Let There Be Light

Last week, in my blog, “Energy Saving Tips for Spring and Summer”, I encouraged the use of CFL (compact fluorescent lights) as a way to conserve energy. The benefits using CFL’s are obvious both economically and ecologically. A single Compact fluorescent bulb, which sales for about $2 dollars at stores like Ikea and Wal-Mart can burn for up to three years, or about 13 times longer then an incandescent light bulb. CFL’s also use 80% less energy then traditional light bulbs. The problem with this seemingly perfect product is that CFL’s contain a very small amount of mercury, which can cause a slew of environmental and problems if not disposed of properly. By 2010 America could be looking at 100 million improperly disposed of CFL’s, which would pose a toxic burden on landfills.

So how do you balance the benefits of CFL’s with the potential consequences? Recycle. Recycle. Recycle.

With that said the task, of properly disposing of CFL’s is easier said then done.

Right now Ikea is the only major retailer that offers a free CFL take back program. Wal-Mart, another major CFL distributor does not.

Recycling Options for CFLs

• The best place to start is probably the company that picks up your trash and recycling. Ask them if they have any options for recycling CFL’s. If they don’t, request that they start. You can also call your city or county sanitation department and ask them about disposal options for mercury or fluorescent tubes.
  


• If your local waste management offers no options, check out Earth 911(www.earth911.org), North America’s largest clearinghouse of recycling information. The site is super user-friendly, and has up-to-date information.
  


• If you’ve explored the first two options, and you still can’t find a means to recycle your CFL’s, there are some commercial services that will dispose of your bulbs for a fee. Lightbulbrecycling.com will dispose of 30 bulbs for $120 dollars. While the service isn’t cheap, you’ll still end up ahead, due to the fact that CFL’s burn for years longer then incandescent bulbs.
  

The Future of CFLs

Only about six percent of Americans are using CFL’s right now, but that number is expected to grow over time. As CFL use continues to grow it is imperative that consumers are aware of recycling options.

For detailed info on CFL’s and recycling check out Chris Baskind’s blog at
http://lighterfootstep.com/5-ways-to-recycle-a-cfl.html

For CFL recycling info in your area check out
www.earth911.org

For more information on CFL’s and CFL products check out
http://www.nvisioncfl.com/life.aspx

Design Public: Where Beauty and Sustainability Meet

Chic urban pieces and designs that inspire abound at Design Public. This is not your mother’s furniture store, but she’d surely approve of the eco-friendly bedding they sell, like this Amenity Willow Organic duvet cover.





The California-based online merchandiser brings together the latest creations of cutting-edge purveyors at reasonable prices. They even devote a whole section of their website to sustainable products! The ‘Spring Chair’ and ‘Becca’ stool created by Modern Bamboo founder, Anthony Marschak, are among Design Public’s top selling items, and it’s easy to see why. Marschak evokes the era of the 1960’s with sleek curves that beg you to sit on them. In addition, the flexibility of bamboo and the rapid rate at which the plant grows, make it a sustainable alternative to wood. Function, value and beauty are at the core of what Design Public considers “good design”. This philosophy translates into well-manufactured merchandize, made with minimal waste and maximum value.






Check out Design Public at http://www.dedignpublic.com
Check out Anthony Marschak at http://www.modernbamboo.com

Energy Saving Tips for Spring and Summer

When the temperature drops, and your utility costs climb like the dial of your thermostat, you probably look for ways to cut back on your energy bill. But the colder months shouldn’t be the only time that you make an effort to cut back on electricity consumption. Follow these easy tips to save money and help the environment, all year round.

1. Turn off lights that you aren’t using. Your grandma probably told you this one a million times, mine certainly did. And while hitting the switches on a light you aren’t using is a no-brainer, most of us are guilty of leaving the lights on in rooms that we aren’t occupying. Religiously remembering to turn off every light, every time can add up to big savings.
2. Switch to energy saving light bulbs. They may be a little more expensive then traditional light bulbs, but the money that you’ll save on your electric bill will more then make-up for the price difference. A compact fluorescent—or CF— bulb provides the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb, but uses only 25% of the energy. Look for products with the energy star logo. They are the most efficient and have been rigorously tested.
3. Unplug electronics, cell phone chargers, and anything else you aren’t using. Lots of appliances suck up energy, even when they are turned off. TV’s, computers and DVD players are among the biggest culprits. In the average home, 25% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Solve the problem by pulling the plug.
   
4. For older appliances, use a power cord to reduce the energy consumption of the appliance's electric motor. In addition, turning off your TV or stereo, via the switch of a power cord, rather then manually or by remote control, saves electricity on newer and older appliances.
   
5. Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. About 90% of the energy used in powering a washing machine goes to heating the water. While you’re at it, clean the lent from your dryer. This will cut the time it takes to dry your clothes, and thwart a potential fire hazard.
   
   

Green Luxury Homes Scorched in a Blaze, ‘Signs’ Point to Eco-Terrorist Group

A row of luxury homes, that won awards for their environmentally minded construction, were the target of arson on March 3. Three "Street of Dreams" models homes were completely destroyed by the blaze, and two more sustained major smoke damage. The total damage is estimated to be about 7 million dollars. A scraggly sign bearing the initials ELF— the acronym for Earth Liberation Front, a radical environmentalist group—and the words "Built Green? Nope black!" and "McMansions in RCDs r not green", point to the possible source of the blaze.

The FBI is viewing the attack as a potential act of domestic terrorism.

Built Green?

At first glance the "Street of Dreams" housing projects looked like a well-to-do environmentalist dream come true. Spacious luxury homes that utilize recycled materials and the latest trends in design. Ads for the houses focused on the ‘Built Green’ aspects of the developments. Last summer, tens of thousands of visitors flocked to the Seattle suburb of Woodinville, Washington to take a guided tour of the seven-figure homes.

But opponents including locals and environmentalists weren’t so enthusiastic. The construction threatened to pollute nearby wetlands needed to support an aquifer that provides water to 20,000 nearby residents. The wetlands are also home to an endangered species of Chinook salmon.

What’s Next?

If the signs are authentic, and Earth Liberation Front, is in fact to blame, then this wouldn’t be the first time the group is suspected of using arson as a tactic. On the same morning that the fires blazed through the ‘Street of Dreams’, a federal jury in Tacoma deliberated in the case of Brianna Waters, an Oakland, California women who is accused of helping set fire to the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture. According to prosecutors, ELF attacked the center, because they mistakenly believed that it was genetically engineering poplar trees.

The Woodinville fire has green developers across the country worried. Residents share similar concerns. “They’re not helping their cause’, says Kim Quenzner, a neighbor to the torched homes.

San Francisco's tidal power future.

The SF Chronicle just ran an article about the city's review of using under water turbines in the bay to generate electricity. I personally enjoy the mayor's stance in that it's the best thing for the city. He's not looking at it from a cash stand point, but rather in just what's best. The debate is long from over, so get educated now!

See the SF Chronicle Article for more information.

Here are some more links so that you can get some more information.

1. http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/hydro/tidal-power/
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_power
3. http://verdantpower.com/

Kyoto and You!

If your a citizen of Kazakhstan or the U.S. Don't bother reading this because it does not pertain to you, or does it? The links below express different opinions and I do believe in hearing all opinions out.


The document is complicated and there are various opinions around. For more readinging...

• http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/kpeng.html
  
• http://mindprod.com/environment/kyoto.html
• http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/03/20010314.html
• http://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/foia_kyoto.html

Some Videos from You Tube

Glen Beck


Current (Ok, this has nothing to do with anything, just a video search on current.com brought this up )