Log Homes, the Natural Green Building Solution

Log Homes, the Natural Green Building Solution

Word Count:
525

Summary:
Building and living "Green" is good for your health, conserves energy and protects the environment.  Log homes are the original green building solution made directly from the earth's natural resource.  This abundant, beautiful and renewable natural resource is 100% green.

Keywords:
log homes, green building, greenbuilding, log home, log

Article Body:
Building and living "Green" is good for your health, conserves energy and protects the environment.  Log homes are the original green building solution made directly from the earth's natural resource.  This abundant, beautiful and renewable natural resource is 100% green. 

Building green is a hot topic among building professionals and consumers – for good reason.  The exposure to toxic chemicals in our every day lives is resulting in significant increases in asthma and respiratory illnesses, skin problems, migraine headaches and any number of health related problems. 

Since we spend much of our time indoors, it is critical that our indoor environment is healthy and safe.  Many building products today are made of man-made chemicals and emit high levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds).  Health experts are becoming increasingly aware and alarmed that these man-made chemicals are showing up in our blood and lungs. 

Logs are 100% natural and don't emit VOCs or other pollutants.  Soil, water and air combined with the energy from the sun, in a miraculous process of photosynthesis, are everything needed to make a tree grow.  From an ecological point of view, solid wood is the only building product that is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, energy efficient and extremely beautiful.  Logs and other solid wood, as basic building components, generate the least amount of air and water pollution, emission of greenhouse gases and solid waste.  For example, steel and concrete require 2.4 times and 1.7 times more energy than wood to produce and 1.42 times and 1.67 times more airborne emissions with potential toxic or negative health effects. (The Canadian Wood Council – The Anhena Project).  

Advances in forestry practices have steadily increased the supply and growth of plantation and private forests.  In North America, the growth of new forests has outpaced the demand and can remain at a sustainable rate.  In the long run, sustainable building products that are ecologically friendly are the only viable answer to a cleaner environment.

With energy costs on the rise and no end is sight, it makes good economic sense to design and build with conservation in mind.  There is a great deal of documented evidence supporting the energy efficiency related to the construction of log homes.  Studies conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other testing organizations have compared log homes to other types of construction such as conventionally framed and masonry.  Test results prove the energy efficiency gained through the thermal mass of solid wood walls.  Log walls better utilize the available energy in both summer cooling and winter heating., Documented Energy-Efficiency and Thermal Mass Benefits of Log Construction). 

Most people building log homes plan to own and live in them for an extended period of time. Their log home may be a family retreat or a retirement home that they intend to own for the rest of their lives.  The turnover rate of log homes is much lower than the average conventionally built house. With such a long term outlook, the decision to build and live in an energy efficient log home makes good sense for the health of the environment, you and your family. 

 

 

Live and Let Live, Nature's Message

Live and Let Live, Nature's Message

Word Count:
369

Summary:
Live and let live is what evolution is all about - not the law of the jungle.

Keywords:

 

Article Body:
Both now-discarded Lamarckism (the supposed inheritance of acquired characteristics) and Evolution Theory postulate that function determines form. Natural selection rewards those forms best suited to carry out the function of survival ("survival of the fittest") in each and every habitat (through the mechanism of adaptive radiation).

But whose survival is natural selection concerned with? Is it the survival of the individual? Of the species? Of the habitat or ecosystem? These three - individual, species, habitat - are not necessarily compatible or mutually reinforcing in their goals and actions.

If we set aside the dewy-eyed arguments of altruism, we are compelled to accept that individual survival sometimes threatens and endangers the survival of the species (for instance, if the individual is sick, weak, or evil). As every environmental scientist can attest, the thriving of some species puts at risk the existence of whole habitats and ecological niches and leads other species to extinction.

To prevent the potential excesses of egotistic self-propagation, survival is self-limiting and self-regulating. Consider epidemics: rather than go on forever, they abate after a certain number of hosts have been infected. It is a kind of Nash equilibrium. Macroevolution (the coordinated emergence of entire groups of organisms) trumps microevolution (the selective dynamics of species, races, and subspecies) every time.

This delicate and self-correcting balance between the needs and pressures of competing populations is manifest even in the single organism or species. Different parts of the phenotype invariably develop at different rates, thus preventing an all-out scramble for resources and maladaptive changes. This is known as "mosaic evolution". It is reminiscent of the "invisible hand of the market" that allegedly allocates resources optimally among various players and agents.

Moreover, evolution favors organisms whose rate of reproduction is such that their populations expand to no more than the number of individuals that the habitat can support (the habitat's carrying capacity). These are called K-selection species, or K-strategists and are considered the poster children of adaptation.

Live and let live is what evolution is all about - not the law of the jungle. The survival of all the species that are fit to survive is preferred to the hegemony of a few rapacious, highly-adapted, belligerent predators. Nature is about compromise, not about conquest.

 

Light Emitting Diodes: Technology Expanding to Hundreds of Applications

Light Emitting Diodes: Technology Expanding to Hundreds of Applications

Word Count:
516

Summary:
LED technology is no longer simply being used for basic indicator lights and tradeshow trinkets.
This article provides detailed information on the new ways LED lights are being used all over the world and why.

Keywords:
LED light displays, LED lighting, LED bulbs, LED flashlights, home LED lighting, LCD LED video displays

Article Body:
Light Emitting Diode or LED lighting has been in existence for many years, mainly in niche applications like small trinkets and indicator lighting. However, due to LED lighting being highly energy efficient, not to mention technologically superior over other light sources such as incandescent and fluorescent lighting, it is forecasted to reach beyond electronic applications into commercial and home LED lighting as well. In a recent report by Global Industry Analysts it is predicted that the market for fluorescent and LED lighting could climb to $97 billion by 2010. The spike in growth would be mainly from construction and industrial development industries.

As more individuals become aware of the energy efficiency of LED lighting, the price of such items as LED bulbs will decrease in price. Currently, the price of one LED bulb is substantially higher than the price of incandescent or fluorescent lighting. However, the initial price for LED bulbs would more than pay for itself in the long run. On average, one incandescent 60-watt bulb lasts 1,000 hours whereas one 2-watt LED light bulb lasts 60,000 hours. Therefore, one would need to purchase 60 incandescent bulbs for every one LED light bulb.

Home LED lighting is a cut above the rest when it comes to energy efficiency. As compared to incandescent lighting, LED lighting wins hands down where energy consumption is concerned.  For every 60,000 hours of usage, incandescent lighting uses approximately 3,600 kWh of electricity where LED lighting uses 120 kWh. Bottom line: energy efficiency equals a significant cost savings. LED lighting gives off directional light. Therefore, it is useful as a source of light for reading or spotlighting in the home. Its powerful light output also makes it great for outdoor floodlighting and path illumination. LED bulbs are now available that can replace most halogen or fluorescent light bulbs used in the home. 

Although LED lighting may not be useful for all home lighting needs, replacing a few bulbs with LED bulbs would have a noticeable affect in the amount of electricity used.

LED light displays are already used in signs and videos in many indoor and outdoor sporting events and concerts. LED video displays and signs are often preferred because of their higher brightness, which is critical when people are viewing a sign or video from a long distance. Added advantages of LED video displays are their capacity to incorporate curves and 3-D design. This makes LED video displays technologically superior to currently available large screen displays.  Research and developers in the consumer electronics space are eager to take advantage of this overwhelmingly useful technology in future products.

Other uses for LED lighting include LED flashlights and key chains, automobile taillights and interior lights, and LED based projection televisions. LED lighting is also being used in the military for LED flashlights that work with night-vision goggles, UV-LED canteen water treatment devices and the sterilization of surgical equipment. 

With LED lighting being more energy efficient and technologically superior to many other light sources, numerous LED light applications are sure to evolve. Future generations can expect to consider LED lighting as the standard light source for most lighting applications.

~Ben Anton, 2007

 

Let Us Learn Giving From Mother Earth

Let Us Learn Giving From Mother Earth

Word Count:
386

Summary:
Earth the great giver. What can we learn from the Earth? The world celebrates earth day in different ways.

Keywords:
earth,world,earth day,environment,conservation,energy,responsibility,mineral

Article Body:
Earth the great giver. What can we learn from the Earth? The world celebrates earth day in different ways. In the United States of America, it is observed on the 22nd April, while the international earth day is celebrated on the day of Vernal Equinox .

The day is observed to make all of us aware of our responsibilities towards our mother earth. The way we have been taking all that we can from the earth will one day finish all the coal and hydrocarbon from the earth. Same with all the minerals. We are extracting what all we can. The earth is our greatest friend but we earthlings behave as if we are the masters. The earth supports us in all the ways. It gives us the atmosphere to breathe, the water to drink, and food to eat. It gives us thousands of varieties of plants and it gives us the place to make our home. The earth gives its all to us without any protest.

We are the selfish ones. We want still more from what all we get. We are not happy merely watching at the great natural marvels. The ice, the great plains, the tall mountains, thousands of different animals, insects, birds, the oceans and the marine life. The earth gives us all and it should be very satisfying to us. But unfortunately most of us have forgotten the spirit of thanking. We thank our friends for the smallest favor but forget to thank the earth. We take care of ourselves, our family and our friends, but fail to care for the earth. That is very surprising but very true.

One lesson we can immediately learn from this is - if you don't protest, you will keep on getting exploited. The second lesson - unless you act miserly, no body will respect your big heartedness. Had the earth been miserly, we would been very careful. But since it gives in abundance, we are never bothered. The third lesson we all must learn is - the spirit of giving to make others  happy. That is what the earth does. If we become as giving in our life, a lot of misery can be wiped out. But first all of us must learn to give and not to ask. That is the great message of the Mother Earth.

 

LEDs ...The Technology That Will Soon Light Our Planet.

LEDs ...The Technology That Will Soon Light Our Planet.

Word Count:
616

Summary:
With the inception of the first electric light source, we could not envision an advanced technology such as the LED, but it has now finally arived and is rapidly reaping its dominance.

