People regularly use the term “carbon footprint” to describe their individual impact on the environment, but the time has come to consider it in a wider context. A lot of damage is being done by industry. As the need to reduce energy consumption and waste becomes more urgent, think about the improvements you can introduce to considerably reduce your company’s carbon footprint.

An approach worth starting with is performing an audit to evaluate which areas your factory is performing best or worst in environmentally. Once you’ve assessed the situation, try to involve employees in reducing the carbon footprint. Set clear goals so people know what to aim for, and reward those who perform well. Financial incentives will generally push people to work their best. Regularly check back on the progress to make sure no one is slacking.

Not everyone works on the shop floor; don’t forget about those working in the admin, sales and other offices. They can get involved by actively recycling waste, using less paper and not leaving any appliances on standby overnight. Modernising refreshment facilities can also make a big difference. If you’re still providing disposable plastic or paper cups with your water cooler and coffee machine, switch to reusable equivalents. Make sure to provide clearly marked recycling boxes to motivate people to throw each item like milk bottles and drink cans in the correct receptacle.

When it comes to workshop areas, many production processes require the use of water, which is a scarce resource in some parts of the world. Is there a way you could reduce the amount of water used? A filter system can be fitted that cleans water to allow reuse.

Heating and lighting are important to employee safety among other factors. Environmentally, reducing the temperature by just one degree makes a big difference over the course of the year but doesn’t change much for an individual who will quickly adapt their body temperature and can grab an extra layer of clothing if necessary. Install a timer system that turns off heating at the end of the working day and switches it back on a few hours before employees arrive the next morning. Lighting can be improved by changing light bulbs to eco-friendly models and making sure all lights are turned off when people head home at the end of the day.

Emissions are a severe pollutant. Fit quality industrial air filters to protect dangerous substances flooding the air and harming the weakened atmosphere and ozone layer.

If your equipment and machinery is aged, it may no longer comply with modern environmental standards. Introduce a rolling replacement scheme to avoid having to spend a huge sum at one time. When replacing existing equipment, buying new or renting, make sure it’s designed in accordance with modern guidelines. Look out for labels certifying products as the most energy efficient and “green”. In Europe look out for the EU-wide Ecolabel, in Australia seek the starred Energy Rating label and in China the green HUAN label among others.

Consider the machinery you don’t often require too. In case of a power cut, for example, you may need to supply back up electricity. Always make sure the industrial generators you use are highly efficient and as green as possible.

Harvey McEwan writes to offer information and advice on a variety of areas, from technology to holiday destinations. Read through Harvey’s other articles here to find out more.

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A carbon footprint, in general, encompasses all the information needed to calculate your emissions, whether you are looking at it from an individual, business, or institutional perspective. Your footprint is also regarded as your baseline: it is your starting point from which more carbon-related numbers can be drawn, such as measurements of reduction or increase. When you know what your baseline is, then you know how much effort you need to put in order to achieve certain carbon goals.

So how can you determine what your carbon footprint is? You first need to realize that emissions don’t just come from the cars that you drive, or the smoke that comes out of industrial machines. You also emit a lot of carbon when you use up electricity, which is largely sourced from coal. You also emit a lot of carbon when you use up a lot of paper, which takes a lot of resources to produce. These factors all go into accounting for your emissions, among many other aspects of running a business or even simply living everyday life.

Some of your emissions aren’t just about letting out carbon dioxide. In fact, you can let loose other greenhouse gases that are even more dangerous than carbon dioxide. This includes greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide, which can come from various sources such as fertilizers and agriculture.

So what exactly goes into calculating your carbon footprint? It pays to have a ballpark estimate of how much you are currently emitting by knowing the three different scopes that are examined.

Scope 1 Emissions are perhaps the easiest to calculate: they are those that are directly created by you or your company. These are often described as Direct Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Driving cars for your company, or taking tractors around your warehouse are all examples of vehicle emissions. Producing energy or steam on your work site also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Any cooling system might also produce greenhouse gases if the cooling chemicals start leaking.

Scope 2 Emissions come from the utilities that you purchase, which include steam, electricity, and gas. You can find these on the utilities invoices, where you can calculate how much you consume – and these numbers, in turn, can help you convert your consumption into carbon dioxide emissions.

