Tag Archives: green

The 3 Most Vital Home Improvements to Make this Fall

by StarlaWentworth Posted on September 7, 2016

Funny how Labor Day is such a two-sided holiday. Folks tend to celebrate it by engaging in iconic summer activities a picnic, hike or visit to their favorite swimming spot. Yet this day really marks the beginning of autumn. And the beginning of autumn means the approach of colder weather (notice how cool the mornings are starting to get?) and with that, the time to heatyour home. Which leads us to the 3 essential heating-related home improvements you must make this fall.

Fix Any Leaks

What does the word leak mean to you in relation to your home? Whether you have a plumbing leak or a breeze that comes in around an unsealed window, the effect, you will find, is remarkably similar. Both are capable of wasting a surprisingly large amount of valuable resources (water in the first case and heating fuel in the second), increasing yourcarbon footprintand costing you money in a way that is totally unnecessary.

The other thing that these two household nuisances have in common is that they tend to be quite easy to fix. The most common types of plumbing leakage come from either atoiletor a bathroom or kitchen faucet; repair of the fixture can often be a DIY project or a relatively uncomplicated job for a professional plumber.

Air leaks can often be taken care of by a handy homeowner (or renter!) too. Applysealant, like putty, caulk or V-seal weatherstripping, to block the flow of exterior air. This will help cut down on the need for both heating in winter and air conditioning in summer.

Insulate

Improve the efficiency of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system by insulating vulnerable areasnotably your attic, crawl space, the opening for your dryer vent pipe, and so onand some places that might not even have occurred to you, such as around electric boxes and recessed lighting fixtures.

Dont forget to insulate critical components of your heating and cooling setup, such as the plenum and your ductwork. (While youre at it, check whether theductworkneeds repair or upgrading; as much as 40 percent of heat can be lost en route from your furnace or heat pump to the rooms of your home.) It is recommended to consult anHVAC specialistto ensure that there is adequate ventilation; this will discouragemold growth.

An eco-friendly type of insulation you might not hear much about on most home improvement websites is what wed like to term self-insulation. Keep warm with minimal harm to the atmospheres ozone layer by bundling your body in light, comfortable, warm layers of clothing.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Once your house has been sealed up tight, you should be nice and cozy. One major drawback to this preparation, though, is that a well-sealed house keeps warmth inside but it also fosters carbon monoxide (CO) build-up when you use any fuel-combustion appliance for example, gas or wood stoves, fireplaces, or kerosene lanterns, indoors.

This poisonous gas is colorless, odorless and tasteless, making it impossible for anyone in your home to detect it unaided. Installation of CO alarms will help protect you and your loved ones. Ideally, one of these alarms should be installed in every bedroom, as well as in the room where a fuel-combustion appliance is operated.

Why is this measure, which is the most literally vital (as in potentially life-saving), listed last? The answer is simple. Repairing air leaks and insulating your house are very effective ways to reduce your heating costs. However, they can lead to carbon monoxide issues; in the same way that they prevent warmed air from escaping, they will tend to keep CO inside the house as well.

By Laura Firszt,Networx.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Continue reading:

The 3 Most Vital Home Improvements to Make this Fall

Posted in eco-friendly, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, Oster, Prepara, PUR, Radius, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The 3 Most Vital Home Improvements to Make this Fall

Survival Tips For Green Parents Dealing With Information Overload

by RalfFitzgerald Posted on September 4, 2016

BPA in bottles!

GMOS in baby food!

Toxic chemicals in toys!

Disposable diapers are the devil!

Raising a healthy kid in today’s polluted world is anything but easy.

Every parent wants the best for their child, and if you happen to be an eco-conscious parent, the stakes are even higher. You have both your children and the planet that they’ll someday inherit to worry about.

The struggle to protect our children while also being a good child of Mother Nature is front and center in a new book aimed at helping green-minded navigate the often shifting landscape of healthy parenting.

Called Spit That Out! The OverlyInformedParents Guide to Raising Healthy Kids In The Age OfEnvironmentalGuilt, the bookis part parenting handbook, part autobiography, and overflowing with humorous stories that all parents will relate to.

