This is only one point of contention for those who realize that humans need to be more careful of how they treat the planet on which they live. Waste products clog waterways, causing problems for wildlife and interrupting normal life cycles of both plant and animals. The safety of our land, animal and plant life and our own future depends upon being able to live in balance with our environment.

Sustainable living is the term used for those who wish to live with nature and not against it. The basic concept of sustainable living is to choose to live in such a way that our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren still have usable natural resources. To achieve this goal, individuals have to consider what natural resources are available and how to live in a way that they leave the earth in better shape than when they lived. This involves being careful in choosing to use products that are renewable, learning to recycle, reuse products and finding ways to live with nature.

Those who seek to live a sustainable lifestyle make changes in transportation used, food buying and eating habits and in lowering overall energy consumption. Sustainable living means choosing vehicles with good gas mileage. It means taking care of vehicles so they run efficiently. Where possible, those who live a sustainable lifestyle use public transportation. Sustainable living causes less pollution to be released while preserving more of the earth’s natural resources for future generations.

Sustainable living means consuming a healthy diet through the use of natural, organic foods. Gardens are a sustainable resource that produces food that is healthy and safe. Tending a garden takes physical effort, resulting in a healthier body, both from the exercise to grow the food and from a steady diet of natural foods. Growing foods organically sustains a more healthy soil.

Those seeking to live a sustainable lifestyle live in balance with nature by being careful of what earth resources they use or consume. Food products are not wasted. They are eaten or preserved for later use. However, gardening usually produces more than the individual or family can consume alone. Surpluses can be given away to others. This fosters good will and helps others also use renewable food resources. It might also encourage others to start their own gardens. Sustainable living means using only as much as needed for the required outcome and disrupting nature as little as possible. Sharing surpluses and knowledge is key in spreading a culture of sustainable living.

Sustainable living is about conservation, reusing products and finding ways to recycle products that are used. Doing so encourages creativity and leaves a less unpolluted earth for those who follow.

Are you interested in Sustainable Practices?. Green Shopping is a great way to participate in sustainable living.

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Commercial buildings have a huge amount of unused space.  Large buildings such as gymnasiums, grocery stores, and super markets are several feet long.  This untapped space may be over looked but many business owners are now looking into installing skylights along the roof.  This is prime real estate for solar panels because many of these buildings rise above tree lines so they receive direct sunlight for several hours.  A 2,500 square foot building would be able to receive $6,000 in free solar electricity.

Solar panels generate free electricity.  Although they may be costly to install initially, they pay for themselves with future electric bills.  The amount of electricity these panels create can save a building up to thousands of dollars every year.

Financial Ease

Solar panels have become financially easier to purchase in recent years.  Most large businesses would have to determine if the cost to purchase and install is worth the return on investment in the years to come.  In many cases, these businesses simply could not afford the initial cost.  Nowadays, businesses can get a solar lease agreement that allows owners to receive solar electricity without putting any money down toward the equipment. 

What this means is that the business is leasing the equipment rather than owning it.  The fee to use the solar panels is less than the cost of the electricity so the owner is saving money.  Also, by renting the equipment rather than owning it, the business owner does not have to do any repairs or maintenance.

Solar panel Instalation

Solar panels support structures are installed with a solar panel support to brace the solar panel on virtually any type of roof.  A solar panel support frame can stabilize solar panels on flat roofs to a roof that has a steep slope.  The solar panel support is designed to hold any style of solar panel without roof penetrations, flashings, or damage to the roof.

Solar energy that is used to heat an indoor space is accomplished in two ways.  The first way is for solar collectors to use heat ambient temperature air to be circulated throughout the building.  The other way is for solar collectors to use heated water to be transferred to a space heating boiler.  It can also be plumbed to radiators through the entire building.

