By Caitlina Fuller
When you get a new computer what do you do with the old one? Do you just bag it up and put it out with the trash? Even if your computer is no longer working you should not simply throw it out with the trash. Why? Because there is a growing problem with electronic waste, also known as e-waste. E-waste is filling up our land fills and is releasing toxins into the earth that can cause toxins to get into our drinking water and into the soil, which will come back to harm us in the future. Computer recycling is something that everyone should choose to take part in, instead of filling the landfills with waste that cannot disintegrate overtime and is poisonous.
If you are updating your computer and you need to get rid of your old one, you should be sure that you take it to a place that can safely reuse or dispose of it. When you throw it in the landfill you need to know that your computer will not break down over time, instead it will simply continue to take up space and even contaminate the land it is in. Because of this, you need to look into the safe computer disposal. In most cities there are now several safe disposal locations for you to bring your computer in for safe disposal. More of these locations are opening up all the time, so don't assume that your area doesn't have one.
When you bring your computer to these repositories for safe disposal they will simply take your computer off your hands, they won't give you anything in exchange for it except the knowledge that you are not contributing to the e-waste that is taking up a lot of space in our landfills! If you would like something in exchange for your computer, you should consider selling your computer through an auction site or to a friend, as most of the safe disposal options are not going to pay for your computer, instead they are going to safely dispose of it for you!
Safe PC disposal should be the concern of anyone who uses a computer and is going to simply throw one away. If you are not sure where you can go to dispose of your old computer you should look in the yellow pages for your city. If nothing else, call a computer shop that you are aware of and ask them if they know where you can dispose of it, in all likelihood they will be able to point you in the right direction. Luckily, the process will not take you far out of your way and it will take just a few minutes of your time to do something great for the environment.
Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. Computer recycling is something that everyone should choose to take part in, instead of filling the landfills with waste that cannot disintegrate overtime and is poisonous. You need to look into the safe computer disposal. In most cities there are now several safe disposal locations for you to bring your computer in for safe disposal.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caitlina_Fuller
silvaone
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
What Exactly is Organic Farming?
By Kathryn Bax
t is a term that has been grossly misrepresented. It is not just a form of agricultural practice that uses compost, crop rotation and shuns manufactured chemicals and artificial hormones. Farming organically is more than that. It is a highly structured practice, conforming to very detailed production standards.
First and foremost, Organic Farming is monitored by an international body set up in 1972 - The International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movement (IFOAM). And I quote from their website: "The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings."
Therefore, what we are talking about Eco-Agriculture and the key word here is health. Organic Farming does not entertain genetically modified foods, battery-raised animals, additives to animal feed, or anything that is artificial in any way in agricultural practices.
There are 4 main principles of Organic Farming as laid down by IFOAM:
Organic agriculture is based on:
The principle of health
The principle of ecology
The principle of fairness
The principle of care
The Principle of Health
It stands to reason that if we grow food and raise animals on healthy soil then we will grow healthy crops and have healthy animals. The consequence of this is that we then eat healthy food, and, as a result have a healthy body. It is the sequential chain of reactions that relies totally on where it all starts: the soil.
People are concerned about food safety, particularly in light of the fact that there is serious concern that modern Agri-Farming practices that are not organic, have caused food allergies, asthma, and heart disease through artificial additives and chemical fertilizers that we ingest. Worse still there are diseases directly linked to irresponsible farming practices that ignore common sense. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy appears to have been caused by feeding cows, that are naturally herbivores, the remains of other cattle and bone meal in order to increase weight and early slaughter.
The Principle of Ecology
We need to go back to what nature intended and that is what Organic Farming is all about. It is to grow crops and raise animals on land that is enriched with compost and mulches that are well rotted because this is the most paramount of stages in organic farming. The aim is to get as much humus into the land as possible, and this includes manure, compost, seaweed, leaf-mould, spoiled hay, and anything of vegetable or animal origin, including blood and bone, that can go into making a compost heap. The keyword here is recycling. There is the old adage; "Waste not, want not" and never so true in farming organically.
Any left over crops or wood should never be burnt on a property. This is an absolute waste of potential compost, and it is also a pollution contributor. Why burn it when you could use it and it isn't costing you anything? Why burn those vine cuttings and those orchard prunings? Invest in a chipper to reduce the bulk and add these to your compost heap.
What happens to your soil when it is healthy? It is filled with micro-organisms and those beautiful earthworms that delight the heart of those who care. Once you have earthworms in your soil you know that you are doing something right.
