Preparing Your Home for a Power Outtage

LED Emergency Lanterns: Preparing Your Home for a Power Outtage

A LED emergency light is a portable light that burns cool, lasts longer than typical bulbs and uses much less energy than typical bulbs. The light produced by these lights is also significantly brighter than typical bulbs. In most cases, a LED emergency light is a flashlight, torch or lantern – all quite useful in the event that your home or office loses power or you are faced with an emergency or disaster situation.

If you have LED emergency lights there are a few things you need to know about storing them and the types of scenarios that you could consider using them for. Let’s look at ways you can get the most out of your LED emergency lights at home.

To store your emergency LED flashlight, torch or LED lantern, you should ensure that they are kept without the batteries installed in them. Batteries can leak and corrode with age and time and this leakage can completely destroy the light source and its casing. Keep two fresh sets of batteries with your LED emergency lights at all times.  Make sure that the batteries are stored conveniently close to the light, either taped around it or kept inside the same box or survival kit so that you or your family will not need to hunt for them while under duress.  Once every month or two, you should check to see that the batteries are working, that they haven’t corroded in their packaging and that they work with the LED emergency lights you own. If your batteries are not working, replace them with fresh ones. Mark your calendar at regular intervals to check the batteries.

You want to make sure you can find the things you need in case of an emergency.  Store your LED emergency lights conveniently – somewhere that is easy to get to, even if it is very dark in your home. It won’t be convenient if it is in your junk drawer with many other items, some of which may be sharp or dangerous. Remember, if there is an emergency, the last thing you need is to compound the problems you have with an injury that could have been prevented by choosing to store your equipment in a more convenient and safe place.  It’s best to keep your LED emergency lights in a place that is easy to reach and easy to find – and in more than one place.  In the case of a disaster, you may not be able to get to one location in your home so it’s best to have some backups in other areas as well. Consider keeping a primary kit or light on the main floor of your home and smaller kits that include a flashlight or torch on the other levels for easy access. A few good places to keep your LED emergency lights are hanging on a peg near an entry way door or a window, near the front door and/or back door, in the first aid kit (that is also somewhere safe and easy to find), in your garage, with your emergency kit (that is somewhere safe and easy to find – usually a bag or backpack that has emergency supplies in it), and in your bedroom close to your bed.  Regardless of where you choose to store your LED emergency lights, they should be easy to find, easy to reach and conveniently located in your home.

You never know when you or your family may get caught without power or light.  Taking the time and steps needed to plan for an emergency can help keep you and your family safe and calm during a difficult event.

LEDs ...The Technology That Will Soon Light Our Planet.

With energy waste on the minds of many Americans these days, high gasoline prices to run the inefficient engines that power our vehicles help move the majority of us to cut energy costs in as many areas as possible, some of us are even beginning to ration our lighting usage. Is there an answer to our increasing lighting costs ? Granted, much of the cost is being passed on by the utility suppliers and with recent increases in oil prices, this amount is being noticeably felt in each of our monthly utility budgets. Energy costs are governed by the varying costs of fuel and with our major source of lighting today being the incandescent light, our lighting bill is much too high. Is there a developing technology today that shows a promising hope for our immediate future ?

We must roll back about 35 years and refresh ourselves some history when a small pea size lamp was introduced to the America's. It was the Light Emitting Diode, more popularly known as the LED, a lighting source that emitted light through a clear molded plastic housing using a small current flow between two solid state junctions that were extended to facilitate an electrical connection. At the time of its introduction, the LED did not emit very much light, as a matter of fact in normal daylight, some were barely visible. At the time of its release to the world, the LED efficiency to produce light was very low. In the early days of the LED development, their use was fairly limited and sold for use on instrument panels where light intensity was not an issue. It would take the better of 20 years of gradual development before they began to find their way into the main stream of use in areas where contemporary lighting was truly dominant. The LED would eventually begin to show its uniqueness for applications in our lighting world.

The LED found its prime application in our traffic lighting system in the late 1990's, where it began to replace the totally dominant use of the incandescent lamp that had been used for decades and since the inception of the system. Soon, LEDs were replacing the original incandescent lamps in many parts of the world. The electric power energy savings have been extremely high...in a few cases an average of 90 %. We must also keep in mind that there is also the ongoing savings from a much lower upkeep because the LEDs will last as much as ten years(when running 24/7). LEDs will not shatter under high vibration as do the incandescent lamps, negating their need for replacement from these causes of failure. With much of the world looking for ways to save our remaining fossil fuels, this lighting source has the definite ability to show us the way. We could say, "what about the CFL(fluorescent) lamp ?" Couldn't they become our knight in shining armour ? The question ? Can the CFL emit an infinite number of colors ? Negative...and they are far from shatterproof. Their longevity is also several times less than the LED.

Having praised the LED for just a few of its merits, it can be seen that it is totally practical for the world's present needs and many believe all our needs in this field in the years to come. Even in its present stage of development, It is well suited to lessen our present energy consumption overload. At the present time, the nations of the world must adopt methods of lighting which are the most efficient to lower energy use, but unless the consumer follows this same trend, our nation and the world's efforts will be in vain.

Saving the Planet and Looking Good Doing it

The world is in a sorry state due to greenhouse gas emissions. You know to recycle, reduce and reuse, but a girl can't go around looking like a tree-hugging hippie; you must look chic at all times. And that includes every aspect of your green-living life, from the way you decorate your home to the way you accessorize your person. Remember, going green doesn't mean you must abandon your sense of style or forfeit all things luxury.

Check out labels like Ecoist, which makes really cute purses and accessories out of repurposed paper and donates part of sales to environmental groups. Not only do they plant a tree when you buy a handbag, but they also have a line of specialty bracelets to help spread the word about global warming, which even come in kid sizes, so you can educate and decorate.

Ecologically sound clothing isn't limited to hemp anymore either. A lot of designers are taking an interest in organic cotton, which is grown without harmful chemicals that not only cause health problems for handlers, but also air and water pollution. Other materials are also gaining poplar use, like soy and paper as well as luxurious silk for the diva in you. Check out Shop Regeneration, who also carries eco-friendly housewares and furnishings. While you browse the site, don't forget about picking something up for the kids, the man in your life or your favorite four-legged friend. And you don't have to feel guilty about shopping, because part of your purchase will go to help environmental organizations.

