Solar power was first developed in the US a half century ago. Now industry leaders are on the road to make the case that solar is finally ready to compete against nuclear power, natural gas, and coal.
Solar costs have fallen sharply in the last few years, because of increased production and technological advances. “Solar is ramping down in cost where it is competitive with all these other forms of energy,” said Thomas Dinwoodie, the founder of SunPower, the second largest US solar company.
Enchanted Makeovers is celebrating its fifth year working in women’s shelters to transform interior spaces — drab bunks and windows — with cheery designs, but, ultimately, the non-profit organization wants to transform the inner hearts of people by genuinely caring for their souls.
The majority of women living in shelters have small children. While their basic needs are being met, the conditions are sometimes depressing. The environment can be sterile, in need of repair, and certainly not conducive to nurturing dreams for a better future.
Enchanted Makeovers pulls together volunteers and donors to change all of that, going well beyond painting a wall and collecting toiletries.
“We transform physical shelter spaces into whimsical cottage retreats for women and children because we believe every single one of us is worthy,” says Terry Grahl, a former interior designer who left the profession to become founder and president of Enchanted Makeovers.
The entire physical space is uplifing. Mural artists paint inspiring images on the walls and children receive their own hand-made dolls. For many of the women and children in the shelters, for the first time in their lives they feel worthy and valued. The children’s shoes are even painted with images of their dreams for the future, so with each step they are moving toward that dream.
The group also brings together projects such as cooking and sewing classes, setting up sewing rooms and gardens, and journaling, fitness and art programs.
“The transformation of the residents and staff, as well as donors and volunteers is incredible,” says Grahl.
The impact of her team’s efforts is not short-lived. The work in local shelters creates a ripple effect in the community which excites and empowers other volunteers to continue the mission long after the team is gone.
Environmental psychology has proven that imagery in the environment influences human behavior on many levels. In his book The Worry Solution, Martin Rossman, M.D. talks about how images and the environment actually affect the brain’s limbic system. They can actually act as a stress reliever. The power of imagination also plays a part. As Dr.Victor Frankl, the author of Man’s Search for Meaning pointed out, when you can imagine survival, you will survive.
The truth is that Enchanted Makeovers is not a series of “decorating” projects; it is a movement to transform not only the lives of the women and families who are rebuilding but also to transform those who participate in the giving.
Enchanted Makeovers is celebrating its fifth year working in women’s shelters to transform interior spaces — drab bunks and windows — with cheery designs, but, ultimately, the non-profit organization wants to transform the inner hearts of people by genuinely caring for their souls.
The majority of women living in shelters have small children. While their basic needs are being met, the conditions are sometimes depressing. The environment can be sterile, in need of repair, and certainly not conducive to nurturing dreams for a better future.
Enchanted Makeovers pulls together volunteers and donors to change all of that, going well beyond painting a wall and collecting toiletries.
Of all freight transportation options, rail is the most environmentally friendly way to move goods over land, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which estimates that for every ton-mile, a typical truck emits roughly three times more nitrogen oxide and particulates than a locomotive.
If just 10% of the nation’s freight were shifted to rail fuel savings would approach one billion gallons annually.
New energy innovations and green programs at CSX Transportation, one of the major rail lines serving the Eastern half of the US, not only save money for the company but are also conserving fuel and cutting additional carbon emissions.
So far, the private company has invested $2 billion over the last decade to improve its locomotive fuel efficiency with the result that its trains can move one ton of freight nearly 500 miles, on average, with a single gallon of diesel fuel.
1) Locomotive Idling Reduction Technology
To reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during idling along its 21,000 miles of track, CSX has invested in two separate pieces of idle-reducing technology. Auxiliary Power Units provide power to a locomotive, allowing the larger diesel engine to be shut down. The Automated Engine Start Stop acts similarly by automatically shutting down the locomotive when not in use and automatically starting it when needed.
2) New Piloting Technology
A new, real-time energy management technology uses GPS and track data on both grade and curvature to identify the most fuel-efficient throttle settings for each trip as the train moves across the system. In addition, methods of rail lubrication are being explored to reduce rail-to-wheel friction and increase fuel efficiency.
