Saturday, 6 July 2013
Thursday, 4 July 2013
eco_openers
Living more environmentally friendly does not have to be difficult. Often all it takes is small changes that in turn have a big impact. Look for things that you can start doing today - recycle more, reduce the amount of garbage you generate and find new uses for products that you would otherwise throw out.
To get you thinking, here are some great tips for living greener:
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There is no denying that we are quickly approaching an environmental crisis. Global warming has become a very real threat and one that we need to address now or we risk causing even more damage to our planet.
Do your part by finding ways that you and your family can live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Even making small changes can have a positive impact. Get started today using these tips from environmental experts...
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Reduce, reuse, recycle... we are all familiar with what we should be doing, but unfortunately not enough of us are actually doing it! Today is the day to take action and start making real changes that will have a positive impact on the environment. This does not have to mean a complete lifestyle change. Simply making some small changes can make a big difference.
Get started with these tips...
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There was a time when only hippies and tree huggers cared about the environment. But today the topic has been so talked about that we all understand the importance of doing our part. Here are some great things you can do to help our environment:
~
Environmental experts have made it very clear that we all need to make changes if we are going to clean up our planet. And those changes need to start now! Do your part by finding ways that you and your family can be more environmentally friendly. These tips from the experts may give you some good ideas...
~
It is not just big companies that need to be more environmentally responsible. Changing the environment starts at home!
Do your part by actively looking for ways that you can reduce, reuse and recycle. Often it is the small changes that make the biggest difference. For example if every household was able to reduce the amount of garbage generated by only 10% think of the huge impact that would have on our landfills.
We asked environmental experts for their advice on other ways to make a difference and here are some of their suggestions...
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Helping our environment can be as simple as remembering to turn out the lights when you leave a room. It's not a big deal, but if everyone did this one small thing it would mean a huge decrease in the amount of electricity we use in our homes. One small change can often have a very big impact.
Here are several other ways you can have a positive impact on the environment...
~
Many people think that in order to have an impact on our environment, they need to completely overhaul their lifestyle. As a result, they end up doing nothing because it seems too overwhelming.
Don't make this mistake. Even if all you can do is make one or two small changes, it is better than nothing. Use these tips from the environmental experts to find ways that you can live greener...
~
Not sure how to start living greener? Don't worry, you don't have to completely change your lifestyle in the name of being more environmentally friendly. Start by doing a week long audit of all the ways that you use electricity and water, generate garbage and burn fuel. Then cut back in each of these areas in as many ways as you can. It doesn't have to be difficult!
Hopefully these environmental tips from the experts will get you thinking...
~
We asked several environmental experts what types of things we could all do to have a positive impact on our environment. Although some of their ideas may be more involved than the average person is willing to get, they had many great suggestions that we can all follow. Get started today with these tips...
To get you thinking, here are some great tips for living greener:
~
There is no denying that we are quickly approaching an environmental crisis. Global warming has become a very real threat and one that we need to address now or we risk causing even more damage to our planet.
Do your part by finding ways that you and your family can live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Even making small changes can have a positive impact. Get started today using these tips from environmental experts...
~
Reduce, reuse, recycle... we are all familiar with what we should be doing, but unfortunately not enough of us are actually doing it! Today is the day to take action and start making real changes that will have a positive impact on the environment. This does not have to mean a complete lifestyle change. Simply making some small changes can make a big difference.
Get started with these tips...
~
There was a time when only hippies and tree huggers cared about the environment. But today the topic has been so talked about that we all understand the importance of doing our part. Here are some great things you can do to help our environment:
~
Environmental experts have made it very clear that we all need to make changes if we are going to clean up our planet. And those changes need to start now! Do your part by finding ways that you and your family can be more environmentally friendly. These tips from the experts may give you some good ideas...
~
It is not just big companies that need to be more environmentally responsible. Changing the environment starts at home!
Do your part by actively looking for ways that you can reduce, reuse and recycle. Often it is the small changes that make the biggest difference. For example if every household was able to reduce the amount of garbage generated by only 10% think of the huge impact that would have on our landfills.
We asked environmental experts for their advice on other ways to make a difference and here are some of their suggestions...