Keywords:
led lighting, white Leds, Blue Leds, efficient lighting, Led strobes

Article Body:
By Lucien Beauley

Article Word Count: 614  
 
 

6:25 PM 5/14/2006

With energy waste on the minds of many Americans these days, high gasoline prices to run the inefficient engines that power our vehicles help move the majority of us to cut energy costs in as many areas as possible, some of us are even beginning to ration our lighting usage. Is there an answer to our increasing lighting costs ? Granted, much of the cost is being passed on by the utility suppliers and with recent increases in oil prices, this amount is being noticeably felt in each of our monthly utility budgets. Energy costs are governed by the varying costs of fuel and with our major source of lighting today being the incandescent light, our lighting bill is much too high. Is there a developing technology today that shows a promising hope for our immediate future ?

We must roll back about 35 years and refresh ourselves some history when a small pea size lamp was introduced to the America's. It was the Light Emitting Diode, more popularly known as the LED, a lighting source that emitted light through a clear molded plastic housing using a small current flow between two solid state junctions that were extended to facilitate an electrical connection. At the time of its introduction, the LED did not emit very much light, as a matter of fact in normal daylight, some were barely visible. At the time of its release to the world, the LED efficiency to produce light was very low. In the early days of the LED development, their use was fairly limited and sold for use on instrument panels where light intensity was not an issue. It would take the better of 20 years of gradual development before they began to find their way into the main stream of use in areas where contemporary lighting was truly dominant. The LED would eventually begin to show its uniqueness for applications in our lighting world.

The LED found its prime application in our traffic lighting system in the late 1990's, where it began to replace the totally dominant use of the incandescent lamp that had been used for decades and since the inception of the system. Soon, LEDs were replacing the original incandescent lamps in many parts of the world. The electric power energy savings have been extremely high...in a few cases an average of 90 %. We must also keep in mind that there is also the ongoing savings from a much lower upkeep because the LEDs will last as much as ten years(when running 24/7). LEDs will not shatter under high vibration as do the incandescent lamps, negating their need for replacement from these causes of failure. With much of the world looking for ways to save our remaining fossil fuels, this lighting source has the definite ability to show us the way. We could say, "what about the CFL(fluorescent) lamp ?" Couldn't they become our knight in shining armour ? The question ? Can the CFL emit an infinite number of colors ? Negative...and they are far from shatterproof. Their longevity is also several times less than the LED.

Having praised the LED for just a few of its merits, it can be seen that it is totally practical for the world's present needs and many believe all our needs in this field in the years to come. Even in its present stage of development, It is well suited to lessen our present energy consumption overload. At the present time, the nations of the world must adopt methods of lighting which are the most efficient to lower energy use, but unless the consumer follows this same trend, our nation and the world's efforts will be in vain.

 

LED Emergency Lanterns: Preparing Your Home for a Power Outtage

LED Emergency Lanterns: Preparing Your Home for a Power Outtage

Word Count:
613

Summary:
Every home should have emergency lighting equipment in case of a power outage or a natural disaster. This article explains what an LED Emergency Light is, where to store it and what to use it for.

Keywords:
Emergency Lights, torches, LED lantern, LED flashlight

Article Body:
A LED emergency light is a portable light that burns cool, lasts longer than typical bulbs and uses much less energy than typical bulbs. The light produced by these lights is also significantly brighter than typical bulbs. In most cases, a LED emergency light is a flashlight, torch or lantern – all quite useful in the event that your home or office loses power or you are faced with an emergency or disaster situation.

If you have LED emergency lights there are a few things you need to know about storing them and the types of scenarios that you could consider using them for. Let's look at ways you can get the most out of your LED emergency lights at home.

To store your emergency LED flashlight, torch or LED lantern, you should ensure that they are kept without the batteries installed in them. Batteries can leak and corrode with age and time and this leakage can completely destroy the light source and its casing. Keep two fresh sets of batteries with your LED emergency lights at all times.  Make sure that the batteries are stored conveniently close to the light, either taped around it or kept inside the same box or survival kit so that you or your family will not need to hunt for them while under duress.  Once every month or two, you should check to see that the batteries are working, that they haven't corroded in their packaging and that they work with the LED emergency lights you own. If your batteries are not working, replace them with fresh ones. Mark your calendar at regular intervals to check the batteries.

You want to make sure you can find the things you need in case of an emergency.  Store your LED emergency lights conveniently – somewhere that is easy to get to, even if it is very dark in your home. It won't be convenient if it is in your junk drawer with many other items, some of which may be sharp or dangerous. Remember, if there is an emergency, the last thing you need is to compound the problems you have with an injury that could have been prevented by choosing to store your equipment in a more convenient and safe place.  It's best to keep your LED emergency lights in a place that is easy to reach and easy to find – and in more than one place.  In the case of a disaster, you may not be able to get to one location in your home so it's best to have some backups in other areas as well. Consider keeping a primary kit or light on the main floor of your home and smaller kits that include a flashlight or torch on the other levels for easy access. A few good places to keep your LED emergency lights are hanging on a peg near an entry way door or a window, near the front door and/or back door, in the first aid kit (that is also somewhere safe and easy to find), in your garage, with your emergency kit (that is somewhere safe and easy to find – usually a bag or backpack that has emergency supplies in it), and in your bedroom close to your bed.  Regardless of where you choose to store your LED emergency lights, they should be easy to find, easy to reach and conveniently located in your home.

You never know when you or your family may get caught without power or light.  Taking the time and steps needed to plan for an emergency can help keep you and your family safe and calm during a difficult event.

~ Ben Anton, 2008

 

Learn More About Global Warming

Learn More About Global Warming

Word Count:
325

Summary:
The scientists from all over the world have reached the verdict: the world is in a continuous warming due to pollution. The most dangerous air polluter is considered to be the carbon dioxide. Along with other air polluters the carbon dioxide accumulates into the atmosphere and makes up a blockage against the sun's heat, leading [...]

Keywords:
parenthood,parents,family,kids,children,mother,father,mom,dad,grandmother,son,daughter,baby,parenting,education,school,preschool,elementary school,home,house,happy,fun

Article Body:
The scientists from all over the world have reached the verdict: the world is in a continuous warming due to pollution. The most dangerous air polluter is considered to be the carbon dioxide. Along with other air polluters the carbon dioxide accumulates into the atmosphere and makes up a blockage against the sun's heat, leading to the planet's warming up. The main source of carbon dioxide is: the coal-burning power plants and the automobiles.

Nature is trying to warn us about the consequences of our mistakes and is sending us signs that the global warming is installing. These early warning signs are: heat waves and unusually warm weather; the ocean has warmed up in the last few years, the sea level has been in a continuous rise and the coasts have been flooded; glaciers are melting and the Arctic and Antarctic are warming up. This is only the beginning as consequences will be seen soon: diseases will spread, the spring will arrive earlier, plant and animal range will shift and population will change; coral reef bleaching; in some parts of the world flooding, downpours and heavy snowfalls will follow and in other parts droughts and fires will dominate.

In order to protect ourselves, our economy, and our planet from the consequences of climate change, we must consider reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Such a transformation needs the involvement of all humans, over the near and long-term, in order to protect our planet. In the beginning we must understand that small measures like: recycling plastic and glass, saving water and conserving power will make a difference is everybody will adopt them. Until now 'greener' ways of producing energy have been considered, like using solar panels, producing gas from rotting rubbish and using the water for new energy.

Taking care of the nature does not need so much effort from us, but things...(read the full article at the link below)

 

Lean About Unusual Deep Sea Creatures

Lean About Unusual Deep Sea Creatures

Word Count:
629

Summary:
We are all familiar with dolphins, whales and sharks; we know what tuna and snapper look like, but what about some less familiar fish such as lizardfish, giant squid, or blind eels? There are so many lesser known animals in the depths of the ocean that we hear little or nothing about most times, it is interesting to investigate a few of these creatures and understand them a little more.

Keywords:
animals, wildlife, wild, fish, sea, ocean, animal, creatures, reptiles, deep sea, creature, shark, whale, dolphin, squid, underwater, wildlife, creatures,

Article Body:
Copyright 2006 Emma Snow

We are all familiar with dolphins, whales and sharks; we know what tuna and snapper look like, but what about some less familiar fish such as lizardfish, giant squid, or blind eels? There are so many lesser known animals in the depths of the ocean that we hear little or nothing about most times, it is interesting to investigate a few of these creatures and understand them a little more.

The first on our list of deep sea creatures is the fangtooth fish. This fish is one of the most evil looking ocean predators. It lives in the deep ocean and catches its prey by luring them in with glowing light organs called photophores. In such a dark abyss, fish are attracted to the light put off by the organ and once they are close enough the fangtooth fish catches them in his numerous large teeth. He looks like an underwater vampire.

Another carnivorous sea animal is the deep-sea lizardfish. These interesting fish look almost like a short snake in water. Their mouths are covered with harpoon-tipped teeth that grasp their prey and don't let go, similar to a fish hook. These teeth are hinged so that they can flattened down when prey is going in and stand up when resisting. They don't even need to actively swallow; the struggling prey just ratchets itself inside. With their glowing yellow eyes, the lizardfish is a wonder to behold.

Often called the nastiest fish in the ocean, the blind eel is next on our list. These fish are called blind eels because they have such small, ineffective eyes. Who needs eyes when you are living in almost complete darkness? They prey on live or dead fish which they locate through smell. They have circular mouths that they use to suck on their prey. They have tooth-studded tongues that allow them to cut through their victims flesh and literally eat them from the inside out. They are also sometimes called slime eels because their skin emits a sticky slime, up to a gallon at a time. It is used to suffocate predators by clogging their gills when they attempt to eat the eel.

