Take an Eco Trip

For more of this episode or others of Eco Trip from Sundance Channel visit their site.

Bike, Bus, Walk Week

10 Reasons you should try alternative commuting:

1. Conserves resources
2. Non-polluting
3. Inexpensive
4. Relieves traffic congestion
5. Businesses get attention for participating
6. Save time by combining exercise and commuting
7. Arrive at work or school invigorated
8. Experience nature
9. Improve your health, energy and productivity
10. Free breakfast at Panera! (mmm... coffee and bagel)

Besides the obvious benefits of
alternative transportation,
like improving your health and saving resources, participating in Bike, Bus, Walk Week, does have extra perks - free stuff!

1. Free breakfast from Panera (a free coffee & bagel could save the world)
2. FREE cool ballcaps for lucky winners
3. Free city bus rides all week for those traveling with a bike
4. Free showers/towels at the YMCA's and any Cox Fitness Center, the Meyer Center
5. Free Ozark Greenways membership for participating 3+ days
6. Opportunity for your business to win a traveling trophy
7. A good feeling about helping create a bike/pedestrian friendly community

It's free and easy. This is how you do it:

1. Decide to take the Challenge - To get to and from work without your car at least one day during May 11-15
2. Recruit your co-workers to take the Challenge, and compete for the coveted traveling Challenge Trophy
3. Don't forget to tell them everyone who participates at least one day that week gets a free breakfast from Panera. Yes!
4. Register your workplace or school and print the handy sign-in sheet to tally your workplace participation (choose one person to be your contact person)
5. Participate that week, May 11-15
6. Turn in your tally sheet to us by email or mail or bike messenger (businesses with the most participation win the coveted traveling Challenge Trophy and prizes)
7. Get your free Panera breakfast coupon from us when we get your tally sheet (oh sweet coffee & bagel)
8. Feel good that you're contributing to a more bicycle/pedestrian friendly Springfield
9. Keep doing it!

Venues of All Sorts Go Green

Facilities across the Midwest region make eco-friendly changes.

Meeting planners looking for an environmentally solid meetings alternative will find great green choices in the Midwest. From meetings venues, to hotels, to a brand-new airport, green is in throughout the Heartland.

In Madison, WI, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed and 250,000-sf Monona Terrace Convention Center (www.mononaterrace.com) is the first center to receive silver-level certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED - EB) rating system. By purchasing 1.1 million kilowatt-hours of wind energy, the facility eliminated more than 2.4 million tons of carbon-dioxide emissions and the need for 410 tons of coal. In 2009, nearly half of Monona Terrace's total energy usage will be wind-derived.

Monona Catering, the building's in-house caterer, which serves 450,000 people per year, uses many recyclables, including plastic cups at water stations, box lunch packaging, copy paper, and toner cartridges. Recognizing today's hard times, leftover food is donated to local pantries.

In St. Louis, the 260,000-sf Science Center has begun offering a green meetings program. Not only will delegates enjoy 700 hands-on exhibits—the Omnimax Theater, Boeing Space Station, and planetarium—the center will also donate 5 percent of its meetings proceeds to carbon-neutral programming through Carbonfund.org.

Even smaller facilities are catching green fever. The Discovery Center of Springfield, MO, is the first building in southwestern Missouri to attain LEED Gold certification. With an auditorium seating up to 200, a pair of modern classrooms, an immersion cinema theater, and a full kitchen and tables for up to 75, the facility even offers videoconferencing services that can connect the Ozarks to the world—and cut carbon-emitting travel.

Chicago offers a wide range of green meetings venues–including the new McCormick Place West, the largest new-construction building in the country to receive LEED certification.

Chicago also leads the country with five Green Seal-certified hotels. Hotel Monaco Chicago, Hotel Burnham, Hotel Allegro Chicago, InterContinental Chicago, and the Talbott Hotel all recently received Green Seal certification, an environmental lodging standard with requirements in waste minimization, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste-water management, and green procurement.

Finally, Indianapolis has taken environmental friendliness to a whole other level, with the new $1.1 billion Colonel H. Weir Cook Terminal at Indianapolis International Airport. The 1.2-million-sf facility is the largest LEED-certified building in the Midwest. Energy is conserved by the design and construction materials of the terminal. The roof reflects energy, which can reduce cooling costs, while the daylight available throughout the building reduces the need for artificial light.

