The biggest cause of global warming is the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels -- such as oil and coal -- are burned for energy. So when you save energy, you fight global warming and save money, too.
Here are some easy steps that you can take to help make a difference:
LIMIT GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION
Raise your voice. Congress needs to enact new laws that cap carbon emissions and require polluters pay for the global warming gases that they produce. Send a message to your elected officials, letting them know that you will hold them accountable for what they do -- or fail to do -- about global warming. Take action here.
GREEN JOBS AND CLEAN ENERGY
Choose renewable energy. Pick a Green-e-certified energy supplier that generates at least half of its power from wind, solar energy and other clean sources. If you don't have that option, look at your current electricity bill to see if you are able to support renewable energy in another way. For details, see NRDC's guide to buying clean energy.
Offset your carbon footprint. You can make up for your remaining carbon output by purchasing carbon offsets. Offsets represent clean power that you can add to the nation's energy grid in place of power from fossil fuels. Not all offset companies are alike. See our guide to carbon offsets for tips on how to choose an offset supplier
DRIVE SMARTER CARS
Choose an efficient vehicle: High-mileage cars such as hybrids and plug-in hybrids use less gas and save money. Over its lifetime, a 40-mpg car will save roughly $3,000 in fuel costs compared with a 20-mpg car. Compare fuel economy performance before you buy.
Drive smart. If all Americans kept their tires properly inflated, gasoline use nationwide would come down 2 percent. A tune-up could boost your miles per gallon anywhere from 4 to 40 percent, and a new air filter could get you 10 percent more miles per gallon. Learn more about saving fuel and money through proper car maintenance at Simple Steps.
GREEN HOMES AND BUILDINGS
Weatherize your home or apartment. Heating and cooling consume about 40 percent of energy in the home. Sealing drafts and making sure that your home has adequate insulation are two easy ways to become more energy-efficient. Visit Simple Steps for more tips and to learn how to take advantage of federal tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements.
Buy energy-efficient appliances. Look for the Energy Star label, which identifies the most efficient appliances. At Simple Steps, you can learn more about investing in energy-efficient products and find out which appliances and rooms in the home use the most electricity.
Replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. What's more, CFLs lower your energy bills and keep a half-ton of carbon dioxide out of the air. For more on the benefits of switching to CFLs, visit Simple Steps. Also learn about LEDs as another energy-efficient lighting alternative.
BETTER COMMUNITIES AND TRANSPORTATION
Drive less. Choose alternatives to driving such as public transit, biking, walking and carpooling, and bundle your errands to make fewer trips. Choosing to live in a walkable "smart growth" community near a transportation hub will mean less time driving, less money spent on gas and less pollution in the air. Learn more about smart growth communities
Friday, July 3, 2009
Living with nature
Not too long ago, mankind lived a simple life in harmony with nature. Modern lifestyles and the population explosion snatched that peace from us and left us trying to increase production. We invented new ways and came upon chemical agriculture.
No doubt by using agricultural chemicals such as fertilizer, pesticides and so on, we solved our short term goal, but left a dangerous legacy for future generations. The soil became poisoned and the plants that grew in it were weak, low yielding and prone to disease. Marginal farmers despairing at successive crop failure, committed suicide by consuming the once "magical" pesticides.
We decided to do whatever we could, in a very small way to help restore the balance.
Accordingly in 1992 we finally opted out of the corporate world for a long planned involvement with sustainable rural development at the very edge of the Thar Desert.
We now live in Alwar District on our 40-acre farm in eastern Rajasthan, 90 kilometers from Delhi where we demonstrate to farmers ways to maximize their yields by growing various combinations of fruit trees, crops and vegetables, organically. Fuel and fodder trees are planted as wind breaks.
When we bought the farm in 1984 it was degraded sandy land, completely denuded with just a single Pipal tree. Today there are over 65,000 trees.
Our philosophy of living with nature extends to the home we are building which is based on natural forms and materials, and is built without any steel or cement.
No doubt by using agricultural chemicals such as fertilizer, pesticides and so on, we solved our short term goal, but left a dangerous legacy for future generations. The soil became poisoned and the plants that grew in it were weak, low yielding and prone to disease. Marginal farmers despairing at successive crop failure, committed suicide by consuming the once "magical" pesticides.
We decided to do whatever we could, in a very small way to help restore the balance.
Accordingly in 1992 we finally opted out of the corporate world for a long planned involvement with sustainable rural development at the very edge of the Thar Desert.
