They are decorative, green, and with some tender love and care, not only can they spruce up your space for a couple bucks, but they can also help reduce indoor air pollution. Yes, the award goes to houseplants. Many people mistake these simple plants for just easy decor, but recently researchers found out they are so much more useful. A sciencedaily.com article from November 5th, 2009, reveals how certain houseplants can help decrease indoor air pollution. Researchers found that often, indoor air can be as much as 12 more contaminated with particulates than outdoor air. This is a scary finding, since people often about 90% of their time indoors. The cause for this surprising statistic has to do with house construction: many varnishes, paints, furniture, and building materials emanate harmful pollutants that contribute to respiratory illness.

Fortunately, there is no need to throw away your furniture and move into a tent. Purchasing certain types of house plants can significantly reduce the amount of air pollution in your home or even office. The study concluded that plants such as the Purple Waffle plant, English ivy, Variegated wax plant, and Asparagus fern had the highest removal rate of household pollutants. Researchers said that simply introducing these plants to your home can dramatically decrease the amount of air pollution present.

This new study is encouraging because it offers solutions that the public can do in their own homes, and very easily. Many people already have houseplants at their disposal, and if not, they are something one can buy without breaking the bank. Who knew this previously trivial greenery could clean up the air?

Fake seems to have a bad rep nowadays. Fake designer bags, fake gold, fake teeth- despite a generally smaller price tag, these imitations just don’t get the same respect as their ‘real’ counterparts. Americans are usually down for a bargain, but when it comes down to it, they want the real thing. But what if fake was a good thing? What if fake could save the environment? Skeptical? I was too.

Allow me to introduce to you…the fake tree. Developed by a company called Global Research Technologies, the ‘tree’ is constructed out of plastic with leaves that capture carbon dioxide in the air and store it in a chamber located in the center of the tree. The Co2 is then compressed into a liquid form. The company speculates that the liquid can be used for fuel or be applied to crops to promote growth. The tree is estimated to absorb 1000 times more carbon than a real tree. So it turns out that not all fake things are evil. At least not on the surface.

Although the synthetic tree has quite promising achievements, is it truly as eco-friendly and all-powerful as it seems? Not quite sure. Because the tree is made mostly of plastic, construction would require using a lot of this precious resource and the company did not mention the use of recycled plastic as a building material. The use of plastic would only deepen our dependence on petroleum. And in times where gas prices are high and supply is dwindling, this may not be such a good idea.

Another flaw of these plastic plants is that they will take up space. And a lot of it. Why not utilize this space for planting real trees?-Trees that can not only reduce carbon emissions but also beautify the landscape and benefit both humans and ecosystems alike. Besides, who would want to climb a plastic tree? Or build a tree house in one? Not only would these trees not be aesthetically pleasing, they would destroy childhood pastimes as we know them.

Generally, fake can be good. Fake can save money, resources, and even reduce carbon emissions. And although the synthetic trees proposed by Global Research Technologies are a good idea in theory, in practice, they will only contribute to the use of more resources, more space, and ultimately extend the need for oil. So when it comes to trees, real please.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30251856/

‘Going green’ has been a pretty popular bandwagon to jump on lately. Automobile companies, grocery and clothing stores are all coming out with products that encourage eco-conscious lifestyles. But there is one industry that is also pushing ‘green’ products that you may find a bit unexpected, to say the least: funeral homes. Yes, even funeral homes have things to offer that are not only cheaper, but also more eco-friendly than traditional end-of-life arrangements.

A June 15, 2009, Chicago Tribune article pays its respects to a funeral home in Bainbridge Island, Illinois, that offers many alternative and green choices, for shall I say, its customers. In place of an ordinary casket, you can choose a hand-woven one made of willow, sea grass, or bamboo. These unique caskets are biodegradable and surprisingly, cost less than a customary one. Another option you have is a floating urn that disintegrates in water after sinking. This urn is also easier on the pocket book than a regular porcelain or ceramic one. Because funerals can be pricey, these options allow families to commemorate a loved one, and not the cost associated with their passing away.

