CustomEarthPromos - Eco Blog US

Indian Railways is going green. In an effort to become environmentally-friendly, the Ministry of Railways has taken many steps as part of a Go Green Initiative; among them: setting up solar power plants and wind energy plants, installing environmentally-friendly bio-toilets in passenger coaches, and the electrification of railway lines. In a reply to Lok Sabha, the lower chamber of Indian parliament, the Minister of State of Railways, the second in command under the Minister of Railways, went into detail. He wrote about the areas and activities that have been identified by the national transporter and their present status. One The Railway Ministry plans to have 1,000 megawatt (MW) solar power by 2020 or 2021. This is likely to help the railway source about 10 percent of its power from the renewable energy. So far, about 71.19 MW of solar power have already been installed. This includes the rooftops of service buildings and railway stations. Two Indian Railways has installed 36.5 MW of wind energy plants. Twenty-six of these have been installed at the Jaisalmer Railway Station between 2015 and 2016. Three LED lighting has been provided at both electrified railway stations and service buildings. One hundred percent LED lighting is used in 99 percent of all service buildings and most electrified railway stations. Four In June of 2015, five percent of the high speed diesel fuel used in diesel trains was bio-diesel. Five A 20 percent compression natural gas substitution was used in diesel engines. This was done for 23 of the Diesel Power Cars on Diesel Electric Multiple Unit trains. This occurred along with the introduction of solar energy based DEMU trains. Six To increase greenery on railway premises, trees have been planted. During the 2016-2017 year, 1.25 crores (12.5 million) saplings were planted. In the 2017-2018 year, 88.96 lakh (8.896 million) saplings were planted. Another 97.33 lakh (9.733 million) saplings were planted up until November 2018 in the 2018-2019 year. Grow your own plants with this fun seed paper. Seven Indian Railways is working towards better water management. Water audits at major centers of consumption, and proliferation of water recycling plants and rain water harvesting systems have been undertaken. Waste less water with a reusable bottle. Eight In 2016 and 2017, rating and assessment of production units and workshops as Green Industrial Units started. Two workshops and one production unit were certified "GreenCo." Since then, as many as 31 workshops, 2 diesel sheds, 4 production units, 2 supervisor training centers, and 1 store depot have become "GreenCo" certified. Nine Around 163,000 bio-toilets have been installed in almost 44,500 train cars. Out of those, over 127,000 bio-toilets were installed in another 33,500 cars since April of 2016. A bio-toilet is one that, using controlled aerobic conditions, allows microorganisms to convert human waste into ...

Oslo's waterfront used to be littered with shipping containers, and intersections were jammed with cars pumping out fumes. Today, this Norwegian city's traffic is diverted through an underground tunnel, and instead of greenhouse gasses, you'll find mostly hybrid and electric vehicles. Above ground, the city is dominated by a new museum dedicated to Edvard Munch, best known for painting The Scream, and a central library—both due to open in 2020. The new developments have impressive environmental and cultural credentials. All new buildings meet energy efficiency standards for low energy use, explains Anita Lindahl Trosdahl, project manager for Oslo's Green Capital year. Her office is just a stone's throw from another cultural mass—the new national museum. Elsewhere, new housing is shooting up all over the city. These buildings aren't just designed to function sustainably. The city is making sure construction has a limited environmental impact. "We're using our market power to introduce fossil fuel-free construction. Not only will the build in its lifetime be as sustainable as possible but also during the construction period itself."Oslo's Green Capital year Project Manager Anita Lindahl Trosdahl. Further north, you'll find the Vulkan neighborhood. This is another hotspot for eco-conscious building. It housed much of Oslo's manufacturing industry all the way back in the 1800s. Today, you'll find beehives on the rooftop of the Scandic Vulkan hotel. "This summer we had 500,000 bees which produced 271 kilos of honey." (about 597 lbs.)General Manager Monica Egeberg The hotel chain sees the bees as a wider approach to the environment. "We are also nearly self-sufficient with energy."General Manager Monica Egeberg The hotel, built in 2011, popped up when the rest of the old industrial area was redeveloped into a trendy neighborhood. This included bars, restaurants, entertainment, offices, and housing. A power plant built into the basement of an old industrial hall, now Oslo's largest food court, provides more than 80 percent of the entire neighborhood's power supply. The plant uses a heat recovery system, geothermal wells, and thermal solar panels. On your way to the Scandic Vulkan? Pack your things in an eco-friendly messenger bag and reduce the world's garbage one recycled item at a time. On a global scale, Oslo is quite small. The population is less than 700,000. The efforts to cut emissions won't slow climate change much alone, but Trosdahl says the city is perfectly suited to pioneer ideas that could make a real international difference. Trek the long country and stay hydrated on your hike with a reusable water bottle. "We're big enough that we can test solutions that can also be transferred to larger cities. We're world-class when it comes to the introduction of electric vehicles for instance, and other cities can use our model."Oslo's Green Capital year Project Manager Anita Lindahl Trosdahl. The city aims ...

