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Friday, August 7, 2009
Green alone won’t ‘recession-proof’ eco-friendly products
While more people are cutting back during the recession, green sales still remain strong with companies that have positioned themselves well in branding and marketing. It’s a topic that the much anticipated April 20th PSFK “Creativity for Change, Ideas to Make Things Better” conference in New York City will be speaking about as part of their sustainable and socially conscience agenda.
Recently, GreezBiz.com reported on a survey that revealed, “68 percent of consumers say that even in a recession they would remain faithful to a brand if it supports a good cause; nearly seven in 10 would be prepared to pay more for eco-friendly products.” Buyers plan to remain loyal to products that they perceive to have strong social value.
While that’s great news for green businesses, being green alone isn’t going to make enviro-friendly products recession-proof.
Effective communication is vital to success. That includes visual branding and talking to your audiences regularly. Any organization from small non-profits to multinational corporations that has invested in branding understands its value and the lasting benefits.
GraphixStation
John Williams, from GraphixStation design firm, says, “Branding is one of the most important aspects of any business. The foundation of your brand is your logo. Your website, packaging and promotional materials — all of which should integrate your logo — communicate your brand.”
Companies can also learn from non-profits that have invested in branding and communication strategies to establish a strong identity for their target audiences.
Substance151
Substance151 is a design firm that was tasked with developing a brand image for the Green Building Institute (GBI) that reflected the organization’s vision of the world where natural and built environments co-exist.
The GBI’s Acting Executive Dictor, Michelle Bishop, wanted to, “Tailor the brand message to the goals of The Green Building Institute and the needs of our numerous audiences.”
The organization wanted to develop online and offline materials with the brand to communicate with their audiences. Any printed materials were done on 100% PCW and FSC-certified paper and soy-based inks.
Even before the brand can be developed, it’s important to do some self-reflection, including having a well-defined mission and a clear idea of how your organization wants to be perceived. GBI was working to advance environmentally sustainable building practices through education and example.
Having a great brand with an effective design is much more than making materials look pretty; it communicates your identity, values, products, services, and your messages. Over time, people can develop a strong relationship and loyalty with your brand.
McMillan | Doolittle
While this process takes time, organizations that begin the process early on have reaped the rewards. In the GreenBiz.com report, Neil Stern of Chicago-based retail consulting firm McMillan|Doolittle said retailers who got involved in green branding early on, such as Home Depot, Target and Office Depot, are doing a better job of balancing the environmental message with quality and price.
Home Depot is one of several companies that has been able to keep green sales strong from the relationship they have developed with their customers through their brand. Even while overall sales were down, their Eco Options label of energy-efficient products are outperformed conventional merchandise sales across the board.
Having the right messaging and regular communication with your audiences works in conjunction with your brand. Home Depot’s advertising message is that products are great for the environment with a new lower price. Jarvis said, “Consumers are looking for green products that they can afford. Focusing on opening price points in our advertising shows them that they don’t have to spend any more than they would on conventional products to buy green.”
Brand design and effective communication with your audiences are essential in building loyalty to your company. Creating a strong foundation from the beginning increases your chances of a solid long-lasting relationship during good times and bad times.
How to Use Solar Energy in a Natural Garden
The natural garden (also called ecological garden) is the result of a particular style of gardening based on the use of native flora, the recovery of natural vegetation, and compliance, where possible, to all components of the ecosystem well done.
The natural garden consists mainly of 3 types of vegetation: the forest, the hedge, the grass and a Solar Fountain
The natural garden is related to the garden low maintenance, which it shares with the efficient exploitation of natural dynamics, thus diminishing the cultural action, if it differs for the use of native flora and to improve compliance with forms of animal life .
The idea of the natural garden is based on the one hand the growing feeling that the natural environment is now a rare and seriously threatened, the other on a deeper awareness of the most negative of human actions - any action, including those which are the “cure” of the garden - on balances of great complexity, only partially known.