Taxi time for jets has been cut significantly, reducing the amount of fuel needed to reach gates and cutting emissions. The airport's taxiways are lined with channels to collect glycol used for de-icing aircraft; the material is recycled. The new airport also has incorporated sustainability in its design, construction, and furnishings by reusing parking lots and runways, demolition materials, and glass, paint, and flooring.

Ground-transportation centers for local transit systems have been added, and the airport has even gone back to nature. Red maples, redbuds, switchgrass, honeylocust, hemlock, and tulip trees are among the native Midwestern species planted throughout to cut pesticide use, erosion, and maintenance costs, helping keep the airport green in more ways than one.

Source

Earth Hour at DCS

Come join Discovery Center of Springfield for Earth Hour on March 28th from 8:30pm-9:30pmfor sixty minutes of outdoor community fun! Make a symbolic flip of a switch and turn off all non-essential lighting for one hour such as, overhead lights, microwaves, computers, neon signs, televisions, and outdoor lighting that does not impact safety. Earth Hour serves to unite our community with other cities worldwide to send a signal to our leaders that we demand action in finding a solution to the climate change issue. During Earth Hour there will be booths with information on energy efficiency, how eco-friendly is your lifestyle?, and more. Participate in interactive games for the whole family, listen to an unplugged music session, and socialize with others in our community who are passionate about our earth! This event will be held in the parking lot behind Discovery Center on St. Louis Street, March 28th, 8:30-9:30pm.

Going Green under the Hood

Routine oil changes play an important role in keeping your car running in good shape, which helps it get the best fuel economy and minimizes air pollution and global warming emissions. But what about the impact of the oil changes themselves? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 200 million gallons of used motor oil are improperly disposed of in the United States each year. Used oil from just one oil change can contaminate one million gallons of water—a year’s supply for 50 people.

Fortunately, used motor oil (whether it be from cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, or lawn equipment) can be recycled to make new motor oil, processed into fuel oils, or used as raw materials for the petroleum industry. In fact, one gallon of used motor oil can yield the same 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil as 42 gallons of crude oil.

If you are one of the millions of do-it-yourself oil changers, here are some important steps to take to ensure the process is as clean as possible:

• After draining the oil, but before removing the drip pan from under the car, close and secure the drain plug and check for leaks.
  
  
• If you are changing the oil filter, drain it for a minimum of 12 hours into a clean plastic container with a tight-fitting lid (do not use a container that once held chemicals, food, or beverages). Then, carefully pour the oil from the drip pan into the container.
  
  
• Reuse your drip pan; do not rinse residual oil down the drain or into your yard.
  
  
• If you do accidentally spill any oil, use an absorbent material like sawdust or cat litter to clean up the spill and dispose of it properly.

Used motor oil (from cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, or lawn equipment) can be recycled to make new motor oil—2.5 quarts of new lubricating oil can be made from one gallon of used motor oil—or processed into fuel oils or other materials. After you have changed your oil, take it to a local service station or recycling center that collects used motor oil for recycling (see related resources for a recycling directory). Some facilities will collect used filters as well; if not, ask your waste collection service if the filter can be disposed of with your household trash.

You may be able to further reduce your oil consumption (regardless of whether or not you do your own oil changes) by changing your oil less often. A 2008 study conducted by the California Integrated Waste Management Board shows that many vehicles can go more than the standard 3,000 miles between oil changes, depending on driving conditions and motor oil type. Before you skip your next oil change, however, be sure to follow your car manufacturer’s recommendations listed in the owner’s manual.

A Green Winter

It’s no secret that winterizing your home can slash your heating costs and reduce global warming pollution. But with today’s shaky economy, many homeowners might be wary of home improvements unless they can save money immediately—especially when home heating already accounts for nearly half of the average family's winter energy costs.

While there are many ways in which you can reduce your home’s energy use, these five projects can deliver the quickest payback on your purchase:

• Insulate your attic. It is relatively easy, yet very cost-effective, to add insulation to your attic. The Department of Energy (DOE) suggests a minimum attic insulation level of R-38 (R-value is a measure of resistance to heat flow), equivalent to 12 to 15 inches of insulation. The DOE provides a map on its website (see the Related Resources) that lists recommended insulation levels for U.S. climates.
  
  
• Seal air leaks. Weather stripping, door sweeps, window shrink wrap, and other materials can be purchased at your local hardware store for $50 or less, and can save you as much as 10 percent in energy costs. If you have an old fireplace, consider installing glass doors (which can cost a couple hundred dollars or more) to help prevent heat from escaping out the chimney when not in use.
  
