Saturday, October 23, 2010
Eye Opener: Environmental Working Group
I looked up my Covergirl fantastic Lash Curved Brush: very black on Skin Deep, cosmetic safety guide. The safety results shocked me and made me very concerned. The ironic thing is I actually went to target this morning and bought a few cosmetics. I wish I had done this eye opener assignment before I had a shopping spree. The ingredients found in my mascara are linked to, cancer, immunotoxicity, reproductive and organ toxicity, neurotoxicity, and endocrine disruption. With such a long list of harmful effects it is amazing that these cosmetics are allowed to be sold in the U.S. This product also scored a 7 out of 10 on the hazard scale and is considered a very high hazard. Also, according to this website 93% of mascaras scored better on the hazard scale than mine. This means I'll be doing some more shopping tomorrow. I can't believe I am willingly putting something this bad on my face. I am really glad this assignment made me take a closer look at my cosmetic products.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Share and Voice: Minnesota Cities are Going Green
I found the article, Minnesota Cities are Going Green, in the Minneapolis Start Tribune. This article talks about how many cities around the state want to go green and clean up their act but it is really hard to find funding to do so. This article introduces GreenStep Cities, which is a program that helps cities plan and implement green initiatives. They also challenge lawmakers to provide funding for green initiatives. The Minnesota Cities that are pilot cities for GreenStep include, Edina, Bloomington, Falcon Heights, and St. Louis Park. The main goal of GreenStep Cities is to have 25% of utilities and energy resources used by residents to come from renewable sources.
I think this a great step towards become energy efficient on a larger scale. The GreenStep Cities program website is included if you would like to check that out also. http://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/
I think this a great step towards become energy efficient on a larger scale. The GreenStep Cities program website is included if you would like to check that out also. http://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/
Monday, October 18, 2010
New Blog Header
I have designed a fun new blog header. I took a picture of my mother and I hiking just south of Superior, Wisconsin. We are sitting in front of the big falls about 1.5 miles down the trail. I just love the fall and being able to get outside to enjoy the beautiful scenery!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Share and Voice: Recycling Online
Nowadays, you can do almost anything online.I came across a concept I thought was really cool. You can recycle online! The website ecycler.com does just that. You can recycle anything you normally would recycle. Recycling service costs money and this site is designed to set up users with other users who want their recyclable products. So instead of paying, you can recycle for FREE! This website is free to all users. It allows you to look for items, giveaway items and track the amount that you recycle. What it does is it connects those looking to get rid of lets say old newspapers with those in the area who are looking for old newspapers. They enter their information on the site, it alerts others in the area and then you put your product out on the curb for a pick up. It's really simple and I thought it was cool innovative idea. Soon everything will be able to be done over the internet!
Read n' Seed 4: Third Quater of Citizen Powered Energy Handbook
1. I read pages 144-259. I read 3 chapters that each covered 3 more different types of renewable energy sources.
2 & 3. The main topics were the 3 different renewable energy sources, biomass, liquid biofuels, and geothermal power. Biomass is basically stored solar power. What happens is the plants capture solar power through photosynthesis, and then the organic matter that makes up the plants and such are known as biomass. An example, is burning firewood to heat your home. Other examples of biomass include using pellets, and wood chips as a source of heat. Something I found really interesting is the methane gas that is produced in landfills, can be converted and used as a biofuel. So instead of polluting our planet and destroying our ozone, landfill gas is being reused.
The second renewable energy source that is discussed is liquid biofuels. Liquid biofuel is very similar to biomass. It is power from biomass (described above) that is converted into a liquid state to primarily to be used as a transportation fuel source. You have probably heard of ethanol being used in cars or biodiesel being used for diesel powered vehicles; this is a very common liquid biofuel. Ethanol is made from grain. Ethanol is a much cleaner fuel source and it is biodegradable so if there is ever an accident involving ethanol, there would be no major environmental impacts. One drawback of using ethanol, is the amount of land needed to grow feedstock crops can be grown on. Feedstock crops are the plants grown specifically to be converted into biofuel There may not be enough to reach the demand if ethanol became extremely popular. Biodiesel is not only good for the environment but it is good for an engine also. Not only can you use the same engine you've been using the entire time, biodiesel is actually more lubricated so increases the engine life. Biodiesel has none of the contaminants that have been associated with cancer in which traditional diesel contains. One drawback that is associated with biodiesel engines is that they are hard to start in the winter.
