tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50010991544308664402024-03-24T01:10:56.336-07:00Eco Tech PlanetCombining Environmental Issues of Today with Green Technology and Transportation Innovation of Tomorrow.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-10897558669661760332013-02-16T22:47:00.001-08:002013-02-16T23:18:41.305-08:00Review: Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd Generation)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujV_le-2MU_ID8kS7rmJGcqqFA3cTGbGnfBDsoBvxxWkMnjNExE22Og_JIb_ytiqVtpTF-Nr3Ys34d0CQleg29VnIkGSwe3DMmdhZSUZyoOLOQUUD5Z1zYgZL4fMRRgtOgsHK94-Qu6g/s1600/nest_thermostat_and_airwave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujV_le-2MU_ID8kS7rmJGcqqFA3cTGbGnfBDsoBvxxWkMnjNExE22Og_JIb_ytiqVtpTF-Nr3Ys34d0CQleg29VnIkGSwe3DMmdhZSUZyoOLOQUUD5Z1zYgZL4fMRRgtOgsHK94-Qu6g/s320/nest_thermostat_and_airwave.jpg" width="320" /></a> Are you tired of wasting money due to your old thermostat? If you are ready to make the move to a more sustainable solution to your home thermostat, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GDHYPQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009GDHYPQ&linkCode=as2&tag=ecotecpla-20" target="_blank">Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd Generation)</a> may be for you. Since its launch a few years ago, the Nest Learning Thermostat has become a leader in home energy management. The Nest is an innovative, aesthetically appealing, and highly functional system designed to control your home's temperature, while reducing unnecessary heating and cooling. By learning the homeowner's personal preferences, the system can shut off or on to minimizes costs to your electric bill, while simultaneously conserving energy and protecting the planet.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GDHYPQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009GDHYPQ&linkCode=as2&tag=ecotecpla-20" target="_blank">Nest Learning Thermostat</a> stands alone in the home energy industry by revolutionizing the emerging market for smart thermostats. Approximately half of your home's energy consumption is controlled through your thermostat, of which 89% of thermostats waste energy, on average $173 a year worth of energy. Nest eliminates much of this concern by learning your heating and cooling preferences. After about a week, the thermostat will begin to formulate a schedule based on when you leave for work, arrive home, desire a warmer house upon waking up, and any other preferences you may have. Thus, the thermostat prevents wasted energy when you are not around, resulting in as much as a 20% reduction on your heating and cooling bill. In addition, the Nest Learning Thermostat allows you to tell the system what type of heating system you have, unlike many traditional systems that are merely set for forced-air systems (ex: True Radiant, Heat Pump, etc.). The system will even remind you when it's time to change your heating/cooling filters, potentially saving an extra 5% on your bills. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolZ8HQGg1YeWBcxzaRHzdGUvwDct1cwKwOJdtxnMCp1gNDWD8yqzfswkB9GEjD2LMiKx1AKqRhmFlX4KkOhtN5da9kNVtThtwWeG6MQ2ZSEwG3K0tvEmf6GRpf_ubKsB7brGxu9OTC60/s1600/nest_lifestyle_photo_bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolZ8HQGg1YeWBcxzaRHzdGUvwDct1cwKwOJdtxnMCp1gNDWD8yqzfswkB9GEjD2LMiKx1AKqRhmFlX4KkOhtN5da9kNVtThtwWeG6MQ2ZSEwG3K0tvEmf6GRpf_ubKsB7brGxu9OTC60/s320/nest_lifestyle_photo_bedroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Whether at home or work, you can control the temperature, should you desire, from any location via the Nest mobile application. All you need to do to control your Nest Learning Thermostat from your phone, tablet, or computer, is to connect the system to your Wi-Fi. Thus, if you decide that you want your home warmer than your typical setting, changing the temperature is easily achieved via your mobile device. Nest also provides an Energy History report so that you can see when you are using the most energy, which will help you to make further reductions to reduce your monthly electricity bill and protect the planet. Other unique features such as Early-On, begin heating or cooling early so that when you wake up, for example, the temperature is at the desired setting, rather than first beginning to heat or cool. The auto-schedule setting allows Nest to remember the temperatures you like and programs itself, while the auto-away setting saves energy by automatically turning down your system when you're away.<br />
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As the market for smart technologies that promote a sustainable lifestyle continues to grow, Nest is certainly becoming a leader in the industry. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GDHYPQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009GDHYPQ&linkCode=as2&tag=ecotecpla-20" target="_blank">Nest Learning Thermostat</a> provides both tremendous functionality and savings, in addition to an excellent unique design that has made the product known as "the Apple version" of thermostats. If Apple made a thermostat, it would likely look like the Nest (it turns out, Apple sells the Nest in their stores and online). Perhaps that's because it is the work of former Apple and Google engineers! It's round shape, varied colors based on temperature, and leafs to depict your savings, redefine the traditional thermostat. While any technological product such as this may have occasional problems, Nest provides customer support over the phone and the product is very easy to install on your own, in just a few minutes time. According to Nest, three out of four customers install their product in 30 minutes or less. Despite the initial cost which may seem somewhat steep, the system will likely pay for itself over a short period of time and provide a positive value to the owners' pocketbook and the environment.<br />
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Check out the innovative <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GDHYPQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009GDHYPQ&linkCode=as2&tag=ecotecpla-20" target="_blank">Nest Learning Thermostat</a> at Amazon.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-30246578483262801562013-01-22T14:41:00.001-08:002013-03-22T15:24:38.166-07:00Review: MPowerd's Luci Inflatable Solar LED Lantern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of MPowerd.</td></tr>