  
• Seal heating ducts. Leaky ducts from forced-air or heat pump systems can allow up to 20 percent of the warm air to escape. While most ductwork is hidden in walls and floors, you can seal duct leaks on your own in attics, basements, or garages, and in areas where ducts meet floor or wall vents. The DOE estimates that sealing leaky ducts can save you up to $140 annually.
  
  
• Install a programmable thermostat. An Energy Star-qualified programmable thermostat can cost as little as $30 but save you $100 or more each year on heating costs by automatically turning the heat down when you are asleep or away (so you don’t have to remember to do it yourself).
  
  
• Upgrade your furnace. If your heating system is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with an Energy Star-rated model to cut your energy costs by up to 30 percent. Before you buy, make your home as efficient as possible first (following the tips above) so you can purchase the smallest system to fit your heating needs.
  
  

Homeowners can save even more money on energy efficiency improvements through tax breaks and other incentives offered by your utility or state government. And as part of the federal government’s recent economic bailout legislation, certain home improvements made in 2009 will be eligible for a tax credit (see the Related Resources).

A Green Holiday

Statistics show that waste generation skyrockets during the holiday season. The city of Springfield's Solid Waste Management Division has a number of suggestions to reduce holiday waste.




Here are a few ideas:

• Reduce and reuse wrapping:. Make the wrapping part of the gift. For example, wrap kitchen items in a kitchen towel.

• When shopping, consolidate purchases in one bag.

• Save gift boxes, bows and ribbons for next year.

• Carefully plan errands and shopping to save fuel and lessen pollution.

• Recycle your old electronics if you get new ones.

• Take your tree to the end of season collections around town to be used for mulch.

• Do not burn wrapping paper. The colored paper contains lead and other heavy materials.

• Mistletoe is highly toxic to children and pets. Use artificial rather than the real thing.
  

Comment on this post and share your green holiday tips with us!

Green TV Tip

While display technology has become more efficient over the years—liquid-crystal display (LCD) technology uses less energy per square inch than older cathode-ray tube (CRT) technology—energy use increases with screen size regardless of the technology. Some of today’s HDTVs, as a matter of fact, can consume more electricity in a year than a refrigerator.

Energy consumption varies widely between HDTVs, even between models of similar size. There are ways to ensure your new TV is as efficient as possible:

• Choose the most efficient technology. There are three HDTV technologies on the market today: plasma, LCD, and rear-projection microdisplay (commonly known as DLP, or digital light processing). A study by technology reviewer CNET found that, on average, plasma TVs are the least efficient, consuming 0.33 watt of electricity per square inch of screen, while LCD TVs are slightly better at 0.28 watt per inch. Your best choice to save energy is DLP, which consumes only 0.13 watt per inch.
  
  
• Choose Energy Star-rated models. On November 1, 2008, the EPA released new Energy Star specifications that now set maximum energy consumption limits for TVs in both standby and active modes (previous specifications applied only to standby mode). TVs that meet these new requirements (see the Related Resources) will be up to 30 percent more efficient than non-qualified models.
  
  

Even if you’re not in the market for a new TV, there are ways to reduce the energy being consumed by your current TV:

• Unplug the TV when it is not in use. TVs that have a standby mode continue to draw power even when turned “off.”
  
  
• Turn off the “quick start” option (if applicable). Just by waiting a few more seconds for the TV to warm up, you can significantly reduce standby power consumption.
  
  
• Turn down the brightness settings. Many LCD TVs also have a backlight setting that is often set in stores to be brighter than necessary for most home environments.
  
  
• Buy an Energy Star-rated digital-to-analog (DTA) converter box if you own an analog TV and do not plan to upgrade to digital by February 2009. According to the EPA, if all analog TV owners used Energy Star converter boxes, global warming pollution would be lowered by an amount equivalent to taking a million cars off the road.

Green Gas

Source: The National Science Foundation

Clean-Coal Debut in Germany

A new coal plant is the first to capture and store carbon dioxide.

It used to be called stinky town, because the pollution from burning dirty coal was so appalling. But now, if a new pilot plant works, Spremberg, in eastern Germany, could become the birthplace of a clean-coal revolution.

Earlier this month, the world's first coal-fired power plant designed to capture and store carbon dioxide that it produces began operations in Spremberg. The pilot plant has been built at a power station that, under Communist rule last century, used to belch out clouds of sulfurous smoke from burning brown coal, or lignite. "Industrial history is being written," says Tuomo Hatakka, chair of the European board of Vattenfall, the Swedish power company behind the new plant. Indeed, the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is seen by many experts as essential to help the world cut carbon-dioxide emissions in coal-fired power stations.

