Biofuels are produced by converting organic matter into fuel for powering our society. These biofuels are an alternative energy source to the fossil fuels that we currently depend upon. The biofuels umbrella includes under its aegis ethanol and derivatives of plants such as sugar cane, as well as vegetable and corn oils. However, not all ethanol products are designed to be used as a kind of gasoline. The International Energy Agency (IEA) tells us that ethanol could comprise up to 10 percent of the world’s usable gasoline by 2025, and up to 30 percent by 2050. Today, the percentage figure is two percent.

However, we have a long way to go to refine and make economic and practical these biofuels that we are researching. A study by Oregon State University proves this. We have yet to develop biofuels that are as energy efficient as gasoline made from petroleum. Energy efficiency is the measure of how much usable energy for our needed purposes is derived from a certain amount of input energy. (Nothing that mankind has ever used has derived more energy from output than from what the needed input was. What has always been important is the conversion–the end-product energy is what is useful for our needs, while the input energy is just the effort it takes to produce the end-product.) The OSU study found corn-derived ethanol to be only 20% energy efficient (gasoline made from petroleum is 75% energy efficient). Biodiesel fuel was recorded at 69% energy efficiency. However, the study did turn up one positive: cellulose-derived ethanol was charted at 85% efficiency, which is even higher than that of the fantastically efficient nuclear energy.

Recently, oil futures have been down on the New York Stock Exchange, as analysts from several different countries are predicting a surge in biofuel availability which would offset the value of oil, dropping crude oil prices on the international market to $40 per barrel or thereabouts. The Chicago Stock Exchange has a grain futures market which is starting to “steal” investment activity away from the oil futures in NY, as investors are definitely expecting better profitability to start coming from biofuels. Indeed, it is predicted by a consensus of analysts that biofuels shall be supplying seven percent of the entire world’s transportation fuels by the year 2030. One certain energy markets analyst has said, growth in demand for diesel and gasoline may slow down dramatically, if the government subsidizes firms distributing biofuels and further pushes to promote the use of eco-friendly fuel.

There are several nations which are seriously involved in the development of biofuels.

There is Brazil, which happens to be the world’s biggest producer of ethanols derived from sugars. It produces approximately three and a half billion gallons of ethanol per year.

The United States, while being the world’s greatest oil-guzzler, is already the second largest producer of biofuels behind Brazil.

The European Union’s biodiesel production capacity is now in excess of four million (British) tonnes. 80 percent of the EU’s biodiesel fuels are derived from rapeseed oil; soybean oil and a marginal quantity of palm oil comprise the other 20 percent.

Author: Gracia Sitjar
About the author:My Websites are:Unblock MySpace , Unblock MySpace, MySpace Proxy, MySpace Proxy

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I ask you to consider honoring Mother Earth everyday. We can not continue to take from our resources and never give back in return. There needs to be a balance in nature. We have moved so far away from living in harmony with nature. The foods that we eat no longer come from the local community. We drive when we can walk or bike. We make several trips when they could be minimized. We spray pesticides and bug killer like they do no harm. We consume to try to fulfill a deeper need…

Where will it stop? How much ’stuff’ do we truly need? How big do our homes need to really be? How many cars do we need? When will we begin to live in harmony with the earth that nurtures us? We in North America are perhaps spoiled and lazy and it is time to wake up and realize that you can make a difference in many ways. Be an example to your children and grandchildren.

You can help celebrate earth day every single day in so many small ways. If you will just do it. If you aren’t ready to move to the woods and live in a yurt with a composting toilet and no electricity like some of us that’s okay, but you can still make a difference! Here are a few ways to help you begin celebrating the earth each and everyday and you may just have fun doing it:

1. Join Freecycle. Freecycle can be found online at www.freecycle.org You can join your local group to give away things that you no longer need or get the items you need from others. It’s all free!

2. Shop at thrift stores. By buying second hand clothes and household goods you save the environment and help various causes. Finding a local thrift store in your community helps your local area too.