With chapters like “The Precarious World Of Poo Maintenance” and “Can I Afford To Be This Conscious?” author Paige Wolf seeks to cut through the avalanche of conflicting information, providing parents with humorous anecdotes full of useful tips for staying sane and healthy in an increasingly toxic world.

Chock full of staggering statistics (more than 50 of the one million annual child deaths from acute respiratory infections are attributable to indoor air pollution); hilarious realizations (“Goldfish feel to me like a gateway drug to toddler junk food”); and advice from green living experts (never buy plastic toys with the numbers 3, 6 and 7 on them, they’re likely to leak dangerous chemicals and can’t be recycled), Spit That Out!is aninformative read whether you’re a parent yet or not.

Care2 recently caught up withWolf, an eco-chic green living expert, blogger and advocate, to learn more about what she hopes parents will gain from reading her book.

Care2: What inspired you to write this book?

Wolf: “When I was pregnant with my first child I was overwhelmed by all the conflicting information and constant barrage of things to worry about! What was in the food, the cleaning products, the shampoo, the toys? Could we pull off cloth diapers and breastfeeding? Talking with other new parents I realized I was not the only one up Googling these things every night. Many of us feel paralyzed by all of the eco-anxiety and green guilt and I wanted to find straight answers and real ways to make green and healthy living more manageable, practical and affordable. The book is part commiseration/part solution!”

Care2:What’s the biggest life change (eco-wise) you made when you become a parent?

Wolf:I was making small changes for years leading up to becoming a parent. It started with just basic recycling and then composting, eating a more natural and organic diet and swapping out personal care products. I dont know that there was a specific switch that happened in correlation with becoming a parent it has been more like making more small changes and upgrades everyday.

“For instance, I remember thinking I had gotten rid of all the nonstick pans years ago and it suddenly occurred to me that my George Foreman grill was coated in Teflon. Opening a cabinet and saying, Why are we still buying conventional raisins? Its a constant learning experience and balancing act trying to create a more sustainable and health-conscious home while also making peace with the fact that my kids are going to find a way to eat Munchkin Donut holes at least three times a week.”

Care2:What’s one thing “green” parents stress about that you wish they wouldn’t?

Wolf: “There isnt really one thing its just the greater idea of doing everything perfectly. We all have our parenting differences. Some of us feel guilty for not breastfeeding long enough or at all, others for not cloth diapering and many for not feeding our kids organic all the time. Its important that we dont ignore the significance of these things and at least TRY to make an effort, but we also have to realize that we cant live in a bubble. We have to do the best we can with the opportunities available to us. Fortunately, though, many of these opportunities are becoming more accessible and affordable.”

Care2:What’s THE most important piece of advice you’d give to environmentally-minded parents in today’s world?

Wolf: “Perfect is unattainable but better is always possible.”

Connect with Spit That Out! author Paige Wolf on Facebook, Twitteror Instagram.

Spit That Out! The OverlyInformedParents Guide to Raising Healthy Kids In The Age OfEnvironmentalGuilt is available wherever books are sold.

Image Credit: Thinkstock

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

See original – 

Survival Tips For Green Parents Dealing With Information Overload

Posted in FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, organic, PUR, Radius, Smith's, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Survival Tips For Green Parents Dealing With Information Overload

Underpaid, overworked farmworkers set to get liberal labor protections. Farmers grumble.

by LovieHealey106 Posted on September 2, 2016

A United Farm Workers march to City Hall in San Francisco REUTERS/Robert Galbraith

No justice, no peas

Underpaid, overworked farmworkers set to get liberal labor protections. Farmers grumble.

By on Sep 2, 2016 4:30 amShare

California’s legislature just passed a bill that’s a big win for farmworkers but a big defeat for farmers.

