More and more highly reputable colleges offer free online courses for curious would-be students in all academic disciplines, not the least of which are in topics relevant to green and environmental topics. These online courses will give you a formal education on subjects that most people only have a passing knowledge about, including studies on ecology, animal behaviors, human influence on the environment, and so forth. These courses offer in-depth explanations of complex processes and ideas as explained in layman’s terms by some of the most prominent experts in their academic areas. And did I mention that these open courses are free? Yeah, I did, but it’s a fact that bears repeating.
Of the many courses available online in the field of green/environmental studies, here are three free options from some of the top universities in the nation.
Principles of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior
This course is taught by Professor Stephen C. Stearns at Yale College in the Spring semester of 2009. In this free online offering, you can stream video lectures and download notes about subjects including genetics, evolution, and climate. The venerable professor Stearns has a great handle on the subject material, offering easily understandable lectures on the densest topics pertaining to biology and nature in general. This course would be hugely helpful for someone who wants to learn the basics of biology across a wide spectrum of general topics. The course comes complete with copies of the exam offered in the course, so you get the full effect of experiencing the class as a college student. Try it out: it’s a Yale course, so you know it’s high quality!
The Environment of the Earth’s Surface
The next course comes from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and it involves an in depth look at the geographic structures, processes, and overall changes that affect the Earth. Taught by Professor John Southard, this undergraduate course can best be described as an entry level geology course on overdrive. Among other things, you’ll learn about the way that glaciers form in the ocean; you’ll be taught some little known facts about the Earth’s water supply; you’ll get a real grasp at the human impact on the geography of this fragile planet. The course material may seem a bit daunting, but it’ll prove a satisfying learning experience for people interested in how to preserve the Earth’s ecosystems.
Obesity Economics
The final course I’ve chosen comes from the Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg of Public Health and it discusses the problems of obesity that plague the US. I feel like this course has particular resonance with certain green initiatives, as there has been a real push to embrace greener food products (locally grown, organic produce and meat, etc.). This course, taught by Instructor Kevin Frick, addresses the complexities of obesity in this country head on. Among other issues addressed in the class, Mr. Frick discusses the health risks of obesity; the difficulties facing the average consumer who wants to avoid unhealthy foods; and the government role in curbing the rise in obese people. It’s a rewarding course that offers keen insight into a topic that’s rarely discussed with such substance. This is the perfect course for someone interested in nutrition, food science, or green dieting.
About the Author:
This guest contribution was submitted by Samantha Gray, who specializes in writing about bachelor degree online. Questions and comments can be sent to: samanthagray024@gmail.com.
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May 15, 2012 11:23
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Clay Miller
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In case you didn't know, it's not exactly kosher to throw your old TV in the trash. If you happen to have a really old model (like a cathode ray tube monitor), you can be certain that it contains lead, a toxic heavy metal. And like most electronics, televisions may contain mercury. This means that an intact TV set is considered hazardous waste, making it illegal to dispose of through regular means of trash collection. However, there are plenty of ways to get that gargantuan tube TV out of your home so that you may replace it with an energy-saving flatscreen. Here are just a few options to pursue when it's time to recycle your old TV.
If your set no longer works and you're not too keen to fix it, your goal is likely just to get it out of your home in the most expedient manner. And for most people this means calling their local trash service for a hazardous materials pickup. It really doesn't get any easier than having someone else haul away your heavy, old monitor for you. However, this option isn't generally free, and you'll likely see an additional charge on your monthly waste disposal bill as a result of this special pickup. But there are ways you can get around paying this fee.
For example, you might ask your trash service if they offer free pickups. In most cases, trash companies will do one or two free pickups of large or hazardous materials each year for their customers, generally accepting a specific number or size of items. Or they may offer disposal for free if you drop off your items at a specified location. In most cases, they also have specific dates for free pickup or drop-off of hazardous materials to encourage people to safely discard these items. And of course, you may opt to take your TV set apart on your own and dispose of its parts individually if you have an eye on recycling some of the electrical components yourself (but that would not fall under the category of "easy").
Another great option is to recycle your old TV. If your tube is still in working condition there are all manner of ways to give it a second life in someone else's home. For example, you could sell it through Craigslist and get some cash out of the deal. You might also sell it to a pawnbroker or simply include it in your annual garage sale. Even if you don't think you can get money for it, at least you can get someone else to haul it away for free. But you might also consider donating it for a tax write-off.