Remember too that you need to rest your soil and to use crop-rotation effectively. When you have a field at rest plant a cover crop, such as rye grass as a temporary planting in autumn. This protects the soil from wind and water erosion and adds organic matter. You can also grow crops such as legumes for soil improvement, called green manure crops, and are often left in place for six months to a year. Legumes are especially efficient because they "fix" nitrogen from the air into the soil.
In England more and more farmers are replanting hedgegrows on their farms as they now realize how important they are. Many animals and insects use these hedges as part of their ecosystem, therefore when the hedgegrows were removed, these little animals and insects then lost their natural shelters and an imbalance on the ecosystem resulted in an influx on insects that were unwelcome. They are also excellent wind-breakers and hold the soil in place to prevent soil erosion.
The Principle of Fairness
Organic farming believes in fairness in that the land, its people and its animals should be respected and treated with care and justice. We are custodians of this land, and as such, the custodianship should be taken seriously. We should ensure that we never harm or damage the environment in any way. That our aim should be to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to produce healthy food for everyone, and that nothing that we do when we work the land is harmful in any respect to the soil and water that we use, the animals that we rear and those that consume the end product.
Animal rearing has always been controversial with the implementation of factory farming. Factory farming is inhumane where animals are kept in confined and overcrowded spaces, and in poor conditions where they maim each other just to fight for space and life. Animals have to be reared justly, and given open spaces to live. It acknowledges that there has to be a link between the animal and the soil and that their welfare and veterinary care is vital.
The Principle of Care
Although this is last on this list of principles, I feel that it is probably the most important one. Because if one did not care about the environment, the situation of where we are at the moment and the importance of providing healthy food for a healthy lifestyle, then we would not embark on any of the above.
We need to care! This is the only planet that we have! It is also the only life we have, this is not a dress-rehearsal. This is the main event.
Kathryn Bax
http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com
A farm directory for farmers to market their farm accommodation, farm food and farm services worldwide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Bax
t is a term that has been grossly misrepresented. It is not just a form of agricultural practice that uses compost, crop rotation and shuns manufactured chemicals and artificial hormones. Farming organically is more than that. It is a highly structured practice, conforming to very detailed production standards.
First and foremost, Organic Farming is monitored by an international body set up in 1972 - The International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movement (IFOAM). And I quote from their website: "The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings."
Therefore, what we are talking about Eco-Agriculture and the key word here is health. Organic Farming does not entertain genetically modified foods, battery-raised animals, additives to animal feed, or anything that is artificial in any way in agricultural practices.
There are 4 main principles of Organic Farming as laid down by IFOAM:
Organic agriculture is based on:
The principle of health
The principle of ecology
The principle of fairness
The principle of care
The Principle of Health
It stands to reason that if we grow food and raise animals on healthy soil then we will grow healthy crops and have healthy animals. The consequence of this is that we then eat healthy food, and, as a result have a healthy body. It is the sequential chain of reactions that relies totally on where it all starts: the soil.
People are concerned about food safety, particularly in light of the fact that there is serious concern that modern Agri-Farming practices that are not organic, have caused food allergies, asthma, and heart disease through artificial additives and chemical fertilizers that we ingest. Worse still there are diseases directly linked to irresponsible farming practices that ignore common sense. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy appears to have been caused by feeding cows, that are naturally herbivores, the remains of other cattle and bone meal in order to increase weight and early slaughter.
The Principle of Ecology
We need to go back to what nature intended and that is what Organic Farming is all about. It is to grow crops and raise animals on land that is enriched with compost and mulches that are well rotted because this is the most paramount of stages in organic farming. The aim is to get as much humus into the land as possible, and this includes manure, compost, seaweed, leaf-mould, spoiled hay, and anything of vegetable or animal origin, including blood and bone, that can go into making a compost heap. The keyword here is recycling. There is the old adage; "Waste not, want not" and never so true in farming organically.
Any left over crops or wood should never be burnt on a property. This is an absolute waste of potential compost, and it is also a pollution contributor. Why burn it when you could use it and it isn't costing you anything? Why burn those vine cuttings and those orchard prunings? Invest in a chipper to reduce the bulk and add these to your compost heap.
What happens to your soil when it is healthy? It is filled with micro-organisms and those beautiful earthworms that delight the heart of those who care. Once you have earthworms in your soil you know that you are doing something right.
Remember too that you need to rest your soil and to use crop-rotation effectively. When you have a field at rest plant a cover crop, such as rye grass as a temporary planting in autumn. This protects the soil from wind and water erosion and adds organic matter. You can also grow crops such as legumes for soil improvement, called green manure crops, and are often left in place for six months to a year. Legumes are especially efficient because they "fix" nitrogen from the air into the soil.