~
Helping our environment can be as simple as remembering to turn out the lights when you leave a room. It's not a big deal, but if everyone did this one small thing it would mean a huge decrease in the amount of electricity we use in our homes. One small change can often have a very big impact.
Here are several other ways you can have a positive impact on the environment...
~
Many people think that in order to have an impact on our environment, they need to completely overhaul their lifestyle. As a result, they end up doing nothing because it seems too overwhelming.
Don't make this mistake. Even if all you can do is make one or two small changes, it is better than nothing. Use these tips from the environmental experts to find ways that you can live greener...
~
Not sure how to start living greener? Don't worry, you don't have to completely change your lifestyle in the name of being more environmentally friendly. Start by doing a week long audit of all the ways that you use electricity and water, generate garbage and burn fuel. Then cut back in each of these areas in as many ways as you can. It doesn't have to be difficult!
Hopefully these environmental tips from the experts will get you thinking...
~
We asked several environmental experts what types of things we could all do to have a positive impact on our environment. Although some of their ideas may be more involved than the average person is willing to get, they had many great suggestions that we can all follow. Get started today with these tips...
Fighting spreads to city in Sudan's Darfur region
KHARTOUM |
KHARTOUM (Reuters) - A gunfight broke out on Thursday in Sudan's second-largest city, in the strife-torn Darfur region, witnesses said, prompting residents to take cover and the United Nations to cancel a routine flight there.
Residents said heavy gunfire could be heard near the security headquarters in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state. The identities of the gunmen were unknown.
Clashes between the army, rebels and rival tribes have surged in Darfur in recent months, but had until now been confined to rural areas.
One resident said men dressed in military uniform were exchanging fire with people inside the security compound but no more details were immediately available.
Sudanese officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
"People are panicking and shops are closed," another resident told Reuters by phone as gunfire resounded in the background.
The United Nations canceled a regular flight from Khartoum to Nyala for security reasons and U.N. staff in the city were moved to a bunker, a U.N. source said.
Years of international peace efforts have failed to end conflict in Darfur, where mainly African tribes took up arms in 2003 against Sudan's Arab-led government, which they accuse of discriminating against them.
Violence is down from its peak in 2004-05, but has picked up again this year, involving the army, rebels and Arab tribes, many of which were armed by the government early in the conflict and are now fighting among themselves over resources and land.
(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
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Reuters: Top News
Student bodies threaten economic blockade in Manipur from tonight
Two student organisations in Manipur today threatened to launch an indefinite economic blockade of the Imphal-Moreh NH 2 in support of their demand that 7,000 students from hill districts be allowed to appear for the Class X exam.
Firstpost
Monday, 1 July 2013
101TipsEnvironment
- Keep your furnace running efficiently. Your furnace is the most expensive appliance in your house to run. In fact household heating accounts for 60% of all energy used in the average home. Make sure it is operating as efficiently as possible by replacing its filter every two months. A great option is to purchase one of the reusable filters that can be washed on a regular basis. You'll pay more for them but they last for years so in the end they cost less than disposable filters. The few minutes it will take you to properly care for your furnace can increase its energy efficiently by as much as 50 per cent.
~
- Install a programmable thermostat. Heating and cooling your house when no one is home - or when everyone is in bed - uses an unnecessary amount of energy. This is bad for the environment and bad for your checkbook! Instead of wasting that energy, buy a programmable thermostat and set the temperature to be several degrees cooler (or warmer in the summer) during the night and when the house is empty. You can easily have it back to the temperature you like by the time you wake up or arrive home.
~
- Wrap your hot water heater in a blanket. Every hardware store sells fiberglass blankets that you can wrap around your hot water tank to help it hold in heat. They are easily installed (you can do it yourself) and usually pay for themselves in the first year of use.
~
- Opt for a tankless hot water solution. If your hot water tank is getting old and you're considering replacing it, choose one of the new tankless hot water options. They heat water as you need it instead of keeping an entire tank heated and ready to go at all times. As a result they use significantly less energy, which is better for the environment. And an added bonus is that you can expect to save about 50% on your hot water heating costs.