If your apartment or house is in need of a redecorating, check out furniture that is new to you, rather than fresh off the truck, like at antique stores and thrift shops. If you want to go new, make sure it's made of sustainable materials, which minimize the impact of global warming during production. Earth Friendly Goods carries products and furniture made from sustainable and/or biodegradable materials, like bamboo, hemp, soy and other resources. This site is useful because it goes beyond furniture into household goods, products and the somewhat hard to find vegan-friendly shoes. And what girl can resist shoes?
Beautify your body with Nature Girl products, made from fresh organically grown products on small farms that use alternative pest control methods to prevent harmful chemicals from being released into the air.

Nature Girl donates a part of their profits to groups who work to save the planet. Not only will you help to eliminate the harmful toxins from being released into the atmosphere, you'll be protecting yourself from coming in contact with them too, so your skin really will be as healthy as it looks!

It's hard work to save the planet, but it sure is fun to try, especially when that means you get to do what you do best which is shop.

Help Look After The Planet Recycling Your Old Computer

Today the environmental impact of old computers, computer related parts and other electronic goods is a serious growing concern. There are so many computer Organizations who are ready to deal with old and damaged computers. They are ready to accept all types of obsolete and working computer equipments such as CRT monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, etc. regardless of their age and condition. They also help in recycling the printer ink cartridges, laser toners, etc.

There are annually several millions of computers that are becoming obsolete. It is very much harmful for the environment if the waste computers are used to fill lands. Even it is a crime if the disposal of computers is used in landfills under different sections of environmental laws. The environmental concern regarding the disposal of computers is mainly due to the monitors because the cathode ray tube contains four to five pounds of lead which contaminates our environment very badly. There are also other hazardous materials in computers which are not at all good for our environment such as mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, etc. These materials seems to effect our health by causing high blood pressure, liver and nerve disease, blood with poor iron and even brain damages. Even the groundwater near a landfill also gets contaminated due to these hazardous materials.

Basically for these reasons different Environmental Laws have banned the illegal landfills by the disposals of computer equipments. These Laws says that the damaged and waste computers must be sent to a reputable recycler for better and harmless recycling. The process of recycling should be done regularly so as to protect from the huge pile up of old and waste computers. In addition to the environmental benefits different computer organization are also benefited by the recycling process. Different parts of the waste computer come handy for the remanufacturing of computers. Even these organizations can use these old computers as a medium of storing backups.

Three better options for disposal of old Computers -

It is not advisable to throw an old computer in the garbage. However, the disposal of computers can be utilized in three important phases without violating the environmental rules. They are 1) Reuse, 2) Recycle and 3) Trade in. By the term 'Reuse' it is meant that the computer is sold in secondary reduced price to some office or some individual for further use. As illegal landfills by the disposals of waste computer equipments have been banned by the Environmental Laws therefore Recycling is the best option is such case. The recycling is basically done to those computers which are extremely old and broken. Lastly the Trade in option gives us the opportunity to get our money back or even allows us in the exchange option.

A breath of fresh air

Air purifiers are devices employed in homes and business all over the world. Due to the amount of dust etc indoors, air purifiers are used to clean and ‘purify’ the air inside the building, circulating it until it is free from unnecessary particles.

An air purifier usually takes the form of a mechanical wall unit, but can be stood on the floor and vary in size, some squat box shapes and some slender towers. Prices vary in a wide range but there are many websites devoted to their sale, as well as a large variety of manufacturer. They use a variety of methods to remove contaminants from the air. Some use electricity to suck particles out of the air, while some use absorbent materials. All air purifiers must be cleaned regularly to keep them working properly, as most manufacturers boast at least 95% filtration of known impure air particles.

The industry benchmark is called the HEPA standard, a system that filtrates 99.97% of particles with a size of 0.3 micrometers (Department of Energy). The original HEPA filter was used in the Manhattan Project to stop airborne radioactive particles. Certain purifiers use UV light that is fatal to some germs. Some purifier manufacturers have come into controversy over units that generate ions in order to react with the contaminants in the air, as some machines produce the harmful pollutant Ozone.

Airborne particles such as dust, pollen and spores build up inside rooms. Many people use air purifiers to reduce the quantity and density of these specks of matter in order to provide a safer, less cloying atmosphere. This is very much the case for sufferers of asthma and allergy sufferers, to whom these particles can be dangerous allergens or hazards. Other uses are to prevent more direct threats, such as gases and even second hand smoke.

The facts about Environmental damage in the UK

In recent times it has been accepted by scientists that climate change and man made emissions are causing climate changes throughout the world.

The ten most warmest years recorded globally since records began have occurred from 1994 onwards with considerable carbon dioxide concentrations increasing considerably. Carbon dioxide from the business sector is responsible for 40% of the UK’s total carbon dioxide emissions.


If we do not take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions the global average temperatures could raise as much as 5.8 centigrade higher than average by the end of the century.

This will result in devastating effects on human society and the natural environment. Scientists have predicted that this climate change will lead to increased drought, extreme rainfall which will have a dramatic effect on agriculture particular in vulnerable under developed countries around the world.

Businesses are one of the main sources of these damaging greenhouse gas emissions which in recent years have been targeted by government legislation to tackle climate change including a levy placed on the use of energy by businesses. Environmental legislation requires all businesses to ensure their work activities do not harm the environment.

It is estimated that in 2002/ 03 industry in the UK produced around 68 millions tonnes of waste which without action the figure is expected to rise to 85 million tonnes by 2020.

The environmental agency estimates that there were over 25,000 pollution incidents which affected air, land and water in the UK in 2003. With 1,100 recorded has having a significant serious impact on the environment. Business was accountable for over half of the serious reported pollution incidents in 2004.

45% of the 68 million tonnes of industrial and commercial waste produced in the UK in 2002/ 03 was recycled. The UK is however on course to meet its target set by Government for reducing the amount of industrial waste sent to landfill which is 15% against 1998 recorded figures.

