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Cork comes from the cork oak, an evergreen. It is made up of a waxy material called suberin, giving very elastic and impermeable properties. It is also low-density and naturally fire-resistant. These characteristics have made it useful for a wide variety of products, including musical instruments. Cork’s environmentally friendly qualities are also appealing: it is easily recycled and results in few damaging by-products. The Worldwide Fund For Nature (WWF) is calling for an expansion of Portugal’s cork forests. 
Did you know that tobacco smoke coupled with a toxic gas which is present in air pollution is responsible for tuberculosis infection? Actually this was only recently established, so how would we know. But it sure makes us wanna think about things seriously.
But in many countries, bikes represent a modern innovation that can play a more important role. Cycling is faster than walking. It is certainly cheaper and more eco-friendly than driving. And new designs offer the chance to maximize the utility factor. WorldBike has developed an extension, called Big Boda, that transforms a basic bike into a passenger and cargo carrier.
Read the complete article for more of Sun's initiatives. Source: Greenhouseprogress.com Sun Microsystems Continues Global Commitment to Eco Responsible Computing, November 10, 2006
My definition of the space elevator: What, like in the Jetsons? Wikipedia's ( www.wikipedia.com ) definition of the space elevator: A space elevator is a proposed structure designed to transport material from a planet's surface into space. Many different types of space elevators have been suggested. They all share the goal of replacing rocket propulsion with the traversal of a fixed structure via a mechanism not unlike an elevator in order to move material into or beyond orbit. Space elevators have also sometimes been referred to as beanstalks, spacebridges, space lifts, space ladders or orbital towers.
The effects of global warming are seen on plants that are endemic to California. Nearly 67% of these endemic plants will disappear from 80% of the land in the region by the end of the century. Endemic plants make up nearly 50% of the plants in the State of California. So the climatic changes on account of global warming are bound to have a drastic effect on the plant population and diversity in the State.
By 1953 the USDA named kudzu as a pest plant, but that didn’t stop the vine from continuing its wrath on agriculture. It is now being found as far north as Pennsylvania and as far south as Key West Florida. Overall, about 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers of the southwestern part of the US has kudzu and it kills about $500 million dollars worth of crops annually and damages countless buildings. Although it is susceptible to cold weather, it is hearty enough to come back in the spring. The use of herbicides only succeeds in damaging the soil and water and it seems, making the kudzu grow even better!
Many people and organizations are busy advocating for clean water and beaches. One such group is Surfrider Foundation. Founded in 1984 by surfers in Malibu, California, this nonprofit organization has grown to include more than 50,000 members, with chapters across the US, in Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, Brazil, and Argentina. These groups are united by a common concern for maintaining healthy oceans, ensuring safe beaches, and educating the public.
Check out this news piece from CNN. |
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These days, there are more reasons to choose cork. From cork flooring to fishing floats, cork has been experiencing a 
Summer is here. People are cleaning up their bikes to hit the roads. Using a bicycle for transportation becomes much more appealing when the breezes are balmy and the sun is shining. Only the committed few choose to brave winter rain and snow. Typically, in many developed countries, we have a rather laissez-faire attitude about bikes - they are more for pleasure than work.
Using a three-pronged approach, Innovate, Act and Share, Sun Microsystems is helping its customers reduce their environmental impact while still being good for business. According to David Douglas, vice president of eco responsibility at Sun Microsystems, his company's products are now generating less energy and producing less waste. In keeping with their promise, Sun released the first eco responsible server in 2005, the Sun Fire servers which featured CoolThreads technology. Recently they announced the Project Blackbox, a datacenter that is about 20 percent more efficient and delivers 3 times more computing power than a 10,000 sq-foot datacenter. Sun Microsystems in the United States has even committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in the US by 20 percent by 2012.
Kudzu, a vine that is native to China and Japan, was introduced into southeastern United States in the 1930’s. The Soil Conservation Service wanted farmers to plant the ornamental plant to reduce soil erosion. What the Soil Conservation Service didn’t realize is that the hot humid summers coupled with frequent rain & mild winters were perfect for Kudzu to spread quickly. Now Kudzu has begun to works its way northward destroying native plants and crops in its path.
Looking forward to some relaxing time on the beach this year? It is one of the rites of summer, with sand between your toes and even in your picnic food, frolicking children in swimsuits and sun hats, and slathering on the sunscreen. If you live near - or visit - a coastal beach, having healthy oceans becomes a more personal topic. After all, beach litter and floating debris are not the most endearing sights.
Vampire electronics suck! Literally! These are electronics that use energy even when seemingly turned off or idle. CNN recently did a video report about these electronics and found that even some washing machines, when you turn them off, still suck energy. Many homes have up to 50 vampire devises. For example, a turned on DVD player uses 11.32 watts, and when it's turned off it still uses about 6 watts of energy. A home computer uses around 60 watts in standby.