Finally, Scope 3 Emissions cover your indirect emissions which come from your activities, whether as an individual or as a business. For instance, air travel for your employees also results in carbon emissions because of the use of jet fuel. The amount of waste that you produce as a business also results in carbon emissions. All kinds of transportation not directly carried out on site or by your business, such as public transportation to and from places, will add to your carbon footprint.

So what should you do, knowing all these? With this kind of awareness about what adds to your carbon footprint, you need to reduce your consumption at all the three levels mentioned above.

To get more tips on how carbon footprint is calculated, and how you can reduce your carbon emissions, visit Emissions Management International – a top-notch carbon response management company.

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Lately, people have begun to realize the importance of renewable sources of energy, such as solar power. In such a scenario, it is obvious that the trend of using a solar lamp post has picked up pace. The light fixture in this lamp post is powered by solar energy. Furthermore, it also has an in-built solar panel. When it is bright and sunny outside, this panel absorbs the sunlight. The sunlight is stored in the batteries that are already there inside the fixture.

A typical solar lamp post is accompanied by sensors that are designed to detect darkness in an easy manner. Therefore, when it gets dark, the light switches on automatically. Similarly, the light shuts down, when the sun rises again. Furthermore, some of the lamp posts are known to have motion sensors. These motion sensors have the ability to sense movement. Therefore, the motion sensors get activated, only when they detect some movement. Moreover, these lamp posts are available in various designs and styles. These designs are based on the contemporary trends. The market is literally flooded with options. You just need to choose a lamp post that fulfills your requirements.

Solar lights literally spice up the outdoors. Perhaps, this is the reason because of which these lights sell like hot cakes. However, there are many factors that have influenced the popularity of these lights. To begin with, these lights are quite easy to install. Therefore, anyone can install these lights, including housewives.These lights do require some amount of assembling. However, assembling these lights is very easy. It is a common misconception that solar products are really expensive. These lights are quite affordable, and also help you in saving some hard earned money. Furthermore, these lights use the solar power that is absolutely free.

It is essential for us to reduce carbon emission. Moreover, we need to cut down on our energy consumption. Solar lights can help you in reducing the energy consumption in a cost-effective manner. Experts suggest that these lights have a positive impact on the environment. Furthermore, these lights are very bright. Therefore, you can use these lights to lighten up walkways and other places that require illumination. if you are planning to buy these lights, you should look for affordable options. For this purpose, you can refer to some online portals. Generally, these online portals offer the lights at economical prices. Moreover, you will also find a lot of options online.

Author is an NGO worker, works for saving our earth program. Use solar products like as solar lights and solar lamp post.

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California, long a national leader in cutting auto pollution, pushed the envelope further Friday when state regulators approved a suite of rules designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions from cars and put far more more pollution-free vehicles on the road in coming years.

The package of Air Resources Board regulations would require auto manufacturers to offer increasing numbers of zero or very low emission cars such as electric battery, hydrogen fuel cell and plug-in hybrid vehicles in California starting with model year 2018. By 2025, one in seven new autos sold in California, or roughly 1.4 million, would be ultra-clean, moving what is now a novelty into the mainstream.

Three years in the works, the new rules package also toughens standards for auto emissions that form smog and contribute to global warming.

“Today’s vote….represents a new chapter for clean cars in California and in the nation as a whole,” said board chair Mary Nichols.

Auto manufacturers are uneasy with some of the provisions but generally supported the package. “We know the board wants to push the automakers,” said Mike Love, national regulatory affairs manager for Toyota Motor Sales. “We said we’re willing to go along with you and do our best.”

The requirements are expected to drive up car prices. The board staff predicts that the advanced technologies needed to meet the new smog and greenhouse gas emission standards will add $1,900 to the sticker price of a new car in 2025. But that would be more than offset by $6,000 in estimated fuel costs over the life of the vehicle, according to the staff.

Zero-emission autos now make up a miniscule portion of the more than 26 million cars driven in California. There are a few hundred fuel cell cars and about 34,000 battery electric autos on the road.

“The fact that we are going to change what consumers can buy is one of the most important things we can do,” board member Ken Yeager said before the board’s 9-0 approval at the end of a two-day hearing in Los Angeles.

Manufacturers are poised to introduce a number of new electric and plug-in hybrid models. “This year two dozen or more new vehicles are going to come out in the market,” Love said. “Everyone is trying their idea for evs [electric vehicles], plug-ins.”

Nichols said there had been “a real change in attitudes on the part of auto companies that have seen the handwriting on the wall … The reality is that companies see the future is going to be in electric drivetrain vehicles. They’re moving there as fast they can.”

