Earth Network
Building A Greener Future Together...
OUR BLOG: 'GreenPlanet Insider'
GOING GREEN IS SO MUCH SIMPLER
THAN MOST PEOPLE THINK
by: Collin Rojas
An increasing number of people are now wanting to do their part to save the planet due to the worsening problems caused by global warming. Unfortunately, numerous people assume that going green is costly and time consuming. Read on to discover several immediate things you can do to get on the path to living green.
Recycling is the top way to start. A lot of people continue to place glass and aluminum items in their normal garbage even though recycling is not that hard to do today. In the US, it's not hard to locate a trash service that offers glass and aluminum recycling choices. Many people still continue to discard these items even though recycling bins are not hard to find. It merely takes a few minutes to wash off the cans and bottles before placing them into the recycle bin.
Newspapers are another item that overburden our landfills. Virtually all people will merely take their daily paper and toss it in the garbage when they are done with it. But, there are many other uses that you can get out of your newsprint other than poring over it it. Did you know that you can keep your windows clean using newspapers? If you're tired of seeing small white fragments and streaks on your windowpanes after you clean them with paper towels and cleaner, try to use old newspapers instead. Several community groups run regular paper drives. Merely compilepile all of your old newspapers, put them in a stack, and see if the paper drive organizers will come to your location and pick them up.
One more thing that could help you to start to live green is to begin walking a bit more. Lots of people routinely drive short distances merely to buy one thing at their local corner market. If you just walk to the store, not only could it take less time, because you won't have to locate a parking spot, but you will be saving money on gas and helping to save planet Earth by not burning those fuels.
If you wish to save even more on gas, take the chance to carpool when you can and only mow your lawn two times a month instead of weekly. A gorgeous lawn is good to have but skipping an additional week before you mow again shouldn't significantly affect it. Using a manual push mower like those more normally used many, many years ago will help to save the environment even more. Numerous hardware shops still carry this type of mower.
When people make up their mind to try green living, it's easy to make a few lifestyle modifications that will benefit our environment. Likewise, you can find lots of info all over the Internet on other ways to start living green, you only have to look for it.
WATCH WHERE YOU STEP:
UNDERSTANDING YOUR
CARBON FOOTPRINT
by: Energyresults
While making visits to national parks or forest preserves, you’ll often be told to “leave nothing but footprints.” This is always a good policy in these types of situations. However, we often forget, or simply do not know that wherever we go, we actually leave two sets of footprints. Your physical footprint is, for the most part, a harmless indentation left behind wherever you step. Your other footprint is what is known as your carbon footprint, essentially the level of greenhouse gases your lifestyle and activity emit into the environment.
We’d like to help you understand not only what your carbon footprint is, but also how to measure it and identify some simple ways to reduce it and to save energy.
Your Carbon Footprint: What Is It?
By definition, a carbon footprint is “the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product, or person.” This means that if you live a lifestyle that requires the use of a greater amount of energy and fossil fuels that form greenhouse gases through combustion, the larger your impact on the environment and your carbon footprint will be. Often people consider their carbon footprint to be the result of their immediate use of fossil fuels and energy usage, like cooking with natural gas or using petroleum to run their automobile. However, your carbon footprint consists of many activities that can be far less obvious. This may include the fossil fuels used to transport the food that you buy at your local grocery store, or the energy used to dispose of the waste produced in your household. All this comes into account when trying to make an accurate estimate of what impact is left behind by your daily activities and choices.
How to Measure Your Carbon Footprint?
Perhaps not surprisingly, the U.S. has one of the largest carbon footprints in the world, ranking #2 in total emissions (other countries near the top include China #1, India #3, Russia #4 and Japan #5) but #1 in emissions per capita. Since this much larger footprint is made up of many much smaller individual footprints, it is important to understand your contribution and responsibility to the greater whole. Individually, the average American produces 9.44 tons of carbon dioxide on their own each year! Did this surprise you? The link below will help you to calculate the size of the carbon footprint of your household: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html.
How to Reduce Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions?
Taking small steps to reduce your carbon footprint and saving energy is actually fairly simple. Here is a list of some easy things that you can do to live a more environmentally healthy lifestyle.
- Limit Consumption of Bottled Water – The production, consumption and disposal of bottled water leaves a rather significant carbon footprint. It requires the combustion of fossil fuels to make the bottle, transport it, and dispose of it if it’s not recycled. In-house filtration systems can reduce your impact and cost for water.
