Discussions about whether online shopping is actually ‘greener’ than physically going out to get shopping have sparked interests. Points such as a cut in pollution due to less transport being used and renewable, reusable second hand products being brought speak great volumes for online shopping being much greener. Online shopping has been valued as being more energy efficient.

Diana Mills, 34, Birmingham said;

“Online shopping is much greener and quicker as you don’t always need to buy something brand new… reuse and recycle is great with online purchases.”

Other advantages of online shopping allow for computerised receipt organisation and less hassle is looking through a variety of items, but exactly how eco friendly is online shopping?

Environmentalist Barbara Lyls says;

“It doesn’t cut down electrical consumption, but increases it.. it helps and it doesn’t help.”

Online environmental websites such as ‘Green Shopper’ and ‘Green Shopping Catalogue’ provide services for people interested in being a green shopper. Everything from food to household products, and items that help reduce your carbon footprints are available at the click of button. Online shopping is seen as an earth friendly option. Tips of how this is good for the environment and how to do this is also available and spoken about. Talks of hidden e-retail costs have also been reviewed.

Mixed results and studies are formed when talking about whether online shopping is greener and better for helping the environment. This option can still be beneficial to the environment, regardless of its disadvantages. Another step to helping the environment.

Machines have been dominating how people travel for years. Cars being more technically advanced and aiding us to get to places faster. However this has been damaging to the environment. Gases and fumes from vehicle engines have caused long lasting problems to the environment.

Top Gear aired a special episode a while back about whether a man could get to a certain destination before a car would. The great battle between man and machine. Obviously the car would win? Well even to my astonishment, the man WON! He beat the car by at least 10 minutes. The car led the race with a great advantage over the man, who was a marathon runner. The car was in the lead for most of the race until it hit traffic, at which the man literally passed the car.

Cars give of numerous amounts of gases that slowly destroy the environment bit by bit. Manufacturing companies have been developing cars that are more ‘eco friendly’.  Companies such as Porsche have created the ‘Green Porsche’, which is an environmentally friendly car.  Genepax who have created a car that runs on water.

Technology is helping the environment, however how much more can you do if you WALK? Man beat the machine. Running or even walking more rather than taking your car and public transport, if possible, will benefit the environment loads.

Gemma Pang, 24, Birmingham, is a regular walker to work. She says;

“I always walk to work. I want to help the environment and this is a great way to do it.”

Environmentalists have recommended walking as a good method to help the environment. To help create clearer air and a cleaner atmosphere.

Environmentalist Rick Bronson said;

“People shold use their vehicles less… less emissions are being burned if they walk… it’s great for the environment and even your health.”

Even if it means just walking to the park or even the shop a few times a week, rather than taking your car. Less machines, more feet. A small step towards helping the environment is the main thing that is wanted.

Even though cars are faster, man using his feet ultimately won the race. Not only did he win, but he took one step towards the environment. Now it’s our turn to at least try this method or give it some kind of thought. Better for us, and the environment we live in.

They have come up with ideas to create a toilet brush that is ‘eco friendly.’ The environment seems to be impacting many industries, now even the toilet industry.

Greenfeet, an online retailer, has been one of the creators of this ‘Eco Friendly Toilet Brush.’ The toilet brush itself is created out of biodegradable coir, which is made from coconut shells. The fibres are resistant to salt water damage, looking to leave a cparkling, clean toilet. The handle on the brush has been replaced from its usual plastic material, to being wooden. This allows for the brush to be fucntional and attractive.

Online reviews from people who have purchased this product have said it was;

“Eco friendly… a wonderful alternative.”

This product can be purchased from the Greenfeet website and delivered to people in the UK. President of Greenfeet.com, Valerie Reddemann said;

“YES we do ship to the UK and have some very reasonable international shipping rates.”

People in Birmingham, when asked, have expressed interest in this product. Sarah Jones, 34, Birmingham brought an eco friendly toilet brush whilst on holiday early of last year. She said;

“They are really good… quite amazed that they work.”

Eco toilet brushes seem to have liittle presence in the UK. Greenfeet offers this toilet brush to people who want to try it out and see how it works concerning the environment. They have made the way for bringing the environment to areas that seemed unbelievable. Whether or not UK toilet industries have done this or not is still in question, however it can be done.

Water is electronyzed to create oxyhydrogen gas, HHO. This is then added to the petrol or diesel in cars. This new mixture of fuel is now enriched with hydrogen. The hydrogen enriched fuel now burns more efficiently, looking to produce less emissions.

Some Water Powered Cars have been invented to run purely on water, replacing gasoline. Japanese company ‘Genepax’ have been successful in creating this eco friendly car.  The energy generator  in the car extracts hydrogen from water, which is then poured into the car’s tank. Electrons are then released, which then produce and supply the car with electric power. The car then works as a functioning vehicle.