To prevent further damage to the environment companies must become responsible for Environmental management. This will include recycling as much waste produced, conserving energy, reducing waste to landfill and reducing carbon dioxide emissions produced by your company’s activities.

In my next article I will expand on what a company needs to do in more detail to fulfil their legal requirements in environmental management. If you are concerned or interested about what your employer can do to manage environmental issues at work, please feel free to use my articles as guidance on how to manage environmental issues.

The Reality Of Global Warming

The Reality Of Global Warming

The Reality Of Global Warming

Global warming is happening because of Carbon dioxide being released into our atmosphere. This is like the city smogs that we used to see in the 1900's, retaining or trapping the infrared heat from the sun in the atmosphere. Global mean temperature rises can be directly correlated to the mean increase in Carbon Dioxide in our atmosphere.

There is significant evidence that our planet's weather and climate patterns are changing rapidly as a direct result of Global Warming. Droughts, receding glaciers and ice caps, extreme storms, rises in ocean temperatures and sea levels, shifts in distribution of organisms and diseases. Many think human activities are a significant contributing cause. As of this year, compelling scientific evidence has come to light to quantify this issue (Oct 2007). The rate at which Carbon Dioxide is being absorbed by the world's oceans has now depreciated significantly. This is because oceans are now overloaded with Carbon Dioxide. From this point forward, more and more of our CO2 output will go straight into the atmosphere, adding to global warming.

"A warming atmosphere and seas make for loads of extra energy available for the creation of abnormal weather patterns. Around the world, recent data shows an increase in severity of storms, droughts, rainfall, and floods. The disastrous hurricane season of 2005 was just one indication of how synergistic weather is with sea level rise, resulting in loss of wetlands, social issues, and the ability of governments to respond. Three storms strengthened to category 5 in the Atlantic Basin for the first time in a single season (Katrina, Rita, and Wilma). An unprecedented 27 named tropical storms formed, according to NOAA, and more than half of them became hurricanes.

"The Arctic is receding very quickly (as a direct result of Global Warming) according to reports from scientists and arctic natives. The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment was released in late 2004, and shows changes from the ice at the North Pole to animals and human settlements. More recent reports from Greenland reveal glaciers moving meters per hour and rapidly thinning. The Arctic ice cap is shrinking in summer to the smallest it has ever been in modern measurements, and even winter cold has not been refreezing it as much as before. Basically, there's a rise in overall sea level going on, coupled with an increase in violent weather, so coastal areas will get hit very hard from now on.

In effect, we can now expect all previous climate change models to be obsolete. Rather like a movie straight out of Hollywood, you can imagine a scientist trying to explain to the president how a slowing in the rate of CO2 absorption by the world's oceans translates directly into increased CO2 in the atmosphere and that "we are now expecting a 2 degree rise in global temperatures in the next 10 years rather than the 50 years previously estimated Mr President." Or for you gas guzzling Americans: Forget any major coastal cities Mr President. I would also suggest that New Orleans will not need re-development or more capital expense. I foresee that a further category 4 or above hurricane will destroy any Levy's around the coastal areas. Substantial sea rises will prevent any attempts to protect these areas.

Why It Is Important To Take Care Of Your Mind

Being healthy from a mental point of view is as important as keeping your body in shape. Nowadays, there is a trend that encourages mostly the practices for maintaining a healthy body, while the mind is left on the second place. Even so, mental illnesses are a reality and not few are those that suffer from affections that involve the mind and the soul. There is one more important thing to say on the part of the mental health: a healthy body cannot be maintained without a healthy mind.

A difficulty that is often encountered when dealing with mental illnesses consists of the lack of very clear symptoms. When we suffer from a physical ailment, we often confront ourselves with all kinds of signs. We know that if something hurts, we must see the doctor or take a medical examination. But when our soul hurts, things are not quite as simple. Even so, feeling sad or depressed for days may be a sign of alarm, especially if there are no reasons why we should feel that way.

Depression is one of the most widespread mental ailments. It is not very serious if it is given the proper attention. Taking medication under the doctor’s supervision and following a healthy way of life can lead to notable improvements in the patient’s mental health.

Other very common mental illnesses are phobias. There are many kinds of phobia, some more serious, some less. A phobia consists of an irrational fear connected to even the more mundane things. Some people are afraid of open spaces; others cannot get into an elevator. Fear of crowds, fear of spiders and fear of driving are just examples of phobias. Some people can live with phobias without interrupting their lives, while some can get to the point of being incapable of interaction with other human beings or leading a healthy life. Fortunately, phobias can be treated through medication and therapy.

Most of the time, the role of noticing that a person is suffering from depression or other mental illnesses belongs to the family. The afflicted man or woman can develop some strange habits, like eating too much or too little, disorganized sleep or anger outbursts when least expected. In such cases, the relatives must take the patient to a doctor in order to take the proper medication and live a healthy life like everybody else.

The suffering person may respond differently to treatments. The doctor may try different medications until finding out what is the best for the patient. After that, things become clearer and the patient can enjoy a healthier life.

Also, the patient’s relatives must work with the doctor in order to assure the ill person a proper environment to get healthy. The family can provide the suffering man or woman the proper care and understanding during the treatment. Because some of the illnesses involve long treatments and therapy, the family’s support and love are very important for the patient. The afflicted person can cope better with the ailment when feeling surrounded by loving and caring friends and family. As mental illnesses belong to the mind and the soul, within lies the strength of overcoming them and that can only be done in a friendly and supporting environment.

Panj-aab: My brethren please listen to us.

Where water (aab) is means name, language, land, arts and culture. There water makes merry go, that land is called Punjab. The land of five sisters
1. Beas (ancient name Vipasha)
2. Chenab(ancient name Askini,)
3. Jhelam (ancient name Vitasta)
4. Ravi (ancient name Irawati,)
5. satluj (ancient name Shatadru)

All these five sisters take birth in high and hygiene Himalayas, and then play in open fields of Punjab, making this land of warriors full of joys. This, these have been doing since theirs births from pre historical ages to today in space age. The Punjab has become food grain basket of nation due to selflessness services of these unspoken sisters of Punjab. This Panj-aab (in Persian Panj means Five and aab means water) has impact on every aspects of lives, in water land of Indian subcontinent (Punjab is a geographical name to that land which is called playground of five sisters cutting across the physical barriers).These daughters of Himalayas has never taken partisan consideration on physical barriers to theirs services. This is an effort of abcnewsnetwork team in this part of world to make Pollution in surface water (Rivers), a public debate in Punjabi’s society, in theirs heritage, these five rivers are the life line of this joyful society. After so many years of services to theirs brethren, now they are praying for survival because of following elimination threats by theirs own.


