Climate Change

The four most important renewable energy technologies solar, wind, hydrogen and biomass have lots to offer. Wind power is seen as having the maximum potential in terms of development and investment. It has generated interest in the governments and people because if its cost-effectiveness in producing electricity. Some of the countries which are embracing wind power on a huge level are Spain, Germany, India, America and China. The renewable energy sources are replenish-able and will never run out. The maximum amount of renewable energy comes from sun and the solar energy can be directly used for heating and lighting the houses and even business premises.

Did you know that sun is also responsible for varying patterns of wind, which is then captured by the wind turbine? In present scenario where pollution is at its peak and we are breathing polluted air along with coping with the global warming effects, using renewable energy technology is important as not only it has environmental benefits, it also saves you tons of money.

Renewable energy technologies are clean and have extremely low environmental effect in contrast to the conventional technologies. Most of the homes today use fossil fuels generated grid power as a source of electricity. However, with increased awareness people have started concentrating on solar power systems and wind turbines. The wind turbines are mounted on high tower so as to capture as much wind as possible. The turbine captures wind with the help of blades. Usually 3 blades are present in a turbine. When the wind blows, low pressure is formed just below the blades, which causes the rotor below the turbine to turn.

If you want a detailed plan you can go on the Internet and get one. There are many manuals which have these instructions. Buy that manual which gives clear instructions.

The Polar Regions are some of the most mystifying places on earth where elusive life still exists below the freezing point. The mesmerizing light show of the heavens, aurora, is a regular occurrence here adding more life to the chilly snow, white terrains that runs till the horizon.

The South Pole is dominated by Antarctica, the fifth largest continent of the earth and said to be the coldest of them all. The island is uninhabited for the most part but is dotted with research stations where thousands work relentlessly to unravel mysteries hidden beneath the earth’s core. Since there are no inhabitants except for researchers Antarctica has no government either, and so is under control by several countries like Norway, Australia, United Kingdom, Chile, France, Argentina and New Zealand.

The territory under the rule of New Zealand is called Ross Dependency and is one granted after New Zealand became an independent country. Even though the country owns a portion of Antarctica the locals can’t simply cross the rough oceans and visit there as and when they please.

So they resolved this matter by bringing Antarctica to their homeland, and tucked it away in the largest city of the South Island. Now you can find a portion of Antarctica when you go to the International Antarctic Centre in the beautiful city of Christchurch. The venue sits in the vicinity of Christchurch International Airport in a suburb called Harewood. The airport is a base that connects the scientists and researchers with Antarctica by air, backing up the scientific expeditions.

The International Antarctic Centre was launched on 28th of September 1990 and was built to support the research work carried out in Antarctica. It has also set sights on educating the masses about the scientific discoveries and has eventually become a major tourist attraction in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The centre offers fun packed edutainment for the entire family and is quite a good stimulation for young children. Here you can find a fine aquarium unlike any other that will provide you authentic specimens from the Antarctic seabed.

The Gallery is where you can learn a world of things about this giant snowy land, about human intervention, fauna and flora among other things. The exhibits are mostly interactive so not only the kids but even the youth and adults can have lots of fun while touring the Gallery. At the premises you can also watch a short film on Antarctica, capturing the captivating beauty from dawn to dusk.

The exhibits at the International Antarctic Centre aren’t all lifeless, as you will get to meet the Antarctic dwellers such as penguins. Seeing more than 20 little penguins basking or wobbling in outdoor and indoor spaces, simulating their natural habitats, will be a sight you can never forget. These are ones who cannot survive in the wild if left on their own so the centre takes care of them.

Want to know how the researchers travel in Antarctica? Then hop on a big hagglund and sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Its wheels may remind you the armoured tank of the military, as the hagglund too is built to cross all types of terrains including frozen water. The Hagglund Ride takes you up and down the slopes, through water and various tough terrains to give you the maximum thrill while ensuring maximum safety.

If you would like to explore many more attractions in Christchurch how about staying in the heart of the city where the finest shopping and dining venues are just around the corner? You can try the Millennium Hotel Christchurch, a modern luxury accommodation Christchurch that offers an eco friendly environ. Treat your family with in style at this exclusive Christchurch hotel and have fun at the International Antarctic Centre, and witness a world totally different from yours.

