Alternative Energies(1/2)

Solar Energy

Energy from the sun is used by green plants to make their own food. The process is called photosynthesis and solar cells transfer energy from sunlight into electricity. Some calculators have solar cell rather than batteries.

Wind Power

Windmills transfer the kinetic energy of wind to another device capable of converting the wind power into a usable form of energy. Windmills in operation today are used primarily to generate electricity or pump water. Modern wind-turbines are huge. They usually have a propeller-type rotor mounted on a tall shell tower. The turbine drives a generator for producing electricity.

Windfarms - Today, over 16,000 spinning windmills are linked to the public power grid to provide one percent of California's electric power, enough to service 300,000 homes. California, where winds averaging seventeen miles per hour whip through mountain passes, holds more than 80% of the world's windmills. Another 13% spin in Denmark, while Hawaii has 2.3%.

Alternative Energies(1/2)

Fossil fuels, coal oil and gas, will eventually run out. Other ways must be developed of generating energy.
Some sources of energy are renewable. This means that however much energy you use, the source does not run out.
These renewable energy sources don't produce pollution and so can reduce the damage that is done to the environment.

Water Power

Energy from water can be obtained in several ways. The most successful of the possible techniques have been used for many years in most parts of the world. This involves using the kinetic energy obtained by water in falling large distances to drive turbines and generators to produce electricity. Generating stations that utilize this technique are referred to as hydro-electric stations.
Hydro-electric power plants convert the kinetic energy contained in falling water into electricity. The energy in flowing water is ultimately derived from the sun, and is therefore constantly being renewed. Energy contained in sunlight evaporates water from the oceans and deposits it on land in the form of rain. Differences in land elevation result in rainfall runoff, and allow some of the original solar energy to be captured as hydro-electric power.

Honda releases a zero-emissions car.

"Honda's new zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell car rolled off a Japanese production line Monday and is headed to southern California, where Hollywood is already abuzz over the latest splash in green motoring."

This was an article released about half a year ago. Every week on car magazines you will see a new report about a car being or going to be released running on new products to reduce natural resource usage and to diminue the emissions released everyday into the air.
Another good reaction to our environment crises.

Solar Taxi


The solar taxi is a vehicle with 2 seats and a small trailer with Photovoltaic panels, this famous taxi is about to end a historic "Round the World", this idea has the objective of demonstrate how reliable is this clean technology.

The solar taxi is the first vehicle ever, to travel around the world using solar energy only. Loius Palmer, who conceived this project, has left Switzerland at 3rd July of 2007 and has already been trough Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zeland and North America. Louis Palmer didn't spend a dime on gasoline or other fossil fuels and without poluting the air with CO2.

The vehicle has been built by Technicians from four diferent engineering Swiss schools, the vehicle is powered 100% by solar energy produced by Photovoltaic panels on a small trailer with 5 meters of length or by electricity of the vehicle's batteries.

Watch Video:


Sources:
http://www.solartaxi.com/

Energy saving.

There are many ways for you to safe energy without having to be a millionaire. Tasks such as not having your room lights unused on, or a unwatched TV talking to your lonely sofa. You can even spend a amount of money to buy a couple of solar panels. With these panels you'll be able to get the sun to contribute to electricity saving on you house, and heat your water passing through.
There are enumerous things you can do to save your energy consumption. Simple things that help alot to our environment and to your pocket.

Times Square has his first "green" billboard.

When we think in Times Square in New York, we don't think in clean energy sources for sure with so many cars, people, lights, sounds and so much confusion.

But the first steps to improve that situation are happening, thats what Ricoh (huge Japanese creator of Office Equipment) have done.

The new billboard of Ricoh in Times Square works exclusively with wind and solar power (with 64 solar panels and 16 turbines), without even having an emergency power gerator, so if there is one day at night that is no wind the billboard goes off without publicizing the trademark.
That doesn't worry Ricoh, beacause they think that it may give a good example to the people.

Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/15/nyregion/15billboard.html

Air Pollution (health problems)

What is this air pollution being talked about?
It is the contamination of air by discharge of harmful substances.
Rapid industrialization and modernization have led to the worsening air pollution problem over the years. Industries, vehicles, continuous increase in the population and urbanization are some of the major factors responsible for air pollution. The following industries are among those that emit a great deal of pollutants into the air: thermal power plants, cement, steel, refineries, petrochemicals and mines. Air pollution results from a variety of causes, not all of which are within human control. The source of pollution maybe in one country but the impact of pollution maybe felt elsewhere.
Air pollution can cause health problems and above certain concentrations and durations, certain air pollutants are extremely dangerous and can cause severe injury or death. It can also damage the environment and property.

Measures of environmental prevention

A few years ago the environment had a smaller roll in people's social life then it used it. No one would have thought that this would get to extreme points like predicted by specialists. Nowadays things have been getting better, although we are nowhere near from redoing the bad that has been done. From cutting millions of unecessary tree's, to using toxic products. We have a big list of things that have been done not so positively to the environment. Everyday people litter our roads, waste natural resources, build big factory's which contribute so much to all those gases released to the air which also contributes to global warming, the destruction of the Ozone, and between many more. We have been getting better to help our environment, such as recycling, making and using new hybrids cars, and so on. Although to compensate the bad already done, we still have a long way to go, and so I and many others hope for the best of our future and of those to come.