New Year's Eve will be here in just a few days. This means it's time to start making resolutions. The most popular New Year's resolutions are lifestyle choices. According to a poll from market research company ComRes, these include exercising more, losing weight, eating healthier, taking a more active approach to health, and learning a new skill. But what if you are trying to go green or become greener? Here are four projects that will help you and the environment feel better this upcoming year: Plant Some Trees The first of the projects you can do to be greener next year is plant some new or plant some more trees. Trees offer a substantial benefit to both humans and the environment. They are one of the primary producers of oxygen in our atmosphere. They are also great at stopping ground erosion. The roots hold the ground together. They also catch things like pollen, dust, smoke, and carbon dioxide—not only are they producing oxygen, but trees clean the air in the process. Plant a tree this year, and leave a legacy for future generations to enjoy. (Instead of throwing this paper away, grow some smaller plants of your own.) Make Eco-Bricks The second of the projects you can do to help the environment this upcoming year is make eco-bricks. Plastic waste is one of the biggest polluters in today's environment. It is still building, and not all plastics are recyclable. Make an eco-brick instead of throwing your plastic away. Eco-Bricks are usable building materials made from two-liter bottles filled with other trash and non-recyclable plastic materials. They are very easy to make—just compress your plastic down into the bottle. You'll know the brick is ready when the bottle compresses less than 10 percent of what an empty one would. A quick internet search will give you the closest drop-off point where they will be used in actual construction. In Nigeria they are filling empty bottles with sand and using them to build houses. (With reusable water bottles, eco-bricks can become a thing of the past.) Build an Owl Box The third of the projects you can do to support the environment in the next year is building an owl box. Owls are an eco-friendly, sustainable way to manage pests around the house. Instead of pesticides, you can use these birds to keep your yard free of mice and other small rodents. By building an owl box, the feathered visitors will have a place to nest and raise their chicks. You can find instructions here: https://www.birdlife.org.za/old-navigation/owl-boxes/ While this website is from South Africa, you can easily research the owls in your area and their nesting habits online, or talk to a staff member or volunteer at a local wildlife center. Make Your Own Compost Heap The fourth of the projects to support Earth in 2019 is making your own compost heap. Composting not only reduces the amount of waste you produce, but it is also great for those with a green thumb. ...

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has requested to consolidate the titles of Forest Ranger and Environmental Conservation Police Officer for the spring of next year. The idea proposed to the state Department of Civil Services back in November deals with the names of the departments only. It is not a merger or an elimination of either department. "New York state Forest Rangers have been seeking a title upgrade for several years. DEC has been working with the New York State Department of Civil Service to support an upgrade of the Ranger title. Because Civil Service encourages consolidation of title series when appropriate, it was proposed that Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECOs) and Rangers utilize the same title while maintaining separate divisions and responsibilities. Forest Rangers and ECOs receive similar training and perform similar duties and functions but were not in similar civil service title series. To be clear, this is not a merger of the two divisions, but rather a move to ensure both divisions are treated equally in the Civil Service system, for example, DEC engineers and biologists share similar titles, but can work in a number of different divisions."DEC Public Information Officer Ben DeLaMater (via email) While both groups are part of law enforcement, the Rangers came from the Fire Wardens and the ECOs came from the Game Wardens. The Rangers focus more on search and rescue, the fight wildfires, and protect natural resources, while also providing education on eco-friendly recreation. ECOs do exactly what their title suggests; they mainly enforce Environmental Conservation Law in regards to pollution, hunting and fishing, and they are the folks who check for proper hunting licenses and proper boat safety equipment. The proposal states that the two groups are similar and often carry out the same duties. The Rangers would continue to learn techniques for responsibilities that include swift water rescue (also known as white water rescue), aviation hoist operation, and both GPS and land navigation. This would also allow them to take on new responsibilities, such as hunter related shooting incidents, waterfowl identification, and wildlife forensics. A major benefit would be salary increase for Rangers. According to the DEC website, Rangers are hired for exactly $2,780 less than ECOs. If approved, this would all go into effect on April 1st. However, not everyone is on board. An environmental advocacy group thinks that the consolidation of titles could create problems. Adirondack Council Executive Director Willie Janeway says that while be believes the DEC's reason is good, he is concerned about the proactive education and forest preservation roles. He believes that they would suffer. "We should pay our Forest Rangers more, and hire more Forest Rangers, without consolidating the Rangers with the Environmental Conservation Officers. As a former DEC Regional Director, I have seen ...