The final chapter I read discusses geothermal energy sources. This renewable energy uses heat produced from the Earth as energy. Processes such as volcanic eruptions and radioactive decay, which takes place deep within the Earth's crust, are used as energy sources.
Collecting Process:
Also, pools of super- heated water that is associated with geysers lie within the Earth. The way the energy source is collected is by drilling wells to these pools. The water and and steam that is collected is then used to spin turbines and to create the electricity. Geothermal energy is primarily used for heating buildings. Many people are unaware of geothermal potential. The use of geothermal energy could skyrocket if simply people become more aware of it and how it can be utilized.
4. I have mentioned this in my previous Read and Seeds, but I really can not stress this enough. We need to, as a nation, to find other sources of energy and incorporate them into our everyday lives. Otherwise, we will eventually run out of nonrenewable sources and our country and our people will suffer. I have just explained 3 different types of renewable sources. Each of these have the potential to replace our old energy habits, we just have to become more aware of how to use them properly. We should also find out how we can help advocate for renewable energy sources to be used. People need to become aware of these sources. Personally, I did not know what biomass or how geothermal energy was used before I read this book. I am sure many other people had never heard of these sources before. Hopefully, you have all learned something from the read and seeds and will pass this valuable information on.
2 & 3. The main topics were the 3 different renewable energy sources, biomass, liquid biofuels, and geothermal power. Biomass is basically stored solar power. What happens is the plants capture solar power through photosynthesis, and then the organic matter that makes up the plants and such are known as biomass. An example, is burning firewood to heat your home. Other examples of biomass include using pellets, and wood chips as a source of heat. Something I found really interesting is the methane gas that is produced in landfills, can be converted and used as a biofuel. So instead of polluting our planet and destroying our ozone, landfill gas is being reused.
The second renewable energy source that is discussed is liquid biofuels. Liquid biofuel is very similar to biomass. It is power from biomass (described above) that is converted into a liquid state to primarily to be used as a transportation fuel source. You have probably heard of ethanol being used in cars or biodiesel being used for diesel powered vehicles; this is a very common liquid biofuel. Ethanol is made from grain. Ethanol is a much cleaner fuel source and it is biodegradable so if there is ever an accident involving ethanol, there would be no major environmental impacts. One drawback of using ethanol, is the amount of land needed to grow feedstock crops can be grown on. Feedstock crops are the plants grown specifically to be converted into biofuel There may not be enough to reach the demand if ethanol became extremely popular. Biodiesel is not only good for the environment but it is good for an engine also. Not only can you use the same engine you've been using the entire time, biodiesel is actually more lubricated so increases the engine life. Biodiesel has none of the contaminants that have been associated with cancer in which traditional diesel contains. One drawback that is associated with biodiesel engines is that they are hard to start in the winter.
The final chapter I read discusses geothermal energy sources. This renewable energy uses heat produced from the Earth as energy. Processes such as volcanic eruptions and radioactive decay, which takes place deep within the Earth's crust, are used as energy sources.
Collecting Process:
Also, pools of super- heated water that is associated with geysers lie within the Earth. The way the energy source is collected is by drilling wells to these pools. The water and and steam that is collected is then used to spin turbines and to create the electricity. Geothermal energy is primarily used for heating buildings. Many people are unaware of geothermal potential. The use of geothermal energy could skyrocket if simply people become more aware of it and how it can be utilized.
4. I have mentioned this in my previous Read and Seeds, but I really can not stress this enough. We need to, as a nation, to find other sources of energy and incorporate them into our everyday lives. Otherwise, we will eventually run out of nonrenewable sources and our country and our people will suffer. I have just explained 3 different types of renewable sources. Each of these have the potential to replace our old energy habits, we just have to become more aware of how to use them properly. We should also find out how we can help advocate for renewable energy sources to be used. People need to become aware of these sources. Personally, I did not know what biomass or how geothermal energy was used before I read this book. I am sure many other people had never heard of these sources before. Hopefully, you have all learned something from the read and seeds and will pass this valuable information on.
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