What is not natural in the garden
Garden in general
- The conversion of any natural garden area is analyzed and compliance with the existing vegetation as possible
- Do not remove the existing artefacts, whether covered by vegetation or useful as ecological niche of small animals
- Do not use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides of any kind
- Do not run any fight against the “parasites”, seen as important elements of natural food chains
- Do not place beds
- It is not intended to massive poaching (but there are routes to natural or semi-paved)
The Hedge
- Do not rake up the leaves and you do not remove dead branches fallen (create humus)
- There is no crop or the trees or bushes
- There is no sickles herbaceous vegetation
- Do not remove the trees are dying except when real danger
- It is not sticky fires under trees
- Do not you do any pruning
- Do not create a hedge with a single species, but several alternate species and evergreen evergreen
- When chipping, do not remove the cut branches, but in part it leaves a protective strains, in part, are crowded into a corner, because it slowly turns into humus, and in the meantime is a shelter for many small animals .
The Grass
- Do not compost the lawn with the greatest biodiversity requires a soil poor in nutrients
- Do not water the lawn with the greatest biodiversity requires alternating periods of wet and dry
- Do not seed a lawn of grass alone: it encourages the establishment of as many species of flowering
- Do not cut the grass frequently, and not using lawnmowers to cut the crushed on the ground (the grass should be cut removed as completely as possible to reduce the fertility of the soil)
- Do not implant trees around the place of the trees is the fores
Amazon Freshwater Dolphins: Brutally Attacked and Killed by Fishermen
Researchers conducting a survey on the mortality rate for Amazon dolphins and manatees, recovered 18 dead Amazon dolphins in two areas of the Amazon River Basin in Brazil.
The researchers, from the Mamiraua Institute for Sustainable Development, found three of the dolphins had been stabbed, probably with machetes and harpoons, and left to die. The dead dolphins included six boto species, Inia geoffrensis, also known as Amazon river or pink river dolphins, and 12 tucuxi species, Sotalia fluviatilis. Several of the dolphins were “unmolested.” Their parts were not harvested, suggesting the dolphins were intentionally killed.
Threats to Amazon Freshwater Dolphins
Various practices and beliefs are threatening the Amazon freshwater dolphins. Some are killed for their organs, specifically their eyes and genitals, which are sometimes sold as charms. Their meat and blubber is also used for bait. Whales, dolphins and sea lions are often seen as competitors stealing fish from fishermen and damaging fishing gear.
Local legends, superstition and powerful cultural beliefs may also be playing a part in the killings. The boto is both feared and respected in the Amazon. Some people believe dolphins turn into handsome men who come ashore to seduce young women. And in order to prevent unwanted teenage pregnancies, dolphins are killed.
The researchers suggest that awareness and educational programs, especially for children, is paramount in reducing the attacks and killings of the freshwater dolphin.
The study, Conflicts with fisheries and intentional killing of freshwater dolphins in the Western Brazilian Amazon, was published in the journal of Biodiversity and Conservation.
Solar Blimp to Fly from NYC to Paris, Rests on Land or Water
The first blimp prototype will be propelled in two nontraditional ways. The outside of the ship will be covered with Cadmium-Indium-Germanium (CIG) photovoltaic cells, picked for their their light weight. The cells should generate enough power to move the blimp at around 40 mph in average conditions, or at around 70 horsepower. Meanwhile, a diesel drivetrain will generate the rest of the power, and ideally the designers will look to an adapted hybrid electric model for that. And because blimps fly at low altitudes, they don’t have to deal with problems that plague diesel engines at elevations over 30,000 ft.
The only thing currently keeping this visionary project from flying is funding. But Turtle Airships hopes that will change after the completion of a genuine prototype that will demonstrate the project’s viability to funders. “Our goal in flying this remote control model is to get some video of it onto the Web and hopefully attract some financing that will enable us to move on from there to a genuine, manned, demonstration model of a Turtle Airship,” said one spokesperson.
The folks at Turtle Airships don’t like calling their aircraft a ‘blimp’: “It is a rigid shelled, amphibious, solar powered, all weather, FAST aircraft that is lifted by helium, but it is not a blimp.”
Even so: it’s a blimp.
Though that doesn’t take anything away from the ingenuity of its design. Their idea is certainly not one short on vision. And who wouldn’t want to take a transatlantic ride on a flying luxury cruise ship powered by sunshine?