Free Electricity

In the end solar panels are a great investment.  If a company purchases solar panels they will be able to see the savings over the years, and the equipment will end up paying for itself.  For companies that rent solar panels they will be able to see the savings from their first day of use without having to make costly repairs.  Also the solar panel support ensures that the installation leaves absolutely no damage to the roof.  Solar panels are loaded with benefits and come with very little risk.

PHP Systems/Design is the leader for roof solar panel support structures.  We engineer solar panel support with code-compliant design and high integrity.

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The unfortunate truth is that paper bags may not be as good for the environment as everybody thinks. In fact, plastic bags are actually considered better for the environment. How so?

Paper bags require a lot of energy to make and transport – far more so than plastic bags. Moreover, paper bags have less scope to be used again and again while plastic bags are commonly used again for other purposes.

Paper bags also produced methane if they are left in a landfill – a harmful greenhouse gas. And then there is the small point that paper bags have a tendency to get wet which means they cannot be used in the rain. Plastic bags easily carry any shopping bought and serve as a protection to shopping against all weather conditions.

In a shocking study it has been found that it takes almost four times as much energy to produce a paper bag in comparison to the energy that it takes to produce a plastic bag; not to mention the fact that paper bags require a lot more energy to be recycled. Cloth shopping bags too have to be used a whopping one hundred and thirty one times before they are classed as eco-friendly as a plastic bag.

If this is the case and we are not really as eco-friendly as we would all like to think we are then it is time to seriously consider other ways in which we can start reusing products and recycling our waste. The home is a great place to start when thinking about ways in which to recycle.

Many homes have recycling bins provided to them by their local council – it is up to us to use such bins. Within the home there is the potential to recycle plastic, tin and glass and paper. Even if the home does not have such a bin available, most supermarkets now have large dumpers where any recyclable materials can now be dumped including clothing.

Another way in which many homeowners can become more eco-friendly is by repairing things that are broken around the home instead of replacing them. Two of the most common areas to become damaged within the home is the bathroom and the kitchen. The bathroom is used on a very frequent basis in many homes and as such the bathtub may become damaged or discoloured with age.

It is wise to consider bath resurfacing over replacing the entire bath however. Not only does resurfacing work out cheaper but it is also better for the environment. Kitchen worktops too are expensive to replace although they are easily damaged. Therefore, investing in worktop resurfacing works out cheaper than replacing entire worktops and will look just as good as new. Bath resurfacing and worktop resurfacing are not the only ways that a household can recycle however. Research new and exciting ways to recycle and help the environment within your own home!

This article was written by Crispin Jones on behalf of Hometech, a home repairs company that are committed to sustainable living by encouraging homeowners to choose bath resurfacing and worktop resurfacing over replacements.

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Most garages are boring. They’re boxes stuck on the side of a house, with a metal up and over door painted a boring colour and filled with all kinds of junk – but are never home for a car unless you happen to be the lucky owner of a classic car or are a bit of a control freak.

In fact, many new garages in houses built over the last few years barely have room for anything larger than a Mini; in other words, they don’t even pretend to be a home for cars.

So we may be going greener in our motoring with low emission cars – but what about their “houses”. Garages simply don’t have to be so dull and boring-looking. What goes inside them is another matter, but why not make them more interesting from the outside?

Are you hoping to be greener?

Why not sink your garage down a few feet, reinforce the roof supports and cover it with turf to make a green statement and help attract more wildlife into your garden? The kids will love it as well; tell them it’s the Teletubbies’ house! It’s also a great way of making your garden more aesthetically pleasing too – if you’re lacking space for flowers and foliage elsewhere, you can just plonk it on the garage roof!

Alternatively, why not mount solar panels on the south-facing slope of the garage roof (if you have one)? You’ll save yourself some money in the long term if you do that. Or  you might even want to slope the roof and catch the rainwater, recycling it elsewhere in your home.

Smoked safety glass for the front can look a lot nicer than a metal door and lets in the light. Hanging baskets can brighten up a boring garage and wooden cladding can give it a pine ski lodge effect if it’s done well (and may not be half as bad as it sounds in the right location).