The last of our unusual deep sea animals, giant squid, has been the subject of tall tales for centuries. Until recently, however, these tales were dismissed as fiction. The only information we have on them comes from finding pieces of their bodies in the stomachs of sperm whales, or those that have been washed up on shore. Another area where their existence is apparent is on the skin of sperm whales where giant sucker scars can be seen after what must be epic battles between the two huge creatures. Giant squid can grow to the size of a school bus or bigger. They are carnivorous and have a long, torpedo shaped body. At one end, surrounding a beak-like mouth strong enough to cut through steel cable, are five pairs of arms. One pair, thinner and longer than the rest, is used to catch food and bring it to the mouth. Just past the mouth are the eyes, eyes that are the largest in the animal kingdom, getting as big as eighteen inches across. They are nearly impossible to photograph alive because they live in such deep waters.

It is interesting to think about what other types of deep sea animals exist that we haven't yet discovered. What wonders does the bottom of the ocean hold and can we ever know? With modern technology constantly searching for new ways to study the ocean floor, the possibility of finding new creatures becomes more real every day. For a world who thinks they have seen it all, the deep, deep ocean still holds the hope for something new.

 

Kohler and Jacobsen Greens King Engines; When To Repower...

Kohler and Jacobsen Greens King Engines; When To Repower...

Word Count:
671

Summary:
A how to guide to trouble shoot your small engine.  We show you what to look for, and how to determine if it's time to replace, or repair.

Keywords:
cushman truckster, kohler engine, toro engine, jacobsen greens king, jacobsen greenskingwell fargo home mortgagewell fargo home mortgage, california interest mortgage only, option one mortgage, mortgage lending site

Article Body:
Greens grooming equipment is expensive enough that you'd rather repair than replace – but when one of your mowers or rakes starts sputtering a bit on the start, or dies out halfway through the job, it's tempting to decide that it's time to go shopping. Before you decide to scrap your old equipment, go through these diagnostic tests. If the machine is still working, but the motor is dying, the best answer may be a new engine, definitely not a new mower.

First, keep in mind that a problem with one part of an engine could well show up as a symptom elsewhere. What looks like a governor problem often turns out to be a balky carburetor. Take the diagnostics step by step all the way through, then evaluate whether the engine is worth the trouble to repair it, or whether it makes more sense to buy a repower kit and drop in a new, more powerful motor.

Problem: Engine will not start.
You can usually divide 'won't start' problems into two causes: fuel or ignition.

1) Make sure the fuel is fresh, and the oil/gas mix is right. As basic as that sounds, bad gas is one of the most common causes of engine failure.
2) Make sure that there's a spark. Remove a spark plug and ground the hex to bare metal on the motor, then spin the engine. You should see a blue spark jump the gap. If the spark is weak, or there is no spark, try the same thing with a new spark plug. If you still get no spark on an older machine, clean and set the points. On a newer machine, the electronic ignition may need to be replaced.

If you've got spark but no start, it's time to check the carburetor.
1. Check fuel valve and lines to be sure that fresh gas is getting to the carburetor. Don't forget to check the screens to be sure that they're clear, and that the fuel cap vent is open.
2. Prime the carburetor with a shot of starting fluid and try to start 'er up. If it runs for a couple of seconds but then quits, it's a good bet that the carburetor needs to be rebuilt. A carb kit with quality parts is easy to install. Most dealers will carry a wide assortment of Toro parts and other quality brands.
3. It's possible that there's an air leak. Check all the mounting screws and bolts to be sure that they're snug, and that the gaskets are intact.

 
Problem: Engine start but runs poorly. (Dies, surges, runs only on choke)
All or any of these could be symptoms of a carburetor problem. 90% of the time, a good cleaning will solve the problem. That means disassembling, cleaning and rebuilding – which will go much smoother if you use the engine manual as your guide.

MISC. ENGINE PROBLEMS
When your motor springs an oil leak or spouts smoke, it's trying to tell you something. The color of the smoke and the location of the leak can point to problems that need fixing – or tell you that it's time to repower the mower with a new Jacobsen Greens king.

Oil smoke or leak near the carburetor can mean the drain holes in the breather cover need to be cleaned. Don't forget to replace the gasket with a new one picked up at any store that stocks Cushman, Kohler, or Jacobsen Engines.

Oil smoke through the muffler can mean worn rings or worn valve guides. Either one of those is a hint that it's time to repower that piece of equipment with a new Kohler engine.

Keep in mind that worn-out engines may have more than one problem. If you'd rather not spend the next several months pulling that same piece of equipment back into the shop for yet another repair, your best option may be a complete repower using a remanufactured or new Cushman engine.

 

Kids And Trees Grow With The Environmental Three R's

Kids And Trees Grow With The Environmental Three R's

Word Count:
682

Summary:
Every day in America, each man, woman and child generates nearly four pounds of trash. For the third year, one hotel company is stepping up to the task, helping kids to think globally and act locally by educating them on how to properly care for the environment.

Keywords:
Kids And Trees Grow With The Environmental Three R's

Article Body:
Every day in America, each man, woman and child generates nearly four pounds of trash. That's over one trillion pounds of solid waste or 365 trillion pounds each year. It's a staggering statistic when you consider the environmental effect that much garbage has on our fragile ecosystem.

As adults, it's easy to forget the importance of the 3 R's our world depends on-reducing, reusing and recycling-for the health and safety of future generations. It's those future generations--our children--that will bear the consequences of today's environmental mismanagement, unless an effort is made to improve upon current behaviors.

For the third year, one hotel company is stepping up to the task, helping kids to think globally and act locally by educating them on how to properly care for the environment. With help from The National Arbor Day Foundation, Doubletree Hotels is distributing an environmentally focused lesson plan that provides the framework for taking would-be waste and recycling it into artistic treasures to thousands of elementary school students in the U.S. and Canada.

The education initiative is an extension of the hotel's Teaching Kids to CARE program, a community outreach initiative that pairs hotel properties with elementary schools and youth groups to educate children about making conscious decisions about environmental care. This spring, Teaching Kids to CARE volunteers and children will create "litter critters," a reduced, reused and recycled representation of animals in the world hurt by litter, and will plant more than 10,000 seedling trees across the U.S. and Canada.

For those parents (and mentors) wanting to engage their kids (or nieces, nephews and grandkids) in environmentally conscious activities, here are a few tips:

1. Recycling is Fun-Pass it On-Recycling isn't all about aluminum cans and old newspapers. Encourage your kids to start their own recycling program in which they share old toys, books and games with their friends and classmates. One child's trash is another child's treasure and by "passing it on," kids will learn that they can reduce waste by recycling their old things so that others can reuse them.

2. Become a Habitat Hero--Challenge your children to gather up all their friends and classmates to help clean up a park or schoolyard (with parental supervision). Whoever collects the most trash wins the "Habitat Hero" award and prize (as decided upon by you).

3. Plant a "Family Tree"--Take your kids to a garden or home store and allow them to help pick out a young tree. (Make sure to check that it can survive in your climate region.) Plant the tree in a special location as a family, assigning a different task (digging, planting, watering) to each family member. Make sure to document the activity with a photo, so kids can remember how small the tree was when they planted it.

4. You CAN Make a Difference--Encourage your children to save empty aluminum cans, then take a weekly trip to a nearby "Cash for Cans" drop-off location. Decide with your kids how best to use the money they've collected from their recycling efforts to better the environment. Options to consider include volunteering for tree planting projects, adopting a local stretch of highway to be beautified and maintained or donating the money to a local environmental organization.

5. Pulp to Paper--This fun, hands-on project shows kids how old newspapers are recycled back into fresh newspapers. Have your child tear a half page of newspaper into small, one-inch pieces. Fill buckets or bowls with one-part newspaper and two-parts water and let soak for several hours. Using a hand mixer, "pulp" the fibers in the paper until the mixture looks like mush. Take a handful of pulp and place it on a piece of felt, molding it to the size of the piece of paper you want to make, and press it firmly to squeeze out excess water. Let the paper dry for one or two days and voilà.

Remember, proper waste management not only helps save the environment, it also helps save energy, reduce pollution and protect animals around the world. A small effort from your kids today can guarantee a healthier, greener tomorrow.

 

 

Is Recycling A Waste Of Time, Money And Energy?

Is Recycling A Waste Of Time, Money And Energy?

Word Count:
651

Summary:
Most of us feel guilty if we do not take the trouble to wash and sort all those reusable plastics, papers and tins. We do this to avoid throwing them in the bin which then ends up in the landfill sites around the country. But how useful is recycling and can it really solve the "waste crisis"?

UK households generate a staggering thirty million tonnes of rubbish a year, of which sixty per cent comes from packaging. There has been a lot of publicity recently about waste that ...

Keywords:
Green, Businesses, organic, social, ethics, fair, trade, health, renewable, energy, eco, babies, eth

Article Body:
Most of us feel guilty if we do not take the trouble to wash and sort all those reusable plastics, papers and tins. We do this to avoid throwing them in the bin which then ends up in the landfill sites around the country. But how useful is recycling and can it really solve the "waste crisis"?

UK households generate a staggering thirty million tonnes of rubbish a year, of which sixty per cent comes from packaging. There has been a lot of publicity recently about waste that has been put out for recycling ending up in landfill sites. It is also clear that an increasing amount is being shipped to other countries to dispose of. It can be cheaper to transport it to other countries than to recycle it or fill up the landfill sites in the UK.

The European Union (EU) has recently ordered the citizens of the United Kingdom to roughly double their recycling rates by 2008. Governments across the European Union and America have announced plans to require more recycling. Unless the UK hits these targets, local council tax bills across the UK will soar unless local authorities hit their recycling targets to enable the UK to hit their targets set by the EU. The UK government already charges tax for dumping waste in landfill sites to encourage us to recycle more and this tax is due to increase.

This will punish local councils which continue to use landfills and council tax payers will pay the price for poor performance by not recycling themselves or by not having the facilities to do this. It's therefore cheaper to recycle then to dump in the landfill sites. The UK currently recycles 22 per cent of its household waste while some other EU countries recycle more than half. The UK proposes cutting the amount of waste put into landfill sites from 72 per cent today to 25 per cent by 2020.

Some Thing to Think About -The Future?

- Why do we use all that energy recycling paper to save the trees? There is the argument that paper should be recycled so that we save trees and forests but we now grow trees just to produce newsprint and other items. Is it a sustainable resource already?