Water quality of rivers in East Punjab (Indian)
S.No. Parameter 1.Satluj 2.Beas 3.Ravi Ghaggar BIS (ISI)/ USEPA
1 Temperature 0C 16 16 14 16
2 pH 7.7, 7.8, 7.8, 7.6, 6.5-8.5
3 Conductivity (mmho) 378 342 202 424 Max.2250 for only irrigation, Industrial Cooling, Controlled Waste disposal
4 Nitrogen (No2 + No3) 1.0 1.4 .04 2.34 1 mg/L.( drinking water)
(10 mg/L.for other)
5 DO (mg/l) 7.7 7.8 9.0 5.8 4-6
6 BOD (mg/l) 1.8 4.2 0.4 28.0 2-3
7 COD (mg/l) 6.4 14.4 1.6 57.6 6 mg/l.(WHO)
8 Cl- (mg/l) 20 23.0 10 54.0 250 mg/l
9 So4 14 16 8.0 30 250 mg/l
10 Na 4.2 14.6 1.8 21.2 26 for industrial only
11 Fecal Coliform 170 500 0.0 500 drinking water 0col./100 mL
water bathing
<2,000 col./100mL
12 Turbidity (NTU) 22 24 7.0 62 0.5-1.0 NTU
13 Total Coliform 500 5000 7.0 9000 <50(DW)500(OB)-5000 (dwt)
14 TDS 340 302 194 396 500
Source: Punjab Pollution Control Board Report

List of major industries discharging their effluents into Rivers in Punjab
Source: Status of Water Quality of Rivers of Punjab, 1989,
1. Sutlej 2. Beas Ghaggar
• NFL Naya Nangal
• PNFC Naya Nangal
• Punjab Alkalies, Naya Nangal
• Ropar Thermal Plant, Ropar
• M/s. Swaraj Mazda, Asron (Distt. HSR)
• M/s. United Pulp and Paper Mills, Asron (Distt. HSR)
• M/s. Mukerian Paper Mills, Mukerian
• Goindwal Industrial Complex, Goindwal • M/s. ABC Ltd., Rajpura
• M/s. Stepan Chemicals, Rajpura
• Focal Point, Rajpura
• M/s. RMI (P) Ltd., Rajpura
• M/s. Bharat Commerce India Ltd., Rajpura
• M/s. Patiala Distillers (P) Ltd. V.Main, Distt. PTA
• M/s. Escorts (P) Ltd., Bahadurgarh
• M/s. Goetze India Ltd., Bahadurgarh
• M/s. Hindustan Wire Products, Patiala






List of Municipal Corporation/Committees discharging their effluents into rivers (East Punjab)
1.Sutlej 2.Beas 3.Ravi Ghaggar
• Nangal
• Anandpur Sahib
• Ropar
• Phillaur
• Ludhiana
• Jalandhar
• Nawanshahr
• Phagwara
• Hoshiarpur
• Kapurthala
• Sultanpur • Pathankot
• Mukerian • Dinanagar
• Gurdaspur
• Dhariwal
• Dera Baba Nanak
• Fatehgarh Churian
• Ram Das
• Amritsar
• Ajnala
• Majitha • Rajpura
• Mohali
• Patiala
• Zirakhpur
• Samana
• Patran
• Nabha
• Gobindgarh
• Sirhind
• Budhlada
• Bucho Mandi
• Rampura
• Sunam
• Bathinda
• Sangrur
• Khanna
• Mansa
• Barnala
• Kharar
• Dera Bassi
• Banur
• Tappa
• Baretta
• Maur Mandi
• Longowal
• Moonak
• Dhanaula
• Khanausi
• Lehragaga
• Ghanaur
• Amloh
• Bhawanigarh
• Ghagga
• Bassi Pathana

Source: Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Board

Above statistics are from eastern Punjab (Indian), the situation is also worst in western Punjab (Pakistan).Following are highlights.
1. PAKISTAN: Focus on the slow death of the River Ravi

The wide variety of fish that once swam in the Ravi has vanished as have the tiny minnows and crabs children used to catch in the shallow waters along the banks. Even the reeds that used to line the river have gone. The river is virtually dead even when the normally dry bed carries water, such as after the recent winter rains.

The life that once thrived here has been killed off by the dumping of millions of tons of toxic industrial effluent in the water along with huge amounts of raw sewage. As the river has died, so has a facet of life in the city of Lahore has died too. The hordes of Sunday picnickers, rowing enthusiasts and the amateur fishermen have all gone. So have the boatmen who used to ferry people to the Mughul-age vantage point in the middle of the river known as 'Kamran's Baradari.' The extreme pollution of the River Ravi has destroyed most of the 42 species of fish that once lived in the river, as well as the bird life around it, which has migrated to other areas. The survival of small invertebrates, micro fauna and flora is also threatened Source: of IRIN report
2. In Jhelum River the DO content remains well above 7 mg/l. The BOD downstream of Jhelum is around 2.2 mg/l. River Chenab receives pollution loads from many industries and cities. As a result the DO is totally depleted in various stretches. The BOD downstream of Faisalabad is 4.2 mg/l. The pollution in River Ravi is the highest of all the rivers in Pakistan. Most waste water discharges in the river reach between Lahore and Balloki, a length of 62 km. The river presently receives 47% of the total municipal and industrial pollution load discharged into all rivers of Pakistan. The BOD in the river after receiving Lahore municipal discharges is estimated to be 77 mg/l on the basis of mean annual flow. Between Lahore and Balloki under low flow conditions, the river is completely devoid of DO and simply acts as a sullage drain. Source: www.pcrwr.
3. The BOD in Indus River downstream of Attock is 2.9 mg/l. In Indus River water quality was studied at Dadu Moro Bridge at Kotri Barrage with nitrate levels at 1.1 and 7.5 mg/l, phosphate at 0.02 and 0.3 mg/l, BOD at 2.4 and 4.1 mg/l, faecal coliform at 50 and 400 per ml. Due to industrial waste discharges from Punjab and Sindh, the content of heavy metals such as nickel, lead, zinc and cadmium have also been found in Indus water. Source: www.pcrwr
4. Water quality of rivers in west Punjab (Pakistan)

