Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to Summer and you know what that means – barbecues, pool parties and outdoor sports! Whether you are holding your own event or just being the ultimate guest, there are several green options to make your Summer not only fun; but also environmentally responsible. Here are some tips on how to go green while having a good time. At the Family Barbecue: Nix the Chemicals. Cut Down on Paper Waste. Shop locally. Making it Hot. Getting Your Drink On. In the Great Outdoors: Protect Yourself. Watch What You Wear. Keep the Bugs at Bay – Naturally. Use the Power of the Sun. As you can see, being responsible doesn’t have to mean not enjoying yourself. Follow these tips and you will have a great Summer while also decreasing your environmental impact. Have fun! Tags: barbecue, eco-friendly, farmers' markets, Memorial Day, outdoor sports, recycling, solar power, Summer
Clean and prep the grill by heating it up and then rubbing it with an onion; instead of using a chemical spray.
Use glasses and silverware or reusable plastic dishware and cutlery instead of paper cups and plates. If you must use paper, be sure to recycle.
Visit your local farmers’ market to gather seasonal produce for salads.
To find a farmers’ market near you, click here.
Use lump/natural charcoal or wood chips instead of charcoal briquettes.
Try Trader Joes or Strosnider’s for options.
Introduce your friends and family to a few great locally brewed beers.
To find a brewery near you, click here.
Stay protected from sun damage with an eco-friendly sunscreen.
Look for eco-friendly clothing, swimsuits, sandals, towels, etc. Organic cotton is a popular option.
Use natural insect repellants such as garlic and rosemary for outdoor areas and a DEET free one for your body.
Don’t Go Wild with the Water.
Be mindful of your water usage when watering plants, filling pools, etc. Only use as much as absolutely necessary.
Several companies offer solar powered phone and accessory chargers. Keep your toys powered up while you’re enjoying the outdoors.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
10 Green Tips for Summer Fun
U.S depend less on oil
Finally! This is a glimpse of what most of us hoped for. Even as often as we heard the chant “drill baby drill”, we are going to experience much less-dependent economic reflection on oil. The U.S energy department reported this week that in over a decade, United States dependence on imported oil fell below 50 percent. They claim this change in part of the weak economy (mainly ’08) and more production of fuel efficient vehicles. I guess the next part is when those anticipated electric vehicles start hitting the road - and the rest is a new revolution. No matter what measure, developments in sustainable efforts most often favor the conventional status quo. Sadly, some of these products and technology have existed, but was not trendy enough or given the fair exposure it deserved. So we can be grateful that there are star items like electric vehicles and solar power serving as the “poster” for these resources. In the report, the Energy department goes on to project that this trend of less dependency will “…continue through the next decade due to improvements in energy efficiency and higher fuel economy standards.” So before anyone would assume that this result was largely contributed from the economic crisis or any offshore drilling expansion, understand that this reflection is drawn from overall U.S oil demand that is also evident from last year’s report. Ironically, the present oil price displeasure is challenging our daily budget and future plans. Consequently, we may see reports contradicting the success of less dependency. But, hey, this may actually provoke a boost to fuel efficient vehicles sales. As reported, the waiting list for Nissan Leaf seems to be growing; and the Japan earthquake crisis won’t deter much of the its schedule to provide the demanded fleet of LEAF vehicles. In another light, without any bias or political affiliation, this less dependency provides additional leverage in the expansion of offshore drilling debate in the capitol hill as well as emphasize Obama administration strategies on tackling foreign oil dependency. We can infer that the benefits from this less dependency of oil is still accounting for more domestic improvement such as our success in petroleum products exports. So this shift to energy efficiency is growing stronger and gradually changing the course of our economy. This would be one the smartest investments that is going to define the next decade and onwards in terms of efficient technology. I could imagine some of the electric car owners, grinning from ear to ear right now – blast!! Hopefully, we don’t have to wait much to own one or wait for these benefits to trickle down to “us” average consumers. Tags: Drill baby drill, energy efficiency, fuel efficiency, Obama adminstration, Offshore drilling,Oil depenency, Solar Energy
Monday, May 30, 2011
SCREEN ON THE GREEN 2011 IN WASHINGTON DC
Yes. Can you say, “Free Outdoor Movies at the National Mall.” Screen on the Green is a favorite Washington, DC summer tradition. Bring a blanket to the National Mall on a warm night and watch a classic film on a gigantic movie screen. Films are shown on Monday nights beginning at dusk, around 8:30-9:00 p.m. People start to claim their spots on the lawn as early as 5 p.m. Movies play except in extreme weather and there are no rain days. Note, this year’s new location, just a few blocks west! Dates: Mondays, July 25 – August 15 For more information, please click here.