In England more and more farmers are replanting hedgegrows on their farms as they now realize how important they are. Many animals and insects use these hedges as part of their ecosystem, therefore when the hedgegrows were removed, these little animals and insects then lost their natural shelters and an imbalance on the ecosystem resulted in an influx on insects that were unwelcome. They are also excellent wind-breakers and hold the soil in place to prevent soil erosion.
The Principle of Fairness
Organic farming believes in fairness in that the land, its people and its animals should be respected and treated with care and justice. We are custodians of this land, and as such, the custodianship should be taken seriously. We should ensure that we never harm or damage the environment in any way. That our aim should be to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to produce healthy food for everyone, and that nothing that we do when we work the land is harmful in any respect to the soil and water that we use, the animals that we rear and those that consume the end product.
Animal rearing has always been controversial with the implementation of factory farming. Factory farming is inhumane where animals are kept in confined and overcrowded spaces, and in poor conditions where they maim each other just to fight for space and life. Animals have to be reared justly, and given open spaces to live. It acknowledges that there has to be a link between the animal and the soil and that their welfare and veterinary care is vital.
The Principle of Care
Although this is last on this list of principles, I feel that it is probably the most important one. Because if one did not care about the environment, the situation of where we are at the moment and the importance of providing healthy food for a healthy lifestyle, then we would not embark on any of the above.
We need to care! This is the only planet that we have! It is also the only life we have, this is not a dress-rehearsal. This is the main event.
Kathryn Bax
http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com
A farm directory for farmers to market their farm accommodation, farm food and farm services worldwide.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Bax
Going Green Becoming a Bargain
By Jami Broom
Although filling our tires with air may help save on gas, it doesn't help with the higher prices of food, clothing, and other necessities. It used to be quite expensive to do things "green" - for instance spending your whole paycheck at Whole Foods to buy eco-friendly household products and organic food. However, now there are alternatives to spending a fortune on eco-friendly products, and not only does it save you money, it's also chic to "go green".
There are green alternatives to everything: household cleaning products, hybrid cars, pet food, appliances, cosmetics, you name it. There are even greener alternatives to some of these green products: bicycles, home-grown food, re-used furniture, and local products. Not only are some of these green alternatives eco-friendly, they are also exceptionally cheap.
Home-grown food for instance is becoming increasing popular. Food prices increased 4% in 2007, the biggest annual increase since 1990, and prices are projected to rise 4.5% to 5.5% this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By spending about $10 this spring on tomato plants I am going to have enough tomatoes to last for the entire month of August, and hopefully some of September. Plus, I have the added benefit of getting outdoors to water them every day and watch them grow. Buying local produce also helps reduce energy and shipping costs.
Another eco-friendly trick to save money is to buy products from local businesses. Instead of heading to the shopping mall where most products are manufactured in another country and then shipped to a port and then shipped to the mall, save a little money by heading to the city or town (on a bus or bike!) and shopping for hand-made, quality products. Green gifts are becoming increasingly popular to buy for people, especially during the holidays. If you hate going to the mall, try shopping for green gifts and eco-friendly home decor at Fresh Heirlooms.
And if you are a pack rat and have a ton of "junk" around your house, hop on the creative reuse bandwagon. Creative Reuse is the new vogue. If you're not familiar with creative reuse, check out Fresh Heirlooms at freshheirlooms.com - where you can find a plethora of information, including DIY instructions and workshops. The idea is simple: take reused or recycled items, and make something new out of them. If you're not craft, don't worry-there are plenty of places you can buy creatively reused stuff. Just Google "eco-friendly creative reuse" and you'll find a ton of sites which sell hand-crafted cute household items, furniture, jewelry and anything else you can think of out of recycled and reused products.
Being green also saves on electricity. Just by turning my water heater down a notch, I'm saving $30 a month on my electric bill. Energy Star products and eco-friendly light bulbs also help cut down costs-by as much as 75%, plus they last 10 times as long. And I despise changing light bulbs, so that's a three for one benefit-time, money, and energy.
Kermit was wrong-It IS easy being green. And cheaper, too.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jami_Broom
Although filling our tires with air may help save on gas, it doesn't help with the higher prices of food, clothing, and other necessities. It used to be quite expensive to do things "green" - for instance spending your whole paycheck at Whole Foods to buy eco-friendly household products and organic food. However, now there are alternatives to spending a fortune on eco-friendly products, and not only does it save you money, it's also chic to "go green".