The bill, which comes after decades of campaigning by the United Farm Workers union, would make farms subject to the same rules for overtime pay as other businesses. If Gov. Jerry Brown signs the bill into law, it would set a precedent for other states to follow. Farmworker advocates are cheering, along with green groups like the Sierra Club and the NRDC, but many farmers — including organic farmers who rely on manual labor in place of chemicals and mechanization — worry that the bill will push agriculture abroad.

The United Farm Workers union has argued that the bill corrects the injustice written into the federal Fair Labor Standards Act passed in 1938, which gave workers a minimum wage and a 44-hour work week but excluded farmworkers.

Farmworker Jose Adolfo Casares and his daughter at a migrant farm labour housing center in Bakersfield, Calif.REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

“The fact that the Fair Labor and Standards Act excluded farmworkers from collecting overtime pay is astounding considering the amount of outdoor physical labor they do,” said Julie Taylor, executive director of National Farm Worker Ministry, a faith-based organization that supports farmworkers.

“The whole world eats the food provided by California farmworkers, yet we don’t guarantee fair overtime pay for the backbreaking manual labor they put in to keep us fed,” said California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, in a statement.

Farmworkers aren’t totally unprotected. In the decades after passing the Fair Labor Standards Act, Congress ushered in laws extending them some protections. Agricultural workers are currently eligible for overtime pay after putting in 10 hours a day, and the California bill would lower that to eight hours. That may seem like a small change, but it has a lot of farmers scared.

REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

“I’m down in Santa Cruz talking to farmers, and people are pretty freaked out,” said Dave Runsten, policy director for the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, a group that promotes small farms and sustainable food systems.

Worker pay is usually the biggest expense for the farmers Runsten works with, representing as much as half of their their costs. That’s likely to go up as California’s minimum wage rises to $15 an hour over the next six years. Some farmers will shift to less labor-intensive crops like almonds, some will replace workers with machinery (like these tomato harvesters), and some will move operations to Mexico, he said. But all those options are too expensive for many of the smaller farmers. “Those people are really looking down the barrel of a gun,” Runsten said.

Whenever we pass new regulations on farmers there’s always a danger that it will drive up food prices, and consumers will start buying from farmers elsewhere. That’s what happened in Sweden. The government passed sweeping animal welfare laws for pigs and in response Swedes started buying their pork from countries without those high standards. On the other hand, California farmers have managed to remain competitive despite the fact that the state has more agricultural regulations than others.

If we bring farming up to the same labor standards as other industries, it’s likely to follow the same trajectory as, say, the textile industry — the path of globalization and industrialization. Some agriculture will follow cheaper labor to other countries, and some will remain in the United States by going high tech and producing more with fewer workers. It’s all driven by our preference for the lowest price.

There’s another option: We could opt to pay more for better labor conditions. People tend to say they want small farms that rely on well-paid manual laborers, but when the time comes to pay the grocer we generally choose the cheaper tomato.

ShareElection Guide ★ 2016Making America Green AgainOur experts weigh in on the real issues at stake in this electionGet Grist in your inbox

Follow this link – 

Underpaid, overworked farmworkers set to get liberal labor protections. Farmers grumble.

Posted in alo, Anchor, FF, GE, ONA, organic, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Underpaid, overworked farmworkers set to get liberal labor protections. Farmers grumble.

Japan’s $320 Million Gamble at Fukushima: An Underground Ice Wall

by Myrna Posted on August 29, 2016

The project is designed to keep water out of the damaged reactor buildings at the nuclear power plant, and radioactive water from reaching the Pacific. Critics say it may not work. Read more –  Japan’s $320 Million Gamble at Fukushima: An Underground Ice Wall ; ; ;

Read this article: 

Japan’s $320 Million Gamble at Fukushima: An Underground Ice Wall

Posted in eco-friendly, FF, G & F, GE, Monterey, solar, solar power, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Japan’s $320 Million Gamble at Fukushima: An Underground Ice Wall

Japan’s ‘Hail Mary’ at Fukushima Daiichi: An Underground Ice Wall

by Myrna Posted on August 29, 2016

The project is designed to keep water out of the damaged reactor buildings at the nuclear power plant, and radioactive water from reaching the Pacific. Critics say it may not work. See the original article here –  Japan’s ‘Hail Mary’ at Fukushima Daiichi: An Underground Ice Wall ; ; ;

