This is a city that is always on the cutting-edge of a good and, often, trendy cause. The citizens of this beautiful city are determined to make it a haven for green businesses, and as such, a natural draw for green citizens. If you are employed in a field that is moving towards sustainable energy, pollution control and exploration of new forms of energy and technology, you will find job opportunities here for your specialized skills in the Bay area. Housing here is going green, too.

More and more San Francisco apartments, condominiums and single-family homes are meeting or surpassing EPA guidelines for environmental safety. This means they are good for you, good for the city, and very good for the planet. Shopping in San Francisco is greener, too. There are plenty of markets, retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues that have already jumped on the earth-friendly bandwagon. So, if you are looking to relocate to a city that offers you the best in green living, along with a great view of the bay and a few other amazing attractions that are sure to win you over, why not consider a move to San Francisco. So, why not come out for a visit? Discover for yourself why so many people fall in love with this town. Even if you leave, you won’t stay away for long. You’ll be just one more that leaves your heart, even if it is a green heart, in San Francisco.

Post from: Green Eco Living Today

Move To San Francisco And Live Greener

As you probably know, almost every industry today is taking the initiative to make eco-friendly steps when it comes to their operations. One such industry is the printing business which makes use of large amounts of paper. As you know, paper is derived from trees. This doesn’t mean that printing companies need to stop using paper altogether or that you need to forget about sending any more greeting cards.

Some printing companies are now using recycled paper for their greeting cards. This type of paper looks just as glossy as ordinary card paper but uses much less wood pulp. This means that fewer trees are needed to produce this type of paper. Printing companies who believe in green printing also try to print cards in bulk. Printing cards in large volumes means conserving less energy since the press is only set up once. One-time printing also lessens the amount of extra paper by the end of the printing.

More and more greeting card printing companies have also switched to soy ink. Soy ink actually produces more vibrant colors in greeting cards. However, this type of ink emits no harmful chemicals during the drying process. This is extremely beneficial given the fact that ordinary ink produces toxins when it evaporates.

Doing your share for Mother Nature does not end with having your greeting cards printed by a green printing company. It’s also your responsibility to recycle your old greeting cards. A lot of cities today have recycling facilities, so all you have to do is bring your items that you want to be recycled.

Post from: Green Eco Living Today

Green Printing for Easter Greeting Cards

Post from: Green Eco Living Today

Going Green To Keep The Air Clean

 One great idea that’s bound to be hit is planting your seed where everyone can enjoy them.  Check around and you’re bound to find a highway median on a nearby four-lane that has already been “adopted” by a group for litter control. Join forces with them. While they control litter, you can plant wildflowers. Working together, you can clean and beautify that space at the same time. What a great way to tell the earth that you care! So, set aside some time and give the idea some thought. Then, on April 22nd, get out there and show the world that you’re proud to be part of the global Earth Day Celebration!

Post from: Green Eco Living Today

Go Wild On April 22nd – Celebrate The Earth!

While some jewelers go on record as stating they only use “eco-friendly” jewels in their pieces, among them Brilliant Earth, who offers a guarantee on their diamonds, is well known. Others take a different view. Jewelry by designer, Judith Ripka, is meant to be timeless. According to Ms. Ripka, her designs should be as fashionable twenty years from now as they are today. This would mean each piece is meant to last, not be replaced two years from now when the style goes out of favor. Diamonds can be used and re-used. In fact, gold and diamonds may be among the most frequently recycled materials on the planet. Ripka’s dedication to timeless, organic styling means her pieces last longer.

Still, no authentic diamond is taken from the earth without some eco-consequences. Hopefully, the world has been awakened enough to the plight of diamond miners and the wretched mines, that those who wholesale the gems are taking legitimate steps to ascertain that, one day soon, all diamonds will be both guilt-free and earth friendly.

Post from: Green Eco Living Today

Diamonds-A Planet’s Best Friend?

People who are off the grid produce all their own electric power in some way – whether that’s wind, water power, or solar power, some combination of those, or some other method.  However, it’s pretty difficult for an individual to produce a quantity of power equivalent to the average American’s consumption.  We use a lot of power in our daily lives.  Something that everyone who wants to go off the grid will need to do is learn to reduce their personal power use to a level that can be sustained through home generation.  Your quality of life can be just as good off the grid as it was on it, but there will be differences.  It may mean switching to more efficient appliances, or it could require major lifestyle changes.  One thing’s for certain – you can’t use the approximately ten thousand kilowatt-hours per year that the average American goes through if you want to live off grid.