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While large solar arrays and wind farms may lead the discussion of renewable energy these days, there is a new small yet powerful way to light your world with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A7CQSFC/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ecotecpla-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00A7CQSFC" target="_blank">MPowerd's Luci Inflatable Solar LED Lantern</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ecotecpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00A7CQSFC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. The Luci Lantern was recently revealed at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and is gathering a lot of praise for its practicality, affordability, and efficiency. The inflatable lantern's innovative design packs a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and weighs a tremendously light 4 ounces. Thus it is easy to travel with, as it collapses and is quite compact (when open, it is 5" high). The durable product is also waterproof and good for severe weather conditions, not to mention it can be attached to a wall or ceiling, making it even more practical for those long stormy nights without electricity. This sustainable energy solution is excellent for emergencies, camping, and locations where electricity is rare or nonexistent.<br />
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Despite it's compact size and affordable price at a mere $29.95 (for every Luci Lantern purchased, you can register, for free, to give a Luci Lantern to someone in the developing world, through MPowerd's Buy One Give One program), the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A7CQSFC/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ecotecpla-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00A7CQSFC" target="_blank">Luci Solar Lantern</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ecotecpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00A7CQSFC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> produces an impressive 1200 lumens of bright light from its ten LED's, through the use of solar power. The lantern charges in a mere six hours of sunlight (or incandescent light) and will then provide six to twelve hours of light from a single charge. In addition, there are three modes, low, high, and distress (flashing). The Luci Lantern serves as a task light, flash light, and diffused lantern. The product provides fifteen square feet of light and has a minimum lifespan of one year. The lifespan limitation appears to be the only main drawback of the lantern, but at its low cost and versatility, the lifespan doesn't appear to be too much of a concern.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of MPowerd.</td></tr>
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While MPowerd's Luci Lantern is a highly useful item to have around your house, it is also unique in that it is the "little solar lantern with a big impact." Luci is a great low cost option for developing nations where electricity is scarce or nonexistent. Thus the product could serve as a highly practical source of efficient and safe lighting for regions where energy poverty remains a pressing issue. According to MPowerd, "Luci was created to empower the developing world through solar power, providing greater equity to those without access to electricity. The true promise of solar-powered lighting as a solution to energy poverty lies in the opportunities Luci will create for individuals and their communities." The company proclaims that the lantern, "increases productivity and promotes job-creation, lengthens study time and improves conditions, reduces incidents of pulmonary diseases, kerosene burns and risk of gender based violence, increases community relations and reduces community violence, decreases CO2 emissions which damage the environment, and saves money ordinarily spent on kerosene which in turn stimulates the economy," particularly in the developing world.<br />
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Check out the affordable <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A7CQSFC/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=ecotecpla-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00A7CQSFC" target="_blank">MPowerd Luci Inflatable Solar LED Lantern</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ecotecpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00A7CQSFC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> at Amazon.<br />
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For every Luci Lantern purchased, you can register (for free) to give a Luci Lantern to someone in the developing world, through MPowerd's Buy One Give One program!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of MPowerd.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-15671810346822333442013-01-22T14:41:00.000-08:002013-02-18T18:41:17.376-08:00New York City Engulfed in Carbon Dioxide Emissions<div style="orphans: 4;">
<span style="font-family: MuseoSans, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"> As cities across the world continue to release tremendous quantities of carbon dioxide emissions, the New York Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability released a eye-opening video depicting the pollution New York City faces on a typical basis. In 2010, New York City, despite its continued efforts to become a greener city, contributed 54 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere (75% of the emissions came from buildings). This video depicts the magnitude of the release of emissions for an hour, day, and finally a year. Let's just say, you wouldn't want to be stuck under the pile of carbon dioxide depicted in the video. While cities contribute extensively to the world's pollution, in many areas the suburbs emit even greater amounts of pollution. Cities tend to be more energy efficient, for people who live in the suburbs frequently have large detached houses, drive long distances, and rely on power that is from sources such as coal and gas. As you watch the video, remember that every little reduction in emissions makes a difference and please, don't worry, there won't be a massive mountain of carbon dioxide spheres pilling up to the top of the Empire State Building when you head to work tomorrow.</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/DtqSIplGXOA" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-42586117570332544612013-01-19T18:35:00.000-08:002013-02-16T23:47:39.073-08:00Climate Change Creates Bleak Outlook for Winter Sports Enthusiasts <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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A recent report by the National
Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and <a href="http://protectourwinters.org/" target="_blank">Protect Our Winters (POW)</a> has winter