This article:  

Japan’s ‘Hail Mary’ at Fukushima Daiichi: An Underground Ice Wall

Posted in eco-friendly, FF, G & F, GE, Monterey, solar, solar power, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Japan’s ‘Hail Mary’ at Fukushima Daiichi: An Underground Ice Wall

The warmer it gets, the more it snows in Antarctica. Huh?

by AlbertinaKimpton Posted on August 26, 2016

global weirding

The warmer it gets, the more it snows in Antarctica. Huh?

By on Aug 26, 2016Share

Antarctica is a weird place. While it’s losing ice faster than an heiress in a caper movie, it’s also getting a whole lot more snow — at least, it’s supposed to.

Warmer air holds more moisture, so globally warmed jet streams should dump even more snow over the frozen continent than they used to. Since Antarctica is cold as fuck, scientifically speaking, the snow won’t melt despite the warmer air, making the continent probably the only place on Earth where glaciers might actually grow (at least for the time being).

All that extra precipitation is good for the rest of us: Snow that falls on Antarctica is water that’s not adding to sea-level rise. While sea level is definitely increasing (you didn’t think it was that easy, did you?), Antarctica’s blizzard forecast could spare us a few critical inches.

But, so far, the snowfall has not increased as scientists expected. According to research published this week, that’s OK — there’s enough natural wobble-wobble in Antarctica’s climate to account for the lower-than-expected snow levels. In the next couple of decades, however, we should see the white stuff really start to pile up.

But as Antarctica’s ice sheets continue to crumble into the sea around the edges, faster and less predictably than scientists had hoped, we’ll need more than snow to save us.

Election Guide ★ 2016Making America Green AgainOur experts weigh in on the real issues at stake in this electionGet Grist in your inbox

Read this article – 

The warmer it gets, the more it snows in Antarctica. Huh?

Posted in alo, Anchor, FF, GE, LG, ONA, organic, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The warmer it gets, the more it snows in Antarctica. Huh?

Trump’s campaign chief once ran a major climate research center

by AlejandMasten Posted on August 26, 2016

biosphere the worst

Trump’s campaign chief once ran a major climate research center

By on Aug 26, 2016Share

This story was originally published by Mother Jones and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.

Long before Stephen Bannon was CEO of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, he held a much different job — as the acting director of Biosphere 2, a $200 million scientific research facility in the mountains outside Tucson, Arizona.

The original Biosphere project, completed in 1991 by a company called Space Biosphere Ventures and funded by a Texas billionaire named Edward Bass, was an attempt to turn science fiction into reality. Eight individuals were to live and work entirely within a series of domed and self-contained buildings, where they would grow their own food, recycle their own waste, and demonstrate that humans might be able to survive in space. But when that two-year experiment ended in disarray — it was overrun by ants and cockroaches — the company turned to a group of outsiders for help in turning it around. At the head of that effort was Bannon.

At the time he was hired by Bass to run Space Biospheres Ventures, Bannon was managing his own investment banking firm, Bannon & Co. Some Biosphere-ites were concerned about Bannon, who had previously investigated cost overruns at the site. Two former Biosphere 2 crew members flew back to Arizona to protest the hire and broke into the compound to warn current crew members that Bannon and the new management would jeopardize their safety.

Under his management, the focus of Biosphere 2 shifted from survival — the Survivor-like challenge of enduring two years inside a literal bubble — to planetary research. Specifically, as Bannon explained in a 1995 interview with C-SPAN, Biosphere 2 would be a place that focused on studying societal challenges like air pollution and climate change.

Breitbart News, the media company which Bannon ran for four years before taking a leave of absence to join Trump’s campaign, has adopted an antagonistic approach toward the topic of climate change, mocking climate science as “tosh” and “eco-propaganda” and claiming that the Earth is actually cooling. But Bannon sang a much different tune when he was interviewed by C-SPAN at Biosphere 2 in 1995.

