There are a few things we can learn from our distant neighbors in Australia. United States can learn a few things from the Aussies, it seems they are taking ‘Going Green’ into their own hands. Here are a few things that are Australia is doing to help our environment:
Eco-Tourism: It is a way of travel that Australia has been promoting for years. The idea behind it all is traveling to a destination that will leave the least amount of a carbon footprint. www.ecotourism.org.au states that eco-tourism is “ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation”. There are dozens of websites where you can find this kind of trips.
Toilets: Dual flush system is something that we are slowly seeing on toilets here in the United States. The dual flush system was designed by an Australianto save tons of gallons of water a year. The Australian government strongly encourages citizens to replace their one flush system if they have one. Dual flush toilet have two options, one flush is for going number 1 (less water) and the other flush if for going number 2 (more water).
Boardwalks: Throughout Australia, mostly in environmentally sensitive areas like the rain forest, raised boardwalks are built. Creating boardwalks produces one path for visitors to walk on as opposed to many paths. If there are no boardwalks then the visitor feels free to roam creating countless paths that could potential cause harm to that environmentally sensitive area.
Do not touch: Do not touch the coral or any other marine life. Many scuba divers and snorkelers don’t realize that they are doing great harm when they simply hold or touch something from the ocean. Human hands have oils that can kill or damage certain marine life. And not to mention, you never know what can harm you.
Controlled Burning: Australia is known for ‘prescribing burning’ in their savannas. Australia has learned that these controlled burns reduce the amount of greenhouse emissions. Also starting controlled burns in the beginning of the dry season can prevent natural fires toward the end of the dry season. Controlled burning is a controversial subject but definitely something worth looking in to.
It is as simple as installing a new flush toilet kit or not touching marine life; Americans are able to follow in the footsteps of Australia. Next time your travel, take an eco-tourism trip to Australia and see it firsthand. And have a G’day mate!
Author Bio
Heather Smith is an ex-nanny. Passionate about thought leadership and writing, Heather regularly contributes to various career, social media, public relations, branding, and parenting blogs/websites. She also provides value to hire a nanny by giving advice on site design as well as the features and functionality to provide more and more value to nannies and families across the U.S. and Canada. She can be available at H.smith7295 [at] gmail.com.
Global warming has long been our planet's worst enemy. The harsh reality is, as we continue to live, our planet continues to die. Our dependency on fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources to support our power needs is costing us big time. The only way to confront this harsh reality is to face it with harsh solutions. No quick fix, no shortcuts...just long-term solutions. One such solution being thrown out there-- biofuels.
Biofuels are fuels, in either solid, liquid, or gas, that are derived from biomass conversion. The energy source contained in combustible plant and/or animal material is the alternative energy source we need to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels. Here are a few reasons why biofuels should be considered as the next best alternative to fossil fuels today:
- Widespread Sources
- With so many plant and animal materials to choose from, manufacturing biofuels will be much easier than drilling into an already limited supply of fossil fuel.
- Renewable Source
- Fossil fuels take millions of years to form whereas the materials used in manufacturing biofuels are readily available as new crops are grown.
- Economic Advantage
- The production of biofuels will create an increase in demand for crops which will fuel the agriculture industry. This will, in turn, create more job opportunities for farmers and factory workers in the biofuel industry.
- Environment Friendly
- Biofuels are safer to handle than ordinary petroleum. Any spills made are less hazardous and much easier to clean up. Moreover, biofuels are also biodegradable.
- Fuel Security
- Most developing countries import oil from oil-producing countries thus, they developed heavy dependency on this type of relationship. However, these developing countries have the capability of growing their own crops for biofuels thus reducing their dependence on foreign fuel sources.
- Reduced Carbon Emissions
- The burning of biofuels produces significantly less carbon. This makes it a safer alternative for fuel since air pollution is minimized.
Like all breakthrough technologies, there are some concerns that need to be noted:
- Carbon Emissions from Production
- While the use of biofuels reduces carbon output, the machines used in the production process of biofuels still emit large volumes of carbon in the atmosphere.
- High Initial Capital
- Any technology that's still being developed and refined will always entail great costs. The hefty investment for this endeavor is quite a risk to take.