There are many ways to get off the grid – not every option works for every person.  You’ll have to take your personal situation, your location, local laws, and your lifestyle into account.  Even if going all the way off the grid isn’t effective for you, conservation is still important and possible.  Also, not being fully independent doesn’t mean you can’t generate some of your own power.  A growing number of people use alternative power, but dispense with battery systems in favor of a grid tie in situation instead.  Once again, local laws and the cooperation of your utility will affect whether or not you can do this.
Questions To Ask Yourself

There are nearly two hundred thousand people in the United States currently who are living without an electric bill.  This number is growing rapidly, but before you join them, you should ask yourself a few questions.  First, decide if you really want to do it – we all want to stop getting a power bill, but not all of us want this enough to radically change our lives.  To be completely off grid, you’ll have to pay attention to power consumption, use your appliances differently, and maintain your own equipment.  You’ll also have to be willing to invest money up front in order to stop paying money later – the initial cost of batteries, windmills, solar panels and other equipment could be quite high.  However, that cost will eventually be balanced out by the fact that you’ll never pay another power bill.

There are lots of reasons to stop being plugged in to public utilities.  Some people live in places that are too far away or too inconveniently located to hook up to their local utility.  If you’ve found your perfect paradise, you might never receive public utilities because they can’t be installed there.  Others who choose to do without a utility bill do so because they prefer the independence.  When you’re providing all your own power, you’re that much closer to a fully self-sustainable lifestyle.  Environmental concerns are often high on the list of reasons to go off grid, too.  Most municipal power is provided from power plants that burn coal or oil – major contributors to pollution and producers of greenhouse gases.  For those who aren’t willing to support this kind of activity, independence is appealing.

If you’re interested in becoming independent yourself, take a look at your situation.  Apartment dwellers and people living in cities will have a hard time getting completely disconnected from the grid, though homeowners may be able to provide supplemental power with a small windmill or solar panel without moving to the country.  The best candidates for going off the grid are people who own their own homes and who live in rural areas.  However, the local geography can be a problem.  Don’t bank on solar power if you live in an extremely northern latitude, or rely on wind if you see lots of still days. 

Another important question to ask yourself is whether or not your family will be amenable to your choice.  People who live on their own, or couples who are in close agreement won’t run into too many arguments about going off the grid.  However, if you’ve got children, live as part of a larger household, or are in any other situation where others will be affected by becoming independent, you’re going to have to take their opinions into account.  After all, they’ll have to change their lifestyles as well, and they may not see eye to eye with you on environmental issues, independence, or other reasons.

Decide how much you can reduce your energy expenditures, and look at the potential your area has for generating power.  If you can, it’s best to ask this question after talking to others who produce their own energy.  Look at the equipment you can afford and what it can generate and store, then look at your lifestyle.  The biggest rule of living off the grid is that you have to produce more energy than you consume.  That means being smart and efficient about conserving power, unless you have a lot of money to spend.  A common rule is that a dollar worth of conservation can help you save three to five dollars on the cost of the equipment you’ll need.
State Tax Incentives and Rebates

Many states are becoming increasingly supportive of people who choose to buy clean energy equipment.  As power prices go up, more and more people add solar or wind systems to their homes, and that’s fueled by the fact that in twenty-nine states out of fifty, you can get a tax break or rebate for up to fifty percent of the cost of your system.  This also applies to people using the grid-tie-in system.  Seventeen different states, as well as some power companies, offer rebates on buying and installing wind or solar systems.  This is up in the past eight years – only three states permitted this in 2000. 

In the past six years, the number of states with “net metering” legislation, which allows grid tie in users to sell their surplus power to the electric company, has gone from twenty to forty.  All this means that it’s easier than ever to go partially or fully off the grid.  However, state laws are anything but consistent.  That means you’ll have to do a lot of research on your own to find out what your options are.  People live off grid in just about every state, but Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Maine and Vermont are particularly well known for their favorable policies.  By comparison, Alabama only offers tax incentives, and many other states have only net metering laws.
Solar and Wind

Solar power and wind are the most common methods of generating your own electricity.  In some places, one is better than the other – for instance, the sun-drenched Southwest is an ideal location for solar panels, and the Midwest is already known for its windmills.  However, in most locations, even those regions, these two technologies are paired up to produce more power and with greater efficiency.  That’s because much of the time, when the sun’s not shining, the wind is blowing.  These methods of generating power can switch off for one another, preventing “dead periods” where electricity supplies are low. 

