Wind power is one of the fastest growing forms of alternative energy in the world. More and more, wind power mills are seen in the countryside, in large wind farms and for the most part, away from city life. But a new form of wind power is now designed to work in an urban environment. VOA producer Zulima Palacio has the story. Mill Arcega narrates.

Companies are turning green like never before – and we’re not talking money. Green business is now viewed as being cutting edge, environmentally-friendly, and an asset to future growth, all at once. And now is a great time to get involved. Small changes can have a big impact, so don’t think you need to have millions or even thousands dedicated to make a difference. As you’ll see, it’s all about creativity and personalizing solutions based on your specific industry. Read on for inspiration on ways that your company can turn over a new leaf, so to speak.
Green Buildings
Major corporations are playing it green from the ground up. For example, JPMorgan Chase uses the roof of its 53 story headquarters to collect rainwater which is filtered and then used for toilet flushing. Even more impressive, Bank of America recently announced that its new building will employ a heat exchange system that will gather heat from groundwater and use it to help heat the building in the winter. In the summer, the system will force the heat beneath the building. This, in addition to other green advancements will contribute to the large building only using half the electricity normally needed to power a building its size.
Green Machines
Dyson has created a new hand dryer that uses half the energy of a standard hand dryer unit. Best of all, it does it in half the time and pays for itself in a few years. And technology developed by Microsoft called EcoDrive will record car performance information using a USB key. Simply plug the USB into a computer for tips on how to lower emissions among other helpful details.
Green Transportation
Sometimes the best way to cut down on CO2 emissions is to avoid driving altogether. High gas prices, coupled with environmentally-friendly motivations have resulted in many companies allowing their employees to work from home. In fact, 56% of Sun Microsystems’s workforce is made up of virtual commuters. Another popular alternative for companies is to provide incentives (in some cases, up to $5000) for purchasing hybrid vehicles.
Green Packaging
Refining packaging decisions not only eliminates excess materials and waste, it can also have an impact on your bottom line. Concentrated liquids, more efficient packaging, and using environmentally-friendly materials – many companies are stepping up the green-packaging plate. Smaller packaging also means less delivery trucks on the road – and lower CO2 emissions. Talk about a win-win.

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Home Wind Power: No More Energy Bills to Pay! Read on to Learn More

Over the past years, most people never considered wind power as a serious source of generating energy and electricity, that too, for domestic purposes. In fact, wind was perceived as just another natural phenomenon with very limited usage in life. People generally reveled when the weather was pleasant, and tried to protect themselves when storms or blizzards attacked an area.

However, the situation grew more serious over time, as the oil crisis hit the world. The prices of oil rose rapidly, and the need for an alternative, less expensive source of energy was felt acutely. Such an energy source would indeed be required pretty soon. Now, wind power fitted the bill perfectly. In addition, the supply of wind power was plentiful as well. Thus, many experts tried to combine automobile alternators to radiator cooling fans. This was expected to produce 12 volts of DC current, and was quickly stored away on automotive storage 12 volt batteries. However stretching whatever little power that was produced to 120 volts of AC current, proved to be an unpractical task for most people. And thus, these trials on wind energy harnessing came to an end.

Business houses however, remained extremely active during this period. By the latter parts of 2007, wind power driven devices, like mini generators and turbines arrived in the markets, in large quantities too. Provided that enough quantities of wind power were available, these devices, coupled with utility grids, could substantially bring down the costs incurred on electricity by people. Experts decided to experiment a bit more with these equipments, in keeping with their mental make-ups. The wind turbines were used to try to generate electricity for one’s home requirements. The potential benefits of such an experiment were huge.

It was not that all these attempts met with immediate success. Many people found the continuous roaring sound emitted by the wind turbines to be eminently disagreeable. Hence, they complained of mechanical nuisance to the local authorities, against their neighbors, demanding the turbines to be stopped. In such cases, the authorities were in fact bound to put a stop on the working of any win d turbine. The wind power generated by the turbines lacked in reliability as well. Often, the power could not even spin the turbine blades. The impact of these failed experiments was profound. People were saddled with debt, and attempted to resell their electrical equipments, including the turbines, related accessories, and the inverters that were meant to generate 12 volt usable AC current from the obtained DC power. However, not many were interested in buying these products then.

However, it was not all a story of failure and gloom. Several valuable lessons could be gleaned from these failed attempts to harness wind power. Some of these lessons were:

a) Never use wind turbines in congested city areas. The high rises and sky scrapers hamper the smooth flow of wind at these places.

b) Do not try to tap wind energy by using turbines in the urban regions. The noises affect the ecological balance of the area.

c) For best results, combine a solar electricity generator with the home wind power turbines. The former can work smoothly during daytime. As night arrives, the blades of the wind turbine can start to rotate

d) Erect home wind turbines at areas of high elevation and/or at remote places. The former would get smooth, unhampered flow of wind at such places.

e) Opt for home wind turbines if you cannot access utility power, and

f) Note the similarities between a small home wind turbine and a large scale energy firms. The structure, and hence, the complexities of the two are thus the same too, albeit in different degrees. The different components of the home turbines and larger wind energy firms, including the batteries (for smooth flow of power), the torque controller, the inverter (for conversion of DC output to 120 volt AC current) were all the same too.

