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Print Green - Save Environment

September 28, 2009

environment

In this age of digital technology, printing presses still play a major role in the production of a range of materials such as booklets, posters, postcards, brochures, business cards, calendars, stationeries etc. While this wide-spread process of printing gives us such informative and eye pleasing products, the resultant environment pollution caused due to these goes unnoticed. Saving the environment is a responsibility that is vested on for all of us and thus the need of the hour is to print green.

Printing green refers to the process that reduces wastes, encourages recycling and implements other measures that leads to an eco friendly printing operation. Such printing presses carry on their processes in a way that causes minimal harm to the environment. The primary concern for a green printing press is to manage wastes effectively. The objective is to have less waste being generated as that would mean fewer measures to be adopted to eliminate such wastes. Waste management starts from the prepress process itself. Efforts are concentrated towards pollution prevention processes that start with photographic chemistry management and recycling of used plates etc. Furthermore the wastes are segregated into categories such as hazardous and non hazardous wastes. The discharge of hazardous wastes is carried out in an eco friendly manner. Waste management in green printing houses are two fold i.e. either they implement measures to reduce wastes or else recycle them.

High volatile organic compounds are one of the prime causes of air pollution in the printing industry. These compounds evaporate very quickly at the room temperature which not only adds to more material consumption but also leads to air pollution. Green printers use low VOC’s in their printing processes thus reducing the air emissions and also less material consumption.

Green printers adopt various means to implement the current printing technologies that are eco-friendly. Thus they not only help in reducing environmental pollution but improve the overall quality of the product.

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Teens Must Unite to Save the Environment

September 27, 2009

environment

It is an obvious assumption that most, if not all teens wants to save the environment. From saving the extinct species to eliminating global warming, name all the good changes and every person will nod his or her head in agreement. The question is, are you doing an active role to make this dream a reality? Diverse environmental consciousness programs have been done to advertise the causes and effects of being negligent with the existing environmental problems.

The major environmental issue that teens should be aware of is Global Warming. Global warming is actually caused by the abnormal change of the temperature on Earth. Carbon dioxide that’s being emitted by large factories and factories contributes to the ever changing climate in the world today. These environmental problems continue to grow that it prompted some of the most influential people in the world to make significant actions to prevent major catastrophes in the future.

Former U.S. Vice President and Nobel Prize winner Al Gore came up with an Academy Award winning documentary titled “The Inconvenient Truth,” to make the public aware of the horrible effects of global warming. Major Hollywood actors and actresses are Gore’s efforts.

Denudation of the forests for modernization is something that should be considered seriously. Trees serve as a reservoir for water and once they’re cut, then expect massive floods make deadly rampages in the cities. One can only see the television and see the latest news of floods happening from different parts of the world. The message is loud and clear, something must be done!

This leaves a question to a confused teen. What should I, at this age, do to make things right? Simple. Do the right thing. The emergence of modern technology such as the Internet and mobile phones makes it easier to determine the surefire ways to help the environment. On the teen’s part, they can make their friends and classmates at school become aware of the nagging problems in the environments. Form a club, organize lectures and plan environment-friendly activities. Suggested activities would include tree planting, mountain climbing (and cleaning up the mess made by previous climbers and put up awareness signs about the importance of preserving the forests and the mountains).

The power of the Internet presents the teen a chance to make himself or herself useful by creating a website that promotes clean environment. Emails can be sent to distant friends and relatives about the environmental problems and what simple solutions can be made to prevent it. Send emails to government officials who can make significant changes in the law or join existing environmental organizations who have the same aim of saving the world from destruction.

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The 3 Levels of Reality: Perception or Thought, Behavior, & Environment

September 27, 2009

environment

Are perception or thought, behavior, and environment related? Does good perception or thought improve behavior, improving environment? Does bad perception or thought worsen behavior, worsening environment? Or is there a complete disconnect between these variables?

Perception Affects Behavior

Success, which is something so simple in the end, is made up of thousands of things, we never fully know what.

- Rainer Maria Rilke

Success is simple; it is also complex. It is simple, in that success consists of accomplishing your goal. It is complex, in that there are thousands of things you must do along the way to goal accomplishment. If you view success as simple, you persist confidently. If you view success as complex, you hesitate alarmingly. The former leads to accomplishment, the latter to procrastination. Therefore the trick to getting anything done is to view it as easy rather than difficult. Viewing affects doing; perception affects behavior.

Behavior Affects Environment

Karma basically means that in doing good things, good things will come to you; and in doing bad things, bad things will come to you. Karma generally applies to all human behavior. Karma is the environmental result of your behavior.

Some examples of bad karma are if you disrespect others, others will disrespect you; if you murder others, others will murder you; if you cheat others, others will cheat you; if you steal from others, others will steal from you; if you deceive others, others will deceive you.

