Under the said campaign, Google.org earmarked $1 million for grants to institutions which are undertaking developmental experiments on the practical use of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Aside from that, the institution also announced that they are planning to provide $10 million to fund the actual development, adoption and commercialization of plug-in hybrid vehicles as well as electric cars. According to the institution, they are willing to fund any development of vehicle-to-grid technologies.

The Brookings Institution received a $200,000 grant from Google.org which will be spent in its hosting of a conference next year. The said conference which will be held on the spring is aimed to promote the use of plug-in hybrid technology.

CalCars also received a $200,000 grant from Google.org to support its effort in educating the public on the advantages of using plug-in hybrids. The Electrical Power Research Institute also received a $200,000 grant which will be used in the development of plug-in technologies.

Google.org also awarded a $100,000 grant to Plug-in America which will be used to support the group’s public awareness in the use of plug-in hybrids. The Rocky Mountain Institute also received a grant worth $200,000. The said grant will be used by the RMI in the development of a practical plug-in hybrid vehicle which hopefully will be adopted by car manufacturers.

Dr. Larry Brilliant, the Executive Director of Google.org, has this to say at the launching of the initiative: “Clean energy technology can dramatically shift how we make and use energy for our cars and homes by charging cars through an electric grid powered by solar or other renewable energy sources, and selling power back to the electric grid when it’s needed most. This approach can quadruple the fuel efficiency of cars on the road today and improve grid stability.”

Plug-in hybrid cars are more environment-friendly than hybrid cars since its battery pack can be recharged via a common household outlet. For hybrid vehicles, the only way that the battery pack can be charged is by the use of the alternator or when the brakes are activated.

Aside from providing grants which will promote the development of environment-friendly vehicles, Google has also taken a step to make their company headquarters more environment-friendly. The company announced that they are now using solar electricity on their Mountain View, California headquarters. Google’s solar panel installation can produce as much as 1.6 megawatts - this is estimated to be the equivalent of the power needs of 1,000 average California households.

According to the company, their solar panel installation is the largest of its kind in any corporate campus in the United States.

“Google is committed to using its resources to help solve the global climate challenge,” says Dr. Brilliant. “Google.org is a hybrid philanthropy, bringing together the active engagement of the broader Google corporation, as well as investments in for-profits, traditional grants, policy work, and public information. RechargeIT brings together all of these elements to help accelerate progress on plug-ins,” he concluded.

by Anthony Fontanelle
About the Author: Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop

Buy the book: The Electric Car
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It is no wonder when you consider that most homes contain toxin soaked carpeting, formaldehyde soaked particleboard, toxic household cleaning supplies, PVC, offgassing, dry cleaning, plastics and much more. If it was manufactured in a lab, odds are it is not good for you or your family. The short and long term dangers are compounded if you have children or pets.

The good news is that it is not terribly difficult or expensive to start greening your home. Gaiam has a nice article called 5 Easy and Cheap Ways to Green Your Home and the list includes:

1. Take your shoes off at the door to avoid tracking in lead, pesticides and other contaminants. The good news is, your home will stay much cleaner too.

2. Get rid of vinyl (PVC) which is commonly found in shower curtains, kids toys and backpacks. Look for the #3 or letters PVC. Why get rid of it?

“PVC frequently contains notorious phthalates to make it soft. According to the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, these phthalates are known to cause liver and kidney damage, endocrine disruption, reproductive system damage and, possibly, cancer, and they can easily leach out of PVC. And finally, harder PVC often contains lead and cadmium, two heavy metals that have also been linked to a host of health issues, including cancers.” Gaiam.com

3. Switch to green cleaners because traditional household cleaners turn your indoor air and surfaces into toxic hazards. There are many green cleaners on the market today and they are a step in the right direction but making your own cleaners with vinegar, baking soda and salt is the most healthy, inexpensive, non-toxic and earth friendly way to clean your home.

4. Use indoor plants. They look great, are positive feng shui and yes they absorb toxins from the air. The best plants for toxic absorption are ficus, spider plants and English ivy.

5. Open your windows even if it is for a few minutes a day and yes, even in the winter. Even adding a little fresh air to the mix will help dilute the toxins in your household air.

Curtains, couches, and carpets - could these possibly be common sources of air pollution? While many would quickly answer no, these porous household furnishings can and do contribute largely to air pollution that, according to the American Lung Association, eighty-seven percent of Americans fail to consider: the pollution of indoor air.

