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5 Star homes to be Mandatory in Australia
The Building Code of Australia seems set to introduce 5-star energy ratings for all new homes. While some associations in the building industry are concerned that this is likely to push the cost of building up, it is s step in the right direction...
A Simple Way To Offset the Environmental Effects of Driving Your Car
We all love our cars. They give us the freedom to come and go as we please, to get to work, to visit family and friends, to go shopping...on our own schedule. But automobiles also effect the environment by polluting the air we breathe and, in...
Can sustainable development work? What then will be the impact on business and what will be the impact on the environment?
First we must define sustainable development. Sustainable is to say that something such as resources or an environmental system can be continued indefinitely without depleting any of the material or energy resources required to keep it running. ...
Healing The Elements
The Nature Elementals, most commonly known as Faeries, are the unseen guardians of the planet. As much as we would like to believe that their survival depends on our beliefs and ability to clap loud enough so as to restart their dying hearts, these...
How to Make the Benchmade Axis Perform
How to Make the Benchmade Axis Perform by Joe Talmadge
I've had my Axis for quite a while now, courtesy of Les. I've
made this my everyday carry 4"-blade folder, and have learned a
bit about what makes this knife perform so well....
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The "Reduce" of Recycle and Reuse
Most of us are familiar with recycle and reusing, but how often
do we think of the third R - REDUCE?
"Reduce" is probably the most important of the three Rs because,
if we reduced, it would limit the need to recycle and reuse. By
reducing, we cut down on the resources that we use which results
in less garbage being produced. Reduce takes us back to the
basic question:
"Is it a need or a want?"
So often, our wants result in impulse buying. It is amazing if
you ask yourself the question, is it a need or a want before you
actually buy. Many things end up being a want, not truly a need.
To help us "reduce", a second question could be asked:
"Can I rent or borrow this item, rather than buying it?"
By renting or borrowing an item, you fill the "need" and
perhaps the "want", but you end up fulfilling your need and
returning the item.
One other area that helps reduction is "packaging". Are the
items you are buying packaged to protect the item, or packaged
to market the item. So much garbage is a result of packaging for
marketing purposes. Buy products that limit the packaging to
protection rather than marketing.
There
are many ways to "reduce" and here are just a few:
- reduce your paper consumption...only print what you need
otherwise read online; use both sides of paper for taking
messages; leave off the cover sheet of a fax and write all info
on the main page
- have your name removed from junk mail.
- reduce the use of plastic bags by taking cloth bags with you
when you shop
- purchase energy saving appliances
- use the new compact fluorescent lights bulbs (take 75% less
power and burn 10 times longer than a regular incandescent bulb)
- when buying toys for children, purchase toys that do not
require batteries
- if you do require batteries, buy rechargeable ones
- buy in bulk, thereby reducing packaging
If we all did only one thing to "reduce", it would help in our
efforts to recycle and reuse.
About the author:
Catherine Pulsifer is one of the authors of Stress Relief by a
Simple Life http://www.stresslesscountry.com Stories,
thoughts, inspirational quotes, and poems on reduce, recycle,
reuse, simplicity, being more frugal, crafts and more.
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| Department of Energy - Homepage |
| Governmental department whose mission is to advance energy technology and promote related innovation in the United States. |
| www.energy.gov |
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| Department of Energy - Page not found! |
| US Department of Energy information for consumers, business, and communities. Links to many energy pages of the DOE. |
| www.energy.gov |
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| Energy Quest Room |
| California Energy Commission's energy and environmental education site for students, parents and teachers. Includes information, Q&As, projects, ... |
| www.energyquest.ca.gov |
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| The Energy Story - Introduction |
| Detailed guide explains what energy is and where it comes from. |
| www.energyquest.ca.gov |
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| EIA Energy Kids Page - energy facts, fun, games and activities |
| Features various sections about energy including what it is and the forms it comes in. Find out how humans use energy through quizzes and a 'fun facts' ... |
| www.eia.doe.gov |
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| Energy Information Administration - EIA - Official Energy ... |
| Section of the US Department of Energy (DOE) providing statistics, data, analysis on resources, supply, production, consumption for all energy sources. |
| www.eia.doe.gov |
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| Energy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Free encyclopedia article explaining the scientific notion of energy. Includes units of measure, energy transformation concepts, types of energy, ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| Department of Energy - Homepage |
| U.S. Department of Energy Awards Contract for Management and Operation of Ames ... The Energy Star label is the government's seal of energy efficiency. ... |
| www.doe.gov |
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| Home : ENERGY STAR |
| US EPA Energy Star programs and products help save the environment and save consumers money by using less energy through advanced design or construction. |
| www.energystar.gov |
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| National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Home Page |
| Facility of the US Department of Energy (DOE) for renewable energy and energy efficiency research, development and deployment. |
| www.nrel.gov |
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| European Commission - Energy - Home page |
| Welcome to the European Commission's "Energy" website ... A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy ... |
| ec.europa.eu |
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| DTI - Energy - Introduction |
| The DTI’s Energy Group deals with energy-related matters, ... UK energy statistics are provided, including production, consumption and prices. ... |
| www.dti.gov.uk |
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| U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Home Page |
| US Department of Energy web site for information on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. |
| www.eere.energy.gov |
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| Energy for America's Future |
| Provides an overview of President Bush's energy policies. |
| www.whitehouse.gov |
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| International Energy Agency |
| Energy Security, Growth and Sustainability through Co-operation and Outreach. |
| www.iea.org |
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| energywatch: Home Page |
| Independent gas and electricity consumer watchdog, providing help to domestic, commercial or industrial energy (gas and electricity) consumers. |
| www.energywatch.org.uk |
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| EnergyAustralia - Home |
| Details of one of Australia's largest and oldest gas and electricity supply companies. Includes information on accounts, energy saving tips, appliance sales ... |
| www.energy.com.au |
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| U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources |
| Has jurisdiction over energy policy, regulation, and research. Also deals with energy and mineral conservation, ports used for energy transport, irrigation, ... |
| energy.senate.gov |
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| bloomberg energy prices |
| www.bloomberg.com/energy/ - Similar pages |
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| Energy Bulletin |
| A clearinghouse of information concerning the peak in global energy such as oil and gas. |
| www.energybulletin.net |
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