- New landfills are constructed in the USA and this should happen in the UK on a large scale which would enable the UK to pipe the methane gas that they produce to local power plants supplying homes in a green and eco way.

- We need to ensure that any recycling programmes that are run are delivered effectively. That means tracing waste down the chain to its ultimate destination. Transparency should inform the whole waste management industry.

- If a study in undertaken and it concludes that it costs more to recycle than to bury the used and manufacture the new from scratch, then we could start landfills just for plastic, one for glass etc. then if we do run out of them we can dig them all up in one go for recycling. For example, if the throwing away of plastic continues and continuing oil shortages mean that it is more cost effective we can recycle them all at once by mining the landfills and it would be cheaper and easier then continuous recycling.

- At present, only an estimated fifteen per cent of UK households have access to kerbside collections, if they these collections do not cover glass, paper, plastic etc. then how far do you have to drive to the nearest recycling centre and how much do you have to collect at home to ensure that you are not making more damage by driving then the amount of energy you are saving by recycling? What about the financial cost to collect the recycling or to take it to the recycling centre? What about the energy taken to recycle it? Is oil really running out? How much landfill is available?

 

Is Biomass Really a Clean Energy Resource?

Is Biomass Really a Clean Energy Resource?

Word Count:
492

Summary:
As we strive to find alternative energy resources, many potential solutions are on the table. Biomass energy is one such solution or is it?

Keywords:
clean energy, biomass, alternative energy, resources, global warming, energy production

Article Body:
As we strive to find alternative energy resources, many potential solutions are on the table. Biomass energy is one such solution or is it?

Biomass energy is unique in that it has existed in primitive forms since the early days of mankind. Burning wood in a cave is a form of biomass energy, which is simply the conversion of an organic material in a manner that produces heat. For example, a fire converts the organic wood into heat. Therein, however, lays the problem.

Global warming is a much debated issue with everyone having a strong opinion and no one seemingly willing to listen to the other side. Whatever your view on this subject, what is clear is we are producing an absolute ton of carbon-based gases in our modern civilization. This is a key issue since the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is a key factor in climate regulation on our planet.

To understand the problems of biomass as an energy form, one has to understand the biomass cycle that occurs on the planet. Simplified, the biomass cycle regulates the amount of carbon in our atmosphere. The biomass, primarily in the form of plants, uses carbon to grow and the biosphere effectively acts as a sponge for carbon. This sponge effect, however, has limits. As with a sponge in your kitchen, the biomass can only suck up so much carbon at one time. When there is too much carbon in the atmosphere or we shrink our "sponge" with deforestation and such, we run the risk of overwhelming the atmosphere with carbon gases. If our atmosphere has excessive carbon, heat is trapped and all hell begins to break loose. From a practical standpoint, this means our relatively mild climate on Earth will start becoming more chaotic. After the most recent hurricane season, that definitely is not a good thing.

Taking the biomass cycle into consideration, the negatives of all biomass energy production are that they create more carbon gases. A caveman sitting next to a fire in a cave is using biomass energy to produce heat, but the black smoke is a very nasty carbon pollutant. In modern terms, biomass energy doesn't really resolve the amount of carbon we are putting into the atmosphere. Yet, there is an argument on the other side of the biomass coin.

Proponents of biomass argue it is a better energy source than fossil fuels. The basis of this argument is that plants [biomass] have taken in much smaller amounts of carbon gases over a shorter period of time than fossil fuels. Thus, burning them is a carbon neutral situation. The problem, of course, is that even if this concept is correct, we are not cutting down our carbon emissions. At this point in time, we need to be reducing carbon gasses, not maintaining our current output.

It is undisputable biomass has its problems. It is a better alternative than fossil fuels, but how much so?

 

Improving your home can make it a nicer place to live.

Improving your home can make it a nicer place to live.

Word Count:
318

Summary:
The two most common home improvements are new kitchens and new bathrooms, for a variety of reasons.

Keywords:
home,improvements, design

Article Body:
The two most common home improvements are new kitchens and new bathrooms, for a variety of reasons. Few people replace their living room or bedroom regularly, but kitchens and bathrooms have so many fixtures and fittings that can quickly become dated, as there are constant advances in design.

When you're improving a kitchen, you're probably most interested in the decoration – function is important to some extent, but in the end kitchens work very similarly, and most modern fitted kitchens will have similar facilities. What you're looking for is a kitchen that you like the look of, and that suits your style. Metallic kitchens are quite fashionable at the moment, and are worth taking a look at, but there's nothing to say that you have to blindly follow fashion.

While bathroom improvements might seem similar at first glance (they are often sold in the same showrooms, after all), they tend to be much more about function than aesthetics. Yes, no-one wants an ugly bathroom, but most people who upgrade their bathrooms are doing it because they want a better bath or a better shower from a practical point of view. A popular improvement recently is to turn part of your bathroom into a shower room – it can be very nice if you have room, but don't try to squeeze it into too tight a space.

Of course, plenty of people also embark on much larger home improvement projects, such as extensions (including conservatories). This might be to add a bigger or extra bedroom onto your house, or a home office, or simply to make your living room larger. As you can't just buy extensions in a shop, you need to consult a professional architect and a builder first, but don't worry – a good one will be willing to listen to your needs and ideas and make something unique and great for you.

 

Hurricane Season 2006: Four Steps To An Efficient Evacuation.

Hurricane Season 2006: Four Steps To An Efficient Evacuation.

Word Count:
887

Summary:
It's hard to believe it's already hurricane season, and it's also hard to believe that this season is projected to be as bad as or worse than last year's season that saw hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. We're here to help you prepare, but rather than repeat the usual "flashlight and first aid kit" disaster preparedness checklist, we're going to give you a few details that will help your family plan an efficient evacuation should a severe hurricane threaten your area.

O...

Keywords:
disaster preparedness,hurricane,hurricane preparedness,family disaster plan,evacuation

Article Body:
It's hard to believe it's already hurricane season, and it's also hard to believe that this season is projected to be as bad as or worse than last year's season that saw hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. We're here to help you prepare, but rather than repeat the usual "flashlight and first aid kit" disaster preparedness checklist, we're going to give you a few details that will help your family plan an efficient evacuation should a severe hurricane threaten your area.

One of the most crucial assets in any emergency situation is time, and nowhere is time more important than in an evacuation. When the evacuation order is given, all you want to have to do is go. A safe and speedy evacuation does two things. First, it gets you and yours out of the way before the massive traffic gridlock takes place, and two, if enough people evacuated earlier, this gridlock won't be as bad for the people who did not prepare as they should have.

Let's look at a few ideas that will save you considerable time in an evacuation scenario and help keep your family safe. Going with that theme, let's use the word S.A.F.E. to cover these hurricane preparedness topics, namely Shutters, Accessories, Fuel, and Evacuation.

1. Shutters. Get your shutter materials today. If you plan to protect your windows and doors before you evacuate, get the materials you need now, and prep so you can put these shutters up by yourself. For example, if plywood is your choice material, you should already have it on your property somewhere and cut (for fit and manageability) and labeled as to which opening it covers. Have small hooks over each window and corresponding holes in the plywood so you can hang the shutter in place by yourself while you drill in the screws. During an emergency, you shouldn't waste time and money gathering materials you should already have, and you don't want to tie up other people performing chores that could be done by one person.

2. "Accessories" covers both your household supplies and your evacuation gear. One common time waster is standing in line at the grocery store for consumables you should already have, so get your food and water now. You should always have between 2 and 4 weeks worth of food in your home (including pet supplies), and you should continually rotate your stock so you don't have a separate stash that reaches its expiration dates and is lost. Besides, if you're stocked ahead of time, you're helping others by being out of their way when they make last-minute shopping trips. Also, you want to have adequate supplies of food and water on hand after the storm when stores will be closed or empty, and you won't have the time, money, or gasoline to shop.

Next, keep a "Bugout Kit" packed 24/7 with a "last-minute list" on top. In an evacuation, you should grab your kit, your few last minute items that could not be prepacked (such as perishable medications, etc.), and be out the door. Your kits should be inexpensive, second-hand backpacks or wheeled suitcases, and they should be packed as if you were going on a two-week trip with only "carry-on luggage." Pack what you need, but pack lightly. Also, you must have copies of important documents (hardcopies and computer disks) including insurance papers, household inventories (with photos), child ID kits, etc. Having your paperwork with you is the only way to make sure you get your life back in order as quickly as possible.. Fuel. Always keep your car's gas tank full. Forget everything you've heard about the "half-tank rule" and make it a firmly entrenched habit to top off your tank about 3 times a week, even if it only needs a gallon or two. When it's time to leave you don't want to waste time in line at a gas station that may not have gas when you finally get to the pump. Also, if you have gas-powered lawn equipment at home, keep a 5-gallon gas can rather than the 1-gallon size. This will let you top off your tank before hitting the road.

4. Evacuation means worlds more than "get out of the house." For this short article, we'll focus on your destination. Line up your evacuation destination today, and choose one that provides the best balance between protection, accessibility, and economy, selecting a location that offers protection from the storm, but yet is close enough for you to get back home quickly. A friend or relative's house tops our list since you'll save money and you'll be around loved ones. Balance your options, but make your choice now, so you'll definitely have a place to stay, and make this destination a prominent part of your plan. (For a destination criteria checklist, email us at  these ideas to use today as you make your family's evacuation plans, and plan now so when the hurricane is heading your way, all you have to do is act. Time is that critical.

 

How-To Camp Green This Summer

How-To Camp Green This Summer

Word Count:
631

Summary:
More and more families are looking for ways to vacation in a more environmentally friendly way. This article describes ways your family can camp green this summer.

Keywords:
LED lights, LED flashlights, lanterns, green camping

Article Body:
For some people, camping is a way to get back to nature while for others it means bringing out the big toys and having some fun. For the people who bring out the big motor home equipped with satellite television, cook tops, refrigerators and other neat gadgets, camping can leave a negative impact on the environment. For the people who wish to camp and do so while leaving the smallest ecological footprint possible, there are some clever tricks to keeping your camping "green" and safe.