We now live in Alwar District on our 40-acre farm in eastern Rajasthan, 90 kilometers from Delhi where we demonstrate to farmers ways to maximize their yields by growing various combinations of fruit trees, crops and vegetables, organically. Fuel and fodder trees are planted as wind breaks.
When we bought the farm in 1984 it was degraded sandy land, completely denuded with just a single Pipal tree. Today there are over 65,000 trees.
Our philosophy of living with nature extends to the home we are building which is based on natural forms and materials, and is built without any steel or cement.
Organic Farming
ISKCON's Founder Acharya A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, explains that when economy is based on land and cow, poverty can be eradicated. This was the sure system of Vedic times, under which human society flourished. In such a society spiritual and material growth is guaranteed. In the present times, agriculture has also become a product of factory. In order to produce the largest quantity of food in the shortest time with the least space, the use of chemicals ruthlessly began. For decades the economic returns of this exploit blinded the agricultural world from seeing the reality of the toll it was taking. Gradually the land lost its fertility. The food produced lost its nutritional value.
ISKCON Bangalore has set up a Model Organic and Self Sustainable Farm at Mahadevapura village, Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya District. This project is based on self-sustainability, organic farming, social welfare and spiritual training. It is aimed at increasing the standard of human life, from poverty and violence, to abundance and higher peace
Why Organic Farming? Organic agriculture is a safe, sustainable farming system, producing healthy crops without damage to the environment. It avoids the use of artificial chemical fertilizers and pesticides on the land, relying instead on developing a healthy,fertile soil and growing a mixture of crops. In this way, the farm remains biologically balanced, with a wide variety of beneficial insects and other wildlife to act as natural predators for crop pests and a soil full of micro-organisms and earthworms to maintain its vitality. The avoidance of artificial chemicals means organic farmers minimize health and pollution problems. Pesticide particles travel on the wind for many miles.
Why buy organic food products? The best reason for buying organic food is simply that it tastes extremely good, but undoubtedly there are sound health reasons for doing so too. It has been shown in some studies to have more vitamins and trace elements than conventionally grown food and, of course, it will not have been treated with noxious chemicals. There is a vast array of pesticides used in conventional agriculture, many of which are extremely toxic to humans, causing cancers as well as other illnesses.
ISKCON's Organic Outlet "Dharani" To reach the benefits of organic farming to the people and to create awareness about organic farming ISKCON Bangalore has opened an outlet called "dharani" at the ISKCON Temple Complex. Not only are the products from the ISKCON's Organic Farm sold in dharani but also ISKCON trained organic farmers will have an outlet for their farm products - thus promoting the sale of vegetables, fruits, grains and spices free from chemicals and pesticides.
ISKCON Bangalore has set up a Model Organic and Self Sustainable Farm at Mahadevapura village, Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya District. This project is based on self-sustainability, organic farming, social welfare and spiritual training. It is aimed at increasing the standard of human life, from poverty and violence, to abundance and higher peace
Why Organic Farming? Organic agriculture is a safe, sustainable farming system, producing healthy crops without damage to the environment. It avoids the use of artificial chemical fertilizers and pesticides on the land, relying instead on developing a healthy,fertile soil and growing a mixture of crops. In this way, the farm remains biologically balanced, with a wide variety of beneficial insects and other wildlife to act as natural predators for crop pests and a soil full of micro-organisms and earthworms to maintain its vitality. The avoidance of artificial chemicals means organic farmers minimize health and pollution problems. Pesticide particles travel on the wind for many miles.
Why buy organic food products? The best reason for buying organic food is simply that it tastes extremely good, but undoubtedly there are sound health reasons for doing so too. It has been shown in some studies to have more vitamins and trace elements than conventionally grown food and, of course, it will not have been treated with noxious chemicals. There is a vast array of pesticides used in conventional agriculture, many of which are extremely toxic to humans, causing cancers as well as other illnesses.
ISKCON's Organic Outlet "Dharani" To reach the benefits of organic farming to the people and to create awareness about organic farming ISKCON Bangalore has opened an outlet called "dharani" at the ISKCON Temple Complex. Not only are the products from the ISKCON's Organic Farm sold in dharani but also ISKCON trained organic farmers will have an outlet for their farm products - thus promoting the sale of vegetables, fruits, grains and spices free from chemicals and pesticides.
Organic farming association of india
The Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) is the country's only organization of grassroots organic farmers. Since Indian agriculture continues to remain a source of livelihood for mostly small farmers and peasants, OFAI membership reflects this ground reality as well.
OFAI is also committed to active involvement of women farmers in the decision-making structures of the association. Such involvement is mandatory and reflected in the organisation's bye-laws.
