The Advantages of Wind Power

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People have long been aware of the power of the wind and have been making use of this power since ancient times. In the past, wind power was converted into mechanical energy by means of windmills.  The Chinese and the Babylon civilizations used it thousands of years ago for irrigation of their lands by pumping water by the help of wind power. Windmills were widely used across Europe during the Middle Ages for the purpose of grinding flour. There are many advantages of wind power even for our modern day society, a few of which have been listed below:

Wind power is renewable:

The major advantage of wind power is that it is a renewable source of energy as the wind is always there and it does not require the aid of fossil fuels for generation. Wind farms should be built in areas which offer strong winds the year round. For this reason, many wind farms are currently being built off-shore.

Wind power is cost efficient:

Wind power is extremely inexpensive. Most of the costs incurred occur in the manufacturing and installation of wind towers. After that, the source of energy, i.e. wind, is free and there is hardly any maintenance cost. It is an extremely economical form of power generation. The electricity produced through wind turbines at the rate of five cents/kWhr. Compared to electricity generated through other sources, this is extremely cheap. The improving technology has also greatly lowered the cost of wind turbines.

Wind power is a sustainable source of energy:

Sustainable source of energy can be defined as the source of energy that effectively generates energy without compromising the needs of future generations. For a source to be sustainable, it must be effective and renewable. Wind power meets both of these criteria and is therefore a sustainable form of energy. Wind power generation does not require fuels such as oil, natural gas, or coal; therefore it cannot be a cause of depletion of these natural resources.

Wind power is environment friendly:

The best defense wind power has to offer is that it is environment friendly and does cause any form of pollution. Wind power does not produce carbon dioxide emissions which ensure that it does not aid in global warming.  It is considered as a popular choice for carbon offsetting. The installation of wind turbines also produces minimum environmental impact. No radioactive wastes are produced as byproducts in electricity generation from wind power.

Wind power is an excellent form of alternative energy. It offers many advantages and few disadvantages. Wind turbines require very small space and can help in generating power in remote areas. The best locations for wind farms are coastal areas, hilltops and open plains which ensure steady winds year round. Off shore wind farms are also a good option due to the presence of strong winds.

The use of alternative sources of energy such as wind power is a step towards fighting global warming. Construction of wind farms is an excellent way to fund carbon offsets. This will help in reducing the global carbon footprint and decrease the pace of global warming.

Buy an eBook Save a Tree – Are eReaders better for the Environment?

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It seems like a no-brainer- eReaders don’t use any paper to produce their books. Real physical books use a lot of paper to produce books. Therefore, eReaders must be more environmentally friendly, right? It turns out the answer is: it depends. There are several more factors involved in both the production of physical books and the production of eReaders that must be considered before you can make a final verdict about which reading method is more environmentally friendly in regards to your reading habits.

Paper

Traditional paper books require massive amounts of paper to produce (obviously). In fact, it takes over 24 trees to make just one ton of paper for book production, and most of those books are destroyed before they ever reach the shelves.  In 2008, the book and newsprint industry in the United States alone destroyed over 125 million trees. The books that don’t sell at the bookstore are then returned to the publisher and burned or recycled. Either way, it’s a massive waste of paper. Ereaders don’t have this problem.

Water and Fossil Fuels

It takes over seven gallons of water to produce one regularly sized printed book. The water doesn’t just disappear, either- it comes out of the other end of the production cycle as wastewater that is non-potable. Producing a regularly sized digital book requires only 2 cups of water. Manufacturing an eReader requires 79 gallons of water initially, but that is offset by the water saved when you purchase a digital book instead of a regular book. Traditional books also require fossil fuels to transport to the bookstore. Ereaders also require transportation, but not on the same scale as physical books.

Carbon Footprint

Cleantech, an environmental consulting firm, states that the production of one traditional book creates 7.5 kg of carbon dioxide. The iPad creates 130 kg of carbon dioxide, and the Kindle creates 168 kg. A reader would need to download around 20 books instead of purchasing them in order to offset the carbon dioxide emissions created by their eReader.