Some measures can be done by any of us. They include recycling, and using hybrid cars on the text, but also energy and water saving measures, and other natural resources. Natural resources are also a big factor in our lifes, and with them, we and our environment wouldn't be here now. Another measure is to use less toxic products, and especially to not dump them onto the ground. One can of soda may not seem as a big deal to us. Although thousands of people will think so aswell, making it completly diferent.

JAPAN, Ota; Thats what I call a "green" town....

I saw on a tv show a japanese town called OTA, Ota is a city at 80km northwest from Tokyo in one of the most sunniest places in Japan; dubbed "Solar City," received free solar panels from 2002 through a 9.7 billion yen state-backed study on how to ensure a steady supply and avoid blackouts. Lots of small solar power generators are connected to the power grid.

It is a big investment from Japanese government to prove the world that they invest in the reseach in the area com alternative energies.

But that energy is unriable when it isn't a sunny day; at the high noon in a sunny weather, the rooftop power generator is more that enough for one medium size household, but in a rainy/cloudy day the energy gathered is a small amount, less than half than the energy generated on a sunny day.

Sources:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUKTRE4AA13420081111

WATER POLLUTION
There are many causes for water pollution but two general categories exist: direct and indirect contaminant sources. Direct sources include effluent outfalls from factories, refineries, waste treatment plants etc… that emit fluids of varying quality directly into urban water supplies. In the United States and other countries, these practices are regulated, although this doesn't mean that pollutants can't be found in these waters. Indirect sources include contaminants that enter the water supply from soils/groundwater systems and from the atmosphere via rain water. Soils and ground waters contain the residue of human agricultural practices and improperly disposed of industrial wastes. Atmospheric contaminants are also derived from human practices. Contaminants can be broadly classified into organic, inorganic, radioactive and acid/base. Examples from each class and their potential sources are too numerous

AIR pollution


Different causes of contamination of air exist:
- the smoke that comes out of the chimneys of the plants;
- the smoke that comes from the exhaust pipes of the cars;
- the incineration of litter at open sky (to burn litter);
- the use, in surplus, of insecticides and other sprays (deodorants, antiseptic of the environment, etc);The pollution of air can cause breathing problems and make you sick. When you breathe polluted air with frequency, the particles present can be deposited in your lungs.


The pollution of air can provoke migraine or annoy your throat and can also make your eyes to cry and become irritated. The pollution of air causes damage to the plantations and the animals also can be sick because of it.

Some water saving tips.

Every day, there are many simple, practical things we can do in the house, when you're watering your grass in your back yard, doing regular everyday situations (such as washing your teeth, or taking a shower.) or if you are at work to conserve water, save money and help the environment.

At home:
- Try to keep the water shut, while your brushing your teeth.
- Taking showers instead of a baths will also increase the effectiveness of water saving alot.
- Installing water efficient taps is also a great, inexpensive way to cut your water usage without you even noticing.
- Washing fruit and vegies in a half-filled sink instead of under running water is a great way to cut back on water wastage.

At the Garden:
- A pool cover is a clever way to reduce evaporation and the need to regularly top up your pool's water level. Without a cover, more than half the water in your pool can evaporate over a year.
- Keep all your kitchen scraps, lawn clippings and garden waste - they're perfect for homemade compost, which your soil will love.
- It's best to water the roots and soil around plants rather than spraying the leaves and flowers.
- When washing your car, park it on the lawn and use a bucket for washing and rinsing. This way you can save water, as well as water and fertilise your lawn - car shampoos use phosphates that are similar to many fertilisers.

At work:
- Think about installing dual-flush toilets. They use half as much water as conventional models.
- Mention water conservation plans and progress in staff meetings.
- Checking for leaks in taps, pipes and hoses is an easy way to reduce water wastage. Remember, one leaking tap can waste more than 2,000 litres a month!

These are things that will help our future to be brighter. And with a brighter future, the feedback will consist in advanteges only.

POLLUTION, in general

When many of us think of pollution, we envision toxic chemicals being dumped by factories and industries into a local waterway.
In reality, excess amounts of the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus are the main pollutants affecting the Bay and its tributaries. Nutrients enter the Bay from a variety of human and natural sources, worsening water quality by fueling the growth of algae blooms. Air deposition is a major pathway for airborne nitrogen to reach the land and the water. Chemical contaminants and excess suspended sediment from erosion are also contributors to poor water quality.

Another effect of air pollution is acid rain. The phenomenon occurs when sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the burning of fossil fuels such as, petrol, diesel, and coal combine with water vapour in the atmosphere and fall as rain, snow or fog. These gases can also be emitted from natural sources like volcanoes. Acid rain causes extensive damage to water, forest, soil resources and even human health. Many lakes and streams have been contaminated and this has led to the disappearance of some species of fish in Europe, USA and Canada as also extensive damage to forests and other forms of life. It is said that it can corrode buildings and be hazardous to human health. Because the contaminants are carried long distances, the sources of acid rain are difficult to pinpoint and hence difficult to control. For example, the acid rain that may have damaged some forest in Canada could have originated in the industrial areas of USA. In fact, this has created disagreements between Canada and the United States and among European countries over the causes of and solutions to the problem of acid rain. The international scope of the problem has led to the signing of international agreements on the limitation of sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions.