made.
Other channels worth watching is Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and
NatGeo Wild. If you are in South Africa you can find the schedule for
any of the channels at www.dstv.co.za. Having a PVR is probably the
only way to make sure that you do watch all of the documentaries you
intend to. The new Multichoice HDPVR will bring a new level of HD
Content to viewers who already have a 720p or 1080p HD TV.
In the following days I will write some reviews on a number of
documentaries that I had time to watch. Some of them are truly
informative.
Tip number 104: Condense your heat
Condenser boilers are the most efficient, with 88% of fuel converted
into heat compared to 72% with conventional boilers. However, the
water vapours they let off can be irritating so make sure you site
your flue away from your neighbors' windows and patios. Consider
choosing a condenser if you need to replace an existing gas or oil
central heating system.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
into heat compared to 72% with conventional boilers. However, the
water vapours they let off can be irritating so make sure you site
your flue away from your neighbors' windows and patios. Consider
choosing a condenser if you need to replace an existing gas or oil
central heating system.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
Tip number 103: Be a fan
the summer. Amazingly, they can also save energy in winter! By
agitating the air and stopping cool air from pooling at ground level,
they can reduce heating bills by 10%
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
Energy reduction website
Another very good site to visit is http://energyreduction.co.za. It
contains information on equipment that can dramatically reduce energy
use in the country. Use the link to the right to reach the site.
contains information on equipment that can dramatically reduce energy
use in the country. Use the link to the right to reach the site.
Tip number 102: Hotty botty
Instead of an electric blanket, take a hot water bottle to bed to keep
your feet warm. Or wear a pair of bedsocks, which will keep you warm
at night without using any extra energy.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
your feet warm. Or wear a pair of bedsocks, which will keep you warm
at night without using any extra energy.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
Tip number 99: Cool down your water
Most people keep their hot water at far too hot a temperature and need
cold water to cool it down, wasting precious heat energy. Turn your
water heater down to 54 degrees C. At this temperature the water is
hot enough to kill bacteria but 'cool' enough to save energy.
cold water to cool it down, wasting precious heat energy. Turn your
water heater down to 54 degrees C. At this temperature the water is
hot enough to kill bacteria but 'cool' enough to save energy.
Taken from 1001 little ways to save our planet.
Powerfailture
I found a very useful site for saving energy with the current energy
shortage we are experiencing in South Africa.
shortage we are experiencing in South Africa.
Head over to http://www.powerfailure.co.za/powerfailures_ways_to_conserve.html
for tips on how to save energy.
Tip number 96: Bleed it out
If your radiators are warm at the bottom but not at the top,
particularly at the top of the house, you probably need to bleed the
air from your system. Most systems function more efficiently if this
is done at least once a month to keep the system totally air free.
particularly at the top of the house, you probably need to bleed the
air from your system. Most systems function more efficiently if this
is done at least once a month to keep the system totally air free.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
Tip number 95: Flush your system
If your radiators are warm at the top but not at the bottom, you've
probably got debris build-up. But instead of installing a whole new
heating system, consider having your radiators flushed through to
remove debris and boost efficiency.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
Tip number 94: Add a layer
Before cranking up the heating, try putting on a sweater and socks.
Adding an extra layer rather than turning up you heating is the
easiest way to save heating costs - both on your pocket and the
environment.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
Adding an extra layer rather than turning up you heating is the
easiest way to save heating costs - both on your pocket and the
environment.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
Tip number 91: Go natural
Using natural materials like wood and fabric in your home keeps it
warmer during winter than hard, man-made substances, The latter don't
hold onto heat and therefore require more heating to maintain a warm
temperature. Go natural whenever you can.
warmer during winter than hard, man-made substances, The latter don't
hold onto heat and therefore require more heating to maintain a warm
temperature. Go natural whenever you can.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Tip number 87: Foil a plan
Don't throw away your kitchen foil. Paste it behind radiators with the
shiny side facing the room. Because the reflective properties of the
metal heat will be reflected and radiated back into the room, making
your heating system more efficient.
Taken from 1001 little ways to save our planet.
Tip number 85: Don't go electric
Electric heating loses 90% of its energy due to inefficient
transmission through the grid system and through electrical appliances
that aren't as energy efficient as they could be. Try switching to
other, more efficient, energy sources.
transmission through the grid system and through electrical appliances
that aren't as energy efficient as they could be. Try switching to
other, more efficient, energy sources.
Generation is also often very inefficient and adds to the low
efficiencies.
Tip number 36: Don't throw rust away
Instead of throwing away clothes which are damaged by rust marks,
saturate the rust stains with sour milk (milk mixed with a little
vinegar or lemon juice) and rub with salt. Place the item in direct
sunlight until dry, then wash it; the rust stain should have
disappeared.
saturate the rust stains with sour milk (milk mixed with a little
vinegar or lemon juice) and rub with salt. Place the item in direct
sunlight until dry, then wash it; the rust stain should have
disappeared.