Bottom Line

Traditional books and eReaders both have environmental costs when it comes to production, just like any other facet of modern consumption. Which option is more environmentally friendly? It depends on what kind of reader you happen to be. If you only get your books from the library, you are participating in the most environmentally friendly mode of reading. If you only shop at second hand bookstores and then pass the books on when you’re done with them, that is also more environmentally friendly than using an eReader. However, if you purchase new books on a regular basis, then an eReader is more environmentally friendly than what you’re currently doing. You could offset the environmental effects of your eReader within one year, according to the New York Times. When you upgrade to a new device, don’t forget to recycle it!

Deforestation and its impact on the environment

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Deforestation is one of the leading causes of global warming. The increased deforestation due to rapid industrialization led to the imbalance of the equilibrium of the carbon cycle, which resulted in the climatic changes. Today, there is no part of the World which has not suffered from deforestation.  Whether it is logging in America or clearing of rain forests in Brazil for cattle ranches, deforestation is happening everywhere. It can’t be denied that we do need wood for multiple purposes and sometimes deforestation is unavoidable to clear land for agriculture but these actions should be done with care. Ruthless deforestation will impact the human race more severely than any other living being in the long run. S0 what exactly is deforestation?

Definition of deforestation:

Deforestation occurs when indigenous woodlands and forests of the planet are removed for other purposes such as agriculture or industrialization. The concept of deforestation does not involve the cutting down of trees in industrial forests or plantations.

Difference between woodlands and forests:

Woodland is defined as an area of land where trees and shrubs grow with spaces in between them. A forest has dense growth of trees where the tops of the trees give the combined effect of one great canopy. The essential difference is in the density of the growth of trees.

Causes of deforestation:

Man has been cutting down trees from the beginning of civilization. Wood was required for fuel purposes, for constructing shelters and houses, or for building means of transportation. Many o the woodlands were cleared for agriculture or grazing; the practice continues to this day. The difference in the deforestation of the past and present is that in the past land was cleared to sustain life and ensured the growth of civilization. Today, deforestation is carried out for monetary gains. The world has lost eighty percent of its forests.

Impact of deforestation on global warming:

Forests have always played an important role in maintain the carbon cycle by absorbing the right amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and releasing equal quantities back in the atmosphere. With the ruthless deforestation in the last century, the speed of global warming has been greatly accelerated. Deforestation also results in soil erosion and imbalance of the water cycle. Deforestation has caused severe climatic changes with damaging impact. The rate of deforestation is directly proportional to increase in carbon emissions.

Impact of deforestation on wild life

Another adverse impact of deforestation is that it has caused the extinction of many species and many are still on the way to become extinct. Many animals lose their natural habitat due to deforestation which makes their survival impossible. Deforestation endangers both plant and animal life.
How to reduce the impact of deforestation:

The impact of deforestation is too severe and can’t be undone. However, some steps can be taken to prevent the Earth from losing all of its forest lands. Reforestation and recycling should be employed to prevent further damage. Illegal logging and “slash and burn” agriculture should be strictly monitored. The governments need to come up with stricter laws and long term plans should be implemented to save the forests.

What you should know about the latest research on the Ozone Layer

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Ever since the world discovered about the damage of the ozone layer, extensive research have been carried out regarding the subject.  Before learning about the latest research on ozone layer and its implications, it is important to know what exactly ozone is.

What is the ozone layer?

The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of several layers. The second major layer is called the stratosphere. This layer is situated at a distance of several kilometers from the Earth’s surface.  As you move higher up in the layer, the temperature rises. The reason that the stratosphere has variations in temperature with rising altitude is due to the presence of ozone. Ozone is an allotropic form of oxygen and has the formula O3. The ozone in the stratosphere absorbs the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun and prevents hazardous electromagnetic radiations of the sun from traveling to the surface of the Earth.

How does ozone benefit life?