In fact, practically all surfaces found inside a building take in common, everyday chemicals, such as cleaning supplies and pesticides, and continue to release these harmful fumes back into the air long after their initial absorption. Consequently, unless action is taken to rid the air of these persistent pollutants, many buildings stay continuously contaminated.

Pollution of air does have a serious and direct effect on human health. For example, asthma, allergies, and cancers can often be linked to air pollution. And while many think of outdoor air as the primary culprit, the Environmental Protection Agency states that the air inside is actually two to ten times more polluted than that outdoors.

This dangerous indoor air pollution comes from many sources, including perfumes, fireplaces, pesticides, candles, smoking, cleaning supplies, dust, construction materials, mold, and people. Chemicals such as pesticides, for instance, which are created to kill insects and other pests, are made up of both active chemicals and inert solvents that are extremely toxic, and as mentioned above, are often re-released into the air for prolonged periods of time.

Therefore, because many of the sources of indoor pollution cannot be eliminated, the air itself must be disinfected. To do this, the United States Centers of Disease Control recommends using a UV air purifier that employs a HEPA filter along with ultraviolet light. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture states that a UV clarifier which generates negative ions is highly effective in ridding the air of bacteria and dust.

Many UV air purifiers on the market incorporate all of these methods. Together, they are able to remove and/or kill virtually all particulates and micro-organisms found in the air. This is extremely important; while the hairs in our noses filter larger particles, smaller particulates pass through to our lungs, resulting in serious health risks.

A HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter will trap 99.97% of these dangerous particulates a minute as small as three-tenths of a micron (which is 1/25,400 of an inch). Being trapped by the UV clarifier, they cannot again enter the air. Depending on the amount of pollution in the air, A HEPA filter often lasts several years, making the ultraviolet air purification system extremely cost-effective.

Some of the particulates passing through a UV air purifier are micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and mold. As these microbes pass by the ultraviolet germicidal light, their DNA is mutated, making it impossible for them to reproduce and grow. The HEPA filter works with the ultraviolet light as it captures hazardous microbes, allowing the ultraviolet light of the UV clarifier ample time to destroy all micro-organisms and render emitted air harmless.

Finally, negative ions work to attract positively-charged fine particles, including dust and mold spores. As negative ions attach to the positive particulates, they form clumps, become heavy, and fall to surfaces where they can be vacuumed or dusted. As these positively-charged fine particles are pulled from the air, a host of dead skin, dust mites, and bacteria, which would be inhaled, are removed, leaving the air safe to breathe.

In addition to a HEPA filter, ultraviolet light, and negative ion generation, it is important that an ultraviolet air purification system employ a fan. Just as placing the fan of an HVAC system in the constant-on position will help the system’s filter trap contaminants as air moves through, an ultraviolet air purification system must produce a constant flow in order to keep air moving through the UV clarifier so hazardous particulates can be trapped and killed.

Indoor air quality, according to the EPA, ranks number one as the United States’ environmental health problem. Therefore, every piece of technology that can be utilized by a UV air purifier should be incorporated as each plays an important role in the effectiveness of an ultraviolet air purification system. The HEPA filter, ultraviolet germicidal light, negative ions, and fan work together to rid indoor air of pollutants that will persist unless action is taken against this dangerous pollution.

About the Author:

Clean Air with Ultraviolet offers low-maintenance, energy efficient products that will minimize indoor air pollution. For more information on indoor air purifiers or the benefits of air purification, please visit Clean Air with Ultraviolet.

Buy the Honeywell HHT-145 HepaClean UV Antibacterial HEPA tower 3-in-1 Air Purifier
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/capecodcyclist/273440259/

Click here to read the full article at KennebecJournal.com

Sheryl’s comment:
The article contains stories of individuals who were tested who were surprised to find out how truly toxic they were despite eating organic, detoxing their homes and otherwise leading a healthy lifestyle.

It is depressing and frustrating that these chemicals are so pervasive in our atmosphere and homes that we cannot escape them entirely. While many choose to ignore the problem, I will not give up. I believe it is critical to not only “plug the boat” so to speak by detoxing your food, skin care and environment, but it is equally as important to bail out your boat as much as you can or you will still sink. By that I mean it is important to detox your body with all the available options we know of such as chelating therapy, sauna, colon cleansing, raw food diets and more.

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.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/koalie/2560862862/

There is another, perhaps unexpected benefit to the high gasoline prices however. Just as smoking related deaths drop in almost predictable numbers when cigarette prices increase, auto related deaths are on a swift and remarkable decline due to the rising price of gasoline. Some researchers believe that automobile related fatalities will drop by as much as one third because of gas prices.

