Find out how to get Free Set-up when you sign up online to Carbon Neutral Sky TV Services
If you are looking for a reliable digital television service that is also eco-friendly, then you may want to consider that there is an offer including Free Set-up when you sign up on-line to Carbon Neutral Sky TV Services today.
This offer – Free Set-up when you sign up on-line to Carbon Neutral Sky TV Services is great if you like the look of sky television but would like to make a remarkable saving (set-up is usually £30). There are plenty of services to choose from too, so whatever your channel tastes there will be something you can enjoy. Sky, an eco-friendly television provider, are famous for their excellent selection of channels including the widest range of free-to-view digital channels in the UK and the widest selection of HD in the UK too. Plus there are many extra channels available in various add-ons including the choice from 6 channel entertainment packs (you can choose from; Kids, Style and Culture, News and Events, Knowledge, Music and Variety) and channel packs such as Sky movies and Sky Sports. If that’s not enough there is also ESPN, MGM HD, Disney Cinemagic, MUTV, Chelsea TV and Music Extra Choice. Plus as well as receiving free set-up when you sign up online today, Sky are also offering a Free Sky HD Box to those who wish to sign up to Sky HD and also a £25 Marks and Spencer’s gift voucher when you sign up to any Sky television service for a limited time only!
Visit Sky online now and get Free Set-up when you sign up online to Carbon Neutral Sky TV Services
To sign up to Sky television services and claim your free set-up simply visit Sky online now.
O2 goes green with its new eco-friendly handset
Mobile phones are often seen as an eco-menace, but O2 is aiming to help customers reduce their carbon footprint by launching a new, greener handset. The Sony Ericsson Naite is the first of the manufacturer’s GreenHeart range and reduces its carbon footprint by 15%. The Naite offers a greener solution without compromising on quality, packed with all the hi-tech features consumers would look for, including a 2 mega pixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, an FM radio and an expandable memory up to 8GB. But it’s in the design that the Naite is a green revolution: it is made from recycled and recyclable plastics and comes complete with a low power consumption charger. Sony have also reduced the outer packaging and, by using an e-manual rather than a paper one, the phone reduces paper usage by around 90%. If that isn’t enough to tempt, consumers who buy the Sony Ericsson Naite are being offered a choice of a free eco-friendly gift (such as a solar powered charger, organic food hamper or family eco day out) or the chance to donate to a charity. So, by purchasing this phone you can not only reduce your own carbon footprint, you can support initiatives such as paying teachers or supporting children in Africa. Let’s hope other manufacturers take note, and that this is the first of a green wave of eco-friendly mobile phones.
The Sony Ericsson Naite is free on selected pay monthly tariffs and £97.86 on Pay & Go.
Climate Changing Literature
Without an appropriate education of the masses, steps to curb global warming would fail. Indeed, individual households are responsible for a significant proportion of the greenhouse gases that are pumped into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, as most people are already aware, these gases have caused a hole to be ripped through the Earth’s protective ozone layer, which is basically essential for life on the planet. Sadly, global efforts to reduce or even reverse the so-called greenhouse effect have proved entirely unsuccessful thus far. In fact, current data shows that the hole in the ozone layer has widened from 130,000 Sq km in 1979 to around 25,000,000 Sq km today, which is approximately the size of North America.
Although there are many possible explanations for the depletion of the ozone layer, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are considered to be among the chief culprits. As such, for the past couple of decades or so, the public has been taught the hazards of releasing CFCs into the atmosphere. Nowadays, the public is educated on larger issues relating to carbon emissions. However, is current awareness enough to overturn climate change? Unfortunately, the answer is probably a “no”.
Therefore, those people who are concerned about the rapidly developing problem of global warming, which no longer affects only future generations, would most likely be interested in reading up on the subject in more depth. Furthermore, doing so might also enable them to educate others on the matter. ‘Silent Spring’ by Rachel Carson, ‘So Shall We Reap’ by Colin Tudge, and ‘Six Degrees’ by Mark Lynas are useful materials for getting started on the subject, whilst ‘Grow Your Own Vegetables’ by Joy Larkham and ‘How Many Lightbulbs does it take to Change a Planet’ by Tony Juniper are designed for those who want to get their hands dirty. Or green.
Doing Business the Green Way
The environmental plight of the planet is a subject that has been brought to almost everyone’s attention. Indeed, it is now commonplace for plastic, glass, cardboard and other recyclable materials to be separated from the main household rubbish, whilst more homes than ever before have improved their heating efficiency in order to reduce waste. A number of households have even installed solar panels at home or have purchased their mains electricity from green renewable sources. In short, as a result of endless public awareness campaigns, people have begun to do their bit for the environment. Of course, whether this is sufficient remains to be seen, as current estimates continue to predict that the Earth is heading towards an environmental crisis. Indeed, it may not be possible to prevent global warming worsening although, if it is, it is likely that greater efforts need to be made now. Therefore, whilst people continue to consider how they can improve their Eco-friendly activities in the domestic sphere, they should also pay attention to what can be achieved in the workplace.
