A General "Green" Thread

[Rain]

This thread is for general, beginning discussion about "green" tech and ideas, and a place to ask questions. We can cover subjects like:
-Wind, Water, Solar and Ethanol power
-How it works
-How much it might cost
-Other spiffy and interesting facts about "green" energy

We can open more genre-specific groups if the need arises.

[TorukMakto!]

Great topic.
I think that the easiest way to help environmemnt and preserve nature, is recycling.
Recycling is very easy, doesn't require a certain status, doesn't require a certain wealth, basically anyone can do it, all you need is just separated trash cans, if you don't have it there probably somewhere not too far from you, if you are in the States. In some other countries, it's not that common to recycle as it is in the States , but I do think that this method is the easiest and least expensive there is.
Some other methods such as Ethanol power require certain amount of funds that unfortunately not everyone are able to find.

[Rain]

Good, good. I like these ideas, so let's keep them coming!

[Technowraith]

Look into Solar power. It's something not a lot of people give thought to. Solar panels require a bit of upfront investment, but in the long run, you'll easily recoup their costs. You save on your electric bill, and if you generate enough power, your electric meter runs backward, meaning you're selling power to the electric company. So they give you money! I talked dad into installing solar panels on the house over 10 years ago. It's been 6 years since we've had to pay the utility company anything near what we used to pay without solar panels. And 8 months out of the year, we've sold power back to the utility company. Granted, solar power isn't the end-all answer to our energy needs. But with improved solar technology and dropping prices, it can certainly become a staple in our energy needs. Be advised that solar may not work in all ares due to obstructions, solar exposure or other factors. When you do look into solar panels, go with a contractor that has installed them, or call the local department of environmental protection and ask them if they know anyone who can assist in installing solar panels.

Other ideas:

-A tankless water heater. Saves electricity and water.
-Horizontal washer. Saves water by not filling a huge horizontal drum. A high-efficiency washer is also a good idea, either vertical or horizontal. (Vertical washer: lid opens on top. Horizontal: lid opens like the dryer - on the side).
-High efficiency light bulbs: halogen or high-efficiency halogen bulbs use less power, are brighter and require lower wattages.
-Timers on outdoor lighting. Save electricity at night by setting the lights to run only for certain times.
-Invest in green technology. Look into buying things that are made of recycled materials. The recycling market is growing. But to close the loop, we need to fuel demand. Buy as much stuff that contains recycled material as possible.
-Lose the car for those short trips. Take a bus, walk or bike. Look into carpooling to work.

There's tons of things we can do. I read that if a family of four recycles jabout 1,100 pounds of material a year at today's rates. That same family throws out 6,400 pounds of trash and non-recyclable material. (National Geographic). We can probably make that figure increase easily!

[The old Uriuujìn]

I think that recycling is a great idea, but that it is not enough on it's own. I hate to break a rule, but we need to try and stress to larger corporations the ideas of conservation and clean energy, at home and abroad. I like trees!

As for energy, I think that we really should look into solar power, and wind power as well ^_^ Those turbines are really useful, but both of them have their flaws. The solar panels can be damaged, and the wind turbines are useless on a calm day. I like the idea of water power (Like from rivers and dams) but the idea of damaging an ecosystem makes me sad. Nuclear power would be nice, if it didn't create that waste that we aren't even sure ever goes away. I think we should look into the Hydrogen and Antimatter options, as well as any other fuel sources we can get our hands on.

Eywa ayngahu

-Uriuujìn

[Technowraith]

Solar panels are surprisingly resilient. Back in the summer, we had a bad hail storm and our panels emerged unscathed. (In my area, hail storms are very rare). The newer panels that they have started making can take a lot more abuse then the older panels. Short of dropping cinderblocks onto the roof, the panels are rated for crack and shatter resistence from from a 16 pound bowling ball at 15 feet. When you do the rough math, that's a force equivalent to over half a ton at impact. (It's been a while since i did a physics problem... lol).

[Rain]

I just found an old book called "Back To Basics" and it has literally EVERYTHING we'd need to know about setting up water/wind/solar power, surveying land and building on it, possible crafts (basketry, weaving, netmaking, cloth dying, etc), growing crops, building and maintaining structures (cabins, underground homes), harvesting and storing food, digging wells, making bread (the recepie they give is NOT to be missed, I made bread yesterday and it was GOOD!!!)...oh heck just ask and it's probably there. It was printed in 1981, but if I need to I could find updated information. I think it'd be edxtremely useful both for our current homes and any possible eco-village that may spring from this forum.

