Many parts of the country absorbed plenty of rain this summer, which can present a series of problems for homeowners – unless they really like seeing their trees, shrubs, plants and, especially, their lawns thrive under such conditions.

It means there was a lot of lawn mowing going on in certain parts of the country. And more of that mowing these days is being done with “greener” mowers.

It is true that the mowing season will be coming to a close in those places in which winter will soon cast its long, cold shadow. Yet, this is generally a good time to buy a mower for next year in season-ending sales.

Many who have contemplated a new mower, either prior to summer, or now as the season winds down, are taking a closer look at those “greener” mowers – those that cut fuel costs and air pollution while you cut your lawn.

Many mowers are being manufactured with strict exhaust emissions standards in mind, such as those in California. Regardless of state standards, it is good practice to consider mowers that are kinder to your pocketbook and the air you breath.

While the green trend has recently picked up in lawn care and maintenance, electric mowers have been around for years. However, improvements are being seen in cordless, electric mowers that make them more practical and appealing. Most rechargeable cordless mowers are now designed to have enough electric charge in them to cut a typical one-third acre lot – as long as the grass is not too long, and is cut on a weekly basis.

A commitment to conservation has to be made to use electric mowers, because they tend to be heavier than gasoline models and generally are not self-propelled – another reason you wouldn’t want your grass to get too long between mowings if using a cordless electric unit.

Older model gasoline mowers produce huge amounts of air pollution, in addition to being noisy in the neighborhood. Plus, you have to deal with disposing of old oil each year. Newer over-head valve engines cut down on some of that pollution, but they are still not as desirable as the zero pollution coming from electric mowers.

When comparing costs, one has to take into account that a 24-volt battery model handles most normal grass-cutting jobs. Those chargers consume between 45 to 90 watts of electricity during a full-charge overnight. At an electric rate of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, it costs only about five to 10 cents for each cutting.

Considering the cost of oil, gasoline, spark plugs and filters for use of a mower during a summer season, the five cents per mowing is a mere fraction of the cost.

Prior to the economic downturn, wind turbines were in high demand, but in the past 18 months wind energy has lost some momentum despite the nation’s continued push for “green” energy sources.

In late July, the American Wind Energy Association reported that only 700 megawatts of wind power was installed in the United States in the first half of 2010. That’s 71 percent fewer wind towers than in the first half of 2009 and 57 percent fewer than in the first half of 2008. New installations for full-year 2010 will likely be 25 to 45 percent below last year, the group estimates.

Construction on a number of wind-power projects will at least be started this year to take advantage of the federal convertible tax credit that is due to expire. Currently there are about 5,500 megawatts in the pipeline. Next year, however, AWEA predicts a dramatic decline “as there is no demand beyond the present coasting momentum” without new federal government policy to promote wind farm demand.

“Strong federal policy supporting the U.S. wind energy industry has never been more important,” says Denise Bode, AWEA’s chief executive officer. “We have a historic opportunity to build a major new manufacturing industry. Without strong supportive policy, like a national renewable electricity standard to spur demand, investment and jobs, manufacturing facilities will go idle.”

Federal stimulus money from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act has helped to bring some wind power projects already in the pipeline to the finish line, adds Bode. “However, power purchase agreements—the locomotive that drives the project pipeline—are difficult to obtain today given the drop in overall electricity demand, lower natural gas prices and the absence of a clear national renewable energy policy.”

AWEA says a renewable electricity standard would prompt utilities to buy wind power and stimulate demand again. As proposed in the American Clean Energy and Leadership Act of 2009, which got the nod of the Senate Energy and National Resources Committee last summer, a national renewable electricity standard would require that 15 percent of the United States’ energy be produced from renewable sources, such as wind, solar and biomass, by 2020. However, the scaled down energy bill recently introduced by Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) did not include a renewable electricity standard, but rather focused on the cleanup of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and measures for improving U.S. energy efficiency.

It is possibly the easiest item to just mindlessly toss into the garbage can because as you are discarding them your mind is usually focused on the task of replacing them at nearly the same moment.