3) Recycling
With zero waste the ultimate goal, CSX is using a variety of materials that are recycled in their day-to-day business. Steel from old locomotives and rail cars is recycled, along with batteries, cross ties, and electronic equipment. Also, millions of gallons of oil annually are recycled, with some being used to heat buildings in certain locations.
4) Hazardous Chemicals Cut From Cleaning Regimen
Cleaners containing chlorinated solvents and low-flash-point mineral spirits are now banned from use on railroads. These cleaners have been replaced with environmentally friendly cleaners, such as 140 Solvent. Oil-based paints are in the process of being replaced with water- based low-VOC paints, which are purchased in 300-gallon reusable totes, reducing packaging associated with paint products.
5) Environmental Crimes Unit
With illegal dumping rampant on railroad properties, CRX has initialed a Police Environmental Crimes Unit to investigate and prosecute offenders. Since the unit’s inception, 1,020 incidents have been investigated, resulting in 52 prosecutions, with a conviction record of nearly 100%.
6) Upgrading Tracks for Double-Decker Freight Cars
In May 2008, CSX Corporation launched the National Gateway, an $842 million public-private infrastructure initiative to beef up the transportation link between the Mid-Atlantic ports and the Midwest. The goal is to provide clearance and tracks for double-stack trains that can carry twice as much cargo and provide significant environmental and efficiency benefits.
The National Gateway leverages the benefits of rail transportation to the fullest by enhancing three existing rail corridors that run through Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
When completed, the National Gateway will significantly benefit the nation by not only cutting fuel use and emissions per ton of freight, but improving safety and highway congestion by maximizing the efficiency of freight rail and partnering with trucking companies to reduce truck miles traveled by more than 14.3 billion miles.
* Increasing economic competitiveness by saving $3.5 billion in shipper and logistics costs, significantly increasing freight capacity, reducing transit times by 24 to 48 hours between West Coast ports and major population centers; and tripling the market access potential for the ports of Baltimore, Hampton Roads and Wilmington;
* Creating more than 50,000 jobs, including more than 25,000 jobs in 14 economically distressed areas (more than 4,000 jobs are to be created by the end of 2012); and
* Repairing and replacing declining infrastructure, replacing older bridges and avoiding more than $670 million in pavement maintenance costs, while requiring no public funding for ongoing maintenance.
The city of Grand Rapids came together to produce a sweeping and inspiring music video as an official response to the Newsweek article calling the Michigan metropolis a “dying city.”
With 2.7 million views on YouTube, the public seems to agree with film critic Roger Ebert who called it “The Greatest Music Video Ever Made.”
The filming on May 22nd involved 5,000 participants and a major shutdown of downtown Grand Rapids.
The streets were instead filled with marching bands, parades, weddings and motorcades — all the people playing their parts in a single panning shot of nine minutes, and singing along to the classic pop lyrics “Bye, buy Miss American Pie”.
Rob Bliss, the director & executive producer said the city wanted to create a video that “encompasses the passion and energy we all feel is growing exponentially, in this great city.”
“We felt Don McLean’s American Pie, a song about death, was, in the end, triumphant and filled to the brim with life and hope.”
The $40,000 production was entirely financed by the generosity of local businesses and sponsors. The resulting non-profit organization is selling merchandise at CafePress to multiply the buzz.
WATCH the video below… (Thanks to Justin for sending the link!)
The city of Grand Rapids came together to produce a sweeping and inspiring music video as an official response to the Newsweek article calling the Michigan metropolis a “dying city.”
With 2.7 million views on YouTube, the public seems to agree with film critic Roger Ebert who called it “The Greatest Music Video Ever Made.”
The filming on May 22nd involved 5,000 participants and a major shutdown of downtown Grand Rapids.
They represent the opposing principals in one of the Supreme Court’s landmark blunders, Plessy v. Ferguson, which upheld the constitutionality of Jim Crow laws mandating segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine.
The descendent of the man who tested Louisiana’s law requiring separate railroad cars for whites and blacks and the great-great-granddaughter of the judge who upheld it met in 2004.
She felt the need to apologize. He said there was no need to do so and suggested a union instead.
