Top Ten Tips for Eco-Friendly Travel

1. Treat your own water – Buying bottled water when you travel amounts to a trail of trash in your wake, as few countries in the world are capable of recycling them. Add to that the lack of health standards for bottled water the world over (tap water has stricter testing standards here in the U.S. than bottled water does, for example). Treating your own water on the road is easier than you may think. Just bring along a reusable water bottle and a purifier, filter or iodine tablets. You’ll be safer from water-bourne illnesses while keeping water bottles out of landfills all over the world.

2. Use re-chargeable batteries – Another culprit in garbage heaps around the world, disposable batteries are especially noxious as they leach toxic chemicals into the earth. The more responsible (and conveniently, more economical) option is to bring a charger and re-chargeable batteries. If you also pack an electric voltage converter plug and a roll of duct tape (to secure the whole set-up into the socket), you’ll be able to juice up anywhere you go. When selecting a charger, look for a “quick charge” feature so you aren’t still waiting for them to top off the next morning. Opt for Nickel Metal Hydride batteries as they have the best environmental record.




3. Avoid plastic bags – It is only since the arrival of non-biodegradable consumer items from the western world that the concept of litter has begun to take hold in developing countries. The ubiquitous plastic bag is everywhere you go these days! When you first arrive in a new place, go to a local market and buy a re-usable shopping bag, whether it’s a simple canvas bag like the ones you may use at home or a colorful hand-painted shoulder bag. When you go shopping you’ll be able to politely eschew the plastic bag and become a part of the solution!

4. Stay on the main trail – When hiking or following the local footpath, avoid taking shortcuts on steep sections of trail: your footsteps will be followed by many others. Although your actions may seem minuscule in comparison to the natural processes of weather and erosion, when they are multiplied by several thousand trekkers each year they become rather significant. If you happen to damage walls or irrigation channels when walking about, make sure you repair them as someone’s livelihood may be at stake.

5. Use biodegradable soap – Bring an environmentally friendly soap such as Dr. Bronner’s. It’s multi-purpose (good for hands, body, even laundry) and is gentle on the local water system. In rural areas, greywater typically drains right back into local water sources. And, if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to any kind of hygienic product, you’ll know the peace of mind that comes with using a friendly version of soap.

6. Buy local products –The most unique gifts you can find when traveling are those made by local artisans. Contribute to the local economy and handicraft traditions, and buy locally. This will reduce the effects of pollution and greenhouse gasses as mass-produced “souvenirs” are shipped internationally from industrial countries.

7. Consider carbon offsets – Carbon offsetting is an attempt to counter-balance the effect of your carbon emissions. A carbon offset negates the release of CO2e (Co2 or carbon dioxide equivalent) by avoiding the release of, or removing from the atmosphere the same amount of, CO2e somewhere else. Now you can calculate the amount of carbon emission being generated by your air travel and purchase carbon credits to offset it. Your carbon credits fund various renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and reforestation.

8. Use mass transit and your feet – Instead of renting a car, utilize the myriad of public transit options available around the world, such as trains, buses, and subways. It’s less stressful than driving in an unfamiliar place and will put you in closer contact with the scenery and the locals. Also, consider guided walking tours, renting a bike, or just hitting the pavement yourself – you’ll be a part of the scene, not just an observer!

9. Choose eco-friendly lodging – The world wide web has put the power of choice into our hands. Do a little research before you go and try booking accommodations that adhere to eco-friendly policies.

10. Lend a helping hand – Lessen your impact as a tourist by giving back to the people and environment during your stay. 

How E-Waste Effects Us All

Prior to buying a TV, music player, or wireless phone do you think about where these items will go after you no longer use or need them? Consumer electronic components produce nearly 3 million tons of commercial and electronic, or e-waste, annually as consumers throw away outdated or broken items. It is necessary to find out about the effects of e-waste on our environment and health, and the end result when it is thrown out.

Due to spotty enforcement of e-waste export laws and the difficulties and cost in recycling electronics, huge amounts of used electronics have been shipped to China, Kenya, and India. Relaxed ecological requirements and job conditions make e-waste disposal more lucrative, but also more dangerous in those nations. Be careful of e-waste. Facilities exist that specialize in handling this dangerous material properly.

