Today’s guest post:

The global warming or climate change enthusiasts have created a huge focus on saving the planet by promoting environmentally friendly products. Savvy consumers should be careful not to fall for this marketing gimmick called greenwashing. Many of the products we already use are friendlier to the environment than their so-called green counterparts. Pay close attention to the products claiming to be eco-friendly or green because they may not be as green as they claim. Here are 10 regular products that are already more environmental friendly than their green alternatives.

1. Fuel efficient cars – A gas powered car with good fuel efficiency is more likely to be better for the environment than a hybrid. People don’t think about how the electricity is generated when they plug in their car. Most of the electricity in this country comes from coal generated plants, so plugging in your car doesn’t really do much to save the environment.
2. Incandescent light bulbs – The standard incandescent light bulbs use more energy, but their fluorescent counterparts are filled with mercury. Does anyone think about the potentially huge environmental hazard of improperly disposing of these mercury filled bulbs? People are just going to throw them in the trash with everything else and this will be a big problem when they quit selling the regular bulbs in 2012.
3. Cleaning products – Many eco-friendly cleaning products that claim to be chlorine free contain a myriad of other toxic chemicals that are worse than chlorine. Check labels and be careful of percentages that are based on the number of ingredients rather than volume. The same old products you’ve always used are probably more environmentally friendly.
4. Water filter – Using a water filter to make your own bottled water is much better for the environment. All the discarded plastic from bottled water is causing huge problems in garbage collection and landfills.
5. Clothesline – Hanging your clothes out on a clothesline is much better than using the most energy efficient dryer you can buy. Using wind and solar power, your clothesline is not only eco-friendly, it’s free. Hang clothes inside during the cold winter months also adds needed humidity to the air.
6. Unscented detergent – Many of the green cleaning products contain toxic chemicals that produce a “fresh Scent”. Since some of these chemicals can be carcinogenic, you’re better off using unscented cleaning products.
7. Garbage bags – Regular garbage bags are more eco-friendly than their biodegradable counterparts. When the so-called green bags decompose they emit methane into the atmosphere and they don’t decompose any faster than regular plastic bags if they’re covered in the landfill and aren’t exposed to oxygen.
8. Paper bags – The choice of using paper or plastic bags has gone back and forth as to which is friendlier to the environment. The thing to keep in mind is that paper is made from trees which are a renewable resource and plastic is made from petroleum which is not. Paper will always be a better choice.
9. Leather – Eco-activists are against people using leather because it comes from animals. However, leather products are much more eco-friendly than their petroleum based counterparts. Less energy is used to make leather products and they will decompose when discarded.
10. Fur – Some people get very upset when they see someone wearing fur. They don’t realize that the cute little animals that the fur came from are varmints. If allowed to propagate unchecked mink, raccoons, rabbits, beaver and others would cause untold environmental damage.

We all need to use common sense when it comes to protecting the environment. Try not to buy overly packaged products, recycle and use reusable products whenever possible plus be responsible when discarding your trash. We don’t need to go overboard, but just be aware of marketing gimmicks and live sensibly. There is no way people can affect the global climate, but we can limit the amount of pollution we produce and trash that goes into landfills. Do the best you can and educate others to do the same.
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Photograph by Tim Wimborne, Reuters

This story is part of a special series that explores energy issues. For more, visit The Great Energy Challenge.

For years, the energy world has puzzled over how to harness the sun to make rooms cool.

That may sound counterintuitive to those who think primarily of the uncomfortable heat beating down on roofs and windows as the summer sun reaches its apex. But to those who ponder the sun’s tremendous energy, there’s a perfect symmetry in the idea of solar cooling. The power of the sun could be used just when it’s needed most.

Solar cooling is one of an array of ideas for greener air-conditioning by making better use of the forces of nature. Air-conditioning has transformed summertime living in the developed world, but at a tremendous energy cost. Invented in 1902 by Willis Haviland Carrier, early air-conditioning cooled air by causing it to pass through refrigerant-cooled coils. Conventional air-conditioning is much the same today, guzzling juice from the electric grid to compress gaseous refrigerant back to liquid state in each cooling cycle.

Strain on electricity systems reaches critical mass due to summer AC demand. Heating homes in winter also requires a lot of energy, but there are many warming options—natural gas, oil, wood. Conventional cooling relies on electricity; as a result, peak summer power demand in the United States, where more than 80 percent of households have air-conditioning, is more than 20 percent higher than at the winter high point. (Cooling accounts for 8 percent of U.S. household energy use.) Power companies must have “peaker” plants on hand for the hottest summer afternoons: typically old, inefficient fossil fuel facilities. The hotter it gets, the hotter they run. Talk about counterintuitive.

Progressive green colleges

Many people who are considering attending a college or university include the institution’s dedication to the environment in their research. They ask questions about what the campus is doing to make its community a greener, more sustainable place.

Students who want to continue their education at “green” universities look at how well the buildings conserve energy or how efficiently the parking lots are laid out. These criteria are important, but a person truly dedicated to minimizing his impact on the environment should be aware that the best way to do that is through online learning.

Virtual institutions not only offer outstanding, widely-accepted online degrees but also give the considerate student a way join a revolutionary new educational movement that is saving the Earth one campus at a time. At a virtual school:

No bulldozer is going to touch ground in order to build classrooms, dormitories or parking lots for online learning.
No stones are quarried nor trees cut down to build brick and mortar buildings.
No energy is required to heat or cool buildings that do not exist.
Teachers and support staff often work from home saving transportation energy.
Students do not inhabit dormitories nor do they commute to school.
Much less paper is used since many of the books, tests, and papers are online.

Students, of course, have two important questions about an online education:

1. Is an online education as good as one I can get at a brick and mortar school?
2. Will I be able to get a job if I attend a virtual university?

The answer to the first question is a resounding, “Yes!” Many virtual universities are noted for their high academic standards. Instructors at such universities must meet the same rigorous requirements as any at a traditional school and because of the way the classes are arranged they are more available for one on one interaction with their students. Many online universities also offer access 24/7 to their support staff and counselors.