Now, they run a civil rights education organization bearing their famous names, the Plessy & Ferguson Foundation. They created the Foundation to perpetuate the truth that separate but equal is inherently unequal when decisions are made based on race.
(READ the full story in the Washington Post) – Thanks to Kevin for sending the link!
Viktor Frankl asserted in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, that the fundamental need for purpose and direction in our lives may be as important to our psychological growth as eating is to our biological survival.
With the accelerating pace of life, it’s not easy to maintain our sense of direction. Yet we strive to do so, because a sense of purpose toward a meaningful goal may be the best part of happiness. In this pursuit, the journey may indeed matter more than the destination — but without a destination to aim for there is no journey; we can only wander.
Viktor Frankl asserted in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, that the fundamental need for purpose and direction in our lives may be as important to our psychological growth as eating is to our biological survival.
With the accelerating pace of life, it’s not easy to maintain our sense of direction. Yet we strive to do so, because a sense of purpose toward a meaningful goal may be the best part of happiness. In this pursuit, the journey may indeed matter more than the destination — but without a destination to aim for there is no journey; we can only wander.
Volunteers have been pouring into a Florida marine conservancy center to help care for a group of stranded whales.
Three remaining pilot whales from a pod of 23 that stranded itself off the lower Florida keys have fought to stay alive in a bayside pen at the Marine Mammal Conservancy center.
Last month in Geneva, Bill Gates laid out his vision for the impact that broadening access to vaccines can have on the world.
Now, only a few weeks after his inspirational speech, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has promised to cut a whopping 95% off its rotavirus vaccine for sale to the globe’s poorest countries, while Merck has also said it would cut the price on its vaccine against the same illness, which causes diarrhoea.
A small Catholic school was presented with a check for one hundred thousand dollars during an an unforgettable assembly celebrating recycling. The 150 students at St. Pascal School performed beyond expectations, collecting more than 300,000 recyclable containers during a 3 month period. They beat out every other school in the country to win the title and generous check.
The school plans to use the money on “green” projects like converting their computer center to run on solar.
(WATCH the video from Greenopolis, or READ the story in CBS Chicago)
A small Catholic school was presented with a check for one hundred thousand dollars during an an unforgettable assembly celebrating recycling. The 150 students at St. Pascal School performed beyond expectations, collecting more than 300,000 recyclable containers during a 3 month period. They beat out every other school in the country to win the title and generous check.
The school plans to use the money on “green” projects like converting their computer center to run on solar.
Rising forest density in many countries is helping to offset climate change caused by deforestation from the Amazon basin to Indonesia, a study showed on Sunday.
“Higher density means world forests are capturing more carbon,” said the study which looked at 68 countries and was published in the online journal PLoS One.
National Football League players are rallying around a ten year-old boy whose mother, in desperation, drove him and his siblings into the river. Now that his family is gone, the boy’s new extended family includes many players providing fun activities, financial support, and lots of love.
(WATCH the inspiring video below from MSNBC)
National Football League players are rallying around a ten year-old boy whose mother, in desperation, drove him and his siblings into the river. Now that his family is gone, the boy’s new extended family includes many players providing fun activities, financial support, and lots of love.
(WATCH the inspiring video below from MSNBC)
For the first time, patients with the deadliest form of skin cancer have two new treatment options that prolong survival, according to new research presented at a cancer conference in Chicago on Sunday.
One drug specifically targets a mutated gene that tells a cancer cell to grow, the other boosts a patient’s immune system in the fight against the disease. Both drugs cause tumors to shrink and prolong survival for patients with melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body.
A 13-year-old boy invented a doorbell that fools burglars into believing somebody is home even when the house is empty.
The Smart Bell, designed by Laurence Rook, dials the homeowner’s mobile phone when pressed, allowing them to talk to whoever is outside their front door.
The doorbell can also be used to help delivery workers to complete their deliveries.
A University of Brighton student has developed a safety device that projects a bright green laser image of a bike onto the road ahead – alerting motorists to their presence.
Emily Brooke’s invention – BLAZE – uses a small, battery-powered device attached to the handlebars to project the image, which is visible even in daylight hours.
