Wonderful Wind Power

Since renewable energy sources are on the rise, let’s take a look at one of the best – wind power!

Icon of Wind Turbines

Image via Wikipedia

Wind power is a clean, environmentally friendly energies. It doesn’t bother the wild life as much as water power and it doesn’t require lots of panels all over your roof like solar power. Oddly enough, wind power is reliant on both water and the sun for it’s energy production. The daily wind cycle is caus

ed by the earth’s different surfaces heating and cooling from the sun, causing uneven heat levels which in turn cause wind.

Wind turbines are relatively simple. The blades spin, collecting kinetic energy through a drive shaft. Currently, only just over 1% of the United State’s power comes from wind power. That’s only enough to power 4.5 million homes, which sounds bigger than it is.

On a smaller scale , wind power can be used for more than an entire country. If you wanted to power a single home with wind power, it is very possible. Miniature turbines are available from many green energy companies. Combining turbines with other green power sources can reduce your power bill greatly. Typically, wind companies suggest that you only partially run your home off of wind power because of power regulations in residential areas. The only thing you need to consider adding to your wind power system is a battery storage – in case the wind doesn’t blow every day.

If more time was devoted to wind power, it could easily produce a good portion of power needed.

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Brief History of Recycling

The concept of recycling is hardly new; as a matter of fact there is recorded proof that Plato practiced it as far back as 400BC. Another sign of proof has been discovered by archaeologists who have been able to see how ancient dump sites register less waste during times when resources were known to be scarce: people were re-using what they had when they couldn’t get it new.

Prior to our own industrial age evidence has been found to support that scraps of bronze and other metals were collected throughout Europe to be melted down and used again. During those times in Britain ash and dust from coal and wood burning fires was collected to be “recycled down” by a group of men called the “dustmen” who used them as base material in the brick making trade. Some of the urgency for recycling during these times was that there was no public service that handled waste removal. By 1813 a process of making rags into “shoddy” wool was developed by Benjamin Law in Batley, Yorkshire.  The process involved taking the recycled fibers and combining them with virgin wool. This process was so successful that the West Yorkshire shoddy industry lasted until 1914.

As the Industrial Age moved on so did the demand for affordable materials. Scraps of ferrous metals were sought on every side since they were easier and cheaper to get than those made straight from the ore. During the 19th century as the railroads grew across the nation they both sold and purchased scrap metal. Also during this era the steel and automobile industries grew up and they too sought after scrap metals. Though scrap metal was a burgeoning recycling industry many other means of collecting and processing it grew into occupations.  Peddlers emerged by the thousands scouring dumps and the streets, some even going door-to-door searching for pots, pans, old machines, and any other cast-off forms of metal. While the First World War raged this occupation filled the streets as more and more of these peddlers took advantage of the market that paid to recycle old materials back into useful production.

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Going Green is Going Global

While it may seem like a fairly recent trend, the phenomenon of “going green” is becoming more and more widespread every day. Environmentalism began as a relatively small movement comprised of activists. Today, the concept of “going green” has moved well beyond this niche. Have you tried to make changes in your own life to become more “green?” Many of us wish that we could take the steps necessary to consume less resources and tread more lightly on the planet, but getting there can be
difficult.

Some experts suggest making small changes. There is a common misconception that we use the most energy and resources in transportation (cars). However, the home is one of the easiest places to begin “greening”, as it is actually the largest “energy hog” in most of our lives. Changing light bulbs to more efficient, new bulbs, purchasing “green” appliances (such as those with the Energy Star label), and simply using less energy at home are all simples steps in the right direction.

However, other “green” proponents take a more drastic route. Some cut out their cars, travelling instead by bus, bike or carpool. Others try to live “off the grid” by producing energy to power their homes by solar, wind or other energy sources. Living “off the grid” means not utilizing any energy from “the grid,” which is the system by which electricity reaches homes and businesses from a central source. This is especially important in parts of the world where energy is expensive, difficult to generate, or difficult to deliver due to poor infrastructure.

But whether we begin with simple steps or make major changes to our lives to “go green,” there is no doubt that the “green” movement has truly gone global.

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Has Corporate Culture Gone Green?

When modern day environmentalism sprang in part from the hippie and flower
power movements of the late 1960’s, it was largely a counter-cultural,
underground collection of activists and political radicals. Over the
decades, environmentalism became more and more a part of mainstream
culture. Today, “going green” is a phrase not far from the tips of our
tongues, and businesses have taken note of the shift.

Increasingly, businesses are taking steps to become greener. But are these steps
merely lip service or simple public relations strategies? For example,
when a company announces that it will use a new, greener manufacturing
technology, is it really seeking to become more environmentally
friendly, or is it simply a way to enhance the public’s perception of the
company?

Actually, companies in the United States and other western powers
must comply with increasingly strict environmental policies. Many of the
apparent shifts in corporations and businesses moving to become greener
may actually simply be compliance with ever-toughening standards.

However, some companies are making legitimate shifts in the way they do business
to become greener. Several major corporations have set goals for
becoming “climate neutral”, meaning that their businesses will be run in
using sustainable resources and renewable energy sources, or they will otherwise purchase carbon credits. Other companies have taken advantage of this desire by offering
business-to-business products and services aimed at would-be green
businesses and corporations. In many ways, each company that makes even a
small shift can create a “domino effect” amongst other business.

All of this brings us back to the original question– do companies really
want to be green, or do they need to to survive in today’s economy? It
could well be that both statements are correct.

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People of The World Reclaiming The Environment

Many areas of the world are now starting to take a stand against mining operations in an attempt to reclaim their health and protect the environment. As more and more countries join the bans and/or fight for tougher regulations on environmental rules, it may lead to a healthier environment for us all.

India’s government has begun blocking and canceling mining projects in an attempt to protect their people and “mother nature.” In fact, the state government in Western Ghats is considering placing a permanent ban on all mining within the Western Ghats, as they feel it is necessary to protect their environment. Furthermore, in 2004, the Supreme Court of India refused to lift a ban on mining in the Delhi-Haryana section of the Aravalli hills, stating that the ecology of the Aravalli hills needed to be preserved at all costs.

In Central America, four countries have stopped new mining projects even though the price of gold is increasing and copper prices have rebounded. Costa Rica’s President, Laura Chinchilla, issued a ban on all open-pit mining within hours of taking her seat as President. El Salvador’s President, Mauricio Funes, has taken a stand against all mining in his country as well. Likewise, Guatemala and Honduras are holding off on any new mining projects, at least until new regulations are put in place to tightened environmental rules.

Although the main government of the Philippines tends to be in favor of mining in their country, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has spoken out against all large-scale mining, stating that they will “seek to ban all enterprises that engage in the large-scale plunder of natural resources, the destruction of the environment, and land-grabbing.”

These are but a few examples of the people and governments of the world attempting to reclaim our rights to breathable air, drinkable water, and a healthy environment.

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