The naturally occurring ozone in the stratosphere is termed as good ozone. It protects life on the planet by absorbing ultraviolet rays of the sun. If these ultraviolet radiations are not blocked and allowed to reach the Earth, they may cause dangerous consequences. These rays can easily kill small plants. Ultraviolet rays are extremely harmful to humans due to many reasons. Exposure to these radiations can cause skin cancer, suppressed immune system, and cataracts. Ultraviolet radiations also pose potential risks to aquatic ecosystems and single-cell organisms. UV-A may also cause human skin to age prematurely.

Depletion of the ozone layer:

Research carried out in the 1970s resulted in the alarming findings that this protective layer of ozone was diminishing due to harmful gases released in the atmosphere. This depletion of the layer occurs due to man made chemicals e.g. chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochloroflurocarbons. These gases are used in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. When these gases move up to the stratosphere, they destroy the ozone by breaking it down.  Depletion of ozone is greatest at the poles and minimum at the equator. Agricultural fumigation chemicals, aerosol sprays and chemicals used in fire extinguishers also cause damage to the naturally occurring ozone in the stratosphere.

The Montreal Protocol:

The Montreal Protocol is an international agreement which was made to protect the depleting ozone layer. It was ratified by all UN member countries. It has resulted in reduction of ozone depleting substances by ninety seven percent.

The recovering ozone layer:

The Montreal Protocol banned all ozone depleting chemicals in 1987. Researches done in this regard indicate that the layer did not show any trends of recovery until mid 1990s. Moving onwards to the latest decade, the ozone layer has shown positive trends of improving. Spain was able to recover its depleted ozone by the help of tropospheric ozone. This is a secondary pollutant which occurs due to industrial emissions. The research was carried out by the Andalusian Centre. The report was published in the journal “Atmospheric Environment”.

The increasing carbon emissions, the depleting ozone layer, and global warming are all interrelated. These issues have severe impact on the climatic changes and on life on Earth and need to be addressed together.

What Impact does the Average Car Driver have on the Environment each Year?

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One of the biggest drivers (pun intended) of pollution in our modern day society is the driving of motorized vehicles. While most of us will not thikn twice about hopping in the car to run an errand, the fact of the matter is that driving causes a tremendous increase in your carbon footprint. As a result, any person concerned with their environmental legacy should take some steps to reduce the amount of carbon emissions from their use of automobiles. With the increasing population, the number of cars on road has exploded. Almost every adult in the developed World (particularly in the United States) seems to own a car.  The modern busy lifestyle requires each member of the family to have their own car, therefore every member of the family contributes individually to increase carbon emissions.

Environmental impact of cars:

It is not just driving that causes emissions. The moment the manufacturing process of a car starts on the assembly line, carbon emissions are produced. 25% of the total carbon dioxide emissions are created by the production and driving of automobiles. This is the major culprit in increasing carbon emissions. This increase in carbon emissions are resulting in the increasing threat of global warming. The more an individual drives, the greater carbon emissions are produced and the greater is his carbon footprint. The amount of carbon monoxide emitted by an average American car is 3.4gm/mile.

How to reduce the impact of driving:

The best way to reduce carbon emissions from driving is by not driving at all. However, in today’s world, it is not practically possible to stop driving. To reduce you carbon footprint, you should try to drive as little as possible. Try to walk to close distances instead of jumping into the car. Carpooling for work etc is also a good option as it helps to reduce the emissions created by each individual.

If you are planning to buy a car, consider buying a hybrid as it will create less pollution over time. Drive on optimal settings and make sure your tires are properly filled to ensure fuel efficiency which will result in lesser emissions. Engines of the cars should also be properly maintained as it also helps to reduce carbon emissions.

The exhaust from automobiles is extremely toxic. These fumes cause adverse affects to the environment and human health. The increasing levels of pollution in cities around the globe are mainly due to the carbon emissions caused by the automobiles. The increased level of carbon emissions have disrupted the carbon cycle which has resulted in excess greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This excess of gases has caused an increase in potential threat of global warming. Driving cars has produced much more serious consequences than anyone could have initially predicted. It is a major cause of climatic disorder.