It is more difficult to give an unqualified answer to the second question. Even a traditional school cannot guarantee the student a job after graduation. But online degrees are as well respected as any from a traditional school.

In fact, so many people are now attending virtual universities that employers would not be able to meet their personnel needs if they did not hire applicants with degrees obtained online. It is entirely possible that the employer himself is an online university graduate and knows the value of such an education. He might even appreciate the fact that saving the environment was one of the reasons that the applicant chose a virtual education.

When you want to live as eco-friendly as possible, there are many ways to reduce your waste and keep your carbon footprint small. Green living is a challenge that is best when taken one small step at a time, but there are some options that can make a significant difference without sacrifice. Online learning is one of those steps that can make a big difference for the environment, without impacting the quality of your education.

Turning College Green

Much of your traditional college experience will revolve around turning in papers that have been printed off the computer, driving to and from classes, and researching your subjects. Taking the time to assess the resources that you are using each and every day is a simple way to find things that you can change to benefit the Earth. For instance, purchasing notebooks and pencils that are made from post-consumer waste, and then recycling the leftovers, is a simple change that you can easily make.

You may also want to look at your energy usage for both college related and entertainment devices. Modern technology has now provided us with small solar panels that can be used to charge mobile phones, mp3s and much more. Taking the time to power off your television or computer and unplugging the device can also save energy. Remember that these devices use a small amount of power even when they aren’t on if they are plugged in. You can also find strip outlets that have an on and off switch if you don’t want to spend time unplugging items, just make sure the switch is off when you are done.

Saving Resources

Going green in college can also help you save money. If you are like most students, then you know that saving money is always a great thing. Shopping for like-new second hand clothes, dishes, paperback books, and board games can save money while also benefiting the environment. Make sure that you re-donate any items that are still in good condition after you have finished with them.

Attending online college can also help you save resources since you don’t need to drive to class. Most of your work will also be turned in online, so you don’t have to worry about wasting paper and other resources, as well. Getting an online education is often a simple solution when you want to attend college, but need more flexibility in your schedule.

Your Education

When choosing an online education you have all the benefits of a traditional student. You can visit your camps to use the gym and attend all university events. Going green is often based on the changes you can make that allow you to live the life that you want, while still maintaining your eco-friendly lifestyle. Online college is one of those things that benefit both you and the Earth.

If you are like most people, the thoughts occupying your mind these days likely include the recession, losing weight, high unemployment rates and going green. While I can’t give you advice on how you can shed those unwanted pounds or finally land your dream job, I can help you do your part to save the planet. Without a doubt, going green and reducing your carbon footprint is the single best thing you can do for dear old mother earth.

And best of all, while all of these suggestions are good for the planet, many of them are also helpful in leading a healthy life, too.

#1-Say Yes to Tap Water

Bottled water has become fashionable and trendy in the past decade. The health-conscious declare that bottled water is “better” for you and that there are scary germs lurking in your tap water. Actually, most studies show that bottled water is little more than tap water that has been disguised by a shiny bottle and a fancy name. And seeing that almost 90 % of plastic bottles end up in landfills, kicking your bottled water habit is an easy way to do something immediate.

#2-Buy Local

We all know that international food production is incredibly taxing on the environment and makes the food we eat less healthy. A lot of food producers have to modify their products to be able to survive transportation. Instead of rushing out to your local Wal-Mart, why not try buying local at your neighborhood mom and pop store? See if you have any natural markets or farmers markets in your town. In turn you will be supporting local farmers, growing your state’s economy and even losing weight by chomping down on healthy and delicious fruits and veggies.

#3-Recycle

It might seem a little elementary, but recycling is one of the best ways to save the planet. Luckily, recycling is no longer restricted to your newspapers and old cans. There are many recycling programs that will actually pay you for being kind to the planet. Electronics stores like RadioShack will give you money for your old gadgets and second-hand clothing stores like Plato’s Closet will pay you for your gently used clothing.

#4-Machine Wash Cold

90% of the energy used up by washing machines goes to heat the water. Give your washing machine (and the environment) a break and only wash in cold water. Additionally, vow to completely give up dry cleaning. It is an unnecessary expense and the chemicals used in the dry cleaning process, like perchloroethylene, are bad for the planet and actually bad for your clothing. These solvents can alter fabric colors and weaken the fibers of your favorite clothes. Additionally, some of these harmful chemicals can remain on your clothes, bringing them in contact with your skin.

#5- Bust Out Your Bike

Even though biking to work might seem like a major pain and a sure way of getting all sweaty before the day even begins, it is one of the best ways to go green. Not only will you save money on gas and parking and get in fabulous shape, but you will be doing your part to save the planet at the same time. Plus, most of us work in offices where we sit all day long, and this prolonged sitting has some seriously negative effects on our health. Biking to work not only keeps you from burning gasoline, but can actually help you live longer.

#6-Strip Down

Even though the cold months are quickly fading away and the temperature is constantly rising, don’t turn on the air conditioner. This is one of the surest ways to drive up your energy bill and put unnecessary strain on the environment. Instead, get a swamp cooler, crack open a window and pull your summer shorts and tank tops out of storage.

#7-Pay Bills Online

Are bills flooding your mailbox lately? Getting tons of mail is not only annoying, it is incredibly bad for the planet. Mail usually ends up in the trash (creating extra waste) and is a major drain on natural resources such as trees. Enroll in a bill-paying program for your credit cards, student loans and utility payments and never get a pesky bill in the mail again!

#8- Buy a Faucet Aerator

Unless you are a plumber, you probably don’t know what a faucet aerator is. Well, they are very important little gadgets that you put on water faucets that help conserve water and reduce splashing. And because they only cost a couple of bucks, the money that you will save on your water bill will more than make up for the cost.

#9-Take Advantage of Energy Tax Credits
The federal government is willing to pay you (and pay you big in some instances) in the form of tax credits if you do your part to save on energy. For people that purchase an energy efficient product for their home, you will be eligible to get a credit of up to 30 % of the cost you paid for it.

