Renewable energy is the kind of energy that comes from natural resources like geothermal heat, tides, rain, river, wind and sunlight. As the term implies, it is renewable which means that it can be replenished naturally.

Oil is a very expensive material that is used to fuel the economies of [...]]]> Guest post by Ryan Shipley

Renewable energy is the kind of energy that comes from natural resources like geothermal heat, tides, rain, river, wind and sunlight. As the term implies, it is renewable which means that it can be replenished naturally.

Oil is a very expensive material that is used to fuel the economies of most countries. Almost all industries today run on energy that uses oil. Most people use non-renewable energy but there has been a paradigm shift nowadays because more and more people are now beginning to consider the contribution that renewable energy brings. The following are five top tips on how to embrace renewable energy:

Tip #1: Use of Solar Panels

Everyone needs some form of electricity to become functional. Imagine a place basked in darkness. Think of what will happen to the inhabitants of that place. They would only be functional during the day under light from the sun. When darkness falls, these people will have limited activities. Think of the children studying under oil lamps. Then think of the difference that solar panels will bring – electricity, which is the foundation of productivity in today’s world.

Tip #2: The Power of Windmills

Again, one can not contest the help that electricity brings. It not only provides light where tasks can be done even at night, but it is also a means to run factories, offices and households. The wind is a great source of energy. The use of windmills to convert energy into electricity helps in lighting towns and gives people hope – allowing children to study with adequate lighting, resulting in educated people and a better future.

Tip #3: Consider Biomass

Who would have thought that biodegradable waste which is commonly used as fertilizers can also be used to generate electricity? All you have to do is collect these materials, place them in storage and convert them to usable energy, this way the environment is cleaner and you have a vast source of energy that can power a small plant or even a town.

Tip #4: Use of Tides

Those who are living in coastal towns can tap into this promising source of energy to run heavy machines instead of burning coal to do the job. This reduces the greenhouse effect and people can still breathe cleaner and fresher air. Tidal energy is considered one of the long-term energy sources in the world.

Tip #5: Use of Heat Pumps

Another way of heating your home is through the use of heat pumps. These complex systems take a fluid known as a refrigerant (which has a low boiling point) deep into the ground to be heated. The vapour is brought back up to the surface and the warmth can be used to heat water for washing or cooking, or used in radiators to keep the house warm.

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Ryan Shipley believes in the importance of renewable energy including the use of sma inverters to remove the dependence on non-renewable sources that pollute the environment. He currently works fo solar panel supplier All Eco Energy

While no one is quite ready to say that gas boilers are history and renewable sources should be the only source of heat for your home, perhaps two products from Baxi boilers or Potterton boilers can be used in conjunction to provide [...]]]> Guest post by Jag Ture 

While no one is quite ready to say that gas boilers are history and renewable sources should be the only source of heat for your home, perhaps two products from Baxi boilers or Potterton boilers can be used in conjunction to provide the best result.  There are various solutions using renewable energy that are ready to be deployed in your home to reduce your carbon footprint and in the long run save money.

At Ecobuild 2012, Baxi Boilers focus was still on showcasing their range of combi boilers which focus on efficiency to provide the ideal solution for home heating.  However they also debuted a number of solar powered products with the idea being that when used in conjunction with the main boiler, a household could save more than 50% of its energy costs.  Solar panels do not consume any fuel to operate, taking their energy from the sun, however in the UK we are not always guaranteed enough light to fuel our homes by solar power alone.  Another similar solution is a ground sourced heat pump which takes energy from deep in the ground to be used as heat in the home.  The performance of a heat pump is also not quite enough to support a home on its own, however it can be used in conjunction with a gas boiler to reduce gas consumption.

A solution which could entirely replace the gas boiler with a more renewable source is the Biomass boiler, which uses agricultural and industrial waste and residues to produce heat.  The energy sources burned are part of the natural carbon cycle, and while there are still pollutants that arise from its use, it is still friendlier to the environment than fossil fuels.

Energy firm Anesco is planning to use the government’s renewable heat initiative to encourage businesses to take up the use of biomass heaters on a wide scale.  The plan is to provide the installations free of charge to participating businesses and then recoup the money from the government, rather than the businesses seeking the grants themselves.  Anesco is targeting small to medium sized businesses which have a lot of heating costs from their business, for instance schools or hospitals.