There are green alternatives to everything: household cleaning products, hybrid cars, pet food, appliances, cosmetics, you name it. There are even greener alternatives to some of these green products: bicycles, home-grown food, re-used furniture, and local products. Not only are some of these green alternatives eco-friendly, they are also exceptionally cheap.
Home-grown food for instance is becoming increasing popular. Food prices increased 4% in 2007, the biggest annual increase since 1990, and prices are projected to rise 4.5% to 5.5% this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By spending about $10 this spring on tomato plants I am going to have enough tomatoes to last for the entire month of August, and hopefully some of September. Plus, I have the added benefit of getting outdoors to water them every day and watch them grow. Buying local produce also helps reduce energy and shipping costs.
Another eco-friendly trick to save money is to buy products from local businesses. Instead of heading to the shopping mall where most products are manufactured in another country and then shipped to a port and then shipped to the mall, save a little money by heading to the city or town (on a bus or bike!) and shopping for hand-made, quality products. Green gifts are becoming increasingly popular to buy for people, especially during the holidays. If you hate going to the mall, try shopping for green gifts and eco-friendly home decor at Fresh Heirlooms.
And if you are a pack rat and have a ton of "junk" around your house, hop on the creative reuse bandwagon. Creative Reuse is the new vogue. If you're not familiar with creative reuse, check out Fresh Heirlooms at freshheirlooms.com - where you can find a plethora of information, including DIY instructions and workshops. The idea is simple: take reused or recycled items, and make something new out of them. If you're not craft, don't worry-there are plenty of places you can buy creatively reused stuff. Just Google "eco-friendly creative reuse" and you'll find a ton of sites which sell hand-crafted cute household items, furniture, jewelry and anything else you can think of out of recycled and reused products.
Being green also saves on electricity. Just by turning my water heater down a notch, I'm saving $30 a month on my electric bill. Energy Star products and eco-friendly light bulbs also help cut down costs-by as much as 75%, plus they last 10 times as long. And I despise changing light bulbs, so that's a three for one benefit-time, money, and energy.
Kermit was wrong-It IS easy being green. And cheaper, too.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jami_Broom
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Hyundai Genesis - Hyundai Reborn!
By Martin Fretwell
About ten years ago my wife and I went to Paris with friends in their Hyundai estate. As I had lived in Germany at one stage, I was used to driving on the wrong side of the road, so I drove. As it was someone else's car, I didn't go quite as fast as maybe I would have in my own car, (at the time a rather nice Nissan 200SX) but nevertheless the Hyundai proved an adequate cruiser despite the 1600 cc engine. It was also surprisingly quiet for an estate, they are usually a bit "boomy" and the estate was certainly big enough for all our luggage (the friend has a bit of a "thing" about shoes and so had one suitcase more than anyone else and we still had room for all the cheap French beer and wine we were bringing back
On balance the Hyundai was an adequate car. No frills, (no aircon or cruise for example) but a reasonable drive and eminently suitable for our little jaunt.
Move on about ten years and the friends have had a variety of cars by now, but the new Hyundai S Coupe is launched (you know the one that looks like the Toyota Celica) and they decide to give the new Hyundai a try. Nice styling, a shark lime air intake just in front of the front wheel arch adds to the look. It goes well, has air and leather and all in all is an adequate sports coupe.
And that's where I had a problem with Hyundai. Now if you didn't know, Hyundai build ships. Hyundai also build monster trucks, they also build power stations. They are a huge construction company. In all these fields of operation adequate is just fine. Time was when Rolls Royce described their performance as adequate, and with Rolls Royce that was fine - because you just knew that their definition of adequate meant something a whole lot different to adequate from a shipbuilder. For a shipbuilder, I guess adequate means it will float.
But with cars, adequate just isn't good enough.
But it looks like Hyundai finally have the message as the new Genesis is something more than adequate. Now funnily enough there is no badge and you could be forgiven for thinking this is a lexus, or maybe a baby Merc. The lines down the bonnet to the merc like grille reminded me of the BMW 5 series a little. Why no badge - well Hyundai = adequate and so does their badge, so, they've left it off!
Now here we have a serious attempt by a major manufacturer to enter the American market. And they're doing it in style, but at a sensible price. $30,000 for a V6 which will rocket you to 60 in under 6 seconds. And there's a 4.6 litre V8 version too!
