The planet is struggling under the huge burden of fossil fuels and man made products, the only real way out of this dilemma is become more environmentally conscious and start taking care of our planet. Everyone can help and it does not just involve taking your own bags to the supermarket when you go, one of the main areas that we can all help with is using less electricity. We are all guilty of leaving lights and televisions on and going into other rooms and forgetting about it. Every new light or set of lights not only costs thehome owner but the environment too!
Solar garden lights are a fantastic way to save money, you don’t need to charge them or provide any kind of power supply because they charge themselves from the sun during the day and automatically come on at night. This is good for the bank balance because you don’t have to pay to have the lights powered from your mains electricity; they are good for the environment because it means less fuel is burnt to create the electricity that would have been used to power the lights.
This lights are ideal for use in the garden to outline paths and other hazardous things like ponds in the dark. The path style lights don’t produce a hugemassive amount of light so you would need other style of solar lights in order to fully light your outdoor space.
Solar lights don’t just come in the form of panelled outdoor lights, you can purchase lights that get charged by the sun that can be used as night lights so you are saving energy inside and outside the house. This development is promising but still it does not pose a significant impact upon the overall cost of running a household.
Solar Lights a Genuine Answer?
Is this kind of environmentalism truly sustainable? On a small scale this kind of solar lighting is very effective, but in a country where it is overcast 50% of the year is there any kind of mileage to a larger scale operation? The one thing with solar power is that you need some sun in order for it to work, one thing the UK can’t claim an abundance of is sun, and it rains a considerable amount of the year so it is not just grey but dark cloud that will not be powering up a solar electricity system.
It is looking less likely that solar power will provide any kind of solution to the increasing problem of Global warming. On a bigger scale it is not cost effective which is one of the main reasons that many people do not think it will be a viable option. Experts are still looking for a answer that is possible and would be cost effective on a small and large scale.
In the interim period of finding a answer it is down to the individual to do all that they can including recycling and using solar lighting in the garden and the home where possible.
Tags: Lighting
#1 by WPMixer on June 5, 2010 - 6:18 am
HAHAHAHA! Look at the guy from 0:31 on just standing there… awkward! If I were him I’d be saying, “Can I move now? Please? Just take the damn picture already!”
#2 by somewhereoutthere:) on June 5, 2010 - 6:30 am
WRONG !!! All energy comes from the sun. The plants capture it and it is stored in the seeds . Making CO2 is just part of the requirements for plants to make this energy. Plants take in CO2 and give us oxygen ,but the plants keep the C. without CO2 the plants would die.
#3 by mercy me on June 5, 2010 - 6:58 am
Unless you put in a system that will store the power in batteries designing it to just run the lights is pointless since the solar cells will only produce during the day when you don't really need to use the lights. That being said, if you want to save money, design it to run your refrigerator and/or your washing machine or something like that.
#4 by Wordpress on June 5, 2010 - 7:03 am
Very nice delivery on your tutorial. great tips. I primarily use continuous lighting instruments. However, I do use strobes on occasion. The more options and tips the better.
#5 by itchygoyoyompjohn on June 5, 2010 - 7:10 am
You can get a federal tax credit for up to $1,500 for making "green" improvements to the home. There are details of it here http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index and it also lists different improvements, which may give you some ideas of what to do as well.
Some of the things I didn't see you mention were geothermal heat pumps and thermopanel windows.
#6 by Brandon N on June 5, 2010 - 9:19 am
I can relate, I tried to persuade my sisters on some of my green habits but unfortunately in my country being green is like being a Nerd. I came to realize that you can't always change people.
My philosophy of life is live and let live, which means that I never assume my point of view is the only right point of view. The truth is no one can be sure their ideas are the only right ones. They may be rigt for one but not for someone else. But that cuts both ways, just as I respect their right to their own way of thinking and living, so I insist people respect my sometimes unpopular ideas and ways.
recognizing this, I decided to do the following:
the course of action that worked the best for me.
First consider that your parents can and will be receptive to you if you are respectful and polite. Write down all the reasons you think you should change your way of life and all the changes you want to make. Be sure to really honestly examine these. Then when you are calm and not nervous or angry or frustrted ask your parents for an audience
First ask what are their objections to your request and why they think these are good. Have them explain this to you. Do not act too defensive or aggravated, really try to understand them and listen to their reasoning. But still be firm, you probably wont agree after you heard them out, but remeber they have a right to think and live this way. But you have the same right, so a compromise is in order, say so and say why (with all due respect and composure) If they refuse to discuss this, point out that you love them even if you disagree on this points and that you are prepared to pursue your ideas and also to agree to disagree. Once you have heard everything they have to say and you have honestly looked at it present your arguments. Politely and aim to explain, not assert. Get their opinion on your points and consider it as well. Begin negotiations to reach acceptable compromizes for both sides.