Although the topic of funeral can be like talking about the elephant in the room, it is good to know that some funeral homes offer unique and eco-friendly alternatives to families. Despite the fact that ‘going green’ is generally associated with higher costs, this is one instance in which helping the environment won’t break the bank.

Green is the new black. And I am not talking about this fall’s Gucci collection. Green is the new ‘it color’ of roofs, which are beginning to sprout all over the country. An article from the Baltimore Sun from July 31, 2009, describes how companies, public institutions, and even home owners are turning their bland black rooftops into serene refuges with the help of some foliage. The city of Baltimore has already turned 150,000 square feet of root top into green top, including places such as the city hospital and a gas station.

Although a roof seems like the last place you would turn to plant a garden, the logic is pretty rational. It’s an already existing part of your home, so why not spruce it up? Doing so, you will be seeing green. Literally. Green roofs can help cut utility costs as well as grocery bills. Because plants on the roof take up the sunshine, less is heat is absorbed by the construction, keeping the house cool. Various food-producing plants can also be planted, reducing the need to frequent the grocery store. Many cities also offer tax incentives to individuals who implement these roofs, meaning more moolah in your wallet.

But that’s not all. These roofs offer benefits that elicit a ‘Hallelujah’ from Mother Nature. They reduce storm water because the majority of rainfall ends up in the plants and not the streets. Also the plants and trees produce take up carbon dioxide, improving air quality.

Overall, green roofs are eco-friendly, wallet-friendly, and just plain nicer to look at than standard black or brown shingles. So when it comes to roofs, it’s time wake up and smell the green.

The Sub-Saharan region in Africa is one of the world’s most sunshine-abundant places. Knowing this, it would be inefficient not to turn to solar power as an alternative energy especially since this region is also one of the most poorly lit areas in the world. That’s why two students at the Kansas State University are taking advantage of the sun in an attempt to ‘enlighten’ many villages.

Tai-Wen Ko and Justin Curry, electrical engineers at K-State, are designing a solar powered lamp that is efficient, eco-friendly, and cheap. Right now, most people in that region use kerosene lamps, which are the most affordable option, but not the most ‘green’ solution to their lighting needs because the lamps emit a hefty amount of carbon dioxide.

This is where Curry and Ko step in. Using their expertise in electrical engineering, the pair designed a lamp with three components: a solar panel, a battery, and a white light-emitting diode. They chose to use the diode instead of a fluorescent bulb because it’s cheaper, brighter, and lasts longer. The only ‘flaw’ of the design is the lead battery, which would have to be discarded after use, but the team is researching a recycling plan that can be implemented in the region.

Ko and Curry’s design and initiative shows how something so small, such as a solar powered lantern, could make such a great impact both on the environment and the people of an underdeveloped region. Not only will the cost of the lanterns enable more people to have light, the fact that the lanterns use such an abundant and renewable resource allows more lanterns to be distributed and produced. Using solar power in a region rich in sunshine sounds like a very ‘duh’ idea, but few people, if any, have actually attempted to provide light using the sun. It’s good to see such young individuals working to better the world using such a not tried (yet) but true method.

Higher prices create hesitation, for some, to invest in energy saving equipment, worried that they won’t see the payoff soon enough. But, U.S. energy news may provide the extra push to change their minds. Rebecca Smith of the Wall Street Journal reported that “Slack demand for electricity across the U.S. is leading to some of the sharpest reductions in power prices in recent years…” A drop in electricity demand has helped reduce daily market prices by 40% during the first half of the year.

For decades the demand for electricity has had steady growth. In fact, 45 of the last 58 years have seen growth exceeding 2% per year. The significant decrease in demand has come with the economic downturn, but there is at least one bright spot in the dark state of the economy: It has forced consumers – both commercial and private – to buckle down on their consumption.

