GlobalNet21: Community Building Webinars & Future Programme

We have two webinars coming up that are about regeneration and community building and you are invited to join them.

The first one is on Monday Jan 30th and is called Civil Society Beyond The Radar and you can register at http://www.meetup.com/21stCenturyNetwork/events/41608212/

Civil Society is much more than what we call the voluntary sector or non-government organistions. It is the many thousands of community associations across the country that engage in a variety of different activities. This webinar is about the hundreds of thousands of community associations that make up civil society and often go unnoticed. How important are they, how can their autonomy be maintained and indeed how essential is that. We will also look at the impact of current policy/recession/deficit reduction on small community groups and also how the Big Society agenda could make that “social glue” come unstuck if it is handled in a too prescriptive way.

The Second Webinar is on Wednesday February 8th and is about Rebuilding Lives in the 21st Century.  You can register for that at http://www.meetup.com/21stCenturyNetwork/events/41105042/

The 21st Century is likely to be marked with increasing instability and security challenges across the globe, as the combined impacts of resource shortages, climate change, ethnic and religious polarisation and societal inequalities bite ever deeper. In this Webinar Robert Pye will describe how the organization Ethos is keen to work with interested and concerned members of GlobalNet21 to “rebuild lives.” By developing infrastructure capability building, Ethos is are eager to recruit individuals and organisations with first-hand experience and to uncover some approaches to funding pilot projects and experiments.

Community Building is only one of the themes that we will be covering in the first six months of this year. Other themes that we will be discussing either planned or in discussion are,

• Social Enterprise & Its Effectiveness
• Sustainable Leadership in the 21st Century
• Inequality & Society
• Social Cohesion and Diversity
• Beliefs, Religion & Politics
• Transforming Education
• Creating More From Less – The 21st Century Imperative
• The Green Planet verses Blue Planet Debate
• Going Beyond Corporate Social Responsibility
• Strengthening Civil Society
• Citizen Journalism & The Public Square
• Working with Marginalised Groups

The last two topics will culminate in a Photographic Exhibition that we are staging in May of this year on Photography and Marginalised groups.

So it looks like being an active six months ahead. Looking forward to you joining in.

Best wishes,

Francis

London UK – House Meeting – Causes of Poverty

If you’re in the London area, try getting along to this 21st Century Network house meeting on Wednesday 7th December.

Robin Smith is offering a House Meeting for those interested in discussing the causes of poverty, recession and destruction right next to enormous power to produce wealth. This sounds like a big and deep topic. We will try to look at the simple first before proceeding with anything more complex.

Read more and sign up here

Mobile Phone-Charging Footwear: Walk (A Lot) To Speak

I truly want a pair of Orange Power Wellies, mostly so I could declare that I am wearing “wellies,” a term we just do not make use of enough on this area of the pond. But additionally because they’re very cute thermoelectric rubber boot footwear which charge your own mobile phone making use of warmth out of your feet. These can come in very handy whenever hiking, camping, or engaging in other activities that lend themselves to wellie wearing yet not necessarily to electrical power outlets.

U.K. mobile rider Orange teamed with green-energy company GotWind to create the shoes which feature an electrical-producing sole that converts feet heat straight into an electrical current. This particular “welectricity,” as they are calling it (geddit?), can be employed to recharge a cell phone, which you connect on to the top of the wellie for the boost.

The prototype Wellington boots will make their debut at the U.K.’s Glastonbury performing arts festival, an enormous open-air entertainment blowout which this particular year runs from June 23 up to June 27. A lot of festivalgoers camp out, making it a smart spot to show off a model eco-friendly kinetic charger. We hope we understood how much the Orange Power Wellies will cost once they hit the broader market.

We all can say for certain that twelve hours of stomping through the festival’s muddy grass with the boots will continue to keep your own feet dry and supposedly provide you with enough energy to charge a cell phone for one hour. Put simply, these wellies have been created for strolling–and you’re going to need to go plenty if you want to chat and text.

We have come upon other kinetic methods of charging gadgets, of course, which includes a “piezoelectric” rubber material out of Princeton and Caltech which generates electricity any time flexed and could one day locate its way into footwear which charge cell phones as well as other mobile electronic digital gadgets as the person strolls or jogs.