If your garage is big enough with sufficient supporting walls, you may be able to build a playroom on top with planning permission – or an office of course.

It seems we’re all making greener choices like driving hybrid cars, recycling, lowering emissions and cutting energy usage – without making our own homes reflect the way we’re thinking – and garages are one of the worst culprits!

So at the very least, paint the door some interesting colours; life is for living.

Written by Lisa, who’s a keen motoring enthusiast. Her latest fad is low emission cars, as she wants to help do her bit for the environment in 2012!

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3 Ways to Change

We’ve barely scratched the surface of what we can do to make things better, cleaner, and more sustainable in our society. We can do more to effect a positive change that will last more than just a year. There are a few ways that don’t require a whole lot of effort to change the landscape of our communities. I propose the top three to choose from:

·         Volunteer to Plant Trees

Volunteer groups exist in just about every major city in the US. Trees Atlanta, for example, meets every Saturday morning to plant trees in Roswell neighborhoods or downtown thoroughfares. All it takes is a couple of hours of your time and energy to dig a hole, carry a shovel, or tag a tree. And with a low level of commitment, planting trees expands the urban forest to create a beautiful, green landscape for future generations to enjoy.

·         Advocate/Implement Local Recycling Efforts

Another way to improve your carbon footprint is through recycling. Whether you recycle on your own or have a recycling service, every little bit counts. Set up a system of separation to make it easier to recycle plastic, glass, newspaper, and other recyclable materials. Many restaurants and other public facilities have recycling bins to cut down on the amount of trash that clogs our landfills.

·         Carpool/Public Transit

Take it from one of the leaders in green living – Portland, Oregon. To them public transit is golden. Carpooling or public transit cuts down on greenhouse gases and nasty smog that contributes to global warming. Resolve to hitch a ride with a co-worker or just take the bus to work. Many urbanites across America have opted to ride bikes, take the subway, or use their good ol’ two feet. You’ll breathe easier in the New Year!

Change Is Good

Of course, these aren’t revolutionary ideas – they’ve been recommended for decades. Still, many people don’t take heed. But they’re so simple to adopt. Many of the ways in which we can help our community become more eco-conscious and cleaner don’t even cost money. Who knows what kind of impact we’ll have made if we resort to even implementing one of these endeavors.

Maybe the reason why we don’t keep these selfish resolutions is because our heart really isn’t in it. Find new motivation in the fact that you’ve made a resolution for someone else. You’ll certainly do your best to keep it until the next year.

Syd Martin writes for Premiere Tree Services and enjoys writing articles about environmental issues, nature and trees, and green living.

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It’s argued that behaving in a “greener” manner can help you to spend less on energy.

While this is undoubtedly true, there are plenty of people who take a green approach for other reasons. They may simply wish to be kind to the planet.

Alternatively, they may be thinking about future generations. At a more basic level, there may be a requirement to ensure that wild animals can feel welcome in the garden.

You may be able to identify with some of these concerns. Indeed, they may drive your own requirements. If you’re looking to take a green approach at home, then there are some simple steps that you can take.

Using renewable energy 

As was mentioned above, environmentally friendly decisions can sometimes have financial benefits. This can certainly be the case when it comes to energy use. Burning coal and oil to generate electricity means that we are using valuable resources. Those resources won’t last forever. This may seem short-sighted, but it’s also clear that it’s an expensive approach.

There are a number of alternative solutions that may be better suited to your requirements. An increasing number of home owners are using solar energy. This is relatively easy to install and is technology that works.

Initial costs can be relatively high, but you’ll soon be able to reap the benefits of generating your own energy.

Take care with water

In the developed world, we often take water for granted. We assume that it’s always available and that it’s cheap. Such thoughts do have implications for the way in which we make use of water. Since we see it in this way, we tend to be careless with it.