Some of the reasons suggested for the remarkable decrease in fatalities is that the riskiest drivers (teenagers) cannot afford gasoline, the most dangerous vehicles (SUVs) are too expensive to drive and that people are simply driving more slowly to save money. Most importantly however, is that people are simply driving less. 1.4 billion fewer miles less in April alone to be precise. That may not be good news for your summer vacation but it is excellent news for the environment and approximately 12,000 lives saved every year.

Learn more at abcnews.com

Many people love their indoor carpeting and look forward to having brand new wall to wall carpeting installed. Did you realize however, that no matter how clean you keep your rug, even if you steam clean it weekly, it is still highly toxic to you, your family and your pets?

Over 60% of homes in the USA have carpeting. Carpets cover the floors of our business and schools. Children play for hours on them, infants crawl on them and breathe deeply of their fumes, proud homeowners inhale that ‘new-carpet smell’, and all the while we are being poisoned by the chemicals, allergens and toxic dust that lurks in our carpets.

Whether your carpets are new or old, they probably have more bad things in them than you want to imagine. The list is staggering. For new carpets there are ‘volatile organic compounds’ VOC’s. These include toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, ethyl benzene, styrene, acetone and a host of other chemicals, some of which have already made the EPA’s list of Extremely Hazardous Substances. Known carcinogens such as p-Dichlorobenzene are in new carpets, as are chemicals that produce fetal abnormalities in test animals. These chemicals also cause hallucinations, nerve damage and respiratory illness in humans.

Other compounds in new carpeting that affect your health are adhesives, stain protectors, mothproofing and flame retardants. That ‘new carpet smell’ comes from 4-PC, associated with eye, nose and upper respiratory problems that are suffered by many new carpet owners. 4-PC is used in the latex backing of 95% of US carpets. In 2000 the 3M Company removed the chemical perflouro-octanyl salphonate from their product, Scotchgard, because it had been found to cause reproductive problems in rats. It had also been found in high levels in the wildlife of urban areas. Mothproofing chemicals contain naphthalene, which is known to produce toxic reactions, especially in newborns. Fire retardants often contain PBDE’s (see our report Toxic Flame Retardants and Children’s Health) which are known to cause damage to thyroid, immune system and brain development functions in humans.

Older carpets can be more of a hazard than new ones: Not only do they contain the chemicals banned from more recent production, they also have had years to accumulate pounds of dust mites, dirt, pesticides and other toxins brought in on shoes, feet and pet’s paws. Did you know that your carpet can hold 8 times it’s weight in toxin filled dirt and you can’t even see the trapped dirt that your carpet is hiding! The EPA has stated that 80% of human exposure to pesticides happens indoors. Every time you spray for bugs or use a fogger, the chemicals settle in the rug and stay there for years. If you paint your room the curing paint leaves its VOC’s in the carpet for you to inhale long after the walls no longer smells of paint. Just put in a new wood or laminate floor? You’ll be living with those toxins, sealers, solvents and glues even after you clean with all the right products. Household dust contains lead and other heavy metals, because lead is in our soil and will be for a long time to come.

Older carpets are so toxic that your chances of being exposed to hazardous chemicals are 10-50 times higher in a carpeted room than outdoors. If the carpet is plush or shag, your risk increases substantially.

What can you do? First you can take action to reduce your exposure to carpet toxins. First, if you can, get rid of the carpeting. If not that, then vacuum with a well sealed high quality HEPA Vacuum Cleaner that can do a much better job of cleaning your carpets than the cheaper vacuum cleaners found at most department stores. Low quality vacuum cleaners are not sealed well! Even many of the so called filtered ones often leak air through gaps in their cases causing dirty air to blow back into your indoor environment! Steam cleaning can kill dust mites and bacteria. A good doormat will stop a lot of toxins right at the door. Take your shoes off when entering your house and you make it a much safer place. If you must buy a rug or carpet, choose one made of naturally flame retardant fibers such as wool, and get a woven rug. Don’t glue your new carpet to the floor, attach it with staples instead. Finally, get a Quality HEPA Air Cleaner or Air Purifier that will remove dust and toxins that rise from the carpet or rug every time you step on it or vacuum. If you follow as many of these precautions as possible, you will certainly have a cleaner and healthier home.

Another tip at Tree Hugger.com recommends the following when looking for a safer carpet. “First, look for carpets with the Green Label Plus Certification. In 2004 this initiative by the Carpet and Rug Institute certifies that carpets have passed independent laboratory tests for emissions from thirteen notorious chemicals. “.