- Unplug Appliances That Are Not Frequently In Use – Most of these items have a standby mode that wastes energy even when they’re not in use. Unplugging is the best way to ensure that unnecessary energy is not lost. With a powerstrip, you can even switch off more than one appliance at once.
- Use Cold Water – No, I’m not suggesting that you start taking cold showers. Using colder water to wash clothes that do not require a hot water wash is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. While washers already require a lot of energy to run, it takes even more to heat the water. Using cold water whenever possible can make a big difference and will increase your energy saving.
- Recycle And Reuse – Recycling uses a lot less energy since it is reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that would come out of creating a completely new product.
- Upgrade The Energy Efficiency Of Your Home – New energy efficient light bulbs, filters, and appliances could have a massive impact in reducing your carbon footprint. Less energy used means less greenhouse gas emissions. Even just maintaining and taking care of the appliances and products you already own can ensure a smaller footprint without spending a lot of money. You can measure the energy efficiency of your home and your potential energy savings at www.energyresults.com.
With easy steps like these, you are on your way to increasing your energy savings and reducing the size of the carbon footprint left behind. We all have a role in trying to shrink the adverse impact we have on the environment, not only as an individual, but also as a member of a household, as a citizen of a country, and as an inhabitant of planet earth.
EFFECTIVE GREEN SAVING
by: Adam Montgomery
Solar energy-a powerful renewable resource of energy that comes from the sun- is a huge trend that is catching on and providing us with electricity. This clean resource is catching on quick because of how safe it is for our environment. Unlike fossil fuels, we don’t need to burn gas and pollute the air causing acid rain. Solar is becoming more affordable to homes and business. Companies like Earthsponse provide and install solar panels for a very affordable price, and money is saved by seamlessly never ending electricity. While we still contribute hazards to our environment by everyday pollution, solar technology plays a key role to start a new beginning, to protect the atmosphere.
The Sun is the base of many sources of energy on earth already. If you think about it hard enough you realize that the sun really is the ultimate resource. Plants thrive off sunlight to grow, stay healthy, and oxygenate the earth. Heat absorbed into our atmosphere with different temperature changes creates wind. Wind can be harvested and also turned into energy. The sun also causes evaporation creating rain. Rain falls back to the earth forming streams and rivers. This is where Hydro turbines collect energy as water passes through. Maybe in the future someone will design a product to catch rain as it falls and uses the kinetic energy for another source of renewable energy. Solar energy is the base of many different kinds of energy and we should definitely make use of everything we can.
One company that is definitely taking advantage of solar energy is Earthsponse. This company states in “Thinking of going green?” that, “Our vast experience combined with our expertise in the renewable energy industry make solar a smart decision. Valuable rebates and tax incentives make going green even more lucrative. And our network of trained, certified installers/dealers can ensure you receive an affordable, reliable solar installation”. Earthsponse helps homes and businesses benefit from installing solar energy that is affordable. Installing solar energy helps reduce exposure to rapidly-accelerating utility costs, and Increases financial security by gaining energy independence.
The growth in renewable energy resources is helping our economy and environment. With more companies like Earthsponse making solar more affordable, it will be interesting to see how everything plays out for the better.
LIVE A CLEAN LIFE WITH
ECO FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
by: Greenn Brown
Earth has a fantastic abundance of nature that is getting depleted every day. This is primarily happening due to human influence through wastes and dangerous man made products that are detrimental to nature. With an increase of inorganic and unnatural products, your life and the nature that surrounds you is in great jeopardy. In this scenario, you can create a change in your life and take the green road that will help in making your surroundings healthier. If you wish to lead a clean and green life then there are many interesting eco friendly products out there that you can consider.
From apparels and bags to jewelry and swimwear, you can opt for eco shopping options in all these areas. One of the primary areas in which you can bring about a drastic change in your life is with the sort of clothing you sport. Man made fabrics and textures are not only harmful to the environment, they can be really bad for your skin and your health. This is where the need has arisen for green clothing that is prepared from organic and natural raw materials. Not only do they take care of your skin in the gentlest manner, they are quite attractive and original too.
If you are a person who is always updated on the fashion trends, you will be one of those people who loves to sport trendy bags. In this area too you can take the green route as there are eco fashion bags and accessories that have come around with a unique look that will appeal to one and all. In terms of alternate clothing needs for swimwear too, you can get eco friendly options. By engaging in green shopping, you can get your hands on products that are truly healthy in every possible way.
