Author: Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, AIA, LEED AP
Website: http://www.blogger.com/profile/07495457719901726105

Here are five good reasons to utilize a solar energy system in your new home:

1) Solar energy is clean and sustainable, which helps to protect the environment and does not contribute to global warming, acid rain, or smog

2) Solar energy reduces our dependency on power companies

3) Systems can be configured to meet virtually any power demand load

4) Advancements in solar energy systems have made them extremely cost effective. While costs for natural gas and petroleum continue to rise, solar energy technology continues to fall in price.

5) Most solar energy systems do not require any maintenance during their lifespan, and many carry warranties which cover their life spans of twenty to thirty years.

Still unsure? Check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s website on “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy”. They have information, charts, and calculations to help you make the right decision.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/

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Author: Jovana Ruzicic
Website: http://www.enviroblog.org/2009/04/a-new-target-for-deadly-le…

Special to Enviroblog by EWG senior analyst, Sonya Lunder.

Yesterday Janet Raloff of Science News wrote about a new study linking lead levels in older women to an increased risk of mortality. Naila Khalil and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh report that women whose blood lead levels measure 8 micrograms per deciliter were a whopping 60% more likely to die during the study. The main reason was heart disease and stroke. Since about 90% of accumulated lead is stored in our bones, elderly women are at increased risk because the loss of bone density releases lead into circulation in the bloodstream.

That’s a lotta lead
Several things are notable about this study. For one, lead levels above 8 are these days high for adults - CDC studies indicate that fewer than 5% of American adults are estimated to have this much lead in their bodies. But a couple decades back, when lead was common in gasoline, these levels would have been pretty unremarkable. That means we are only…

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Author: TerraCurve
Website: http://www.terracurve.com/2009/04/09/should-earth-day-be-jus…

Online magazine and publishing eco-leader, Grist, just announced a campaign to highlight the utter importance of “walking the walk” when it comes to green living and not just once a year.

Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22, is widely known as a major cornerstone of the modern-day environmental movement. However, some argue that, similar to last month’s “Earth Hour”, its message has become watered down and all-too-easily exploited. Grist’s hopes to encourage and inspire the changes people can make in their everyday lives to help the planet.

“Too many people tokenize Earth Day, using it as an excuse to hug a tree one day and ram it with their SUV the next,” said Chip Giller, founder and CEO of Grist. “We say, screw that. One day is for amateurs. We can do better.”

According to Grist, a lasting impact for the planet is less about what a person does (or doesn’t do) once a year on April 22 and more about what they do every single day.

The Screw Earth Day! campaign coincides…

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Author: Jean-Paul
Website: http://www.thechicecologist.com/2009/04/eco-chic-runoff-desi…

Not entirely practical or even possible for most areas, but it does show great green design and some imagination. How ever you look at it, the what else? umbrella holder is quite the conversation piece.
I could see this being an easy DIY project for the front porch, where it would receive enough light to [...]

Related posts:

1. Clean Light Design - HONO Electric LED Flickering Candle
2. Green Lighting by Candle - Beeswax Lightbulb Design
3. Amenity Home - Modern Chic Organic Cotton Linen and Sustainable Hemp Bedding

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Author: Jean-Paul
Website: http://www.thechicecologist.com/2009/04/fair-trade-sports/

How often do you think about your sporting goods and how they impact the environment? Well, you may not have really had a choice - but now you do! Fair Trade Sports brings North America the first line of sports balls (soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, rugby and more) certified fair trade and green.

Also available in [...]

Related posts:

1. Amenity Home - Modern Chic Organic Cotton Linen and Sustainable Hemp Bedding
2. Eco-friendly and Sustainable Fashionable Bags - City Kitty Design
3. Zulugrass Sustainable Eco Jewelry - The Leakey Collection

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Author: Green Talk
Website: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/green-talk/jRYI/~3/I6guZQ1Vo3…

EarthForEnergy sells a handy e-book on how to make your own wind turbine or solar panel for under $200. In addition, the e-book is accompanied by two installation videos. Watch the short video above as Wayne from the Company walks you through building the guts of the wind turbine. I had no idea at the time  I was watching this video that this Company sold a how to manual, and was looking forward to seeing how they made the propellers and mounting  it.

When I went to their site, I found that they sell a kit for $49.97 which walks you through the process. The Company touts that their product is a #1 Rated Site as seen on such names as  Google, CNN and the NY Times.  Unfortunately, I could not find any of these articles.  What does that mean #1 rated on Google?  Buying keywords?  Not a good sign.

According to the website, you can build a  wind generator  for $100 and a solar generator for $150. How much power can the solar or wind generator make? According to the… (Read the rest of this article at the following article source link for the full story)

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Author: easy eco blog
Website: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/easyecoblog/~3/O1wHaQH6Fa0/

Credit: Twice

iGo has a new universal laptop charger that uses 80% less standby power, virtually eliminating vampire power.  AC and AC/DC versions will be available October 1 from $109.
Hopefully more laptop manufacturers will integrate this kind of technology into chargers included with their products.

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