Category Archives: Omega

Hopes for a Strong El Niño Fade in California

In its latest monthly forecast, the federal Climate Prediction Center said that while El Niño was still expected, it would not bring the heavy rains California needs to end its drought. More –  Hopes for a Strong El Niño Fade in California ; ; ;

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Hopes for a Strong El Niño Fade in California

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We’re Fishing the Oceans Dry. It’s Time to Reconsider Fish Farms.

Mother Jones

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When I meet Kenny Belov mid-morning at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, the boats that would normally be out at sea chasing salmon sit tethered to their docks. The steady breeze coursing through the bay belies choppier conditions farther out—so rough that the local fishermen threw in the towel for the fifth morning in a row. Belov scans the horizon as he explains this, feet away from the warehouse of his sustainable seafood company, TwoXSea. Because his business hinges on what local fishermen can bring in, he’s used to coping with wild fish shortages.

But unlike these fishermen, Belov has a stash of treasure in his warehouse, as he soon shows me: a golf-cart-size container of plump trout, their glossy bodies still taut from rigor mortis. The night before, Belov drove north to Humboldt to help “chill kill” the fish by submerging them live into barrels of slushy ice water. Belov can count on shipments of these McFarland Springs trout every week—because he helped grow them himself on a farm.

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We’re Fishing the Oceans Dry. It’s Time to Reconsider Fish Farms.

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In Victory for Obama, Court Backs Rules for Coal Pollution

The Supreme Court, in a 6-2 decision, upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate coal-plant pollution that wafts across state lines from 27 Midwestern and Appalachian states to eastern states. Visit site: In Victory for Obama, Court Backs Rules for Coal Pollution ; ;Related ArticlesForced to Flee Radiation, Fearful Japanese Villagers Are Reluctant to ReturnNuclear Industry Gains Carbon-Focused Allies in Push to Save ReactorsExperimental Efforts to Harvest the Ocean’s Power Face Cost Setbacks ;

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In Victory for Obama, Court Backs Rules for Coal Pollution

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A Grim Toll as Storms Sweep South and Midwest

At least 30 people were killed as severe weather spawned tornadoes and flooded streets, and more storms were forecast. Read this article:  A Grim Toll as Storms Sweep South and Midwest ; ;Related ArticlesDome it! Schools Can Affordably Survive TornadoesExperimental Efforts to Harvest the Ocean’s Power Face Cost SetbacksYears After Chernobyl, Building Progress ;

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A Grim Toll as Storms Sweep South and Midwest

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Dot Earth Blog: Dome it! Schools Can Affordably Survive Tornadoes

A domed alternative to conventional school building designs could save lives, money and energy in America’s tornado zones. More:  Dot Earth Blog: Dome it! Schools Can Affordably Survive Tornadoes ; ;Related ArticlesDome it! Schools Can Affordably Survive TornadoesNuclear Industry Gains Carbon-Focused Allies in Push to Save ReactorsExperimental Efforts to Harvest the Ocean’s Power Face Cost Setbacks ;

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Dot Earth Blog: Dome it! Schools Can Affordably Survive Tornadoes

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Dome it! Schools Can Affordably Survive Tornadoes

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All New Square Foot Gardening, Second Edition – Mel Bartholomew

Rapidly increasing in popularity, square foot gardening is the most practical, foolproof way to grow a home garden. That explains why author and gardening innovator Mel Bartholomew has sold more than two million books describing how to become a successful DIY square foot gardener. Now, with the publication of All New Square Foot Gardening, Second Edition , t

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White Dwarf Issue 13: 26 April 2014 – White Dwarf

f you go down to the woods today… watch out for the Treemen! The Wood Elves return this week in grand style, heralded by an amazing new Treeman model. We talk to the sculptors behind it and present rules for Durthu, most ancient of his kind, along with an arboreal Paint Splatter and much more. About this Series: White Dwarf is Games Workshop’s weekly

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Cat Mastery – Tony Buffington

Our cats live happier, healthier lives in our homes when we understand their natural history, behaviors, and how the world looks to them. Cat Mastery shows you who cats are, why they do the things they do, and the simple, essential things you can do to make sure they feel safe and stimulated in your home. Written by veterinarian Dr. Tony Buffington, pr

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Codex: Militarum Tempestus (Enhanced Edition) – Games Workshop

Codex: Militarum Tempestus The Scions of the Militarum Tempestus are the highly skilled elite of the Astra Militarum. Trained from youth in the combat schools of the Schola Progenium, each one has been psycho-conditioned to obey without question and kill without remorse. In battle, the toughest missions fall to the Tempestus Scions. Their specialist sq

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Warhammer: Wood Elves – Games Workshop

For millennia, the Wood Elves have dwelt beneath the leaves of Athel Loren, defending their greenwood home from the perils of the world. When the King in the Woods sounds his horn, longbows are strung and spears are sharpened as the hosts of Athel Loren assemble beneath ancestral banners. In the depths of the forests, enchantresses sing songs of awakening, r

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How to Paint Citadel Miniatures: Wood Elves – Games Workshop