And how about toys and gadgets? Well there's an eight inch satnav, reversing cameras (for the wife) radar cruise control cooled seats air conditioning (USA well of course). As to the handling, Hyundai say it's been specifically designed to be stiffer than the latest BMW 5 series, having 5 link suspension front and rear and the drive is to the rear wheels through a six speed auto ZF gearbox.
Well done Hyundai - the new Genesis is going to make the "established" car makers sit up and take notice.
Style, performance and luxury at a reasonable price, keep em coming!
I really do drive a Merceded S Class, (S55 AMG) but I was enthralled to see the latest Hyundai as it looks so similar to my own car, but at a fraction of the price. It has all the bells and whistles too.
http://www.theverybestautos.com/hyundai-genesis
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Fretwell
About ten years ago my wife and I went to Paris with friends in their Hyundai estate. As I had lived in Germany at one stage, I was used to driving on the wrong side of the road, so I drove. As it was someone else's car, I didn't go quite as fast as maybe I would have in my own car, (at the time a rather nice Nissan 200SX) but nevertheless the Hyundai proved an adequate cruiser despite the 1600 cc engine. It was also surprisingly quiet for an estate, they are usually a bit "boomy" and the estate was certainly big enough for all our luggage (the friend has a bit of a "thing" about shoes and so had one suitcase more than anyone else and we still had room for all the cheap French beer and wine we were bringing back
On balance the Hyundai was an adequate car. No frills, (no aircon or cruise for example) but a reasonable drive and eminently suitable for our little jaunt.
Move on about ten years and the friends have had a variety of cars by now, but the new Hyundai S Coupe is launched (you know the one that looks like the Toyota Celica) and they decide to give the new Hyundai a try. Nice styling, a shark lime air intake just in front of the front wheel arch adds to the look. It goes well, has air and leather and all in all is an adequate sports coupe.
And that's where I had a problem with Hyundai. Now if you didn't know, Hyundai build ships. Hyundai also build monster trucks, they also build power stations. They are a huge construction company. In all these fields of operation adequate is just fine. Time was when Rolls Royce described their performance as adequate, and with Rolls Royce that was fine - because you just knew that their definition of adequate meant something a whole lot different to adequate from a shipbuilder. For a shipbuilder, I guess adequate means it will float.
But with cars, adequate just isn't good enough.
But it looks like Hyundai finally have the message as the new Genesis is something more than adequate. Now funnily enough there is no badge and you could be forgiven for thinking this is a lexus, or maybe a baby Merc. The lines down the bonnet to the merc like grille reminded me of the BMW 5 series a little. Why no badge - well Hyundai = adequate and so does their badge, so, they've left it off!
Now here we have a serious attempt by a major manufacturer to enter the American market. And they're doing it in style, but at a sensible price. $30,000 for a V6 which will rocket you to 60 in under 6 seconds. And there's a 4.6 litre V8 version too!
And how about toys and gadgets? Well there's an eight inch satnav, reversing cameras (for the wife) radar cruise control cooled seats air conditioning (USA well of course). As to the handling, Hyundai say it's been specifically designed to be stiffer than the latest BMW 5 series, having 5 link suspension front and rear and the drive is to the rear wheels through a six speed auto ZF gearbox.
Well done Hyundai - the new Genesis is going to make the "established" car makers sit up and take notice.
Style, performance and luxury at a reasonable price, keep em coming!
I really do drive a Merceded S Class, (S55 AMG) but I was enthralled to see the latest Hyundai as it looks so similar to my own car, but at a fraction of the price. It has all the bells and whistles too.
http://www.theverybestautos.com/hyundai-genesis
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Fretwell
Renewable Energy As a Viable Alternative - If Not Now, Then When?
by Gary_W_Patterson
As traditional energy resources (read: fossil-based fuels) are being depleted, more and more countries are turning to renewable energy. As the definition implies, renewable energy sources are not depletable. Instead, they can be replenished as they are being used. This makes renewable energy a very appealing alternative to our overdependence on other natural resources such as fossil fuels, which are not only pollutants but are not replenishable. Renewable energy comes in many different forms. Below is a review of the most popular forms that are receiving attention in the emerging green marketplace.
Solar power is perhaps the most well-known renewable resource. In fact, its popularity is growing with consumers who are beginning to install solar panels to help power their homes with natural sunlight. Solar power works on collecting sunlight, which is converted into energy and becomes a power source for machines and equipment. Solar panels are currently being tested on vehicles to generate power without using fuel.
