Palm | Kelapa Sawit

To make a vehicle work some sort of energy must be used. Gasoline and diesel are the normal sources but other products are coming to the forefront of alternative fuels. As the cost of conventional fuel rises consumers are demanding cheaper and more environmentally friendly ways to run their vehicles.
In the article, “Grease Guzzlers”, by Zachary Gonzalez-Landis we learn about this alternative fuel. Diesel engines are being converted to run on vegetable oil. “Vegetable oils are biofuels, renewable raw materials from which one can extract the same kind of energy as found in fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal”. The process of converting a diesel engine is actually often less than buying a new car. Besides the cost effectiveness of SVO or straight vegetable oil the benefits to the environment are astounding. “It’s a recycled resource; reduces air pollution and greenhouse gases; biodegrades and is non-toxic; decreases dependence on imported oil; and offers better fuel economy than diesel. Overall, biodiesel presents the lowest carbon footprint of any alternative fuel. And it’s cheaper”.
The only downfall is the lack of diesel vehicles in the United States. According to the article less than five percent of all cars in the U.S. run on diesel. How can we get the U.S. to take advantage of this cost saving environmentally friendly alternative? Any ideas?

Check out inthesetimes.com to read the rest of this informative article.

According to Alan Boyle’s article Energy Guru says Green needn’t be Grim, Amory Lovins has concluded that America’s future energy needs could actually be met without the use of fossil fuels or nuclear power. Lovins believes that there are more efficient and less costly modes of energy available to us all, but it will take considerable revamping of the current power grid, and revenue. Nevertheless, the results would ultimately produce large returns. Technological advances making consumer products more energy efficient will cut operational expenses for the consumer. Lovins wants to see changes in the way America conducts the business of energy. Rather than relying on current tax breaks, subsidies and other federally mandated economic maneuvers. Lovins wants to see honest and fair prices not biased against technology, location or ownership, thus allowing Americans to produce and save energy.




ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES
In the world of rising energy costs , energy efficiency is important to today’s consumers. It is something that impacts the environment and hit’s the pocketbook , especially with the dramatic rise in energy costs.
How to make a home more energy efficient , it provides added comfort : warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. It increases a homes value , as buyers are more likely to pay top dollar for well designed homes with small utility bills. It also represent s a cost savings to homeowners, as energy efficient homes are less costly to operate . And in turn, leaves a smaller carbon footprint.
The following list is a great start in reducing energy usage - and many of the upgrades are inexpensive and easy to implement.
1-CREATE NEW ENRGY CONSERVING HABITS
We can turn down the thermostat or install a programmable one. Also turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Use less hot water by washing clothes in cold. Try a clothesline instead of a dryer. Run dishwasher s only when full.
2- IMPROVE LIGTHING
Convert lighting to florescent or LED bulbs; Install sensors and timers to turn off lights when not needed.
3-INCREASE APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY
Replace refrigerators that were manufactured before 1993, as they use a considerable amount of energy , consider ENERGY STAR appliances , which are energy efficient.
4-ADD INSULATION
Installing more insulation in attics, walls and floors is the best energy saving measure.
5-IMPROVE WINDOWS AND DOORS
Look into energy -efficient windows and doors to keep cold air out and warm air in.
6-IMPROVE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS
Heating and cooling systems account for the utility expense ,look into energy efficient models.
7-SEAL AIR DUCT SYSTEMS
Sealing ducts prevents drafts, and prevents heat loss during the winter

FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.energystar.gov
www.acee.org/consumerguide
www.energysavers.gov

By Yasemin Candelen

Posted By: Renee Castillo

Are you still trying to avoid switching to more energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs? Well, I visited Energy Star’s website and found a few facts about the bulbs that may convince you to do the simple switch.

· If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gasses equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

· Energy Star qualified bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

· Fluorescent light bulbs save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime.

· Fluorescent light bulbs produce about 75 percent less heat, so they’re safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.

Although fluorescent light bulbs are great for energy saving, they do have a downside. Fluorescent light bulbs usually contain 8 to 14 milligrams of mercury in the form of vapor, liquid or sold form (www.epa.gov). The compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) must be disposed in a responsible manner due to mercury’s harmfulness. You can find information about your local household hazardous waste collection facility, to see if they will accept CFL bulbs, by following the link below.

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/wastetypes/universal/lamps/live.htm

Most sites will not charge any fees but those who do are usually minimal. It is important you find out how often your local hazardous waste collection program accepts hazardous items because some only offer a once or twice a year drop-off.

More efficient low-mercury light bulbs are available and only contain 3.5 to 4 milligrams of mercury. Some manufactures of the low-mercury bulbs have conveniently identified the bulbs with a metal end cap that is painted green and the bulbs are sometimes referred to as “green-tip” bulbs. Others have been identified with a green etching on the lamps, while others are not identified at all.