- Lower Energy Output
- Biofuels produce lower energy output than fossil fuels do.
- Higher Food Prices and Direct Competition with Food Supply
- The demand for crops, such as corn, increases dramatically with biofuel production. As such, the supply of corn for food decreases which makes the price for this commodity soar.
- Resource Hungry
- Resources, such as water, are necessary to cultivate the crops and to manufacture biofuels.
- Compatibility
- The engines of some vehicles are incompatible with biofuels. These include the luxury cars, sports cars, and vintage cars.
- Destruction of Natural Habitats
- A sizable piece of land is required in biofuel production. This is a very controversial issue with environmentalists as the natural habitats of animals, such as rainforests, are turned into
Biofuels are made from a variety of materials such as wood, corn, sugarcane, and vegetable oils. With so many sources of biofuels, it follows that there are also various types as well. Two of these types of biofuels are biodiesel and bioethanol.
Biodiesel is produced from oils and fats such as rapeseed, vegetable oil, jathropa, palm oil, and hemp. The composition of the liquid fuel produced is similar to mineral diesel. This is the most common type of biofuel in Europe. Biodiesel produces less than 78% carbon dioxide compared to ordinary diesel however, it also emits a greater amount of nitrogen oxide.
Bioethanol, on the other hand, is produced from carbohydrate crops such as sugar beet, corn, potatoes, and other similar crops. E10 (10% ethanol, 90% petroleum) fuels are now being sold around the world. Greenhouse gases emissions are reduced by 3.9% worldwide. Bioethanols also burns cleaner than ordinary gasoline. There are still issues with regards to bioethanol production such as the large amounts of land and energy needed and the risk of causing corrosion to fuel system components that are incompatible with bioethanol.
The question still remains, are biofuels worth the time, energy, and effort? It is true that biofuels do reduce reduce carbon emissions and is an alternative to fossil fuels however, the damage being done to the environment is something that cannot be taken lightly. Biofuel is still a work in progress. Alternatives such as biohydrogen, biomethanol, and algae fuels are being researched as we speak. Time will tell whether these change the way we live.
About the Author
Jessica is a blog editor at Meiji Electric, the premier electrical supplier in the Philippines. She is a hands-on, technology-oriented girl and loves to tinker with the latest gadgets and equipment. She loves to travel a lot and always brings traveling adapters with her to conveniently power her gadgets.
Back in the early 80’s my brother had the 45 (small vinyl record) of this odd song from Roy Clark. One day he played the song for me. At the time I thought it was a little funny song and nothing more. I forgot about the song and thought I’d never hear it again. In the past week I found the lyrics as well as the audio on YouTube. I’m the furthest thing from a fan of country music, but I think this song is sweet and packs a powerful message at the same time. I like that.
Lyrics to “Ode to a Critter”:
Today I met a fish who was standing on my front porch
Clapping his clipper on my door
And he said do you mind if I live a while at your house
'Cause I can't live in the waters anymore.
Now I also met a bird who came choking through my window
And he darn near passed out on the floor
And he said do you mind if I'd stay a while at your house
'Cause I can't stay in the air anymore.
I dedicate this song to the folks who brought us dark brown dirty waters
And to the ones who keep on throwing all that filthy black smoke in the air And I also dedicate it to the bird and fish who now live here at my house
'Cause they can't live out there anymore.
Now I also met a cow who was standing in my kitchen
Opening my refrigerator door
And she said do you mind if I fix myself a sandwich
'Cause I can't live on the grass anymore.
So I dedicate this song to the folks who brought us dark brown dirty waters And to the ones who keep on throwing all that filthy black smoke in the air And I also dedicate it to me and all the critters here at my house
'Cause we can't live out there anymore.
No, we can't live out there anymore...
With the pet industry positively booming, today there are more opportunities than ever to treat your pooch like royalty. And with retailers increasingly conscious of pet owners' desire to buy products that don't have a harmful impact on the environment, eco-friendly dog products are more popular than ever. Here are five eco-friendly dog products that demonstrate that treating your dog doesn't mean you have to mistreat Mother Earth.