It’s worth remembering, however, that water is a valuable resource. Could you make less use of it? Think about your approach to washing up and to bathing. Choosing to take a shower, for instance, will mean that you use less water than is the case when you have a bath.

Turn off the lights! 

A great way to be more efficient when it comes to energy is by using less of it. This means remembering to turn off the lights when you leave a room, avoiding leaving appliances on standby and ensuring that you only put as much water in the kettle as you actually need.

These are incredibly simple steps to take, but they can have a significant impact.

Be green in the garden 

Some of us may be used to taking greener decisions indoors, but it’s surprising how many people still choose to use chemicals in the garden. If you love nature, then think about the choices that you take outdoors too.

Think about wildlife too. Are birds and other small animals able to get access to food, particularly during the cold months? If not, you might think about leaving them a little food. You probably won’t miss it.

Having a greener home is all about making small changes to the way in which you approach life. Collectively, you’ll find that they all add up.

Keith Barrett writes about environmental news and on varied topics relating to environmental issues. He believes that awareness of these issues is enlightening.

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As rising prices of commodities, utilities and general maintenance keeps hitting home owners hard, everyone is on the lookout for ways to make living cheaper. However, there isn’t any point in a cheaper lifestyle if you have to curtail things you enjoy. You shouldn’t have to stop watching television or quit using the oven range or stop maintaining your garden just because things are getting expensive.

What you can do, with a bit of time, money and effort, is make your home more environment friendly and, therefore, cheaper to live in on the whole. Here’s a look at some simple things that make your home a much better place to live in.

Seal Your Home

Spend a little extra time working on your home’s insulation. If you plug in all the wholes and stem the leaks, you will find that your air conditioners and heating systems need to work a lot lesser throughout their respective seasons. It may seem like too much work and if you have a large house, it may also seem quite expensive. However, hiring a professional to do the job may be a lot cheaper than the money you will spend on those inflated electricity bills.

Low on Flow

These days, you get these amazing low-flow faucets and shower heads that allow lesser water to flow through without easing up on the water pressure. They are almost as cheap as regular fixtures and you can fit them in yourself, without professional help. What more do you need?

Grow your Own Stuff

Who says that the kitchen garden should only be used for herbs and basic veggies? What’s holding you back from growing your own food? Gather all the info you need and start off. If you aren’t confident, get a professional to guide you through your initial days. Convert your garden into something more than just a lawn – make it contribute to your home!

Solar Power

This is probably the most expensive installation of all as well as the most complicated, but the savings you get once they are in place – unmatchable. Baring maintenance and a bit of tinkering every now and then, you have no more expenses on electric power – for life! Yes, installation requires a roof with unobstructed sunlight but if you have all that, you are set for good. Also, prefab homes can be ordered to already accommodate for solar panels in their design – isn’t that some added incentive to get one?

Grow a Garden

Finally, you can create a beautiful home with a beautiful garden around it. Not only does it guarantee that your home will look exceptional, it will also provide some much need shade and cooling effect on the entire home. In winters, your trees will block cold winds, lowering your heating costs by as much as 20%. Add to that the fact that song birds come and nestle on them, and you have a winning combination.

It doesn’t take much to do your bit for nature and if you are taking some small steps at your end, your home will repay you with a cheaper cost of living in it. If you are willing to put in the effort, then just take stock and list your priorities before undertaking your green home project!

KALPESH “Kal” DHARIWAL – author – Kalpesh is a civil engineer, by profession, in Queensland (QLD) but his interest in homes and new technologies has moved him into the housing sector. Combining his knowledge of civil construction techniques and his love for home-based technology, Kalpesh has been extremely instrumental in charting out some excellent ways to innovate home construction, thereby reducing construction costs and the environmental impact. He promotes green living and prefab homes in QLD in a bid to improve the way humans live on this planet!