pH Cl N So4 Coliform
Chenab 28 0.4 0.4 240
U 7.9
C 7.9
D 8.0
Jhelum 23 0.0 0.5 240
U 8.0
C 7.7
D 7.9
Ravi 8.0 7.0 0.1 27.0 00
Source: pcrwr
It is sad that water in these rivers has not remained fit for drinking and even not suitable for open bathing. Which is being common feather of rural Punjabis’ culture, without it one can not taste the original flavor of this rich and joyful society. Once considered God equal status in Punjabi society the poor five sisters of Punjab has become place for every possible pollutants wastes of society ranging from domestic, agriculture’s, chemicals, Industrial wastes etc. Most of the big industrial units are located on the banks of rivers, it is done only to release theirs pollutants wastes into these Rivers because in this society it is common perception that “water wash every body” and Holly Ganga can wash all sins by one dip in it. In Pakistan side of Punjab in Lahore people on the banks of Ravi give meat to birds because the meat given to the birds is regarded as a religious ritual by many, just as feeding sparrows or ants are seen as deeds smiled upon by Allah (God). There is also a superstition that anyone feeding the kites and crows at the Ravi will receive good fortune. Thus this type of public opinion about purity of water benefits to all pollutants producers. So it is the responsibility of leading Punjabis intellectuals across the all physical barriers to draw attention of common Punjabis on these old perceptions about purity of running river water. Otherwise these five sisters of Punjab will die in the hands of theirs rich, joyful, and brave brethrens, who are well famous for theirs openness and helping nature in all around the globe. If there were no Chenab, no Jhelum, no Ravi, no satluj and no Beas; where Punjabis will celebrate baishikhi (take bath in rivers on first harvesting day), Bansant, And Lohri without this Punjabi brethrens can not remain as joyful for which they are famous. The Punjabi culture is live because of its openness and joyfulness. If there will no joys in it then, it will not remain Ideal for other to enjoy the life. Last not least Punjabis has a history to fight against odds in past. Every time they come out with more joy and experiences, so when their own sisters are calling them for survival then this community which has history of many wars and fights fought for other sake will not let down it owns.

A Really Intimate Look At Wind Turbines And Deciding What You Might Opt For

Most regions understand that the timing of these actions is speedily sneaking away from us; we see now that we are at the "we need to get it done now stage". Sooner rather than later, the timing will quickly start to be; we had better get this done and then we wish we had gotten our energy usage under command.

In most respects, the entire problem can be intimidating and to a certain degree dejecting. Luckily, there are solutions to the world's power issues if they are simply applied and developed to their fullest and most efficient possibility. Solar power is beginning to make excellent headway in technology and execution as are other alternative energy solutions. One of these alternatives is wind turbine energy, a source of uninterrupted clean energy that is actually making great strides in reducing coal power energy point source where it is being utilized.


What is a wind turbine?

A wind turbine used for producing electrical energy is not all that difficult a thing to comprehend. It is almost exactly like the water wheels that centuries of people have used to make their flour. The only difference is that instead of using water to turn the water wheel wind is used. The wind makes the blades of the wheel turn which; with the help of some gears, magnets and resistance creates electricity which turns a motor to send the electricity along power lines. Unfortunately, at the moment the energy generated from the turbine cannot be stored in batteries so there is a need for back-up systems but, for the most part, it is a fairly efficient system.


Location, location, location

This last point about not being able to store the generated energy in batteries for later use puts quite a bit of emphasis on where the wind turbines are placed. Since the energy that is generated needs to be sent along the power lines and used right away, the turbines need to be located in a place where the wind is always blowing. One might think, well that shouldn’t be that difficult. Well… yes and no. The turbine needs to be located where there is a constant and steady wind most of the time, but it also needs to be located in a place where quite a few turbines can be located.
The current issue is that one turbine generates quite a bit of energy, but not enough energy to make it economically feasible. Several hundred turbines need to be in place to make this happen. There are many places around the world where this is possible, but the overall concept is regional in nature. In other words, the power made in Vegas, stays in Vegas. The power generated in West Texas, stays in west Texas. This is not generally a bad thing since larger cities in Texas are deriving a nice chunk of their power from the wind turbines which lessens the need to use coal power needed for other places like Los Angeles.


Not in my back yard

The particular problem of people not wanting to look up at or listen to wind turbines all day every day has become a bit of an issue. At the larger more rural sites in West Texas there is a bit of an undercurrent about the wind turbines, the sound they make (constantly) and their future when they are outdated and need to be removed, but since the entire concept is so new the legislature is in a bit of a learning curve. Where the issue is likely to be resolved is in more urban areas where the use of wind turbines is just beginning to creep in. As vocal suburbanites hear about proposed “turbine farms” they all-of-a-sudden decide they are fine with wind power but don’t want to look at 100 turbines within their sight on a mountain top, coastal sound or back yard.


Reading in the dark

People may become vocal about not wanting to see or hear wind turbines on a daily basis but they may need to better understand that alternative power sources are coming. They had better think about the need and how they are going to deal with the issue on a personal basis. Power up with solar, wind, water of nuclear because choosing a source sooner rather the later may be the best way to keep; not in my backyard, not in my back yard.

Bright Hopes For The Future Of Solar Energy

Research is shedding new light on an unexpected source of energy for heating homes and generating electricity-the sun.

The sun-directly or indirectly-is the primary source for most forms of energy found on Earth. Solar energy is clean, abundant and renewable.

Though we think of solar power as a new discovery, ancient civilizations found innovative ways to use solar energy. Among them, the Greeks, Romans and Chinese all developed ways to use solar warmth for their homes, including using southern exposures to maximize solar heating and making use of solar lighting.

Now, thanks to innovative technologies, it's possible to capture this energy, concentrate it, store it and convert it into electricity.