Vattenfall's small 30-megawatt plant burns the lignite in air from which nitrogen has been removed. Combustion in the resulting oxygen-rich atmosphere produces a waste stream of carbon dioxide and water vapor, three-quarters of which is recycled back into the boiler.

By repeating this process, known as oxyfuel, it is possible to greatly concentrate the carbon dioxide. After particles and sulfur have been removed, and water vapor has been condensed out, the waste gas can be 98 percent carbon dioxide, according to Vattenfall.

The separated carbon dioxide will be cooled down to -28 °C and liquefied. Starting next year, the plan is to transport it by truck 150 miles northwest, to be injected 3,000 meters underground into a depleted inland gas field in Altmark. Ideally, in the future, the gas will be carried by pipeline to underground storage, says Vattenfall.

Compressing and transporting the carbon dioxide takes energy, as does the initial extraction of nitrogen. So these processes reduce the overall efficiency of the plant, although Vattenfall is attempting to counter this by investigating ways of boosting the efficiency of the boiler--by predrying the coal, for example.

The aim, according to the company's vice president, Lars Strömberg, is to develop a power plant with "almost zero" pollution. He says that achieving no emissions will be impossible, "but we will come very, very close to this target."

In an initial three-year testing program, the Schwarze Pumpe pilot plant is expected to assess how components function together and exactly what proportion of carbon dioxide can actually be separated. Using the information gained, Vattenfall plans to scale up to a 300-to-500-megawatt demonstration plant by 2015 and to 1,000-megawatt commercial plants after 2020.

The opening of the plant divided environmental groups in Europe. Some regard CCS technology as a potentially valuable weapon in the battle against climate change, while others see it as an expensive distraction from the pursuit of cleaner renewable-energy technologies.

But the plant was greeted warmly by CCS specialists. For Stuart Haszeldine, a geologist from the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland, it was "a very welcome, and tangible, statement that CCS can be made to work." The European Union wants a further 10 to 15 CCS plants in operation by 2015, he points out.

"Only by actually building plants like this can poorly known costs and risks be better understood and enable the routine deployment of CCS, which so many politicians and energy analysts perceive to be essential for climate cleanup," says Haszeldine. "This is the first; the world now needs lots more."

Oxyfuel is one of three possible CCS technologies. Another uses a scrubbing process to try to capture carbon dioxide in the flue gases emitted after coal has been burned in a conventional power plant. The third involves gasifying the coal, creating hydrogen for generating electricity and carbon monoxide, from which carbon dioxide can be formed and separated.

According to Howard Herzog, a chemical engineer at MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment and manager of MIT's carbon-sequestration

initiative, it's too soon to say which of the clean-coal technologies will be the best. The opening of the oxyfuel plant--which he attended in Germany--was "exciting" because it represented "a significant step forward in developing CCS technology," he says. "Vattenfall's pilot plant will not only develop oxyfuel combustion technology; it will also provide critical information on the potential of oxyfuel combustion as a CO₂-capture technology."

Source: www.technologyreview.com

Home Depot Launches Free In-Store CFL Recycling Service!

The Home Depot now accepts compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs for recycling. The program includes all 1,973 Home Depot locations. This is great news for the growing population of individuals and families converting to energy-saving CFLs, who are concerned about safe handling of spent bulbs.

Businesses, defined by the U.S. EPA as “large-quantity generators,” are required by law to contract with licensed recovery facilities to recycle fluorescent bulbs, but recycling opportunities for household “small-quantity generators” have rarely been available. With more than 75% of households located within 10 miles of a Home Depot store, this retail outlet collection system is one of the safestand most convenient ways to ensure proper disposal for any CFL user.

Retailers in other parts of the country have been accepting CFLs, and local residents have had some limited or costly bulb recovery options, but the no-cost, broad-based Home Depot program brings a significant new recycling service to the region. At each Home Depot store, customers can simply bring in expired, unbroken CFL bulbs and give them to the store associate behind the returns desk. The bulbs will be responsibly recycled by an environmental management company. Save bulb packages to safely transport spent bulbs to Home Depot!

Green Tip

Put dry towels in the dryer with your clothes. Tossing in a couple of dry towels when you run the dryer helps pull moisture out of the other wet clothes, which reduces the number of minutes you'll need to keep the dryer running.