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The Arctic and the Antarctic regions play very important roles. How? First, like the human eyes, they are the mirrors to the soul; they are the first to manifest adverse effects like global warming. We witness these changes rather most drastically in these polar regions. Another correspondingly direct effect of global warming is: any change in the polar conditions affects those of all the other regions.

Once the polar ice melts, this flushes more freshwater from the region’s rivers, consequently holding the ocean from circulating fast enough, thereby causing higher sea levels. With more ice melting, more land and bodies of liquid water are exposed to the heat of the sun. These two, which naturally absorb more heat than snow and ice, causes more warming oceans and land masses. Worst of all is borne by the Arctic’s perennially frozen soil – melting of the polar ice releases the greenhouse gases (carbon and methane) trapped within. This is very dangerous as the Arctic permafrost contains a third of the planet’s total soil carbon content.

Man-made emissions would fade in comparison is all this carbon were released. The National Center for Atmospheric Research has also predicted that the Arctic could be ice-free starting 2040 and sea ice reduced by 80% in the next couple of decades.

Warming of the Arctic has already been felt and is now a cause for apprehension. According to the Polar Bear Specialist Group (the absolute scientific authority on everything involving polar bears) several (5) of their populations in the world are now stamped as declining.

Just recently, the US. Fish and Wildlife Service (USF & WS) announced that the polar bears who once roamed the territory freely may soon be classified under the list of endangered species. The agency has, in fact, done the initial steps already formally proposing to do such that, include the polar bears in the critical registry. This alarming announcement has, in effect, granted the request (later escalating to a demand by way of a lawsuit against the USF & WS) of 3 organizations (the Center for Biological Diversity, the National Resources Defense Council or NRDC, and Greenpeace.

For years, these three have been urging the US government precisely to act on the problem. It could be victory for the group, but not much since it has taken the concerned authorities this long ; it will now take painstaking effort to save the polar bears from extinction. An NRDC executive strongly referred to global warming as the one major threat to the survival of the polar bears. He urged further to stop delaying the action and to go full-force; no more half-measures.

Enlisting the species as endangered is not even the culmination of the unified effort; it is only the initial part of a long process. It should take the US Fish and Wildlife Service around one year to study the proposal before they decide on an action to take. Meantime, there is imminent danger that the polar bear would totally lose its sea-ice habitat as this one year rolls by. Loss of sea ice also means loss of their main source of food which are ice seals. This could also result to more mortality as the bears would tend to cannibalize their ranks in the absence of prey. Why? Mainly because enlisting a species as endangered does not necessarily mean ready plans would immediately be implemented.

Steps would involve a stoppage on all activities that threaten the bears survival, before developing and implementing of a recovery plan are put to order by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Faced with the rate greenhouse gases are being emitted from the Arctic, this will indeed be a daunting task.

Talking about populations, it is not just that of the polar bears which lie victim to global warming. The Inuits, (a member of the Eskimo peoples living in northernmost North America down to eastern Canada and Greenland) depend on the sea ice for food. The dismal and continued shortening of their hunting season by 50% has had drastic effects on their lives.

Will it not be long till a people and an era vanished from the face of the earth? Can we do something about it?

In November 2007 the MS Explorer, carrying over 150 tourists and crew hit an iceberg in the Antarctic and sank. Miraculously, no souls were lost or turned into human lollipops, but it was a terrifying ordeal and a lucky escape for those onboard. Perhaps it was a timely and sobering warning that this type of tourism should never be marketed like a Disney attraction. Let’s hope it also served as a warning to those who think travel insurance is an unnecessary expense!

Trips to the Antarctic have become very popular in recent years with tourists heading south in their thousands. Have our fears about global warming and climate change caused this massive migration to the Poles to see the magnificent glaciers and landscapes before they disappear? Al Gore has to be commended for his efforts, but is he to blame? Or should we blame all the cute penguin films, like Happy Feet?

At one time it was a place only visited by explorers and scientists and not looked upon as a tourist destination, but times are changing. Conservation groups are concerned about the impact of so much tourism on the environment and calling for limits on the number of visitors.