Last recap on Iceland’s volcano
There was news recently on Iceland’s volcano causing concern. Currently there is no need for any concern. The point we brought back last year on whether the media thinking it had anything to do with global warning was Right or Wrong: According to volcanologists from the University of Iceland, the immediate answer is no. However, a recent study suggests that increasing temperatures from global warming will cause a lot of ice sheets on volcano tops to melt (d’uuh), which could then lead to some changes in magmatic systems (magma flow, etc.) in volcanic regions (i.e. Iceland’s volcanoes, Mount Erebus in Antarctica, the Aleutian islands of Alaska or Patagonia in South America). The effects would be more prevalent in areas where ice sheets are melting off of volcanic tops, thus causing slight changes in pressure distribution at the bottom, which could lead to land rises, and associated stresses, These changes in the ground can lead to more frequent volcanic activity. A report showed that about 10 percent of Iceland’s biggest ice cap, Vatnajokull, has melted since 1890, while the nearby land was simultaneously rising about 25 millimetres (0.98 inch) a year. This is one example of changes brought by melting ice caps. We would like to point out one comment that we liked on Reuters “It is ironic that the very jet aircraft which are significant contributors to ozone layer breakdown are grounded by volcanic ash perhaps instigated by the melting of glaciers.” (via Reuters) Feel free to take a few steps in the right direction by getting quotes from our green contractors for solar or wind energy services, energy efficiency audits, or green remodeling projects by going to our homepage and doing a quick search with your zipcode (currently supporting DC, MD, VA only).
Haiti’s Sustainable Info Agenda
Haiti caught a lot of attention last year due to the earthquake crisis. We bring back this article to recap the environmental concerns. In the future, we hope to look back on where Haiti is currently: The Earthquake in Haiti brought a lot of attention to the world. From Obama to Wyclef and other celebrities taking the stage to address the country’s problems. Even before the earthquake, the country has been devastated throughout the years with social, health, and economic instability just to mention a few of these few areas. However amid all the bad news we hear about Haiti, let’s remember that they are known for their rich history and culture. And so with problems breed opportunities to make the country stronger and better. We will now dive through a summary of the environmental issues facing Haiti outlined by the Ministry for Public Works, Transportation, and Communications Bureau of Mines and Energy Electricity of Haiti. Let’s start by saying this… Before the earthquake and possibly a little after (now 04/18./2010), there was an overuse of firewood to generate heat. As a result over, the years, Haiti has gone through massive deforestation. The rate of planting new trees to replace old existing ones has not led to anything sustainable as more and more trees are cut down to provide heat and other measures of survival and consumption. More than half of the country is below the poverty lines where the average income per household is around $500.00. This leads to a dilemma of citizens unable to buy more efficient fuels and technology to sustain their country in the long run. When it comes to oil and gas, Haiti does not have enough money for internal oil and gas sector generation resulting to low gas and emissions standards. The country similar to the United States is a net importer with high debt. And when it comes to electricity generation, Haiti ranks at the bottom for electricity generation by ranked countries. For many years their electricity infrastructure has be underdeveloped with plants and transmissions lines. With the world coming together to help Haiti, we hope to see an effort to create sustainable living to help reduce deforestation, fossil fuels, and other environmental pollants for a healthier economy. We hope to see more renewable technology. With Haiti having great potential for solar and wind, there is viable future waiting to happen. Feel free to take a few steps in the right direction by getting quotes from our green contractors for solar or wind energy services, energy efficiency audits, or green remodeling projects by going to our homepage and doing a quick search with your zipcode (currently supporting DC, MD, VA only).
Saturday, May 28, 2011
10 Green Tips for Summer Fun
Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to Summer and you know what that means – barbecues, pool parties and outdoor sports! Whether you are holding your own event or just being the ultimate guest, there are several green options to make your Summer not only fun; but also environmentally responsible. Here are some tips on how to go green while having a good time. At the Family Barbecue: Nix the Chemicals. Cut Down on Paper Waste. Shop locally. Making it Hot. Getting Your Drink On. In the Great Outdoors: Protect Yourself. Watch What You Wear. Keep the Bugs at Bay – Naturally. Use the Power of the Sun. As you can see, being responsible doesn’t have to mean not enjoying yourself. Follow these tips and you will have a great Summer while also decreasing your environmental impact. Have fun! Tags: barbecue, eco-friendly, farmers' markets, Memorial Day, outdoor sports, recycling, solar power, Summer
Clean and prep the grill by heating it up and then rubbing it with an onion; instead of using a chemical spray.