#10-Borrow Things Instead of Buying New Ones

If you are like me, you run out to the store every time you need something without giving it a second thought. And you probably only used that new gadget you just “had to have” a couple of times right? The waste that it took to produce and package that item that you only used once is probably more than you might think. Instead, call up your mom or a friend the next time you need cleaning supplies or want a new dress for a night out. When you borrow, you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

Energy efficiency programs save UC $21 million per year

Improved light controls, such as those that are part of UC Davis’ Smart Lighting Program, are among ways UC campuses are improving energy efficiency in existing buildings.
By Harry Mok

UC has won national praise for its 50 LEED-certified facilities, the most of any U.S. university. Many are considered shining examples of the latest in energy-efficient technology.

But most UC campus buildings were constructed long before LEED green standards and conservation took hold. Making those more efficient entails doing much more low-profile things — like fixing leaky steam pipes, making sure air conditioning doesn’t run in the winter and swapping incandescent bulbs for the latest in lighting technology.

Since January 2009, the 10 UC campuses have initiated some 400 projects to improve the efficiency of buildings, in some cases using technology developed by UC researchers. Their goal: Cut energy use, costs and emissions to year 2000 levels by 2014.

The results so far have saved campuses more than $21 million annually compared to what they otherwise would have paid for energy. For a system that uses about 250 megawatts of power a year, about the same as a medium size city, the impact of all the discrete fixes adds up.

“We were doing energy efficiency over years and have never stopped doing it,” said John Dilliott, campus energy manager at UC San Diego. “The huge effort to do it at all campuses, all at once, has made it a big push, as well to get everything done in next few years (to meet greenhouse gas emission goals).”

Spurring this collective drive is the UC system’s Strategic Energy Plan, implemented in 2008, which identified 2,700 potential projects, of which 900 were found most viable financially. The cost of these projects was estimated at $250 million, yielding an expected $40 million annually in avoided energy costs when they are completed.

Teaming up to conserve

A portion of the financing for these projects comes from the Higher Education Energy Efficiency Partnership, begun in 2004 with the California State University system and the state’s four investor-owned utilities. The utilities provide up to $60 million in incentive grants for efficiency projects if UC delivers 187 million kilowatt hours and 10.8 million therms in annual energy savings — enough to power 30,000 homes — by the end of 2011.

From January 2009 through September 2010, completed efficiency projects and those under construction are estimated to be saving 94.4 million kilowatt-hours and 7.6 million therms in energy, resulting in 71,600 metric tons of annual greenhouse gas reduction, according to UC’s annual sustainability report.
More on University Saves Millions With Green Living

For years we’ve been relying on clumsy systems full of chemicals to heat and cool our homes while a more reliable, efficient source was beneath our feet. Geothermal heating and cooling, which has been around for decades, is just starting to gain popularity thanks to new methods of installation that are cheaper and less invasive.

The idea behind geothermal heating/cooling is to use the stable temperature from deep under the ground to warm or cool air. The heart of the system is an indoor heat pump that either extracts or injects warm air. A system of pipes runs from deep underground to the pump at the surface.

When the system is set to cool, the pump extracts hot air from the house and runs it through the tunnel where it’s cooled by the earth. When it’s set to heat, it takes cold air from the house and warms it.

The system is similar to a conventional air conditioner, but instead of using chemical coolants to chill the air, it uses the natural temperature of the earth. In addition to making it more environmentally friendly, it also means the system is more efficient.

Geothermal systems are also able to do more than just heat and cool your home. They can also be used as a water heater. Because they’re so cost-effective to run, they can also heat swimming pools, patios or other outdoor areas at a lower cost than traditional systems.

More on Greener Heating And Cooling

Our constant drive to evolve into a more eco-friendly society has resulted in a monumental effort that surpasses simple methods like recycling and unplugging outlets when they’re not in use. Fortunately, we have seen a big jump in more sophisticated behaviors that greatly reduce our energy consumption. Now, it’s not just individual homes, families and people that are joining the green movement, but businesses and other industries are jumping on board as well.

Believe it or not, the hotel industry has entered the “green scene” in an effort to attract a growing clientele of people looking to stay in green friendly hotels. The industry has dedicated their efforts to doing everything they can to converse precious resources like water, reduce energy consumption, and increase recycling programs. They are taking a look at their current practices and seeing what can be done to overhaul their consumption patterns.

In the most unlikely of places, one hotel can answered the call to doing their part to save the environment. Red Rock Resort and Casino may be surrounded by the beautiful red color of the Red Rock Conservation area, but they’re truly one of the only green hotels in Las Vegas. In their efforts to go green, the Hotel hasn’t left a single stone unturned. They have adopted some of the most effective practices and have transformed the resort into a much less destructive operation than most of their competitors.

A short list of their efforts includes the use of compact fluorescent bulbs, ceiling fans, linen cards, lights out cards, low-flow shower heads, motion sensors for public restrooms, meeting rooms, exercise rooms, and even energy-efficient urinals!

Red Rock also works hard to reduce electricity, natural gas, and water use, and to lessen the amount of waste they send to landfills. The Resort has applied green practices to nearly every area of the hotel’s operations, while most of the efforts go entirely unnoticed by the average guest, as to never reduce the experience of one’s stay.

Water conservation is at its height, recycling and disposal efforts have been updated, and energy expenditures of electricity and natural gas are being greatly reduced wherever possible. The results have been impressive. Red Rock currently recycles about 35 tons of solid waste, 10.5 tons of plastic, aluminum and glass, and 24 tons of cardboard each and every month!

In a city of bright lights, Red Rock’s hotel rooms shine the brightest in terms of treating the environment with care. The rooms feature energy efficient compact fluorescent lighting sources, as well as energy efficient thermostats. It doesn’t stop there though, as even the marquee signs plastering their buildings utilize energy-efficient LED based technology, reducing consumption by about 85% over conventional incandescent signs.
Since their energy-reduction efforts began in 2006, the Resort’s energy consumption has been reduced by about 8%, saving an annual electricity amount equivalent to the power used by more than 375 homes in the Las Vegas Valley (and a significant chunk of change). They aren’t stopping there though, as the hotel has plans to install enough additional energy efficient lighting this year to diminish energy consumption by as much as 125 more homes!