Sunlight is converted into electricity using solar cells. Solar cells are also called photovoltaic cells, or "PV cells" for short. PV cells were first developed in the 1950s for use in American space satellites. Today, they are used for power needs ranging from telecommunications to rural electrification. PV cells can be found on items we use daily, such as calculators, flashlights, radios, landscape lighting and children's toys.

Portable PV units are also available for emergency and disaster use, such as keeping cell phones and small appliances charged when the user is away from the grid or during blackouts.

Consumers can harness the power of the sun for themselves more easily than ever. Solar panels you see on buildings and homes have been available on the market for decades. New systems-which incorporate solar into roofing shingles-are now aesthetically pleasing, efficient and durable.

2006 ushers in new tax credits for solar energy technologies and consumers may also be eligible for state rebates.

For more information, consult with a tax professional, contact the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov, or check out www.doe.gov for the latest in tax credit information.

Sunlight isn't only used to generate electricity. It is also used to heat water, which can be used to warm homes and businesses. Solar-powered radiant heating systems run some industrial processes and drive turbines to generate electricity. Many solar thermal technologies have been used in homes for decades and can last more than 20 years.

Experts believe that solar energy technologies can benefit this nation in many ways. They have the potential to help diversify this country's energy supply, reduce the dependence on imported fuels, improve air quality, offset greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate the economy by helping to create jobs in the manufacturing and installation of solar energy systems.

A Great Loneliness

Most people are now aware that we have some serious environmental issues facing us in the next few decades. The recent tsunami in Indonesia was a tragic reminder of the fragile balance of nature. There is nothing much we can do to stop these kind of events happening, except to install early warning systems. But global warming can be stopped or slowed down if and when we stop using fossil fuels and turn to renewable energy sources. The technology is being developed or already exists; wind and wave power, hydrogen fuel and nuclear fusion. 

What can never be reversed if we let it happen is the loss of the diversity of life on our small, green and blue planet. The list of endangered species is growing all the time. Environmental awareness has been a long time coming. In a way we are the victims of our own success, at least in the West. Population growth makes it ever more difficult to preserve the wilderness areas which are so necessary for the survival of wildlife. 

'When I was a boy in Scotland, I was fond of everything that was wild...
I loved to wander in the fields to hear the birds sing,
and along the shore to gaze and wonder at the shells and the seaweeds,
eels and crabs in the pools when the tide was low;
and best of all to watch the waves in awful storms thundering
on the black headlands and craggy ruins of old Dunbar Castle'.
John Muir


The first modern environmentalists, in a general way, were probably Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Thoreau, but the man who made a deep and practical impact was a Scot named John Muir. He was born in 1838 in Dunbar, not very far from where I was born, and he left Scotland for California at the age of twenty-eight. He called himself a 'poetico-trampo-geologist-botanist and ornithologist-naturalist'. Today he is known as the father of America's national parks. On August 5th, 2004, former President Bill Clinton said of him, "One of the Americans who inspired Theodore Roosevelt to conserve our national forests was the naturalist John Muir, who once said, 'Everybody needs beauty as well as bread - places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul'. In today's fast-paced, high-tech world, Muir's words are even more compelling". 


Another influential writer was Henry Beston. In 1928, after spending a year in a small wooden house on the Great Outer Beach of Cape Cod, he wrote an inspiring little book called 'The Outermost House', which contained the following passage:

'We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals. Remote from universal nature, and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creature through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image in distortion. We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves.
And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.
They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth'.
The Outermost House
Henry Beston 

My own special interest is the wolf, that most misunderstood of all animals. Down the ages wolves have been the subject of much fear, hatred and mis-information and yet, of all the larger predators it is the least harmful to people. In a way, we know more about the character of wolves than we do about our closest relatives - the great apes - because their descendants are all around us, lolling about in front of the fire, or digging holes in the garden.
And yet the wolf has been hunted and persecuted almost to the edge of extinction. There have been no wolves in Britain for 300 years. The last one was probably killed at Helmsdale, some 40 miles north of where I live in the Scottish Highlands. 


That the Vikings had a respect for the strength and sagacity of wolves is evidenced by the names given to ancient Nordic kings - Beowulf, Beadowulf, Wulfstan, etc. Even ealier is the legend of Romulus and Remus. The twins were found abandoned on the banks of the Tiber by a she-wolf, who fed them with her milk. When they grew up, Romulus built the city of Rome on the spot where the wolf had found them. Although no evidence to support the story has come down to us, there are plenty of authenticated stories of similar incidents, including three from Lucknow in India dated from 1844, 1954 and 1976. 

One man who was centuries ahead of his time as a protector of animals was the Italian priest who became the patron saint of animals and the environment. Francis of Assisi was very much a lone voice, at one point pleading with the people of Gubbio to feed the notorious wolf which had been ravaging their flocks. His insight was all the more profound considering the relentless cruelty with which 'Brother Wolf', as Saint Francis called him, has been persecuted in the past fifteen hundred years. 

In Anglo-Saxon times January was set aside especially for hunting wolves. It was known as wolfmonat or wolf month. Medieval folk-lore is full of stories about devil-wolves with dripping jaws and evil, slitty eyes. There are woodcuts of wolves with cloven hooves, carrying off little children, and there are children's stories like Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, and various tales about were-wolves.
The subject of all these stories must indeed be a ferocious animal, but in fact there is no authenticated instance of anyone being attacked by a wolf. I don't say it couldn't happen; I just say you're more likely to be struck by lightning. 


That it is possible for people and wolves to live in the same world has been demonstrated by the various wolf programs on-going in north-west Montana, the Yellowstone area, Central Idaho and North Carolina. There is also a scheme, backed by Greenpeace and various politicians to re-instate the wolf in certain areas of the Scottish Highlands. In the U.S. ranchers are being re-imbursed for any livestock losses - which are surprisingly light - by an organisation called Defenders of Wildlife. This is what they say on their website:

'Some of the nation's most prominent biologists have estimated that protecting habitat for wide-ranging predators such as wolves will conserve 90% or more of overall biological diversity. Because wolves can require home ranges of several hundred square miles, their conservation can help to preserve a host of other species making use of the same habitat.' 