~
- Keep your house cool naturally. Closing the blinks and curtains and using ceiling fans can dramatically decrease the temperature of your home during the heat of the summer. If you must use air conditioning, keep it at 75F and reserve its use only for the hottest days. A programmable thermostat is a great option to raise the temperature during the night and when no one is home.
~
- Replace your incandescent light bulbs. Although they cost more upfront, the compact fluorescent light bulbs will save you a lot of money in the long run. They use 75% less electricity than incandescent light bulbs and last up to 10 times longer! That means you pay significantly less for electricity and are not throwing nearly as many light bulbs into the landfill. If you were to change only five of the light bulbs that you use the most often to compact fluorescent bulbs you could save more than $30 per year.
~
- Turn off the lights. A lot of people are guilty of leaving lights on all over the house. But remember that every little bit of electricity you can save counts! Make it a policy in your home to always turn the lights off when you leave a room. Same making sure that the television, stereo and computer are off when not in use. For outdoor lights, consider a timer or use motion detectors instead of always leaving outside lights on.
~
- Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are operating efficiently. Refrigerators that are more than 10 years old use approximately 60% more electricity than new models. To make sure you are not using more energy than needed, keep the temperature of the fridge at 37F and the freezer at 0F. This will keep your food at the perfect temperature without using excess electricity. Another great tip is to clean the condenser once or twice a year so that the motor does not have to run as long or as often.
~
- Use your microwave. Not all foods are great when cooked in the microwave, but there are lots of times you can use it over your conventional oven. Since your microwave uses 75% less energy than your oven, it's worth it to find new ways to use it when cooking!
~
- Unplug electronics when they are not in use. Did you know that your television, DVD player, computer and kitchen appliances all use some electricity even when they are not turned on? Avoid wasting this electricity by unplugging them if you won't be using them for a day or longer. And remember to unplug them before you leave home for vacations.
~
- Use countertop appliances over their stovetop equivalent. When you are steaming vegetables or boiling water in the kettle, opt for countertop appliances instead of using your stove. They use significantly less electricity and get the job done faster.
~
- Only run a full load in the dishwasher. Before running a cycle through your dishwasher, make sure it is full. You'll use less electricity and less water - and an added bonus is that your dishes will come out cleaner! And always be sure to let your dishes air dry or use the cool dry option rather than using the heat dry setting. This alone will cut the amount of energy used for each load by 15% - 50%!
~
- Change to digital dimmer switches. Although having dimmers on your lights is a great way to save energy, some of the older styles are no more efficient than regular switches. If you have a dial dimmer, check to see if the switch itself feels warm. If it does, you are not saving any energy by using it. Consider replacing it with one of the new digital dimmers to increase the amount of energy saved.
~
- Make your swimming pool more energy efficient. Pools account for as much as 60% of a home's summer energy costs - and more in parts o
~
- Install a programmable thermostat. Heating and cooling your house when no one is home - or when everyone is in bed - uses an unnecessary amount of energy. This is bad for the environment and bad for your checkbook! Instead of wasting that energy, buy a programmable thermostat and set the temperature to be several degrees cooler (or warmer in the summer) during the night and when the house is empty. You can easily have it back to the temperature you like by the time you wake up or arrive home.
~
- Wrap your hot water heater in a blanket. Every hardware store sells fiberglass blankets that you can wrap around your hot water tank to help it hold in heat. They are easily installed (you can do it yourself) and usually pay for themselves in the first year of use.
~
- Opt for a tankless hot water solution. If your hot water tank is getting old and you're considering replacing it, choose one of the new tankless hot water options. They heat water as you need it instead of keeping an entire tank heated and ready to go at all times. As a result they use significantly less energy, which is better for the environment. And an added bonus is that you can expect to save about 50% on your hot water heating costs.
~
- Keep your house cool naturally. Closing the blinks and curtains and using ceiling fans can dramatically decrease the temperature of your home during the heat of the summer. If you must use air conditioning, keep it at 75F and reserve its use only for the hottest days. A programmable thermostat is a great option to raise the temperature during the night and when no one is home.