Due to the Resort’s drought-prone desert location, they have also installed drift eliminators which automatically shut off water features when the wind is blowing, along with water-smart plants and artificial turf throughout the property. The result has been beautiful, earth-friendly landscaping. Apart from water, they’re even lessening their waste in the kitchen. They are transforming food waste into feed and providing it to the R.C. Combs animal farm, as well as converting 23,000 gallons of used kitchen grease and fryer oil into bio-diesel fuel each year.

Red Rock’s commitment to implementing earth-friendly designs and practices show their dedication to improving our stay here on this incredible planet. Hopefully, other hotels and industries will follow suit and do their part in being kind to our one and only home.

Palm oil is used in an incredible array of consumer products. From breakfast cereal to skin moisturizer, everyone is bound to have some palm oil product in their home. Since the objective of the Merida Home is to educate consumers about sustainability in the home (with products such as our all natural fiber area rugs), we feel it is important that people know the issues surrounding palm oil since it is so ubiquitous.

Palm oil is controversial because it contributes to deforestation in some of the world’s most fragile ecosystems. Most palm oil comes from the rain forests of Malaysia and Indonesia, while much of the rest is grown in West Africa. Since it is a renewable resource, palm oil has been used as an “environmentally preferable” replacement for petroleum products, but the phrase “environmentally preferable” is not synonymous with “environmentally sustainable.” The increasing demand for palm oil has caused strain on rain forests and threatens habitats of orangutans, elephants, and critically endangered Sumatran tigers. The orangutan population has been particularly affected by palm deforestation, and zoologists are trying to increase awareness of palm oil before orangutan populations are irreversibly damaged.

There are also human concerns with the harvestation of palm oil. Labor violations are a main argument against palm oil. Since palm oil is produced in economically developing areas of the globe, underpaying workers is not uncommon. However, since light was shed on this issue around 2008, many companies now strive to use only fairly traded palm oil. Other companies are drastically reducing their use of palm oil. General Mills is one American company that has been leading the way in finding ways to reduce the amount of palm oil in its products. Cadbury has stopped using palm oil as an ingredient all together.

It is very difficult to completely stop purchasing palm oil products since it is used in so many different applications, but consumers can become more aware of their palm oil intake by looking for these terms on product labels/ingredient lists: sodium dodecyl, palmate, palmitate, steareth-2, steareth-20, sodium lauryl sulphate, and hydrated palm glyceride. Consumers can also look for labeling that indicates that the palm oil was fairly traded and sustainably harvested. Buy purchasing responsibly produced goods, consumers can send a message to the industry that standard practices need to be improved. This will help save the rainforest, encourage fair labor, and help slow climate change.

Merida Meridian stands for “sustainability with style,” and as a natural fiber rugs manufacturer in the United States for over 30 years, we live this motto every day. Merida is the premier source for distinctively designed woven natural rugs, specializing in a variety of natural fibers, including sisal rugs, jute rugs, wool, paper and abaca. Merida offers a clean, sophisticated aesthetic that matches any room décor and our natural area rugs are uniquely customized through sizing, colors, patterns and a selection of hundreds of different edge finishes.

We got this from our friends at Geekaphone and thought we would share it with you. Thinks to think about when you are wondering about those gadgets in your hand.

Enjoy, and be sure and comment below with your thoughts on the green status of your e-toys.

Geekaphone’s How Green is the iPhone Infographic

As a curious child, I would frequently investigate the scene of my mother’s post-dinner kitchen. Amongst dropped food crumbs, splattered sauces, and pans of leftovers, I frequently discover emptied food containers soaking in dishwater. And for as far back as my memory allows me to recall, there was always a large cardboard box sitting on the floor of our kitchen for temporary storage of said recyclable food containers once the saturated label was removed and the contents cleaned out. “Plastic, glass, and aluminum go in there. Everything else in the trash,” I was always instructed. And that’s just the way it was.

That is, until I started going to my friends’ houses to play and for sleepovers. “Where do you put your cans?” I would ask my peers, only to be met with blank stares- as if I was a fool for even asking. My mother was soon faced with the difficult task of explaining why we recycle, even though it requires extra work and we aren’t required to do it. Once I understood that a lot of everyday materials could be broken down and processed into new raw materials, I understood the importance of the work. I remember the day she pointed to a landfill and reminded me that anything we don’t recycle goes into that pit; it was a freighting realization to finally recognize my contributions to something so awful.

Fast forward to my post-college lifestyle, more than 20 years later, and we find my kitchen in similar fashion as the one I grew up in: a large box for kitchen recyclables and another for paper waste. As a single-person household, the boxes only require emptying a couple times per month. Effort to load them into my car is minimal, and I usually drop them off on my way to somewhere else. The process is still the same, labor is still nominal, and advances in service offerings can even remove your recyclables directly from your own curb. And yet, there are still thousands of irresponsible consumers, just like my childhood cohorts, who refuse to take part in this effective greening activity.
More on Instilling Recycling Habits at a Young Age

“In 88 minutes, the sun provides 470 exajoules of energy, as much energy as humanity consumes in a year.” In Scientific American, Ramez Naam adds, “In 112 hours – less than five days – it provides 36 zettajoules of energy – as much energy as is contained in all proven reserves of oil, coal, and natural gas on this planet.”

We have no shortage of energy. Fortunately, we are increasingly producing and delivering more renewable energy at lower cost. At the same time we are more efficient about using energy for everything from lighting, to buildings, to transportation. Most promising is the trend to make energy cheap when plentiful, more expensive at peak, and use intelligent energy management to level the use. The grid is starting to get smart.