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Many cleaning products that are on the market contain harsh chemicals that are bad for the environment and your own health. It is shocking how generously we use them on the surfaces of our home, especially around our sensitive children and pets. In the movement toward a more eco-friendly approach to the way we live our lives, it is important to reevaluate the way we clean. Name-brand cleaners may work well, but are they truly the best way to clean our homes? Why do we sacrifice health, safety and the environment for cleaning power? Is there a better way? Yes, there is.

There are many different ways you can clean your home that do not involve toxic chemicals or harmful pollutants. You can create many do-it-yourself cleaners in your home using basic ingredients you probably already have on hand. Homemade cleaners are natural, and they are incredibly effective. You will be surprised at how well these home remedies work to clean and sanitize your home without using dangerous cleaning agents. Another bonus is that by making your own cleaners, you can save a great deal of money. Here are some of the best green cleaners you can make at home. Try them and it may revolutionize the way you think about home cleaning.

All-Purpose Cleaner

This is a great all-purpose cleaning recipe you can easily make at home and keep on hand in a spray bottle. Just mix 2 cups of water, 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide, and ¼ cup of lemon juice. Use this to clean any surfaces. You can even add a half a cup of it to you laundry water, and it will help whiten your clothes and give them a light, fresh lemon scent.

Furniture Polish

In a glass jar, combine ½ teaspoon of oil, such as olive oil or jojoba oil, with ¼ cup of vinegar or lemon juice. Just use a rag to wipe the mixture onto your wood surfaces for a lustrous shine.

Laundry Detergent

Making your own laundry detergent will save you money, and you will avoid treating your clothes with chemicals that will cause their quality to deteriorate more quickly. For this recipe, mix 1 cup of borax, 1 cup of washing soda, and 1 cup of castile soap that has been finely grated with a cheese grater. Use two tablespoons for a large load of laundry.

Fabric Softener

A great natural way to soften your clothes in the wash is by using ¼ cup of distilled white vinegar. It works surprisingly well.

Mold Killer

To prevent the buildup of mold in your shower, create your own automatic shower cleaner. Combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle, and shake. Spray it on any mold, or just use it after your shower every day.

Window Cleaner

Shake up this recipe in a spray bottle and use it to clean your glass surfaces. Just use ¼ teaspoon of liquid detergent, 3 tablespoons of vinegar, and 2 cups of water for clean and shiny, streak-free windows.

Soft Scrubber

To make a soft scrubber that is great to use in your bathroom, just mix ½ cup of baking soda with enough liquid detergent to make a frosting-like consistency. This does not store well, so only make enough to use for single cleanings.

Lisa Hann works at home as a freelancer and is passionate about the environment. Her work is proofed with Grammarly grammar checker.

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Even though hydropower in general has received a lot of attention, tidal power in particular isa less popular source of renewable energy than solar or wind power for instance. Tidal power isa “subdivision” of marine or ocean energy which also includes power from ocean waves and oceantemperature differences. In the case of tides, tidal current energy is generated by the movement ofwater volumes. This type of kinetic energy can be harnessed, usually near shores, and converted intoa useful form of electricity.

It is a fact that tides are a result of the gravitational pull of the sun and the moon, together with therotation of the Earth. Therefore, tidal waves are highly predictable and this characteristic makesthem particularly reliable and thus attractive as a green investments opportunity. Unlike solar andwind farms where the energy output more or less depends on variable weather conditions, theenergy output of tidal plants can be quite accurately calculated.

According to the US MHK Renewable Energy Roadmap of the Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition(OREC), technologies capturing energy from free-flowing waves, tides and currents, couldpotentially provide up to ten percent of the US electricity consumption. Similarly, the CanadianRoadmap “Charting the Course – Canada’s Marine Renewable Energy Technology Roadmap” ofthe Ocean Renewable Energy Group (OREG) outlines the potential of Canada’s marine renewableenergy sector to become highly competitive in the global marketplace. In addition, in July 2011, theGovernment of Nova Scotia announced its plan to create the ‘winning conditions’ for development ofan in-stream tidal energy sector that will serve Nova Scotians for generations to come, as reported bythe OREG.