But they are just as easy to recycle, thus cutting down on the chance of polluting lakes and streams, and exposing the environment and water to lead and acid.

Household batteries contain all sorts of heavy metals – cadmium, lead mercury and nickel – which are a detriment to the environment when they turn up in landfills.

It has been estimated that more than 2 billion batteries end up in landfills every year in the United States. When you consider that Americans buy billions of dry-cell batteries every year to power radios, toys, cell phones, watches, laptop computers, and portable power tools, it is apparent we are nearly overrun by batteries.

In addition to keeping harmful elements out of the land and air by recycling batteries, it can also result in saving resources by recovering the plastics and metals that can be used to make new batteries.

Alkaline batteries, the everyday household batteries used in flashlights, remote controls, and other appliances are prime candidates for consistent recycling efforts, as many cities and counties have recycling programs and several reclamation companies now process these batteries.

It is most tempting to just pitch those small, round “button-cell” type batteries found in items such as watches and hearing aids – but they contain mercury, silver, cadmium, lithium, or other heavy metals as their main component. Button cells are increasingly targeted for recycling because of the value of recoverable materials, their small size, and their easy handling relative to other battery types.

Many states have battery-recycling laws in place, but a habit of recycling your household batteries can aid the environment, regardless of any mandated regulations. In other words, you don’t need the government to explain how easy it is to recycle batteries.

Check to see if your city or county has drop-off locations for old batteries. Many cities allow battery recycling by simply placing the old batteries in bags and putting the bag on the ground near your regular recycling bin.

In many states, the larger lead-acid batteries from autos, boats, and sump pumps can be taken to any store that sells these batteries. The stores will take these batteries for free or a small processing charge. Then the batteries are totally recycled, including lead plates, battery acid, and the plastic cases.

As the conservation and “green” movement looks for more followers and more momentum, much attention has been directed to the global phenomenon of the multi-billion dollar fast-food industry.

Some fast-food chains are making great strides toward being “green” in all of the key facets of such an operation – obtaining local and reliable sources for its food; using recycled packaging materials; and constructing buildings with green initiatives in mind such as LED lighting, clearly marked recycling bins, and landscaping that can sustain itself without much water.

But conservation organizations and supporters feel there is much to be done in the future.

Obviously, you look to the top to see how such environmental concerns are unfolding with the most powerful fast-food chain. Experts agree that McDonald’s could undeniably change the face of supply chain sustainability with “green overtones” to every facet of its business. After all, the company operates 31,000 stores with yearly sales of over $23 billion, and McDonald’s executives have been in the news in attempting to improve their environmental scorecard by working more closely with suppliers who themselves have environment-friendly business models. At the same time, they are trying to phase out suppliers who are harmful to the environment. To that end, it was reported earlier this year that the company supports a moratorium on soya suppliers to prevent harmful environmental practices in the Amazon.

McDonald’s introduction of its first “green” restaurant in Chicago is a signal of the potential future of the franchise. In addition, it has introduced free EV charging stations for customers in a North Carolina restaurant, with the only potential problem being that it generally takes longer to charge an electric vehicle than the average amount of time a customer spends in a McDonald’s.

McDonald’s restaurants in South America are already delivering used oil to be converted into biodiesel fuel.

But “green” watchdog groups are encouraging the company and others like it to work on improving its packaging materials, and also incorporate more green design into the restaurant buildings.

The McDonald’s “green” restaurant in Chicago is estimated to use 25 percent less energy than a traditional McDonald’s by featuring a green roof, a storm water retention system and energy-saving kitchen and network equipment. It also features the use of recycled milk containers to be used in making the tabletops, and a partition built out of Coca-Cola bottles.

Researchers are determining if waste from fast-food chains can somehow be converted to energy sources or compost for farmers.

Imagination seems to be the only boundary for fast-food chains in trying certain measures, as over the long haul it would definitely be a money-saving initiative to convert to more green restaurants.