In fact, businesses are known to produce some of the largest and most significant carbon footprints, so it is only right that steps are made to reverse this trend. In the UK, mechanisms such as the Green Grants Machine are in place to help businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. In fact, many grants are available for businesses of all sizes if they are able to install solar panels, improve recycling, purchase hybrid fleet vehicles and so on. Additionally, employees are urged to adopt the same standards in the workplace as they do at home in so far as recycling is concerned, which is commonly neglected during office hours. For more advice on how to make your business greener, there are a number of books available, such as The Green Guide for Businesses.
Environmentally Friendly Speed Bumps?
In the name of road safety, speed bumps – or sleeping policemen as they are otherwise known – help to reduce the number of road traffic accidents caused by speeding vehicles in densely populated urban zones. Whilst many motorists consider them to be inconveniences that are unable to deter the determined boy racer in his pointlessly fast car with modified suspension, speed bumps pretty much do the job for which they were designed. Nevertheless, these ‘guardians of the streets’ are set to take on an entirely new role. Indeed, the latest generation of speed bumps are designed to not only reduce the speed of cars but also to generate electricity. Currently in development by New Energy Technologies, the MotionPowerT Speed Bump looks more like a temporary manhole cover than an actual speed bump, which is in part due to the fact that it comprises flat metal plates. However, these plates are designed to harness the massive energy that is transferred whenever a vehicle rides over them. In fact, it is estimated that some 2,000W of electricity can be generated every time an average sized car travels overthe MotionPowerT speed bump, which is why New Energy Technologies are investing in mini-fly wheel and capacitor solutions that are aimed at harnessing and storing the electricity. The MotionPowerT speed bump is a truly ingenious concept and one that serves to remind everyone that free, green energy is abundantly available almost anywhere. Of course, if the MotionPowerT speed bump (or something similar) were to make its way on to major roads throughout the world, its impact could go far beyond generating electricity for nearby street lamps.
Recycling car parts – from high fashion to life saving products
Handbags made out of licence plates may sound crazy, but company LittleEarth is turning old car parts into eco-fashion. Even with the rise of greener motoring solutions such as the Nissan Leaf and Toyota Prius, motoring remains one of the least environmentally friendly – but generally most necessary – pastimes. But around the world people are making an eco-virtue of this necessity. LittleEarth was founded in 1993 to recycle old car parts to create beautiful and fashionable bags. They use old American licence plates to create beautiful, stylish metal bags that retail at around £100-200, and are perfect for a night on the town. They come in a range of styles, with some making a design virtue of their origins, while others – such as the ‘More Shoes’, ‘Lace Wallpaper’ or ‘Cocktail Time’ bags – are designed to be more high fashion. Each one comes with a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity, so you can be sure your gorgeous handbag really is made from recycled car parts. With party season fast approaching, they are the perfect winter accessory.
If all this sounds too frivolous, it’s good to hear that ethical design collective Design That Matters has been working on a way to use recycled car parts to build neo-natal incubators for developing countries, and has already delivered a prototype for further development. So from fashion to health, the by-products – and waste products – of the motor industry are being reused for eco-friendly purposes, and that’s something we can all get behind.
Innovative SolarVoice 908 solar charged Bluetooth handsfree headset
SolarVoice 908 is a new solar-charged Bluetooth handsfree headset created by i.Tech Dynamic offering a wireless and eco-friendly solution to a number of everyday problems. Whether you happen to be in your car on the way to work (assuming, of course, that cycling is simply not an option!) or making your way through a crowded high street, holding a mobile phone to your ear is not always convenient or sensible. You may want to listen to some music whilst on a bus or train but your headphones might be uncomfortable or the wires might get in your way. The SolarVoice 908 is useful in these respects because it supports Bluetooth A2DP, which means the device can wirelessly connect to your mobile phone or mp3 players (or some other Bluetooth enabled device requiring a headset). Also featuring noise-cancelling technology, the SolarVoice 908 makes an excellent headset device providing clearly audible communications in difficult and noisy environments. Because the SolarVoice 908 features solar-charging, it is eco-friendly in the sense that it can be powered up by the freely available energy from the sun – there is no need for toxic batteries or an electricity mains connection to make this gadget work, although both mains and USB connections are included as an alternative. Furthermore, the included base or cradle unit comprises optimal positioning for increased sunlight exposure, with a maximum charge time of around 15 hours. Whilst the headset itself boasts talk time of around 5 hours, this is considered to be sufficient for typical everyday use. The SolarVoice 908 is currently only on sale in the US. However, while you may have to wait to get your hands on one of these, there are a number of eco-friendly ways to recharge your current portable electronic devices so that you can start being more eco-friendly – and save money – today. Solar powered chargers that are suitable for mobile phones, iPods and similar equipment are available in the UK – for example the Power Traveller Explorer Power Charger, which retails at under £50.