“A lot of the scientists who are studying global change and studying the effects of greenhouse gases, many of them feel that the Earth’s atmosphere in 100 years is what Biosphere 2’s atmosphere is today,” Bannon explained. “We have extraordinarily high CO2, we have very high nitrous oxide, we have high methane. And we have lower oxygen content. So the power of this place is allowing those scientists who are really involved in the study of global change, and which, in the outside world or Biosphere 1, really have to work with just computer simulation, this actually allows them to study and monitor the impact of enhanced CO2 and other greenhouse gases on humans, plants, and animals.”

Bannon left Biosphere 2 after two years, and the project was taken over by Columbia University. (It is currently part of the University of Arizona.) But his departure was marred, as the Tucson Citizen reported at the time, by a civil lawsuit filed against Space Biosphere Ventures by the former crew members who had broken in.

During a 1996 trial, Bannon testified that he had called one of the plaintiffs a “self-centered, deluded young woman” and a “bimbo.” He also testified that when the woman submitted a five-page complaint outlining safety problems at the site, he promised to shove the complaint “down her fucking throat.” At the end of the trial, the jury found for the plaintiffs and ordered Space Biosphere Ventures to pay them $600,000 — but also ordered the plaintiffs to pay the company $40,089 for the damage they had caused.

ShareElection Guide ★ 2016Making America Green AgainOur experts weigh in on the real issues at stake in this electionGet Grist in your inbox

Read this article:

Trump’s campaign chief once ran a major climate research center

Posted in alo, Anchor, Citizen, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, organic, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Trump’s campaign chief once ran a major climate research center

Solar Powered Jacket Heats Without The Usual Bulk

by SpencerMcknight Posted on August 26, 2016

You’ve heard of solar powered homes and solar powered devices, but have you heard of a solar powered jacket? ThermalTech is changing the way we look at fabric with its new patented energy absorbing technology.

How ThermalTech got started

ThermalTech was co-founded by Carlos Cortes Manica and Fatima Rocha Arguelles with a shared goal to “impact people’s life positively through technology.” They began by making solar technology for the solar water heater industry, but they were always inventing new ways to use materials in the area of solar.

ThermalTech has a group of seven passionate engineers that is lead by one of the best scientists in Mexico. She recently won the Mexico National Science Academy award. Her PHD thesis on solar coatings along with the team’s desire to find new ways to harness energy from the sun is the foundation for ThermalTech’s innovative fabric design.

ThermalTech is currently patented in over 10 countries. The team was trying to find the best use for their technology for a few years when they were awarded first place as Best Technological Start Up at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Morocco among 1,000 contestants. Today, they’re bringing their technology to us through their ThermalTech jackets.

“We are very excited to bring this technology to market,” said Fatima Rocha, Co-funder of ThermalTech.  “Our goal is to help people stay warm in any environment without having to sacrifice fashion and comfort.”

How ThermalTech is different from traditional fabrics

Traditional coats and jackets are designed to recycle body heat and slowly warm you up. In contrast, ThermalTech fabric is designed to capture the sun’s ultraviolet rays and energy from artificial light sources to convert and store as heat. This stored heat can increase the in-clothing temperature by 18°F (10°C) in only two minutes, even when it’s cold outside.

While most heat-storing materials are heavy and bulky, ThermalTech fabric is super lightweight, so you can say goodbye to bulky jackets. Now you can have a more fashionable look, even on the coldest winter day. The paper-thin fabric is made from stainless steel mesh threads, which makes it strong and durable in addition to being lightweight – lending to a longer lifespan for the fabric. The water repellent fabric is easily embedded in any clothing style, from jackets to pants and is machine washable.

“We believe that by introducing this solar-absorbing fabric into the apparel marketplace, the next generation of outerwear will provide the consumer with even more of an optimal temperature & fit,” said Carlos Cortes, CEO of ThermalTech.  “This will allow everyone from the snowboarder to the fashionista to be warmer in colder climates.”

