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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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