Green Education Prospectus
Green Job Growth
Source: Pew Charitable Trusts, 2009, based on the National Establishment Time Series Database; analysis by Pew Center on the States and Collaborative Economics.
Green Job Distribution
Source: Pew Charitable Trusts, 2009, based on the National Establishment Time Series Database; analysis by Pew Center on the States and Collaborative Economics.
Category Archives: Sustainable Living
Eco Consultants Observe October Energy Awareness Month
The United States Department of Energy has declared the month of October to be National Energy Awareness Month. The idea is to encourage consumers to invest in energy saving products and to focus on efficient and wise use of electricity. The observation of Energy Awareness Month will give us yet another reason to evaluate energy habits at home, at work and in our communities in order to make relevant changes to benefit our environment.
With intensifying environmental problems, in particular global warming, everyone is encouraged to do their part in helping save our planet’s ecosystem. However not everyone is familiar with the simple measures they can take to help. We can all start by using electricity efficiently and wisely, and going green does not have to be expensive. If you cannot afford to buy solar panels you can still help with simple acts such as switching off lights when they are not in use and unplugging appliances when possible. You can also buy energy saving light bulbs when it’s time to replace the incandescent ones and you will see how much it can help you save on your electric bills too. Continue reading
Americans Struggle to Decide on Green Cars
Fuel efficiency is now vying to be the #1 selling point for new cars in the current market. There are endless promotions on fuel efficient cars but it seems that at least in America, consumers really aren’t sure what type of vehicle really fits their needs.
Hybrid cars are being manufactured in large numbers with hopes that consumers will be interested and begin to purchase them. Other Americans are waiting patiently for the first all-electric cars to hit the market. There are flexfuel vehicles that are ready to burn E85 ethanol right off the lot and of course we can’t forget the venerable (and increasingly popular) clean diesel. With the many discussions about carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and their effect to the global environment, many people are interested in purchasing a more fuel-efficient vehicle, if not just to save money then also to help reduce CO2 emissions in their own little way. But why are so many Americans holding back on this decision for now? Continue reading
Sri Lanka Working With Eco Consultants Towards a Greener Economy
As more and more countries are becoming aware of the effects of global warming and climate change, government programs and advocacies for turning each country towards a green economy have reached new heights. It has moved up on corporate and political agendas because of the intense drive to get rid of carbon emissions and the underlying desire to cut costs.
The latest addition to the list of countries advocating greener economies is Sri Lanka. They have hired Eco Consultants the Carbon Consulting Company (CCC) to help them in this task. The CCC was launched recently in partnership with one of the leading providers of carbon reduction solutions, CarbonNeutral of UK. It is also being advocated by Sri Lanka’s only Nobel Laureate, Prof. Mohan Munasinghe.
Running Errands by Pedal Power: Bike Commuting Near Your Home
Have you ever wondered how much savings you have made if you were not using your car to run short errands like going to church, buying some bread for dinner, dropping off kids to the playground? It can be a considerable amount if you do these types of tasks daily. Eco Consultants should definitely be asking customers if they have considered biking instead. Why not? Bike commuting is among the most environmental friendly ways to run errands. It is not just economical and efficient, it is also emission free.
For many, bicycles are just part of our fun childhood memories. They have stood the test of time and serve as a brilliant companion for active boys and talkative girls. But nowadays, they are considered the greenest vehicle because it is a part of sustainable lifestyle and they are eco-friendly. In addition, cycling is also good for your health. Riding a bike is a cardio respiratory exercise affecting the heart, blood vessels and lungs. It manages weight, improves muscle tone and strength, boosts energy levels, and reduces stress thus decreasing your risk for cancer, obesity and diabetes. It also improves your mood, health and wellness as a whole. It is like hitting two birds with one stone, being healthy and at the same time environmentally friendly.