To decide what will work best for your situation, talk to other people who are off the grid in your area, and look at your property.  The roof is a popular place for solar panel installation (and these devices are getting much cheaper).  However, if your home is located at the base of a hill, or is surrounded by tall trees, you may not get enough light.  Trees and landscape features can block windmills, too.  That means you’ll need a taller pole, to change the landscape, or to find a better place to locate your windmill.  Areas with a steady wind are more desirable than places where the wind is inconsistent – contrary to popular belief, a gale isn’t good for your windmill.  You can buy devices to test how much wind your property gets over the course of a period of time.

Solar panels are typically sold by wattage and size.  A more powerful panel will gather more sunlight, but it will also cost more.  Panels are available between 1 watt and 224 watts, commonly.  Residential solar panels for homes that are fully off grid or tied into the grid usually are 150 watts or more.  These can be mounted on your roof, in south facing windows, or as ground installations in wide open spaces.  Panels that are up high may be less likely to suffer damage, but they’ll also be harder to maintain.  With the advent of Nanosolar’s one dollar per watt cells, solar energy can be cheaper than grid power.

Wind turbines are excellent in many locations, especially if sunlight is intermittent.  However, you should be willing to buy a high quality turbine – trying to keep a cheap one working is an uphill battle.  You’ll have to pay more for a high quality machine, however – be prepared for the cost.  Buy a turbine with a warranty of five years or more if you can, and pay attention to the track record of the company and the model you’re thinking about buying.  The warranty that’s offered if an indication of how the manufacturer feels about their product quality.  Remember to talk to other people who’ve used your type of turbine about their experiences.  The Internet can be an invaluable resource here – there are plenty of forums where people are happy to tell you how they’ve gone off grid, and what problems they’ve had.
Off the Grid All the Way?

The equipment you’ll have to buy if you’re planning to become fully independent will be different from what you’ll need if you’re planning to tie into the grid.  That’s because you’ll use power at a different rate than you’ll generate it.  That means that you’ll need a way to store power when you’re not using it, if you’re completely off grid.  Those with a tie in will simply sell their surplus energy back to the utility company, sometimes literally running their meters backwards.  Those who want complete independence from the utility companies will know that they have power at any time of the day, but they’ll need a battery bank, inverter, controller, and other  equipment to do it.  These can be relatively costly, but it’s important to remember that in the end, they pay for themselves.

For those who can’t make the investment in a full renewable energy system right away, or who aren’t sure about total independence, a grid tie-in system can be a baby step in the direction of going totally off the grid.  This sort of system allows you to put your energy generation system into effect early, and to worry about batteries later.  You’ll still need more than just a few solar panels or a turbine, however.  The energy generated by most renewable energy sources requires conversion before it can be used as household current.  One advantage of a grid tie in, particularly for solar energy, is that you can start with fewer panels and add to the system as time goes on.  However, you’ll need to make sure that all your equipment is up to the load you’ll eventually be putting on it.

The disadvantage of a grid tie in is that you still have to deal with the utility company, and you’ll probably still have to pay power bills.  Very few people can start out with a bill that reads zero, or one that’s in the negative numbers.  Some power companies are friendlier to people generating their own power than others.  That means that, depending on where you live, you could experience a reaction that’s anywhere from helpful to hostile.  In some cases, utility companies actually try to make the process so complicated that it discourages grid tie in systems.  Fortunately, not all utilities act like this, and the number that do is getting gradually smaller.  Just be prepared to face some confusion and opposition when you call about running your meter backwards.
Not Just About Technology

As mentioned earlier, conservation is an important part of going off grid.  It’s not just about buying the right components and getting free power from the sun (though that is a benefit).  Conservation is something you should start doing before you ever buy a solar panel or investigate a wind turbine.  New homes are the best candidates for renewable energy, since they can be built to be more efficient.  However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to make your existing home a lot better when it comes to conservation.  All the usual tips apply – insulate your home thoroughly, seal gaps, and switch to more efficient appliances. 

The amount of money you spend on a super efficient washer or better insulation for your home will quickly pay for itself in power generating equipment you don’t have to buy, and bills you don’t have to pay.  You’ll have to get the whole household in on the effort for it to succeed, however.  If you have a family member who leaves the lights on, turns the heat up, or engages in other wasteful behavior, you’ll probably have an uphill battle when it comes to getting your home in shape for going off grid.  An efficient home uses less power, meaning you’ll have more energy to spare for luxuries like computer and television use.