Birmingham mechanic, Newton Spencer said;

“I’m not suprised at this… I’m a little sceptical on how it will work in the long term concerning water.”

These water powered cars have undergone much debate. Views have been informative and ‘for’ the technology, whilst others have taken on a more sceptical perspectives.

Birmingham environmentalist, Jim Paxx said;

“This is a great piece of technology for helping the environment.”

He suggested that “it could work” and that “the environment would benefit.” However water supplies could be “possibly under threat” from the transformation and extracting processes.

The fact that inventors have started to think about water powered cars is an achievement. Further steps towards trying to help the environment are being looked at, and have taken on extreme and creative measures. Whether H20 cars will work as a long term solution to creating cars to burn more efficiently, cutting emissions is an ongoing story. However, the fact that cars are being created and run on water is the first step to seeing a possibly greener environment in terms of technology.

It involves people going through other people’s rubbish and claiming it as there own. This can be anything from household goods such as furniture to even food. This phenomenal approach to recycling has changed throughout history. Rag and bone men have been doing it for years for economic reasons. Mixed reviews have been given on this idea. However, it is now returning with the same reasons for why it started, to save money.

Recent debates have undergone talks about dumpster diving being good for the environment. People saying that it is “helping the environment.”

Andrew Simons, Head of Centre at ‘Centre of the Earth’ in Birmingham can see the “environmental argument” for this. He said;

“It’s an interesting phenom.”

People are dumpster diving for furniture, clothing and even food. Food dumpster diving closely connected to ‘Freeganism.’ People employing alternative living strategies with less economy and consumption resources. This deals with salvaging food. The re-using of all dumped products. Mr Simons further added;

“It’s awlful that alot of stuff is getting chucked away… people should think about dumpster diving as a good method.”

From his own personal experience with dumpster diving, he remembers putting out furniture he did not need. A man in a van came around and took some of the furniture.

Projects are also aiding the lifestyle of dumpster diving. The ‘Ladywood Furniture Project’ looks at doing this concerning furniture. They take furniture from people in the hope to improve it, re-use it then sell it to people who need it. This being at a reasonable cost. Also there are projects that deal with food dumpster diving. They go around to supermarkets for food that is passed its sell by date. This used to be common years ago in supermarkets, but is more watched now due to health reasons. Friends of the Earth have looked into computer recycling. Programmes like ‘Ubuntu’ It is an open source programme that is FREE. It runs on low spec machines. helping with basics such as word processing and graphics.

Blogs, How to Guides and tips have also been covered on Dumpster Diving.

Andrew Simons also added;

“People should be encouraged more to put of computers for cllection.”

A negative to dumpster diving is identity theft. People have been throwing out documents that contain their own personal information, leading to fraud and identity theft. Andrew Simons states;

“If people throw out personal information, I recommend shredding.”

Overall ‘Dumpster Diving’ seems like a useful method for helping the environment, however there are issues that need to be taken into account.

The Government have the incentive to press ahead with a ‘Car Scrap Scheme’. It could see £2000 worth of vouchers handed out to replace vehicles nine years old or more.

A scheme of this kind has been successful in Germany. France and Italy have also introduced similar schemes to help their car industries. The scheme would cause high demand for new cars. Creating more business for struggling car manufacturer’s in society’s current recession.

No final decision has been made or announced to whether the plan would feature in the budget.

Mixed reviews have been received about the idea.

Some Environmentalist’s see this as ‘not’ helping the environment. That the costs of the scheme would outweigh its benefits. More energy, rather than saving energy will be used to manufacture the new cars.

Catherine Wilkes, 31, from Birmingham stated the idea as being “not beneficial.” She noted how it is only for transport over nine years, when the problem would really lie in the “newer vehicles.”

She also raised the issue of pollution.  She said “exchanging old cars with new cars isn’t really helping the environment.” She further added;

“The Government should focus on tackling real life environmental issues such as pollution.”

Part time self employed Birmingham Car Mechanic and Engineer, Newton Spencer said

“It would put pressure on car manufacturer’s.” Also that “money” would be an issue due to the “current economical state.”

Mixed reviews are being taken on this proposed scheme. The real question is can this really help the environment? This looks to add to the ongoing battle between technology being for or against environmental change.

THE IMPROVEMENT FOR SALE PROJECT

The two year project will see void properties refurbished into eco homes then put up for sale. They will be highly energy efficient, enabling that they are affordable and maintainable. This is to help recent climate change by reducing carbon emissions and the relief of fuel.

Development Officer for Birmingham City Council, Martyn Hammond hopes that the overall project will create an “Eco Village” in the South Lozells area. He stated that it will oversee “3,000″ dwellings turn into these eco homes.

So far nine dwellings have been created and are for sale. A further thirty are being improved for existing low income occupiers.