Carbon offsets are an excellent way to reduce the carbon footprint caused by your carbon emissions. You cannot stop driving completely but you can reduce the damage caused by your carbon emissions by offsetting the affects.

CarbonOn.Me is working on ways that will help you to make environmentally conscious purchasing decisions that are economical for you and beneficial for our environment.  Stay tuned for more on this in the near future.

Are you Carbon Neutral?

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The term being carbon neutral is still misunderstood by a lot of people. Many have come up with their own interpretation of being carbon neutral. Basically it means when a person or organization exactly balance the amount of carbon dioxide produced by carbon offsetting or implementing reduction measures.

Calculate your carbon footprint:

The first step requires that you calculate your carbon footprint.  A carbon footprint measures the amount of carbon dioxide produced by you that impact the environment. This involves calculating all the carbon dioxide emissions that occur due all business related actions such as gas usage, electricity usage, air travel, product manufacturing, services, and other activities. To ensure the thoroughness of the process, a carbon audit should be carried out. The service is being offered by many organizations. Carefully verify the legitimacy of the firm before selecting one to carry out your carbon audit.

Reduce your carbon footprint:

Once the carbon footprint is calculated, measures should be considered and undertaken to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide. Start by considering ways to limit your energy usage. Using energy efficiently not only helps to save the environment but also saves money. Implement measures for energy conservation like minimizing the use of fossil fuels for transportation, electricity, and heating. Use renewable energy. Fuel efficient cars are also an excellent way to reduce carbon emissions. All the electricity devices should be installed with timers to save energy. Also work on your schedule to minimize air travel.

Fund carbon offsets:

You can compensate or “offset” your carbon dioxide emissions by funding for carbon dioxide reduction somewhere else. It is actually a financial instrument which requires that an organization or an individual invest in projects which help in reducing carbon dioxide emissions such as wind farms or planting trees.

To understand how carbon offsets work consider the example: if a company buys 5 tons of carbon offsets it means that there will be a reduction in 5 tons of carbon dioxide. This is because the funds used to buy the carbon offsets will help finance projects that will help reduce the same amount of emissions in the atmosphere than would normally have been.

It is imperative that you purchase carbon offsets from a quality provider only and avoid dealing with unregulated offset providers. This ensures that the funds are used in effective projects that really help in reducing the exact amount of emissions and produce the desired impact on the environment.

Monitor your carbon footprint:

The way to becoming carbon neutral does not end here. You cannot become carbon neutral by simply implementing energy efficient ways or by purchasing carbon offsets. Once you have taken these measures, you need to monitor them to ensure their effectiveness. You need to be proactive in this regard and take all possible measures to fulfill your responsibility towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions produced through your actions. It is also necessary to measure your carbon footprint every year. Don’t assume it to be a onetime process. Becoming carbon neutral is an ongoing process.

CarbonOn.Me is committed to helping you to minimize your carbon footprint in an economical way. More on what this entails in the near future. For now, we will continue our attempt to educate you the effects of everyday life on the environment and ways we can live a less harmful existence.

Why Warren Buffett is Investing in Solar Energy

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The capital-hungry solar energy market is getting a much-needed boost: Warren Buffett’s company MidAmerican Energy Holdings is purchasing a $2 billion photovoltaic solar energy farm in Southern California. The 550-megawatt farm is currently under construction and will be completed around 2015, at which time it will generate enough juice to power 160,000 American homes.

The New York Times states that the United States currently relies on solar power for only 1 percent of its energy production (while reliance on fossil fuels stays at a whopping 83 percent).  Recent bankruptcies of other solar power companies have given the industry some bad press, which has led to a drop in capital. However, solar power remains the most rapidly expanding alternative energy market in this country, with a growth of over 67 percent since 2009.

