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Sierra Club
The ABCs of Climate Change
Submitted by beachcomber on July 28, 2010 - 11:30amContent provided by the Sierra Club.
We’ve put together these basic frequently asked questions to give you a starting point in your global warming education. When you’re done reading up on the basics, check out our site to learn more about how you can do your part to lower your contribution to global warming.
What causes global warming? Is it part of a natural cycle?Global warming is caused by the atmospheric buildup of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, which form a sort of blanket over the Earth, trapping in heat that would normally escape the atmosphere. Most human-generated greenhouse gases come in the form of carbon dioxide, a pollutant emitted from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. While it is true that there has always been some natural climate variability, record levels of carbon dioxide are spurring far-reaching changes in our weather, sea levels, and climate.
Throughout ice ages, higher concentrations of carbon dioxide have correlated with higher temperatures. Humans are exacerbating global temperatures through industrial activity which dramatically increases carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. In its recent report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that 2005 carbon dioxide levels significantly exceed average concentration levels over the past 650,000 years.… continue reading »
Lamps
Submitted by beachcomber on July 27, 2010 - 2:44pmLighting stores offer a dizzying array of lamps–pendants, sconces, chandeliers, ceiling lamps, table lamps, desk lamps, floor lamps, recessed cans, track lights, and on and on. What makes a lamp green? For the most part, it’s the amount of energy it uses–and that primarily depends on the type of bulb and how much time the lamp is on. So pay attention to those factors, and while you’re at it, be thoughtful about the lamps you choose and where you use them.
Top TipsAt home
- Take your lamp to task. Some lamps provide illumination for a particular task, like reading in bed or working at a desk. Others, like ceiling lamps, are designed for general or ambient lighting. Having good task lamps where you need them most will allow you to keep the ambient light levels lower, saving energy and reducing your carbon footprint.
- Pass it forward. Don’t let unused lamps clutter up your house, garage, or attic. If they’re in good shape, donate them to a local thrift store. Your ugly duckling may be another person’s swan.
When shopping, look for… continue reading »
Eco-friendly Furniture
Submitted by beachcomber on July 27, 2010 - 10:47amHow to feather your nest without fouling your air
Whether you live in a house, apartment, or dorm room, you’ll need furniture to provide a place to sit, eat, and store your stuff. You’ll naturally consider materials, color, quality, and cost. You may also want to use furniture to express your personal style. But what if (as evidenced by your coming to this site) it’s your style to create a healthy home that’s contributing to a healthy planet? Well, then you’ll want to do some research. You’ll need to think about the entire life cycle of the piece, taking into account the resources used to make it, the energy costs associated with transporting it, and the ease of disposal. You’ll want to know whether it’s going to pollute your indoor air.
We don’t recommend that you try to do this research while standing in the middle of a furniture store. But green furniture is a fast-growing retail segment. If you know the lingo and the basics principles of green design before you go to the store, you’ll be able to make good choices with a minimum of head scratching.
Top TipsAt home
- Reuse. In your effort to go green, you may be tempted to throw out your existing furniture. But keep in mind that every new couch, bookshelf, or table takes a toll on the environment, from the resources used to make it to the energy consumed to transport it. So, before you buy new, reuse what you’ve got. Be creative. Can you repaint using a low- or zero-VOC paint? Can you cut off legs or re-upholster? Can a dresser become a baby changing table?
- Recycle. If you are going to part with some existing furniture, don’t just dump it in a landfill. Sell it or give it away. If you don’t know anybody who wants it, try websites such as Craigslist or Freecycle.
When shopping, look for… continue reading »
Eco-Friendly Roofs
Submitted by beachcomber on July 26, 2010 - 10:54amThey can do more than keep you dry
At the most basic level, a roof protects you from the elements. And the greenest roof is the roof that lasts the longest. But new kinds of roofs can do more than keep you out of the rain and snow. Some will keep your house cooler, making you feel more comfortable and giving your air conditioner a break. Some provide wildlife habitat, and others collect rainwater you can use to water your garden. Others perform the amazing feat of harvesting sunlight to power your house and heat your water.
