Phantom of the VCR

Your VCR is costing you a lot of wasted money. In fact, about 6% of your monthly bill is from unusued appliances like your VCR. Imagine that little jerk, just sitting there all day, flashing 12:00 over and over again, and you're paying for it. You probably don't even use your VCR anymore.

Of course the VCR isn't the only enemy living in your own home draining your bank account. If you leave your computer on hibernate while you're away its backstabbing you. Coffee makers, TVs, stereo equipment, all of your friends steal electricity while they sit unused.

This phenomenon is called phantom power. It happens when a plugged-in device draws power when its not being used. Power is taken for internal clocks or displays or "instant on" features. It is estimated that phantom loads in the US equal the electricity use of Greece, Peru, and Vietnam combined.

How can you lower your electricity bill and stop the abuse of your plugged-in pals? Unplug them. Just get one of those surge protectors with the switch that allows you to switch appliances on and off when you need them or don't. Maybe it will add some annoyance to your life. But you can take the extra 6% you save and put it toward flourescent light bulbs to save even more dough on your utility bill.

Pill Popping Perch

The pills you were taking for chronic hiccuping have worked and you never even had to finish the prescription. Now what the heck to you do with all of those extra pills?

According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, you shouldn't flush them down the toilet or toss them in the garbage.

A new partnership between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the American Pharmaceutical Association is aimed at educating citizens, through pamphlets, websites and events, about the threat posed by pills popped into the pot.

The Smart Disposal program provides some tips in the press release on how to keep your pills out of waterways like rivers, lakes, and seas.

1. DO NOT FLUSH unused medications. Consumers were once advised to flush their expired or unused medications; however, recent environmental impact studies report that this could be having an adverse impact on the environment. While the rule of thumb is not to flush, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that certain medications should be flushed due to their abuse potential. Read the instructions on your medication and talk to your pharmacist.

2. When tossing unused medications, protect children and pets from the potentially negative effects. APhA recommends that consumers:

Crush solid medications or dissolve them in water (this applies for liquid medications as well) and mix with kitty litter or sawdust (or any material that absorbs the dissolved medication and makes it less appealing for pets or children to eat), then place in a sealed plastic bag BEFORE tossing in the trash.
Remove and destroy ALL identifying personal information (prescription label) from the medication container.
Check for approved state and local collection programs or with area hazardous waste facilities. In certain states, you may be able to take your unused medications to your community pharmacy.

Silicon Valley vs. Houston

Several articles have come out recently that profile the growing war between Silicon Valley venture capitalists and old-fashioned Houston oil tycoons.

You'll probably recognize some of the Silicon Valley boys from the late '90s technology boom. These same guys are investing billions in new, clean, renewable energy. In the last decade they were attempting to overthrow the business and consumer status quo. This time they have the oil companies in their sights. A New York Times article published today starts with this paragraph...

• Silicon Valley’s technology investors have taken to the ramparts, threatening to tear down the oil and gas industries’ dominance with innovations that use ethanol, solar and wind.

The New York Times article goes on to discuss how these same venture capitalists are playing it safe by investing in oil technologies while pushing greener options.

Despite that small hypocricy, the fact remains that there are a lot of rich folks in California who believe the reign of the oil companies is coming to an end and they want a piece of the new energy revolution.

How does the new energy era parallel last decade's computer/internet revolution? According to Brian McConnell at the O'Reilly Network, similar pieces have fallen into place. For instance, during the late '90s, personal computing technology was becoming more accessible and cheaper to buy. Unfortunately, most of the hardware and software available was too complicated and isolated for mass consumption. Venture capitalists at the time saw the potential for a wired world where every home could have a computer that worked efficiently and allowed them unfettered access to information and products. They invested millions into hardware/software developers which allowed for increased development. The fact that I'm publishing this blog and you're reading it proves that these investments were a success.

Right now solar and wind technology has reached an efficiency climax. Solar photovoltaic arrays are able to absorb more energy than ever from sunlight which means more energy per square inch of solar panel. Scientists have developed far less expensive turbines that can be placed almost anywhere with access to the power grid. The problem with renewable energy, like the old problem of computers, is that access and dissemination is difficult. Venture capitalists have the money to help solve these issues. Perfect storm? I hope!

There are other reasons why these computer dudes from the '90s are suddenly interested in renewable energy. Both renewable energy development and computing development are material sciences. Competition in computing and energy is based on cost per unit of performance. More power from small packages means more competitive advantage. Making computer technology more accessible meant improving the packaging and the marketing. The same problem is faced by renewable energy providers. Finally, there are many brilliant minds in Silicon Valley who thrive on solving problems through technology. With the advancement of computers has come renewed demand for something totally different that these creative geniuses can sink their teeth into.

Oil tycoons have controlled the energy world for a long time. Now Silicon Valley computer nerds and rich web business people are coordinating their cash and creativity to give Houston a run for its money.

New York Times story HERE

O'Reilly Network Story HERE

Winter Global Temps Highest EVER

This is getting stranger and stranger.

The U.S. government confirmed what most people felt, this was a mild winter. In fact, it was the warmest worldwide winter ever recorded. Not to freak you out, but in addition to the warmer winter the particles that block out sunlight and keep the earth cooler are disappering.

Now many will say that although the winter was the warmest on record, it only warmed by an average of 1.3 degrees. In the icey world of the poles, a change of 1.3 degrees is monumental. Plus, many creatures are only accustomed to a very narrow range of temperature changes. When that range is affected, they begin migrating to a more comfortable place or just die.

According to the NOAA National Climactic Data Center, the average increase in temperatures per decade has been about .11 degrees. Since 1976, however, the increases have been much more dramatic.

Read more here. And please try to make some of the small changes I've suggested on this blog such as...

• Here
• Here
• Here
• Here

Counties Tackling Global Warming

States have been trending toward curbs on climat change emissions. Now counties are doing their part as well.

One such city is Fairfax, Virginia. The Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolooy is planning on spending millions to make the city's one million residents a little greener.

Some of the types of changes Fairfax is planning include: ethanol-burning buses, tax braks for hybrid car owners, more trees, and more green space. Oh yea, and plenty of "green roofs" like I described in THIS post.

Rather than pitting environmentalists against business owners, the Board plans on offering incentives to businesses who make environmentally friendly changes.

Montgomery County is another green county that requires buildings to meet strict energy saving standards. The county also gets 10% of its energy from renewable resources.

What this all means is that you can have a direct impact on global warming by working at the local level. Maybe start by attening a county or city commission meeting and suggesting small inexpensive steps like offering free trees to citizens and rebates for utility users who reduce their usage.

Read more here

Make Your Pet Green

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, just took a break to wait for new material.

If your dog is like mine, she/he is constantly being barraged by chemicals. From the flea baths to the flea prevention and all of the treatments, cleaning products, and deodorizers in between. I'm no vet, but I have to guess that dousing our furry family members in this stuff isn't exactly healthy. I want my pup to live forever, or at least as long as possible.

There is an alternative. Pet supply stores across the country are beginning to provide all natural products for dogs, cats, ferrets, tropical fish...you name it. For dogs there is additive-free food and veggie chews. You may be familiar with the "Newman's Own" brand of charitable products. Now that company is manufacturing organic dog food made without herbicides or pesticides.

This may all seem a little silly, but of course silliness ensues with pet owners. Keep in mind that there is no legal definition for "organic" or "natural" so you'll have to check the label for more information.

• Here is a link to Newman's Own Organics dog treats for little dogs at Amazon.com


• Here is a link to an all natural pet store


• Here is a link to Botanical Dog, another natural pet store