Buffett’s foray into the solar energy market is just the sign of confidence in the field that consumers and investors alike needed. The purchase does not include loans from the Department of Energy, which in and of itself is a statement that solar power is a real contender in the alternative energy market. The industry is already poised to add 25,000 jobs next year, a figure that could increase substantially if other major investors follow Buffett’s example.

In the face of a not-so-stellar year, share prices for stock in solar power companies have fallen dramatically. The industry may not have reached rock-bottom yet, according to Energy And Capital, an alternative energy investment website that predicts 2012 will see more companies going bankrupt and the consolidation of the ones that remain. This means that a growing market will emerge from 2012 more competitive and better developed, which is a formula for success.

Additionally, new installations of solar power units in North America grew by 101 percent in 2011. No matter what the state of the public relations of the solar power industry is, there is significant (and rapidly expanding) demand for it in the United States. Asian countries are also showing huge growth in the demand for solar power. Investors looking to put their hands into the solar energy market would be wise to do so soon. The confluence of steadily increasing demand, streamlined competition and Buffett’s injection of market confidence is creating a perfect storm in the alternative energy sector.

Reducing your carbon footprint – 10 tips and a video

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While browsing YouTube today we came across this ‘how to’ video listing 10 ways to reduce your carbon footprint. We thought it would provide a good re-enforcement to our recent post on 5 ways to minimize your carbon footprint, with a bit more detail.

1) Turn your thermostat down by 2 degrees in the winter or up by 2 degrees in the summer. You will be shocked the amount of energy this small sacrifice can save.

2) Turn off your computer, TV, and other electronics when you are not using them (At CarbonOn.Me, we have a strict policy about this) – think about this at both home AND work.

3) Change all incandescent bulbs in your home to compact florescent bulbs – these use over 75% less energy. Soon, we will be offering a deal so you can do this on the cheap!

4) Do your laundry or run the dishwasher only when you have a full load – it saves water AND energy.

5) Eat local. While out of season vegetables from other parts of the World may sound appealing, think about how far they have to travel and the energy cost of delivering them to you. Also, don’t forget your canvas shopping bag -we should all be saying no to BOTH paper and plastic.

6) Bring your own cup or mug when you buy coffee. One additional tip – for those salad lovers (like me) that order a salad at the local deli every day for lunch. You can now buy reusable salad containers to replace the plastic containers that the stores use. Not to tease you again, but we will be offering another deal related to this in the near future so stay tuned.

7) Cut back on bottled water – most tap water (especially in the United States) is perfectly safe to drink. If you are still worried, there are plenty of water filter options available.

8) Plant a tree. Trees help reduce greenhouse gases, and can provide at least a partial carbon offset to some of your other daily activities.

9) Don’t jump in your car every time you want to run an errand. Plan out your trips to make sure you are utilizing each of your car trips in the most efficient way that is feasible.

10) Carpool, use public transportation, ride your bicycle, or best of all, WALK when possible. It can be good for your social life or your health AND for the environment.

Have more tips? Post them in the comments!

What makes carbon so bad?

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Carbon itself is not the main culprit of global warming. Carbon is more essential to life than any other element due to its strong bonding properties. Elemental carbon is actually known to have very low toxicity. It is when carbon takes the form of compounds such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane that it causes damage to the environment.

Let’s start from the beginning and see how carbon is vital for life and then examine the causes which led to the circumstances resulting in carbon becoming a hazard for life and terms such as carbon neutral, carbon offsets, and carbon footprints came into being.

The carbon cycle:

Carbon is an extremely important constituent of life. Compared to oxygen and silicon, the percentage of carbon on our planet is very less. To make up for its less quantity, nature implemented the carbon cycle. This cycle helps to recycle the carbon and reuse it throughout the Earth’s biosphere and all the organisms in it. Living things release carbon in the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide during the respiratory process. Carbon is also released through burning of fossil fuels and decay of plants and animals. The carbon released is again absorbed by the Earth and its living beings through different firms and the cycle continues.