While the “greening” of our lifestyles is becoming more apparent, and our awareness of conserving natural resources is reaching new levels, it is still unusual to find a store that practices all that is being preached.

It is hard to predict if these types of stores will multiply and prosper in the future. That all depends on how consumers worldwide view stores with a mission to draw environmentally conscious patrons, or to educate those who want to learn more.

One such example exists in the small community of Geneva, Ill., where a shop called Peaceful Parlour recently opened its doors. “Many things in the store are made from things we saved from going into the landfill,” store owner Shari Ralish explains.

That would include hammocks made from hemp or recycled plastic bottles; door mats created from wasted fishermen’s ropes; and organic, cotton shopping bags that are alternatives to plastic bags.
The “green” toys in the shop are made from recycled plastic milk jugs and have no small parts that could be dangerous to children. “The toys in here are ‘Alexander approved,’” Ralish said, referring to testing the products on her son Alexander first. Recycled cardboard furniture and botanical paints also are available for children.Feeding spoons and baby bowls are made from bamboo, Ralish said, emphasizing that many items in her store are “natural earth products that have no toxins.”

Ralish said she “avoids plastics in any we can” when choosing products to sell.

Rainwater diversion kits for creating rain benches or rain barrels are also on display, along with various plant-based cream moisturizers, oils and mists that are targeted for different sensations, from calming to energizing fragrances.

Household items and some furniture pieces are made from re-used fabrics, assuring that original items are getting second or third uses. “We are hoping as more people learn about us, they will stop in for a visit,” Ralish said.

www.peacefulparlour.com

The Essential Element has developed a revolutionary next-generation mobile power plant and water purification solution that brings hope to over a billion people in the world who do not have access to clean drinking water. According to the World Health Organization, over 5,000 people die each day because the energy necessary to purify water is not available in impoverished regions or disaster areas. The company claims to have solved this problem with their HYDRA, an on-site self-fueled, self-powered system to pump, purify and store potable water and excess power.

The HYDRA is a fuel cell-based device that can turn scum into over 20,000 gallons of pure water a day, store electricity better than a battery, make medical-grade oxygen and run on the sun. “What we’re doing is using the sun to break water into hydrogen and oxygen, saving the oxygen for medical uses and using the hydrogen to power the fuel cell, which provides the energy to run the water purification system,” said Brad Carlson, COO of The Essential Element. “So it’s fully self-contained, needs no outside sources of power, and can be delivered to any point on the globe.”

The HYDRA produces far more power than the water purification equipment needs, which can then be used to power schools, clinics, tools, lights, emergency or community communication systems and other devices, say is inventors.

Mobile water purification systems have been employed for many years with limited results. Several major problems have limited the widespread adoption of the systems. High-cost/low-efficiency solar panels are heavy and expensive. They utilize difficult-to-dispose-of batteries with limited life and power storage and produce ineffective or marginal water purification. Use of gasoline or diesel fuel generators runs the risk of spills. Fossil fuel contaminates water and soil whenever it comes into contact with them—just one quart of oil can pollute 150,000 gallons of water—not to mention the toxic fumes emitted when fossil fuels are burned or the costs and difficulties of transporting those fuels over flooded or damaged roads.

Use of the HYDRA, which costs about $100,000, can provide pathogen-free clean water and power to people wherever and whenever it is needed, raising the standard of living for impoverished people all over the world, says Carlson.

In many parts of the country, using an outdoor deck can be a year-round pleasure. In other parts, it is a nice haven for about half of the year, or however many warm months occur. In either scenario, decks continue to be an excellent gathering place or a setting for an individual’s peace and quiet. Decks remain a popular part of the American home landscape as part of a new home or an addition to an existing home. Yet most of the people who have them built probably never even consider their environmental and energy-saving benefits.

Why are decks energy efficient? If you own a deck, you spend less time indoors. That means you should be using less power inside for air-conditioning, lights and electronic gadgets. Those who make a point to spend plenty of time outdoors on their deck should see a lower utility bill.
A roof or pergola over your deck, or a tall side wall near the deck, can block the sun from your home and provide extra shading. This is most noticeable if these structures, or a strategic set of bushes or trees, can shade the large glass door that usually is an entryway onto a deck.