But whether there is strong enough demand to support robust sales remains to be seen.

“Automakers are mandated to build products that consumers are not mandated to buy,” said Gloria Bergquist, a spokeswoman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which includes Chrysler Group LLC,Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. “If the electric vehicle infrastructure is not in place, consumers may be reluctant to buy these technologies.”

Kelley Blue Book market analyst Jack Nerad predicted “the added expense and lesser versatility of the ‘environmental’ vehicles” will continue to make them less desirable to consumers. “So to reach the mandated volumes, they might well have to be sold at a loss so that their manufacturers can continue to do business in California. Buyers of conventional cars will pick up the remainder of the tab.”

One of the most disputed elements of the rules package centered on a clause that in the early years of the mandate gives credits to automakers who exceed the greenhouse gas emission standards by a certain amount. Those credits would reduce the number of electric, fuel cell and plug-in hybrids the companies had to offer in California.

Jay Friedland, legislative director of Plug in America, called it “a loophole you can drive a truck through” that will undermine the 2025 goal of having ultra-clean cars make up 15% of the new vehicles sold in the state.

The city of Smyrna, Georgia, implements plans to save fuel costs by converting cooking oil to bio-diesel.

Stop Air Pollution Now!

My next car will be a hybrid or something of the like. Exhaust fumes coming from automobiles are one of my biggest pet peeves. In some places in the United States, if your car is older than a specified amount of years, you need to get a smog test done in order to drive it. Sadly, other places seem to be behind on the times with taking the proper precautions necessary to ensure clean air. I believe it is absolutely imperative that all places adhere to strict rules on automobile emissions.

Driving a car is the worst thing we can do to the air quality. Vehicle use has been decreasing due to the high gas prices and big SUV’s and trucks are being replaced by smaller cars. I have seen some of the new smart cars on the road recently, which have become the latest rave since the hybrid was introduced. Other countries, other than the U.S. have done better jobs of reducing their emissions levels. The adverse effects of health affects of car exhaust are pervasive and difficult to measure.

The obvious solution would be to drive less. Local and global pollution would be reduced if each car owner pledged to use their car 30% less starting immediately. If we can resist the temptation to drive and buy large, heavy vehicles some of the issue would be resolved. Driving should be a privilege which is what it was intended to be in the first place. The number of vehicles in urban areas needs to be set to an appropriate quota to decrease traffic congestion and air pollution. They should put this into effect in Los Angeles to start and add an efficient public transportation system.

There are many other things we can do to reduce air pollution caused by cars. Rewarding people who take mass transit, carpool, or use alternate means of transportation such as a bicycle. HOV lanes, road tolls, dedicated bus lanes for quicker commutes, and corporations can stagger working hours to reduce time in rush hour. Long term solutions such as requiring that vehicles use biofuels, propane, natural gas, and hydrogen as energy sources would greatly improve the air quality.

Not only is car pollution bad for the environment, but smog is one of the contributing factors that cause wrinkles and premature aging. This, in addition to sunlight and stagnant air can magnify the negative affect of skin problems. It can also cause respiratory problems as well as fatigue. Each of us must do our part to make sure future generations can breathe clean air.

Lyla Feldman writes about health and fitness. Some of her favorite passions include writing about energy drinks and natural sleep aids.

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Businesses are currently undertaking initiatives to promote greater corporate environmental responsibility. International organizations like the United Nations encourage development of environmentally friendly processes and technologies as a commitment to nature. There are simple ways in which environmentalism in the workplace can be infused in day to day operations. For example, using cheap folders made of recyclable materials show the firm’s responsibility towards forest wealth management. These eco-friendly cheap folders can be fully recycled. As these supplies are vital to organize important files and documents, offices regularly stock up on these items. Employees can also reduce waste by printing on both sides of paper or printing on scratch paper. This reduces the need for frequent replenishment of paper supplies. Staff can sort papers which can still be reused and filed in cheap folders placed beside the printer. Sheets can also be cut and bound to reduce the need for sticky papers and notepads in the office. Encouraging paperless operations is also an effective tool to minimize the use of supplies. Printing only when necessary provides cost savings for the company while implementing eco-friendly solutions for the benefit of the environment. Reducing waste through improvement of operational processes is among the active steps which can be applied by the company. Another way to promote environmentalism in the workplace is by reusing cheap folders. This cuts expenses again and controls overhead costs of the company. The impact of environmental neglect is becoming too critical to be left ignored. Businesses need to make the shift not only to protect the environment but to save costs.