[The old Uriuujìn]

^_^ Please post any of your findings! I would love to get any and all information about this sort of thing as I can. For multiple reasons, actually ^__^

Gaia ayngahu

-Uiruujìn

[Rain]

Just let me know what info you need and I can scan the pages directly from the book. Oh, and let other people know about it if they need information too! No need to be stingy with wisdom...

[Rain]

Dad just gave me about seven books in a collection called "Foxfire" and though it's mostly about how people live in Appalachia, it's full of gardening tips, building instructions, folklore and remedies. Apparently, before he got married, Dad was going to live in a cabin away from people and therefore accumulated a ton of books about roughing it. As a matter of fact, he also has a book called "Roughing It", whic is basically a survival manual. However, before taking off on a wilderness trek, I suggest camping out in your area to get some experience first.

['Itan Atxur]

Yeah, my Dad's handing me down a bunch of books like that too. Should have some pretty interesting info.

[Rain]

Then shall we compare notes?

['Itan Atxur]

Lol. I don't actually have the books yet, but when I get them I'll absolutely be posting my findings here!!

[Rain]

Txantsan!

[Leana na'rìngtìranyu]

Some other books that are useful:

The Encyclopedia of Country Living - Carla Emery
Five Acres and Independence - Maurice Grenville Kains
The "Have More" Plan - Ed and Carolyn Robinson
Just about anything by Storey Books

[Rain]

Sorry for the necropost, but these threads shouldn't die! It's getting warm, and now's the time to get active!

[Eyamsiyu]

IDK if it's mentioned, but I've found through research that the most effective way for a typical American to go green is to take on a vegetarian diet.  That's my #1 main goal is to do that, and it will probably be one of the hardest things that I will do, as after May I'll be living in the Southeast, where meat is practically a staple (and from what I understand isn't as liberal minded as the Midwest).

[Technowraith]

If you have a green thumb, definitely plant your own vegetable garden. With the proper care, a small vegetable garden can supply all your produce needs with fresh, ready to eat veggies. Plant things you know you can grow or like. My parents have their garden (a pretty big one now), and i've started a small garden of my own. It has a pepper plant and a tomato plant i got for a friend. Yes, it only has two plants, but i figured i'll start out very small and see how things go. So far, both plants are doing reasonably well. I planted the garden about 4 weeks ago. The tomato plant is starting to develop tomatoes, and the pepper plant is also beginning to grow peppers. I love peppers, but i'm too lazy to waste time and money going to the grocery store to get them. LoL. And plus, the garden gets me out of the house to enjoy those nice days outside when i need to do garden work.

[Eyamsiyu]

If you have a green thumb, definitely plant your own vegetable garden. With the proper care, a small vegetable garden can supply all your produce needs with fresh, ready to eat veggies. Plant things you know you can grow or like. My parents have their garden (a pretty big one now), and i've started a small garden of my own. It has a pepper plant and a tomato plant i got for a friend. Yes, it only has two plants, but i figured i'll start out very small and see how things go. So far, both plants are doing reasonably well. I planted the garden about 4 weeks ago. The tomato plant is starting to develop tomatoes, and the pepper plant is also beginning to grow peppers. I love peppers, but i'm too lazy to waste time and money going to the grocery store to get them. LoL. And plus, the garden gets me out of the house to enjoy those nice days outside when i need to do garden work.

I actually saw something recently related to this on Modern Marvels: Potatoes.

Basically NASA had the issue of food for an exploration to Mars, and they solved it with a certain way of growing potatoes where they are suspended in air in a "controlled" chamber.  I can't remember the specifics on how much less water you needed to give them, but you use 100% less pesticides that way.

[Rain]

We put in 150 sweet potatoes, 50 peppers, 30 tomatoes, and 15 cabbages, and we're not done with our 50'x70' garden yet.

And that doesn't count the 100 chickens, 3 adult turkeys, 14 ducks, 3 geese and soon to be arriving 10 turkeys and 6 guinea fowl.