sports enthusiasts on edge. Although
there may be some time before we see potential dramatic reductions in the
length of ski season across the United States, climate change is beginning to
take its toll on the $12.2 billion winter U.S. snow sports industry. Across the country, winter temperatures (from
December to February) have been rising since 1970 by an average of 2.2 degrees
Fahrenheit. Furthermore, temperatures
are projected to rise from 4 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century. This significant warming trend will be
accompanied by a decrease in snowfall, snow cover area, and shorter snow
seasons. Currently, the most dramatic
winter warming trends have been observed in the northern part of the United
States, yet it is believed that in the future, the snowpack could fall across
the west by anywhere from 25 to 100 percent. For those in the Northeast, ski
season could be cut in half, creating unhappy skiers and snowboarders, along
with significant impacts to the economy. For ski
resorts in the Northeast, a mere 4 in 14 resorts may remain profitable by 2100,
under an elevated emissions scenario.<br />
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The snow sports
industry has played a crucial role in boosting the economy during the winter
months, as 38 states combine to add an estimated 211,900 jobs. Researchers at the University of New
Hampshire report that based on data from 1999 to 2010, the downhill ski
industry succumbs to a $1.07 billion decrease in revenue during poor snow
seasons, and 13,000 to 27,000 fewer jobs are to be had during such
downfalls. Clearly a lack of snow will
not only frustrate boarders and skiers alike, but its effect on the economy is
significant. In response to the bleak
projections for the industry, many ski resorts have taken action to curb emissions,
join alliances in an effort to combat climate change, and begun to raise
additional awareness regarding the changing climate. According to Elizabeth Burakowski, a
co-author with Matt Magnusson of the report from the University of New
Hampshire, “winter as we know it is on borrowed time.” While many industry leaders are concerned
about the future projections for winter sports, some people feel that not
enough is being done. Auden Schendler,
Vice President of Sustainability for the Aspen Skiing Company resort explained
that he is not happy with the snow sports industry’s response to climate change. “The industry hasn’t done a good job on
educating leaders on the raw science and hasn’t made enough of a public
statement on climate.” Many snow sports
professionals, including popular industry icons such as Gretchen Bleiler, have
joined various riders’ alliances in supporting efforts to combat climate
change.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unfortunately, climate change will hit the winter sports industry just as hard as many other
aspects of our everyday lives.
Thankfully many ski resorts are working to increase their amount of
sustainable operations and are doing their part to curb emissions. While some may think we will have to resort
to increased snowmaking if Mother Nature stops producing high quantities of
snow each winter, such an option will not be sufficient as it will require additional water which is already becoming increasingly scarce, and doing so would cut a
greater hole in resort profits. Next
time you hit the slopes or hop on a snowmobile, remember to do your part to
help the environment and understand potential future impacts if we fail to
implement strong enough changes to preserve the planet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Protect Our Winters:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://protectourwinters.org/" target="_blank">http://protectourwinters.org/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Click here to read the full report: <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/files/climate-impacts-winter-tourism-report.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/files/climate-impacts-winter-tourism-report.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-2282997392847538502012-12-12T13:30:00.000-08:002013-01-19T18:14:21.404-08:00Time-Lapse of Central Park Fall LeavesThis video entitled Fall, by Jamie Scott, is an incredible time-lapse of Central Park, taken over a six month period. The changing of the leaves is a great example of nature's amazing beauty and capabilities, yet another reason why protecting these natural wonders is so important.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/53745876" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-74557990023506457722011-12-15T18:15:00.000-08:002011-12-19T15:00:50.171-08:00Introducing the Eco Tech Planet Green Car Guide!Eco Tech Planet is proud to announce the release of the new Eco Tech Planet <b><a href="http://www.ecotechplanet.com/p/green-car-guide_15.html">Green Car Guide</a>. </b> The guide is one of the most comprehensive guides to electric cars currently available on the Internet. It provides information on a wide range of electric vehicles that are either available or will be released in the near future. To learn more about these electric cars, visit the Green Car Guide page on the Eco Tech Planet website or click here <a href="http://www.ecotechplanet.com/p/green-car-guide_15.html"><b>Green Car Guide</b></a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-53134063472713710302011-12-14T18:10:00.000-08:002011-12-14T18:10:58.761-08:00Durban Climate Conference Concludes with Few Advances Representatives
from 194 nations wrapped up the most recent U.N. Climate Conference in Durban,
South Africa on Sunday, after the meetings continued longer than scheduled due
to intense negotiations. In the end, a
tentative agreement was made to begin negotiating a new global climate change
protocol within the next few years. Some
people see this as a significant step in the right direction, yet the fact that
an agreement was needed simply to begin establishing a new climate “agreement”
to curb the emission of greenhouse gases, left others frustrated and
increasingly concerned. The lack of
significant progress towards a new climate agreement angered some, especially delegates
from poor countries that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate
change. Director of strategy and policy
for the Union of Concerned Scientists, Alden Meyer, explained, “the good news
is we avoided a train wreck. The bad
news is that we did very little here to affect the emissions curve.” The goal remains to prevent global
temperatures from increasing by more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 degrees
Celsius) above current levels by 2020.