Biomass boilers have a high one off cost, often take up a lot of space and require a supply of timber, which currently make them less practical for average homes than they are for businesses.  However there are plenty of options to make your home more environmentally friendly without replacing your existing boiler, so there is no excuse to not make a positive step towards lowering your carbon footprint and saving yourself money in the long run.

Jag is a member of the digital marketing team at London based PPC Agency Cayenne Red. She regularly writes about lifestyle, home improvement and fashion.

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Infographic Courtesy: Spheral Solar Solar Cells

Believe it or not, electric and hybrid vehicles are popping up left and right- and consumers are loving them. If you can get style, affordability, and spend less money on gas, why not? And guess what else- they help to save the environment. We’re sold!

You don’t need a car owners [...]]]> Guest Post by Kristy Kravitsky

Believe it or not, electric and hybrid vehicles are popping up left and right- and consumers are loving them. If you can get style, affordability, and spend less money on gas, why not? And guess what else- they help to save the environment. We’re sold!

You don’t need a car owners manual to realize that times are changing; people are becoming more aware of how their actions affect the Earth and they’re learning how to modify them. Electric and hybrid vehicles are more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, provide various performance benefits, and reduce overall energy dependence. Plus, they’re not too hard on the eyes either. Time to sell your absurdly large Hummer; environmental ignorance is such a bad look for you anyway. Let’s take a look at 7 top electric and hybrid vehicles.

1. Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid: Topping off our list is the VW Jetta, which is bound to be one of America’s best selling hybrids- not only because of its sleek and sporty body, but because of its fuel-efficient engine. Based on VW’s extremely popular (and affordable) Jetta, this little beauty was given a modern update and is already sparking rumors about bumping the Toyota Prius out of its top hybrid spot. Das Auto!
2. Ford Fusion Energi Plugin Hybrid: Named the “World’s Most Efficient Sedan,” this hybrid lives up to it. This vehicle is capable of achieving up to 100 mpg. Slowly close your mouth, it’s true. Also available is a nifty system that parallel parks the car automatically.
3. Volkswagen Electric E-Bugster: One of the most anticipated reveals at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, this little buggy did not disappoint. The sporty electric vehicle boasts 114-horsepower and a 695-pound lithium-ion battery, with a number of ways to charge it; one of which can juice up the battery in thirty minutes. If this little guy makes it to the market, it will sport VW’s signature LED headlights and 20-inch wheels.
4. Toyota Rav4 EV: The Rav4 will be one of two electric vehicles Toyota plans to release in 2012, as well as the only SUV available in the United States. It has a driving range of 120 miles and can be fully recharged in about five to seven hours.
5. BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and ActiveHybrid 5: Much to the delight of their drivers, the extremely popular 3 and 5-series have been remade into hybrid sedans. The ActiveHybrid 3 boasts a 6-cylinder twin-turbo 3.0-liter engine, which produces 306 hp and gets 36 mpg.
6. Honda Fit EV: This sporty subcompact is getting an electric upgrade from Honda. Drivers can expect 123 miles of drive-time and a time-frame of about three hours to fully recharge using a 240-volt circuit.
7. Chevrolet Volt: The Volt not only has a 500 mpg fill-up range and 40 miles of electric range, but it looks sexy as well. With its high-tech interior - including a 7-inch navigation screen, dazzling instrument cluster, and comfortable bucket seats - the consumer surely won’t feel shortchanged when buying this electric car, or the car owners manual that comes with it.

Kristy Kravitsky is a Pennsylvania State alum with ambitions to write and travel

An increasing number of people now choose to plan their gardens in such a way that they attract birds and other wildlife. If you plan to make your garden a sanctuary for local wildlife, the first thing that you need to do is to check the acidity [...]]]> Guest post by James Harper

An increasing number of people now choose to plan their gardens in such a way that they attract birds and other wildlife. If you plan to make your garden a sanctuary for local wildlife, the first thing that you need to do is to check the acidity levels in the soil to determine what you can plant. You will also need to map out your garden in zones to provide the kind of atmosphere that attracts local wildlife.

Getting Started

Start by clearing the garden and then mapping it out into specific areas. If you want to attract wildlife you will need to include room for water, both close to the ground and perhaps higher up in the trees and on a bird table. Add some hanging bird feeders as these do tend to attract birds. You should include areas for fruit and vegetables as well as flowers and shrubs in your garden. Some species do better in one type of soil than in another. You need to take samples from around the garden as soil properties and levels of acidity may vary from one area of the garden to another. Take the time to establish where the sun and shade falls naturally in your garden as this will determine what you can successfully grow in those areas – tomatoes for instance need an area where there is plenty of light and warmth. Once you have mapped out the various areas it’s time to think about which plants and shrubs are likely to thrive in your area.