It was the 'Defenders' organisation which led the successful fight to restore the gray wolf to it's former habitat in Yellowstone Park, and they are currently battling against recent legislation in Alaska to allow the 'hunting' of wolves from light aircraft and snowmobiles. This degrading and inhumane practice was banned in 1972 until last year, and ignores the weight of scientific thinking. It has received widespread public opposition. Alaskans have voted against aircraft assisted wolf hunting twice; in 1996 and 2000.
Killing wild wolves is supposed to boost the numbers of caribou and moose for the benefit of hunters, but biologists say that the larger prey species elude wolves 97% of the time, and that by eliminating sick and old animals, predation actually strengthens the gene pool. 


Richard Fiennes, the distinguished U.K. scientist and biologist has summed up the case for the wolf as follows:

'The wolf appears to retain a respect for human beings, and is reluctant to attack them. Not so man, who now fears and abominates the wolf and does all in his power to destroy him. Alas, he fails to recognize in the wolf's descendants, whom he has domesticated, the great virtues and loveable characters of the ancestral wolf. If wolves must become extinct in some areas, let us yet give what honour is due to him where we can.
The old traditions of this gentle creature's savagery and ferocity linger on, and man's hand is against him, even when he does no harm. There are still enormous regions of the world, in America and Russia, where he can be left unmolested; let him so remain.'
The Order of Wolves
Richard Fiennes 




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13 SEER & Earth Day: Working Together To Improve the Environment

The 35th anniversary of Earth Day will take place on April 22. Through the combined efforts of government, grassroots organizations and environmentally minded companies, Earth Day has evolved into a worldwide campaign to protect the global environment.

In the U.S., the Department of Energy (DOE) is also concerned about protecting our environment and resources. To address these issues, the DOE recently issued a mandate that now requires all new, central air conditioners manufactured after January 23, 2006, to have a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of at least 13. SEER is a number similar to miles-per-gallon in cars; the higher the SEER, the more efficient your air-conditioning system.

According to the DOE, the 13 SEER standard is forecasted to save the nation 4.2 quads (quadrillion British Thermal Units) of energy over 25 years (2006 through 2030). This is equivalent to the energy consumed by nearly 26 million American households in one year. The standards are also expected to save consumers $1 billion over the same period.*

Manufacturers like the Unitary Products Group of York-a Johnson Controls Company, haven't stopped at 13 SEER. York® also offers new home-cooling systems that reach 15 and even 18 SEER.

Much of the improved efficiency associated with 13 SEER units is the result of an increase in the surface of the coil found in a system's outdoor unit, which is used to transport refrigerant. As a result, these outdoor units can be 50 to 90 percent larger than 10 SEER units and require as much as 40 percent more refrigerant than many indoor coils are capable of holding. It becomes very important, then, to match the size of the indoor coil with the new, larger outdoor unit.

A mismatched system can lead to lower comfort levels, a higher utility bill, increased stress on the system and large repair costs. A qualified dealer can make sure your system is matched and installed correctly and is efficient and economical to operate.

So, if you are considering replacing or upgrading the HVAC system in your home, talk to the experts at York. They can help you select a qualified dealer, who is equipped to maintain, repair and/or replace the components of your system.


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10 reasons to buy a hybrid car

Care for the environment? Want to save the planet? Then you must think in terms of fuel efficiency, non-polluting, and eco-friendly transport. The answer lies in purchasing and using a hybrid car. They not just make a statement that I care but are compact and fuel efficient.

Here are some insights that may just tempt you to buy a hybrid.

1.    Made of lightweight materials hybrids are small in size. The engine is designed to be fuel efficient. When the car halts at a signal, the engine will automatically shut down and restart when the car shifts into gear.

2.    These cars have the advantage of being powered by a gasoline engine and an electric motor that takes care of acceleration.

3.    The batteries of the electric motor recharge automatically by harnessing the kinetic energy produced during braking.

4.    Hybrid car engines produce less emission, give better mileage, idle less, and are fuel efficient.

5.    The aerodynamic design reduces drag and the tires are made of a special rubber that reduces friction.

6.    The battery has high capacity and is made of nickel-metal-hydride. The battery can run the hybrid when called for.

7.    The power-train technology enables using two power sources and enhances fuel efficacy.

8.    There are many choices. You can have a hybrid from Honda, Ford, Toyota, GMC, and Chevrolet.

9.    If your transportation of choice is a hybrid then the US Government will applaud your choice by giving you significant tax breaks.

10.    Using a hybrid means you are active in ensuring the air is clean and that you are a concerned citizen who wishes to save fuel which is precious.

Maximize usage by “pulse and glide.” This means finding the ideal point where electric and gas energy are equally utilized. Generally this ideal lies between 30-40 miles per hour. Stabilization of energy is learnt by practice it really cannot be taught. Another important aspect is that you benefit if you don’t rush around and drive at the prescribed speed limit. If you glide, instead of accelerate then you can make a saving of as much as 10 cents a gallon. Lastly check and maintain tire pressures. This will help lengthen the life of the tires and help you save fuel. Reduced tire pressure studies indicate reduces gas mileage by as much as 10%.

Before you say “yes” to buying a hybrid car, you must do in depth research on hybrids, the pros and cons. Talk to manufacturers and owners. Test drive the different makes and check which one would suit your life-style. Some hybrids are ideal for city driving while others are more efficient on open roads.

Even if the buying price is steep the fuel that you save along with incentives like tax breaks make a hybrid a good and sensible choice.


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5 Great Reasons To Harness Solar Power

Very simply put, ‘Solar energy’ is energy that is derived from the sun. Our sun is an abundant source of energy; it gives of heat and light. The sun’s been revered by several cultures of the past and even by a few cultures still present today. The ancient Egyptians even worshiped the sun as a God.

All said and done, it was not misplaced respect; the sun certainly is an abundant and limitless source of power, at least for several generations to come; the merits for using its solar energy are numerous.

It’s free

Every morning with each dawn, the solar energy released by the sun comes filtered through our atmosphere providing light and helping to radiate heat. This has been happening for millions of years yet it is only recently that we have begun to capitalize on this abundant source of almost infinite power.