Solar powered jacket even works at night

You might be wondering if a solar powered jacket can work at night. Tests prove that ThermalTech fabric can reflect your own body heat in addition to capturing energy from sunlight or artificial light. This is possible due to Infrared light, which can’t be seen by the human eye. This undetectable light can be converted into heat. So when the sun goes down for the night, the ThermalTech fabric acts like a shield between your body and the environment. And, your body transforms Infrared and UV light into extra body heat.

Don’t worry – you won’t overheat

Even though the ThermalTech smart fabric stores up energy to keep you warm, you won’t overheat. The fabric maintains your body temperature once you reach the optimal level. It works under the same principle as how your body cools itself when you exercise. At a certain point, your body will begin to expel and radiate the extra energy that is being created. The same happens with ThermalTech smart fabric technology because it understands when it’s time to expel energy.

ThermalTech solar powered jackets on Indiegogo

You can now get ThermalTech fabric on Indiegogo in its very first use – jackets. ThermalTech jackets are breathable, waterproof and slim down the traditional bulky winter look. There are three different jacket styles available for both women and men that can be used for a range of outdoor activities such as shopping, running errands, walking around town, jogging, hiking, snowboarding and camping.

Street style jacket

The Street style ThermalTech jacket is fashion inspired, and is offered in three colors for men and three colors for women. It’s made with waterproof and wind breaker fabric featuring deep front pockets and one inner pocket. It works great in temperatures from 32-50° F (0-10° C). The Street jacket allows even the most discerning fashionista to keep warm without compromising their style. It’s perfect for running errands around town or a night out on the town.

Explorer style jacket

The Explorer style ThermalTech jacket is designed for casual, every day use and also comes in three colors for men and three colors for women. It’s made from waterproof and wind breaking fabric and features a waist zipper, deep exterior with strategically placed inner pockets to carry your wallet, mountain pass or cell phone. It comes with a removable hoodie and exits for your headphones. It’s perfect for staying warm in any outdoor setting or situation and is great for campers, hikers and fishing. The Explorer style jacket works great in temperatures from 30-55° F (1-10° F).

Extreme style jacket

The Extreme style ThermalTech jacket is intended for outdoor sports and you have the choice of three colors for men and three colors for women. If you’re hitting the slopes on a snowboard or skis, you will be able to say goodbye to two to three pounds of weight and bulk without sacrificing warmth as this jacket works great in temperatures ranging from -4-14° F (-10 to -20° C). It’s made with waterproof and wind breaker fabric and features a waist zipper, deep exterior pockets and strategically placed inner pockets to carry your wallet, mountain pass or cell phone. The Extreme style jacket comes with a removable hoodie and exits for your headphones.

Each style is available on Indiegogo in several popular colors and sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. The jackets also offer a one-year warranty. There are currently a limited number Early Bird specials of 50% off MSRP (on all jackets), so pop over to Indiegogo to choose the style that’s right for your lifestyle.

Do you see a solar powered jacket in your future?

About
Latest Posts

Chrystal Johnson

Chrystal, publisher of

Happy Mothering

, Founder of

Green Moms Media

and essential oil fanatic, is a mother of two sweet girls who believes in living a simple, natural lifestyle. A former corporate marketing communication manager, Chrystal spends her time researching green and eco-friendly alternatives to improve her family’s life.

Latest posts by Chrystal Johnson (see all)

Solar Powered Jacket Heats Without The Usual Bulk – August 26, 2016
5 Stores Who Kicked Plastic Bags To The Curb – August 15, 2016
Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Is Here – August 10, 2016

Connect with us:

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive updates on contests, new products, and more.