LED Flashlights and Lanterns
LED lights are the most energy efficient light source currently available for flashlights and lanterns.  They produce a brighter sustained light while still using less battery power than a traditional flashlight.  In fact quality LED flashlight can provide over 600 hours of light from one set of regular AA or AAA batteries.  The combination of battery savings and bulb efficiency results in up to 90% less energy consumption than any other flashlight. LED lanterns use the same bulb technology making them a good idea for having around the campsite as well. 

Wind-up LED flashlights are an even more environmentally-conscious light source. These are fairly easy to use.  All you have to do is wind them up to create power creating friction and turn it on. These lights don't put out as strong of a light as a regular LED but they are an excellent option for short hiking excursions.

Cookware
Don't use styrofoam cups while camping, no matter how convenient they may seem.  The same goes for paper plates and disposable plastic forks.  Instead, camp with reusable dishes and utensils and wash them after each use. This will drastically decrease the amount of trash you burn (bad for the enviro-gases pollute the air) or throw away (plastics don't biodegrade quickly, overfilling our landfills).

Recycle
Think about what you do at home to be ecologically friendly and institute it on your camping trip.  Keep paper bags or bins around for recycling. You can then easily take this stuff back with you and recycle it appropriately when you get home. Also, consider composting your trash in a bucket if you can. 

Go Low -Tech
A tent and sleeping bag is far more environmentally friendly than a motor home or camper trailer. Motor homes require large amounts of fuel and energy to keep in operation every day.  With the cost of energy and fuel where it is right now, your camping trip could cost you a lot less if you consider more green camping alternatives.

You can enjoy a true outdoor camping excursion more if you do it electricity free. Leave the games, portable TVs, and computers at home. Pack a cell phone or PDA in case of emergencies but turn it off or just plain leave it alone. Every little bit helps when it comes to reducing how much energy we consumer every year.

Cookstoves
Unless you're allergic to smoke or have strong asthma symptoms, the campfire is still the most ecologically friendly way to cook food. Fueled grills require propane or electricity to operate. Campfire requires wood that can be easily picked-up off the forest floor and a light source. It may not be practical to cook everything you want on a fire but you can use it for some things to help reduce the amount of time you cook on a fueled cook stove. 

Going on a green camping trip can actually be one of the more fun vacations you take this summer. Look into ways you can help make less of an impact on the environment the next time you venture out into your home state's mountain country or forested parks.

~Ben Anton, 2008

 

How To Leave Global Warming Out In The Cold

How To Leave Global Warming Out In The Cold

Word Count:
461

Summary:
Global warming, experts contend, is an urgent problem--but there are concrete steps every American can take to be part of the solution. There are so many ways people use energy--therefore there are so many opportunities every day to make a difference.

Keywords:
How To Leave Global Warming Out In The Cold

Article Body:
Global warming, experts contend, is an urgent problem-but there are concrete steps every American can take to be part of the solution. There are so many things we do every day that use energy-therefore we have so many opportunities every day to make a difference.

The Problem

When cars, factories and power plants burn fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, they release global-warming pollution. These pollutants accumulate in the atmosphere for many decades, acting like a huge blanket that traps heat. That, in turn, warms our planet. The global-warming pollution, primarily carbon dioxide, emitted from the first model T's is still in the atmosphere, acting as a thickening layer of insulation. With our increased reliance on fossil fuels, the concentration of these pollutants continues to accumulate, threatening the stability of our climate.

Distinguished scientists across the nation have been surprised by the speed and severity of the issue and its effects on people's lives: the elderly suffering from heat waves, families whose homes are threatened by floods and eroding coastlines, hunters and anglers watching wildlife disappear and homeowners who are at risk of mudslides.

Scientists are convinced that we now have a small window of time to avoid the most dangerous consequences. If we join together now to solve this problem, they say, our children may be spared even more dramatic effects within their lifetimes.

Some Solutions

To help, there's a Web site that lists easy ways to help slow down global warming. For example, did you know that:

• An energy-conscious family can reduce its global-warming pollution contribution by over 35,000 pounds per year by taking such simple steps as selecting Energy Star appliances and insulating their house.

• You can save money on electricity by installing a programmable thermostat, which reduces global-warming pollution.

• If you plan your trips to combine errands, this will reduce emissions, saving gas, wear and tear on your car, and your valuable time.

• Whatever kind of vehicle you drive, choosing the most fuel-efficient model in its class is the single most important way to cut global-warming pollution.

"Global warming is the most serious environmental challenge of our time. It is more urgent and its dangers are more fundamental than most Americans realize," explained Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense. "Millions of individual Americans acting together add up to a powerful part of the solution. Many of the transformative solutions will emerge from America, the country with the deepest reservoir of scientists, engineers and bold investors."

Environmental Defense is a centrist organization dedicated to protecting the environmental rights of all people, including the right to clean air, clean water, healthy food and flourishing ecosystems. Guided by science, Environmental Defense works to create practical solutions that win lasting economic and social support because they are nonpartisan, cost-effective and fair.

 

How To Do Your Bit To Protect The Environment

How To Do Your Bit To Protect The Environment

Word Count:
820

Summary:
Climate change and the environment is top of the global agenda today as the need to cut down on carbon emissions becomes increasingly apparent. As world leaders negotiate to come up with a plan to halt climate change and cut down on emissions, we can also play our part.

Keywords:
solar energy, greenhouse gas

Article Body:
Climate change and the environment is top of the global agenda today as the need to cut down on carbon emissions becomes increasingly apparent. As world leaders negotiate to come up with a plan to halt climate change and cut down on emissions, we can also play our part.

Reducing the amount of energy we use in our home, in our workplace and in our cars can have a significant affect on emissions. Not only that, it can save you money too. If everyone makes an effort in their lives, it can make a huge difference on a global scale. Here is some advice on how you can cut down on your energy usage.

In the home

* Switch to energy-saving light bulbs. They cost slightly more, but save up to ten times their price over their lifetime.
* When you are boiling water, or heating anything, only boil the amount you need. You do not need a kettle full of boiling water for one cup of tea.
* Switch off appliances when you are not using them to save money and energy. TVs, videos, stereos and computers left on standby can use use a lot of energy.
* Recycle everything that you can. We throw away our own weight in rubbish every month, but bottles, cans, paper, card, plastic and aluminium can all be reused or recycled which saves energy. For example, it takes the same amount of energy to make 20 cans from recycled material as it takes to make one can from scratch. Recycling will also save you money on refuse charges.
* If you live in a sunny area you could potentially meet all your energy means using solar panels.
* Turning down your thermostat by just three degrees will save you 10 per cent in energy costs. Also, make sure that your home is well insulated so that it keeps the heat in.
* When washing clothes and dishes make sure the appliances are full. Also, try using lukewarm water.
* Keep the lid on pots and pans when you are cooking.

In the office

* Where at all possible, store all documents in digital format on your computer or another storage device. If you must print something, use both sides of the page.
* There is no need to fly half way around the world for a meeting. Online audio and video conferencing has effectively cut out the need for face to face meetings and conferences. The amount of energy that can potentially be saved here is huge.
* Turn your computer off completely or at least put it to sleep when you are not using it. Computers still use a lot of energy when they are on screensaver mode.

In the car

* For shorter journeys, leave the car at home and use a bike instead. Bikes are a healthy, quick and enjoyable way to get around, and a great way to avoid congestion if you live in a big city.
* Experiment with car pooling to get to and from work. It will save you money and could get you to work faster.
* Join the hybrid revolution. Do you really need that gas guzzling SUV? Buy a hybrid and use a fraction of the energy for your journeys.
* Public transport is far more energy efficient than driving. Also, remember that air travel is a major polluter so use ground transport wherever possible.

In the shops

* Do not accept plastic bags from shops. Always bring your own reusable bags.
* Try to buy organic food that is grown locally. Organic food is farmed less intensively and usually requires less energy to produce. In addition, the fact that it is grown locally means a reduction in transport costs.
* Try to eat less meat. Livestock are a major source of greenhouse gases.

Water

While water isn't strictly energy, it is a finite resource that we need to preserve and take care of. Here are some tips on how to cut down on your water usage:

* Always use the shower instead of the bath.
* Never leave the tap running while brushing your teeth.
* Only use the dishwasher or washing machine with a full load.
* Try to install a system to use your waste water run-off to keep your garden watered. This will also encourage you to use non-harmful soaps and washing powders.
* Water your garden early in the morning or just before sunset.  This allows the water to be absorbed into the ground instead of evaporating in the hot sun if you water during the day. 
* Water butts or large water containers are a good idea for the garden. Situate them under the edges of your roof so they receive run-off when it rains.

These are just a few of the simple, yet effective, ways that you can help cut down on energy usage and reduce your carbon footprint. Even if we all follow just a few of these steps it will make a big difference and save us money as well.

 

How Solar Thermal Works In Your Home

How Solar Thermal Works In Your Home

Word Count:
431

Summary:
Given energy concerns these days, most homes are now designed to take advantage of passive solar heating concepts. Solar thermal is a big part of this process.

Keywords:
solar, sun, thermal, mass, brick, concrete, passive, home, house, homes, houses, tile, heating, heatsolar, sun, thermal, mass, brick, concrete, passive, home, house, homes, houses, tile, heating, heat

Article Body:
Given energy concerns these days, most homes are now designed to take advantage of passive solar heating concepts. Solar thermal is a big part of this process.

How Thermal Mass Works In Your Home

Getting a little free heating can go a long way on your utility bill, particularly over the life of a structure. Passive solar heating is the methodology used to achieve this goal. It is a process wherein a home is built or upgraded in such a way as to catch and contain as much of the sunlight in the form of heat as possible. To effectively use solar for heating, thermal mass is a subject you need to understand.