Now that you have decided to switch from your more expensive and energy sucking traditional light bulbs visit Energy Stars' website for more information to determining which CFLs are best for your home.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls

Posted By: Renee Castillo

Posted by Ellen Milich


Turns out one of the places where energy is lost most in homes is through the water heater. Because conventional water heaters, both electric and gas constantly store a reservoir of hot water to be used when needed, a huge amount of energy is lost. In fact a water heater can account for up to 25% of your total energy bill (1). When we think of phantom energy this probably doesn't come to mind - mostly because it's out of sight, but when we realize how much energy we lose through it it's obvious how important this factor is in each home.

As technology advances there are alternatives to the conventional water heater. One of the most popular is the tankless heater. These can be either electric or gas as well, although the gas is much more efficient. Because tankless or "demand” heaters don’t constantly keep a tank of water hot the energy (as well as monetary) savings is obvious. “A conventional gas water heater costs about $380, uses $179 in fuel a year and should last about 13 years. That's a total (life-cycle cost) of $2,707. A standard electric water heater costs more than twice as much to run and has a life-cycle cost of $5,680” (energy.gov). Granted, a conventional water heater CAN be turned off when not in use, just so long as the homeowner accounts for the reheating time upon turning it back on.

Just one more bonus is the space-saving factor. A traditional water heater is quite large as most of us know; the size between a standard versus a demand heater can be seen below.

(1) http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/tankless-water-heaters-a-good-choice.shtml

Blog posting by Mary Kelley


With alternative energy taking over the headlines last year as gas prices soared and the economy fell many individuals that may not have otherwise paid any mind to the topic started to take note. As people started looking to gas efficient cars they also started looking into other aspects of efficient energy use. Although phantom energy has always been around not until the past year or so has it really made it into main steam media. I was chatting with a friend the other day about the topic and they mentioned that they had even seen a commercial on television about it, I went to youtube to see if I could hunt it down and although I didn't find the one they saw there were about 60 others that were similar. Many of the ads were tailored to kids in particular. With growing awareness it appears that the industry is responding with user friendly products to help monitor and manage the phantom energy, although some resources may be pricey there are some fairly economical options, like the smart strip that you could maybe break even on with the money you save over a month or two. Maybe your vice is your cell phone, and you could use a friendly reminder to unplug it after it has charged: or maybe it's your super sweet entertainment system that's sucking your energy at night. What ever the case there are options and there will likely be even more options at better values as companies go the green route.

Our group here at Ecomerge has written at random on several issues, each issue in some fashion relating to the threat of corporate or legislative 'greenwashing'. From fuel-efficient cars, to alternative fuels, hopefully you-the viewing public-have grasped some helpful information on the topic of 'greenwashing.'

Where I believe we have fallen short thus far, is failing to provide, you, with a primary source of 'greenwashing' and the damage that it actually can do overall. If you understand what 'sprawl' is, then you understand that it alone contributes to the overall collapse of our landscape, ecology, habitat, economy, and community. Through the unnecessary expansion of development, which is 'sprawl', the small low-density population that can afford to move into the suburban life-style; one which not only pulls housing away from city limits, it opens the need for extra driving. Driving, the mandatory mode of transportation, that we have all become accustom to. The one form of transportation that we all cannot live without; the one that contributes to the highest amount of greenhouse gases and pollutants in our air that enter the ozone. Yes, that transportation. Only a small part of the greed that developers and home owners try to justify in these small rural developments. Private lives that are granted, now open up the doors for higher emissions of these greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Exactly what we have been trying to eliminate since the so-called Clear Skies Initiative. The one that has had to be revised several times for not meeting emissions guidelines. Another story for one of our nations greatest 'greenwashers.' Remember, with power comes the ability to manipulate the minds of others. Hence, the power to 'greenwash' the nation.

Let's not forget the economic factor that 'sprawl' poses on the American communities. 'Sprawl' raises the costs of infrastructures and services (e.g., roads, schools). As the development spreads, so to does the need for roadways, sewerlines, waterlines, policing, and firefighters. Thus the costs will rise as well.

Don't be fooled by the fast-talking salespitch; if you have to try to sell it to someone, generally what you are selling has some loose ends. So the developers want you to think that the projects are 'new green projects', but no matter how green they make them, you cannot overcome the damage that they are creating through 'sprawl.' After all, all things being equal, if they really cared about being 'green' they would have stayed around the city limits.

For more on this topic go to the google page; (www.greenwashing/sprawl)

Steven Campbell

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http://sites.google.com/site/ecomerge2008/

Who knew there are countless ways we can increase energy efficiency in our homes while at the same time saving precious dollars. While researching this topic I found “A Consumer Guide to Buying Energy Efficient Products for the Home” published by The Consumer Federation of America. This document and website is dedicated to promoting awareness and information about how we can make more environmentally friendly purchases for our homes that ultimately saves money. There is an excellent list of the different ways people can become involved with community outreach in their respective locations to support energy efficiency. If you are interested in different ways to save money while providing your home with energy efficient products, check out this site.

http://www.buyenergyefficient.org

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http://sites.google.com/site/ecomerge2008/