With a smart grid and national network of high-voltage lines, solar and wind power that are intermittent in single locations become predictable sources of steady power with a smart super grid. Renewables such as hydro, bioenergy, geothermal are already used as base load. The most cost-effective way to meet most of our base load needs is with efficient combined-cycle natural gas power plants.

As nations around the world rethink their plans for nuclear energy, better alternatives are seen in energy efficiency, renewable energy, natural gas, smart grid, and intelligent energy management.

Workers in Japan are heroically risking their lives to prevent a Chernobyl-type disaster. Earthquake exposed cores are tenuously contained hour by hour. Onsite spent fuel rods are being prevented from melt down minute by minute. Most problematic are nuclear plants that are over 30 years old. In Germany, Chancellor Merkel has called for a temporary shutdown of all nuclear plants built before 1980.

Such dangers should give us pause in the United States where over 100 plants were built pre-1977 with 40-year target lives. 59 of those plants have had their licenses extended to 60 years. The nuclear industry has campaigned to stretch these to 80-year licenses.  In almost all cases, like Japan, the spent rods are stored onsite in U.S. plants. Some U.S. reactors are located near major earthquake faults.

Fortunately, we have safer and more cost-effective energy solutions. The new Clean Energy Trends 2011 highlights strong growth in energy efficiency (including solar hot water), renewable energy, and innovative integration of natural gas and CSP. The report documents rapid progress: “The global market for solar photovoltaics (PV) has expanded from just $2.5 billion in 2000 to $71.2 billion in 2010, for example, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.8 percent. The global market for wind power, which like solar PV we have tracked every year for the past decade, has similarly expanded from a global market worth $4.5 billion in 2000 to more than $60.5 billion today, for a CAGR of 29.7 percent.” Clean Edge research projects wind power to expand from $60.5 billion in 2010 to $122.9 billion by 2020, and solar to expand from $71.2 billion to $113.6 billion by 2020. Clean Trends 2011 also looks at innovative combination of cost-effect base load power and renewables:

The integration of natural gas and renewable energy offers an opportunity to transition smoothly away from dirty energy sources. One key trend in pairing natural gas with renewables has been the development of solar-gas hybrid systems, such as Florida Power & Light’s Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center, which recently connected a 75 MW, concentrated solar power (CSP) plant to the largest natural gas plant in the U.S. (3.8 GW). Other hybrid plants in development include an NV Energy project in Nevada and two separate projects in California led by Inland Energy. Along with tackling renewables’ intermittency issues, hybrid plants are an enticing idea because the sharing of existing infrastructure, such as turbines and transmission lines, promises to reduce upfront capital costs. Integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) plants, which increase steam generation by adding solar heat to gas-turbine waste heat, are another example of the mixing of solar and gas.

The best solution of all is to encourage people to save money by being more energy efficient. By making energy cheap off-peak and more pricey during peak hours, consumers know when to run their energy-efficient appliances, and industry knows how to optimize electricity demand.

Twenty-seven percent of all global electricity is consumed by lighting. I write this article sitting underneath new LED light bulbs that use one-tenth the energy of the old fashioned incandescent bulbs that came with the home when we bought it three years ago. As I finish the article, no lighting is needed. Sunlight streams in to welcome a bright day and a brighter future.

Related posts:

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Google makes innovative use of electric vehicles and charging stations. For employees, Google took an early lead in converting Toyota Prii (yep that’s the official plural of Prius) to be plug-in hybrids. Then Google installed beautiful solar covered parking including charge stations so that electric cars can be charged with sunlight.

At its headquarters, Google is now showing us how to charge hands-free.  No plug. No cord. Using Evatran Plugless Power’s inductive charging system, one of Google’s maintenance short-range EVs parks in close proximity of the charger and charging begins. The Evatran unit is Level 2 (7.7 kW, 240V at 32A). The light EV was converted to use the inductive charging.

Google is also conducting other important pilots including testing the new Toyota Prius Plug-in, not a conversion, but the 2012 model from Toyota. Soon, Google will be testing the Honda Fit Electric and other plug-in cars. Several Google founders drive Tesla Roadsters. Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are Stanford University grad student “drop-outs” as is Telsa CEO and Founder, Elon Musk.  None regret the decision to change the world a priority over getting their PhDs.

Google is even approved by FERC to be an electric utility. Cloud services will be at the heart of the smart grid and smart charging.  Early electric car drivers use Google Maps to find the nearest charging station. Will Google charge your electric cars?

Historically, inductive charging has been too inefficient, wasting valuable electricity and charging hours. Evatran thinks that they can get to 90 percent efficient; they’re not there yet. How does it work? A Plugless Power vehicle adapter is permanently mounted onto the vehicle. A fixed Plugless Power station, including both a floor-mounted parking block and a separate control tower, is installed in the garage or parking space.

Evatran states that its technology is safe. When the equipped vehicle pulls up to the parking space, the parking block automatically positions itself to align with the vehicle adapter and begins charging. With their electromagnetic induction, no actual flow of electricity occurs between the vehicle adapter and the parking block.

Will inductive charging catch-on? In the late 1990s, inductive charging competed with conductive. Multiple incompatible systems helped kill major electric car success. GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and all the automakers have devoted years working with utilities to have a common Level 2 J1772 smart charging standard. Now they are going thru the pain of trying to get consumers to install wall-mounted chargers, only to be frustrated with obsolete building codes, over worked city inspectors, and electric utility frontline employees who find reasons to say “No to EV charging.” Adding inductive charging would compound the issues.

Automakers are interested in proximity charging inside the car when we fill the cars with collegues or kids with their iPhones, Droids, iPads, games, and other mobile electronics. Powermat is not only receiving a $5 million investment from GM Ventures, Powermat will be offered in many 2012 GM cars to give customers proximity charging of mobile devices inside the car.

What about America’s 14 million fleet vehicles? Inductive charging could be a winner. Fleets can install their own systems without needing a universal standard. Think about taxis that wait in queues. Consider millions of delivery vehicles. Light utility vehicles are popular on university, government, and corporate campuses. These are also good candidates for inductive charging, as Google is demonstrating.