Thermal mass simply refers to any material that absorbs and stores heat. In this case, we are obviously talking about material that stores the heat inherent in sunlight and disperses it at a later time once the sunlight is no longer hitting it. You may not realize it, but your home already has thermal mass producing heat. Any material exposed to the sun, furniture, floors and such, acts as thermal mass. Unfortunately, it is usually on a pretty small scale.

Often called intentional thermal mass, a passive solar home will have strategically placed materials that are very efficient at absorbing and radiating heat. While this may sound complex, it really is not. The materials include items such as bricks, tile and masonry. Adobe and clay materials also function well in certain situations.

In a passive solar home, you need the thermal mass in the interior of the home. Strategically placing tile and brick in areas below windows that receive significant sun during the day will often do the trick. Depending on your heating needs, the amount of thermal mass you use will vary. In colder climates, it should be used in bulk while homes in Arizona need only nominal amounts.

One common misunderstanding regarding thermal materials refers to their color. Logically, it would seem to make sense that the materials need to be dark since dark colors absorb more heat. This is not particularly true in passive solar. It is the material, not the color, that makes the difference. Bricks can be just about any light color, but not white. This may sound insignificant, but it can be a major benefit if you want to avoid a dark, gloomy interior in your home.

If you are trying to harness the power of the sun for heating purposes, you need to get a good grasp of the thermal products you will use. This should give you a head start.

 

How Green Is Your Home?

How Green Is Your Home?

Word Count:
803

Summary:
A home that is green is a home built and run with the environment in mind.  With the threat of global warming becoming more urgent everyday, the average family needs to do their part to make as little impact as possible.

Keywords:
green building, energy efficiency

Article Body:
A home that is green is a home built and run with the environment in mind.  With the threat of global warming becoming more urgent everyday, the average family needs to do their part to make as little impact as possible.  Going green is a way to do this and the first place to start is with your home. You can find a lot of home supplies from bathtubs to faucets at fuzing.com. Whether you are constructing your toilet or your kitchen, it will help you in the long run if you build it from an environment friendly perspective. The greener your home will be; the healthier environment it will have. You can use environment friendly things from paints to drapes and other objects that will add to the overall décor of your home.

Possible Building Materials You Can Use

If you are looking to build a new home, think with the environment in mind.  You can use renewable resources such as lightweight concrete, manufactured, stone, straw, wood or earth.  Each one of these materials has its own merits and disadvantages, but they all have the environment in mind.
* Earth is an abundant resource.  What can be more environment friendly than the very dirt beneath your feet?  You can choose from earthen materials kind to the environment such as cob, adobe and rammed earth. 
* Lightweight concrete has been used for building for the last 50 years in the United States.  Its strength is not as great as the usual concrete used for construction, but you can rest assured that it will weather the elements just as well.  Advantages to using this building material is that can be used for insulation, it has great fire resistant properties, it will require a smaller foundation and there isn't as great a need for reinforcement of structural steel. This impacts the environment in a positive way.
* Manufactured building materials appeal to those who have concern for the environment but don't want to live in a home made of dirt, tree parts, straw, etc.  Usually a home made with this type of material once built will make an excellent home that is energy efficient with thought to the environment.
* Wood is one of the most versatile materials for building.  It used to be considered a sustainable material for construction, but with the over harvesting of forests worldwide, the world's greed has outpaced the capabilities of forests to regenerate.  You can build a green home with an eye to the environment by using stick framed, timber framed and log wood if wood is what you must have.

Styles of Green Homes You Can Choose

There are quite a few styles of green homes available.  Styles can range from conventional, to rounded, earth-sheltered and organic.  Each style has many plans you can choose from to make your home unique, comfortable and concerned with the environment.

* A conventional styled home typically means that it will fit the normal concept of a home according to the opinions of the Western world.  Homes that are considered conventional usually have vertical walls and a rectilinear floor plan. Styles that are considered conventional can include traditional, contemporary, bungalow, Victorian or southwestern to name just a few.
* A home that is rounded or curved in appearance is considered rounded styling.  This means that the plan for the house has a significant part that is curved or rounded.  It is said that when you use natural materials and this style of home you will feel in touch with nature to the extent that your home feels like you are part of the environment itself. This style of home is very environment friendly.
* Earth sheltered styles of green homes can be situated either partially or entirely into the earth.  There are many advantages to you and to the environment when you choose this style of home.  When you go about six feet below the surface, you will notice that the temperature only fluctuates a few degrees all year round.  The benefits to this are that it will require much less energy to heat and to cool your home, saving the environment from the depletion of natural resources.

Building green can mean a lot to the environment.  The environment and its natural resources is something that needs to be passed on to our children. If we don't start thinking towards the future there will be nothing left of the environment to pass on.

Article highlights: Building materials that can be used to construct a green home.  The different styles of green homes you can choose when you decide to build a green home.

Interesting Fact: A recent report states that with all the huge costs associated with the building of a new home, there is no significant difference in the price of building green.

 

How clean is the air in your house?

How clean is the air in your house?

Word Count:
325

Summary:
It is a little-known fact that the air inside your house is dirtier than the air outside it.

Keywords:
air, purifier, filters

Article Body:
It is a little-known fact that the air inside your house is dirtier than the air outside it. No matter what you do – how many windows you open or whatever – this will always be the case. This is true simply because of the amount of hiding places that your house has for dust and other particles, while at the same time having a limited amount of escape routes for the particles.

To go some way towards alleviating this problem, you might want to consider getting an air purifier. This will be especially useful to you if you have allergies or asthma that can be aggravated by dust or other particles such as pollen, as an air purifier can remove most of them from the air for you. If you smoke, you should definitely consider an air purifier, as otherwise all the pollutants in the smoke will build up in your house's air over time, making it very unpleasant to breathe your indoor air.

Air purifiers come in all sorts of different types, each working in different ways. The most popular filter is a kind of fibre mat that goes inside a frame or housing, and can quickly remove 99.97% of pollutants from the air – this is known as a high efficiency particulate absorbing filter. However, these highly effective air purifiers can be expensive, especially as they need to be replaced quite often at a high cost each time.

If you just want your air to be cleaner, but not necessarily completely purified, you might consider a cheaper filter, or an air cleaner or air filter, all of which are terms used to describe cheap air purifiers. These devices may only remove 99% of particles from the air, but for most users, that will be enough. It is worth giving a cheaper filter a try first before you go all-out and buy the most expensive one, as you might be buying far more than you really need.

 

Horses and Their Regions

Horses and Their Regions

Word Count:
468

Summary:
Horses thrived and survived in various regions and climates. Each area developed distinct breeds with qualities that were vital to the people of that region. In many ways, horses changed the lives of the people they served.

Keywords:
horse, horses, icelandic, viking, rider, pony,

Article Body:
Copyright 2006 Rob Daniels

Horses thrived and survived in various regions and climates. Each area developed distinct breeds with qualities that were vital to the people of that region. In many ways, horses changed the lives of the people they served.  Desert Nomads and Horses

In the desert and grasslands, camels are more practical as they can survive long periods without food and water, unlike horses. As a result few true desert bred horses exist today, so they are rarely seen in show rings, remaining mostly for breeding. Other desert type horses evolved, but none were ever considered by the Bedouins for their Arabians.

The nomadic people were the first to domesticate horses. They encouraged both pacing and other flying gaits which could carry their tribes long distances without tiring the horses. The severe climate required the nomads to share food and water, and sometimes even their tents with their horses.

In addition, with the nomadic nature of the Gypsy peoples, their horses had to be adaptable to varying climates, terrains and living conditions. The result of this culling has led to the Gypsy Vanner Horse being one of the most docile horses in the world.

Icelandic Horses

Centuries of isolation in Iceland has produced an extremely sure footed horse who is agile on rough terrain and shows great reserves of stamina. The Icelandic Horse has been able to keep it's due to the purity of the breed, being the only breed in Iceland. Of the most fascinationg feature of the Icelandic horse is it's extreme genetic purity. The hardships they survived have given a horse that is not afraid to face the world. Both horse and people have had to face cold and starvation on more than one occasion in Iceland. The horse carried it's owners over the rough terrain of Iceland which includes lava fields, mountains, and many rivers. It is certainly not an ideal setting for the horse.

Vikings and Horses

The Vikings recognized the value and political power of their horses and gave them a place of great honor in their history and culture. To them, the horse was more than a war horse or a means of travel. So, when the first Vikings set sail to explore Northern oceans, along with them went the strong little horses.

American Indians and Horses

Indians of that era had never seen horses and to them the horse and rider team were a godlike being. Many religious ceremonies were based on the horse and its contribution to the life of the Indian. To try and keep this belief, it was illegal for some years for an Indian to ride a horse much less own one. The acquisition of the horse completely changed the Plains Indian's way of life, transforming them from plodding pedestrians to nomadic hunters and warriors.

 

Honda Inverter Generators

Honda Inverter Generators

Word Count:
428

Summary:
Nothing has been quite so exciting in the generator manufacturing business as the new Honda inverter generators.  Honda inverter generators give you all of the power that you need in a generator, with maximum fuel efficiency, light weight, and surprisingly quiet performance.

Keywords:
honda generators, honda invertor

Article Body:
Nothing has been quite so exciting in the generator manufacturing business as the new Honda inverter generators.  Honda inverter generators give you all of the power that you need in a generator, with maximum fuel efficiency, light weight, and surprisingly quiet performance.  Add to this Honda's reputation for excellent quality, and these new generators are great news. 

Regular gas generators are fine for running certain electrical appliances, such as lights and televisions.  However, for more sensitive equipment such as computers, they are usually not sufficient.  Computers, printers, and other sensitive electrical equipment need a constant, even electrical signal in order to work properly.  The electricity generated from regular gas generators can tend to fluctuate; not a problem for lights, televisions, or coffee pots, but a possible disaster for more sensitive equipment.

The Honda inverter generator is the solution to this problem.  Using inverter technology, Honda has created a generator that contains a microprocessor that regulates the flow of electricity from the generator, mimicking the flow that would come from a regular household outlet.  This regulated flow of electricity makes it perfectly safe for anyone to run a computer or printer using a Honda inverter generator, without worrying about fluctuations causing a crash in the equipment. 

