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Climate Red - December 2010

Natural lighting to save money and energy

December 28th 2010 22:52

We all now that the natural things that we come across in life are the best that nature can offer us. We know that natural ingredients are better for us. Natural drinking water has a better taste. There is one thing that is natural for us and it is a huge source of heat and comfort in the winter that we can tap into and make use off. The natural light from the sun is free and very comfortind in the winter. Have you ever been out on a cold blustery day and found shelter from the wind just to warm up and feel the freash rays of the sun warm you up! Felt great on a blustery day. Also just the natural sunshine helps our gloomy outlook that we have on the cold winter days when we don't see much sunshine. There are a copule of things we can do to help us tap into and use this energy from the sun to help us get through those long cold winters we all have to go through that we have to accept and learn to live with each winter. One of the easiest and simplest ways is to draw your curatains and blinds to let the sunshine help heat up your home during the day. Just the mere beauty of the sun on these cold days will do miracles for our pshycolgy. After you leave thaes curtains drawn during the day close them up at night to help hold these natural heat in your home. Another great way to take advantage of the sun's natural rays is by the use of skylights. Over the last few years as people have become more concerned about conservation and going green these skylights have become more and more popular. You can do research to help find out which type of skylights suit your needs both structurally and for the amount of light and heat it provedes for you. One of the newer types but very popular are the new tubular skylights taht can be directed just about anywhere you need it to a specific location. The only thing that you need to be concerned about is the installation of theswe skylights. Make sure that you get someone well qualified and liscensed professionals to do the installation for you so you can recive the full benefits from your investments and to save you some troubles down the road. Install and enjoy!

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What are Biofuels?

December 17th 2010 00:26

Biofuels are fuels made from biomass. Biofuels could cover terms such as solid biomass, liquid fuels and some biogases. Biofuels are gaining popularity with the public due to a couple of certain factors. One of the main factors being the rise of oil prices driving the price of gas up. the other factors includes issues over greenhouse gas. With our fossil fuels being used up at a massive rate they will not last forever. we will take a look at a couple types of biofuel.
Bioethanol is made from the sugar components of plants. this biofuel is mostly made from sugar and starch crops. Crops like sugarcane and corn. With the advance of technology biomass is made from rees and grasses. Ethanol can be used as a fuel in it's full form. It is usually used as and additive to gasoline to help performance and control emissions. Bioethanol is used widely in the United States.
Biodiesel is vegetable oil and recycled grease. Biodiesel can also be used in it's full form also. It also is commonly used as and additive to diesel. This helps to reduce the levels of carbon dioxide and hydro carbons from diesel powered vehicles. At Northshore Technical College campus in Bogalusa, La. where I am currently teaching autocad and construction classes the diesel mechanic department are currently experimenting with a diesel truck using recycled grease from a local resturant. One funny thing about this vehicle it smells like fried chicken when it is running.
There are pros and cons when it comes to anykind of technology. Let us take at some pros and cons when it comes to biofuel.

PROS:
It will definatley help to keep our environment clean by lowering emissions.
It will reduce our dependent on fossill fuels that cannot be replaced. Look at the great amount of this non-renewable resource that we are quickly depleting away.
It will help also help our air to be cleaner.
Help reduce the rising price of oil.
Help us not to be so dependent on foriegn oil.

CONS:
Studies have shown that it takes about as much energy to produce as the proccess produces. In other words you get out the same energy as it takes to produce biofuels so we really aren't savung much here.
The more the resources such as wheat and rice and corn are used it will drive up the prices of food. To produce 5% biofuel it takes uses as much as 50% of that particular crop. That is a huge amountto pay for the amount of return you get.
Just like any other step we take to try to conserve and make our world a better place and cleaner place to live there will always be a challenge before us. Eventually we will have to turn to renwable ersources whatever the cost may be because onne day the non-renwable resources will be gone. I am well behind the study of biofuels to help make it in a more feesable manor so that everyone can benefit. I am sure that whatever problems that it creates it we have to be addressed because we have no other choice!

Climate Red - News and Views on Climate Change Issues.

Climate Red - December 2010

Natural lighting to save money and energy

What are Biofuels?

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