Cheaper wind turbines.

A new technology that would create wind turbines that have no blades. They collect energy by the vibrations of wind as it blows through it. These new wind turbines would be a cheaper substitute for the wind turbines that are currently used to trap wind energy. However, this new technology remains in the experiential phase and it waits to be seen it can actually capture wind energy effectively.

For more Information:
http://www.businessinsider.com/new-wind-turbine-doesnt-have-blades-2015-5

Change in Ecological Footprint

My Ecological Footprint April:

My Ecological Footprint June:

 

There is a slight difference in my ecological footprint since I first took the test. However, I am not sure that the goals that I set were measured properly on this test. I did walk to school for the entire quarter and that reduced how much I used my car. My other goals of buying things second hand for the quarter and my reduction of recyclable cups of coffee. I feel that if the test went more in depth I would be able to see how my original goals actually worked out.

Composting In New York

I read an interesting article in the New York Times. In class we mentioned the option of having a composting area on campus and how to compost in general. The development for composting in a highly populated city like New York. Individual bins have been created for household use almost like a small garbage can that contains the smell of compost. These individual bins are then disposed of in large bins that are outside which are well protected from wildlife that would try snack on the left over food. According to  the article, "100,000 households in New York that are now required to put their organic garbage into designated bins".

For more information:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/22/nyregion/with-compost-program-keeping-waste-from-going-to-waste.html?ref=earth&_r=0

Rewards for Reducing your Carbon Footprint

The Sustain: Green card offers cash back at 2.7% for purchases made and reduces the carbon footprint for individuals. It is easy for the consumers to use the card and have the funds directly transferred to reduce the footprint.  In order for the card to work enough people have to sign-up and then ACR will advise Sustain: Green card to invest in projects. One project that Green card currently supports is deforestation in the amazon.

The card itself is biodegradable and will decompose people overlook how much waste from credit cards according to the article, “it’s about half a billion credit and debit cards every year.” The card can decompose in six months if cut up and soil bacteria will break it down. It still is a fairly new product

For More Information:
http://www.greenbiz.com/article/credit-card-offset-your-individual-carbon-guilt

Greenwashing (Biodegradable vs. Compostable)

We talked in class about all sorts of different green washing terms that are misleading consumers to believe that they are supporting the environment, but are actually just greenwashed to look like they are. we
Biodegradable products are products that eventually break down. It may take a long time but everything is essentially biodegradable. This is a term that is used when companies choose to "greenwash" their products to make them look more sustainable.

For example, this bag tells consumers that it is 100% biodegradable, but this term doesn't actually mean that this bag will degrade quicker than lets say a normal plastic bag. The look of the bag is greenwashed to look like it is better for the environment, but it could actually be just as bad as a normal plastic bag. It has a pretty picture of the environment and environmental friendly language, but this product is greenwashed to deceive the people that use it.

In contrast a compostable bag will compost in a certain timeframe.

 

For more information:

http://thegreenwashingblog.com/2014/03/17/biodegradable-vs-compostable-dont-greenwashed/

 

Written Assignment #7

EPEAT eco-label stands for Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool it globally rates electronics and there lifestyle cycle. These electronic products are then rated on a scale of Gold, Silver, or Bronze depending on which environmental criteria they complete from the list below.  

·         removal of harmful toxins

·         product design recyclability

·         use of recycled materials

·         length of time that a product lasts

·         energy efficiency

·         packaging attributes

·         performance

I think that there logo is similar to worldwide eco-friendly label. The check-mark for example is in the environmental choice label. However, from the consumer’s perspective it is difficult to discern what the acromion EPEAT stands for. I wouldn’t say that the label is misleading consumers, but it is unclear what the label actually stands for. I would redesign the label to include a Black T.V. Television is the ancestor of technology today and it would be an easy addition to the label that gives it a little bit of context to the consumer. The green check mark and the e starting the acronym give the consumer a helpful hint that it has something to do with sustainability. I think that the T.V. will give consumers the idea that the environmental impact is being reduced through electronics. The Otterman text mentioned that creating labels is an expensive process so instead of completely redoing the label I would suggest updating it to make the label clearer to the consumer.

 

“Electronic lifestyle impacts on earth”                        

 The USSP that I created puts electronics as the consumer. The point of difference of EPEAT is that there electronic lifestyle is accounted for via a check mark ranking system. “Electronic lifestyle impacts on earth”, emphasizes that an electronic impacts the environment by the life cycle of materials that are used in its product design.  The environmental movement focuses in on an individual lifestyle’s impact on the environment. Consumers are able to clearly identify if the EPEAT product gives benefits towards their personal values and lifestyle.

Water Problems?

California has been in a drought for the last four years. To provide water for the densely populated areas of Orange County and other locations in southern California that are in need of water and there supply is running out. California has started to turn to purifying water from their population sewage. Many people are not thrilled about this option, but this new filter will save California money that would be used to import water from other countries.

I am personally skeptical with the knowledge that the water in California is safe to drink. However, according to, "David Sedlak, a UC Berkeley professor of civil and environmental engineering" it is even cleaner with less salt  than water that are from these areas. If you have ever tasted water from southern California it is really not to difficult to make water taste better than the tap water there. Especially, if you are from the Pacific Northwest area there water is horrible. This article interested me because it is a prime example of how sustainability practices can be a part of a solution to a natural problem.

 

For more Information:

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/04/09/can-turning-recycled-sewage-water-into-drinking-water-help-california-with-the-drought-climate-change/