Nasty memories of the Hindenburg aside, it may not be long before passengers are flying comfortably from New York to Paris– and beyond– aboard Turtle Airships.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Solar Power - Home Made Energy Secrets
Did you know you can save money on electricity bills if you build your own solar power home system? Prices are heading one way, up and with the earth's natural resources becoming ever scarcer, energy prices are not going to come down any time soon.
With the right information and a small initial investment you could generate solar power at home. You could either build your own home solar panels or if you have a little bit more to spend, assemble a solar kit. With the right know-how you should be able to complete the project on a budget of $300 or less.
However, the first thing you need to check is whether or not there is enough sun for solar power. Home features such as a large roof or wall sidings help with mounting the solar panels, but the main thing you should check is to see if your house gets a generous amount of sun all day. There should not be any features like large trees or buildings obscuring sunlight during the day. If your roof doesn't get enough sun, you could mount them in your back yard.
A professionally installed system for solar power at home can cost upwards of $20,000. This is unfeasible because even if you saved $1000 a year on energy bills, it would take you 20 years before you recouped the cost of your initial investment! There is another way, your own solar power at home can be generated on an investment of $300 or less, if you build your own units.
If you choose to buy a solar kit, then be aware that the price can be very different depending on who you go to. Some suppliers sell the same solar kit, but at prices that are wildly different, so shop around for the best deals. You should aim to spend between $300 and $500. Buying equipment that is too cheap will give you a solar panel that is just that, cheap and will require a lot of maintenance and upkeep. What matters most is recouping your investment so reliable home solar panels are important. You will not save if the panel breaks down a lot but neither do you want to spend so much money it takes years to recoup the cost.
What is important is getting the right information, so make sure you fully understand the blueprint or ebook you purchase on building home solar panels. The components should be easily available from local hardware stores and there may be one or two specialized components you may have to mail order, but these should not be expensive, nor should the solar cell be difficult to assemble. If your home solar panel guide comes with videos, all the better, it is far quicker to learn from a video when someone is showing you what to do.
Home solar panels generate useful and clean energy for as long as the solar panel lasts, a good few years. If you're looking to save money, a reduction of 80% on your electricity bill is possible, and you might even make some money if you generate more power than you need. You can sell this back to the power grid.
There really isn't a better time to generate your own solar power at home. Components are cheap, and there's a lot of very useful know-how out there to help you assemble and install your own solar cells for free and clean energy.
With the right information and a small initial investment you could generate solar power at home. You could either build your own home solar panels or if you have a little bit more to spend, assemble a solar kit. With the right know-how you should be able to complete the project on a budget of $300 or less.
However, the first thing you need to check is whether or not there is enough sun for solar power. Home features such as a large roof or wall sidings help with mounting the solar panels, but the main thing you should check is to see if your house gets a generous amount of sun all day. There should not be any features like large trees or buildings obscuring sunlight during the day. If your roof doesn't get enough sun, you could mount them in your back yard.
A professionally installed system for solar power at home can cost upwards of $20,000. This is unfeasible because even if you saved $1000 a year on energy bills, it would take you 20 years before you recouped the cost of your initial investment! There is another way, your own solar power at home can be generated on an investment of $300 or less, if you build your own units.
If you choose to buy a solar kit, then be aware that the price can be very different depending on who you go to. Some suppliers sell the same solar kit, but at prices that are wildly different, so shop around for the best deals. You should aim to spend between $300 and $500. Buying equipment that is too cheap will give you a solar panel that is just that, cheap and will require a lot of maintenance and upkeep. What matters most is recouping your investment so reliable home solar panels are important. You will not save if the panel breaks down a lot but neither do you want to spend so much money it takes years to recoup the cost.
What is important is getting the right information, so make sure you fully understand the blueprint or ebook you purchase on building home solar panels. The components should be easily available from local hardware stores and there may be one or two specialized components you may have to mail order, but these should not be expensive, nor should the solar cell be difficult to assemble. If your home solar panel guide comes with videos, all the better, it is far quicker to learn from a video when someone is showing you what to do.
Home solar panels generate useful and clean energy for as long as the solar panel lasts, a good few years. If you're looking to save money, a reduction of 80% on your electricity bill is possible, and you might even make some money if you generate more power than you need. You can sell this back to the power grid.