Use glasses and silverware or reusable plastic dishware and cutlery instead of paper cups and plates. If you must use paper, be sure to recycle.
Visit your local farmers’ market to gather seasonal produce for salads.
To find a farmers’ market near you, click here.
Use lump/natural charcoal or wood chips instead of charcoal briquettes.
Try Trader Joes or Strosnider’s for options.
Introduce your friends and family to a few great locally brewed beers.
To find a brewery near you, click here.
Stay protected from sun damage with an eco-friendly sunscreen.
Look for eco-friendly clothing, swimsuits, sandals, towels, etc. Organic cotton is a popular option.
Use natural insect repellants such as garlic and rosemary for outdoor areas and a DEET free one for your body.
Don’t Go Wild with the Water.
Be mindful of your water usage when watering plants, filling pools, etc. Only use as much as absolutely necessary.
Several companies offer solar powered phone and accessory chargers. Keep your toys powered up while you’re enjoying the outdoors.
U.S Depend Less on Oil
Finally! This is a glimpse of what most of us hoped for. Even as often as we heard the chant “drill baby drill”, we are going to experience much less-dependent economic reflection on oil. The U.S energy department reported this week that in over a decade, United States dependence on imported oil fell below 50 percent. They claim this change in part of the weak economy (mainly ’08) and more production of fuel efficient vehicles. I guess the next part is when those anticipated electric vehicles start hitting the road - and the rest is a new revolution. No matter what measure, developments in sustainable efforts most often favor the conventional status quo. Sadly, some of these products and technology have existed, but was not trendy enough or given the fair exposure it deserved. So we can be grateful that there are star items like electric vehicles and solar power serving as the “poster” for these resources. In the report, the Energy department goes on to project that this trend of less dependency will “…continue through the next decade due to improvements in energy efficiency and higher fuel economy standards.” So before anyone would assume that this result was largely contributed from the economic crisis or any offshore drilling expansion, understand that this reflection is drawn from overall U.S oil demand that is also evident from last year’s report. Ironically, the present oil price displeasure is challenging our daily budget and future plans. Consequently, we may see reports contradicting the success of less dependency. But, hey, this may actually provoke a boost to fuel efficient vehicles sales. As reported, the waiting list for Nissan Leaf seems to be growing; and the Japan earthquake crisis won’t deter much of the its schedule to provide the demanded fleet of LEAF vehicles. In another light, without any bias or political affiliation, this less dependency provides additional leverage in the expansion of offshore drilling debate in the capitol hill as well as emphasize Obama administration strategies on tackling foreign oil dependency. We can infer that the benefits from this less dependency of oil is still accounting for more domestic improvement such as our success in petroleum products exports. So this shift to energy efficiency is growing stronger and gradually changing the course of our economy. This would be one the smartest investments that is going to define the next decade and onwards in terms of efficient technology. I could imagine some of the electric car owners, grinning from ear to ear right now – blast!! Hopefully, we don’t have to wait much to own one or wait for these benefits to trickle down to “us” average consumers. Tags: Drill baby drill, energy efficiency, fuel efficiency, Obama adminstration, Offshore drilling,Oil depenency, Solar Energy
Clean Water from Solar Desalination
We remind our viewers again about the endless possibilities of solar technology and it’s uses in the following article/example below:
Like most populations in the desert region, Saudi Arabia has an ongoing fresh-water shortage problem. The country is one of the largest fresh-water producers using the process of desalination. Now the country’s national research agency plans to build the largest desalination plant using… guess… what’s ample in the desert? ..aside from sand … getting warmer… SOLAR!
The plant will operate using a PV concentration technology developed by none other than Big Blue himself, aka IBM. The technology focuses 2,300 times the power of the sun onto a a single square-centimeter solar cell. The cell doesn’t get damaged because of an indium-gallium liquid-metal alloy that acts as a heat sink, by moving the heat away from the cell. In addition to the new PV technology, the plant is also using a new reverse osmosis based water filtration system, also developed by IBM and University of Texas at Austin.