3. Bike, walk or take transit. Do you really need to drive three blocks to the market? Come on, you can use the exercise and may enjoy the moment by meeting a few folks along the way. And if it’s too far to walk or bike then try transit.

4. Buy local organic food, eat wild foods or grow a garden. Buying local organic food not only helps your community farmers but saves on the transportation of food and helps you by getting fresher and healthier food into your body…putting you in sync with the area of the earth that you live on. Growing your own garden is the best for those that are willing and even better is to eat ethically harvested wild foods.

5. Recycling is so easy these days. You can recycle just about anything. Be creative.

6. Plant trees. For all the trees we cut down…lets plant a few in their place. They help us breathe.

7. Have a green baby. Come on mamas use those cloth diapers and cloth baby wipes. They are so much easier then you may think with snaps and velcro. The money you will save is amazing and they are healthier for your baby as well as Mother Earth. Try elimination communication.

8. Use the library. Instead of buying more magazines and books use the library. There is interlibrary loan if they don’t have what you are looking for in your community. Just ask and they will help you out.

9. Hang your clothes on the line. There is nothing like the smell of fresh laundry coming off the line. You can turn it in to a totally zen moment when you are outside hanging the clothes. Saving on your electricity and enjoying the simplified life is not so bad.

10. Use cloth shopping bags. So, you probably think only granola, sandal wearing folks use cloth bags to go to the market…well, yeah some of us are but come on and join us. Those plastic bags can be easily replaced with creative cloth bags. Some places are even banning the plastic.

11. Use eco friendly cleaners. There are many eco cleaners that are found in your local health food stores or even your markets. However, you can easily make your own with some simple household goods such as vinegar and baking soda. Much better for you and the earth.

12. Make your home more energy efficient. Spend the extra money for making your home more energy efficient and it will pay off in the long run. Check out your area for possible tax incentives as well.

I could go on and on with ideas as I sit here, but you get the idea. You can all do something. So, if you don’t mind please do you part. We are all in this together and the sooner that we become cooperative and live in harmony with the earth and each other..the happier and healthier we will be. Celebrate earth day everyday by making a difference…in whatever way you choose.

Author: Lisa R. Marshall
About the author: Lisa R. Marshall is the facilitator of Path to Nature….honoring life through whole health, natural living, herbal healing, sacred celebrations & journeys. Path to Nature’s vision is to help people recognize their ability to empower themselves. She is a also a mother and doula. Lisa is a facilitator to those who want to make changes in their lives. Visit http://www.Pathtonature.org for further information or to contact the author.

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Organic lawn fertilizers have brought new options to homeowners who desire both a green lawn and a green lifestyle. Environmental issues continue to be a concern in our society, and good citizens everywhere are doing all they can to preserve the health of our beautiful planet. Using organic fertilizers instead of chemical products is an easy way to make a difference, and many would be surprised at the effectiveness of the organic solutions. Listed below are some of the many proven benefits of natural fertilizers and insecticides.

Organic Lawn Care is Safer for Your Family
The most obvious value to using an organic lawn fertilizer is to preserve the safety of your family members and animals. Commercial lawn treatments are a cocktail of dangerous chemicals and poisons that cling to shoes, skin, and hair. Even the most cautious application can result in an accidental poisoning. And if you can protect your family and pets from exposure, it is often impossible to prevent wildlife and other organisms from ingesting these chemicals.

Bio-Degradable
Scientifically engineered chemicals react with our planet in very unnatural ways. Almost every naturally occurring resource on earth has the capacity to break down and return value to the environment. Man-made chemicals on the other hand are much harder to dissipate, and often form more potent by-products in the process. Every commercial brand chemical fertilizer contains compounds that are not only initially toxic, but ultimately breakdown and multiply into more toxins.

Less Waste
A major flaw with chemical lawn fertilizers is their “kill everything” approach to lawn care. These herbicides and pesticides may indeed kill unwanted nuisances like dandelions and ants, but they also destroy thousands of helpful organisms such as bees, earthworms, and beneficial microorganisms. Even if your lawn was comprised of 50% weeds, then you would still poison the soil in the remaining 50% with unnecessary chemicals. With organic lawn fertilizers, there is no concern for toxic runoffs or harmful integration with other organisms.