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If there’s one segment of the energy sector that you’d think might be beyond significant technological innovation, it would be power transmission poles.

And you’d be wrong!

As profiled in a recent article in The Economist a novel transmission tower design called the Wintrack pylon has been co-developed by TenneT, the operator of the Dutch electricity grid, and KEMA, a consulting and engineering firm. 

Although beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, the Wintrack  is arguably much more attractive than the traditional lattice tower structures seen maligning the landscapes of the world. 

More important than cosmetics, by virtue of the architecture of its physical design, the Wintrack produces much smaller ambient magnetic fields than what emanate from conventional transmission towers.  These magnetic fields create the buzz and static that can often be heard from high-voltage lines — and form the basis for fears (founded or otherwise) about suspected human health effects due to electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation from power lines. 

Between its aesthetic and magnetic benefits, the Wintrack pylon might, just might, make it incrementally a bit easier to site new transmission lines, which in turn would help alleviate grid-constrained load centers and debottleneck access to areas of abundant solar and wind energy resources that tend to be far removed from populated areas.

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The people of Japan are courageously moving forward after the devastation of a 9.0 earthquake, a tsunami that ripped apart buildings and roads, and a nuclear crisis that now threatens their food and water. The Japanese economy depends in no small measure on the success of its automotive industry and its complex eco-system of component suppliers and service providers.

Just when gasoline prices are rising and hybrid cars are again hot sellers, the crisis is making hybrids and new electric cars tough to get. Let’s look at the impact on three big sellers of hybrids and electrics.

Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are hurt less than expected because they have diversified globally, including billion dollar plants and operations in the United States. The most advanced hybrids and electric cars, however, are first produced in Japan. Every supplier must be able to produce for new cars to be assembled in Japan. Once assembled, it will be challenging to move them across roads not ripped apart. It will take time to return shipping ports to normal after the recent tsunami tossed cars and railcars around like toys. Plants and operations require MW of electricity, now constrained by nuclear plant shutdowns.

Toyota reports that all 13 North American vehicle and engine plants are running normally, although overtime has been curtailed to maintain adequate inventories of parts that come from Japan. Toyota now makes 12 different models in North America, including high-volume vehicles such as Camry, Corolla, RAV4, and Lexus RX 350, and nearly 70 percent of all Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in the U.S. are made in North America.

Suppliers in North America provide most parts and materials for Toyota’s North American-built vehicles. Toyota has temporarily stopped all Japanese production of vehicles, but it is restarting production of replacement parts for cars already sold and parts necessary for overseas production. In general, Toyota is seeing adequate inventories at most dealers.

Prius vehicles are built in Japan, Steve Curtis with Toyota told me that the Tsutsumi plant where the Prius is made was not damaged by the earthquake. Production depends on more than the plant condition. It depends on a complex web of suppliers, supply of electricity, roads that can be crossed by employees and trucks deliveries parts. Toyota has delayed 12 Japan plant openings until March 26.

The tragedy in Japan has not delayed the U.S. launch of the new larger Prius V Crossover SUV and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, not the new Toyota small electric city car. It has delayed the launch of the Prius wagon and minivan models in Japan from the original plan for the end of April. Reuters  Article

Since the production of current Toyota and Lexus hybrids, depends on a complex supply chain, and shipment to the United States depends on roads and ports, Clean Fleet Report forecasts that shipments of Prius and other hybrids will be delayed and reduced for months.

Only one of three Toyota hybrid battery plants in Japan sustained limited damage from the earthquake. The other two plants are located in central Japan and were not affected. Panasonic and Sanyo are Toyota’s primary suppliers of nickel metal hydride and lithium batteries; their production status is uncertain.

Car dealers are betting that the supply of hot selling hybrids will be tight, especially with gasoline costing $4 per gallon in parts of the country. Auto News reports that dealers that were averaging $1,700 discounts on the Prius are now getting $800 premiums.

Honda

Honda is globally diversified in manufacturing and suppliers. With nine U.S. plants, Honda has invested more than $12.7 billion in its U.S. operations. The company employs nearly 25,000 associates and annually purchases $12 billion in parts and materials from more than 530 U.S. suppliers.

For hybrids such as the Civic Hybrid, Insight, CR-Z and Fit Hybrid, Honda also heavily depends on Japanese suppliers, including advanced battery suppliers such as Sanyo. At the heart of the 2012 Civic Hybrid and Honda’s new electric cars are the lithium-ion batteries built at its Blue Energy join venture (JV) with Japan’s GS Yuasa; the battery plant is in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto, Japan.

Last week, Honda had announced plans to resume production of major Japanese plants on March 20. Now these openings are delayed to March 27 or beyond. Like all major manufacturers, Honda depends on a complex eco-system of suppliers and joint ventures. Some plants have been damaged and roads to move parts have been ripped apart.

Nissan has delayed March 21 plans to restart production of parts for overseas manufacturing and repair parts, based on parts availability from suppliers, at these plants Oppama, Tochigi, Kyushu, Yokohama, Nissan Shatai. Vehicle production will be constrained by inventory availability. The Iwaki engine plant remains closed.

Nissan recently shipped 600 Nissan LEAFs before earthquake and tsunami damage. At the Port of Hitachi, however, Nissan lost 1,300 U.S.-bound Infiniti and Nissan cars to the tsunami. Nissan had plans to soon have 10,000 LEAFs built at the Oppama plant. Now Nissan’s hopes of catching-up with U.S. deliveries of the Chevrolet Volt have faded in the near term.

Starting next year, Nissan’s Tennessee assembly plant will have the capacity to build 150,000 Nissan Leaf electric cars per year, and 200,000 lithium-ion battery packs per year. The lithium packs could also be used in future Nissan hybrid cars. The Tennessee battery production is by AESC, a joint venture of Nissan and NEC.