Many charitable organizations will happily take working electronics off your hands. In some cases they will give them to needy individuals or offer them at a low price in their thrift store. Or perhaps they will sell them at an auction or other charity event as a way to get the cash value for their coffers. Either way, the matter is out of your hands, and if you get a receipt you can claim at least some value on your taxes. Plus, you'll save on your energy bill by unplugging the old beast and replacing it with a newer model. You might not get enough cash out of the deal to support your Sky Broadband service or pay for a new monitor, but you can definitely save over time and do your part for the planet by recycling your old set.
The pursuit of birding has been around for decades, but a handful of excellent mobile apps are revolutionizing how people go about it.
If you’re already a birder, you’ll love how these apps make it easier than ever to find, record, and study birds. If you’re not a birder already, these apps are so well made, they may just turn you into one.
So if you’re looking for a fun way to connect with nature, check out the following apps, two of which are on both iOS and Android. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone like the Samsung Galaxy, they’re ideal for planning simple day trips or far-flung vacations.
Audubon Birds – A Field Guide to North American Birds
Available for both Android and iPhone, I consider Audubon’s app the best all-around field guide and birding app.
To be sure, it’s a big app and a relatively expensive one, at least by the standards we expect for paid apps. However, app developer Green Mountain Digital did a remarkable job harnessing the resources of the Audubon Society to make an app that’s as useful as it is easy-to-use and fun to look at.
You’ll find entries for 771 species of birds, complete with audio files to hear various bird calls. The included photos are gorgeous. For many species, you will find images for both male and female birds and for variations in plumage.
The app takes advantage of GPS to show birds common to your area, and to help you create your own bird sighting records. Expert birders can search for birds by size, shape and other characteristics.
Whether you’re at home researching birds or out in the field seeking them out, you’ll love this app. It truly takes advantage of the capacities of the iPhone and Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy.
Links: iPhone ($19.99), Android ($9.99)
BirdsEye Log
You can harness the power of the bird-watching community with this fantastic app.
BirdsEye Log connects you to the eBird.org database of bird sightings. You can log your own bird sightings and see those of others to better understand the aviary of your area. So if you’re looking for a specific bird such as a horned owl, you can see where others have found it and how long ago they saw it.
The app also denotes which birds are rare to the area. Increase your chances of finding these birds by quickly heading to the spot where they were last found.
Links: iPhone ($19.99), Android ($9.99 for North American version, $19.99 for International)
Chirp! Bird Songs USA
Oh, how fun it is to learn and listen to bird calls with Chirp!
This gorgeous app has a fast, intuitive interface, enabling you to look up specific birds or just browse bird songs out of curiosity. Kids will have fun playing with the app, which includes a bird songs quiz.
Unlike other bird song apps, this one features a playlist maker. You can play your favorite bird call or combine several to create soothing audio, whether you’re looking to sleep or just find peace as you work.
Link: iPhone ($3.99)
Ashlee McCullen is a staff writer for ApronAddicts.com, a site about fashionable aprons and kitchen style.
There are literally thousands of businesses around the UK looking to take advantage of a direct electricity savings of up to 18% with the use of a Commercial Voltage Optimization Unit, commonly referred to as a ComEC. However, there are tons of energy saving ideas which can further reduce the amount of money being spent on energy each and every year. The purpose of being in business is to make money and it isn't easy to do that when resources are being thrown away day after day because of the inefficient use of energy.
One of the things which many businesses have started doing is appointing a member of management to be in charge of energy efficiency. It is his or her job to complete a mini energy audit each and every day to ensure that lights are being turned off when not in use and that thermostats are kept at their correct settings. The person whose duty it is to be in charge of auditing energy usage should also ensure that computers are being turned off when not in use.
Any cell phones or digital devices should not be left charging once the battery is fully loaded and they should also be spot checked throughout the day. These are just a few energy saving ideas which can be utilized to reduce the amount of money being spent on energy and at the same time lower a business’ impact on the environment. Keep in mind that most electricity is still manufactured with fossil fuels and that releases an extreme amount of carbon into the atmosphere.
Environmental awareness workshops conducted by Apollo Enviro can help employees understand the significance of saving energy wherever possible. Not only will this help to reduce a business’ carbon footprint but by saving their employer money it can also help to save their jobs. More and more companies are feeling the pressures of a downturn in the economy and saving money in some areas, such as in energy usage, can also free up those funds to pay salaries and grow businesses, thus ensuring job stability.
Below is an easy survey with some questions about how you use your computer and what you do when something goes wrong.
The users who submit three most detailed answers will get $100 each via PayPal. The survey ends on March 14, 2012. No one's personal information will be shared with anyone, nor will anyone be spammed.