Being Green is Good For the Environment – Seeing Green Is Good For Your Health!
We know green spaces are good for the environment and all realise the importance of the role of trees and grassy areas (particularly in built-up and inner city areas). Now, new research has been revealed in The Times Newspaper Online, showing that ’seeing’ greenery is also good for your mental health and emotional well being!
Environmental biologist, Ross Cameron, of the University of Reading, has revealed ‘Urban green spaces are good for your health’. Mr Cameron uses examples of crime reduction, domestic violence reduction and stress reduction, in studies carried out in Chicago. The studies concluded more trees and greenery in urban areas had a positive impact on social well being.
Furthermore, Mr Ross Cameron suggested we must protect our green spaces from ‘garden grabbing developers’. Mr Cameron expressed his dismay at the large sections of domestic gardens being paved, concreted and asphalted over. Highlighting the importance of domestic gardens by citing a study in Australia whereby the risk of dementia onset was delayed in correlation to the amount of time spent gardening. Getting children into gardening early – for instance with a children’s vegetable garden – can also teach them valuable lessons about nature and food, encouraging them to eat vegetables and therefore decreasing their risk of obesity and other diet-related conditions. Finally, Mr Ross Cameron told the Times Newspaper urban green spaces should be awarded the same protection as the countryside, in order to allow us all to benefit – emotionally, mentally and socially! So, do yourself a favour – mentally, socially, emotionally and environmentally – keep your garden lawn. Yes, concrete may be low maintenance, but why risk depression and crime, for the sake of having to get a lawnmower out every fortnight or so!
The £23 Solar Panel: a Hair Raising Idea?
An 18 year old Nepalese science student studying in the country’s capital, Kathmandu, has created a stir this week by announcing details of his inexpensive solar panel solution. Whereas traditional solar panel installations are costly, Milan Karki’s invention costs as little as £23 to produce a single fully functional solar panel. As to the main reason why it costs so little, the answer may surprise some people as it is, in fact, hair. Rather than using expensive silicon components that are necessary to conduct electricity in standard solar panels, Karki’s invention uses human hair, which is an excellent conductor of electricity.
Milan Karki’s ingenious solution demonstrates how eco-friendly products can be driven down in costs. Furthermore, it shows natural products can be used to harness renewable solar energy, which reduces the manufacturing process, in turn reducing the carbon footprint left by producing such devices. Moreover, human hair is already exported in massive quantities from countries such as India and China as it is used by a number of farmers (typically to help tomatoes grow bigger) and, somewhat perversely, by the food industry (typically to make pizza doughs) – presumably this has something to do with the amino acid, Lysine, contained in the hair.
Thus, it would appear the somewhat improbable hair business is set to increase further if Karki’s idea can be turned into a sustainable and viable eco-friendly product. Indeed, what started out as a greener solution to generate green power for his home village may just enable communities all over the world to do exactly the same. Of course, in the meantime, if you want to use solar power, there are a number of less ‘hair-raising’ solutions readily available in this country, including easy to use solar panel kits.
The Nissan Leaf: the Next Generation of Electric Car
Electric cars are not a new phenomenon, having been in development for at least 50 years. However, eco-friendly consumers will note many of the current models of so-called electric cars in today’s market are just hybrids, which means they use a combination of electric and gas power. If everybody adopted a high performance hybrid then the world would undoubtedly be a greener place. However, it would not be a totally green world. Indeed, the present crop of hybrid and electric cars is not as innovative in terms of environmental efficiency as it perhaps ought to be. In fact, whilst the hybrid designs offer more savings and produce less carbon emissions, they are not perfect. They are not solutions to the problem of global warming. They are cynical efforts to commercialise the evolution of the green electric car. In other words, introducing an environmentally-friendly car can be seen as a deliberately slow process in order to maximise profits.
However, the Nissan Leaf is due to be launched in markets across the world in 2010 and features the manufacturer’s very first zero emission electric car. Powered entirely by battery, the Leaf is thought to be capable of performance similar to a V6 engine and offers speeds of up to 90mph. The Leaf’s rechargeable lithium ion battery, when fully charged, will boast up to 100 miles of driving and efforts are being made to deploy charging stations across the country in time for its launch. Environmental enthusiasts can expect the Leaf to usher in a new generation of zero emission electric cars.