According to the U.N. Environment Programme, greenhouse gas emissions
must peak before 2020, in order for the world to have a chance at meeting this
goal. Many scientists believe that there
will soon be a tipping point in which there will be no turning back on the
damage done to the environment. Thus the
conference left many people increasingly concerned that a deal will not be
reached in time to significantly fend off the potential severe consequences of
global climate change.<br />
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Leaders from many
of the world’s most polluting nations butted heads over wording to be used in
the future climate protocol. Diplomats
from India and China argued that industrialized nations have not lived up to
their promises for curbing emissions, and thus they desired an agreement that
eased their nation’s liability. Chinese
delegates heatedly blamed other nations by explaining “we [China] are doing
whatever we should do. We are doing
things that you are not doing.” The
European Union strongly argued that even major developing countries, such as
China and India, must accept future emissions targets with equal legal
accountability. In the end there were a
few initial documents that were agreed upon, which will serve as building
blocks for future meetings when an official climate protocol is developed. The developing countries of China and India,
two of the biggest polluters in the world (China ranks #1, India ranks #3),
will be legally bound to future emissions goals. The documents plan on countries to finalize a
new climate treaty within the next four years, which will take the place of the
Kyoto Protocol. It is believed that it
will require another five years for the treaty to be ratified, and thus a new
agreement will likely not take effect until roughly 2020. A last minute change in the wording of the
document from “a protocol, another legal instrument, or a legal outcome”
sparked objections from the European Union, until the phrase was changed to “an
agreed outcome with legal force,” thus assuring countries would not be able to
escape legal accountability. In
addition, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol that was due to expire next year was extended
by five years. The Kyoto Protocol only
places emissions limits on some of the world’s biggest polluters, but not China
or the United States.<o:p></o:p></div>
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You may be
wondering about the opinion of the United States regarding the discussion of
a new global climate treaty, especially considering the fact that the United
States ranks 2<sup>nd</sup> on the list of biggest polluting countries, and is
not a member of the Kyoto Protocol. This is what United States Climate Envoy Todd
Stern had to say, “this is a very significant package. None of us likes everything in it. Believe me, there is plenty the United States
is not thrilled about.” What is your
opinion on the position of United States in regards to the reluctant support
that is being given? You might think
that the United States’ lack of support for the Kyoto Protocol, in addition to
the significant scientific findings that continue to support climate change,
would finally result in the United States giving strong encouragement for a new
climate agreement. Unfortunately, the
fears of the effects of political retaliation by politician’s constituents lurk
too strongly in the back of the minds of members of Congress. There is constant pressure on politicians to
do what they believe will get themselves re-elected, even if it means failing
to support an issue that is ethical or follows their beliefs. For now the United States will seemingly back
a new global climate treaty due to pressure from other industrialized and
developing nations, but will sadly due so only because of the demands from leaders
of other countries.<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-17500601573873574512011-12-14T18:05:00.000-08:002011-12-14T18:05:55.448-08:00Global Warming Cartoon<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://c1planetsavecom.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2011/12/why-earth-hasnt-been-contacted-by-aliens.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://c1planetsavecom.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2011/12/why-earth-hasnt-been-contacted-by-aliens.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Courtesy of The Washington Post - Work By: Tom Toles)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The bottom corner says it all.... What do you think about this cartoon? </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-24633757168929243862011-01-23T23:48:00.000-08:002011-01-23T23:48:10.439-08:00Exploration at Your Fingertips<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether you are a student, scientist, environmentalist, or simply want to learn more about the millions of species that we share this planet with, you will likely find the World Wildlife Foundation’s, Wildfinder program, to be an extremely informative and interesting environmental resource.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Wildfinder database contains information about more than 26,000 animal species worldwide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By simply entering the name of the species you would like to learn more about, you can quickly discover where an animal lives (even down to the specific ecoregion), along with its species details and images.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The database is searchable by species name, location, and ecoregion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By searching for a specific location, you can view all the species that are found in that particular area, along with the variety of ecoregions that you are likely to encounter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, there is a substantial amount of information regarding each ecoregion, which can be accessed by clicking on the buttons below the region’s details. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The extensive color coding, which depicts individual ecoregions, makes the database highly user friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For teachers, this resource can be very beneficial in the classroom, while students can use this data for reports and to increase their knowledge about the environment!