Regarding the particular Orange Power Wellies, power is collected by means of the so-called Seebeck consequence, in which a thermoelectric apparatus produces a voltage when there’s different temperatures on each side. The soles of the wellies have a range of semiconductor materials sandwiched between a couple of slim ceramic wafers; when warmth from the feet are applied at the top section of the ceramic wafer and cold is put on the opposite side (from the cold of the ground), electrical power is said to be produced.

This is not the first time Orange has conceived of sustainable technologies for that Glastonbury Festival. This past year, the business revealed a concept solar tent in conjunction with the opening of the actual event.

In case you definitely care about your future, be eco friendly. All of us could do this by choosing eco friendly products and participating in environment friendly activities. We only have one world to exist in so let’s stand up for this!

categories: environment,gardening,outdoors,science,technology,health,politics,society,home,family,education,communications,government,business

Becoming Ecofriendly

Today the demand for different kinds of ecofriendly goods has expanded because of the rise in worries for the ecosystem. Folks must take advantage of these ecofriendly goods to be able to stop any kind of damage which can be brought on for the natural environment by making use of items which are not really ecofriendly.

The different kinds of ecofriendly air fresheners which can be used these days at houses without causing any harm towards the environment are as follows:-

* Potpourri – Potpourri is made up of a container of mixed flower petals and spices. This particular container is used as perfume. The scent or smell of potpourri gets consumed entirely. The potpourri may be used to add to the beauty of homes. Nevertheless, it is not able enough to get rid of bad odor from the actual air. Some organic herbs and spices must be employed to regain the fragrance or smell back. Cinnamon or even nutmeg may be put into the potpourri to be able to give a brand new and fresh fragrance for the potpourri. Few sprigs of fresh new mint can also be included in order to enhance the aroma of the potpourri. Peppermint may also be used to help keep the ants from houses of individuals.

* Folks could take advantage of essential natural oils to further improve the scent of their houses. These kinds of natural oils are ecofriendly naturally and are taken out from plants. These kinds of natural oils tend to be non-hazardous in nature. These natural oils should be combined with a minimum of 4 parts of water. These natural oils must not be put on the furniture because these natural oils might leave behind a film. Additional water should be added to the mixture whenever such films are made on the home furniture.

* Some fruits could also be used effectively to improve the scent of the homes. Fruits like oranges, apples as well as lemons could be cut into thin circles. The fruits must be dried out on a cookie sheet. These fruits should be overlaid after drying them over the cookie sheet. A little bit of shellac or floor polish should be employed so as to keep the fruits. These fruits can be put to use as bedroom fresheners for several weeks. Folks could also take advantage of raw fruit as air fresheners.

* Beeswax candles can also be used successfully to enhance the smell of folks’ residence. These kinds of candles give off the scent of honey when burnt. These kinds of candles are available in the market in a number of sizes and shapes. Folks must take advantage of the naturally colored wax lights to prevent causing any kind of damage to the natural environment.

* Various fragrances can also be put together in order to make a bowl arrangement. These kinds of arrangements can be built visible by pouring them straight into wooden shallow bowls or clear glass bowls. Some dried herbs like mint, rosemary and thyme may also be added to such arrangements. In order to obtain a seasonal smell, cinnamon sticks or nutmeg can be added. Some beeswax candles can also be positioned in the center of these containers for purposes of decoration.

In case you really value your future, be eco friendly. All of us could do this by using eco friendly products and engaging in environment helpful activities. We only have one world to live in so let us stand up for it!

The Price Of Solar Panels Is Declining

New research on the life expectancy of this new kind of renewable energy has helped decrease the cost of solar panels. It was once estimated that solar panels would last only about 20 years, but it has now been proven that models can last up to 30 years. This makes it a more appealing investment for homeowners who were hesitant because of the short life expectancy.

Environmentalists as well as policy makers are encouraging financial institutions to make available to homeowners the finances available to purchase and install solar panels because they are very cost efficient and will be able to repay for themselves with less energy consumption.

Across Europe, and even China, governments have been giving financial incentives for those private citizens who upgrade to solar energy. This, of course, has decreased the cost of solar panels and increased demand. India and the United States have incentive plans in the works but have yet to release and implement them.

