Thinking Green - Environmental Tips, News, Commentary

Simply put, it is renewable versus non-renewable energy. The fact that mother earth is in the verge of running out of fossil fuels (studies show an estimate of how much fossil fuel reserve remains), its cost and the environmental effect of its use had spawned ideas about the use of clean energy. Examples of fossil fuel include coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Their benefits affect our everyday lives. Think of electricity, transportation and infrastructures. We have become so dependent on it that we have actually doubled up our usage in one hundred years. And fossil fuel is not renewable, meaning once we have used up its resources, there will be no more. While it is true that fossil fuel can be cheap (true among countries who produce them), readily available and convenient to use, and its importance deeply ingrained in our daily lives, the environmental effect of its usage is slowly making its presence felt as well.

The same with the basic needs of man- food, water, shelter and clothing, energy is essential to human existence. Billions of people depends on energy to achieve a better life however with the world’s growing population, we cannot deny the increasing needs of energy as well. The question remains, how do we meet this growing hunger for energy worldwide? Many people are still holding on to what fossil fuels could offer, but is this really the answer? What about the environment that we need to protect? It is a question we must ask ourselves first before thinking about our own personal interests. It is no longer impossible nowadays to formulate ways on how to meet the demand for energy without causing harm to the environment. This is the green energy challenge we must all think about. Developing renewable energy is one sustainable way of producing energy. The green energy produced from renewable energy sources can actually help in decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels. We are ...

One of the consistent problems with waste management systems has been the inefficient management of solid wastes thus causing various ecological concerns. Good thing new technology and strategies are dealing with this issue. Traditional waste management systems like landfills and incinerators are known to contribute to environmental problems such as air pollution, contamination of ground water and vegetation. And often times these even cause adverse effects to human health. But with new technologies on waste treatment, tested methods are being used which are more efficient and reliable than landfill system and incinerators. The concept on these green technologies is to destroy waste and convert wastes into green energy without causing any harm to the environment and human health. The problem of pollution due to inefficient waste management can be greatly avoided through green technology like Biosphere Technology, a waste to energy system that provides effective process of ener...

The world is heavily surrounded by various ecological problems that ruin not only our means of livelihood but even cause deaths to many people and wildlife species. It can all be traced back from human activities which have exploited our natural resources up to the extent of destroying what is used to be a balanced nature. The continuous deforestation, mining, and burning of fossil fuels are among of the destructive activities which we all should find a reliable solution to restore and maintain the balance of nature towards a greener, cleaner and safer world. With all the resources available, surely we can depend on numerous green technologies we have today. We can use the advancements in energy production such as alternative energy from genetically engineered bacteria, biofuels, biomass, solar power, wind power and other forms of renewable energy. Among the best resource of renewable energy is the waste to energy system wherein it diminishes waste materials in environmental man...

Biosphere Technology is a gasification process that converts wastes into green energy. Its end products also include high alloy steel wire, pozzolanic ash and black carbon. The whole biosphere process has five stages. Stage 1: Material is collected and brought to a central Biosphere Process where 100% of the total tonnage is processed. Stage 2: Material is sorted for recycling the biosphere separator * Compost production (20%) * Plastic/ Rubber recover (10%) * Metals, glass and aggregate recovery (3%, 5%, & 8%) * Materials burned to generate electricity (54%) Operating at a rate of 5-8T/hours each receiving line separates materials into two feedstock streams comprising putrescible (organic) and non Putrescible (inorganic) materials if necessary. Stage 3: All non-recycle materials is forced through the Biosphere Densifies, which compacts the materials into 20g* flakes with 15-20% moisture, (Termed Biosphere Flakes)at the rate of 5-8T/hour.These flakes fuel the Bios...

The world has been using solar power for about hundreds of years already. And today it is the most commonly talked form of renewable energy. Yes, it’s true that solar power is clean, sustainable and free. But do you know the alarming truth behind it? Solar energy is considered as clean energy since it does not produce any fossil fuel which destroys our environment however many environmentalists worry about the hazardous wastes from the process of making solar panels. Major amount of fossil fuels are being used just to make solar panels for one solar power. Another problem with these solar panels, their solar cells have toxic materials which cannot be recycled easily.

For many years we have been trying to solve the solid wastes problem in our country. But up to now, it is still a major problem that gradually destroys our environment and brings various health problems in the community. Solid waste segregation has been implemented already but it’s not the solution we need nowadays since most of these wastes don’t decompose easily, thus they just stay on landfills for many years. Just think about it, the longer these wastes stay on earth’s surface the more hazardous effects on our environment. If we don’t take action to this problem, even the future generation is at risk.

Think about the future. Take action. Fight global warming . 1. Use public transit . People nowadays find driving a car more convenient when traveling. But do you know that a gallon of gasoline produces 20 pounds of carbon dioxide? And according to National Geographic channel, it takes about 100 years before carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to disperse. Just imagine how much driving a car everyday contributes to daily carbon dioxide emissions and how many ‘100 years’ it would take for these CO2 to disperse totally. However, if you choose to carpool or use public transit when traveling, you can help lessen carbon dioxide emissions and would save a lot of energy.

If water supply is adequate in Metro Manila despite the El Niño says water authorities, people in Mindanao (Philippines) are now having energy crisis. President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo’s action to address this crisis through invoking Section 71 of Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) is still undergoing resolution.  Mindanao having blackouts of four-twelve hours a day is totally alarming and needs an immediate resolution from government authorities. However, what’s happening now is just discussion and it’s becoming more related to May 2010 elections.  Haven’t they realized yet that people in Mindanao need a solution to their problem? The Section 71 of the EPIRA law indicates that the President is authorized to call a special session with the Congress resulting to a joint resolution and giving certain powers to the President to take actions addressing the power crisis.  This however has gathered mixed reactions from government officials. Others say that it m...

Malls in the Philippines are now taking green initiatives to help save our environment. It started with SM Supermalls last 2008 with their 'Trash to Cash' program or known as 'waste market day'. Mall goers can convert their trash or recyclables into cash at any SM parking lots. Meanwhile, Ayala Malls also launched their project 'Recyclables Fair'. It started last April 2009 and still ongoing in all Ayala Malls in the Philippines. Actually tomorrow (Feb 27, 2010) Marquee Mall , an Ayala Mall in Angeles City Pampanga will start their recyclables fair "Ready, Set, Green". If you are a mall-goer, better not to miss this chance of creating a cleaner and greener environment. Moreover, aside from malls, a lot of companies in the Philippines are also getting involved in saving our environment. To name a few, there's San Carlos Bioenergy, E-Cane Fuel Corp, SECURA International Corp, Montalban Methane Power Corp, and Energy Development Corp (EDC). Thes...