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I strongly suggest checking out this amazing database, as it helps elucidate just how many various species and types of terrain that exist on this planet (believe it or not… the 26,000 species provided in the database, amount to a mere fraction of the species that exist in the world).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://gis.wwfus.org/wildfinder/"><strong><span style="color: red;">Click Here to Explore WWF's WILDFINDER</span></strong></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-1529663706609483582011-01-23T23:41:00.000-08:002011-01-23T23:59:36.193-08:00Commercials with an ImpactNissan’s new Nissan Leaf commercial, has to be one of the most inspiring and emotional commercials we hav seen in a long time!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BNeEVkhTutY" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">See how Nissan created its creative Nissan Leaf Polar Bear commercial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, the polar bear used in the commercial is real, and her name is Agee!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agee has appeared in many films.</div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/y97j5hD1fG8" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">Chevy’s environmental commercial presents the efforts that Chevy is making to do their part to protect the environment.</div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RnYHTx5sph0?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-17450138465883465552011-01-18T21:52:00.000-08:002011-01-18T22:02:17.730-08:00Tigers Last StandComing this weekend... more about the severe threat concerning the world's tiger population, information about future green vehicles, and an introduction to the World Wildlife Fund's unique species/ecoregion database called Wildfinder!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/52XvqIBBNgo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div align="left"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.panda.org/endangeredspecies?source=banner" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img alt="Find out more about endangered species" border="0" height="60" src="http://assets.panda.org/img/original/468_60_banner_species.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-20138345047174580532010-10-12T22:57:00.000-07:002010-10-12T23:00:19.976-07:00Who Deserves the Blame?<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Human actions may have a greater impact on Earth’s climate than previously thought.</strong></div><br />
Most of us realize that humans are very much at fault for creating a planet filled with pollution and environmental peril, yet for those who fail to believe that humans are largely to blame, there is finally new research backing this idea. Recently, researchers unexpectedly discovered that much higher levels of visible radiation have been reaching Earth’s surface during the sun’s period of decreasing solar activity. The sun’s solar irradiance, or light given off, alters throughout an eleven year solar cycle. As of late, the cycle has been at a low, and thus the sun has been emitting less light. The study, which was conducted from 2004-2007, came as a shock to many scientists who previously thought that during periods of decreased solar activity, the levels of visible radiation decrease as well, yet this was not the case. <br />
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The publishing of new eye opening studies such as this has skeptics, yet others believe that this study highlights just how heavily human’s actions are impacting our climate. According to Joanna Haigh, a professor from the Imperial College London and member of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change, “These results are challenging what we thought we knew about the Sun’s effect on our climate.” Although there has been substantial debate about global warming over the last decade, most people, whether they are skeptical about global warming or not, realize that humans are not properly caring for the environment. There is confidence that these findings further highlight the fact that humans may be more to blame than previously thought. Therefore, we should see this new information as a confirmation of how terribly we are treating our planet. When you step back and think about it, it is truly amazing that humans can have such a significant impact on the climate of an entire planet. Who would have thought that the sun’s influence on global climate can be rivaled by human actions? Remember this study next time you decide to recklessly dispose of a wrapper into a bush, or toss your empty coffee cup into the garbage, rather than the recycling. Think of the gigantic impact that your actions have on the planet, in retrospect to the giant sizzling sun, ninety-three million miles away.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-8443920602043639132010-06-17T15:41:00.001-07:002010-06-17T15:41:16.387-07:00Coming Soon!Hello Everyone, <br />
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It has been a little while since my last blog post but don't worry, I am working on adding new content and articles within the next few days. In addition, I will be launching the Eco Store which will include products such as climate change books, solar devices, and other unique green products that will enable you to reduce your impact on the environment. Don't forget to become a fan of Eco Tech Planet on Facebook, become a follower on our site, and subscribe to the Eco Tech Planet feed. Also, please continue to tell your friends and family about the site as well!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-50545782040474879772010-06-05T00:26:00.000-07:002010-06-06T14:32:31.922-07:00Wealthy Countries Create Program to Reduce Deforestation... Indonesia Pledges Two Year Moratorium Recently, wealthy nations came together in Oslo, Norway to develop a program designed to aid poor countries in stopping deforestation and slowing global warming. The participating nations included the United States, Britain, Australia, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, which altogether agreed to set aside approximately $4 billion for the program. The program is called REDD Plus (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) and encourages wealthy countries to fund projects to stop deforestation. An agency will be created to oversee the program, which organizers hope to have up and running by the time world leaders meet for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Mexico at the end of the year. Sadly, deforestation is believed to account for 20% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, which is astonishingly as much as is released by our methods of transportation such as, cars, trains, boats, and planes. <br />