Many executives frequently make official business trips as part of their job function. Meeting with clients and stakeholders is required to further improve the firm’s financial standing. There are various needs of these individuals to effectively execute the purpose of business trips. One of the important items business travelers need are A4 folders. These are helpful for filing all the required documents and presentation materials which need to be delivered to the client. Since professionalism is important, papers required for the presentation need to be in perfect condition, free from crumples or tears. Using A4 folders provide the added convenience of properly stowing items during transport. A4 folders also allow executives to arrange documents as needed for the presentation with minimal glitches. Laptop computers are also crucial items for the mobile executive. These devices provide all their needs in the absence of an office table. Reports, materials and presentations are saved in laptops.

Correspondence and updates are also created online. This allows executives to keep the corporate office informed of trip status. Sleek binders and briefcases are also important items to invest in. Carrying cases enable executives to bring all the items they need for appointments, including business cards, notebooks, writing supplies and A4 folders for carrying required documents.

Mark X Andrews is an environmentalist and recycling campaign activist that seeks to improve the consciousness of people on recycling items like plastics and cheap folders.

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The plan behind Space Based Solar Power is to send satellites in orbit around earth equipped with solar panels to collect the sun’s energy, thereby; converting it to microwaves which are sent back to earth to be picked up by special by a special antenna called a “rectenna.” It sends it in to our homes as energy. In the early 70′s research began during the first energy crisis. The science has continued working on the project over the past few decades and have developed initial study models to determine the feasibility.

The Move Forward

A new report was released November 15th from the International Academy of Astronautics that states that there could be a working space based solar power platform in just 20 years, with enough energy being produced for the entire globe in just 30. This is great news for the space solar power researchers. That is almost 60 yrs after its discovery. If they get going on it, seriously this time we may have it.. China who is leading the world in solar panel manufacturing has also been working on Space based Solar power they are projecting having satellites in orbit by 2025. The space race is on again?

Positive aspects to consider:

It would eliminate the concern over plant and wildlife habitats. The desert areas have been proposed to hold large arrays of solar collectors and have been met with complaints of visual obstruction and wild life concerns. Once the space transmitters were in place they could, by remote, send extra energy for emergency services or military operations.

The Science of It

When using surface solar panels the suns rays are filtered through the atmosphere through the effects of reflection and absorption. A solar panel in space absorbs the rays with no obstruction of any kind. Consequently the satellite would power itself from the sun and run the microwave transmitter or possibly a laser emitter.

The Negative

Many voices of descent say it will be $10 billion for just one, but no one seems to know how much for positive. Another estimate was 2 billion and some say that is just too much for the return on investment. Speculation goes on. Once they are operational, at any price, the value is unlimited.

Another drawback to be considered in the cost equation is the current satellite launchers are way to expensive to use. So creation of new more effective launchers is necessary.

Once they are active and transmitting enough electricity to power the world I have to wonder who will be in control of the price of energy and will it be cheap enough. Shouldn’t the electricity prices go down. Not likely, there may not be much maintenance but the initial investment will most likely fall in the laps of the average person as the corporations reap the profits.

I will keep my individual solar power up and running just in case its not a good deal.

Visit Solar and Wind for solar power and wind turbine instructions and large variety of Solar Products from Home Depot’s Online Store.

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The term carbon footprint has been growing in popularity over the past several years, primarily due to the heightened awareness of climate change. A carbon footprint consists of the net greenhouse gases emitted by an entity, individual, organization or nation. Personal carbon calculators define a carbon footprint as the net carbon dioxide attributable to an individual over a one year period. Since there are many different greenhouse gases, the specific gas(es) must be converted to tonnes or kilograms of equivalent carbon dioxide.

Very often, the term carbon footprint is confused with another term called ecological footprint. Carbon footprint only considers net greenhouse gases emitted, whereas ecological footprint is much more encompassing. The ecological footprint is a calculation of productive land and water required by an individual, both in terms of usage and also to absorb wastes that the individual produces. A carbon footprint is specified in tonnes or kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent. An ecological footprint is expressed in terms of global hectares.