It’s unfortunate that it takes a massive crisis to force us to make responsible changes. Reduced productivity, employee cutbacks and job losses have all contributed to the diminished demand. Whatever the stimulus, the result has been positive for power prices and energy conservation.

All consumers can’t expect to reap the benefits of energy price cuts right away as some people have locked-in price contracts. Over time, however, we expect to see a softening effect for everyone. For businesses, the savings could amount to just enough to keep them from making further cuts in employment and production. For private homes, reduced power prices will help take the edge off already overwhelming costs.

What does this mean? It means that the changes we’ve made since we’ve been forced to cut back have really worked. Not only are we saving by consuming less but we’ve actually lowered the price of the goods. Kudos to all who have contributed. Whether its switching to CFL bulbs, turning off the a/c or building a more energy-efficient home, everyone has come together to create change. For those of you who haven’t made the changes, this should sway you to consider the investment. Simple conservation can lead to a more universal form of savings.

It’s the fruit of the summer. Sweet, red, and juicy. And whether you prefer it seedless or not, it may soon be fueling your vehicle. Watermelon: the future of fuel? According to an American Institute of Physics article from July 2, 2009, this succulent fruit is being evaluated by researchers at the Agricultural Research Center as a potential alternative fuel. But just how will this tasty treat run the cars of America?

The magic ‘e’ word: ethanol. Two substances, lycopene and citrulline, can be extracted from watermelons and later fermented into ethanol, which can be converted into bio-fuel. Experts at the center estimate that a 20 pound melon can yield seven tenths of a pound of ethanol. Sounds like a pretty small amount. I’m getting anxious here. Will these summer delights be swept off store shelves and dumped into my gas tank? Will I be forced to resort to another melon?

Probably not. The center provides an interesting fact: 800 million pounds of melon that are harvested each year never make it to your tummy because they are blemished or not fit otherwise for sale. Whew! That’s a relief. But is it worth the time, effort, and money to ferment watermelon juice into fuel?

I’m not quite sure how I feel about this melon abuse. On the one hand, I’d rather have 800 million pounds of watermelon be put to use instead of decaying on the fields. It’s good to know that in an effort to ease our dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil, research is being conducted on alternative methods. But we have not attacked the problem. We need to ease our use of fossil fuels and oil, as well as our dependence. While attempting to find alternative fuels is well worth the effort, more emphasis needs to be placed on actually telling people to use less fuel. The solution is pretty simple: Buying more fuel efficient cars, using public transportation, walking or biking to get around. In order to decrease our dependence, we need to decrease our use. Not only will this save our wallets (because we will be using less), it will cut Mother Nature some slack in terms of emissions.

So, although watermelon fuel sounds like it might be filling my gas tank, I’d prefer to walk to store and have it fill my belly. Unless, of course, it is rotten. Then off to the Buick it goes.

The state of New Jersey is getting creative in its efforts to promote renewable energy. A new project by the state’s largest utility company will make New Jersey no. 2 in the nation in solar energy production. – California being no. 1. 

Despite a lack of sunshine, high winds and open land, New Jersey has made strides to become a leader in renewable energy production. New Jersey Public Service Enterprise Group, the state’s largest utility, is in the process of installing around 200,000 utility poles with solar units, and the state is encouraging industrial solar installations. Postal giant, FedEx, says they will begin installing what will become the nation’s largest rooftop solar facility on the rooftops of its distribution hub in Woodbridge, NJ next month. 

A $514 million dollar state program along with a 30% tax credit from the federal government provides incentive for companies like FedEx to invest in alternative energy sources in New Jersey. New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program launched the Renewable Energy Incentive Program, providing incentives for renewable energy projects using solar, wind, and biopower technologies. These programs follow New Jersey’s 2008 Renewable Clean Energy Programs, including the Customer On-Site Renewable Energy (CORE) Program and the SREC-Only Pilot Program, which ended as of December 31, 2008.