California Governor Announces Launch of Green Jobs Website
California is once again striving to put itself at the forefront of the green community. Recently California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a new green economy initiative for Californians. To help Californians find employment opportunities in green industries, The Golden State has launched an all-new Clean Energy Jobs website.
The Clean Energy Jobs website can be found at www.energy.ca.gov/cleanenergyjobs. It aims to provide resources to Californians that are geared towards promoting jobs related to recycling, clean transportation, renewable energy and other green opportunities. Currently, the site consists of 48 programs which offer training to Californians in these lucrative fields. The programs and training are offered through organizations like community colleges, local workforce investment boards and private industry groups.
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Posted in Green, Green Collar, Green Government, Sustainable Living, green education
Tagged america, american recovery and reinvestment act, california, california energy commission, california's clean energy workforce training program, californians, clean energy, clean energy jobs website, community colleges, employers, employment development department, green economy, green industries, green jobs, Internet, jobs, labor unions, republican governor arnold schwarzenegger, sustainable economy, trained workers, websites, workforce investment boards
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Important Trends in Alternative Energy
Breakdown Of Alternative Energy Use in the US
Recently, the U.S. Energy Information Administration released their most recent report regarding the consumption of alternative energy in the United States. While the nation’s complete dependence on fossil fuels is readily apparent in the report, there are signs of progress as well. Nationwide, renewable energy sources accounted for over 7% of the total energy consumption. Within that 7% the main type of renewable energy that was consumed was biomass, meaning the burning of fuels produced from renewable sources such as ethanol production and biodiesel accounting for 52% of the total renewable energy consumed. The biomass sector has seen substantial growth, more than doubling its market share in the period between 2004-2008. The second leading source of renewable energy consumed was hydroelectric power which accounted for 34%. Hydroelectric energy production has remained steady (with minor fluctuations due to water levels) at between 2.2 and 3.6 quadrillion Btu/yr for about 20 years. The leading states as far as hydroelectric power generation were Washington, Oregon, New York, California, Montana and Idaho, although there was some growth in Alabama, Arkansas and New York. Since plans for the construction of new dams is limited, it can be expected that these figures will continue basically unchanged.
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Posted in Green, Green Government, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Living, Wind Energy
Tagged alta wind energy center, american recovery and reinvestment act, california, clean energy, clean energy jobs, eco friendly, electricity, future of energy investment, renewable energy, solar, solar energy, solar panels, solar power, sustainability, types of renewable energy, wind energy, wind turbines
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Green Branding Watch: Boeing, Apple, P&G and more
Globally, there has been no clear-cut definition of what ‘sustainable packaging’ really means. Most of the policies are geared towards waste reduction and recycling but nothing has given emphasis on sustainability. But Sustainable Packaging Alliance (SPA) believes that packaging will only be “sustainable” if it meets the four sustainability principles (from sustainablepack.org):
Effective – provide social and economic benefits;
Efficient – provide benefits by using materials, energy and water as efficiently as possible;
Cyclic - be recoverable through industrial or natural systems; and
Safe – non-polluting and non-toxic.
Interest in sustainability packaging has been growing. According to a New Report from the Global Industry Analysts, Inc, the global sustainable packaging market is expected to reach US$142.42 billion by 2015. From the looks of it, such 2015 projections will be possible or may even exceed the above-mentioned US$142.42 billion. You might wonder if it really is possible, so here are some reasons why:
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Posted in Car, Green, Sustainable Living
Tagged air planes, air travel, apple, banning of plastic bags, boeing, bottled water, bottled water matters, cars, chevrolet, chew chew, clorox, coffee machines, detergents, dreft, environment, environmental responsibility, furniture, global industry analysts, green, green brands, green mobile apps, green mountain coffee roaster, greenpeace, greenpeace logo, hbo, heineken, ikea, international bottled water association, iphone 3g, levis, lexus, organic restaurant for pets, p&g, palm oil, planet green star adrian grenier, plastic bags, pt sinar mas agro resources & technology tbk, sandra bullock, Seventh Generation, sustainability, sustainable home appliances, sustainable packaging, sustainable packaging alliance, techcrunch, whole foods, whole tree inc
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Kids Returning to School in Eco Style
It’s back to school season once again. Parents are keen in preparing back-to-school must haves: books, uniform, school supplies, school service coordination and of course the “waking up early” routine. How about their meals, their packed lunch, and snacks? What do we consider when we prepare food for them?