An ecological footprint is broken into four consumption categories: carbon, goods and services, housing and food. The carbon category includes transportation and home energy use. An ecological footprint can also be broken down by ecosystem types or biomes. These consist of forestland, pasture land, cropland and marine fisheries. In addition to consumption categories, waste must also be considered. Scientists have calculated the average per capita ecological footprint to be approximately 23.5 global hectares. On a renewable basis there are only 15.7 global hectares available meaning that we are collectively overshooting the Earth’s ecological capacity by almost 50%.

There are several ways of reducing both an individual’s carbon footprint and ecological footprint. One significant but controversial way is to shift from a meat to a vegetarian diet. According to a recent study, it was determined that a vegetarian diet was more environmentally friendly than a meat diet. It requires approximately 0.18 global hectares per person while a meat diet (high fat) requires almost five times as much, or 0.85 global hectares per person per year. There are many contributing factors for the meat diet, including deforestation and energy required for processing / transportation. And don’t forget cow flatulence. Scientists have estimated that the meat consumption life cycle contributes 18% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. More emissions results in larger effect on the climate.

Another method of reducing one’s ecological footprint is to buy local fresh food from farmers markets and preferably organically produced. It is important to eliminate transportation and refrigeration costs as much as possible. Organic foods eliminate the environmental impact of pesticides (including transportation and packaging). Farmers markets generally incorporate less packaging materials and food is fresh with no refrigeration or electricity requirements. More environmentally friendly all around.

When purchasing a new house there are many green initiatives that should be considered. Take advantage on the house orientation towards the sun for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. Consider rooftop gardens and soil-less turf on outside walls as was showcased by the Beijing Olympic exhibition hall. Passive solar heating, water efficient fixtures, sustainable building materials and other green design features should be incorporated where possible.

It is estimated that households can reduce their water footprint by 60% just by adopting more conservative water usage. To further reduce your carbon footprint beyond what has already been suggested, try changing your driving habits; avoid excessive acceleration/deceleration, drive with your lights off if possible, turn off the air conditioner. And don’t forget to take mass transit at every opportunity.

Steve Auger is a freelance writer and environmental blogger at http://www.blogonsmog.com

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Not many people heard the term Carbon Footprint, what it is and what the relation in global warming is is what I will share to you.

A carbon footprint is the total set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual or organization and it can also be a result of an event or product. It has units of tons or kilogram of carbon dioxide equivalent. In the simplest point of view, a carbon footprint is a measure of the affect or impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change and global warming.

Carbon footprint is made up of two parts

1. The Primary Footprint is an assessment of our direct emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the burning of fossil fuels. It includes domestic energy consumption and transportation such as car and plane. We have direct control of these footprints.

2. The Secondary Footprint is an assessment of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use every day. In short, the more products we buy, the more emissions will be caused on our behalf.

One of the biggest producers of carbon emissions is electricity. Therefore, every time you turn the television on or make a coffee you are adding to global warming. Now is the right time to reduce our footprint and we can do it anywhere and anytime especially in our own home.

Let’s start by doing these simple things.

1. First and foremost, sign up to a supplier of electricity from renewable sources like solar, wind and hydroelectric power. By doing this you will reduce your carbon footprint contribution from electricity to zero.

2. Turn electrical appliances when not in use. Turning down the central heating and water heating setting by just 2 degrees will make a significant saving. Fit energy saving light bulbs.

3. Fill your washing machine and dish washer with a full load. By doing this will save you water, washing powder, and electricity.

4. Share a car, use the bus or train rather than your car and for short journeys either walk or ride a bicycle. If you travel less, you travel more carbon footprint friendly.

5. Change your buying habit. Do your weekly shopping in a single trip and buy only seasonal foods. Foods out of season will have either been flown or shipped in from far away and all adding to your carbon footprint. Buy local fruit and vegetables, or you may even try growing your own.

6. Buy organic produce and don’t buy over packaged products and recycle as much as possible.

7. Think about what type of activities you do in your spare time. Avoid Saunas, Health clubs, restaurants and pubs, go-karting and other similar activities. Doing any of these can cause an increase in carbon emissions.

8. In your workplace, turn off monitor and computer and even lights when you are away or leaving from your desk. Don’t print unnecessary documents and if it is possible to print two pages to a side and double sided, do it.

Reducing carbon footprint is just a matter of attitude. By doing these simple tips will make a significant impact on slowing global warming. You can be a source of inspiration to others and before you know it, they are following the right path because you lead them.

Eliza M. Tam is a freelance writer who wants to inspire the world by simply sharing her thought. Please visit her blog at: http://redfieryheart.wordpress.com/

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