Energy use takes up more than half of the cost of running a desalination plant, and current desalination plants rely on fossil fuels for that energy. Even though solar power is still more expensive than fossil fuels in most places, the long term savings costs make it an ideal solution for such a project. In addition, the substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is just another great perk of such a system. Completion for the plant is scheduled for 2012, and when completed, the plant will produce 30,000 cubic meters of desalinated water per day, which is enough to meet the basic needs of 100,000 people.
(via MIT Technology Review)
Feel free to take a few steps in the right direction by getting quotes from our green contractors for solar or wind energy services, energy efficiency audits, or green remodeling projects by going to our homepage and doing a quick search with your zipcode (currently supporting DC, MD, VA only).
Tags: IBM, indium-gallium liquid-metal alloy, PV concentrated, Saudi Arabia, solar water desalination
Let’s Take A Trip On Solar Power
The Sobuka team features this article again to show you the possibilities of green technology to an ever changing world.
Are you the traveling type that always wanted to visit various places around the world? Would you be adventurous enough to do it on a balloon? No? Ok, would you be GREEN enough to do it with power from 12,000 solar cells? “YES!” is what we’re looking. The famous adventurer Bertrand Piccard is at it again, only this time he’s planning to go around the world by flying something called the Solar Impulse. A worthy prototype of the Solar Impulse took off on its first test flight today form a field in Payerne, Switzerland, and flew for approximately 1.5 hours. The plane has a wingspan the size of that from a 747 (a brisk run to the 70 yard line of your local football field should give you an idea of the length), and weighs 3,500 lbs (think toyota camry, with perfectly fine accelerator pedals). The prototype took off at a speed of 28mph with the help of four 10HP propeller motors (power of a small motor boat).
Feel free to take a few steps in the right direction by getting quotes from our green contractors for solar or wind energy services, energy efficiency audits, or green remodeling projects by going to our homepage and doing a quick search with your zipcode (currently supporting DC, MD, VA only).
Tags: bertrand piccard, fly around the world, Payerne Switzerland, solar desalination, solar plane
Friday, May 27, 2011
AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION – ACE11
The American Water Works Association’s 130th Annual Conference & Exposition
Join thousands of water professionals who will gather at ACE11, the American Water Works Association’s 130th Annual Conference & Exposition, June 12 -16,2011, in Washington, D.C. It’s the water community’s forum to tackle a growing number of challenges, from infrastructure management to water resources protection to advanced treatment technologies.
To begin your ACE11 experience visit their site here: http://www.awwa.org/ace11/index.cfm?showLogin=N
ACE11 Details
Conference Site: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
Headquarters Hotel: Grand Hyatt Washington
Workshops: June 12
Conference: June 12–16
Exposition: June 12–15
Facility Tours: June 14–15
AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION – ACE11
The American Water Works Association’s 130th Annual Conference & Exposition Join thousands of water professionals who will gather at ACE11, the American Water Works Association’s 130th Annual Conference & Exposition, June 12 -16,2011, in Washington, D.C. It’s the water community’s forum to tackle a growing number of challenges, from infrastructure management to water resources protection to advanced treatment technologies. To begin your ACE11 experience visit their site here: http://www.awwa.org/ace11/index.cfm?showLogin=N ACE11 DetailsJune 11, 2011
AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION – ACE11
Conference Site: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
Headquarters Hotel: Grand Hyatt Washington
Workshops: June 12
Conference: June 12–16
Exposition: June 12–15
Facility Tours: June 14–15
Chevrolet Volt Display
“This post is a recap of my past experience at Pentagon City a year ago. Enjoy!”
Nope. This is not another type of Toyota Hybrid Recall or a car-like bail out. At least not yet.
Ok. I get it. The picture above is the chassis for the Chevrolet Volt. I remember taking this image coming down the elevator from Pentagon City in Washington DC/Virginia a week ago. At first glance it appeared as a go cart until further inspection.
Supposedly this car can run up to 40 miles emissions free. Thus by the time I leave off to work from Hyattsville, Maryland to Baltimore, MD, I am short of several dozen miles to head back home. Okaaay…. So what are my options at this point? Option A: find an electric station, Option B: plug my vehicle at work, or Option C: wonder the streets of Baltimore to find an outlet. At this point, I have to ask myself if this is worth the trouble and hassle. I barely have the discipline to fully charge up my Iphone! Hmmm… Sounds like I better walk away. Maybe next time GM.