Before, I mentioned how this type of renewable energy will pay for itself and here is why: the major expense of solar panels is the purchase of the actual equipment and its installation. The rest is almost free because you do not have to pay for the energy source.

The renewable energy industry, the solar energy field in particular, has very enthusiastic goals. These goals include making solar energy as cheap as the electricity we use today. The aim is to make Europe at least half dependent on solar energy as opposed to electricity grids by 2020.

Around the globe the demand for renewable energy is growing. More and more citizens of the world are becoming more conscience of the effects of our actions on the environment, increasing the demand for green energy. This demand will cut the cost of solar panels even further.

The cost of solar panel hardware is going down, so it is possible to get a cheap solar panel. Start using solar generated energy today!

Ecofriendly Homes

People prefer to buy ecofriendly houses nowadays. The ecofriendly houses offer a lot of advantages to the environment. These homes are designed for improving the life of our own planet by enhancing the environmental conditions. These houses may also offer a lot of advantages to their owners such as lower utility costs and healthier air quality.

The various guidelines that should be adopted by folks prior to buying ecofriendly homes are detailed below:-

*The actual costs involved with the construction of an ecofriendly home are approximately five to 20 percent more than the price necessary to construct a standard home. An individual who wishes to possess an ecofriendly house must look into the characteristics that he wishes to use in his home. For every environment friendly feature that he has selected for his brand new home, he must determine the savings that he would obtain on his utility bills. By doing these kinds of estimations, he can determine that number which will be needed to recover the additional charges that will be required to construct an ecofriendly home.

* A person must take advantage of environment friendly supplies as a way to build his house. The ecofriendly materials are defined as those supplies which are produced locally, natural, lasting and require minimal processing when they are produced. People should only make full use of non-toxic as well as safe materials for building their houses. Individuals should not buy additional materials which might get wasted. All the stages of creating an environment friendly home should be properly planned in order to avoid wastage of numerous construction materials.

* An environment friendly house should be equipped with water saving gadgets within the sinks, showers and flush of the toilet. These homes must be built with rain water tank. These tanks may be used to flush toilets, clean clothes and water the gardens. The use of rain water tank will facilitate the recycling of water.

* Solar energy is a replenishable type of energy that is found in abundance. People should harvest the energy of the sun to get numerous advantages. Big double panel windows must be positioned on the northern side of the home. Solar power panels should be installed in the homes for heating water.

* The houses need to be insulated properly in order to make efficient utilization of energy. The ceilings of the houses should be installed with double insulation so as to catch heat and stop its escape from the ceilings.

* People should only purchase electrical appliances and light bulbs which will make efficient utilization of electrical energy. Depending on the budget of a person, he should purchase the most energy efficient appliances.

* People must only take advantage of those materials and paints which purify the air by permitting the air to penetrate. People should set up hardwood floors in order to prevent making use of carpets along with other dust attracting materials in the house.

The building of ecofriendly homes would help in keeping the environment safe.

In case you seriously care about your future, be eco friendly. All of us could accomplish this by utilizing eco friendly products and engaging in environment friendly activities. We only have one world to exist in so let us stand up for this!

Global Warming vs Natural Climate Change

by Janet Corby

Do you ever feel like you know just enough about global warming to be dangerous? Let’s see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from real global warming experts.

Scientists, together with us environmentalists, are constantly warning politicians that time is running up but that doesn’t seem to bother them, especially now in times of recession. Revive economy or save the planet? Scientists and economists can agree with Buddhist monks and Christian activists that ruthless destruction of natural habitats is evil and careful preservation of birds and butterflies is good. The worldwide community of environmentalists-most of whom are not scientists-holds the moral high ground, and is guiding human societies toward a hopeful future. Scientists are human; they do not wait for proof. Many devote their professional lives to seeking evidence for hypotheses, especially well-funded hypotheses, they’ve chosen to believe.

Temperatures were high at that time due to the peculiarities of the Earth’s orbit. During the Pliocene (2-5Ma) before the Quaternary ice age began, temperatures were also significantly warmer than today. Temperatures have steadily increased at around a quarter of a degree for every 1,000 years. During the last 100 years temperatures have increased by twice that amount.

