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Universities take Eco-friendly Auto Actions

February 8, 2010 19:24 by Jenn

Being eco-friendly can get you pretty far. For one, it's empowering to the individual. Living a sustainable life is something to be proud of. Besides making you feel good about your decisions, living eco-friendly can just make you, "feel good." Eating organic is healthy and walking to work instead of driving will keep you in shape. Lastly, we think you should live an eco-friendly life, not just to stay healthy and be empowered, but to get prime parking on the Florida Gulf Coast University campus.

As incentive for students to drive more fuel efficient vehicles, the university is offering preferred parking at certain buildings. Over 600 vehicles, including models dating back to 1998, qualify students for the sustainable driver's satisfaction. This is a pretty cool perk for individuals but it's got me wondering; What about the eco-friendly carpoolers?

Very quickly, I found that North Carolina State University had the answer to my question. If high gas prices weren't enough, students at NCSU were also feeling the pressure to drive fuel efficient cars. However, college students are often plagued with empty pockets. Instead of rewarding students with fuel efficient cars with prime spots, the university worked to award car pooling students with price breaks. After student government officials met with transportation representatives, they devised a plan that allowed students to exchange their permits for carpool passes.
The program first began as an outlet to the faculty and staff as seen above but quickly the students wanted in on the eco-friendly fun. Parking services manager, David Gregory, said that the Student Government was a major player in making this sustainable incentive come to light. He is proud of the program and said, "Students save gas money, there's less congestion on campus and less wear and tear on vehicles. Every day that one or two [student commuters] don't drive, it saves everybody money. All these things come together to help the University."

Both of these are awesome ways to reduce the carbon foot print of your college of university. NCSU even has an arboretum, adding to their sustainability. Now we've just got to incorporate some
environmentally friendly products into these programs to raise awareness and turn more students over to the green side.
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Fighting Carbon with Eco-Friendly Promotional Mugs

December 11, 2009 02:04 by Jenn

This week, leaders from around the world met at the international summit building for carbon emission discussions in Copenhagen, Denmark. Government leaders are hoping to make agreements that will help us all move towards more sustainable societies.

The United States, who when joined with China account for 50% of the entire earth's emissions, is feeling the pressure. President Barack Obama plans on joining the committee towards the end of the week when more leaders are present and more brainstorming has been done.

It's likely that Australia will have a strong presence in Denmark as well. An environmentally focused group from Australia recently created the first ever world-wide community dedicated to fighting carbon emissions with fun. They provide packages to help you spread eco-friendly practices in your workplace.


Their latest promotion uses the ever popular promotional stickers. Each sticker displays a carbon fighter slaying the "C" shaped carbon. The stickers urge people to recycle and conserve energy. One sticker reads, "Go for the Stairs," and depicts the carbon "C" as an elevator being violently shaken. Another urges you to turn off the lights and one more to promote car pooling. 

                             
Each has a twisted illustration, a clever hook and an awesome message. We're got to make every aspect of our lives more sustainable.To my surprise they even have a promotional sticker about promotional mugs. It reads, "Use a mug, not a plastic cup." It shows swords all piercing through the carbon "C" but only sticking out of the custom mugs. Like our promotional eco-friendly mugs, they're durable and long lasting.

Let's hope the United States has some good green resolutions to make this year. The war against carbon is not yet over.  
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The Top 10 Houseplants for Filtering Indoor Air

August 4, 2009 20:13 by human

Indoor air pollution is a common problem in today's world. Even in the cleanest homes and offices, numerous synthetic toxins can be released from paints, carpeting, furniture, and even cleaning products, and they can actually pose a great threat to you and your family's health.

Though the options for purifying your indoor air are numerous, one of the greenest ways to rid your home or office of indoor air pollutants is by placing various houseplants every 100 sqare feet. Be sure to keep some of these living greens around to limit the benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene you're breathing in every day.

1. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron Scandens)

Description: The heartleaf philodendron is one of the most common houseplants, and it also is the best at filtering common indoor air toxins. Also known as parlor ivy, or the sweetheart vine, the heartleaf philodendron is very tolerant of a range of conditions, making it the perfect houseplant for beginners.