Organic lawn care is not only the best choice in terms of safety for your family, but it is also an effective alternative to chemical fertilizers. The proper application of organic fertilizers and pesticides will keep your lawn green and disease free. And as an added benefit to “going green“, organic formulas can save a substantial amount of money. Many effective formulas can be created in your kitchen with inexpensive ingredients found at your local grocery store. For more resources on how to implement an organic lawn treatment schedule, visit http://naturallawnfertilizers.com and http://naturallawnfertilizers.com

Author: Xavier Gallery
About the author: Make your own natural fertilizers and pesticides by using the resources available at Natural Lawn Fertilizers

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More and more tea varieties are available as organic. Every variety of tea, whether Black tea, Green tea, White tea, or Oolong tea, is cultivated in some regions under protocols of organic cultivation. This trend has much to do with a return to the source need which has taken the world by storm in the recent years.

Organic tea is grown following strict rules of organic cultivation, using only natural elements in the treatment of the soil, fertilization process and providing natural light instead of any artificial light source. It makes no use whatsoever of destructive chemicals, preferring to go the natural way and encouraging nature to provide for better crop cultivation. Chemicals are known to destroy not only the land where they are used, but also the surrounding ecosystem.

Organic cultivation of tea contributes to improved soil fertility. The use of natural fertilizers such as compost, natural organic matter and plants provide all the nutrients and elements needed by the soil to grow better crops. It has been noted that organically grown crops produce a better yield. Organic cultivation also makes use of natural methods of pest control such as little bugs and insects like the pest-controlling spider. Associated with traditional methods like crop rotation and mulching, a more eco-friendly cultivation is thus ensured.

The benefits of organic cultivation of tea also overlap onto the surrounding ecosystem and live habitat around the area. Wildlife is allowed to thrive, and there is less risk of pollution by harmful chemicals. The natural cultivation of the land means that nothing damaging makes its way into the water table, nor does the soil itself suffer from the use of artificial additives. Animals and human are thus protected, and are also provided with a better environment, free of harmful pesticides and other chemicals, some of which may pose serious heath hazards.

Organic tea is also said to retain most of its inherent benefits. Hand picked and processed the orthodox way, the teas carry a quality standard which is not attained by conventional tea manufacture.

Author: Mayoor Patel
About the author:
Mayoor Patel is the writer for the website OrganicTeaUniverse.com and Organic-tea.tea Please visit for information on all things concerned with Organic Tea

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The traditional wedding is expensive, extravagant, and elegant. The bride and groom will pay a large amount of money to create an elegant, romantic, and fairytale wedding. Today we are seeing increasing numbers environmentally conscious brides and grooms choosing green weddings.

Green weddings show the initiative, awareness and responsibility to take care of our environment. Green weddings are also known as environment friendly, or eco friendly weddings. A green wedding theme inspires the guests, relatives and friends to do their part to protect and care for the environment.

Green Wedding Ideas

Use a recycled wedding band. Fair trade stores, pawn shops and thrift stores may sell recycled gold for wedding bands. Antique shows, auctions, and shops may also carry some lovely wedding bands.

Arrive in style with a hybrid car. The hybrids use a fraction of fuel compared to conventional cars. Organize car pools for the guests. The car pool will take several cars off the road and pollutants out of the air. Set the wedding ceremony and wedding reception close together (or in the same location) so the guests do not have far to go for the next itinerary.

Ask for the print shop to use recycled paper for wedding invitation. Recycled paper and stationary is now widely available. For a paperless wedding invitation, the bride and groom may consider online wedding website.

Rent, or borrow the wedding dress from friends or relatives. Renting or borrowing the wedding dress allows the wedding dress to be reused or recycled. Sometimes you can find excellent deals on new or “like new” wedding dresses on eBay.

