Environmetrics

Eco Scam Artists

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:33:34 +0000

There seems to be a really positive movement across the world for everyday people to make a difference to the state of the environment. Everything you hear these days seems to be ‘green this’ and ‘eco that’, and I for one, think that this is great news. One problem that always seems to arise when people become interested in something, is that the opportunists sweep in to make a bit of quick cash out of the situation.

This type of thing really makes me angry, and is why I think that companies such as Enigin Scam Busters, are doing a worthwhile and necessary job. They set out to fight back against all of those ‘green'companies that try to con us all into thinking that they are trying to show environmental initiative and are operating in an environmentally sound manner, or are making eco friendly products. Many of these companies are just fakes, and are trying to capitalize on the good nature and spirit of people who are trying to shop and buy more responsibly.

The problem with all of these things is that marketing laws and ethics are laid out in such a way that they are open to abuse. For one example, in order for companies to call themselves ‘Natural'they only need to include less than 1% natural ingredients! This is an unbelievable fact, and is something which leaves consumers in a position where they can be easily fooled into thinking that they are buying natural products, when realistically it would be hard for anyone to argue that less than 1% is acceptable. The same can be said of companies trying to promote themselves as eco conscious companies, as they are trying to appeal to the good nature of customers, when they are not backing this up with any truth.

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The plastic bag debate…

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:33:03 +0000

For a while it’s been obvious that a charge-per-plastic-bag was on its way. But now it’s here, how does it actually affect us?

To my mind, it’s another symptom of scandal which we are supposed to believe point-blank is a good thing. But, while the government insists that this charge is going to cause people to think twice about paying for a bag, I happen to disagree completely. Here is why…

Saying that five to ten pence is some kind of a deterrent to customers is a bit like saying “let’s put the price of red diesel uk up so that farmers are forced to find a new way to maintain their crops”. Of course, on the surface, cutting down on diesel would be a breakthrough. Yet the problem still remains: farmers need to do their work, and just as they need to do their work, customers will need plastic bag. So, in fact, the charge of a paltry five or ten pence here or there isn’t really much of an issue, is it? Surely after a few months we will all be used to paying for this and then we won’t even give it a second thought.

Hopefully, if the government see some sense soon, that won’t be the inevitable conclusion…

This brings me to one conclusion which I really wish wasn’t the case: they are putting the prices on the bags as a form of tax…a way to squeeze yet more money out of the man on the street and into the pockets of the government. Really, what other way IS there to look at it?

The die-hard enthusiasts for this idea will probably say that it’s to do with our resources dwindling, that it’s something to do with the damage that plastic bags do and how charging a fee for them will somehow absolve this. This is, of course, utter nonsense. That money will be distributed in a number of different ways, and while I can’t be sure of it, I am willing to bet that it will not be going into helping solve our energy issues.

The answer, really, has to be recycling. That’s the only way to produce bags that actually break down again. I don’t want my children growing up in a future where the whole surface of the planet is covered in plastic bags which won’t degrade for another 500 to 1000 years. Hopefully, if the government see some sense soon, that won’t be the inevitable conclusion. Just don’t hold your breath…

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North America’s Tallest Building Has Green Plans

admin — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 04:03:05 +0000

Just over two years ago, the owners of Chicago’s Willis Tower, formerly called the Sears Tower, announced a plan to modernize the building in order to make it significantly more “green.” Then, for a while, the process was log jammed due to a lawsuit. The owners of the Willis tower were reportedly rethinking whether they even still wanted to go through with the 350 million dollar procedure, given the complications that arose.

Thankfully, the situation has worked itself out, and the renovations are now underway; and they are bold indeed. All 16,000 windows of the 110-story skyscraper will be replaced with more energy-efficient ones that will reduce heating costs by an estimated 60 percent. The energy that the building does consume will come more frequently from green sources like solar panels. But solar pv installers won’t be the only crews on the Willis Tower’s roofs this year. Construction crews also plan to install wind turbines and natural areas more than 60 stories above the city of Chicago.

On the interior, the escalators and elevators will be remounted. The building will rely more heavily on natural sources of light and water, rather than artificial ones. All in all, designers expect the tower to use 80% less electricity when the changes are done, making this one of the most ambitious (and potentially most important) green renovations of an already-standing building in the history of architecture.