Revenge, though not a virtue, is part of human nature. People naturally anger at injustices done to them. In serious criminal acts, the justice system attempts to punish the perpetrator by matching the punishment to the crime. For example, a murderer receives death (execution) or the death of his time (life in prison). Also, a court-ordered fine takes a thief’s property or imprisonment takes his time.

Some examples of good karma are if you respect others, others will respect you; if you help others, others will help you; if you are honest with others, others will be honest with you; if you give to others, others will give to you; if you are loyal to others, others will be loyal to you.

Gratitude is part of human nature. People naturally feel grateful for favors bestowed upon them, and seek to repay the favors. For example, a neighbor would be more apt to give you food and shelter, if you gave the neighbor food and shelter in the past. Also, a coworker would be more apt to give you a loan, if you gave the coworker a loan in the past.

Oftentimes, evil deeds get rewarded and good deeds get punished in the short run; and evil deeds get punished and good deeds get rewarded in the long run. For example, a dishonest bank robber is richer than an honest banker in the short run. But in the long run, the honest banker is richer than the imprisoned bank robber. Indeed, positive behavior eventually leads to positive environment; negative behavior eventually leads to negative environment.

Thought Affects Behavior, Affecting Environment

Nature gave men two ends - one to sit on, and one to think with. Ever since then man’s success or failure has been dependent on the one he used most.

- George R. Kirkpatrick

Action equals success; inaction equals failure. Action or inaction begins in thought, working its way to behavior, ending in environmental success or failure. Actively thinking about accomplishing your goal generates ideas on this. You may make many wrong turns on the road to your goal; but if you keep driving, you will get there. Oftentimes, trial and error teach best, especially if there is no road map to guide you. In contrast, inactive thinking generates nothing. You are parked, going nowhere. Trial and error play no role, since you never begin driving.

Sitting on your rear brings failure near; thinking with your brain brings successful gain.

Behavior & Environment Affect Thought

According to physics, the interaction of mass and velocity produces kinetic energy. Changing mass or velocity changes kinetic energy. Changing Mass: A car hitting you at 50 miles/hour will do more physical damage to you than a housefly at the same speed, because the former has more kinetic energy than the latter. Changing Velocity: A car hitting you at 50 miles/hour will do more physical damage to you than the same car at 5 miles/hour, because the former has more kinetic energy than the latter.

Likewise, the interaction of environment and behavior produces thought energy. Changing your environment or behavior changes your thought energy. Changing Environment: Living in a slum will thoughtfully depress you more than living in luxury. Changing Behavior: Resting away aimlessly will thoughtfully depress you more than striving toward a goal.

Hence, the interaction of luxury and goal striving produces heightened thought energy.

In summarizing, we see that perception or thought affects behavior, affecting environment - and that behavior and environment affect thought. All of these variables make up a universal reality; each of these variables makes up a particular reality.

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Wash Day Harms the Environment

September 27, 2009

environment

l becoming more and more aware of the damage we are causing the environment by everyday activities like doing the laundry. The list of potentially harmful chemicals that are contained in laundry detergents is alarming to say the least.

The world of complex ingredients lists and vague labels leave consumers unable to identify potential harmful products, and laundry detergents are no exception.

Specifically, there are certain toxins present in laundry detergents that take particular aim at the environment. Linear alkyl sodium sulfonates (LAS) are more commonly listed as ‘anionic surfactants’ on detergent labels. They are one of the more common surfactants found in laundry detergents. They are a synthetic product.

As they are manufactured, cancer causing or carcinogenic toxins, as well as reproductive toxins are released into the environment. Benzene is one such toxin, and if this were not detrimental enough, these also biodegrade very slowly.

Another harmful chemical that is frequently found in laundry detergents are phosphates. Needed to remove minerals found in hard-water, and as method to prevent dirt settling back onto clothes while they are in the machine. Basically they are needed to make the laundry detergent more effective.

However, their negative impact on the environment is monumental. After their release into the environment, they can actually activate growth in marine plants. This can result in unbalanced ecosystems, forcing a lot of environmental changes that are not positive.

A lot of states have banned or limited the use of phosphates because of the problems they have been proven to cause. Some detergents even advertise their low or nonexistent phosphate level.

To put it succinctly, our environment needs us to start using safer alternatives. Laundry detergents that contain these harmful products need to be altered or perhaps a new method of washing clothes can be implemented.

Since much of these products do not openly delineate the kind of harmful ingredients it uses, it may be difficult for the consumer to know just how detrimental they are to them and the environment.

Avoiding such products that contain anionic surfactants or linear alkyl sodium sulfonates, and phosphates is a move in the right direction.

Quality alternatives are now here for those of us who are willing to step away from the old-fashioned way of washing clothes, and embrace newer, environmentally friendly methods. The cause for concern with laundry detergents and other chemically driven products like it is real, but becoming informed of the hazards can aid in making a change for the better.