Another benefit of using inverter technology is that Honda inverter generators need only be about half the size and weight of conventional generators, though they have every bit as much power.  The alternator is built right into the Honda inverter generator, making it much more compact and light, and giving it exceptional portability.  The fuel efficiency of the Honda inverter generator is unsurpassed; one small thirty-pound model can run up to eight hours on a single tank of gas, and a larger forty-six pound model can run up to fifteen hours on one single tank. As far as noise level, the Honda inverter generators run so softly that most people would not even notice that they were in use.

Though the Honda inverter generator is extremely efficient, you still want to choose the right model for your needs.  Even though Honda inverter generators are smaller and lighter than their conventional counterparts, there are still different sizes from which to choose.  The standard rule does apply with Honda inverter generators: the larger the model, the more work it will do.  When shopping for a Honda inverter generator, keep in mind the tasks that you will need it to perform, and buy accordingly.  The salespeople and technicians at Honda should be able to help you find the Honda inverter generator that suits your purposes.

 

Historical Advances in Producing Electricity From the Sun

Historical Advances in Producing Electricity From the Sun

Word Count:
530

Summary:
When politicians start talking about renewable energy, you know we have problems. Solar energy is a significant renewable energy and here is an overview of how the technology has developed.

Keywords:
sun, electricity, bell labs, nasa, solar panels, vanguard, einstein, technology, solar

Article Body:
When politicians start talking about renewable energy, you know we have problems. Solar energy is a significant renewable energy and here is an overview of how the technology has developed.

Historical Advances in Producing Electricity From the Sun

Solar electricity is simply energy produced by harnessing the sun. It comes in many forms including electricity production through panels, home heating through passive systems and mobile packets for powering devices like laptops and RVs to mention only a few platforms.

Historically, sunlight has been used by mankind to produce heat ever since we first built structures. Without electricity, mankind soon learned to orient structures to capture the heat of the sun during the day and store it in ceramic or mud materials much like a blacktop parking lot will radiate heat after the sun has gone down. Early Greek structures show a particular use of this solar strategy as do Egyptian structures. 

The production of electricity using sunlight is a much more recent phenomena. In 1901, Nicolas Tesla was the first person to receive a patent related to solar electricity, but he called it radiant heating. He sought a patent for a machine to capture the radiant heat, but nothing much came of the invention.

In 1904, some unknown physicist named Albert Einstein published a paper on the potential electricity production from sunlight. In 1913, William Coblentz received the first patent for a solar cell, but he could never make it work. In 1916, Robert Millikan was the first to produce electricity with the cell. For the next forty years or so, nobody made much progress because the cells were highly inefficient at converting sunlight to energy.

In the 1950s, Bell Labs got involved with NASA. Bell was charged with coming up with a solar platform to power spacecraft once they were in orbit. The solar industry would never be the same.

Gerald L. Pearson, Daryl M. Chapin, and Calvin S. Fuller started researching different areas related to solar, but not active parts of the NASA project. By luck, they meet and exchanged ideas. While their individual projects were failures, their combined efforts produce a much more efficient cell using crystallized silicon to convert sunlight into electricity. The efficiency rate of the cells was roughly 6 percent, a marked improvement over previous technology.  In 1958, NASA launched the Vanguard Spacecraft, which was powered by solar panels.

In the following years, solar technology grew in leaps and bounds. Solar panels today are roughly 15 percent efficient, but also much smaller than they use to be. More importantly, companies are abandoning the panel platform and coming out with amazing new products. The first are shingles that look exactly like regular roof shingles and perform as such. Nanotechnology is also offering amazing possibilities with quantum dots, which are essentially solar panels on the quantum level. Eventually, these dots will be incorporated in things such as paint. Yes, the paint on the walls of buildings and homes will eventually also produce all the electricity needed for the structures.

Man has used the power of the sun for heat for a very long time. Only now, however, are we starting to master the technology to turn it into large amounts of free electricity.

 

Help Look After The Planet Recycling Your Old Computer

Help Look After The Planet Recycling Your Old Computer

Word Count:
452

Summary:
Today the environmental impact of old computers, computer related parts and other electronic goods is a serious growing concern. There are so many computer Organizations who are ready to deal with old and damaged computers. They are ready to accept all types of obsolete and working computer equipments such as CRT monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, etc. regardless of their age and condition. They also help in recycling the printer ink cartridges, laser toners, etc.
...

Keywords:
computer recycling,computer recycle

Article Body:
Today the environmental impact of old computers, computer related parts and other electronic goods is a serious growing concern. There are so many computer Organizations who are ready to deal with old and damaged computers. They are ready to accept all types of obsolete and working computer equipments such as CRT monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, etc. regardless of their age and condition. They also help in recycling the printer ink cartridges, laser toners, etc.

There are annually several millions of computers that are becoming obsolete. It is very much harmful for the environment if the waste computers are used to fill lands. Even it is a crime if the disposal of computers is used in landfills under different sections of environmental laws. The environmental concern regarding the disposal of computers is mainly due to the monitors because the cathode ray tube contains four to five pounds of lead which contaminates our environment very badly. There are also other hazardous materials in computers which are not at all good for our environment such as mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, etc. These materials seems to effect our health by causing high blood pressure, liver and nerve disease, blood with poor iron and even brain damages. Even the groundwater near a landfill also gets contaminated due to these hazardous materials.

Basically for these reasons different Environmental Laws have banned the illegal landfills by the disposals of computer equipments. These Laws says that the damaged and waste computers must be sent to a reputable recycler for better and harmless recycling. The process of recycling should be done regularly so as to protect from the huge pile up of old and waste computers. In addition to the environmental benefits different computer organization are also benefited by the recycling process. Different parts of the waste computer come handy for the remanufacturing of computers. Even these organizations can use these old computers as a medium of storing backups.

Three better options for disposal of old Computers -

It is not advisable to throw an old computer in the garbage. However, the disposal of computers can be utilized in three important phases without violating the environmental rules. They are 1) Reuse, 2) Recycle and 3) Trade in. By the term 'Reuse' it is meant that the computer is sold in secondary reduced price to some office or some individual for further use. As illegal landfills by the disposals of waste computer equipments have been banned by the Environmental Laws therefore Recycling is the best option is such case. The recycling is basically done to those computers which are extremely old and broken. Lastly the Trade in option gives us the opportunity to get our money back or even allows us in the exchange option.

 

Guide for Quitting Smoking Cigarettes

Guide for Quitting Smoking Cigarettes

Word Count:
694

Summary:
Most smokers are afraid that they can't quit, that cigarettes are more powerful than they are. Actually this is fear from the fear, because if you are still smoking, how can you know that it's hard without cigarettes? This is a result from your habit that is controlling you so much that it won't allow you to imagine how life can look like without smoking.

Keywords:
quit smoking, stop smoking, smoking cessation, cigarette, how to quit smoking, tips

Article Body:
Most smokers are afraid that they can't quit, that cigarettes are more powerful than they are. Actually this is fear from the fear, because if you are still smoking, how can you know that it's hard without cigarettes? This is a result from your habit that is controlling you so much that it won't allow you to imagine how life can look like without smoking.

This point brings another question or excuse of yours. I love smoking; I love the ritual, etc. This is partially true, you love the time spent with yourself in that moment. But the cigarette will burn after two minutes, so why light it in the first place? She'll burn but the pleasure will only last for two minutes. It will last for two minutes and only two minutes. No more. This conditioning will continue until you are brave enough to interrupt this pattern.

First thing you have to do is to hate that you're controlled. How can you be a free human being, when someone or something controls you? This should be the first milestone for you. The rest are simply techniques that will help you substitute the smoking habit.

You can't stop smoking without thinking and trying to implement a non-smoker habit.

After you are sure that you understand this, and only after you're sure, follow these instructions:

• If you can hold out without smoking for only one minute, don't you think that you can do it in the next minute? Sure you can. You should battle the craving by the minute. It is a much shorter time period to fight your battle and win. This makes the war all that much easier.

• Your first trigger occurs at a point where the body is conditioned to enjoy a cigarette along with a drink or after a meal, etc. These triggers will last for a maximum of 5 minutes. During these 5 minutes your entire body will convince you that it is okay to light a cigarette, which you have reason and it will come up with so many excuses that it will be hard for you to say no.

• Second, as I mentioned in the secret for becoming a non-smoker, you should not involve yourself in your personal fight with the habit. You can't win your habit in this way, because there will be a period when you're feeling "down" and that will be a good enough reason for lighting a cigarette.

• You should also be aware that you'll be very confused in the first 3 days and this is normal and you should accept it. This is the period where your brain is forcing you to light a cigarette and attempts to convince you with what may seem "reasonable" excuses. Since you programmed your brain to feel pleasure whenever you light a cigarette, it is now telling you that something might be wrong without a cigarette or that something might be missing from your life.
Your brain is like a big and mighty ship, but you're the captain, and it will follow your navigation orders, but needs time to take the right course. There is also wind that is blowing your ship in different directions, and there is still a force that is pushing the ship towards the old navigation commands. Don't forget the power that you as a captain posses, you can change the course of your ship in any direction you want.

By my experience you'll need only 3 days to start feeling like a non-smoker.

• Another very helpful thing is to try to help some of your friends who are smokers. Try telling them about this techniques and theories and check their opinion. You can make some kind of pact, trying to work together to beat this habit. At the bottom of every post there is a link labeled "Tell a friend!". Use this link to forward this message and at least remind your friends that they can quit. This can be very stimulating for you and your strength to quit smoking.

 

 

Green choices: give Valentines Day gifts with the planet in mind

Green choices: give Valentines Day gifts with the planet in mind

Word Count:
495

Summary:
If Valentines Day is an essential day for you or the one you love; then you can show a bit of love for the environment by carefully considering what you buy.

