July 1, 2011
Summer Heat, be Safe
written by Steven Barrymore

Tips for helping you and your loved ones in summer heat, be safe.

• Drink more fluids (non alcoholic), unless limited by your doctor. Drinking liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar can cause you to lose more body fluid.
• Stay in the shade – indoors in an air-conditioned place if possible. If your home does not have air conditioning – go to a shopping mall or other public place that does.
• Electric fans can provide comfort, but when temperatures are in the 90′s they will not prevent heat-related illness.
• NEVER leave anyone (or animal) in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Check on infants, young children, the elderly and pets.
• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Limit exercise. If you do exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and apply a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher. Check the UV Index for your area.
• Air quality is also important – check the Air Quality Index before heading outside.

Link: CDC

June 22, 2011
Forest Service Going Green
posted by Steven Barrymore

If you live in Montana or Idaho, the U.S. Forest Service going green for you. In partnership with Honeywell International energy-saving measures will be made to Forest Service Sites. These Energy-Savings Project improvements are expected to save the Forest Service over $267,000 in energy costs in the first year. The energy-saving measures will use renewable energy technology including photovoltaic (PV) systems. This project is designed to conserve energy and water without adding to the national budget deficit. How would the U.S. Forest Service going green in your state be of benefit?

Read more about the Energy-Savings Project.

September 29, 2010
Obama – Mabus Gulf Region Recovery Plan Moves Forward
posted by Steven Barrymore

Requested by President Obama, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has written a long-term recovery plan to restore the Gulf Coast region.

Mabus report recommends that Congress dedicate a significant portion of any civil penalties obtained from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill responsible parties into a Gulf Coast Recovery Fund addressing long-term needs for the region. The Mabus report also recommends that Congress authorize a Gulf Coast Recovery Council to manage funds and coordinate recovery projects.

President Obama and Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Ray Mabus -- U.S. Navy photo 8/2010

Obama is prepared to sign the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, part of the Mabus plan, into effect before Congressional approval of the recovery council. The task force will serve as a bridge to the recovery council to coordinate restoration programs and projects in the Gulf Coast region. Obama has named EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson to chair the task force due to her extensive environmental experience.

The task force is to coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Commerce in the recovery effort.

“… What happens in the Gulf of Mexico affects America. Nearly one third of the seafood harvested in the continental United States, as well as 30 percent of oil production and 13 of our natural gas production, come from the Gulf. The Gulf is an environmental percent treasure and central to the nation’s economy. America needs the Gulf. America needs the Gulf to be clean. America needs the Gulf to be healthy. America needs the Gulf to be sustainable. …” excerpt of opening statement — Mabus recovery plan

Mabus report suggests a media campaign, paid for by those responsible for the Gulf Coast oil spill, to bolster the public confidence in the regions seafood industry and promote tourism. Follow the link for more on the story and the full report to the president.


Link: RestoreTheGulf.gov

July 21, 2010
Cars Giving Back to the Environment
written by Steven Barrymore

Justin Robertson of Enervate in New Zealand has developed a way for a vehicle to give back to the environment. The company’s PowerTread system is a series of fluid filled tubes fitted to a roadway. When a vehicle passes over the tubes the motion / weight of the vehicle forces the fluid into a turbine generating electricity.

An early prototype of the PowerTread system on a busy Malaysia-Singapore highway border successfully powered the lights and electricity of the border patrol booth for two days.

The company is experimenting at Singapore shopping mall with further road-testing of PowerTread’s ability to capture energy from passing vehicles. On an industrial scale PowerTread could generate 15KW an hour, enough to power 12 good-sized homes.

Bravo to the developer, and 5 stars ***** for concept and simple genius


Via: New Zealand Herald

July 21, 2010
EPA National Water Conservation Campaign Road Trip
written by Steven Barrymore

The EPA has launched the WaterSense program designed to encourage Americans to make better choices to save water. In partnership with American Water, the WaterSense program will go on a road trip across the country educating consumers about WaterSense products which can save about 20 percent water over standard non-conserving models.

The road trip kicked off in Los Angeles, California on July 14 and is scheduled to reach New York by July 30 after stopping in over a dozen cities across the nation.

The 2009 EPA WaterSense program helped consumers save more than 36 billion gallons of water. Learn more about the road trip and if it will be in a city near you: Road Trip.


Link: EPA