In the light of the rising issues with childhood obesity, including First Lady Michelle Obama’s all-out campaign against obesity, most parents and school councils have coordinated plans and strategies on how to provide healthy and nutritious school meals. Even with busy schedules, parents nowadays have find ways to prepare lunch and snacks for their kids to make sure of the nutrients they are getting. We can say that of course parents are the foremost responsible for their child’s healthy eating attitude.
Kids are now are eating more nutritious meals and have embraced the “change in healthy-eating-habit” lifestyle. Next is, are we contributing to saving our planet? We should be. Eating healthy goes hand in hand with being eco-friendly.
Posted in Green, Sustainable Living, green education
Tagged green schools, kids, recycling, sustainable living
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Eco Consultants take on the Greening of the Oval Office
The drive to protect the environment is showing up everywhere – even at the White House. President Obama is not excusing himself from the discussion, either. Recently he oversaw a makeover of the White House’s Oval Office. This time the focus was on Eco-minded changes; looking for the green in that office and they have scrutinized every detail of the Oval.
According to official statements, the important thing was to be able to balance comfort and eco-friendliness. Obama’s Oval Office makeover both received raves and subtle criticisms. Many, if not all Presidents who have resided in the White House over the years have set their own signatures in the storied room. This time around, President Obama’s new office depicts comfort, coziness and calm, all of which are vital to Obama’s personality.
From the centerpiece down to the unpretentious recycled wheat colored rug, the president has chosen an all-American finish to the Oval office. The office is set up in very calm hues of mélange, tans and taupe. The colors according to interior designers exhibit a neutral and safe attitude. Workers completed the makeover during the time the First Family was out on vacation. A few hours before President Obama’s speech to Iraq, the new office design was made available to the public.
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Sustainable Landscaping Practices Should be Practiced by all Homeowners
Friendly, striking, and sustainable; these are qualities that homeowners should learn to strive for in their outdoor landscaping. They are not only great qualities that will heighten the marketability of the property, but proper landscaping can also increase the energy-efficiency level of the home. Furthermore, while some homeowners have the luxury of time to tend their garden some are just too busy for the task. Enter xeriscaping. It’s a fairly new concept that an aesthetically appealing garden can also contribute to sustainability, but with xeriscaping techniques it is possible.
But how do homeowners practice sustainable landscaping around their homes? How extensive does xeriscaping have to be, or at the very least what are some of the elements that comprise a sustainable outdoor landscape? An extreme example of a sustainable residential garden is called “Project Living Proof,” a model for a sustainable landscape design situated in the sprawling front of a 99-year-old house in the Rockhill neighborhood of Kansas City, owned by the Metropolitan Energy Center.
With rain gardens and rain barrels being an integral part of the design, the garden also includes native shrubs and flowers, raised beds for vegetables, a patio for backyard picnics, a low-maintenance lawn and permeable paving in the parking area. Likewise, the garden uses reused and recycled materials wherever possible. “Whatever stage you are in your greenness and seeking — whether you are thinking about it or are in the midst of it, you want to see what’s available to you. In this project, it’s almost all there,” says Jim van Eman, architect for Project Living Proof.
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Posted in Green, Sustainable Living
Tagged energy efficient homes, renewable energy, renewable energy projects, sustainability concepts, sustainable city, sustainable garden landscape, sustainable green living, sustainable housing, sustainable housing projects, sustainable landscape design, sustainable landscaping ideas, sustainable living, wind and renewable energy
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