Be smart and make sure you have a good strategy for going off grid.  It’ll take a lot of research beforehand, but you’ll benefit from organization and planning when your system goes together smoothly, and you’re enjoying reduced or nonexistent electricity bills.  Make sure you know everything you can about the equipment you’re installing, how to maintain it, and have an emergency plan.  If you increase efficiency and plan well, you could be watching television while the rest of the area is suffering from a blackout.
Getting Off the Grid Is Possible

If you’ve always wanted to become independent and self-sufficient, but you’ve thought that it just wasn’t possible, don’t give up.  The technology to produce your own power is becoming steadily cheaper and more accessible to the average person.  Renewable energy isn’t just a movement for hippies and survivalists, and you don’t have to live in a shack to enjoy it.  While there are some lifestyle changes required, they shouldn’t decrease your quality of life.  Just be prepared to adjust what you need to in order to become more efficient, and invest money now to save it later.  You’ll soon be enjoying the benefits of energy independence, and you’ll know that your personal ecological footprint is that much smaller. 

Get started by asking yourself what you’d have to do in order to go off the grid – whether it’s just to a grid tie in, or all the way.  If you’re not sure, check out books on energy production or magazines like Home Power at your local bookstore or library, visit websites like www.off-grid.net and www.solarhome.org, or just search for information in your favorite search engine.  There are a lot more people taking the steps to be independent of the utility companies these days, and they’re often happy to share what they’ve learned.  With the advent of the Internet, it’s easier than ever to get solid facts about installing and maintaining your own renewable energy system.  You can even buy all the components online.

For anyone who’s concerned about the ecological impact of conventional power, who wants a sustainable lifestyle, or who just wants to save money and say goodbye to the utility companies, going off grid is a possibility.  While it won’t work for everyone, more and more people are trying it.  If you do it with a plan, and make sure you’re organized, your chances of success are very high.  Get started finding out more today and discover what you’ve been missing by staying tied into the conventional utility system.

Post from: Green Eco Living Today

How To Get Off The Grid

At the most basic level,  carbon credit is the amount of carbon dioxide that a company does not put into the environment.  For instance, a company can gain a carbon credit by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that is put into the air.  It might do this through better manufacturing practices, or through planting a wind farm that will allow for more conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen.  You will find that many practices can create carbon credits.

When thinking about carbon credits, it is important to realize that they can be quite abstract.  The amount of carbon that a tree will convert is difficult to calculate, and in addition to this, it is worth noting that upon death, trees will release carbon back into the air as well.  When companies are compelled to adhere to needing to produce a certain number of credits for the carbon dioxide that they put out, many companies will instead choose to buy credits from other companies rather than making any changes themselves.

This tendency of companies to buy carbon credits has a spawned many debates in the environmental communities.  In the first place, there is the argument that as long as more oxygen is being produced, this practice is not problematic.  On the other hand, many people feel suspicious about the fact that companies are simply throwing money at the problem rather than dealing with it on an immediate level.  Furthermore it is worth noting again that the ability to correctly calculate carbon credits is still very much under debate.

There is even an option for individuals to reduce their own environmental footprint in this fashion.  For the price of around 100 dollars a year, you can pay a company to completely neutralize your carbon footprint.  Taking a look at the information above, you can decide if this is something that you are interested in!

Post from: Green Eco Living Today

Carbon Credits

The first thing is that dryer sheets simply aren’t necessary.  They really don’t reduce static cling on anything except synthetic fibers; they won’t really affect clothing with natural fibers at all.  You’ll also find that their ability to soften clothing can be reproduced almost precisely by simply tossing a half cup of baking soda into the wash cycle.  You’ll find that these are the top reasons often cited when people talk about dryer sheets, but at the end of the day, you’ll also find that they can be easily duplicated elsewhere.

The other big factor when it comes to dryer sheets is the fact that they give off a supposedly fresh smell.  Have you ever accidentally put your face too close to a dryer sheet and felt light-headed?  It isn’t just you.  It turns out that dryer sheets have a host of substances in them that contribute to the smell, and that these substances are almost universally bad for you.  For instance, chloroform is used in making dryer sheets, and it is quite toxic and a known carcinogen.  It’s on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Hazardous Waste List, and it can cause irritation, dizziness and nausea if inhaled. 

What are the consequences of using dryer sheets?   There have been many reported symptoms that are associated with using dryer sheets, and they have a great deal to do with the danger of inhalation.  A general feeling of irritation can occur, and you might find that you experience nausea or severe headaches if your clothes are regularly washed with dryer sheets.  You’ll find that while a completely healthy person might be able to do okay under these circumstances that those with compromised immune systems or the young or the elderly might have more severe issues.

As you can see, there is a lot to be said about dryer sheets, and very little of it is good.  Take some time to evaluate the position of dryer sheets in your life and act accordingly.