Think about what you’ve read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about global warming causes? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

Human activities have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the build-up of greenhouse gases – primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The heat-trapping property of these gases is undisputed although uncertainties exist about exactly how earth’s climate responds to them. Humans measure warmth as temperature which is a measure of the amount of heat contained in a physical object. One can envision this concept by thinking of a pot on a stove.

Global warming is one of the most hotly debated issues today. Cars have been identified as one of the leading contributors to the escalating global warming problem. Global warming is a huge risk. We’re not just talking about retiring our winter coats in favour of lighter jackets. Global warming is one of those era-defining issues for which perception is reality. And if that perception shifts-and it could shift quickly-the economic impact on energy companies will be swift and lasting.

Global warming had changed their habitat, so to speak. Global warming, as you may already know is the process that describes the earth’s temperature rise. This rise in temperature is because of greenhouse grasses. Global warming and climate change are the biggest problem we are facing today well at least this is what scientists say. There are of course still some that do not believe in global warming and they look at it like some crazy invented thing made by Al Gore and other scientists.

So now you know a little bit about global warming causes. Even if you don’t know everything, you’ve done something worthwhile: you’ve expanded your knowledge.

About the Author:

Janet Corby is the author of this article. EnergySavingSite.info asks is global warming real and offers information on the natural causes of global warming. You have permission to reprint this article provided all links are kept.

The Successful Green Business

by R Michael Richmond

We have entered a new period of environmental awareness. The right to assert a Green business status is not the same as brushing on a new coat of green paint. Unfortunately, there are simply too many companies claiming to be a Green business without actually earning their right to be a certified Green business. The idea of an authentically Green business demands that the aspiring Green business literally earn the Green credential through a process that has clear standards and compliance options rather than a mere Internet logo purchase.

To gain a proper perspective on the environmental issues before us, it is now well understand that we are a world in trouble. Our resources are at risk of depletion. Our air, water, and soil has been badly abused. And, we are facing the largest population in history that will soon swell to 9 billion people worldwide. With these facts threatening to destroy us and the generations to follow, making Green claims for your business should be more than token efforts and marketing hype that conceal the true nature of your company.

The Green Business League has set an industry standard when it comes to Green business, and their 100 point system allows everyone to participate. Moreover, the process is all-inclusive. you need not own the building or offer a product to get involved. You need only make a commitment to installing basic Green practices in your daily operation.

Marketing seems to be a license to make truth fit a given situation rather than making the situation fit the truth. Greenwashing bends, rips, and stretch the environmental benefits until they barely stand for anything. Regardless of the intent, there is a growing number of consumers who are asking whether companies promoting their Green virtues are honestly Green, or not. Too often, they are finding that they have been lied to, and they will abandon Greenwashed companies for ones that are authentically Green.

To be an authentically Green business, the changes need to be internal as well as showing only externally. It goes back to the saying, “If you are going to Talk the Talk, then you should Walk the Walk.” This seems to be self-evident except when it comes to marketing efforts. At that level, the truth is a common casualty because the business must survive and grow. Essentially, it has been acceptable to sacrifice Green on the altar of business opportunity.

Credible Green claims need to be backed by actual Green practices that are implemented in the daily operation of the business. When a business actually functions as a Green business, the dynamics change. Environmentalism requires universal participation rather than doing only the minimum required to make a Green claim. Since most people has limited knowledge on the subject, it is best to get the assistance of a certified Green consultant. The added benefits is a better Greening project, Green certification, and your business will save thousands of dollars in the process.

The intelligent way to pursue an authentically Green business. It is also the best way to launch a marketing campaign that will work. With growing awareness, Green businesses will attract a loyal group of environmentally-aware consumers. These people will go the extra mile and spend the extra dollar because they actually believe in the cause. Going Green will attract more customers and keep them coming back again and again. It does pay to be an authentically Green business in the growing marketplace.

About the Author:

The Green Business League offers insight and certification of nearly any business at a reasonable price that makes the process easy. Acquiring the assistance of a Certified Green Consultant to supply insight and certification that will be respected by clients, community, and other Green businesses. Going Green is the best choice in a day of far too much Greenwashing.