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“Forests are worth more dead than alive. Today we commit to change that equation,” said the Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, who co-chaired the conference that was held in Oslo, Norway. <br />
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Additional progress was made at the Oslo conference in which Indonesia agreed to put a two year moratorium on issuing further permits for deforestation in their country. This comes as part of a one billion dollar agreement with Norway, in which Norway will pay Indonesia a fixed price per ton of carbon dioxide emissions reduced through the preservation of Indonesian rainforests. Believe it or not, due to the high amount of deforestation that occurs in Indonesia, the country is ranked the world’s third highest greenhouse gas polluter, behind the United States and China. Indonesia is the world leader in the production of palm oil and also plays a big role in the paper and timber industries. Even though this project seems like it will work successfully, there are many who remain skeptical that the plans will not be carried out effectively. Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono explained, “Indonesia understands the necessity of doing its part to face the urgent global challenge of combating climate change.” Unfortunately Indonesian leaders, although claiming they want to tackle climate change, have participated in contradictory actions, such as recently supporting extensive development in forested regions. Even so, there is a possibility that if successful, Indonesia might extend the moratorium past the two planned years. <br />
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Let’s hope that members of wealthy nations continue to show strong support for preventing deforestation. I only wish that progress like this (assuming all goes as planned), was made quicker and without corruption. Why doesn’t the United States government come out and inform the public of efforts like these… you tell me…? All I can say is, if the government was more vocal about their plans to help protect the world’s rainforests, then maybe more people would join in the fight (although I doubt that the government has many plans… for most Presidents have done little on this matter, except Theodore Roosevelt and a few others). Even though this might be one small step, the government should do more to protect our crucial rainforests, for not only do they provide shelter to millions of species of animals, but they also contain millions of plant species, including some that may have great curing capabilities. As you likely know, there are many websites and organizations available for you to donate to and buy your own acre(s) of rainforest. I strongly encourage you do so! Let’s not forget to applaud Norway for taking the initiative to fund a program to help stop the destruction of Indonesian forests!<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VOls99_f-cU&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VOls99_f-cU&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-39846778181420506262010-06-05T00:25:00.001-07:002010-06-05T13:23:10.469-07:00Your Carbon Contribution ("Black Balloons")<strong>Black Balloons Video... See just how much your household items pollute without you realizing...</strong><br />
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<object height="344" style="background-image: url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/vZLDPEQzlck/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vZLDPEQzlck&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vZLDPEQzlck&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-11646171013368708782010-06-05T00:25:00.000-07:002010-06-06T14:50:02.835-07:00Nissan Leaf<strong>When</strong>: You can reserve yours by paying a $100, fully refundable reservation fee, which will allow you to be one of the first to place an order. Nissan will start taking orders in August. <br />
The Leaf will become available in select markets in December 2010 with additional availability in the beginning of 2011. Full rollout by 2012.<br />
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Nissan has received 19,000 preorders and is supposedly sold out for 2010. Nissan may have to stop taking reservations for the time being.<br />
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<strong>What</strong>: The Nissan Leaf will be one of the first electric cars on the market. The Leaf produces zero emissions and runs solely on electric power. The vehicle is powered by 48 lithium ion battery modules. The car is charged by plugging in the vehicle to an electric vehicle charger, located in the front of the car. The Leaf has a relatively advanced charging system that will allow you to do things such as preheat or pre-cool the car while charging it, therefore allowing you to conserve battery power while driving (heating the vehicle, etc. while driving, will reduce the range of the car). There is a timer that allows you to control when the car charges, in addition, you will be able to remotely control charging. You will need a home charging station which Nissan believes will cost around $2,200, depending on the age of your home. Yet federal tax credits may reduce a significant amount of the cost through at least December 2010. The vehicle comes standard with Nissan’s navigation system and the interior is loaded with a unique high tech digital interface. The car also points you to local charging stations on the navigation screen so you’re never stuck searching for a charging station. The compact and aerodynamic Nissan Leaf will likely be a hit when it arrives on the market in the very near future.<br />