Once production returns to normal, U.S. shipments could still be delayed. Japan faces a fuel shortage. Fuel is needed to transport cars to ports, to run port drayage trucks and lifts, and to run ships. Even electric cars still depend on diesel to move them to market.

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Guest blog by Don Willis

I have been to recycling conventions all across the country. It never fails that all of them have programs dedicated to landfill operators. Somehow recycling companies have not yet gotten the message. Landfill Operators are NOT recyclers. They may dabble around the edges of recycling so that the various levels of government give them a ‘feel good’ badge for attempting to be green, but the bottom line is that it is clearly becoming an us versus them scenario as we talk about ways of getting to zero waste.

I met with a landfill operator last year, at the request of a community that wanted us to build a recycling center in their city. The city had a seven year agreement with a waste collector. The waste collector also owned the landfill. It was not possible for me to build a facility in their city unless the waste company agreed to work with us on tonnage. I told the city it would never happen, but at their urging I agreed to meet with the Landfill Operator. He was pleasant and polite, but the meeting lasted only a few moments. He very politely stated that, “We’re in the landfill business. We get paid to bury trash, not recycle it.” He was absolutely correct. Landfill Operators are not in the business of recycling. If we ever needed to be hit over the head with that we just were in Florida. Landfill Operators from around the state lobbied tirelessly to get the yard waste ban overturned and they were successful. Yard waste, which prior could not be buried in landfills in Florida, could now be sent there under the guise of increasing methane production at bio-reactor landfills.

In case you don’t know bio-reactor landfills are landfills at which you see the pipes sticking up out of the surface. These pipes collect the methane that is created when organic matter in the landfill breaks down. This material creates methane because there is no oxygen in the landfill. If there were the decomposition process would yield carbon dioxide instead of methane. In the presence of oxygen decomposition yields many beneficial items. In the absence of oxygen, we get dangerous and deadly landfill gases that pollute our air and cause health problems for any nearby residents. The purpose of collecting this gas is an attempt to avoid these problems and make a few bucks selling the gas to a power company.

When a company owns a landfill they own a limited shelf life commodity. A landfill will only hold a certain amount of waste. If you can only hold a specific volume of waste, then the profit mechanism becomes a factor of time. A landfill that will hold X number of tons that takes 30 years to fill, is more profitable if the landfill operator can fill it in 20 years, instead of 30. This paradigm is the antithesis of the desires of the local community. In the example I used above the landfill at one time had belonged to the community. They sold it to the company that now operated it. They spoke to me of how many years of life the landfill had as if to get across the point that they had no concern at where the waste of the city would need to go for the next 50 years. They had no clue that the landfill operator had begun receiving waste from other communities. The landfill operator had reached out and had begun receiving waste from cities as far as 200 miles away. A landfill operator is sitting on a volume of space. The quicker the operator can fill that space the more profitable the space becomes.

As recycling rates continue to rise across the country landfill operators are fighting back. In state after state they are lobbying to remove landfill bans on items so that they can increase the tonnage they receive. They speak of how they are doing it so that they can make their ‘bio-reactors’ more productive but the bottom line is they are in the business of burying trash, not recycling. Landfills need to become a thing of the past. They no longer serve any useful purpose. Much like the buggy whip, they served a purpose in their day, but no longer. We have the ability to recycle 100% of our waste. Why do we still tolerate an industry that pollutes our air, soil, and ground water? It isn’t time to remove bans on items going to landfills. It is time to expand the bans on items going to landfills. It isn’t time to embrace bio-reactor landfills. It is time to see them for what they are, the best that can be made of a bad situation. Don’t let a landfill operator tell you that landfills are safe. They are not, cannot, never have been, and never will be safe. The manufacturers of the liners they use admit that the liners have a limited life and are subject to puncture. That means that every landfill using liners today will pollute our groundwater just as much as the estimated 50,000 closed landfills that dot our country. Every liner will leak, every liner has or will have punctures, and every liner will break down. When they do every drop of rain that falls on them will become contaminated with thousands of chemicals on its way to our ground water.

We are not in the same business. We need to understand that and take it to heart. We need to get as good at lobbying as they are. Recycling may be winning the battle for the hearts and minds, but the landfill operators are winning the lobbying war.

Don Willis CEO
Green USA Recycling, Inc.

Related posts:

Landfills and Buggy WhipsTalking TrashBiomethane for Energy and FuelHe’s The Village Upcycle! Everyone Gets A…Progress in Stopping Global Warming

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John Addison Unplugs for a Test Drive

It’s easy to slide behind the steering wheel of this Tesla Roadster because the top’s removed for this January day. I don’t mind. It’s 70 degrees here in Palm Springs, California. A perfect day for a test drive.

Tesla gives me the ground rules for the drive – have fun. Yes, I can floor it if I pay for my own traffic ticket. I can take tight turns. Hit the brakes hard. Yes, I can go 20 mph over that speed bump that would trash many low-profile speed bumps.

Handling S-curves is smooth and effortless even though this sports car has no power steering. I go over a speed bump at 20 mph. No scraping sounds. No damage. These shocks are worthy of a race track.

On the highway, I press lightly on the accelerator and I’m going 60. Yes, the Roadster 2.5 can go zero to 60 in 3.7 seconds. There was no screeching tires, no whining engine, and no swerving. Just a light touch and stealth speed.

Any downsides? The Roadster that I’m driving cost over $120,000. The premium stereo is extra, as is the backup camera. Yes, only two seats and very little cargo. You’ve got room for your golf clubs, a travel bag, and your attaché. Unlike the Nissan LEAF the GPS display will not show you nearby charging stations, but the Roadster has a 245 mile range between charges thanks to the light aluminum frame, carbon fiber body, and 56 kWh lithium battery pack. One owner set a record of over 350 miles. The Roadster that I’m driving went from Orange County to Los Angeles to Palm Springs on one charge.

If you can afford to enjoy a luxury sports car, then take the Tesla Roadster for a drive. You will enjoy the smooth handling, stealth acceleration, and 245-mile electric range. After the ride, you can have fun explaining to friends about why you’re still smiling.