One of the primary products that are always in demand is jewelry. You can get your kind of jewelry in many stores and outlets around you but you can now get green options for your ornamental needs too. With the option of environment friendly products in jewelry, nowadays you can sport a great look without harming the environment in any way. A lot of people need to use beauty products to take care of their look, the face and the body. Chemical products can be really detrimental for your skin in the long run and disposing them will cause great environmental hazards too. This is where you can get the ideal solutions by using beauty items made from natural products.
The world is taking a turn towards the green side as mankind is beginning to witness the side effects of ignoring nature. There are many human activities that contribute steadily in the deterioration of the environment. By opting to use organic products, you can bring about a significant change and promote the benefits of these wonderful options too. Nowadays, you can get your hands on a wide range of green items in an eco friendly store. With the help of the amazing advantages offered by these green avenues, you can lead a green life that will keep you and the nature protected.
HOME SOLAR PANELS:
THE ADVANTAGES AND DISAVANTAGES
by: Janick Janish
These days, lots of people are turning their way on using solar panels. It is truly gaining more and more popularity due to its durability, efficiency, and friendliness for the environment. On the other hand, right before you use home solar panels, it would be a good idea for you to consider its pros and cons first.
Pros
Unlike the fossil fuels, solar energy could never run out. It only means that the energy which is generated by the sun could never be exhausted and will always give unlimited solar energy or dispersion. It is considered to be the biggest advantage of solar energy. Thus, if you install this type of system into your house, you could ensure yourself that you will have enough electricity right at your dispersal.
If you also install solar panels, you could have the best economic option right after the initial cost for the set-up. Practically, there is no need for you to pay more. The solar energy is free and could also free you from monthly electric bills too.
Cons
Since the home solar cell panels need the sun to shine brightly on them, when you are on a place which has less sunlight, this could be a difficult thing. It specially happens in the northern hemisphere wherein certain places do not actually see sunlight for about 6 months at stretch. Similar problem has been faced by people throughout monsoons.
Another disadvantage is that, the charge for initial installation of the home solar panel systems is high. It is a large drawback of the solar panel systems installed at homes. With such, lots of people choose to stay away from this system due to its affordability issues.
Knowing the pros and cons of home solar panels could help one out in deciding whether they have to take home solar panels or not.
Green Infrastructure Benefits
Green infrastructure projects are often eligible for transportation
funding because they improve transportation networks
Better stormwater management through green infrastructure can have many benefits. Many different studies have documented multiple and quantifiable costs and benefits across a range of social, economic, and environmental improvements. Water-related benefits can include reduced stormwater runoff resulting from successful infiltration practices, increased groundwater recharge, reduced downstream flooding and pollutant loading, and reduced combined sewer overflows. Green infrastructure can also reduce energy use and the urban heat island effect when practices such as green roofs and tree planting are used. Air quality benefits can be realized through increased vegetative practices like bioretention, planting trees, and use of green roofs. Finally, community benefits including enhanced aesthetics, higher land values, and reduced noise pollution can be achieved through green infrastructure.
Investing in green infrastructure can cost-effectively help communities manage stormwater while also providing increased climate resilience, opportunities for community recreation, and enhancing community aesthetics. Designing green infrastructure programs to maximize these benefits can open up funding sources that would otherwise not be available for stormwater management projects or programs. Communities can use funds for programs such as transportation and street design, open space and wildlife conservation, or disaster relief to pay for green infrastructure programs. Communities can aggregate multiple funding and revenue sources or combine a funding source with financing options such as low-interest loans or green bonds.
Green infrastructure projects may be funded by federal programs that support efforts to reduce water pollution and manage stormwater.
1. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA green infrastructure funding programs include the Section 319 Nonpoint Source Program, the National Estuary Program (NEP) and the Urban Waters Small Grants Program (UWSG).
Under Section 319 (of the Clean Water Act), EPA provides grant funding to states to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff and other sources; EPA recognizes the “importance of green infrastructure … in managing stormwater” has made clear that funds can be used for green infrastructure projects. Found in Section 320 of the Clean Water Act, the NEP goal is to protect and restore water quality of the 28 estuaries and associated watersheds designated by legislation and EPA as being of national significance. EPA provides grant funding to the NEPs to implement their Coastal Conservation Management Plans (CCMP). Virtually all the NEPs have identified stormwater as a major stressor leading to water quality problems and habitat losses and can provide grants or other funding and project support for local green infrastructure efforts, municipal training, and assistance in developing finance tools. EPA’s UWSG Program focuses on improving the quality of urban waters and stimulating neighborhood revitalization in underserved communities and can be used specifically for innovative or new green infrastructure practices.
2. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Community development money can be used to fund green infrastructure because these projects can create jobs, increase economic activity, and increase property values. Urban tree planting can increase economic activity in a commercial district. Green infrastructure can increase property values by mitigating flooding and improving neighborhood aesthetics. As a result, green infrastructure can be funded using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funding.
The Community Development Block Grant—Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program also provides federal aid to states post-disaster, and funds can be used for a variety of community development activities that benefit low- and moderate-income individuals, reduce blight, or address an urgent community need. In rehabilitating housing and constructing public amenities, cities may be able to incorporate green infrastructure techniques (like street trees and permeable pavements) in street design.
3. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides post-disaster federal aid to states to mitigate the risks of future disasters and can fund flood mitigation projects, including acquisition and relocation of flood-prone properties and soil stabilization projects like the installation of vegetative buffer strips.
4. U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
Green infrastructure projects are often eligible for transportation funding because they improve transportation networks by efficiently and cost-effectively mitigating street and alley flooding. The DOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) provides funding for “transportation alternatives,” including “off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation.” TAP funding could be used to pay for green infrastructure components of trails and sidewalks such as permeable pavement.
Green infrastructure projects may be funded by several state programs that support efforts to reduce water pollution and manage stormwater.
5. Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
The CWSRF provides low-interest loans to cities that are generally have a repayment period of up to 30 years, and interest rates below market rates, generally from zero to 1.5 percent. A variety of water infrastructure projects—water quality, wastewater, and storm water—are eligible, as are nonpoint source projects on public property and any project identified in an approved CCMP under the National Estuary Program. The CWSRF can fund the capital costs of water quality improvement as well as retrofit projects. Most green projects and all stormwater projects are eligible for funding. Similarly, the Drinking Water SRF provides funding for development of a utility or related capital projects and to acquire land for source water protection.
Green infrastructure projects may also be funded by local governments.
6. Stormwater Utility Fees
Local governments may choose to assess stormwater utility fees as a reliable means of paying for green infrastructure programs. This approach is advantageous because it provides a dedicated funding stream with sustainable and predictable revenue over time. A stormwater utility fee may be seen as a more equitable way to pay for stormwater management, compared to general funds, because local governments or utilities may be able to raise money in a way that is directly related to a property’s stormwater impacts. However, establishing utility fees may face regulatory and legal limitations, including sometimes approval of a legislative body. An entity (local or regional government or utility) that decides to establish a stormwater user fee must first determine its legal authority to do so and must structure the user fee in a way that meets all applicable state legal requirements.
State law sets the parameters for what types of local or regional entities are allowed to establish fees or taxes, and local governments must be extremely clear that they meet their own states’ definition. While these requirements vary by state, they can include procedural questions (e.g., whether a vote by the local elected body or the voters is necessary) and substantive questions (e.g., whether the fee is structured in such a way as to fairly relate to the amount of impervious surface on a particular property).
Through effective outreach, local governments may be able to establish strong community support for stormwater user fees. The City of Orlando, Florida, funds its stormwater management activities through a stormwater utility fee, and successfully built public support for fee implementation by linking the fee to citizens’ concerns about flooding and clean waterbodies.
7. Permit Fees
Local governments can assess permit fees to provide additional revenue for green infrastructure programs. The fees allow local governments to raise revenue directly from any proposed development or construction that might worsen stormwater impacts. However, assessed fees may not provide sufficient funding for full program implementation, and likely would need to be combined with additional funding sources. Additionally, fees may not be a consistent source of revenue, as they may decrease during a time of slow construction.
8. Green Bonds
Green bonds are an emerging, promising mechanism by which local governments can fund climate resilience and other environmentally focused projects. Green bonds are not significantly different in structure than bonds used for other purposes but are used to finance environmentally beneficial activities. Because green bonds must be used for environmentally beneficial projects, they may attract the interest of investors interested in environmental issues, as well as traditional investors. This increased interest may in the future reduce borrowing costs (compared to traditional bonds) for governments raising funds through bond issuance.
Overall, there are multiple potential avenues for funding a green infrastructure project. Working with an informed, experienced funding expert can help you make your next green infrastructure project a reality.