The tide is rising on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean as well where the first major tidal powerstation will be installed in a channel between the two Scottish islands of Islay and Jura, as reportedby The Guardian. Estimations are that the underwater turbines will generate enough electricity topower more than 5,000 homes. One of the characteristics of tidal current energy is that it can beaccelerated in places where topographical constraints, such as islands and straits exist, which makesthe British Isles area particularly appropriate for tidal power generation.

The potential of tidal energy is also being explored on a European level, the recently publishedEuropean Offshore Renewable Energy Roadmap of the Offshore Renewable Energy ConversionPlatforms – Coordination Action (ORECCA) recommends that the EU and its Member States providetargeted funding to accelerate the development of the wave and tidal stream energy sectors.

However, one of the major questions with regards to tidal energy and its benefits for governmentsand companies considering green investments in the tidal energy sector is the grid connection, asone of the problems is the remoteness of offshore turbines from the grid. Therefore, the ORECCARoadmap for instance recommends an integrated approach on a European level in order to developgrid, ports and offshore supply chain infrastructure. Canada, however, has a better defined gridstrategy, outlined in the OREG Roadmap, as grid-expansion requirements will be identified by 2016and by 2020, utilities will integrate marine renewable energy into long-term planning.

It is quite obvious that there are still obstacles related to tidal energy that need to be overcome.Nevertheless, as governments are investing efforts and funding into this sector, private companiesinterested in green investments in renewable energy sources are also starting to notice the potentialof tidal energy. Despite the relatively early stage of development of tidal power technologies, thepredictability of tidal energy implies that it will be a low-risk enterprise, once underwater systemsand turbines are in place.

Despite the technical matters that still need to be resolved, tidal power has the potential to becomea reliable energy source. Therefore, the sun and moon’s gravity pull creating tides might also turninto a pull for green investments into this renewable energy sector.

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Reduce Emissions, Reduce Bills

Heating is one of the biggest energy drains in a typical home, especially during the winter months. The two simplest ways to reduce heating bills are to fit insulation, and to get double glazed windows installed. Loft insulation is easy to fit and offers quickly noticeable results. Cavity wall insulation and double glazed windows carry a higher up-front cost, but will pay for themselves many times over during the lifetime of the installation.

Double glazed windows offer other benefits, too. Modern panes are often just as good at keeping heat OUT during the summer as they are at keeping heat in during the winter, helping with the issue of cooling during the warmer times of the year. In addition, the noise reducing benefits can be a boon for city dwellers.

Of course, trapping heat is no good if your heat source is inefficient. Many cost-conscious home owners avoid getting their appliances serviced out of fear that they’re throwing money down the drain. This is a costly mistake, which can be dangerous in some cases. Servicing your boiler is important, not just for reasons of energy efficiency, but because the engineer will check your appliance for other faults, such as poor ventilation, which could leave you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Farm your own power

Solar panels, wind turbines, and other energy producing devices are starting to take off. How useful the appliances are is debateable. Solar panels can be expensive to fit, but if you live in an area that sees several hours of sunlight they will eventually pay for themselves. Wind turbines are even more expensive to install, and controversial too. Solar panels are discrete, but wind turbines really stand out, and your neighbours might not appreciate seeing them on the skyline.

Conclusion

If you live in an older property, then you may find that there are lots of avenues open to you for improving your home’s energy efficiency – from draft excluders to double glazed windows, insulation, and using thick, heavy carpets instead of stone floors. The potential financial (and environmental) savings for older homes are huge.

If you are lucky enough to live in a modern property, then most of the work should already have been done for you, but small changes to your habits – such as using a cooler washing cycle, and turning down the thermostat on your heater by just one degree, can add up to a big difference over the course of a year.

This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Stormclad, who supply windows in Nottingham and the surrounding areas. Amy has always cared about green issues and is always open to hearing about new ways to make a difference.

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