Most trips to Antarctica are made on ships departing from locations in South America. The routes are designed to take in areas where the largest amount of wildlife can be viewed. There are faster ways to see Antarctica though. For an aerial view you could take a tourist flight departing from Australia or New Zealand. It’s a round trip of about eight hours. Whichever way you do it you’ll be leaving a carbon footprint with your happy feet and stinking up the pristine air! This new type of adventure tourism seems here to stay. Like a penguin slithering down an icy slope to the sea – it can’t be stopped.

With the ice sheets melting at a frightening rate, sea levels look set to continue rising. Despite this, Antarctica holds the record for the world’s lowest recorded temperature at -129F (-89C) during 1983. You wouldn’t even be able to say ‘Brrr’. It’s hard to imagine. I experienced -28F in Colorado and saw a cat frozen as stiff as a board. When you stood it up it looked alive with tail held aloft in a friendly but icy greeting. My friends stood it next to their mail box to greet visitors (sentimental they are not, those leathery ranchers). I’ve heard that freezing is the most painless way to die but I’d prefer not to test that theory personally – and it’s too late to ask kitty.

In case you’re unsure, Antarctica is located in the southern hemisphere, around the South Pole. The Arctic is north. (You’d be surprised how many people don’t know). All but about two-percent of Antarctica is covered with ice. Many people mistakenly believe there are polar bears in Antarctica, but they are only found north in the Arctic regions.

Antarctica has dormant volcanoes and an active one at Mt. Erebus on Ross Island. The highest peak is Vinson Massif at over 16,000 feet (approx. 4,890m). We are familiar with the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) but in Antarctica the phenomenon is known as the Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis. Antarctica has no government and belongs to no country, although various claims have been made on parts of it. It still belongs to the penguins and I vote they continue to rule! At least when a penguin makes a fool of itself it’s cute and funny – in contrast to most politicians.

Many brave explorers risked their lives in the hostile environment, icicles hanging from their grizzly beards. They had solid, masculine ‘don’t mess with me’ names like Sir Ernest Shackleton, Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen.

Nothing much can survive in such an environment in the way of flora and fauna, other than penguins, fur seals, whales, hardy varieties of algae and lichen and some ugly-looking bugs. There are several species of birds, including Skuas, Petrels and Antarctic Terns, but only a few are passionate enough to breed in those icy temperatures.

Not surprisingly, there are no humans living permanently in the Antarctic, although since the 1700s sealers and whalers have spent time in the area. The research stations run by various governments and agencies are staffed during the summer months, and many year-round. A wide variety of scientific experiments are carried out but the most talked about in recent decades has been the hole in the ozone layer – which is believed to have been caused by us messy humans.

The hole is also being monitored by NASA satellites, or are they really looking for the alleged missing Apollo 11 original Moon walk tapes? Many meteorites and craters have been discovered so who knows what might be uncovered down there. Perhaps they’ll find Amelia Earhart or the missing Child Benefit CDs which our government carelessly lost. Rumour has it the reason the government wants us to carry identity cards is as a back-up system for when they lose our personal data. At least we’ll know who we are, even if they don’t.

It’s not surprising that we want to see Antarctica ourselves but perhaps we should be content with staying in the warm and watching documentaries or films like March of the Penguins. In the animated film Happy Feet, the penguin ‘Mumble’ was unable to sing to attract his true love because he had an awful voice and so resorted to tap dancing to woo her. I didn’t see this particular film, but presume he got his girl in the end – fish breath and all. Whatever they have to do to survive, perhaps we should think more about their welfare and leave them alone. If the ice shelves keep collapsing there’ll be nothing left for them to tap dance their happy feet on.

‘Little drops of water, little drops of grain; makes a mighty ocean and pleasant land.’ This is very true. Our small efforts of energy saving can be a great contribution to the world environment. Energy saving doors are great way to save energy. You can install energy saving doors in your industry or business workplace to save energy and reduce your energy bills. There are different types of doors which are installed to save energy in industries which include Kaiser Doors, Roller Shutter Doors, Overhead Doors, High Speed Doors and PVC Strip Doors/Curtains. Among these the high speed door is an ideal choice for industries.