Thus, you can learn from these lessons and set up your wind power system – all you need to do is refer to an instruction manual. The manual would help you know how to install the system, the ideal place to do so, as well as how to acquire different parts at an affordable price. Free availability of the batteries is also discussed in the manual. The wires of the wind power system, and the safety features related therein should also be given due importance in such a manual. So go ahead and read such a manual and get ready to benefit from wind power. This information would considerably ease the process of installation of the system and using it to your advantage.

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Sustainable development is a broad concept that refers to meeting the needs of people without hurting the environment. The concept covers meeting economic, environmental and social needs of everyone without hurting anyone or anything in the process.

What is sustainable development? The concept was brought to life and named by The World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987. Since it’s conception, the concept has become a major focus in the 1990s to the present time.

What is sustainable development related to hunger? The concept would attempt to make sure that all people have enough to eat no matter what their income is. Whether you are well off or live in absolute or relative poverty, you would legally have the right and the ability to purchase foods to provide you and your family with an adequate number of calories each day to maintain health.

What is sustainable development related to economics? All people in the workforce have a right to economic growth without undermining the environment, natural resources and the incomes of the next and future generations. Safeguards are put in place by the world government so that labor standards are put into effect along with mechanisms for compliance internationally. People that work with hazardous materials have rules to follow to keep themselves and the environment safe. People that work in high places must use safety equipment to ensure they don’t slip and fall. Accidents do happen; however, many times accidents are related to human error when the rules of safety are not followed correctly.

What is sustainable development related to food service? Domestic foods are regulated by the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN); it also regulates foods that are imported at the point where they were received into the US. The US Department of Agriculture and the FDA require that workers in the food service industry have people in place to educate and train all food handlers how to prevent food-born illnesses though applied safety measures.

What is sustainable development related to preventing food-born illnesses in the food industry? Foods meant to be served cold must sit in ice when left in the open. Staff is responsible for recording the temperature of food, and if the temperature falls below the safe zone it must be discarded at once. All foods left out in the open for the public to serve themselves, such as in a salad bar or a buffet must have a shield between the food and the customers that serve themselves. This shield is to prevent contamination from people breathing, sneezing or coughing.

What is sustainable development related to dairy and meat farming? Sustainable farming does not use practices such as giving antibiotics or hormones, and once processed, the meat cannot be irradiated. In factory farming animals are almost driven insane with fear and cramped conditions, but in sustainable farming the animals are treated humanely. What is sustainable development? It is all the things mentioned above and so much more.

Goals of Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Industries

The goals of sustainable development concerning the world system are to promote freedom of sociopolitical expression, economic freedom, as well as to protect human rights. The Goals also include that the governments are willing to invest in their citizens health, education and welfare. Workers and business people in the urban and rural regions of the world join in a team effort to make a living while preserving economic and environmental resources.

The goals of sustainable development are to preserve raw materials, conserve our natural resources such as water and energy. Learning to be conservative starts at home; we can start by recycling or reusing the items that would be detrimental to the environment. Articles such as plastic bags, plastic bottles do nothing more than clog up the landfills. As an individual, you can help fulfill the goals of sustainable development by separating paper, plastics, aluminum, and glass; these items will be re-manufactured into new products.

In the workplace, the goals of sustainable development are similar; you may be asked to reduce waste in your job. One of the goals of sustainable development is conservation of energy. Everyone can conserve by shutting off lights that are not in use. Tossing out the old incandescent light bulbs and putting in the new energy saving light bulbs saves energy and lasts much longer. Some light bulbs last up to 5 years.

In farming businesses, where our food originates, are reaching goals of sustainable development by changing over from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy. The approaches the farmers use to achieve the goals of sustainable development may differ from businesses in the urban sector. A cattle farmer may divide his pasture land into subdivisions so that the cows can graze on different sections of the land in a rotation. The advantage to doing this is to manage the integrity of the soil, and the cattle can get adequate food to promote weight gain. To provide shade and cut the wind, farmers sometimes plant trees; this helps the livestock and also prevents lost soil through soil erosion.

In the food farming business, goals are to preserve the integrity of the soil, control or eliminate pests, and produce large crops that produce a good income to take care of their families. Goals of sustainable development are quite broad; one goal is to plant more than one kind of crop. This is called diversification; unlike mono-farming, where the farmer grows one crop, the grower is more likely to make a good profit even if the weather doesn’t cooperate. A farmer that is banking on one crop may lose that crop and lose his income; however, a diversified farmer that grows two or more crops is more likely to have a good yield of at least one of his crops. The goals of sustainable development vary from industry to industry; but in the end the the goals are met to promote socioeconomic growth, while preserving the environment.