Taken from 1001 little ways to save the planet
Tip number 76: Brick it up
At dusk then the air outside begins to cool down, your home is
susceptible to losing more heat. Draw your curtains at dusk, before it
gets completely dark, to help conserve energy.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme
Floyd.
Tip number 83: Draw at dusk
At dusk then the air outside begins to cool down, your home is
susceptible to losing more heat. Draw your curtains at dusk, before it
gets completely dark, to help conserve energy.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme
Floyd.
susceptible to losing more heat. Draw your curtains at dusk, before it
gets completely dark, to help conserve energy.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme
Floyd.
Tip number 79: Light your fire
Use twigs and paper to start fires rather than firelighters, whether
it's the barbecue, your wood burning stove or an open fire indoors.
Firelighters and fire-lighting liquids are made using chemicals which
can be highly toxic.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
it's the barbecue, your wood burning stove or an open fire indoors.
Firelighters and fire-lighting liquids are made using chemicals which
can be highly toxic.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
Tip number 71: Store some heat
If you have a log-burning stove or a wood sire, think about
incorporating a heat storage system in your home which could put the
energy it produces to some use 0 such as heating water or walls -
rather than it being wasted up the chimney.
incorporating a heat storage system in your home which could put the
energy it produces to some use 0 such as heating water or walls -
rather than it being wasted up the chimney.
Tip number 68: Take the lead
Never use lead-based paints. Lead is a toxic substance that can cause
changes in brain chemistry and developmental problem. It is therefore
a neurotoxin causing some level of mental retardation upon exposure.
It continues releasing toxins for many years, so if you have an old
house, it's also worth checking that you're lead free.
changes in brain chemistry and developmental problem. It is therefore
a neurotoxin causing some level of mental retardation upon exposure.
It continues releasing toxins for many years, so if you have an old
house, it's also worth checking that you're lead free.
Tip number 62: Put a cork on it
Cork is a brilliant choice if you're looking for a green alternative
for walls and floors because its biodegradable, sustainable and non-
polluting. Cork trees can live 150 years and as well as producing
cork, the also support wildlife in their local habitat.
for walls and floors because its biodegradable, sustainable and non-
polluting. Cork trees can live 150 years and as well as producing
cork, the also support wildlife in their local habitat.
Tip number 67: Latex is good for you
Choose water-based latex paints over solvent-based paints for your
home, and opt for those colored with vegetable rather than fume
releasing chemical compounds.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme
Floyd.
home, and opt for those colored with vegetable rather than fume
releasing chemical compounds.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme
Floyd.
Tip number 53: Vinyl is dead
Don't cover your floor with vinyl flooring, because it contains PVC, a
material of which the manufacturing process is very harmfull to the
environment. Choose linoleum or other natural materials instead.
material of which the manufacturing process is very harmfull to the
environment. Choose linoleum or other natural materials instead.
Tip number 56: Insulate your floor
To make the most of the heating system in your home, make sure you
insulate your floor properly, leaving gaps for ventilation but not
enough for draughts to develop.
insulate your floor properly, leaving gaps for ventilation but not
enough for draughts to develop.
Tip number 50: Close shave
If you're stripping paint, especially in older homes, make sure you
throw your paint shavings away in a sealed container. This stops them
giving off lead and toxins, which could be poisonous to humans and
wildlife.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme
Floyd.
throw your paint shavings away in a sealed container. This stops them
giving off lead and toxins, which could be poisonous to humans and
wildlife.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme
Floyd.
Tip number 42: Make plants your base
Many do-it-yourself companies now make products based on plant
substances instead of those manufactured by using dangerous chemicals.
Choose plant-based products wherever possible to limit your
environmental impact.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
substances instead of those manufactured by using dangerous chemicals.
Choose plant-based products wherever possible to limit your
environmental impact.
Taken from the book '1001 little ways to save our planet' by Esme Floyd.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Logging in the Congo
Greenpeace have a campaign against logging in the Congo Basin
The Congo basin contains the world’s second largest tropical forest and is of incalculable importance not only in terms of biodiversity and resources for local people but also as a giant carbon store that is essential for climate protection. Yet over 25 percent of this precious ecosystem is controlled by the logging industry with the majority in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of the Congo – two countries suffering from endemic corruption.
To follow the story visit
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/conning-congo-forests300708
Researchers at MIT have developed a highly efficient mechanisms for splitting up water into hydrogen and oxygen using a newly designed catalyst. This technology can be used to store energy generated from renewable sources as hydrogen gas that can then be used in a fuel cell to produce electricity. This is a very important breakthrough for clear carbon free energy.
You can find the original article at:
http://www.physorg.com/news136738014.html
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/oxygen-0731.html
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