The sophisticated High Speed Doors are used in industries to save energy, increasing efficiency of business, improve quality of work, and also enhance security. After great success in various industrial usages, lots of other commercial workplaces are looking forward for such high speed doors which provide reliable protection from theft, worse environment, noise pollution and harmful radiations. The Energy Saving Doors are ideal for industries because they save a lot of energy from wastage which otherwise move from industries to environment system. If doors of incubators or freezing rooms are opened for long time, the temperature and pressure gets imbalanced. You can maintain the pressure and temperature at the expense of energy thus augmenting energy costs every month. But high speed doors prevent such flow of energy from an enclosed room to environment or vice versa.

They are a very good choice for science labs, medicine industries, food processing industries and other places because they manage a good traffic flow and speed up the operations which is otherwise lazy in case of normal doors. Now high speed doors also stop noise and other types of air pollution. Thus it makes a complete healthy environment for you to live in or work. Whatever may be your requirement the high speed doors can be used for freezer room, internal use, and hygienic environment and even in high wind conditions. You can use the energy saving doors to save your electricity bills and a good amount of money. All these advantages help in increasing the productivity of any enterprise.

If you are looking for best energy saving doors for industries, you can trust on specialized high speed door manufacturers such as Roller Shutter Doors.

Home energy saving tips are not just for people with old homes that suck up energy because they havent been well insulated or the electricity hasnt been upgraded in 40 years. Home energy saving tips are not just for people who live in nine bedroom homes with bowling alleys in the basement. Home energy saving tips are for everybody who lives in a home.

A few easy home energy saving tips can be found in your grocery store. The next time you are there check out the light bulb aisle. You should notice that the shape of light bulbs is really changing. Those new light bulbs are actually long lasting, energy saving bulbs that burn brighter with less wattage. Replacing all of your bulbs with the new energy saving bulbs is an inexpensive home energy saving tip that anybody can do.

Have you ever noticed that when you turn off your television the cable box stays on, or the other way around? When you turn off your computer, do you always turn off the monitor, printer, modem, and all the peripherals that go with it? Do you have a habit of leaving your front porch light on all night just to add a little light to the bedroom in case you have to get up for something? All of these things are using up unnecessary energy.

Some of the best home energy saving tips are the easiest ones. Put your television and computer, and all of the things that go with them on power strips that have a switch. When you turn off the TV or computer, hit the switch on the power strip and turn off all of the peripherals, too. Turn off the front porch light and open the curtains, the moon and stars will let enough light in to see by if you wake up in the middle of the night. These few, easy home energy saving tips will not only save you money on your energy bills but they will also save energy for the good of the ecology. Do your part for the going green effort, save some energy in your home.

Does the struggling economy and depletion of the environment have you down? Imagine finding a way to not only save energy but cut costs on the required materials as well. Many people are simply unaware of the potential savings that they can take advantage of through investing in energy saving goods. You may even think that products in this market do not relate to your situation or needs but that is not the case.

No matter what your needs are or how big your home you can find products for great prices that will make a drastic impact on the cost of running your home. Truth be told, saving money and energy will prove to be a lot easier and more affordable than you ever imagined. Of course, there are some basic cost cutting techniques such as shutting off your hot water and turning off lights, but let’s focus on some of the goods that you can invest in. These products will cost you a little in the short term but save you tons in the long term.

Some of the options that are available to you include low energy lights, electric blankets, solar power, low energy lamps and even bio bags. All of these products can do their part in cutting your energy consumption and in turn reducing your monthly bills. Imagine giving yourself the ability to not only save money but know that you are making a difference when it comes to the health of the environment.

Now that you are aware of just a few energy saving options, you have you can begin to do some more research and find the products that will benefit you the most. Many online retailers have a vast selection of goods that you can discover, learn about and then incorporate in your every day lifestyle. I am going to let you in on a little secret that the major companies don’t want you to know. If you can find some ways to reduce your energy use and increase the amount you create, you can often be entitled to a monthly payment from the major companies themselves. That’s right, not only can you decrease the cost of your bills, but using the right energy saving or generating products can allow you to make money.