Biomass energy is created from organic material obtained from plant and animal matter and their byproducts. It is a renewable energy source based on the carbon cycle, unlike other natural resources (e.g., coal and petroleum) that are based on fossil fuels, which emit carbon dioxide (a pollutant). There are many different sources of biomass energy, including wood, crops, manure and certain types of garbage. From these sources, methane gas and ethanol are created to make alternative sources of fuel. This may be a boon to car manufactures in their efforts to create cars that are more environmentally sound and energy-efficient. Namely, cars that can run on ethanol and biodiesel instead of gasoline.
Hydropower uses water to create energy. Some regions of the country (like the Northwest) use hydropower energy plants to power entire communities. However, there are problems associated with hydropower plants that strict environmentalists are quick to point out. They argue that hydropower plants threaten to disturb and/or adversely affect natural habitats that involve water. Instead of allowing water to flow freely, water is being redirected and controlled in a way that alters the natural order of ecosystems.
Geothermal energy uses heat from the earth stored below its surface. Volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers are natural sources of geothermal energy. With this source geothermal power plants are built near geothermal resources, usually located within one or two miles of the site.
Wind power is another commonly used renewable resource, which converts wind into electricity. Remember the good old windmills seen in the Dutch countryside? Yesterdays windmills have turned into modern wind turbines. Many countries throughout the world, including the United States, are taking advantage of this source of energy for an obvious reason: It is readily available, particularly in areas now described as wind corridors, such as Texas and parts of the Midwest.
While renewable energy has many benefits as it relates to the environment, it does have some drawbacks that are worth noting. One of the main problems is that it is difficult to generate the same amount of energy that can be generated from traditional sources (fossil fuels). Also, some of the methods described above cannot be used everywhere because many renewable resources cannot be transported, and even those that can come with a high transportation price tag. This means that a specific method has to physically be constructed around a specific renewable resource. This can compound problems for the construction of power plants. Expensive transmission infrastructure and permitting processes would also be required to get power from the area generated to consumer locations.
Scientists are currently working on ways to get the most out of using renewable resources and are creating better and more methods to make renewable resources more widespread and easier to use. In the end, if renewable energy resources are to replace traditional sources of energy, they will have to seen as having all of the benefits of traditional methods. Although recent developments have shown that scientists are well on their way to making renewable energy more readily available, we are not quite there.
Current congressional leadership favors a greener world by way of issuing carbon taxes and stricter regulations, many of which are untested and fraught with political pork issues. This situation will definitely create winners and losers, which points to the urgency for businesses and consumers alike to begin planning for the inevitability of a greener world, with all of its associated pros and cons and unintended consequences.
Bottom line? - Apply this information to improve your profitability, reengineer business models, and strengthen or gain competitive advantage in the marketplace. And apply the free Fiscal Test at http://fiscaldoctor.com/fiscaltest.html
From Gary W Patterson, http://www.FiscalDoctor.com - Copyright 2008
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_W_Patterson
Gary W Patterson - EzineArticles Expert Author
As traditional energy resources (read: fossil-based fuels) are being depleted, more and more countries are turning to renewable energy. As the definition implies, renewable energy sources are not depletable. Instead, they can be replenished as they are being used. This makes renewable energy a very appealing alternative to our overdependence on other natural resources such as fossil fuels, which are not only pollutants but are not replenishable. Renewable energy comes in many different forms. Below is a review of the most popular forms that are receiving attention in the emerging green marketplace.
Solar power is perhaps the most well-known renewable resource. In fact, its popularity is growing with consumers who are beginning to install solar panels to help power their homes with natural sunlight. Solar power works on collecting sunlight, which is converted into energy and becomes a power source for machines and equipment. Solar panels are currently being tested on vehicles to generate power without using fuel.
Biomass energy is created from organic material obtained from plant and animal matter and their byproducts. It is a renewable energy source based on the carbon cycle, unlike other natural resources (e.g., coal and petroleum) that are based on fossil fuels, which emit carbon dioxide (a pollutant). There are many different sources of biomass energy, including wood, crops, manure and certain types of garbage. From these sources, methane gas and ethanol are created to make alternative sources of fuel. This may be a boon to car manufactures in their efforts to create cars that are more environmentally sound and energy-efficient. Namely, cars that can run on ethanol and biodiesel instead of gasoline.
Hydropower uses water to create energy. Some regions of the country (like the Northwest) use hydropower energy plants to power entire communities. However, there are problems associated with hydropower plants that strict environmentalists are quick to point out. They argue that hydropower plants threaten to disturb and/or adversely affect natural habitats that involve water. Instead of allowing water to flow freely, water is being redirected and controlled in a way that alters the natural order of ecosystems.