The association - which is registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act - was formed three years ago. Its memorandum of association was written and approved after a wide consultation with organic farmers.
The primary objective of the association is to promote organic farming within the country and to take all such means that are available to achieve this purpose. OFAI's labeling scheme is meant to provide an assurance of guarantee of organically grown produce exclusively for domestic consumers. The organisation has rejected, at the outset, any preoccupation with organic farming for export purposes.
Unlike other organic farm certification systems, OFAI farm certification is done through the agency of trained organic farmers themselves. OFAI does not accept farm inspectors who do not themselves practice organic agriculture.
As OFAI farming is based on natural principles, it is firmly opposed to the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in agriculture and will actively campaign against such agriculture.
The ultimate objective of the association is to produce poison-free food for Indian consumers and to achieve this by maintaining the living fertility of Indian soils
OFAI is also committed to active involvement of women farmers in the decision-making structures of the association. Such involvement is mandatory and reflected in the organisation's bye-laws.
The association - which is registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act - was formed three years ago. Its memorandum of association was written and approved after a wide consultation with organic farmers.
The primary objective of the association is to promote organic farming within the country and to take all such means that are available to achieve this purpose. OFAI's labeling scheme is meant to provide an assurance of guarantee of organically grown produce exclusively for domestic consumers. The organisation has rejected, at the outset, any preoccupation with organic farming for export purposes.
Unlike other organic farm certification systems, OFAI farm certification is done through the agency of trained organic farmers themselves. OFAI does not accept farm inspectors who do not themselves practice organic agriculture.
As OFAI farming is based on natural principles, it is firmly opposed to the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in agriculture and will actively campaign against such agriculture.
The ultimate objective of the association is to produce poison-free food for Indian consumers and to achieve this by maintaining the living fertility of Indian soils
GREEN EARTH!
Kiss of the sun for pardon. Song of the birds for mirth. You're closer to God's heart in a garden than any place else on earth." -- Dorothy Frances Gurney
A beautiful garden soothes the eye, heals the soul and is the shortest way to connect humans to the wonders to nature – to our selves. Seeing a tree in full bloom, feeling the touch of grass under your feet, smelling the fragrance of a rose…nature’s bounty is but a thought away. Now we can bring it all into our homes, workplaces, into every bit of our world with just a thought. Green Earth – The Garden Centre brings your dream gardens into your homes and offices and changes your life forever!
A beautiful garden soothes the eye, heals the soul and is the shortest way to connect humans to the wonders to nature – to our selves. Seeing a tree in full bloom, feeling the touch of grass under your feet, smelling the fragrance of a rose…nature’s bounty is but a thought away. Now we can bring it all into our homes, workplaces, into every bit of our world with just a thought. Green Earth – The Garden Centre brings your dream gardens into your homes and offices and changes your life forever!
Earth Day! Do your part and Go Green
Today is Earth Day. Here is a guide to help make your Earth Day the greenest it can be.
Use reusable lunch bags and containers.
Use refillable water bottles.
Take canvas bag to the go shopping instead of using plastic bags.
Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL).
Turn off lights and unplug appliances when not in use.
Recycle paper, plastic, and glass and buy goods made from recycled materials
As an Earth Day activity, eat vegetarian for a day; if you're a vegetarian, try eating vegan.
By the way, Veggie Teens was selected as one of the Best Cookbooks For Earth Day!
Do your part and GO GREEN.
Use reusable lunch bags and containers.
Use refillable water bottles.
Take canvas bag to the go shopping instead of using plastic bags.
Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL).
Turn off lights and unplug appliances when not in use.
Recycle paper, plastic, and glass and buy goods made from recycled materials
As an Earth Day activity, eat vegetarian for a day; if you're a vegetarian, try eating vegan.
By the way, Veggie Teens was selected as one of the Best Cookbooks For Earth Day!
Do your part and GO GREEN.
Why Become a Vegetarian
There are many reasons to become a vegetarian; my reason is that I love and care for animals. All of my vegetarian teenager friends became vegetarians for different reasons.
Here are just some of the reasons some of my friends are becoming vegetarians:
They love animals
They're concerned about the environment
They feel it's healthier
Religious reasons
Because it's cool
I don't think becoming a vegetarian just because it's cool is a good idea, but as long as it saves animals, it's ok with me!
Here are just some of the reasons some of my friends are becoming vegetarians:
They love animals
They're concerned about the environment
They feel it's healthier
Religious reasons
Because it's cool
I don't think becoming a vegetarian just because it's cool is a good idea, but as long as it saves animals, it's ok with me!
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