By the time, I leave the floor; I am approached by a Volt agent. They explain, “the car is 40-miles gas and emissions free. Thanks to its range-extending gas generator, it produces enough energy to power the Volt for hundreds of miles. It’s more than a new car, it’s the future of transportation.” That means, I can add gas and save on a lot more!
Let’s go back to the features. The body of the Volt is slightly bigger than the Prius with a modern look and feel interior. When this vechicle gets off the assembly line, it may very well set a whole new standard for all cars. I can’t wait to see the body of a Mustang on top of this chassis.
Have a great one folks!
-Nick
Feel free to take a few steps in the right direction by getting quotes from our green contractors for solar or wind energy services, energy efficiency audits, or green remodeling projects by going to our homepage and doing a quick search with your zipcode (currently supporting DC, MD, VA only).
Tags: green tech, toyota hybrid recall
Recycling the Olympics
“We bring this article back to help reflect the benefits, impacts, and potential of recycling. If recycling can impact something as big as the Olympics, it can do anything. Please feel free to comment.”
Did you know that components from recycled electronic equipment (cellphones, computer motherboards, etc.) were used in making the 2010 Vancouver Olympics medals? The integration of artistic creativity with environmental sustainability brings a warm and fuzzy feeling to our hearts. Great job Omer Arbel and Corrine Hunt! Enough talk, enjoy the video (via Core77) :
Feel free to take a few steps in the right direction by getting quotes from our green contractors for solar or wind energy services, energy efficiency audits, or green remodeling projects by going to our homepage and doing a quick search with your zipcode (currently supporting DC, MD, VA only).
Recycling the Olympics
“We bring this article back to help reflect the benefits, impacts, and potential of recycling. If recycling can impact something as big as the Olympics, it can do anything. Please feel free to comment.”
Did you know that components from recycled electronic equipment (cellphones, computer motherboards, etc.) were used in making the 2010 Vancouver Olympics medals? The integration of artistic creativity with environmental sustainability brings a warm and fuzzy feeling to our hearts.
Feel free to take a few steps in the right direction by getting quotes from our green contractors for solar or wind energy services, energy efficiency audits, or green remodeling projects by going to our homepage and doing a quick search with your zipcode (currently supporting DC, MD, VA only).
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Greening your home: Part 5 of 5
“While some of you may have previously absorbed this commentary, we thought that its relevance is worth revising as it relates to our domestic current affairs. We hope you enjoy these and more upcoming new write-ups. So in case anyone missed this, here is Greening Your Home: Part 5 of 5″:
Shopping continued from 4 of 5…..
Skip the bag and you save the river:
The District of Columbia law on disposable carryout bags changed on January 1, 2010 where district businesses that sell food or alcohol must charge you 5 cents for each disposable paper or plastic carryout bag. This was proposed as one of several initiatives aimed at cleaning up the Anacostia river.
Greening your home can save you money with an energy audit:
Energy audits can include a variety of tests to check the energy efficiency of your home or business. Here is how:
1. Air leak testing of rooms, Infra-red camera scans of walls, appliance efficiency inspections, furnace and water heater efficiency testing.
2. Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces.
3. Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.
4. After getting an energy audit, you will know exactly where to start on your journey to a greener future.
If you would like to learn more about what you can do to go green, a nice energy audit will send you in the right direction. The insight you gain from it will give you plenty of ideas for a little green remodeling, so you can become part of the solution. Sign up for an energy audit through Sobuka by typing in your zipcode and selecting contractors in your area.
Greening your home: Part 4 of 5
“While some of you may have previously absorbed this commentary, we thought that its relevance is worth revising as it relates to our domestic current affairs. We hope you enjoy these and more upcoming new write-ups. So in case anyone missed this, here is Greening Your Home: Part 4 of 5″:
Coming up is Memorial Day! Before you start the holiday, you can make sure your home is comfortable for everyone by following a few more green tips on being more efficient with your laundry needs as part of our Greening Your Home series.
1. Wash only full loads of clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents whenever possible.
2. Don’t over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it.
3. Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.
4. Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire.
5. Look for the ENERGY STAR and Energy Guide labels. ENERGY STAR clothes washers clean clothes using 50% less energy than standard washers
6. Get your kids involved (www.loseyourexcuse.gov)
If you would like to learn more about what you can do to go green, a nice energy audit will send you in the right direction. The insight you gain from it will give you plenty of ideas for a little green remodeling, so you can become part of the solution. Sign up for an energy audit through Sobuka by typing in your zipcode and selecting contractors in your area.