Mayor Daley, the former mayor of Chicago, made it one of his goals to make the city the greenest in the world. Though Mayor Daley is now Mayor Emmanuel, the green outlook for the city seems to have remained quite the same.

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Speaking of Green Vacations . . .

admin — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 03:03:05 +0000

I saw the postings here about green vacations and had to contribute.

Three years ago, I bought a 1984 Volkswagen Jetta and had it converted to run on vegetable oil (WVO). The theory behind this process is that, regardless of whether or not WVO is cleaner when it burns–which, in some ways, it is, and in other ways, it isn’t–you’re not putting any new carbon into the air. To really be enviro-friendly, you need to use true WVO (which stands for waste vegetable oil). Without going too much more into detail, the point:

I’m baffled at how simple the process is. The mechanics did the conversion using only plumbing equipment and some solenoids. I was also amazed at how easy it was to get oil. Restaurants have to pay to have their used oil taken away and disposed of properly, so many of them are willing to give it away for free.

So, in short, for three years, I drove more or less for free and at an overall benefit to the environment (compared to a traditional car). The technology was, to put it mildly, absolutely nothing fancy. The car was from 1984.

So my question . . . are we now moving backwards?

Many people don’t know (I didn’t until recently) that gasoline engines were developed because gasoline is actually a byproduct in the production of kerosine. In other words, we had too much of it sitting around while we were making kerosine for our lamps and so forth, so the gasoline engine was developed to put it to good use. AND WE’RE STILL USING IT.

And so, as the automotive industry continues to develop big 4×4 cars and trucks, Hummers . . . you get the picture . . . I wonder if we’re even trying to move forward. Why can two guys with plumbing equipment and simple electronics develop a satisfying car (with an engine from 1984) that is better for the environment than a 2011 gas car?

One that is better, even, than most hybrids . . . thoughts to ponder, thoughts to ponder . . .

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Green Vacation

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:15:43 +0000

Taking a “green” vacation is a lot of fun and easier than you realize. The following ten ways will help you save the environment while you travel. These tips will help lighten landfills, lower carbon emissions, reduce waste and even save your hard earned money.
• Print all your maps and information before you leave on your journey instead of buying maps and guidebooks that are expensive. This way you will be able to spend money on more worthwhile items.
• You should pack light when you travel. The rule of thumb is to decide what you believe you will need and cut it in half. Extra weight can cause you to use more fuel and may also cost extra for baggage on planes.
• Purchase a solar charger. These days most of the phones, cameras and MP3 players can be charged using a solar charger.
• Try to stay with your friends, family and acquaintance instead of staying at expensive hotels.
• Traveling by train or bicycle is the most eco-friendly and inexpensive option.
• If you do decide to rent a car, rent a smaller one. You spend less money on petrol for a smaller car.
• Eat food from the local market or grocery store. It will be less expensive, healthier and even tastier. Always buy water bottles to refill and tablets for water purification if the water is not the cleanest.
• Buy the local handicrafts. There are plenty of souvenirs that exploit the environment and the animal life however if you buy material made of crafts fabric you will be staying environmentally friendly. These handicrafts also tend to be a lot less expensive.
The above tips will ensure that your vacation is inexpensive, green and full of fun!

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Green Vacation

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:33:17 +0000

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Easy Ways to Detox Your Home to Keep Pets Safe

admin — Tue, 24 May 2011 06:03:06 +0000

A number of people keep a variety of pets ranging from the more common dogs, cats and parrots to the uncommon birds, tortoises and monkeys irrespective of whether they stay in huge mansions in South China or lofts in east London. This is a common misconception that what is safe for humans will obviously be safe for pets as well. The key is to be careful about what to keep in a house and where to keep it. Some easy ways to detox your home to help protect your pets are:

1. Be careful about the plants in the home or garden – Some of the plants like oleander, sago and lilies can be poisonous to pets if ingested. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a complete list of plants to be avoided in homes with pets.

2. Use only the appropriate product – It is important to read the label to ascertain if the product like flea powder is harmless for a particular pet. A product for dogs can be potentially deadly to cats or vice versa.