Keywords:
eco,green,nature,gift,Valentines Day,

Article Body:
Here are a few distinctive gift ideas that make a positive ecological impact:

Give Organic Flowers
Conventionally grown flowers are often dangerous to the environment and the workers involved with growing them. An option to giving cut flowers is seeking out locally grown live houseplants. There are plenty of flowering varieties available, and they are beautiful, year-round gifts, which add vibrancy to homes and offices. One of the advantages to purchasing plants grown close to where you live is that you are not contributing to the resource use and greenhouse gas emissions of air shipping, which is common with imported flowers.

Give Natural perfumes and fragrances
Many perfume fragrances are synthetic and often made from toxic petrochemicals derived from crude oil. There are more earth friendly alternatives and it is easy to make your own natural perfume too.

Give cards that use recyclable paper, send e-mail cards, or make your own.
- Choose a locally made card, rather than one that has been mass-produced and traveled a long way to reach you.

- Choose a card with little or no glitter - these are easier to recycle.

- Make your own card - you might get extra points for effort.
- Go traditional and write your own love note.
- Send an e-card (save the trees!).

Give Organic Wine and Spa Set
Picture this: Your loved one walks into the bathroom — and it has been transformed into a spa. A lavender-scented hot bath has been drawn. Wine and chocolates are waiting in a tray by the tub. Moreover, you are waiting to give a massage with natural oils. Sound good? This case has all the organic goodies you will need — just add candles. Only problem: You will have to clean the tub. Now, that is love.

Fair Trade chocolate is sweeter
Everybody loves chocolate. It tastes excellent; it makes you feel good; and it is hard to imagine Valentine's Day without its sweetness. However, all is not well in the chocolate industry. Like coffee, chocolate is produced in some of the most economically disadvantaged regions of the world. Cocoa bean farmers find themselves under tremendous price pressure from buying cartels. The result is institutionalized poverty and an alarming reliance on abusive child labor. It all filters down to the candy aisle at your favorite grocery store. The solution for responsible consumers is Fair Trade cocoa and chocolate. Fair Trade certification guarantees that cocoa farmers receive a guaranteed "floor price" of at least 80 U.S. cents for non-organic cocoa, and a premium for produce meeting organic standards. This is often well above the market price, and the upcharge is passed to consumers. In return, the cocoa producers warrant a variety of progressive labor and environmental practices. It works out for everyone.

Use your imagination
Romance is about spontaneity, inventiveness, and the personal touch. We have given you five specific suggestions for greening your Valentine, but there must be dozens more.

And don`t forget: use only reusable bags, bottles or recyclable containers.

 

Goku & Friends: The Invasion of Dragon Ball Z

Goku & Friends: The Invasion of Dragon Ball Z

Word Count:
398

Summary:
Dragon Ball Z is an anime show that has gone from cult following to smash sensation in the United States.

Keywords:
playing cards

Article Body:
Dragon Ball Z is an anime show that has gone from cult following to smash sensation in the United States.  What started out as a cult following among high school and college students has spread to enjoy a more mainstream popularity among these younger groups, while continuing to expand through other demographics.  A Japanese creation, this show in many ways opened the door for others to follow.
 
Dragon Ball Z is the middle instillation of a three part anime trilogy.  The whole thing started out with Dragon Ball, then went to Dragon Ball Z, and finally ends with Dragon Ball GT.  While Dragon Ball had a cult following, it was Dragon Ball Z that really caught mainstream popularity in the United States.  Dragon Ball Z started as a Japanese manga comic in the 1980's.  Since then it has exploded into a truly international phenomenon spawning over 500 episodes, 17 movies/features and generating over $3 billion in merchandise, making it perhaps the most successful anime/mange in history.  Dragon Ball Z has hit number one internationally, including the United States, Japan, France, Spain, Hong Kong, and Mexico.

Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of Goku, who along with the Z Warriors, defends the Earth against evil.  Their adventures are extremely action packed, sometimes with an entire episode being nothing but one amazing fight scene.  This makes the show very entertaining, and the story line reinforces the concept of good versus evil.  Dragon Ball Z teaches valuable character virtues such as teamwork, loyalty, and honor.  

Akira Toriyama, the creator of the Dragon Ball franchise, was involved in the concept, approval and character designs for Dragon Ball Z, as well as Dragon Ball GT.  Dragon Ball Z, the second part of the Trilogy, consists of 291 episodes. Dragon Ball Z arrived in the U.S. in 1996 and still continues today.  The Dragon Ball Z DVDs are the highest selling anime DVDs, and Dragon Ball Z clothing has become very fashionable for teenagers and college students.

Dragon Ball Z is not going to fade away any time soon.  Its good versus evil epic story line, fantastic animation, and intense battle sequences promise to keep the show popular for years to come, and after the sale of a million DVDs, it is safe to say that Goku and the Z team have made an impact far beyond what the original magna creator could ever have dreamed.

 

GO WILD IN PANAMA

GO WILD IN PANAMA

Word Count:
985

Summary:
Panama is a popular Latin American tourist destination.

Keywords:
panama,travel,travel tips

Article Body:
Panama is a popular Latin American tourist destination. This country offers
Unrivalled tourist attractions. A spectacularly rich biodiversity makes Panama a
Magnet for eco-travelers too. The country's name means "abundance of fish and
butterflies" -but howler monkeys, sloths, manatees, crocodiles and rare quetzals
share the jungles and lakes, too.
This is what makes people come back time and again to Panama.

Facts & Figures

Panama is a 75,990 square km land area. The official language is Spanish.
However, many Panamanians speak both Spanish and English.

Panamanian weather is pleasantly tropical, and uniform throughout the year.
Nights are usually cool. The average temperature is 27 degrees C.
Panama has two weather seasons: rainy and dry.
The former stretches from March to December.

The time in Panama all year long is the same as the EST (GMT -5).
Panama does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Panama's Tourist Attractions

Islands and Beaches

Panama offers an exquisite view and experience of nature at its best. Panama has
Coasts on two oceans: the Pacific and the Caribbean Sea. These coasts, although
Different, are suited for all sorts of activities with the different beaches and
islands found in them. World famous beautiful beaches and islands will make your
visit unforgettable!

Caribbean Sea: On the Caribbean coast, the beaches on the provinces of Colon,
San Blas and Bocas del Toro and their neighbouring islands, are small to
mid-sized and all of them have coral reefs nearby,
They are often near other waterways and most have been formed by coral buildup.
These are the best beaches to do some scuba diving in.

Pacific Ocean: On this coast you'll find a series of beaches which are easily
Accessible from the Pan-American Road. Many water sports including windsurfing,
surfing and swimming are practiced here. The most popular of these are: Gorgona,
Coronado, San Carlos, El Palmar, Rio Mar, Corona, Sea Cliff, Santa Clara, Playa
Blanca and Farallon.

Panama Canal

Considered one of the Eight Wonders of the World, the Panama Canal is one of
the most fascinating places in the world, where human genius and skill join to
link two oceans and bring the world closer together.

The Panama Canal has a length of approximately 80 kilometers between the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Between 13,000 and 14,000 ships use the Canal
yearly, thanks to the work of approximately 9,000 workers, working 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year, offering transit service to ships of all nations.

The Canal uses a locks system that act as water elevators raising the ships
from sea-level (Atlantic or Pacific) to 26 meters above sea-level (Gatun Lake).
Each set of locks carries the name of the town where it was built: Gatun
(on the Atlantic side), Pedro Miguel and Miraflores (on the Pacific).

The narrowest part of the Canal is Gaillard Cut and it stretches from the Pedro
Miguel Locks to the southern tip of Gatun Lake in Gamboa. This stretch is
approximately 13.7 kilometers long. Take a mini cruise through the Canal and
then check out the Visitor Center in Mira Flores, the ideal place to see the
Canal operating. This installation, recently open to the public, has large
balconies from which visitors can see the locks open and close as the ships
begin or end their transit. Four exhibition rooms, organized by themes, are the
main feature of the Visitor Center. Exhibitions are dedicated to Canal history,
the importance of water as a source of life, the Canal operation and it's place
in worldwide trading.

Tropical Rainforest

Panama is an ideal country for direct contact with the tropical rainforest.
The only capital in Latin America with a rainforest less than 10 minutes away
from downtown and with easy access to three national parks.

If you would like to go into the tropical rainforest, Panama offers national
parks declared Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage. Rainforests with the
widest variety of flora and fauna in the world (Darien) where we can find over
10,000 plant species and over 1,000 bird species.

Colon Free Zone

In a separated area of 400 hectares the Colon Free Zone is located at the
entrance of the Panama Canal in the Caribbean sector, in the province of Colo
and is considered the second largest of its kind in the world and the first in
the Western Hemisphere. Due to its unique geographic location and easy access
to four major ports, considered the most advanced in Latin America, this is
truly an International Shipping Center.

Also, located next to it, Visitors can find transportation services such as
France Field Airport, a Railroad Terminal, access to the Panama-Colon highway,
cruise terminals and a ground transportation terminal.

The Colon Free Zone is a Global Logistical Center. Its commercial transactions
generate US$ 11,000 million in imports and re-exports. With over 400 hectares
its more than 2,000 companies and more that 250,000 annual visitors reflect the
success of the Colon Free Zone.

Traders and investors can find: The existence for the International Banking
Center, the efficient maritime infrastructure, the largest center for collection
and redistribution in the Americas, the use of the US Dollar as currency,
security both within and around the area, great exhibition rooms,
warehouse and commercial outfits. A great workforce, both specialized and
low cost, a great number of tax incentives and a sophisticated communications
network are just some of the factors that contribute to ease the operations from
the Colon Free Zone and make this the ideal place for International Commerce.

Staying In Panama Made Easy

Getting to Panama is easy with all the transportation modes in this country.
There are land, water and air transportations operating in Panama. Staying in
Panama is also a burden off the shoulders of tourists. There is a wide array of
hotels and accommodations in Panama. These hotels suit any type of budget and
needs. They range from economy to luxury.

Indeed, there are countless reasons why tourists simply love Panama. With all
the attractions and complete comfort, there is no better "home away from home"
destination than Panama.