The project’s estimated at £550,000 for 2008/9. Further funding for the project will be coming from Energy Suppliers (CERT) and Urban Living Pathfinder. This estimates £300,000 for 2009/2010.

SOUTH LOZELLS ECO PROGRAMME

This project is installing solar panels into 23 properties in the South Lozells area. They will also produce and distribute “1500 eco information packs.” This will include two energy efficient light bulbs and an energy saving sheet.

Senior Resident Liaison Officer for The Family Association (Birmingham) Ltd and Co-ordinator for the promotion of this project, Negus Downer, stated; “it aims to raise the awareness of green issues, the environmental benefits of recycling and using sustainable energy.” Also to “educate young children… and their parents.”

Their “Green Dr” home energy efficient advisor will “visit 60 homes” to complete a free survey. Also Employee Local are offering training placements, six locals are currently taking these positions.

It started in November 2008 and will commence to 31st March 2009. Urban Living has provided funding whilst New World Solar (NWS) are the contractors carrying out the work. NWS will be doing extra installation at a subsidised rate. The Family Association also secured funds to complete extra properties, totalling 26 installations. Current negotiations about funding are being looked into. Its estimated cost is £160,000 plus.

WHO IS INVOLVED?

Organisations involved within helping create this project are Birmingham City Housing Department, the Family Housing Association, local building contractors, New World Solar contractors and British Gas Energy Consultants.

RESULTS

The projects look to reduce the cost of energy bills for the residents of South Lozells, and raise resident’s quality of lifestyles and health.

These eco homes look to be promising, as they not only help the environment but also the lives of the resident’s within the areas.

THE GREEN PORSCHE

Known for its fast, motor revving car range, ‘Porsche’ has decided to go environmental friendly.

The ‘Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid‘ will be their first car to run purely on gas and electricity. Costs of the project have been split with Audi Q7 and Touareg.

The Porsche is based around the updated 2008 model. This model also joined forces with Volkswagen and Audi. Its gas engine is an Audi 3.0 litre V6.  The car also contains a metal hybrid battery pack of 152 pounds, creating its electric drive.

The generator consists of an electric motor. Its wheels are driven by the clutch assembly, whether gas or electric based. The cars power sources are coordinated by the ‘Hybrid Manager,’ an electronic control module.

ECO FRIENDLY

It looks to be more fuel efficient and cleaner. Its release should have been on sale but set backs have caused it to be available in 2010.

Part time self employed Birmingham Car Mechanic and Engineer, Newton Spencer said “it’s a great idea” but it has its “fair share of cut backs.”

He stated that he would worry about “how much energy” would be needed to “keep the car going.” What back up plans have been made to ensure safety concerning the cars “gas” element? He further commented on it being “highly unlikely” that “everyday people from Birmingham” would be driving them, whether eco friendly or not.

However he did note that he is “impressed” with the working idea, and that maybe “other” car companies could create similar eco cars.

AFFORDABLE?

As we know, the Porsche range is very expensive. They can range from £50, 000 and higher. Whether the price of the vehicle will be cheaper or not is still not certain.

Many people may not be able to afford this ‘eco friendly’ car, but may still want the qualities it has.

FUTURE TECHNOLOGY

This new technology will mean big change for the environment. It looks to have a big impact once released next year.

Will cheaper and more affordable car manufacturers create a similar vehicle? This is still in question but one we hope will end with ‘YES.’

Related articles about ‘The Green Porsche’ can be found via:

MSN Environment and The Guardian.

SUN SHIELD

Astronomer Dr. Roger Angel has devised a ‘Space Sun Shield Project.’ This gun like canon technology would be 100 times more powerful than your average, conventional weapon. It would then fire trillions of two-foot lenses into space, using electromagnetic forces. This would then deflect the suns rays, forming a 100,000 square mile sun shade.

Patterns will be placed on the lenses causing them to change the ray’s direction. This will lessen the amount of harmful rays hitting the Earth’s atmosphere.

PROCESS

The project is looking to be launched within 20- 30 years. It holds an estimation of $350 trillion (£244 trillion). NASA secured funding for a pilot project. British Inventor Tod Todeschini, built a smaller version of the gun for the project.

OTHER VOICES

Head of Centre for Birmingham Environment group ‘Centre of the Earth,’ Andrew Simons, states he is “personally worried.” He feels that “a project of that nature would possibly go wrong.” Also that there is already a lot of debris in space, and personally does not “think it will work.”

Science Co-ordinator for ‘Matthew Boulton Community Primary School’ in Birmingham, Barrie Driver, stated “it could possibly work up to a point.” Also that the project would be “very expensive”, and it would only be a “short term solution.”

They both suggested alternative methods such as solar energy and panels, locking up CO2 in the ground, wind and wave energy.

FUTURE PROMISE

If Dr. Angel’s Space Sun Shield is victorious, the mirrors look to last up to 50 years before replacing.

This could mean much change for the Environment.