Top TipsWhen shopping, look for… continue reading »
Green Flooring Options Overview
Submitted by beachcomber on July 23, 2010 - 10:08am6 ways to set the stage
What’s underfoot is a big deal. Your floors cover hundreds–maybe even thousands–of square feet, affect the look of every room, can use heaps of materials, and therefore come with a big price tag. Fortunately, they also offer you a chance to make positive esthetic and environmental changes. The key is to start by asking the right questions about materials, installation, durability, and maintenance. Soon you’ll be on your way to a home that is as healthy as it is beautiful.
Top TipsAt home
- Take a second look at your old floor. Often the greenest approach is to keep using what’s already in your home. Pulling out and discarding the old floor takes its toll on the environment. If your floor is made of wood, can it be sanded and refinished to restore it to its original beauty? Does the carpet need to be torn out or would a deep cleaning brighten it? Can your stone floor be polished to its original luster? Can cracked tiles be chiseled out and replaced?
When shopping, ask about… continue reading »
Concrete, Stone, Terrazzo, and Tile Floors
Submitted by beachcomber on July 22, 2010 - 8:04amFloors for the ages
Floors made of tile, concrete, and stone are long-lived and perfect for some kinds of healthy green homes. Here’s a materials primer to help you decide whether they are a good choice for you.
Ceramic and porcelain tile are made primarily from clay, an abundant although nonrenewable natural resource. Although the manufacturing process is energy intensive, tile is nontoxic and easy to clean if the grout is sealed. If a tile ever cracks, it can be chiseled out and replaced. (Quick tip: buy extra tiles initially to make replacement easy.)
Concrete floors have crossed over from industrial buildings to stylish homes. The concrete can be colored, stained or patterned for a one-of-a-kind look. The finished floors are durable, easy to clean, and compatible with radiant floor heating systems and passive solar design. However, concrete is prone to cracking. Some people think that adds character to the floor but if you can’t live with cracks, then concrete isn’t for you.
Stone floors are about as natural as you can get, but that’s not to say they’re without environmental impacts. Digging stone out of the earth can damage wildlife habitat and scar landscapes. Although the stone for floors is minimally processed, it’s a heavy and bulky material that takes a lot of energy to transport. It may be quarried in one part of the world, shipped to another for cutting and polishing, and to yet another to a wholesaler or retailer before it makes its way into your home. On the other hand, stone floors can last for generations.… continue reading »
Tesla: An Electrifying Experience, But Not for Everyman
Submitted by beachcomber on July 21, 2010 - 1:04pmI had a chance to drive the fascinating Tesla Roadster this past weekend. In a word, it was, well, electrifying. The power and performance of a Lotus Exige, without the noise and pollution. More on this in a moment.
We were at a special “Bastille Day” event held by L.A.’s Petersen Automotive Museum in Malibu. Everybody dressed in white, great cars were everywhere, and Tesla was offering demo drives to this select group of automotive opinion leaders. In case you’ve not heard of Tesla, it is a Bay Area startup run by CEO Elon Musk, who made a couple hundred million by selling his previous Big Idea, PayPal. Tesla plans to build an electric car that will be affordable, but the initial product really is not. It sells for about $125K, plus extras such as the deluxe charging station, sport package upgrade, etc.
Let’s evaluate the car first, not the price. It is based on the Lotus Esprit chassis, or platform as the car industry calls it. I have always loved the Lotus and confess to taking a special Lotus driving school in my previous life. As fast cars go, it is very lightweight, gets close to 30 mpg, corners like a mother, runs zero to 60 in less than five seconds and does this running a four cylinder Toyota engine. It is also very hard to get in and out of, has little storage space, poor visibility and is not very practical as a daily driver.… continue reading »
Linoleum Floors
Submitted by beachcomber on July 19, 2010 - 10:06amTake pride in a floor made of flax
People often use the word “linoleum” to refer to vinyl flooring. But from an environmental perspective, these two products are poles apart. Vinyl flooring is a petrochemical-based product that produces highly toxic dioxin when it’s being manufactured and may give off phthalates, chemicals that can cause damage to human and animal reproductive systems.
