http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress Common sense, sustainable suggestions & DIY projects to reduce your impact on mother earth. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:40:20 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en AFP _ Global Warming Time Bomb in Arctic Soil In a news release by Agence France-Presse, a study has found that Arctic soil contains 60% more trapped Greenhouse Gas than previously thought. American scientists discovered the increase, via extensive testing of 117 sample sites from North America, taken at depths of ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/afp-global-warming-time-bomb-in-arctic-soil/ London Ontario Bans Plastic Water Bottle Sales The city of London, Ontario has banned the sale of water in plastic bottles, at all municipal facilities. This will include city hall, golf courses, hockey arena and swimming pools. Additional drinking fountains, with refill taps, will be installed where required. For the past ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/london-ontario-bans-plastic-water-bottle-sales/ First step to reduce Greenhouse Gas - Energy Efficiency The USA could cut it's projected GHG emissions in HALF by 2030, WITHOUT major lifestyle changes or new technologies, if it would legislate efficiency programs. California is one state that has been setting an excellent example through programs such as it's "demand response system" ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/first-step-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-energy-efficiency/ Clean Coal Does NOT Exist Some lobbyist would tell you that "clean coal" is just as good as burning Natural Gas in electrical generating stations. They may talk of test sites and government support.  In virtually all cases, the companies involved in "clean coal" have given up on these unproven technologies. ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/clean-coal-does-not-exist/ Emissions Per Person - Not Per Nation Who spews more CO2 into the air, USA or China? The dubious honour of being #1 is now in debate. At 23% of the world's CO2 production EACH, it doesn't really matter who's #1, as the earth can not handle this continued level of CO2 production. ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/emissions-per-person-not-per-nation/ Blackout Day August 14th - 5th Anniversary Five years ago today, 50 million people where given the chance to live without electricity when the northeastern region of the USA and Ontario lost power. Since that day, very little has been done to improve the electrical grid's stability. Plans are in place to ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/blackout-day-august-14th-5th-anniversary/ Population growth slows - Consumption increases Fred Pearce, in a blog for Yale Environment 360,  points out that population growth has dramatically decreased over the past few years.  "A generation ago, the world fertility rate was around six kids per woman. Today it is 2.6, which is getting close to the level ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/population-growth-slows-consumption-increases/ A Green Roof has many Benefits Green Roofs and Green Walls have been common place in Europe for centuries. Now North America is starting to catch on. A living roof or wall not only adds beauty to a building but has many additional benefits for the owner and the environment. Benefits include: longer ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/a-green-roof-has-many-benefits/ Green Walls - grow your veggies A traditional garden can be a great provider of food. But what are your options if you don't have the space? Try a "green wall" or "vertical garden".   Growing a few herbs in a pot or planter can add freshness and flavor to your meals. But why ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/green-walls-grow-your-veggies/ More Pure Electric Vehicles soon to be available Can we officially put a steak in the SUV and 4-Wheel Vehicles? Hybrids are coming on strong and happily, the number of pure electric plug-in vehicles that will be available in the next couple of years is steadily increasing. VW have shown interest in ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/more-pure-electric-vehicles-soon-to-be-available/ Greening the Electrical Grid - part 1 Ok, so Al Gore wants the electrical grid to be 100% Renewable within 10 years. What are the options? Renewable options include: Water - hydro electric dams, tidal current, ocean waves Wind - farms of wind turbines Biomass - natural gas from composing manure and other waste products Solar ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/greening-the-electrical-grid-part-1/ Al Gore - Repower America with Renewables   There is no question that Al Gore understands the issue. But can he move "the people" to make a change. His speech, A Generational Challenge to Repower America was specifically aimed at motivating the people. One common thread runs through America's issues with security, environment ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/al-gore-repower-america-with-renewables/ Toyota Prius to be manufactured in USA Toyota Motor Corp announced July 10th, they will build the hybrid Prius in their new Blue Springs Mississippi plant starting in late 2010. The plant will NOT build their Highlander SUV as originally planned due to changing USA demand. The American public has finally shifted their ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/toyota-prius-to-be-manufactured-in-usa/ G8 Fail Climate Change Vows - USA, Canada Worst of 8   By Erik Kirschbaum, BERLIN (Reuters) None of the G8 countries have come close to fulfilling their pledges to fight climate change with the United States, Canada and Russia lagging especially far behind, a study published on Thursday found. "We're not going to ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/g8-fail-climate-change-vows-usa-canada-worst-of-8/ SolarTaxi completes 32,245 kms and still going.   Louis Palmer and his team started on a drive around the world in their solar powered taxi on July 1st 2007. As of July 2nd 2008, they have completed 32,245 kms with six months still to go. Pictured here, the solar taxi participates in a Canada ... http://greenterrafirma.com/wordpress/solartaxi-completes-32245-kms-and-still-going/