E-waste can be a very valuable source of secondary raw materials if the electronics are handled and sorted correctly. But when they are not properly handled, they contribute heavily to toxins and carcinogens in our environment. The universal problem has been compounded by fast growing technological advances, cheap starting cost, and shrewdly schemed obsolescence. Serious environmental and health issues have arisen due to careless burning, ungoverned and often unsafe disassembly, and hazardous disposal activities.

The waste that is left over from consumer electronics consists of PCB's or polychlorinated biphenyls, lead, mercury, and cadmium. Not only are they very toxic, it has been shown through studies that the PCB's may cause cancer. Our soil and water may become contaminated, which would eventually enter our food chain, if these items are not properly disposed of. When they are burned, toxic fumes are given off, causing both ozone depletion and health problems through inhalation. Cells can be damaged and kidney failure can occur when the central nervous system is affected by mercury, lead or cadmium.

Remember this from now on whenever you are carelessly trashing dead batteries or an obsolete electronic device. Disposing of items the proper way through an e-waste recycler can help our environment be saved. Due to the problems caused to our environment and our health, the disposal process of consumer electronics needs to be carefully thought out.

(Source: Vic Metten)

10 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Meal

If you're passionate about cooking but concerned about the environment, here are a few things you can do to create a delicious, eco-friendly meal.

• Eat seasonal. This is the cardinal rule of many great food cultures. Creating a meal with ingredients that are in season in your region will produce an eco-friendly plate. While it may be tempting to pick and choose from exotic ingredients grown all over the world, your seasonally based dishes will be fresher and they'll reduce the environmental impact of cross-country and international shipping. It's also an exciting opportunity to experiment with seasonal bounty that you might normally overlook.
  
• Buy local. When you use locally grown ingredients you're supporting the agriculture and farmers, as well as the economy, of your community. You're also reducing the amount of fossil fuels that are generated by transporting nonlocal ingredients from the food source to your supermarket. And if that's not compelling enough, there's also an obvious benefit to your meal: Locally made meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables will truly taste fresh — because they are.
  
• Use organic ingredients. Organic foods are grown naturally, without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetic modification, or ionizing radiation. Additionally, organic farming is more environmentally sustainable; it reduces pollution and conserves water and soil. While there is no conclusive evidence that organic foods are more nutritious or safer than their conventionally grown counterparts, many people (including a growing number of gourmet chefs) prefer organic because they believe there is a palatable difference in taste.
  
• Choose free-range, hormone-free, and organic animal products. When purchasing meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy, look for food raised in an environment that supports the ethical treatment of animals, such as farms where animals are allowed outdoors and are nourished with balanced diets. Organic meats, dairy, and eggs are made from animals that are pasture-fed or given organic feed, and have not been treated with antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic farmers practice rotational grazing and other preventive measures to help minimize disease in their animals. Many people find the quality and taste of free-range and hormone-free products to be superior.
  
• Be selective about seafood. Our finned friends are a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals; they're low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. Salmon and herring, in particular, are high in omega-3 fatty acids. However, not all fish are safe to eat these days. Some, like sharks and swordfish, are contaminated with high levels of mercury and other chemical pollutants. And that's not the only problem fish are facing. Destructive fishing practices and poorly managed fisheries are hurting the fish population and the environment. For an eco-friendly feast of fish, be selective about what you buy. Avoid farmed fish and shellfish that are fed with endangered wild fish. Choose locally caught and raised fish. And check out seafood watch lists to ensure that you're making the most responsible decisions about the fish you serve.
  
• Go vegetarian — or even "vegan." Whether you're a true herbivore or you just want to reduce the amount of animal and fish products in your daily diet, there are many ways to prepare savory and satisfying veggie-based meals.
  
• Look for "Fair Trade" on the label. When preparing excellent, eco-friendly meals, it's not just the ingredients you should be considering; it's also the means by which your ingredients were acquired. When you purchase from a fair-trade organization, you're participating in a business model that promises a fair price to the farmer, promotes sustainable farming practices, and contributes to positive change in small, often rural and underprivileged communities. Look for fair-trade labeling on products and shop at local green markets and farm stands — these habits enable you to support and deal directly with the people growing your food.
  