3. Storing of cleaning agents – Pets are not as intelligent as we are and hence do not know that cleaning agents are not for consuming. It is important to store them in a place so that they are out of reach of pets.

4. Use of fertilizers and insecticides in garden – Pets should be kept away from gardens where these are used until they have dried completely. Once used the remains and empty sachets should be thrown in a ditch and covered. A better alternative is to use all-organic compost that does not harm the pets.

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Virginia Police on Hybrids

admin — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:03:07 +0000

The US has been quite cited as being the only country that talks more than it actually does when it comes to the performance of their promises. They have obtained quite strong positions to the development of green programs and yet remain the greatest polluter of the environment, closely followed by China and India. However, while the countries after the US are countries with developing economies, the US is supposed to be working on quite a higher level when it comes to environmental protection. And here we go, their first quite loud manifestation is on – police jumps on hybrid cars.

The specially produced HOV hybrids are going to get in use as soon as possible as the relevant laws have already been adopted. The Environmental News portal reports that the vehicles would be a step towards a greener future but more importantly, they will be used to give example to both citizens and other public structures that need to reduce their impact on the atmosphere. Transport is among the largest polluters of the air and exactly the US needs innovations to enforce greener transportation and to promote such ways of travelling among its community. Furthermore, the country would be benefit from such vehicles in terms of the costs for police enforcement as much fuel would be saved and huge financial savings would be made in relation to the objectives of the police force. We have all imagined them as simple people with helene candleholder walking around looking for a crime and driving big and costly cars. However, there we go – a good initiative launched by Virginia police.

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Dispose Garbage in an Eco-friendly Manner

admin — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:03:36 +0000

Disposing your garbage in an eco-friendly manner instead of throwing around can prove to a highly beneficial step in saving our planet. It will not only help you in dealing efficiently with the menace created through waste, but will also give you peace of mind that you contributed in the welfare of the planet.

While disposing garbage in an eco-friendly manner, all you need to do is to separate the trash according to its material. For example, the disposable trash like wooden boxes, carpets, non usable furniture in separate trash can, the aluminum cans and iron material in another trash can , papers and paper bags in another can as it can be sold off for recycling. Similarly, put the food trash in separate area as it can be used for making manures. Such efforts will save energy and lower pollution as well as will help you create awareness among other people regarding disposing garbage.

In order to contribute for a greener planet, you can also take help of the skip hires. They will not only help you in getting rid of the waste, but will also ensure that it is being disposed off in an environment-friendly manner. This process is economical as well as saves petrol, thus, helping you to conserve energy. Though while taking help of skip hires, you need to consider several points like the charges taken by them, parking fees, and several other additional charges. Apart from this, also analyze the distance between the dump site and your home because if it will be far, then the whole process will turn out to be highly expensive for you. Thus, if carried out with a little intelligence and patience, the whole procedure of rubbish removal can be easily accomplished, making your surroundings neat and a better place to live in.

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Cardboard Recycling Facts

admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 01:33:05 +0000

I had a friend come to my home to use my computer to do a search for a GP job when he started talking about the governments push to have people recycle used products. He claimed that many people are focusing on plastic products and not many consider recycling cardboard products because they think it’s difficult.

If you believe that cardboard recycling is a very difficult process, then you are completely wrong! Cardboard can be completely recycled and it is absolutely biodegradable and hence is no threat to the environment. There two main types of card boards; corrugated and paperboard versions. Some facts of recycling cardboards are:

1. Not all types of cardboards can be recycled; such as those covered with wax or with wet strength. The cardboards which carry grocery, meat and vegetables are usually the waxed cardboards, making it work like a cooling machine.

2. Before a corrugated cardboard is recycled all the Styrofoam and other plastic materials must be removed, however, the small tags and other labels can be left on.

3. Chipboards are often mistaken for cardboards, but they have very limited usage and are grey inside. Although chipboards and cardboards often serve a similar purpose, chipboard is considered to be of a slightly low quality. They are also less resistant than the cardboards due to the absence of long-layers of cellulose kraft paper.

4. A major portion of the paper mills use old card-boards as the key component in the manufacturing of kraft paper. This saves them from the trouble of extracting and using the tree pulp.

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