There really isn't a better time to generate your own solar power at home. Components are cheap, and there's a lot of very useful know-how out there to help you assemble and install your own solar cells for free and clean energy.
DIY Solar Roof Panels Save You Money
Electricity bills keep going up, and electricity is something that all of us wish we could save more of, to give us a bit more cash. However, there's only so much you can cut back on before you start causing your families inconvenience and discomfort. You can supplement the energy you use by installing solar roof panels, so you could both save money and keep your standard of living at the same time.
Retail home solar panels used to cost in the region of $20,000, an investment that even the most environmentally-conscious of homeowners would have considered unfeasibly expensive. Solar technology has developed over the recent years, and DIY solar roof panels are now practical for the home. You can build efficient solar panels that produce enough energy to make good savings. You'll be saving money and tapping the sun, the most abundant source of free energy that we mankind has available right now.
There are many guides to building solar roof panels these days, and it is the existence of this information that is responsible for empowering the homeowner to build, install and use his or her own solar roof panels. The components for them can be found in hardware stores so ordinary people can now start generating energy for themselves.
In principle, all you have to do is draw up a list of required materials and simply follow the step-by-step assembly process to put it all together. It's a great family project as you can get the children involved, and is tremendously satisfying when you see the power it generates actually being used to power your home appliances. Whilst you should not need any engineering expertise to complete the project, you will be on a learning curve so planning it out in advance is both wise and will save you the trouble of the odd mistake.
My advice would be to plan the project out, make a list of all your components and makes sure that you understand how they all combine to produce your solar roof panel. Then shop around for those components on either eBay or your local hardware store. You should be able to get all your components for less than $300. Once you've got the solar panel installed and it is generating power, all you need to do is save about $30 a month for it to pay you back your entire investment in less than a year.
What is amazing is that the guides available for home solar roof panels allow you to build ones that are almost as effective and efficient as commercially available panels at a price that is almost insignificant when compared to the amount you will save over the months and years following its installation. With your first solar panel you will be able to power one or two appliances such as your kettle or your mobile phone chargers. By building more and more solar panels, you will eventually be able to power larger appliances at home, and might even be able to supplement your home's entire energy usage and sell electricity back to the grid.
The best part of installing your own home solar roof panels is the fact that you'll be saving money and also saving the environment by reducing the CO2 that is being released into the atmosphere.
Retail home solar panels used to cost in the region of $20,000, an investment that even the most environmentally-conscious of homeowners would have considered unfeasibly expensive. Solar technology has developed over the recent years, and DIY solar roof panels are now practical for the home. You can build efficient solar panels that produce enough energy to make good savings. You'll be saving money and tapping the sun, the most abundant source of free energy that we mankind has available right now.
There are many guides to building solar roof panels these days, and it is the existence of this information that is responsible for empowering the homeowner to build, install and use his or her own solar roof panels. The components for them can be found in hardware stores so ordinary people can now start generating energy for themselves.
In principle, all you have to do is draw up a list of required materials and simply follow the step-by-step assembly process to put it all together. It's a great family project as you can get the children involved, and is tremendously satisfying when you see the power it generates actually being used to power your home appliances. Whilst you should not need any engineering expertise to complete the project, you will be on a learning curve so planning it out in advance is both wise and will save you the trouble of the odd mistake.
My advice would be to plan the project out, make a list of all your components and makes sure that you understand how they all combine to produce your solar roof panel. Then shop around for those components on either eBay or your local hardware store. You should be able to get all your components for less than $300. Once you've got the solar panel installed and it is generating power, all you need to do is save about $30 a month for it to pay you back your entire investment in less than a year.
What is amazing is that the guides available for home solar roof panels allow you to build ones that are almost as effective and efficient as commercially available panels at a price that is almost insignificant when compared to the amount you will save over the months and years following its installation. With your first solar panel you will be able to power one or two appliances such as your kettle or your mobile phone chargers. By building more and more solar panels, you will eventually be able to power larger appliances at home, and might even be able to supplement your home's entire energy usage and sell electricity back to the grid.
The best part of installing your own home solar roof panels is the fact that you'll be saving money and also saving the environment by reducing the CO2 that is being released into the atmosphere.
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