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Take Charge of your Environment: Make your Workspace Work for you

September 27, 2009

environment

How efficient is your workspace? You’ll be much more productive working in a pleasant, comfortable and convenient environment. As the New Year gets under way, it may be time to think about an office makeover.

Comfort

When you start a business, it’s easy to cut costs, work wherever is convenient, use extra furniture you have on hand and then simply get used to that environment. Take a fresh look at your workspace.

Pay attention to the ergonomics of your office. If you spend a significant amount of time at your desk, invest in a comfortable chair and supports your back and positions you at the correct height and angle to work. Make sure that your keyboard and monitor are at the right height and angle to avoid unnecessary physical strain.

Convenience

Design your office layout to fit the way you work. Time spent designing and setting up good filing systems (both paper and electronic) is a worthwhile investment. Make sure that these systems work for you — that they are logical, easy to access and flexible to cope with business growth and change. Designating a specific place for everything, and putting things back in their assigned place after using them, can save hours of searching for misplaced items. Keep papers, files, books and equipment you use frequently close at hand.

Often, it’s the little things that we quickly become used to, that waste our time and increase stress levels: desk drawers that don’t open properly, placement of the phone, books referred to often that are kept across the room.

If you use your vehicle as a secondary office, make sure that everything you’re likely to need is organized and within easy reach. Perhaps carry a small portable file box containing any forms or documents you might need, basic office supplies and a good flashlight. Keep it well stocked. The cover may serve as a writing surface when you need one.

Enjoyable Environment

Dave has strengths in many areas, but he isn’t naturally an organized person. Last year we noticed that he was spending less and less time in his office. It had become cluttered, confusing and it was seldom easy to find what he needed quickly. He simply didn’t enjoy working there any more. We took time out to plan and redesign the entire office. We designed a new desk, computer center, storage and shelving areas, and had them built. We created new electronic and paper filing systems. He now loves working in his office. He is organized, efficient and more productive. Our physical environment can make an enormous difference to our productivity and how we feel! Don’t underestimate the value of this.

Several years ago, I made a wish list of what was important to me in an office. My criteria included: bright light and sunshine, windows through which I could see the sky, trees and green grass, flowers around me, and all files organized and within easy reach. I have thoroughly enjoyed my ‘dream office’ for more than four years now.

During the holidays, I spent two days designing and creating a filing system that matches the growth of our business. It wasn’t a lot of fun, but the results are rewarding — knowing instantly where to find everything is a big plus. Getting organized takes time but will save time, stress and frustration in the long run.

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Profiles in Green Building: the Austin Real Estate Market

September 22, 2009

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Austin has long been a home for friendly folk- friendly to each other, friendly to animals, and friendly to the environment. What used to be considered as only the concerns of hippies and the bohemian sect, environmentalism is now at the forefront of commercial and residential design, and “green” businesses are popping up nationwide. Austin, however, was the first city in the United States to establish a local green-building program, laying out environmentally friendly and sustainable guidelines for home builders and its interested citizens back in 1991.

Since the Austin real estate market is known nationwide as the leader of these green building methods, the National Association of Home Builders chose the city as its hub to launch an industry-wide effort to establish green-building guidelines in 2004. These guidelines now provide a practical nationally recognized framework for builders to follow to reduce a home’s environmental impact by making them more energy efficient, improving indoor environmental quality, and so on. Though Austin has already been using similar guidelines for over a decade, now the rest of the country is following suit.

The City of Austin and Austin Energy provide a great resource to owners of Austin homes, and new home builders, who are looking for ways to conserve energy, and build an environmentally friendly home. The city’s website offers a list of companies willing to do an energy analysis of a home that will determine possible options to help the house conserve more energy, with suggestions ranging from air conditioning repair to weather stripping doors. The city then will offer a 20 to 75% of that cost.

For those Austinites building a new house or commercial building, the city created the Austin Energy Green Building organization to promote the construction of high quality, more sustainable buildings, and has even zoned sections of the city’s real estate to require an Austin Energy Green Building rating. Four times a year, the organization also holds a one day “Green By Design” workshop open to the public. The workshop provides an overview of the green building process, and brings in design, building, engineering, landscaping, and Austin real estate professionals with many years of experience in homebuilding and remodeling, to help make sense of it all.

In March of this year, Austin was named as the city leading the country in “cleantech” by SustainLane, an online resource center that offers sustainability tips to state and local government. The term “cleantech” refers to venture capital-based startups based in green technology, with Austin as the front runner with seven such startups, ranging from internet-controlled irrigation to geothermal energy technologies. To keep Austin on the cutting edge of green technology, the Clean Energy Incubator program was set up to help young clean energy businesses succeed by commercializing their ideas. With citizens, government, and forward thinking businesses, Austin will likely be the city to follow in the environmental battle for years to come.

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