• Avoid the extra packaging. Whenever possible, choose minimally packaged food products, buy in bulk, bring your own containers, or look for products that are packaged with environmentally sensitive materials, such as recycled paper or bio-based plastic. You don't need all that petroleum-based plastic or Styrofoam, anyway. Additionally, make an effort to bring your own totes to the market, instead of bringing home your goods in a bunch of flimsy, ecologically unfriendly plastic bags. Many organizations are now offering/selling reusable bags. Finally, be sure to reuse or recycle any packaging you do bring home with you.
  
• Grow your own ingredients. One of the most ecologically conscious things you can do to make a great meal is prepare it with food that you grew yourself. If you think you can cultivate a green thumb, plant a small vegetable garden and a few fruit trees in your yard or join a local community garden. Even sprouting an herb garden on your windowsill will make a difference, plus everyone in your household will appreciate the choice in fresh seasonings. If you have other challenges, such as a lack of light or space, you could also try aeroponic gardening, hydroponic gardening, gardening in a bag, gardening in a pocket, from a matchstick or growing a vegetable garden inside your apartment with Leopoldo's indoor vegetable garden.
  
• Compost. When preparing your eco-friendly meal, be sure to conserve your fruit and vegetable skins, leftover pulp, and other parts, as well as any eggshells, coffee grounds, or loose tea leaves for composting. Composting allows this waste to be reused in its new form — natural fertilizer — to fortify a lawn or garden! How can you compost at home? Check out the EPA's guide to composting. If you have a yard, you can create or buy your own large composting bin.

Top 10 Fuel Saving Tips

Whether you drive a two-seat hybrid or a three-ton SUV, chances are you can squeeze a bit more distance out of each liter of fuel -- and at today's fuel prices, an improvement of just one or two kilometers  per liter can really add up. These ten fuel saving tips can help you improve your car's fuel economy and take some of the sting out of high fuel prices. Most of these tips will give you a very slight increase in your mileage -- but use several together and the fuel mileage improvements will really add up.

1. Slow down

One of the best ways to save gas is to simply reduce your speed. As speed increases, fuel economy decreases exponentially. If you one of the "ten-over on the highway " set, try driving the speed limit for a few days. You'll save a lot of fuel and your journey won't take much longer. (Just be sure you keep to the left, so you won't impede the less-enlightened.)

2. Check your tire pressure

Under-inflated tires are one of the most commonly ignored causes of crummy mileage. Tires lose air due to time and temperature; under-inflated tires have more rolling resistance, which means you need to burn more gas to keep your car moving. Buy a reliable tire gauge and check your tires at least once a month. Be sure to check them when they are cold, since driving the car warms up the tires along with the air inside them, which increases pressure and gives a falsely high reading. Use the inflation pressures shown in the owner's manual or on the data plate in the driver's door jamb.

3. Check your air filter

A dirty air filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and economy. Air filters are easy to check and change; remove the filter and hold it up to the sun. If you can't see light coming through it, you need a new one. Consider a "permanent" filter which is cleaned rather than changed; they are much less restrictive than throw-away paper filters, plus they're better for the environment.

4. Accelerate with care

Jack-rabbit starts are an obvious fuel-waster -- but that doesn't mean you should crawl away from every light. If you drive an automatic, accelerate moderately so the transmission can shift up into the higher gears. Stick-shifters should shift early to keep the revs down, but don't lug the engine -- downshift if you need to accelerate. Keep an eye well down the road for potential slowdowns. If you accelerate to speed then have to brake right away, that's wasted fuel.

5. Hang with the trucks

Ever notice how, in bad traffic jams, cars seem to constantly speed up and slow down, while trucks tend to roll along at the same leisurely pace? A constant speed keeps shifting to a minimum -- important to those who have to wrangle with those ten-speed truck transmissions -- but it also aids economy, as it takes much more fuel to get a vehicle moving than it does to keep it moving. Rolling with the big rigs saves fuel (and aggravation).