For millennia, the Wood Elves have dwelt beneath the leaves of Athel Loren, defending their greenwood home from the perils of the world. When the King in the Woods sounds his horn, longbows are strung and spears are sharpened as the hosts of Athel Loren assemble beneath ancestral banners. In the depths of the forests, enchantresses sing songs of awakening, r

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Codex: Astra Militarum (Enhanced Edition) – Games Workshop

The Astra Militarum are the mighty Hammer of the Emperor, an army so vast that it has never been fully recorded by the scribes of the Administratum. Drawn from a million worlds, its men and women are the thin line between Humanity and the void. On hundreds of thousands of warzones across the galaxy the armies of the Astra Militarum hold back the advance of a

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Perfect Puppy In 7 Days – Dr. Sophia Yin, DVM, MS

With 400 photos and a step-by-step plan, this puppy book visually guides you through socialization, potty training, and life skills while making the process fun. Dr. Marty Becker; “America’s Veterinarian” of Good Morning America, says, “This is like no other puppy book you’ve seen before. It’s not just about teaching you

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How to Raise the Perfect Dog – Cesar Millan & Melissa Jo Peltier

From the bestselling author and star of National Geographic Channel’s Dog Whisperer , the only resource you’ll need for raising a happy, healthy dog. For the millions of people every year who consider bringing a puppy into their lives–as well as those who have already brought a dog home–Cesar Millan, the preeminent dog behavior expert, says, “Yes,

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How to Paint Citadel Miniatures: Tactical Marines – Games Workshop

Tactical squads are the most numerous in a chapter and form the backbone of a fighting force. As their name suggests they are highly flexible having the tactical adaptability to deal with virtually any foe. About this Guide: In this guide demonstrates how to paint Space Marine Tactical Marines using the Citadel paint range. The guide covers in detail, the co

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Dome it! Schools Can Affordably Survive Tornadoes

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Retro Report: Three Mile Island, and Nuclear Hopes and Fears

The disaster at a Pennsylvania plant fueled misgivings about nuclear power, as have those at Chernobyl and Fukushima. But the fossil-fuel alternative still holds great allure. See the original post –  Retro Report: Three Mile Island, and Nuclear Hopes and Fears ; ;Related ArticlesYears After Chernobyl, Building ProgressForced to Flee Radiation, Fearful Japanese Villagers Are Reluctant to ReturnNuclear Industry Gains Carbon-Focused Allies in Push to Save Reactors ;

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Retro Report: Three Mile Island, and Nuclear Hopes and Fears

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Solar Power: Let Me Decide or Buy Me Off?

Solar Power: Let Me Decide or Buy Me Off?

Throughout the energy conversation we’ve been having with the Nuclear and Coal articles, several readers have commented about the inclusion of solar energy. Solar energy is sold to us as the end-all-be-all solution to our energy needs, and I find it hard not to argue against very specific aspects of that sales pitch. It’s clean, it’s renewable, it’s somewhat readily available, and it has little to no long-term impact. The Department of Energy claims that a 100 square mile solar panel field in Nevada can generate 800 gigawatts of power. That’s enough to power the entire United States.

Now, let’s collectively pull our head out of the clouds and talk about the ugly side of the situation …
The national average for electricity runs at about 12.6 cents per kilowatt hour, and the average house uses about 1,000 kilowatt hours per month. Before taxes, regulatory, and administrative fees that makes for a $126.00 per month electric bill. You wake up, and decide that you are going green. You hop in your Prius and buzz down to “Solar Panels R US”, and buy your run-of-of-the-mill solar panel kit. After 10 panels, 10 brackets to mount them, and a power inverter, you’ve officially got everything you need to create a whopping 345kwh of energy. Price tag? A mere $8,300 for the BASIC hardware, which is on the low end; installation not included. Now you’ve got a roof full of solar panels that produce 345kwh of energy, or an average energy savings of $43.47 dollars a month …

At that rate, assuming you get 100% potential from your solar panel array, it will take you 15 years to break even on your investment, at the very minimum, based on national averages. Imagine what the break-even on the 100 square mile theoretical “Panel Land” would be.

“Okay, it’s pricey … but what about the ‘Large Scale’ solar industry?” Solar energy is twice as expensive as natural gas energy. It’s 67% more expensive than wind produced power, for that matter. The national average for solar energy is over 80 cents per kilowatt hour after factoring in all the associated costs. Now that doesn’t sound so bright …

Expenses aside, the solar power contribution to the current power grid tripled from 2012 to 2013. A staggering 29% of all new energy installations in 2013 were solar power related. So if it’s more expensive, and still grew, who footed that bill?
You did.The government provides extensive solar energy subsidies, as high as 96 cents per kilowatt hour. Those subsidies come directly from our tax dollars. For every single tax dollar spent on natural gas subsidies, $1,200 dollars were spent on solar subsidies. In 2010 solar energy subsides were $775.64 dollars per megawatt of solar energy added to the power grid. That adds up to about 37 billion dollars a year. To put it in perspective, that’s enough money to build six modern nuclear power plants.

So we just cut the subsidy right?