Old-fashioned linoleum, on the other hand, contains no vinyl. It’s made from boiled linseed oil (from flax seeds) mixed with powdered cork, ground sawdust, and pine resin, as well as minerals such as ground limestone, zinc, and pigments. It typically has a burlap backing and an acrylic finish.
Though it’s been around for a hundred years, linoleum was largely supplanted by less expensive vinyl flooring in the 1960s. Now it’s back in vogue as long-lasting green flooring. Linoleum comes in dozens of colors and patterns, and is durable, easy to keep clean, and biodegradable. It also has antibacterial properties, which makes it popular for healthcare facilities.
Top TipsAt home
- Keep it tidy. Dry mop and vacuum regularly to get up dirt and grit that will dull the finish. Damp mop occasionally.
- Don’t worry about scratches. The color and pattern runs all the way through the linoleum material, so minor scratches can be gently sanded out with a nylon cleaning pad.
- Pay now, enjoy longer. You can buy vinyl tiles for half the cost of linoleum ones (about $2 versus $4 a square foot) but linoleum lasts four or five times as long–40 to 50 years.
Linoleum requires installation by a certified installer.… continue reading »
Fuel Cell Uses
Submitted by beachcomber on July 16, 2010 - 4:52pmIt’s the age of technology, and we demand clean energy
Fuel cells are a much cleaner energy source since they rely on electrochemistry, instead of combustion. This process of electrochemistry is what makes fuel cells more environmentally-friendly, efficient, and cleaner. The main by products from fuel cells include: water, heat, and a minimal release of carbon dioxide. It is important to note that this release of CO2 is much smaller than that released by combustion driven sources. As for the other byproducts of fuel cells, water and heat can be used to warm residential water and living areas. When used adequately, fuel cell technology proves to be 60 – 80% efficient!
Fuel cell technology is being used for a variety of processes already, and has a promising potential for a variety of future applications. The three main markets of fuel cell technology includes: stationary power, portable power and transportation. The future of fuel cells is looking bright and clean!
Stationary PowerThe main way of incorporating stationary power of fuel cell technology onto your property is to use them as a backup generator or as a main source of energy. Fuel cells may even be used to supplement or completely replace your present electrical grid dependency.
Fuel cells are an excellent way to green any residential property because they can save you 20 – 40% on your utility expenses, and during operation they are virtually silent. In addition, homeowners can significantly benefit from the thermal energy produced by fuel cells. This energy can be used to heat residential water, pools or spas, and indoor living areas.… continue reading »
Fuel Cells: Eco-Benefits
Submitted by beachcomber on July 16, 2010 - 4:41pmReduced air pollution to energy independence
The environmental impact of fuel cells depends on the type of cell and the fuel being used. Fuel cells can run on a variety of sources, from natural gas to hydrogen to ethanol to biogas. Those run on hydrogen produce a byproduct of water and heat, yet hydrogen fuel cells are considered more difficult to work with because of transportation and storage. Fuel cells which use processed fossil fuels do in fact emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and some sulfur dioxide (SO2). However, these emissions are much lower than those produced by conventional engines or energy sources.
Besides the decreased CO2 emissions and high efficiency, fuel cells offer plenty of positive environmental impacts that should be considered by investors and consumers.
1. Fuel ConservationThe use of fuel cells can significantly diminish our dependency on foreign oil. Since fuel cells make energy electrochemically and do not burn fuel like conventional combustion systems, they are much more efficient. Admittedly, some fuel cells need fossil fuels to start their functions; most residential systems run partially off of natural gas.
If just 20% of the cars in America used fuel cells, we could cut oil imports by 1.5 million barrels per day. This is $44 billion per year that could remain in the country!
2. Combined Heat and Power
The greatest benefit from fuel cells is the heat and power produced. This means that a property does not have to invest in additional systems to heat their indoor areas or water. In this case, less is more. Since the heat can be redirected to heat water, the environmental benefit from this is the ability to heat the hot water supply without a need for a separate system as is the case with home solar.
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