Post from: Green Eco Living Today

Toxic Dryer Sheet

If you use tires in any way, it is essential that you know and understand the impact that these products have when it comes to the environment, what kind of effects are involved, how to properly dispose of these products, and how to select a tire that is considering to be “environmentally correct”. Here, you will learn all this and more!

The Effect of Tires on the Environment

The effect of tires on the environment is actually quite tremendous. The primary effect that these particular products have is produced when used individuals use and operate their various vehicles on tires that are in poor shape. Naturally, this results in the excessive use of fuel when it comes to powering those vehicles.

There are a number of issues that may contribute to tires wearing down to the point in which they affect the environment on the whole. This includes the failure to ensure proper inflation, driving in an aggressive manner, driving on roads that are considered to be “rough”, improper maintenance, and many other issues.

How to Reduce the Impact of Tires on the Environment

Many individuals are simply not aware of the fact that tires can affect the environment; however this should be a very large concern for everyone. These products have been known to contribute to the natural changes that are occurring within our climate, and have even had an impact on the overall health of many individuals. It is essential that you learn a few ways on how to reduce the impact of tires on the environment. The following list outlines some of these actions that can be taken:

1. It is essential that you ensure that you are maintaining your tires properly at all times. If you fail to ensure the overall upkeep of your tires, you will find that the life of the product is drastically reduced.

When tires must be replaced, it causes a chain of events that negatively impacts our environment. First, new tires must be created; therefore, precious energy is wasted. The process of burning off old tires, and/or recycling them can also contribute to harmful environmental consequences.

2.  The first manner in which you can maintain your tires is to check to ensure that they are properly inflated. Once you have done this, it is essential that you observe the tire for any obvious problem areas. If necessary, be certain to patch any holes that are present on the tire. This will ensure that a slow leak does not lead to the destruction of that tire.

When determining the overall air pressure in the tires, it is essential to know that you will get the most accurate reading when the tires are “cold”. Remember, you cannot determine the inside air pressure by simply observing the product with the naked eye.

3. It is important that you take the time to conduct an inspection of your tires at least once a month. You will be looking for tread that appears to have excessive wear, items that may be lodged in the tire itself, as well as the overall depth that the tire has when it comes to the actual tread.

4. There are certain times in the life of a tire in which it becomes necessary to have further maintenance performed. For example, every 15,000 miles, you should have your tires aligned. Balancing should be performed, if necessary, every 10,000 miles. In addition to this, your tires should be rotated every 10,000 miles. By doing this, you are contributing in a positive way when it comes to tires and the environment.

5. You should avoid the urge to indulge in driving that is considered to be “aggressive”, or “fast”. Driving habits constitute for nearly all of the complications that occur when it comes to damaged tires.

6. When you must dispose of used batteries, it is very important to do so at tire recycling centers. This way, they may be optimized for other uses. Remember, it is important to never consider dumping tires illegally.

The Environmentally Friendly Tire

Regardless of how much effort there is placed in doing so, creating the environmentally friendly tire has been a difficult task for many manufacturers. However, there is one in particular that has successfully done just this! It is a company called “Green Diamond Tire”.

While the production of this tire still takes some cash to accomplish, overall, the tires that they create do not have the same negative impact on the environment as a whole. If you use tires, consider the consequences of using anything other than the environmentally friendly tire. If you do use another product, it is likely that the tire and the environment will not work well together.

Post from: Green Eco Living Today

Tires and the Environment

When thinking about green banking, the first thing that you need to be familiar with is how the banks make money.  When you put money into the bank, your bank puts that money to work.  While you can always withdraw your money you’ll find that the money that the bank has available will be used to invest in  variety of options and to make more money.  When seen in this light, you’ll see that there are a variety of businesses that a bank can get involved in, and when you look into green banking, you’ll find that the bank in question will only invest in environmentally sound companies.

For people whoa re looking to make a difference and are interested in non-traditional but effective ways to do so, green banking might be exactly what they are looking for.  You’ll find that there is a great deal power that a bank can exert and if it chooses to make its needs include a green business plan, you can bet that the companies are going to take notice.  You can take a look around; green banking is getting a lot more popular, and you’ll find that there is a good chance that you can take advantage of one near you.  Green banks are also available if you are willing to do the majority of your banking online.

So what businesses might a green bank be interested in investing in?  You’ll find that a green bank can operate quite profitably by investing in things like water production, recycling, eco-tourism and community mentoring programs.  The money from green banking will also go towards things like responsible farming practices, helping low-wage earners purchase homes, and investment in future environmentally friendly villages.

Take some time to see if green banking is something that interests you; you may find your money can do great things for the environment and the world around you without even leaving your possession!

Post from: Green Eco Living Today

Saving and Investing Your Money The Green Way