In the past the Greeks and the Egyptians have been known to harness the power of the sun to heat whatever they wished to by concentrating its radiation. 

It’s non-polluting

The energy from the sun is clean and free of any pollutants; unlike various sources of energy present today like petroleum or organic fuels that leave back residues and often leave back harmful gases when utilized to create energy.

Extremely reliable

The sun has been burning for roughly four and a half billion years now and is likely to burn on for another four to five billion years to come. That’s definitely more than our lifetimes and certainly more than several generations of the future. Every morning it promptly shows up and vanishes for the evening while it lights up another portion of the globe.

The saying “as sure as day” did not come about for nothing; assuming the sun is shining brightly, depending on which part of the globe you are you can harness the energy of the sun to either store it away or utilize its energy in a different way.

Limitless

There is no restriction on how much energy we can use from the sun. Apparently, the amount of energy that comes from the sun every few minutes if successfully harnessed can power the entire United States of America for a whole year. If we were only able to harness the immense energy of the sun we would be able to solve all the worlds’ energy problems.

Why

Ever wonder why no one thought about this earlier? How come if there’s so much energy just lying around, we simply cannot seem to efficiently harness it? How it that so much of the sun energy seems to go totally unnoticed and is ultimately wasted?

Well one of the reasons that this wonderful power reserve is generally wasted is the fact that the sunlight that we actually receive is so thinly dissipated across the earth to be able to contribute substantially enough if we try to harness it.
For us to be able to actually harness the power of the sun we have to be able to manipulate, focus and store the sun's energy. While this may seem simple it is easier said than done; So far we have only managed to develop three partially successful means of collecting solar energy.

The Reflection Method – Mirrors / Parabola

The reflection method is based on the concentration of the sun’s rays through a single or a set of mirrors onto one point and then utilizing the concentrated heat energy that is produced for out need. A parabolic mirror much like a dish antenna can be used to capture the sun’s rays and focus them on a single point. 

The radiation method

This is the principle behind the solar water heaters. Painted black pipes sandwiched between two layers of glass, have water inside them that is heated thanks to the rays of the sun.

Solar panels

A more recent invention the ‘solar cell’ is composed of treated silicon crystals, which when hit by the rays of the sun knock electrons out of their orbits and thereby create a void that needs to be filled by electrons from the other silicon crystals, this creates an imbalance of electrons and hence a flow of current which can be either immediately utilized or else stored away in a rechargeable battery.

What’s stopping us?

Despite the apparent benefits of using solar power it is most unfortunate that there are very few solar power plants around the world. Sadly, with today’s level of technology, cost and reliability are two major factors that are still hurdles in the way of mass usage of solar energy. 

Technological limitations dictate that the most efficient solar cells created today are still not capable of generating enough power to be commercially viable without occupying huge surface areas. Furthermore, reliance exclusively on solar cells in not yet practical,  for if there were to be a cloudy day it could reduce the amount of electricity generated and that would be disastrous for those people completely reliant on that energy.

On the bright side, constant innovation and research on solar energy is resulting in much more efficient solar cells that are a fraction of the size of existing cells and churn out much more power. For now they are still expensive, but not far is the day when they will be affordable and available to the common man.


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“Don’t Touch It,” and other simple, nature-friendly advice

Each summer, I visit the Chequamagon National Forest in Wisconsin. An amazingly beautiful and lush forest, this place is my sanctuary. I stay at a low-key resort, in a cabin overlooking Lake Namekagon. It’s a breath of fresh air - quite literally - to spend two weeks each year at this place, away from bustling streets and busy people. It’s like a different world.

Or, at least, it was. I had a very different experience this past July. Upon entering our cabin, my fiance and I were greeted by a large television, equipped with Direct TV. Don’t get me wrong: I’m a TV-lover, through and through. There was, however, something strange about having to look around the television to see the lake.

We overlooked this; after all, we don’t own the cabin. Some resort-goers might crave 500 channels before they crave hiking and fishing. Convinced that the TV (both the sight of it and the temptation to watch it) would put a damper on things, we went out on the water.

As I started the old, rented pontoon boat, something occured to me. We were no better than the TLC, MTV, and MSNBC addicts. Yes, our boat was used for the enjoyment of the outdoors; however, it left a muddy, green wake behind it. Yes, we came to the resort to get away from everyday conveniences and to surround ourselves with nature, but we were staying in a cabin - not a tent or a sleeping bag. We cooked our breakfast every morning on a fairly modern stove, we drank coffee made in a Bunn coffeemaker, and we turned on the electric heat if the cabin got too cold. It turns out we weren’t roughing it; we were faking it.

Since this realization, I’ve been troubled. I don’t understand where our appreciation for nature went. I don’t understand how misguided travelers - myself included - consider themselves to be experiencing nature, when really all we’re doing is glancing at it between commercials. Granted, everyone experiences nature in a different way. For some, glancing at it through a window - or on a TV screen - might be enough.

I’m concerned, though, that by accepting this as a legitimate way to experience nature, we are missing something. Or, perhaps, we are missing everything. On a basic level, there is something satisfying about feeling a different kind of air on your skin, and about feeling the crunch of leaves and dirt beneath your feet. Where city lights don’t corrupt the night sky, we can see stars in a new way, and the level of darkness is foreign and exciting.

There more to this simple human/nature combination than deep satisfaction, though. There is a danger present in the ways we currently explore nature. It is common for travelers to hop on boats, jetskis, waverunners, or ATVs to travel through lakes and forests. In these cases, vacationgoers are experiencing nature - while leaving a trail of pollution behind.

And what about our cabin? Built in the middle of the forest, trees had to be removed in order for the resort to exist. There is an inherent disconnect, here: the resort was designed to house nature-loving travelers who want to see the forest’s natural beauty, and yet in order for the resort to exist, some of the forest had to be cut down. Instead of experiencing untouched and unscathed nature, vacationers are experiencing a forest marred by human interference.

This is the way with us. We, whether intentionally or accidentally, can’t help but tinker with nature in its natural forms. Even when we attempt to truly experience it, we are also hindering it. So, we must consider some simple pieces of advice if we wish....(read the full article at the link below)


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