The benefits of energy saving goods are undeniable, but you should not just run out and start investing right away. If you truly want to maximize your savings then you will want to make sure you find the best deals when it comes to these energy cutting products. There is no doubt that you will be able to find a number of retailers on line, but you should do your best to find and take advantage of some of the incredible offers that might be available to you. With a little time and smart shopping, you will be well on your way to saving money on your initial investment and saving wads of cash long into the future.

Residential Energy Savings and Performance Contracting: The Big Business Advantage.

A collaborative effort may be just what we need to boost excitement into the minds of homeowners. Large companies use something called Performance Contracts to acquire financing for Energy Conservation Projects. A Performance Contract is usually provided by an ESCO, to a large business entity. Applying Performance Contracts the same way an (ESCO) Energy Service Company does to big-business, could be a worthy option. Performance Contracts are offered to municipalities, school districts, stadiums and other corporate entities; but not to private residential homeowners. Unfortunately, millions of energy savings dollars could have already realized, if Performance Contracting was extended outside Corporate America. Is this just another case of The Big Business Advantage?

To understand if there is an advantage, you need to know a little about what Performance Contracting (PC) is. Performance Contracts essentially guarantees a minimum amount of energy savings from the installation of energy efficient equipment and energy conservation strategies. Energy savings are derived from a detailed Energy Audit, which reveals where energy savings should be applied. The audit also reveals energy savings strategies along with a given Pay Back time, for each strategy. The Pay-back demonstrates length of time it takes, to get a return on their investment. A simplified example of a Pay-back is; lighting retrofits will cost $6,000 and will save $2,000 annually. Therefore; the payback will be 3 Years ($6000/$2000) = 3, meaning, it will take 3 years to pay down the cost, the (4th year + )is pure savings.

There are many other advantages, such as energy monitoring. It is to the ESCOs advantage to monitor the saving because they have guaranteed the savings. The ESCO also assumes responsibility with a Promise or Guarantee. The promise goes something like this; if Company X does not see X amount of savings during a given amount of time, we will pay you the difference! Furthermore, the cost/debt of the Energy Retrofit will be covered by future energy savings. To give you an example; company X is a Convention Center with badly needed equipment upgrades. Company X is also spending 20-30% more energy than necessary and for a Convention Center that could equate to millions of dollars of additional cost. However, Company X cant afford the project from its current operating budget. See any similarities to homeowners? Fortunately, in enters the ESCO that can not only help secure financing, but, PM the installation, repair, service and track energy savings for the project. The icing on the cake for the Company X is the Performance Guarantee!

So, why is it good for Residential Markets?

o Financial cost is the main reason that most energy strategies are not done in the residential market.

o The effects of Global Warming from Green House Gases are largely dependent on how much pollutants humans make and how much energy we use. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, resulting from petroleum and natural gas, represent 82 percent of total U.S. human-made greenhouse gas emissions. When we reduce energy and pollutants, demand and supply is also reduced.

o A National Research Council study dated May 2001 stated, Greenhouse gases are accumulating in Earths atmosphere as a result of human activities, causing surface air temperatures and sub-surface ocean temperatures to rise.

o According to (EIA) Energy Information Administration, statistics show that Residential Carbon Emissions for 2005, was 5,956,978,731. If we treat residential market like the business market we have a chance of saving a minimum of 15% Carbon Dioxide Emissions from our homes, only. The Presidents Global Climate Change Policy projects an 11% reduction in Carbon Dioxide, which is inclusive of all industries.

o Reducing our dependence on foreign oil. According to the (NRDC) Natural Resources Defense Council, we spend more than $200,000 dollars/ per minute — $13 million per hour — on foreign oil. This is $13 million dollars with Zero payback.

o An investment in consumer Performance Contract financing would result in a payback of 20-30% in energy cost. Those savings could go back into our pockets and trickle down to our economy.

o Finally, efforts have already been made towards Performance Contracts and the Residential market. The Department of Energy and HUD have put together a collaborative effort to make public housing more energy efficient. The collaborative effort, referred to as Energy Performance Contracting for Public and Indian Housing is a recipe book detailing the benefits and procedures of Performance Contracting. The Guide Book was originally printed in 1990, nearly 18 years ago.

Audits are usually done by C.E.M.s. Certified Energy Managers.

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