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<strong>Price</strong>: $32,780 (after tax savings, as low as $25,280) <br />
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<strong>Range</strong>: 100 miles (electric power)<br />
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<strong>Top Speed</strong>: 90 mph<br />
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<strong>Seating Capacity</strong>: 5 people<br />
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Learn more at: <a href="http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index">http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index</a><br />
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Visit Transportation Page for Nissan Leaf VideoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-80407900530384148102010-06-05T00:22:00.000-07:002010-06-06T14:51:30.220-07:00Chevy Volt<div style="text-align: left;"><strong>When</strong>: Expected November 2010 </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>What</strong>: The Chevy Volt will be the first electric car to hit showroom floors in the United States, when it arrives at the end of 2010. The Volt, which has been in the works for several years, is electrically powered by more than 200 lithium ion batteries. The car is electrically powered for the first 40 miles, but thereafter it switches to a gas generated engine. The forty mile range seems rather low for a vehicle which the buyer is likely purchasing due to its electric engine. Yet Chevy claims that in their studies, more than seventy five percent of those surveyed said they commute no more than forty miles a day. Thankfully drivers won’t be stuck on the side of the road when they exceed the forty mile range, for the car’s gas powered engine takes over after the electric range is surpassed, making this an interesting alternative. If the Volt lives up to its forty mile range, it will be a step in the right direction, combining the benefits of electricity with the reliability of a gas powered backup system. Unfortunately, the price tag on the Volt seems quite high, being that the range seems so minimal, but for some the backup system may justify the added price. In contrast, the Nissan Leaf has a solid 100 mile range on electric power, yet after that, you’re stuck… well hopefully you recharge before your battery runs out! The Volt, similar to the Leaf, comes with an impressive high tech digitalized computer interface on the dashboard, not to mention a sleek touch screen navigation system as well. Finally, there will be an available OnStar mobile application that allows you to remotely control your vehicle’s charging and other functions. The Volt, although with a higher price and considerably lower range than the Nissan Leaf, appears significantly more like a modern car, rather than the Leaf’s interesting… and unique shape!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Price</strong>: believed to be around $40,000 (after possible full tax savings, around $32,500)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Range</strong>: 40 miles (electric power) + runs on gas after electric power runs out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Top Speed</strong>: around 100 mph</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Seating Capacity</strong>: 5 people</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Learn more at: <a href="http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/future/volt.do">http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/future/volt.do</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLFRsRE1R-ccJ7Wpl60mu4aKHflKbB33WmzB8W0xySmyqi35kt2N5cNfJ8FhLzO6kbCmhnfuzb9zw_6WrQL3rFEiXNmT3PedT_cU2rBQAerMcHl5bm0MQuMzNI-w2dUhIc-pEmtbyFwJv/s1600/volt01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLFRsRE1R-ccJ7Wpl60mu4aKHflKbB33WmzB8W0xySmyqi35kt2N5cNfJ8FhLzO6kbCmhnfuzb9zw_6WrQL3rFEiXNmT3PedT_cU2rBQAerMcHl5bm0MQuMzNI-w2dUhIc-pEmtbyFwJv/s320/volt01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Visit Transportation Page for More Chevy Volt Photos and Video </div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-22051064537843373532010-06-05T00:21:00.000-07:002010-06-05T13:01:13.162-07:00Climate Change Legislation Becoming High Priority Although significant climate legislation has been practically nonexistent in recent years, this may be about to change due to the recent oil spill in the Gulf. America’s dependence on oil is certainly not the way to help protect our environment from the perils that exist in twenty-first century society. The country needs to rapidly find new forms of renewable energy to power the nation’s infrastructure, vehicles, and the everyday necessities. As a result of the appalling BP oil spill, climate legislation is finally becoming a top priority in Washington. Senators John Kerry and Joseph Lieberman have partnered to create an energy and climate change bill which President Obama is beginning to gather support for, in hopes of the bill passing the Senate before the end of the year. Other top priorities on the president’s agenda, such as immigration reform, may be delayed in order to focus on passing climate legislation. The House of Representatives already passed some forms of legislation intended to reduce greenhouse-gas pollution in 2009. In addition, the president is proposing reductions in tax breaks to big oil companies, with potential penalties for carbon pollution. <br />
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“The time has come, once and for all, for this nation to fully embrace a clean energy future,” said President Obama.<br />
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If there is any one potential “good” result we can take away from the horrific BP oil spill in the Gulf, it’s the fact that the spill has finally made passing stringent climate legislation a top priority. At last there is hope that the United States will make a strong push to help protect the environment, by means of new forms of clean renewable energy. The unfortunate aspect is that politicians and citizens alike tend to get hung up on creating renewable energy simply to rid us of our dependence on foreign oil. <br />
