Solar power myths

Solar panels and energy payback

One of the most prevalent myths is the one that goes something along the lines of "it takes more energy to make a solar panel than it generates during its serviceable lifespan".

This just isn't true, even low quality panels, assuming they see out their 20 - 25 year lifespan, will generate far more energy during their life than what went into making them. The average energy payback time varies as it depends on the panel, and where it is used, but 1 - 4 years is the average range. Given the 25+ year life, that's a lot of extra energy produced.

Solar power subsidies

Some countries offer generous renewable energy rebates, subsidies and incentives to install solar power, which has led to criticism about solar energy being an unfair burden on taxpayers. What many people don't realise is that solar is competing with fossil fuels on a very unlevel playing field. The fossil fuel industry is very heavily subsidised - and this has been going on for decades. If fossil fuel subsidies were removed and the cost of damage those fuels have wreaked added in, the true cost of coal, diesel and gas would make solar seem quite cheap by comparison.

5 Easy Tips to "Green" Your Home

1. Unplug appliances and electronic devices when they are not in use. You’d be surprised how much electricity is wasted just to have multiple devices displaying the time of day.

2. Only run your dishwasher and laundry machine when you have full loads. Using these devices when they are only half full wastes water and electricity.

3. Support your local farmers by shopping at farmers’ markets or by selecting food products that are locally grown. Shopping locally reduces the amount of gasoline used to transport your food from the farm to your grocery store, and reduces the amount of air pollution involved in grocery distribution.

4. Recycle at home. Your local waste hauler will have information on the type of recycling program available in your area. Whether you have a curbside program or a single stream process, think about contributing as little as possible to your local landfill.

5. Clump your errands into fewer trips. If you have several errands to run each week, think about how to minimize the amount of miles you drive by mapping out a route that will require the least amount of time and fuel possible.

Environmental Philosophy

All the buman beings shall respect the important balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship and work diligently to:

* conduct our activities with sound environmental management and conservation practices
* minimize the environmental impact of our operations
* prevent risk to community health and safety from our operations or our products
* transfer expertise in environmental protection to host communities

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Gore Is Too Sunny on Climate Change

Stewart Brand

Author, "The Whole Earth Discipline"
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Global warming goals

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To offset carbon dioxide, a Japanese airline is asking its passengers to go to the toilet before boarding.

(CNN) -- To offset carbon dioxide, a Japanese airline is asking its passengers to go to the toilet before boarding.

All Nippon Airways is asking passengers to use the restroom before flying to reduce weight.

The unusual request by All Nippon Airways (ANA) is part of its "e-Flight" promotional program to reduce the amount of carbon expelled on 38 domestic routes and its twice daily international flights to Singapore.

"Asking passengers to go to the toilet (before boarding) is just a small part of the program," said spokeswoman Megumi Tezuka, which includes using recycled paper cups and plastic bottles instead of glass.

"We are making these items lighter -- and making the passengers lighter, a little bit," Tezuka said.

The airline estimates that if 50 percent of passengers relieved themselves before boarding, it would reduce carbon dioxide by 4.2 tons a month.

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CNN's Andrew Stevens looks at the current state of airlines efforts to be environmentally friendly.

The green show: Energy effiient light bulb