6. Get back to nature

Consider shutting off the air conditioner, opening the windows and enjoying the breeze. It may be a tad warmer, but at lower speeds you'll save fuel. That said, at higher speeds the A/C may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows and sunroof. If I'm going someplace where arriving sweaty and smelly could be a problem, I bring an extra shirt and leave early so I'll have time for a quick change.

7. Back off the bling

New wheels and tires may look cool, and they can certainly improve handling. But if they are wider than the stock tires, chances are they'll create more rolling resistance and decrease fuel economy. If you upgrade your wheels and tires, keep the old ones. I have fancy sport rims and aggressive tires on my own car, but I keep the stock wheels with a good narrower-tread performance tire in the garage. For long road trips, the stock wheels give a smoother ride and better economy.

8. Clean out your car

If you're the type who takes a leisurely attitude towards car cleanliness -- and I definitely fall into that category -- periodically go through your car and see what can be tossed out or brought into the house. It doesn't take much to acquire an extra 10 or 20 kg. of stuff, and the more weight your car has to lug around, the more fuel it burns.

(Source: About)

Tips on how to save water around your home and garden

With smaller households and more water-using appliances, we use more water than ever before. It's important that we do not take it for granted and that we all learn to use water wisely to ensure there is enough for everyone in years to come.

Water-saving habits started now will become a way of life for the future.

---

Fix leaking taps

A dripping tap can waste more than 60 litres of water per week.

Don't leave the tap running to clean dishes or vegetables

Use a bowl of water instead.

Keep a jug of water in the fridge

Planning ahead means there is no need to run the water until it gets cold.

Fully load your washing machine

A full load uses less water than two half-loads.

Water your garden early in the morning or during the evening

Scorching summers mean that much of the water you put on your garden will evaporate straight away. Help your flowers get more of the water by watering early in the morning or during the evening.

Have a refreshing shower instead of a bath

This can save over 150 litres of water per week. But be careful - a power shower can use more water than a bath!

Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth

A running tap can use six litres of water per minute.

Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need

This will save water and energy.

Use a bucket when you wash your car

This uses up to 125 litres less water than a hosepipe does.

Order a water butt

Collect rainwater to use on your plants and lawn, or to wash your car, so you don't have to use treated tap water.

(Source: Thameswater)

Six Habits For A Green Day

In the Morning

• Brew "certified" coffee. A USDA Certified Organic label means it was grown using sustainable standards.
• Green "to go." Not brewing at home? Take a travel cup to your favorite java joint; they may fill it at a discount.

At Work

• Double up. Configure your office printer or copy machine so it prints on both sides of the page.
• Put it to sleep. If you'll be away from your computer for more than 20 minutes, change it to "sleep" mode.

Running Errands

• BYOB. Bags, that is. It's good for your wallet, too: Some retailers, such as CVS, now pay you for every disposable bag you don't take ($1 on a special CVS card for every four trips on which you BYO).

Before Bed

• Truly turn off electronics. Plug your devices — the TV and DVD player, or the computer and printer — into a UL-certified power strip; switch the whole group off for the evening to prevent phantom electrical draw.

Source: Go Green Tips - Ways to Go Green - Good Housekeeping

Drive In An Eoc-Friendly way

Avoid unnecessary idling

- Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more CO2 compared to restarting your engine.

. Service your vehicle regularly

- Change the air filter, spark plugs, engine oil and other fluids, as outlined in the owners manual, to ensure you get optimum performance and fuel efficiency;

. Measure your tire pressure at least once a month

- For every 28 kilopascals (4 psi) of under-inflation, fuel use increases by about two per cent;

. Lighten Your Load

- Roof and ski racks, and heavy items in your trunk, decrease your vehicle's aerodynamics and add weight causing your vehicle to burn more fuel;

. Track your fuel consumption

- Driving with fuel economy in mind, or eco-driving, can increase the distance you travel with every tank;

. Give yourself extra time

- This will help you to cut down on fuel consumption due to overspeeding

. Use public transit or active transportation

- Use public transit or active transportation wherever possible -Activities like taking the bus, walking, or biking will have an immediate impact on your fuel consumption. Source: Natural Resources Canada, vehicles.gc.ca.