Geothermal energy uses heat from the earth stored below its surface. Volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers are natural sources of geothermal energy. With this source geothermal power plants are built near geothermal resources, usually located within one or two miles of the site.
Wind power is another commonly used renewable resource, which converts wind into electricity. Remember the good old windmills seen in the Dutch countryside? Yesterdays windmills have turned into modern wind turbines. Many countries throughout the world, including the United States, are taking advantage of this source of energy for an obvious reason: It is readily available, particularly in areas now described as wind corridors, such as Texas and parts of the Midwest.
While renewable energy has many benefits as it relates to the environment, it does have some drawbacks that are worth noting. One of the main problems is that it is difficult to generate the same amount of energy that can be generated from traditional sources (fossil fuels). Also, some of the methods described above cannot be used everywhere because many renewable resources cannot be transported, and even those that can come with a high transportation price tag. This means that a specific method has to physically be constructed around a specific renewable resource. This can compound problems for the construction of power plants. Expensive transmission infrastructure and permitting processes would also be required to get power from the area generated to consumer locations.
Scientists are currently working on ways to get the most out of using renewable resources and are creating better and more methods to make renewable resources more widespread and easier to use. In the end, if renewable energy resources are to replace traditional sources of energy, they will have to seen as having all of the benefits of traditional methods. Although recent developments have shown that scientists are well on their way to making renewable energy more readily available, we are not quite there.
Current congressional leadership favors a greener world by way of issuing carbon taxes and stricter regulations, many of which are untested and fraught with political pork issues. This situation will definitely create winners and losers, which points to the urgency for businesses and consumers alike to begin planning for the inevitability of a greener world, with all of its associated pros and cons and unintended consequences.
Bottom line? - Apply this information to improve your profitability, reengineer business models, and strengthen or gain competitive advantage in the marketplace. And apply the free Fiscal Test at http://fiscaldoctor.com/fiscaltest.html
From Gary W Patterson, http://www.FiscalDoctor.com - Copyright 2008
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_W_Patterson
Gary W Patterson - EzineArticles Expert Author
Friday, August 22, 2008
Buying a Used Moped on eBay
By Jeremy Conlin
Mopeds and scooters are selling like hot cakes as fuel prices have reached all time highs. USA Today reported in August that dealerships across the country are often sold out of moped lines or have only a few models and styles available to choose from. If you are having a difficult time finding the model and style options locally you might try looking on ebay for a used moped. Ebay is the largest internet auction site online. They often have hundreds of listings for used mopeds and scooters posted by individual owners from across the country.
When buying a used moped on ebay you want to keep a couple of things in mind. First of all you want to get yourself a great deal if not at least a fair deal. There are several key factors to analyze when looking at ebay listings to insure you get a good deal. Lets take a look at them one by one. If you are new to ebay you can register as a new user with ebay in a matter of a few minutes, and begin searching the auction listings for terms such as "used mopeds" or "used scooters". As you click on the individual auction listings, take note of the sellers rank. Are they ranked by ebay with a good sellers standing? Are they new and have only conducted a few transactions or are they an established seller with thousands of transactions. I would advise not purchasing a high priced item such as a moped from a new seller with under fifty transactions to be on the safe side. As you analyze the auction listings jot down any pertinent information about each one that catches your eye. Select "watch this item" on the individual item pages to easily get back to the deals that are most attractive.
When you have a list of your favorite auction items choose one to bid on that comes out on top. Some factors to weigh in for making this choice are brand reputation, color and style, miles per gallon rating (70-90 is good), miles on the odometer, wear and tear on the frame, recent servicing, previous ownership, and current location of the moped. If these items are not addressed in the auction listing you can easily "ask the seller a question" on the right sidebar under "meet the seller".
The next thing to factor in before you place bids on your favorite listing is the cost of getting your moped delivered if you win the auction. If it is located far away from you geographically the clear option will likely be to have it shipped to you. Some sellers offer free shipping and this can make it a great deal, but if not you will want to get a shipping estimate from ebay. The cost will likely be about four to six hundred dollars to ship directly to you. If you can win the item for a good bid price then this would be the most convenient and time saving way to have it delivered. A second option for the more budget conscious is to use the "advanced search" option located to the right side of the ebay search tool. Here you can select mopeds & scooters under "powersports" in the drop down menu. Then select listings within five hundred miles from your zip code or from the nearest big city to you. From my recent search of San Francisco, Ca I got back sixty five listings to comb through which is a great selection of deals. If I were to bid on and win an auction I would set up a time to pick up the moped with the seller, and then tow a small Uhaul trailer to go pick it up. Even with the current cost of gas this would save a pretty penny in shipping and might be the best option if you find a great listing in your area.