~
- Replace your incandescent light bulbs. Although they cost more upfront, the compact fluorescent light bulbs will save you a lot of money in the long run. They use 75% less electricity than incandescent light bulbs and last up to 10 times longer! That means you pay significantly less for electricity and are not throwing nearly as many light bulbs into the landfill. If you were to change only five of the light bulbs that you use the most often to compact fluorescent bulbs you could save more than $30 per year.
~
- Turn off the lights. A lot of people are guilty of leaving lights on all over the house. But remember that every little bit of electricity you can save counts! Make it a policy in your home to always turn the lights off when you leave a room. Same making sure that the television, stereo and computer are off when not in use. For outdoor lights, consider a timer or use motion detectors instead of always leaving outside lights on.
~
- Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are operating efficiently. Refrigerators that are more than 10 years old use approximately 60% more electricity than new models. To make sure you are not using more energy than needed, keep the temperature of the fridge at 37F and the freezer at 0F. This will keep your food at the perfect temperature without using excess electricity. Another great tip is to clean the condenser once or twice a year so that the motor does not have to run as long or as often.
~
- Use your microwave. Not all foods are great when cooked in the microwave, but there are lots of times you can use it over your conventional oven. Since your microwave uses 75% less energy than your oven, it's worth it to find new ways to use it when cooking!
~
- Unplug electronics when they are not in use. Did you know that your television, DVD player, computer and kitchen appliances all use some electricity even when they are not turned on? Avoid wasting this electricity by unplugging them if you won't be using them for a day or longer. And remember to unplug them before you leave home for vacations.
~
- Use countertop appliances over their stovetop equivalent. When you are steaming vegetables or boiling water in the kettle, opt for countertop appliances instead of using your stove. They use significantly less electricity and get the job done faster.
~
- Only run a full load in the dishwasher. Before running a cycle through your dishwasher, make sure it is full. You'll use less electricity and less water - and an added bonus is that your dishes will come out cleaner! And always be sure to let your dishes air dry or use the cool dry option rather than using the heat dry setting. This alone will cut the amount of energy used for each load by 15% - 50%!
~
- Change to digital dimmer switches. Although having dimmers on your lights is a great way to save energy, some of the older styles are no more efficient than regular switches. If you have a dial dimmer, check to see if the switch itself feels warm. If it does, you are not saving any energy by using it. Consider replacing it with one of the new digital dimmers to increase the amount of energy saved.
~
- Make your swimming pool more energy efficient. Pools account for as much as 60% of a home's summer energy costs - and more in parts o
Next phase of Leigh’s £3.5 million flood scheme launches
The next phase of a £3.5m investment in Leigh’s flood defences is getting underway.
The Environment Agency is keen to show residents the plans for a scheme that will provide enhanced flood protection to 105 properties in the Clifton Street area.
Residents can see the proposed plans and find out what the works will mean for them at a drop-in session on Friday 12th July between 3-7pm at the Wigan Road Methodist Church, on the corner of Clifton Street, WN7 5AH.
Once the plans are agreed work is due to begin in the Spring of 2014. This phase is part of wider government investment in flood protection for West and East Leigh that also involves work to refurbish Bedford Pumping Station, which was built in 1964.
When completed the work in Leigh will provide enhanced flood protection to 105 properties and maintain the standard of protection to 670 properties, through the building and refurbishment of flood defences.
For more information on the drop-in contact Raymond Puddephatt on 01925 542298.
Environment Agency News Events RSS feed
The Environment Agency is keen to show residents the plans for a scheme that will provide enhanced flood protection to 105 properties in the Clifton Street area.
Residents can see the proposed plans and find out what the works will mean for them at a drop-in session on Friday 12th July between 3-7pm at the Wigan Road Methodist Church, on the corner of Clifton Street, WN7 5AH.
Once the plans are agreed work is due to begin in the Spring of 2014. This phase is part of wider government investment in flood protection for West and East Leigh that also involves work to refurbish Bedford Pumping Station, which was built in 1964.
When completed the work in Leigh will provide enhanced flood protection to 105 properties and maintain the standard of protection to 670 properties, through the building and refurbishment of flood defences.
For more information on the drop-in contact Raymond Puddephatt on 01925 542298.
Environment Agency News Events RSS feed
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