The greenhouse effect:

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas meaning it helps to control Earth’s temperature by trapping the heat in the atmosphere. Without it, the Earth will get really cold and life would be impossible.

Due to industrialization and our modern lifestyle, carbon dioxide is released in far greater quantities than in the past. This means that there is a far greater percentage (more than 30%) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This increased amount of carbon dioxide absorbs more and more heat from the atmosphere which is causing the temperature of the Earth to rise referred to as global warming.

The carbon dioxide which initially maintained the temperature of the Earth is now causing dangerous changes in the climate. This has been caused by human activities such as burning of fossil fuels, industrialization, and deforestation to name a few. Carbon dioxide is being released too fast in too large quantities and not being absorbed back at an equal rate to ensure the balance of the carbon cycle.

The carbon footprint:

The increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases resulted because of human activities. People need to realize that if timely actions are not taken, the future holds extremely dangerous prospects for life on Earth. Each individual should estimate the impact his or her actions are creating in the form of carbon emissions. This process is termed as calculating the carbon footprint. Once the carbon footprint is calculated, steps can be taken to reduce the size of the carbon footprint.

Carbon offsetting:

Carbon offsets are an effective means for reducing carbon emissions. The carbon dioxide emissions that occur due to our daily activities can be offset by funding projects which reduce carbon emissions such as wind farms or planting trees. It is true that the damage has been done but we can still bring about a change by taking effective steps to reduce carbon emissions.

A few questions and answers about the Kyoto Protocol

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The main purpose of the Kyoto Protocol was to fight global warming. The agreement was signed by many countries in Kyoto, Japan on December 11, 1997. Although the Protocol was signed in 1997, it was not enforced until 16th February, 2005. It is linked to the UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). The main goal of the environmental treaty of UNFCC is “stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system” (Article 2, UNFCC).

What is the difference between UNFCC and the Kyoto Protocol?

The main difference between UNFCC and the Kyoto Protocol is that the UNFCC was made to promote industrial nations to work towards stabilizing greenhouse gases emissions whereas the Kyoto Protocol commits the countries signing the agreement to do this.

How does the Kyoto Protocol work?

According to the agreement, the countries who signed the treaty must take measures to ensure their targets are met. The industrial nations of the world have been primarily responsible for the increase in greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. Therefore, the treaty requires these nations to work more towards undoing the damage by controlling and reducing emissions. This is stated in the Protocol as “common but differential responsibilities”.

What are the Kyoto mechanisms?

For those countries that have difficulties in meeting their targets, the Protocol offers a mechanisms which help the countries to achieve their targets and provide ideas for green investments. The Protocol offers three types of mechanisms:

  • Joint implementation
  • Clean development mechanism (CDM)
  • Emission trading

What is a GHG?

GHG stand for the greenhouse gases. The countries that signed the treaty are required to reduce the four greenhouse gases i.e. methane, carbon dioxide, sulphur hexafluoride, and nitrous oxide. The Protocol also requires the reduction of perfluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons produced by the signing countries.

How are the countries monitored?

Every country that signed the treaty is required to submit a report each year. The report should contain all the details pertaining to all the inventories of anthropogenic GHG emissions, the removal or reduction of the GHG according to the mechanisms approved by the UNFCC and the Protocol.

The GHG inventory is created and managed by a “designated national authority” who is nominated by the reporting country.

Precise records are maintained by the Protocol about each country’s GHG emissions. Transactions made by the countries under the Protocol mechanisms are recorded and tracked by means of a registry system.

A compliance system has also been implemented by the Protocol to ensure the involved countries meet their commitments. It also aids the countries that have difficulty in meeting their commitments.

The Kyoto Protocol was well designed to provide means for fighting global warming. However, the increase in greenhouse Gases show no decrease, in fact GHGs are increasing at an alarming rate. The main reason of the Protocol is the lack of availability of required data at that time. However, it was the first positive step taken by the world together to fight global warming and it should be used as a guide to take more effective measures against global warming.

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