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Politicians continuously explain that we need to reduce our dependence on foreign nations that provide us with the oil that fuels American society, yet my question is… doesn’t anyone care simply because we are destroying our once serene planet? Doesn’t anyone simply feel it’s wrong to keep destroying the earth with our careless lifestyles? The way I see it, the need for renewable energy is not merely to reduce our reliance on foreign nations, but it is to help us save our planet from further destruction that is caused by the burning of fossil fuels. We need to create renewable energy so that our vehicles can be powered by energy that doesn’t pollute our environment. By driving green vehicles such as zero emission cars, we will be able to get around just as we do today in our busy lives, yet without leaving our planet in despair. As a consequence, climate change is not only putting our way of life at risk, but it is also harming and killing off thousands of helpless components of our the planet’s ecosystems, such as essential rainforests and innocent wildlife. So feel free to continue supporting big oil and advocating against climate legislation, but remember, someday when you are living in an incredibly polluted lugubrious city filled with toxic clouds looming over your head, remember there used to be green there… one day… long ago.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-66056658953960256982010-06-05T00:20:00.001-07:002010-06-05T13:22:09.095-07:00Repower America with Solar Energy<strong>Repower America Video... See America's solar energy hub, found in the American West.</strong><br />
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<object height="295" style="background-image: url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/TR1nMnaym4w/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TR1nMnaym4w&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TR1nMnaym4w&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-46284902655452316532010-06-05T00:20:00.000-07:002010-06-05T13:05:51.298-07:00Repower America Gulf Coast Oil Spill<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e41Sq-ALDGk&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e41Sq-ALDGk&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-86657993599634112352010-06-05T00:18:00.000-07:002010-06-05T13:06:09.587-07:00Repower House Party Video<object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hLqGo2-94Jo&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hLqGo2-94Jo&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5001099154430866440.post-20173186404836317952010-05-26T14:26:00.002-07:002010-06-05T12:51:37.749-07:00Welcome to Eco Tech Planet!Hello Everyone,<br />
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I am starting this site <a href="http://www.ecotechplanet.com/">http://www.ecotechplanet.com/</a> in order to provide an overview of not only environmental conditions and the effects they are having on our planet, but also new innovative technological advancements, especially in the field of transportation. As most people have begun to realize, our planet is truly suffering from our careless actions. As citizens of the world, it is our duty to help and protect the planet, in order to preserve earth for future generations. Therefore, we need to stop bickering when it comes to taking action to preserve the environment. Legislative bodies worldwide need to create bipartisan climate legislation so we can finally steer down the right path. We can only hope that world leaders will make more substantial progress at the 2010 United Nations Climate Conference in Cancún, Mexico, (Nov. 29- Dec.10) than was made last year in Copenhagen. For those who remain skeptical, if we can at least encourage them to take care of the environment by not wasting, polluting, or conducting other actions that harm the environment, then we will be on the right track. After all, just because one person is skeptical about climate change doesn't mean they disagree with protecting the planet. <br />
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The twenty-first century is an era full of amazing new technological advancements. These advancements will likely prove to be highly beneficial in helping solving the climate crisis and protecting the environment. The downside is, in order to make these new technological developments a reality, frequently extensive production is required which can have a counteractive negative effect on the original purpose. When it comes to transportation technology, there are many new methods of creating low, if not zero emissions vehicles. Within the next five years we will begin to see an influx of additional hybrids and most importantly electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Yet we must ask ourselves, by owning an electric vehicle we have to charge our car to power the vehicle, but where is this additional energy being created? If this energy that is being used to charge our electric vehicle is simply originating from fossil fuels, then how great are the benefits of owning an electric car? Therefore, we need to create a cyclical grid in which all the electricity is coming from renewable energy. If the electric that is being used to power our electric car is coming from renewable energy such as wind or solar, then owning an electric car provides us with great benefits (compared to driving a traditional gas burning vehicle). Citizens of the planet have a lot they need to accomplish within the next few decades in order to significantly protect the environment, for time is ticking, and fast.... I hope to create an informative and interesting site for the general public to follow for more information about both environmental issues and technological advancements. I am still working on fully developing the site, so please be patient as I add new content as soon as possible! Thanks!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0