From the people over at Sojourner Farms, check out their line of freeze-dried dog food mixes. Made from all-natural ingredients, the Sojo dog food mix is a dry powder that when mixed with water turns into wholesome, healthful dog food. A one pound bag of mix turns into five pounds' worth of fresh kibble. The all-natural, preservative-free food mix contains a tasty mix of grains, vegetables and herbs that provides a nutritional, natural meal for your dog.
Over at West Paw Design, take a look at this doggie boutique's line of organic dog beds, which are made from organic cotton and a recycled cushion that in another life was plastic soda bottles. The organic "bumper beds" have also been tested for harmful chemicals, so you and your pup can rest easy knowing that you've picked out a perfectly safe, perfectly eco-friendly dog bed.
West Paw Design also offers a number of eco-friendly dog toys that will keep your pooch occupied for hours on end. Made from West Paw's eco-friendly "Zogoflex" material, these toys are tough and pliable, and will stand up to all sorts of doggie damage. Free of toxic materials such as lead, latex, asbestos, and other nasty stuff, the Zogoflex toys are fun, safe, and easy on Mother Nature.
Doggie hygiene products retailer Tropiclean sells a wide variety of safe, all-natural products to keep your pup clean and happy. Check out their oatmeal and tea tree dog shampoo, which is designed to sooth dry or patchy skin and strengthen your pup's coat. With no harsh chemicals, and an eco-friendly packaging, Tropiclean's shampoo will keep you, your dog, and the Earth itself clean and happy.
Olive Green Dog makes a wide variety of doggie accessories, as well as a number of healthy, organic dog snacks. Their line of organic cookies are gluten-free, low in saturated fats, and contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Offered in apple, banana-nut, berry, and, yes, "my oh my pizza pie" flavors, these organic treats should keep your pup satisfied.
Django is a writer with Wet Nose Guide, an online dog care directory for dog owners on the go. From dog spas to dog vets, search our site (or mobile app!) to help answer your canine's cravings.
The options for “eco-friendly” travellers are getting greater and greater. Though there are vast options when selecting an eco-escape, they all have some similarities in terms of their goals…clean energy, building materials, recycling, conservation and environmental programs, community investment, self-propelled activities, and overall appreciation for nature. For many travellers, this type of a getaway is just what they need…
But what about their furry companions?
Some eco-resorts (and other environmentally friendly excursions) are starting to ask that exact question. So many of us have pets (pets that are like family members), and many of us travel with these four legged friends. According to the US Travel Association, “Over 49 percent of U.S. adult leisure travelers consider their pet to be part of the family and 18 percent of U.S. adult leisure travelers usually take their pets with them when they travel”.
So for those travelling with pets and looking for an environmentally friendly approach to travel, the question exists, what options are out there?
One example of an eco-resort passionate about pets is Nipika Mountain Resort. Nipika is located in British Columbia (one of Canada's best examples of pristine wilderness). Nipika's power is sourced from the sun and the forest. The resort is completely off grid. Being a solar run property means all of the eco-resort's electricity is generated via clean and natural means. The majority of Nipika's heating needs are satisfied by salvaging dead wood from the woodlot and burning it in a central boiler to provide hot water heating to the guest cabins and other buildings. All of the buildings and much of the furniture at Nipika have been built from local British Columbia trees killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle.
But here’s where it really gets interesting for all those pet lovers out there. Nipika is focused on not only “eco-friendly” but “pet-friendly” too…but what does this mean? Well, it means that when pets are out at Nipika, they are part of the family. Nipika itself has 3 loving dogs, a cat, and a stable of horses.
For eco-resorts such as Nipika, it’s crucial that visitors get to enjoy their relaxation and their self-propelled activities (such as cross country skiing, trail running, hiking and mountain biking) with their four legged companions. With over 50kms of track set trails, Nipika allows skiers to ski with their dogs. For those familiar with cross country ski resorts, it is a rare treat to access dog friendly trails.
In order to support pets at their resort, Nipika has a full stable on site for larger friends, and a large open field for dogs to play in. All dogs visiting the resort have to be well behaved or kept on leash at all times.
For most pet-friendly resorts like Nipika, it’s not just about pets; it’s about respecting all animals. These resorts keeps a watch for all wildlife in the area, giving them their much deserved space.
Do you know any eco-resorts that are pet friendly? If so, feel free to share them in the comments, because we’d love to learn about them!