But if all of this fails, remember that you own your own life and it's direction, you may be dependent on your parents now, but that wont always be true. So start seeing how you can do some of this things on your own, save some money and buy some composting red worms, not expensive at all.
do all the little things you can now and remember these count more than you think. You are a brave young person and I salute your efforts. You and people like you are the best hope for this world.
#7 by Danni on June 5, 2010 - 7:15 pm
#8 by Marcus on June 6, 2010 - 6:22 am
Check this out, not only can you get solar panels to power you fish tanks but power your house for about $200. And you can save 80% on you power bill. http://tinyurl.com/lrs7rt. is the website. I found a short video on a home built system this guy built for under $250. It has 3 panels, 250 watts, he shows you the system. check it out. http://tinyurl.com/lw4u2z
hope this helps, let me know
#9 by Claudia on June 6, 2010 - 4:58 pm
"on daily basis" to "on a daily basis"
"main processes" might want to use a different word there
"solar radiation pass through" to "solar radiation passes through"
"but others stay on Earth" you are treating radiation like objects, sounds very odd to me, might want to think of a different way to describe the radiation that bounces back into space and that reaches the earth
"the ones that are suppose" use something else for "ones"
"the ones that are suppose to go back to the Space can’t go, instead they stay in our planet, causing hotter temperatures than normal)." There is no opening bracket. The wording implies that when radiation is going back something makes it come back towards earth. That is why i used the word bounce, rather than bouncing off, and only some of it reaching the earth's surface, now only a small amount bounces off and a larger amount reaches the earths surface.
"of course that it " no need for "that"
"if the West Antarctic ice shelf melts the sea level would raise 20 feet…" Good point, but also mention the island countries that have already been lost to rising sea levels. Use that to get peoples attention, than move on to NY, netherlands and other areas. Present to future is generally a good way to go.
You mention a new ice age and rising temperatures. opposite ideas, be sure to have answer to that, if anyone asks, or clarify how the ice age will come about in a sentence or two.
"on’t leave electronics, (such as computers, televisions, etc.)" Do mention Air conditioners, there are lots of air conditioners in the USA, while the temperatures don't require them. Sure 30 degrees celcius makes people sweat, but that doesn't mean you turn on the ac, if the temperature is above 48 degrees celcius than it makes sense otherwise live through it.
"don’t use your car so many times " give an alternative, in europe the distances aren't that great, but big cities are big cities no matter where they are located, and people make extensive use of public transport there, while it is unheard of in north america (that standard is very low here as a whole)
"try not go by plane" to "try not to go by plane" need to give an alternative, there is no good alternative at present for air travel, other than reducing pollution caused by air traffic.
"plant more trees" Be careful about that one, planting trees is good, but if you aren't smart about it, you will be introducing a new specie of trees in an environment that is not used to it, and this causes major environmental problem. One of the biggest reasons for allergies in cities is that people plant trees without taking into account the environment they are planting the trees in, which plays havoc with the environment system.
"A man called Upton Sinclair wrote" to "Upton Sinclair wrote"
"Money or our planet Earth?" To you the answer is simple, but most people chose money that is why we are where we are. Might want to rephrase the question to make the quotation more relevant.
"have become bigger and more:" to "have become bigger"
"a personal level will turn into a national level and then a global level." to "a personal level will turn into a community level, which will lead to the city level, state level and to the national level. When other nations see this, it will become a global level initiative" or something along those lines, as in put in more small steps rather than jumping to a big one.
"If we are enough smart" to " If we are smart enough", same problem when you do the same mistake again later on in the sentence.
"we are only missing will" to "we are only missing the will to do it." or you might want to define "it"
"spending all day long not caring about the problem, while millions of innocents die, and putting yourself in risk or do something about it and change our world. It is your decision" Need to rephrase that whole end part. Good ending, bad word choice put together in a hodge podge fashion.
The over all speech is good, the above things are small little things to improve it if you want. I read it while speaking out loud in my mind and pointed out the places where it seemed odd to a listener.
#10 by ?*»k?ï§?í«*? on June 8, 2010 - 12:32 am
they could use the high tech device to dry all their wet things like towels and all, its called a clothes line( the solar power drys them) , all students could ride bicycles to school.(to much to ask, I know), unplug all the cold snack and soda machines, and drink out of the water fountain( I know -don't want that), serve lunches that don't require all that cooked food, like salads and sandwiches, that uses much less electricity( i know ,that would be mean.), eliminate all the expensive landscaping that wastes water and fuel to maintain and polluting fertilizer. put in gravel and native plants that grow naturally require little attention or cost(I know some people would not like it) Im glad your thinking about it
#11 by 5KidFam on June 8, 2010 - 12:20 pm
"A Greener Earth"?