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Solar Power: Let Me Decide or Buy Me Off?

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Graywater 101: Using Graywater to Green Plants?

Graywater 101: Using Graywater to Green Plants?

Sponsored Post from: The American Cleaning Institute

“Graywater” is a term bandied about by those in sustainability circles and a topic we’ve touch on frequently at Earth911, but many still have questions about exactly what graywater recycling is and if it’s really safe for the environment.

So, what’s the verdict? Is this idea green or gross? Earth911 took an in-depth look at the subject to give you the basics and answer all of your most pressing questions about this unconventional recycling tactic.

Graywater 101

If you’re unfamiliar with this type of recycling, the No. 1 question on your mind is likely: What is graywater, anyway?

To put it simply, graywater is water from bathroom sinks, tubs, showers and laundry washing machines. Despite frequent confusion, graywater does not include water from toilets, kitchen sinks and automatic dishwashers (this is called “blackwater”) and has not come into contact with food and human waste, either through kitchen sink food waste disposal or flushing toilets.

Graywater may contain traces of dirt, food, grease, hair and certain household cleaning products. While Graywater may look “dirty,” it is a safe and even beneficial source of irrigation water, according to the advocacy group Greywater Action (The spellings of “greywater” and “graywater” are often used interchangeably in discussions about this topic).

As potable water supplies become more limited throughout the world, there is a growing interest in innovative approaches to water resources sustainability, and household graywater reuse for residential landscape irrigation is a potential solution that’s slowly picking up steam.

Graywater recycling offers scores of benefits; plants can beneficially utilize the constituents found in graywater as valuable nutrients. However, the use of such systems has not yet become widespread due to uncertainties about the safe use of graywater, according to a report released by the Water Environment Research Foundation in partnership with the American Cleaning Institute.

While some states have begun to legalize and regulate the practice of graywater reuse for residential landscape irrigation, little guidance based on scientific data has been provided for the safe operation of graywater irrigation systems and the potential effects on plant health after graywater is applied.

“As more households turn to graywater for their irrigation needs, it is important to understand what compounds are in graywater, what happens to them in the environment, and what potential impacts graywater may have on soil quality, groundwater quality, and plant health,” said Kathleen Stanton, ACI’s Director of Technical & Regulatory Affairs.

The WERF/ACI project began in May 2008 and went on for more than four years. The aim: to provide scientifically-based data on the use of graywater and its impacts on soil quality and plant health. It also tried to address public health concerns stemming from potential exposure to elevated levels of E.coli and product ingredients in soils where graywater has been applied. Read on for the details.

Is it really safe?

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Graywater 101: Using Graywater to Green Plants?

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Solar Power for Your Home – A Bright Idea

Project in Nieuwland Amersfoort consists of solar panels on over 500 homes and utility buildings. Photo: flickr/enecomedia

Homeowners looking to lower their utility bill and environmental footprint are finding a bright idea in solar power generation.  According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Americans added more solar power generating capacity during the third quarter of 2013 than ever before – 186 megawatts, up almost 50% year over year!  Increased consumer demand and advancements in technology are leading homeowners to strongly consider installation.

For some homeowners, solar panels are still simply too expensive.  However, you shouldn’t let initial sticker shock scare you off.  Some retailers and utility companies offer lease (vs. buy) options, lessening the upfront investment costs.  According to a recent FoxBusiness personal finance article, ‘Experts say the leasing process of a solar panel system is similar to leasing a car or even getting cable service.  Most don’t require a down payment, but will lock in a rate homeowners will pay each month for as long as 20 years. The rate may be fixed over the contract period or it may rise on an annualized basis. Either way, experts say the savings compared to consumers’ current and future electricity rates will be greater during the life of the contract.  The solar panel company or installer is responsible for any panel maintenance or repairs.’

DSIRE, the Database of State Incentives for Renewable & Efficiency, offers comprehensive information about federal and state incentive programs for implementing solar and other renewable energy projects at home.  Tax credits, rebates and other incentives may be available in your area so check out this important resource.

Some utility providers even allow homeowners to sell unused solar power generation back to the grid, also helping offset costs of implementation.

CNNMoney Editor-at-large David Whitford recently installed a 15-panel, 3.75 kilowatt system on the roof of his Boston home.  He shares that the system replaces about 80% of his family’s grid draw.  And, over the promised 25 year life span of the equipment, the system will cut his household’s footprint by 62 tons of CO2 – not to mention the $25,000 in utility bill savings.  Whitford’s total upfront cost was just under $13,000.  But, thanks to state and federal incentives, his ROI will be less than five years.

In a newly formed partnership, Phoenix homebuilder Taylor Morrison and retailer SolarCity announced a solar option on all new Phoenix-area homes.  The partners outline that homeowners can reap the benefits of solar power generation for little to no upfront costs.  The partnership will make it possible for home buyers to save up to thousands on their utility bills, and will also enable them to lock in their solar electricity costs for decades into the future. Taylor Morison is the first national homebuilder in Arizona to offer SolarCity’s solar systems to homebuyers without increasing the purchase price of their homes.

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Solar Power for Your Home – A Bright Idea

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