My test drive was at the The Clean-Tech Investor Summit, co-produced by International Business Forum and Clean Edge, with Cleantech Blog as a media sponsor. Keynoting the event, Tesla CEO Elon Musk discussed the new Model S Sedan and hinted about the Tesla Model X SUV when he keynoted the Clean-tech Investor Summit. He then gave me an interesting answer about Tesla’s future.

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Part One of this topic can be found here

In order to help protect the environment, many companies have been finding new ways to go green in a world where it is really important to begin doing so. Green practices give the company a better reputation, show an appreciation for the environment we live in, and actually make life a lot easier in many ways. The human resources department of a company or business, specifically, has begun their own green practices to help avoid doing things that could potentially hurt the environment.

Online Applications
In the past, human resources made a bunch of copies of their job applications and had people come in to fill out an application. As the years went on, more and more people began filling out applications. This causes processing of the applications to take much longer and job positions filled much later than expected. So, it almost makes sense to go greener with the use of online applications. With online applications, less paper is needed, which helps save trees. In addition, applications are much easier to process on a computer than on paper. Human resources departments almost everywhere have taken advantage of this.

Online Resume Submission
Employers also receive hundreds, sometimes thousands of resumes just in one month. That is a lot of paper! Not only is that a complete waste a paper, who wants to sift through all of those resumes to find applicants who are actually qualified for the job? Many human resources departments have used new software and technology to allow applicants to submit their resume online. The resume then goes into the company’s system and uses a keyword search to eliminate resumes from applicants who do not have the right requirements for the job. This way, people are not wasting paper by handing in paper versions of their resumes.

Online Payroll Logs and Clock-Ins
In past years, employees had a time card where they wrote down the hours they worked each week. This information was then used to calculate how much each person would be paid. Much of this paperwork related to payroll was done on paper. However, human resources departments have changed the way they process an employee’s hours. In most work locations, employees come in to work and clock-in on a computer. Since the computer is keeping track of each person’s hours, this eliminates the need for paper time cards. Processing of these hours and calculating payroll checks are also now done on a computer, saving even more paper.

Phone Interviews
Human resources departments have begun to give phone interviews to decide whether an applicant is qualified for the job and is a fit candidate. This gives the employer a chance to get to know the person and to find out if it is worth their time to bring them into the work location for an in-person interview. In an interesting way, this is also a way that human resources departments are going greener. By finding out if a candidate is fit for the job before they come in, it saves gas and pollution into the air by not calling them in for an interview if they are not qualified.

Today’s guest post is a good one that deals with how your company and HR department can implement green practices to everyday business standards. This is something that can be simple to do and yet have far ranging impact if we all set it up in the way we do daily business.

A large multitude of human resource management departments across the world are opting with practices that promote going green. Going green is an excellent way to be environmentally friendly, while at the same time increasing the satisfaction of employees. Many HR staff members have testified they enjoy going to work for a company that utilizes green practices. Let’s take a look at several ways HR departments are being Mother Earth friendly; these very same practices can be utilized in your HR office.

Purchase Green Office Products
There is a large range of green office products available on today’s market that are equal in performance of traditional products, but these products help lower waste, lower energy usage, and use a lesser amount of chemicals than traditional products. Utilizing green office products often times means an HR department will endure cost savings in addition to being environmentally friendly.

Recycle Ink & Toner Cartridges
There are several retail stores that offer consumers with the ability to purchase re manufactured ink and toner cartridges. These ink and toner cartridges cost up to 15% less than traditional cartridges, so always remember to recycle used cartridges and buy re manufactured ones.

Purchase PCR Paper
Buying PCR paper means an HR department is buying paper made of Post-Consumer Recycled content; these types of paper are just as high in quality as non-recycled paper.

Store Paperwork Using Electronic Methods
HR departments most certainly use a lot of paperwork to conduct business; however, there is a large amount of paperwork that does not have to be printed. Storing paperwork in electronic methods extremely cuts down on the amount of paper being wasted in an office. HR workers are most times familiar with email methods, so instead of printing a piece of paper to show the worker next door, email it. Any paper that does get printed should always go into a paper recycling trash can.

Make Sure Electronic Products are Energy Star Labeled
Office electronics, ranging from computers to fax machines, can be bought with Energy Star labels. These types of electronics automatically shut down if they are not in use; this helps HR departments use up to 75% less energy when compared to using products that are not Energy Star labeled.

Go Fluorescent
An additional 75% of energy can be saved in HR departments by using Energy Star fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, which also helps reduce maintenance costs associated with hiring someone to switch out light bulbs within an HR department.

Always Hook up Electronics on a Power Strip
Another additional 75% of energy can be conserved when HR departments use power strips to power their electronics. Plugging all electronics up to a power strip that can be turned off and on on a daily basis may be one of the simplest ways to go green.

The horrific Japanese disaster and nuclear power plant failures have many of us around the world worried about fallout. Personally the more the TV commentators tells us there is nothing to worry about the more I worry because they are just regurgitating what they are fed by authorities. Let us see what really happens. So to that point we should all do something to protect ourselves from exposure to radiation.

This post addresses that and I wanted to share it with you. Foods we can eat to help protect us.

The disastrous chain of events precipitated by the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent Tsunami that struck Japan has raised concern for the possible ramifications of radiation carried across the pacific on wind currents.

In the aftermath of the largest earthquake in to hit Japan in history, four of the six nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station are still in various stages of meltdown and continue to deteriorate.

According to the New York Times, even the best case scenario could mean that radioactive release of steam from the crippled plants could go on for weeks, months or even years.1

People who eat miso regularly may be up to five times more resistant to radiation than those who do not eat miso. That is the conclusion of a team of researchers at Hiroshima University’s atomic bomb radiation research center.2

Dr. Kazumitsu Watanabe, professor of cancer and radiation research investigated the radioprotective effect of miso, a fermented soy product, by testing small intestine cells of lab mice. These cells absorb nutrients and are particularly sensitive to radiation, which can easily destroy these cells.

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