Now that you have some ideas on buying a used moped on ebay its time to start bidding on your top choice. I would most importantly only bid on one item at a time since you don't want to risk the possibility of winning two auctions simultaneously. Generally it is best to bid on one item at a time, set good bid increments, and know when the auction ends so you can up your bid near the end if you feel you could go higher. For some good ballpark bidding advice you can visit kelly blue book for a value estimation on used mopeds you want to set bids for. Ebay is continuously posting new items so if at first you are outbid, don't despair there will likely be more used mopeds listed for your bidding pleasure in a matter of days. That pretty much sums it up for buying a used moped or scooter on ebay. If you do your due diligence as a buyer, know what your bidding on, and bid accordingly you can get a great deal on ebay for a moped.
For more information on moped brands, gas saving tips and for current moped auctions visit the authors website at http://used-moped-auctions.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_Conlin
Mopeds and scooters are selling like hot cakes as fuel prices have reached all time highs. USA Today reported in August that dealerships across the country are often sold out of moped lines or have only a few models and styles available to choose from. If you are having a difficult time finding the model and style options locally you might try looking on ebay for a used moped. Ebay is the largest internet auction site online. They often have hundreds of listings for used mopeds and scooters posted by individual owners from across the country.
When buying a used moped on ebay you want to keep a couple of things in mind. First of all you want to get yourself a great deal if not at least a fair deal. There are several key factors to analyze when looking at ebay listings to insure you get a good deal. Lets take a look at them one by one. If you are new to ebay you can register as a new user with ebay in a matter of a few minutes, and begin searching the auction listings for terms such as "used mopeds" or "used scooters". As you click on the individual auction listings, take note of the sellers rank. Are they ranked by ebay with a good sellers standing? Are they new and have only conducted a few transactions or are they an established seller with thousands of transactions. I would advise not purchasing a high priced item such as a moped from a new seller with under fifty transactions to be on the safe side. As you analyze the auction listings jot down any pertinent information about each one that catches your eye. Select "watch this item" on the individual item pages to easily get back to the deals that are most attractive.
When you have a list of your favorite auction items choose one to bid on that comes out on top. Some factors to weigh in for making this choice are brand reputation, color and style, miles per gallon rating (70-90 is good), miles on the odometer, wear and tear on the frame, recent servicing, previous ownership, and current location of the moped. If these items are not addressed in the auction listing you can easily "ask the seller a question" on the right sidebar under "meet the seller".
The next thing to factor in before you place bids on your favorite listing is the cost of getting your moped delivered if you win the auction. If it is located far away from you geographically the clear option will likely be to have it shipped to you. Some sellers offer free shipping and this can make it a great deal, but if not you will want to get a shipping estimate from ebay. The cost will likely be about four to six hundred dollars to ship directly to you. If you can win the item for a good bid price then this would be the most convenient and time saving way to have it delivered. A second option for the more budget conscious is to use the "advanced search" option located to the right side of the ebay search tool. Here you can select mopeds & scooters under "powersports" in the drop down menu. Then select listings within five hundred miles from your zip code or from the nearest big city to you. From my recent search of San Francisco, Ca I got back sixty five listings to comb through which is a great selection of deals. If I were to bid on and win an auction I would set up a time to pick up the moped with the seller, and then tow a small Uhaul trailer to go pick it up. Even with the current cost of gas this would save a pretty penny in shipping and might be the best option if you find a great listing in your area.
Now that you have some ideas on buying a used moped on ebay its time to start bidding on your top choice. I would most importantly only bid on one item at a time since you don't want to risk the possibility of winning two auctions simultaneously. Generally it is best to bid on one item at a time, set good bid increments, and know when the auction ends so you can up your bid near the end if you feel you could go higher. For some good ballpark bidding advice you can visit kelly blue book for a value estimation on used mopeds you want to set bids for. Ebay is continuously posting new items so if at first you are outbid, don't despair there will likely be more used mopeds listed for your bidding pleasure in a matter of days. That pretty much sums it up for buying a used moped or scooter on ebay. If you do your due diligence as a buyer, know what your bidding on, and bid accordingly you can get a great deal on ebay for a moped.
For more information on moped brands, gas saving tips and for current moped auctions visit the authors website at http://used-moped-auctions.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_Conlin
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