Your own Renewable Energy Source

Global warming is unquestionably the most pressing environmental issue facing whoever ends up in the White House in January 2009. Not only does climate change impact—and in most cases exacerbate—other environmental problems, it has even wider implications for the economy and society at large.

How can individuals do their part at home?  We can begin by making our own homes more energy efficient.  There is enormous potential in the sources of alternative energy that nature offers us every day. When I say alternative energy I mean: the power of wind and the power of sun, that are totally FREE and don’t harm the environment.

Adding solar panels to your home and building a windmill to support your energy needs is a smart way to go.  Many families are constructing their own solar panels and windmills and are seeing significant savings in their monthly energy cost.

Another thing that a homeowner can do is to install a rain barrel to collect rainwater that would otherwise be lost as runoff or be contaminated.  Rainwater can be used in your landscaping and you can even wash your car in rainwater.

Composting is a green way to use the leaves, grass clippings, food scraps and paper.  A compost bin will keep your yard waste out of the landfill and next spring, you will have compost for your garden.

All of these items can be purchased or you can build them yourself.  Consider the benefits to you and also to the planet.  Live green!!”

REMOVING MOLD AND MILDEW

Both mold and mildew thrive on and devour an organic object. They are often referred to in the same sentence. Mold and mildew are both known as fungi and have enzymes used to break down organisms. Mold and Mildew reproduce by spores. In our environment they eat away old trees and decompose things that are dead. However, in our homes they are a problem that we need to deal with.

We know mildew as the substance that grows on the tile in the bathtub, on the shower curtain or other surfaces in the bathroom. Mildew is not as toxic as mold and is found in areas that are continually damp. Mildew can be controlled with low humidity in the bathroom. Ventilate your bathroom and let in fresh air every day to reduce humidity.

Mold is an ugly word and describes a growth in the walls of your home. Mold can grow on anything in or out of doors, such as wood, plaster, cement and fabric to name a few. A dark stain on your wall or a deep musty smell indicates that mold may be growing in the walls. This can cause problems such as headaches, dizziness, breathing problems and learning disabilities. Keeping the environment dry will help to prevent the growth of mold which can take only a few days to germinate.

There are mold and mildew products available that are environmentally safe and biodegradable. You should find one that is safe for people, pets, plants, children and the environment as well.

Missouri Clean Energy Initiative

In an article published by the Kansas City Star, voters in Missouri will decide that issue on November 4.  Proposition C, also known as the Missouri Clean Energy Initiative, would commit the state to increase renewable energy sources for electricity, trim consumers’ utility bills and slash pollution by coal-burning power plants.

The proposal was placed on the ballot through an initiative petition led by a progressive effort to boost the state’s use of wind, solar, biomass, hydrogen fuel cells and other renewable sources.

Proposition C requires the state’s investor-owned  utilities to acquire 15% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021.  The current figure is less than 1%.  Coal now accounts for 82% of the electricity produced by these utilities.

Kansas City Power & Light supports Proposition C.  This utility, which delivers electricity to hundreds of thousands in the metropolitan area, already has said it intends to invest in more wind forms.

Twenty-six states already have renewable electricity standards.  Some are stricter than Missouri’s; others are less strict.

A “Yes”vote is recommended by The Star.  The Clean Energy Initiative would dramatically increase the state’s supply of clean renewable electricity.

IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?

Since we spend about 90% of our lives indoors, the air quality inside your house is as important as the air quality outdoors.  We purchase products everyday, like air fresheners, draperies, shampoos, TV sets which add harmful chemicals to the air inside the home.  In our tightly sealed homes, we have not only allergens like mold, dander and pollen, but many fragrances and pollutants from household goods.

Indoor chemicals have been linked to learning disabilities, allergies, asthma, birth defects and disability in children. Formaldehyde in solvents from fresh paint, and phthalates which are used in soft plastics and fragrances are connected to air quality.

Phthalates are put into air fresheners, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies, shampoos and other products under the term of fragrance,  Instead of disappearing quickly they stick to household dust which can be inhaled or ingested and can cause allergies or asthma.

Toss out the air fresheners and open your windows.  Eliminate dryer sheets and fabric softeners. Using baking soda in the rinse water will soften fabric and stop static cling.
Formaldehyde is released for years from pressed wood items like cabinets and tables.  Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC) that escapes easily into the air.  Other VOCs are emitted from glues used in furniture and some brands of paint.

Picking products made from solid wood and natural fibers is best.  You can also pick low or no-VOC paint.

Flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ether’s (PBDEs) are causing hyperactivity and learning problems and has shown up in breast milk.  PBDEs are found in the dust around your computers and television sets.  Children are found with the highest exposure as crawling on the floor exposes them to more dust.

Vacuum regularly and turn off the televisions and computers when not using them.  When they are warm, they release more PBDE.

Improving the air quality in your home is imperative to your good health.