The quality of digital photography is often as good as a traditional film camera without the toxic hazards associated with film and developing. The wedding photographers can often get the same results with digital camera. Digital photography also allows the bride and groom to screen unwanted pictures and create an online wedding album.

Reuse the wedding flowers. The wedding flowers from the church may also be used at the wedding reception. Try to use wedding flowers that are available locally and seasonally to reduce fuel costs.

Try to use organic wedding flowers to reduce the use of pesticides.

Use dishes that are reusable and washable. If it is impossible to use reusable and washable plates, spoons and glasses, then easily biodegradable plates, spoons and glasses are an excellent alternative.

There are caterers who specialize in organic dishes. Using only organic ingredients, the chef or cook creates the appetizing dishes for the wedding reception to enjoy. The organic wines, spirits, champagne, beer, soft drinks and juices will quench the thirst of the guests.

Toss only biodegradable and bird friendly wedding favors such as paper, nuts, wheat and rice. The nuts, wheat and rice will feed the birds and squirrels.

Choose eco-travel for your honeymoon. The ecotourism is also known as ecological tourism. Experience the adventure local culture, wilderness, flora, and fauna. Ecotourism promotes recycle of biodegradable materials, efficient use of energy,conservation of water supply, reforestation, evalution of local culture, reduction of waste, education of ecosystem, reproduction of endangered species and reversal of global warming.

Author: Dennis Estrada
About the author: Dennis Estrada owns wedding advice & destination wedding traditions and destination wedding etiquette website.

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Earlier in the week I was at our local health food store waiting for my turn at the check-out counter when I noticed the lady in front of me had bought her own re-usable carry bags which suddenly made a lot more sense to me than choosing “paper or plastic”. When we witness examples of people choosing to live in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way, it causes us to stop and reflect on our own living and buying practices.

The Global Green USA program that invites celebrities to arrive at the Academy Awards in energy efficient transportation started in 2002 with just four participants. This year Jennifer Aniston and supporting-actress nominee Frances McDormand were among the 25 VIPs to participate in the fourth annual “Red Carpet, Green Cars” event sponsored by the environmental organization Global Green USA and Toyota Motor Corp. Participants in the program arrived in either Toyota or Lexus hybrids. Considering that close to 40 million people watch the Academy Awards it creates a great opportunity for a lesson in green living and shows that you can be environmentally minded with style.

The same applies to planning a “green meeting”. In the process you are not giving up anything and can be saving a lot in terms of cost and waste in the process. A green meeting or event incorporates environmental considerations to minimize any negative impact on the environment. There are also economic benefits to using recycled materials, reusing items and reducing the amount of materials used. Plan an environmentally responsible event and promote your event’s environmental features keeping the following ideas in mind:

Prevent and Reduce Waste
Use double-sided printing for promotional materials and handouts. Avoid mass distribution of handouts and allow attendees to order copies. Provide reusable name badges.

Recycle and Manage Waste
Collect paper and recyclable beverage containers in meeting areas. Collect cardboard and paper in exhibit areas. Collect cardboard, beverage containers, aluminum cans, and plastics in food vending areas. If re-usable containers are not used, encourage use of recyclable beverage containers.

Conserve Energy and Reduce Traffic
Look for naturally lighted meeting and exhibit spaces. Publicize mass transportation options. Provide shuttle service from mass transit stops or hotels to the event site.

Food Service and Accommodations
Plan food service needs carefully to avoid unnecessary waste. Consider use of durable food service items. Donate excess food to charitable organizations. Work with the hotel on non-replacement of linens, soaps, etc.

Buy Environmentally Aware Products
Use recycled paper and vegetable- and soy-based inks for promotional materials and handouts. Consider selling or providing refillable containers for beverages. Provide reusable containers for handouts or samples (pocket or file folders, cloth bags). Where reusable items are not feasible, select products that are made from recovered materials and that also can be recycled.