The state has seen a great response to their clean energy initiative in the past. Due to the high volume of applicants for up-front solar rebates beginning in 2005, the project quickly exceeded its budget. Now there is a line-up of applicants – over 1,200 waiting to join the program.

The state also provides tools and resources to encourage more responsible consumption. NJCleanEnergy.com provides resources to stay on top of the renewable energy industry, including tools to calculate emissions; news of recent program changes; and a library of information sources. 

What a positive way to affect change. If New Jersey, a state of less than 7,500 square miles can come second in solar production to nearly 156,000 square-mile California, imagine the national impact if the next 48 states followed their lead.

We often take for granted that, in the U.S. and most developed nations, we can turn on a faucet and immediately produce hot or cold water, clean enough for drinking. We forget that there are places in the world so remote that running water is just a myth and not a reality. Places where drinking water comes straight from the same river where people bathe, wash their clothes and let their animals drink. Places where hauling water in buckets replaces twisting a knob on the kitchen sink. In some remote locations, even finding water can be a struggle. Regions lack the technology to redirect water sources and struggle to maintain a supply big enough to survive. However, an emerging technology may be the answer to this problem.

Eole Water SAS, has helped develop a solution for water-deprived areas. The French company has produced a wind turbine device that can extract water from the air. (The atmosphere is charged with moisture and is the world’s second largest water reserve.) The device, called the Water Eole, uses wind energy to liquefy water vapor. Basically, the wind turbine sucks in air; the electricity produced by the turbine is then used to cool the air and condense the water vapor.

The Water Eole can be installed in about one hour and can produce up to 800 liters of water per day. The costs depend on the model but range from 9,000-25,000 Euros. So far, the company’s focus is distributing to humanitarian organizations, but there’s no reason the rest of the world couldn’t benefit from this technology. It is a sustainable process using clean technology to produce green water – wind is the only fuel needed and no CO2 is released. Plus, the Water Eole reminds us that water is difficult to extract and, therefore, is important to conserve.

It seems our friends on the East Coast are really stepping up their game. First we hear about the strives New Jersey has made to stimulate production of alternative energy sources. Now we’re seeing New York municipalities launching programs to help residents become more energy efficient.

Municipal governments from Long Island to the Bay Area are helping residents purchase efficient furnaces, weatherize their homes and put solar panels on their roofs. The costs of such procedures are usually enough to keep most homeowners from making the shift to energy-efficiency. But, these programs are designed to be “recession proof.” Long Island suburb Babylon’s town supervisor reported to the Wall Street Journal, “To me it’s the perfect recession programs. It’s cost-effective. You’re actually creating jobs in a way that is not impacting taxpayers. But it’s helping everyone by improving the environment.”

Babylon launched its “Long Island Green Homes” program last October after a redefined solid waste program freed up $2 million of the solid waste reserve fund to seed the program. Now, residents can apply for as much as $12,000 in loans to finance home energy-efficiency improvements and rooftop solar panels.

The program works like this: After an energy audit, the town pays a local contractor to make energy improvements. The homeowner then pays the money back to the town through regular trash bills, with 3% interest. The best part is that the loan is structured so the homeowner pays less than he or she is saving in utilities.

So, local contractors are getting more business. People are conserving our resources and reducing their environmental impact – all while saving money. This sounds like winning situation.

So far, the program has been a hit. Babylon reports that about fifty homeowners a month call the town to ask for energy audits, most of which are converted to work contracts. A local contractor has already reported retrofitting 42 homes and counting since the program began and has had to hire additional employees and plans to hire more.

These New York municipalities are surely trailblazers and it seems that more local and state governments are close behind. According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy, eleven other states now have laws on the books that allow local governments to establish financing programs for home-energy improvements. Pilot programs, like Babylon’s, have launched in five cities in California and several other local governments around the nation.