Your best alternative is to seek area rugs made from natural fibers such as wool, hemp and corn husks laid on top of natural hard surface flooring. If that is not possible, open your windows and do the best you can with air filters because you can bet that your home is much more toxic than you ever realized.

This information, is brought to you by Absolute Air Cleaners and Purifiers Inc.
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/paws_and_toes/2163265916/

Author: Shayna Schnereger

Bleach, ammonia, dish detergents, drain cleaners, furniture polish, laundry detergents, oven cleaner, toilet cleaner, window cleaner, shower cleaner, pesticides, garden sprays, cosmetics, shaving lotion, aerosol cans. Every household across America has at least one of these (probably several) toxic products in their home.

Of course they’re in every home because we all have to clean, we all have to eat, and we all have to wash our dirty laundry. Since these are things in every home it only makes sense that the manufacturers would use ingredients that are safe; I mean we’re breathing this stuff, right?

Yes, I mean–no.

Yes, we are breathing this stuff. But no, most of the companies do not use safe ingredients. Many of the harsh chemicals being used in our everyday products are harmful to us and our families. Many of these products have the potential to cause eye problems, respiratory problems, visual problems, memory impairment, headaches, dizziness, and even death.

Many of these chemicals are being linked to cancer and here we are using them inside our homes, breathing in the toxins. Using these potentially hazardous chemicals in our homes causes indoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution not only affects us at work and at home; even places we visit for a short time can have a harmful impact on our health. Indoor pollution is a known source for causing asthma, allergies, and lung cancer.

“The main strategy with home-brewed cleaners is to use them a bit more often; don’t leave a cleaning job until the dirt and grime builds up in months-old layers. A gentler and more frequent approach will do the trick.” Tutorials.com

Indoor air pollution is not the only problem we have to worry about when using these household products. We also need to consider that when we lay down in our beds at night we’re having direct contact with these chemicals for approximately eight hours. That’s eight hours of hazardous chemicals right on our skin. After we get out of the shower, we’re drying off with a towel that’s been washed in toxic, caustic chemicals. We’re using potentially hazardous dish soap to clean the dishes and the baby bottles that help nourish our families. These harmful chemicals are also found in our hygiene products. The very things that are supposed to be cleaning us and keeping us healthy are harmful to us.

One common hazardous chemical used in our products is Formaldehyde. But if you look at the ingredients of many household products will you see Formaldehyde listed? Nope. You will not see it listed because a different name is being used. Quaternium 15 or Q15 is a common name that you will see listed in the ingredients of your household products. Guess what? Q15 is a Formaldehyde-releasing preservative. But that’s not the end of the list. There are many other harmful ingredients that are commonly used in the household items we buy.

Is this shocking to you? Of course it’s shocking.

These are brand names we’ve trusted for years. These are things we’re using to take care of our children’s health and well-being. Should we continue to buy things that are poisoning us and our families? Do you see a connection between harmful chemicals in our everyday products and numerous health issues including cancer, allergies, and skin conditions? There is a real connection here and more people are taking notice of this and choosing alternatives for their families.

And the hazards I’ve mentioned so far are caused by simply using these products. Let’s imagine what happens to children that ingest these hazardous chemicals. Do you know every year approximately 91,000 children are accidentally poisoned each year? And yes there are fatalities as well. Sadly, about 100 of these children will die each year. Are you ready for a crucial
change?

“The cost of these commercial, chemical-based products can be high — long term health concerns for the family, and environmental pollution caused by their manufacture and disposal. In the US, for example, 1 in 3 people suffer from allergies, asthma, sinusitis or bronchitis (US National Center for Health Statistics). Treatment for these conditions should include reducing synthetic chemicals in the home environment.” eartheasy.com

Visit eartheasy to find formulas to make your own non-toxic cleaning products at home with inexpensive, family safe ingredients

Purchase: Caldrea Kitchen Starter Set, Green Tea Patchouli, 16-Ounce Box

About the author:
Contact Shayna at mailto:sschnereger@socal.rr.com subject=poison my family for information about preventing these hazards in your home.

According to the article, “EWG pet health study spurs launch of new organization” at Enviroblog, “They found 48 of the 70 chemicals they looked for, including PCBs, PBDEs, phthalates, and heavy metals, and lots of other stuff.”

Our pets seem to absorb the toxins the same way we do, through air, water and food pollution.

Visit Enviroblog or Pets for the Environment to learn more