Care: Keep your heartleaf philodendron in regular potting soil that is slightly moist. For best results, grow in bright, indirect sunlight, warm temperatures and low humidity

2. Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendron Domesticum)

Description: Also known as spade leaf philodendron, the philodendron domesticum is best known for its narrow, arrow-shaped leaves that can be anywhere from 18 to 24 inches long. The philodendron domesticum flowers with white and green blooms, and can climb to a considerable height with support.

Care: The elephant ear philodendron grows best in moderate temperatures and light conditions. Regular potting soil that is kept moist and allowed to dry between waterings is best.

3. Massangeana (Dracaena Fragrans)

Description: Also known as the corn plant, or variegated dragon fly, this member of the Agavaceae family grows slowly and is characterized by central yellow stripes on each broad leaf. The dracaena fragrans also bears inconspicuous fruit and flowers periodically throughout the year.

Care: Keep your dracaena fragrans in moderate to warm temperatures and out of direct sunlight. The dracaena fragrans should be planted with regular potting soil and watered often so soil is always thoroughly wet or moist.

4. English Ivy (Hedera Helix)

Description: English ivy, also known as Canary Island ivy, is best known for its dark veined, distinctive leaves. Though it does not flower, the climbing vines of the hedera helix can be trained to form topiaries or allowed to cascade over pots. Though this plant is very effective in ridding indoor air of toxins, it is also very susceptible to pests and survives better outdoors.

Care: The hedera helix requires fresh air and bright sunlight. It also must be kept in cool to moderate temperatures and moist potting or gardening soil.

5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)

Description: Native to South Africa, spider plants are very easy to propogate and are probably best known for smaller plantlets ('spider babies') that hang from the larger rosette. Spider plants sprout long, grass-like leaves, and flower small, white buds.

Care: Spider plants fare well whether indoors or outdoors as long as they are kept in a moderately cool environment and have access to direct sunlight. The chlorophytum comosum grows best in regular potting soil that is kept evenly moist.

6. Janet Craig Dracaena (Dracaena Deremensis)

Description: The Janet Craig dracaena is an easy to maintain, slow grower of houseplants. Known for large, glossy leaves that originate from a central stem, this houseplant can grow very tall, and works well as a floor plant.

Care: Another easy to care for plant, the Janet Craig dracaena grows best in low, or diffused, light. It can tolerate a wide range of conditions, but soil should always be kept thoroughly wet or moist.

7. Warneck dracaena or 'Warneckii' (Dracaena Deremensis)

Description: A native of tropical Africa, the Warneckii is a tree-like houseplant that can grow up to a height of 12 feet. The Warneckii is best described as a floor plant, with broad, green (or green and white striped) leaves that form a tropical cluster atop a long, thin stem.

Care: Though tolerant of drought conditions, the Warneckii should grow in a low-light area and be watered daily. This houseplant grows best in regular potting soil that is kept moist.

8. Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)

Description: The fig, or ficus, tree is a very popular floor tree that rids indoor air of natural toxins. Though this tree can grow up to 50 feet wide and 100 feet tall, it is very well suited for inside the home for many years.

Care: The weeping fig should be kept moist, but not overly wet. If kept too dry, leaves will yellow, but if kept too wet, leaves will drop off. The ficus benjamina grows best in normal potting soil and full sun.

9. Golden Pothos (Epipiremnum Aureum)

Description: Also known as Devil's ivy, the golden pothos is a low-growing vine plant that is very easy to grow. With gold-marbled leaves, this native to the Solomon Islands has four varieties that all cared for in the same way. The different varieties include Pothos Gold, Pothos Marble Queen, Jade Pothos and Neon Pothos.

Care: This non-flowering houseplant is very tolerant, though it grows best in shaded, or low-lit areas of the home. Soil should be kept moist and allowed to dry between waterings.

10. Peace Lily or Mauna Loa (Spathiphyllum)

Description: The peace lily is best distinguished by its white, oval-shaped bloom that surrounds a white spadix. Dark green leaves can grow to more than 12 inches long, and overall height of this fragrant plant can range from one to four feet tall.

Care: Peace lilies grow best in bright, indirect light and moderate to warm temperatures. Regular potting soil should be kept evenly moist, but not overly wet. Allow excess water to drain from moistened soil. 

Via:http://greenliving.about.com/od/greenhome/tp/Indoor-Air---Houseplants.htm

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