Did You Know? Home Wind Power Kits Can Help You Save Money and Preserve Your Natural Environment

Defining wind power and wind power kits

How is wind, a variety of solar energy, generated? The answer may be attributed to several ecology-related reasons. Different parts of the earth have differences in air temperatures. This is because, the uneven nature of earth’s surface result in the sun heating up the earth by unequal amounts. This hot air, being lighter follows a convectional movement upwards. This creates a hollow in the lower parts of the atmosphere, which gets occupied by the cold air drifting in from nearby areas. Such movement of air is termed ‘wind’. These movements generate a type of motional, or kinetic, energy. Wind energy is obtained from this kinetic energy, which is converted by modern, sophisticated machines. The various equipments for tapping wind power and generating electricity are collectively termed ‘home wind power kits’.

What are the advantages of home wind power kits?

Concerns regarding the increasing rates of environmental pollution are being voiced all over the world. This pollution is often caused by the traditional fossil fuel energy sources. The prices of these sources are becoming too high as well. Hence, wind energy is gaining acceptance all over the world, and for different purposes as well. The existing modern, dynamic techniques are ideal for optimal harnessing of wind power, with help from the home wind power kits. The renewable nature of wind energy is a major benefit, as is the fact that no pollution is caused due to usage of wind energy. Regeneration of electricity systems is certainly possible by using these kits. Hence, the demand for the latter is on a high. People should, however, patiently learn and understand how these kits actually work. This, though, is a rather easy task.

Drastic reduction in electricity charges is one of the primary attractive features of wind power. While wind energy kits can bring down electric bills by around fifty per cent on average, such reduction in the bills can even go up to even ninety per cent, provided the home wind power kit performs really well. Surplus generation of electricity is also possible, in case a house is located in a suitable place. These unutilized amounts can be sold to local owners of utility, in order to earn some cash. Convenience and ease of usage are common features of all wind turbines. All these turbines have two or three blades that are attached to a distinct rotor. The rotor then is connected to the principal shaft, which, in turn, helps to rotate the turbine. This entire process generates electricity. A height of around 100 feet (i.e., 30 meters) is generally recommended for setting up these wind turbines, since higher altitudes ensure continuous and unlimited wind flowing to the latter. Individuals can easily assemble the parts of a turbine on their own Alternatively they can take help from wind power workshops, books on this subject, and can also access online help.

Working advantages and downsides of home wind power kits:

All over the world, the prices of the traditional sources of power are escalating. In this scenario, wind energy offers a much more affordable source of energy. Hence, it is hardly surprising that people are using wind energy and home wind power kits, and that too for various purposes. The growing popularity of wind power kits can be attributed to their cost-effectiveness, power-saving characteristics, and their eco-friendly nature. These kits never produce any harmful greenhouse gases that might pollute the air and contribute to global pollution. Indeed, in the face of these substantial benefits, there are hardly any disadvantages of wind power systems.

A few thousand dollars is initially required, for installing the home wind power kits. This figure looks rather high at the first glance. However, compared with the manifold long run benefits of these kits, as well as the potential adverse effects of other alternative energy sources, this price is actually a rather reasonable one. All possible queries regarding installation can be solved by consulting the users’ manual that accompanies these wind power kits. Technical help is offered by many of the dealers; installation procedures are explained too in many such related websites. With its relative cheapness in use, as well as the large number of benefits wind power promises, demand for the latter is growing by the day.

Prior to setting up your home wind power kit, you should always refer to an instruction manual, so that you can know how to correctly set up the kit, and in which part of the house you should do so for the best results. You will also be able to know the source for free batteries and the ways to get the other components of the kit at reasonable prices. The way to wire the system as well as the necessary security precautions should is also included in the manual. After carefully going through all this in the manual, you can easily install your wind power kit and benefit from this.

Complete video at: fora.tv Stonyfield Farm CEO Gary Hirshberg argues that environmentally sustainable business practices can lead to financial benefits in the long run. —– Gary Hirshberg talks about Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World. Hirshberg shares the secrets that helped his company, Stonyfield Farm, skyrocket to success. He argues that traditional business practices are counterproductive and have created many of the problems that threaten to make the world uninhabitable – Book Passage Gary Hirshberg is CEO of Stonyfield Farm and author of Stirring it up: How to Make Money and Save the World.

Van Jones begins this video with the statement that, “we need a green economy that is strong enough to lift people out of poverty.” This is from the Everything’s Cool Activist DVD. For more information on the film and campaign, go to www.everythingscool.org

By: gbb.org News

Finding a green job can be difficult, but rewarding. Here is a list of resources to search for a green job.

Where to start:

• E: The Environmental Magazine’s list of booming eco-friendly job sectors is good place to start for inspiration.

• Grist, TreeHugger, EnvironmentalCareer.com, HotJobs, and Sustainable Business Green Dream Jobs‘ listings are drawn from throughout the country.

• Idealist.org Job Search specializes in nonprofits; search on “environmental & ecology” or “energy conservation & green living.”

• Green Jobs is all about the burgeoning area of renewable energy.

• The National Park Service has 16,000 permanent employees and another 10,000 seasonal jobs to fill each year, from Hawaii to Yellowstone.

• Business for Social Responsibility Jobs Board lists openings at such big names such as the Walt Disney Company.

• World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms connects volunteers with organic farms around the planet — not paid work per se, but a great way to see the world.

• Green Business Bureau’s Green Directory. Find a business that is commited to implementing green practices and holds a green business certification.