Recent Posts

Solar Powered Jacket Heats Without The Usual Bulk
The Ultimate Guide To Creating A Greener Kitchen
Why Solar Financing Truly Is An Art Form
Seeking Sustainable Living? 5 Inspiring Ideas
Deconstructing Construction Waste
4 Creative Eco-friendly Transportation Options
Light Bulb Moment? Researchers See Bright Idea
How To Create Your Own DIY Duvet Cover
Why Compartmentalizing Your Garden Works
5 Stores Who Kicked Plastic Bags To The Curb
This Is One Sweet DIY Kombucha Recipe
College Road Tour Teaches Sustainable Living 101

Read

Connect With Us

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Pinterest
Google Plus

Advertise With Us

Copyright ©. 2016 Earth911. All Rights Reserved.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive updates on contests, new products, and more.

earth911

Excerpt from:  

Solar Powered Jacket Heats Without The Usual Bulk

Posted in A Greener Kitchen, alo, eco-friendly, Everyone, FF, GE, LG, ONA, PUR, solar, solar power, Ultima, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Solar Powered Jacket Heats Without The Usual Bulk

Cool off with your very own portable A/C unit, you jerk

by MariMcKelvy Posted on August 25, 2016

Rude

Cool off with your very own portable A/C unit, you jerk

By on Aug 25, 2016Share

There’s a new product coming out that promises to make summers cooler for the user — and warmer for everyone else. Meet the Zero Breeze, “the World’s First Portable, Smart, Multifunctional Air Conditioner,” according to its makers.

The Zero Breeze is a battery-powered A/C unit about the size of a boombox, as Gizmodo reports, which makes it perfect to take on the go. Park too hot? Subway make you sweat? Whip out the Zero Breeze and turn any space into your personal meat locker. “Never before have you been able to take an air conditioner wherever you go,” says the aspirational Kickstarter video.

The Kickstarter fails to mention, however, that air conditioning devices — even small, battery-powered units — increase greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate climate change. Already, air conditioners across the country release 100 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, including both the emissions of the units’ coolants and their power sources. While Zero Breeze uses a more efficient coolant than traditional A/C, it’s still far more emissions-intensive than, say, a fan.

As Stan Cox, author of Losing Our Cool — a comprehensive history of air conditioning — told us: “This is another example of how we are much better at devising technologies to consume energy than we are at coming up with technologies to conserve energy.” Plus, he asks, why bother going outdoors if you’re just going to bring the indoors with you?

Election Guide ★ 2016Making America Green AgainOur experts weigh in on the real issues at stake in this electionGet Grist in your inbox

View this article:

Cool off with your very own portable A/C unit, you jerk

Posted in alo, Anchor, Bragg, Everyone, FF, G & F, GE, LG, ONA, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Cool off with your very own portable A/C unit, you jerk

Soda tax might be working better than expected

by EarnestineGable Posted on August 23, 2016

coke zero, berkeley 1

Soda tax might be working better than expected

By on Aug 23, 2016Share

Can soda taxes actually get people to cut back on an unhealthy habit, or do they just keep on drinking while handing money over to the government? The answer matters to the handful of cities that have or are considering a soda tax. A new study on Berkeley’s tax on sugary beverages is good news for supporters of the strategy: Researchers found a 21 percent decline in soda drinking in low-income neighborhoods.

That’s huge. A similar tax in Mexico led to a 12 percent decline, and another in France reduced consumption by 7 percent.

Why is Berkeley’s soda tax, which started in March 2015, so different? Residents could be more sensitive to price increases, or influenced by the anti-soda campaign. As this was based on pre- and post-tax interviews, it’s also possible that people fudged their answers to sound healthier. Anyone who has ever been to the dentist knows the powerful urge to lie about flossing habits.

But the researchers also interviewed people in the nearby cities of Oakland and San Fransisco and those residents said they were drinking more soda. The Berkeley residents also reported drinking more water, suggesting a healthy substitution of beverages.

Sugary beverages (SSBs) and water consumption in Berkeley and comparison cities (Oakland and San Francisco).

It would be great if someone could back this survey with hard data showing a decline in sales. Still, this is the best evidence yet on soda tax efficacy in a U.S. city.

Election Guide ★ 2016Making America Green AgainOur experts weigh in on the real issues at stake in this electionGet Grist in your inbox

Visit site: 

Soda tax might be working better than expected

Posted in alo, Anchor, Everyone, FF, GE, LG, ONA, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Soda tax might be working better than expected