See What’s Growing Locally

Take a look around local parks and woodlands as this should give you an idea of the type of plants that are natural to your area. Daffodils and bluebells tend to grow virtually anywhere and the bright colours are attractive to wildlife. You should try to grow some fruit; strawberries and perhaps an apple or pear tree tend to do well in most areas where you get a good mix of sun and shade. If you plan on having a lawn area, make sure that the turf is laid before you start adding plants and shrubs.

Organic is Best

If you want a garden that attracts wildlife on a continuing basis then natural growing methods are best. Chemical products and sprays not only detract from the natural smells that attract wildlife to your garden, they can be positively harmful. Get some books from your local library as these will give you an idea of what methods you can use to encourage plants and shrubs to flourish in the soil of your garden. Many plants and shrubs do well with regular pruning and watering but otherwise little else. Don’t use chemical fertilisers to encourage plant growth as these can be harmful to the insects that you actually need in your garden. Bees are essential pollinators and if you want your garden to thrive, you need to make it safe for these insects. If you are concerned that your garden needs treating to rid it of some natural pests, it’s best to do this before you start laying out your space.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Boughton Loam and Turf Management. Photos: comedy nose, gardener41

Dear EarthTalk: Are all the commercial messages kids are bombarded with today having any noticeable negative effects? And if so what can a concerned parent like me do to limit [...]]]> EarthTalk® is a weekly environmental column made available to our readers from the editors of E/The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: Are all the commercial messages kids are bombarded with today having any noticeable negative effects? And if so what can a concerned parent like me do to limit my own kids’ exposure to so much advertising and marketing? - Jason Baldino, Somerset, NJ

No doubt, marketers are hard at work targeting our children with their messages and creating young demand for their products. Companies in the U.S. today spend some $17 billion yearly advertising to children, a 150-fold increase from just a few decades ago. Some cash-strapped school districts have even started selling ads on and sometimes in their school buses as a way to bolster sagging education budgets. To be an American kid today is to be bombarded with marketing messages and sales pitches. It’s no wonder that, given the amount of advertising and marketing they endure, young people in our society are experiencing record levels of obesity and problems with credit card debt.

According to the non-profit Center for a New American Dream (CNAD), a leading proponent for more ecologically sustainable and community-oriented lifestyles in the United States, this incessant marketing is turning our children “into little consumers, alienating them from nature, getting them used to unhealthy diets filled with junk foods, and making them want ever more stuff.” The group points to several disturbing studies, such as one that showed how U.S. children could recognize more Pokemon characters than common wildlife species, while another found that the average American kid is exposed to more than 25,000 television ads spanning some 10,700 minutes over the course of just one year.

The result of all this aggressive marketing to kids is not just excessive materialism and obesity, but also a host of other problems including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, eating disorders, increased violence, and family stress. “Economically, societally and ecologically,” CNAD reports, “this is unsustainable and not the best path for children.”

Against this backdrop of media and marketing saturation, what can be done to help steer our kids in a more healthy direction? Given that shielding American kids from these messages would be nearly impossible, the next best thing is teaching them how to parse through the different come-ons and solicitations they are exposed to these days at nearly every turn. CNAD’s free, downloadable 32-page booklet “Tips for Parenting in a Commercial Culture” offers loads of useful information on how to limit kids’ exposure to commercial influences that come via the television, computer or mail slot, and replacing those lost hours with new opportunities for more beneficial activities. Examples abound: playing board or card games, going on a walk or hike, riding bikes, and much more. The booklet also elaborates on how to limit or rid commercial influences in schools and other places where kids spend time away from home.

Another great resource for parents and teachers looking to reduce commercial influences on kids is the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, a coalition of more than two dozen other groups started by consumer advocate and author Susan Linn. The coalition advocates for the adoption of government policies that limit corporate marketers’ access to kids and works to mobilize parents, educators and health care providers to stop the commercial exploitation of children. Teachers love the coalition’s free downloadable Guide to Commercial-Free Book Fairs while concerned parents can download the Guide to Commercial-Free Holidays in order to help themselves and their kids resist the hype.

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EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine

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