Saving energy is one aspect. Being environmentally friendly is another. It has been reported that a company called Trex has developed a new decking material called Transcend, which is made from 95 percent recycled materials, mostly recycled plastic bags and sawdust.

Transcend also has a thin polymer top cap, which makes it easier to clean and eliminates the need for some of the harsher cleaning chemicals that are common for decks. Alternative decking materials are becoming more readily available and should be considered when contemplating a deck project. While some of these materials may cost more than wood, the trade-off is the longevity of the product and its lower maintenance needs.

Water scarcity, population and economic growth, pollution and urbanization are all placing increased pressure on freshwater resources around the world. The gap between the supply of freshwater and demand for water for industrial, agricultural and domestic use is growing at a rapid pace. At the same time, the cost of desalination has come down steadily, and it is becoming a more affordable means of meeting the world’s growing freshwater needs. According to a new report from Pike Research, all of these factors will contribute to strong growth in the desalination technology market over the next several years. The market intelligence firm forecasts that global desalination investment will double from $8.3 billion in 2010 to $16.6 billion per year by 2016, representing cumulative spending of $87.8 billion during that period.

“The desalination plant supplier market is highly fragmented, despite a great deal of mergers and acquisitions activity during the last decade,” says managing director Clint Wheelock. “The top five suppliers captured only 25 percent of the market from 2007 to 2009. And as reverse osmosis is increasingly adopted as the major desalination technology, the barriers to entry are being lowered.”
In contrast, however, Wheelock notes that the market for key desalination components is far more concentrated. For example, more than 65 percent of the market for reverse osmosis membranes is controlled by three large players. The markets for high-pressure pumps and energy recovery devices are also quite concentrated. Pike Research’s analysis indicates that these competitive dynamics will be critically important as the stakes continue to increase in the rapidly growing global desalination market.

Pike Research anticipates that the Middle East/North Africa region will continue to be the global hub of desalination plant construction, but there will be significant growth opportunities in other parts of the world as well. The firm forecasts that, in 2016, the top five markets in terms of installed capacity will be Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, China, and Israel. Worldwide desalination capacity will reach 126 million cubic meters per day by 2016, up from 76 million in 2010.

Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com

Our philosophy is simple, really. People should use only what they need. With a few easy lifestyle changes, anyone can help save the environment, and save money on their utility bills at the same time.

Pleaseconserve.com is in no way politically affiliated. We believe that conservation is a choice best handled by individuals and businesses that can move far faster and more effectively than any politician or mandate. With the information we provide, we want to help create a society that is resource independent and not driven by thoughtless consumption.

Please peruse our pages for information on how to protect and conserve water, oil, wood, soil, and electricity.

There are moments when you want your breath taken away. Other times, for instance when you are sleeping, maybe not so much. Unfortunately, for 12 million Americans suffering from sleep-disordered breathing, this isn’t always an option. While previous risks to sleep-disordered breathing came from obesity or family history, researchers have recently found a new contributing factor: pollution.

Researchers form the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health explored the link between air pollution levels, temperature increases, and sleep-disordered breathing. Their study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, used data from the Sleep Heart Health Study. The study followed 6,000 participants from 1995 to 1998. Researchers cross-examined the sleep study results with EPA air pollution monitoring data from 7 U.S. cities during the same years. Using the two sources, researchers were successful in finding a link between pollution, temperature, and sleep-disordered breathing.

The study showed that pollution affected sleep patterns in a particular way. Researchers found that particles in pollution influence the upper airways as well as the central nervous system. This disturbance leads to poor and disrupted sleep which affects both health and overall well-being. Probably the most important outcome of this study is the ever prevalent idea that environmental pollution and damage can have serious repercussions on human health. Even something as small as a particle can affect millions of individuals in polluted places. The key to remember is that the more we try to avoid the fact that pollution and other environmental harms are hurting us, the more damage they will do.