Educate Participants and Exhibitors
Request the use of recycled and recyclable handouts or giveaways. Request that unused items be collected for use at another event. Encourage participants to recycle materials at the event. Reward participation by communicating environmental savings achieved.

For more information and support in planning your “green meetings”, go to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Green Conference Initiative The Green Meetings / Conference Initiative was developed and is supported by the EPA’s Pollution Prevention Division to provide conference planners and suppliers of conference services, easy access to environmentally friendly goals of conference planning. The Initiative provides green options and opportunities for conference planning.

Author:Yvon Douran
About the author: A desire to creatively express myself in the world drives me. A wish to provide a service of value is at the foundation of my business. Pursuits related to improving the quality of life on earth interest me. I have been working with professional speakers for 8 years. More info at:
http://www.keynoteresource.com

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“Travelers seeking a hotel that leaves a minimal carbon imprint often end up in a place that falls short of their expectations. The problem is that in the United States, “we don’t have one single source that clearly defines what is or is not a green hotel,” Nor are there many guidebooks or comprehensive directories devoted to the subject.”

This article lists a few of the things to look for when shopping for a green hotel such as the hotel’s recycling program and their use of “green cleaners. An easier solution to doing this kind of research yourself is to find an eco-friendly hotel from some other guide or rating source.

Here are a few of the resources that we found in the article:

• Sustainable Travel International, based in Colorado, is one of the most reliable sources to search. Includes several hundred accommodations worldwide.
• Rainforest Alliance lists a few exemplary properties in Central America and the Caribbean.
• Green Hotels Association lists 350 properties, including hotels, lodges and B&Bs throughout the United States and in a dozen foreign countries. Some of the hotels listed have only modest environmental programs
• Environmentally Friendly Hotels contains links to more than 2,300 hotels worldwide, mostly in the United States and the tropics. The mix of environmental practices among properties ranges widely.

Click here to read the full article at washingtonpost.com

More popularly known as Green Building, this is a method of constructing a home or building with the use of environmentally friendly products and technique. Much thought is given to what is available at the site it self, it is a boon to be able to harvest energy, water and some materials for the construction. This type of construction combines urban and wild land development, you have a modern home using mostly natural materials that are found around your land. Excess wood from the trees that cut to make way for the construction site may be used as flooring for a particular room.

Green Building costs less since most of the materials needed are easy to manufacture and do not put the environment or your health at risk. Imagine positioning a building in a direction that takes advantage of natural lighting and wind direction. To keep energy use at a minimum, a well insulated structure using safe insulation is needed. With Green Building, the worry for toxic fumes emitted by artificial insulation is a thing of the past.

Since technology in Green Building is evolving and the response to the demands for the environmentally sound materials are acknowledged by the building materials industry. “Green Building Products” is gaining acceptance, not just because of its impact on the environment but because of the excellence in quality. All of these materials comply to construction standards in appearance, practicality and durability. These may be eco-friendly but also succeed in adding an appealing visual quality to the room. Designing with green materials also gives architects and designers the freedom to extend the norms of building design, appearance and style. Green designers look for materials that are available and easily replaceable. Using old techniques with the use of technology make natural materials available without the risk of exploiting the source. The Bamboo Grass and the Cork Tree are two of the favored construction materials for flooring. The life of the tree is never endangered when the needed materials are extracted. The Cork Tree bark is just stripped leaving the tree still living. While the Bamboo Grass, is harvested according to the shoot’s age. Since shoots are known to grow from a single root, extraction is not dangerous.

The next time you think of remodeling your house, keep in mind what is healthy for you and still looks great. We must remember, if we think green we will always see green.

by Gladys J Co
About the author:A feature writer who is an in-house writer for http://agentsofvalue.com

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Very quick video showing the basics of worm composting.

Overview of the tips:
1. Get a home energy audit
2. Seal up air leaks
3. Tune up your air conditioner
4. Use and attic fan
5. Unplug appliances before your vacation
6. Save with smart landscaping
7. Use water wisely

Learn more at: Eco-Friendly Ways to Cut Energy Costs