There is a green high-rise in Milan, Italy, that is turning heads all around the world. Green, in this case, means two things: not only is it eco-friendly but also literally green. This is thanks to 20,000 square meters (about 215,278 square feet) of trees, shrubs, climbing plants, and perennials that are spread along and up every floor of the two towers, one of which reaches 27 stories. Specifically, it includes 700 trees; 5,000 strubs; and 15,000 climbers and perennials. Four years after completion, the average greenery per person is still quite impressive: 2 trees, 8 shrubs, and 40 other plants. (You can easily grow your own plants with seed paper.) Appropriately named Vertical Forest, these apartments were developed by Italian architects Stefano Boeri, Gianandrea Barreca, and Giovanni La Varra of Stefano Boeri Architetti. The team describes the building as a "model for a sustainable residential building." Unsurprisingly, all of these plants eat up unwanted carbon dioxide, 30 metric tons a year to be exact (about 33 US tons, or 66,139 lbs), and produce around 20,000 kg of oxygen (about 44,092 lbs.) (Produce less carbon dioxide by ditching single-use plastic bags for reusable bags and backpacks.) "This is a project for metropolitan reforestation that contributes to the regeneration of the environment and urban biodiversity, without the implication of expanding the city upon the territory. The vegetal system of the Vertical Forest creates a microclimate, producing humidity, absorbing carbon dioxide and dust particles, and producing oxygen."Stefano Boeri Architetti To keep the forest growing includes 2 centralized monitoring stations 280 water control stations (one for each terrace) and regular maintenance checks; pruning happens six times a year—four from the inside and two on the outside. The only downsides are the amount of water used to keep it lush and the cost to build it. The building uses 3,500 cubic meters of water a year (about 123,601 cubic feet), and it cost €55 million ($62,656,990.00). (You can waste less money on water with a reusable water bottle.) The good news is that this isn't Architetti's only vertical forest. There are also buildings in Nanjing, China; the Netherlands; and other locations in Italy. To see more of his carbon dioxide absorbing projects, you can go to the firm's website.

This year, environmental topics have been some of the biggest hot button issues. Everything became important, from ocean pollution, to single-use plastic, to coral bleaching, to climate change, and headlines were made across the globe. According to Boat International, a publishing company based in Wimbledon, Longon, specializing in yachting and the yachting lifestyle, these are the conservation pioneers, forward-thinking designers, and most active eco-activists working to help solve these crises in 2018. Victorien Erussard & Jérôme Delafosse: An Original and Honest Endeavor That Inspires by Example The world's first hydrogen-powered boat set off on a six-year worldwide voyage from France. It's mission? To inspire and educate the world about renewable energy. Leading the trip are captain Victorien Erussard and film-maker Jérôme Delafosse. Their goal is to make 101 ports of call in 50 different countries. They plan to meet those working in sustainability. Hopefully this will also spark enthusiasm in others. Their boat, Energy Observer, originally launched in 1983 as a sailing catamaran before being converted into a motor yacht, works by producing carbon-free hydrogen from seawater. Solar panels and wind turbines charge batteries, and a fuel cell converts the stored hydrogen into backup electricity. This provides a very fancy example of the project's theory—coupling a variety of renewable energies along with hydrogen is the future of energy. (Take note of all the people you meet with eco-friendly notebooks and pens.) "Energies wand storage systems compliment one another, and we have to learn how to make them work together: there isn't a unique solution to climate change, but rather plenty of possibilities."Captain Victorien Erussard Frederikke Magnussen: The Possible Tipping Point in Single-Use Plastics For Danish yacht owner and force of nature Frederikke Magnussen, an early love of the ocean was formed by a childhood spent sailing off the coast of her native Denmark. Her passion followed her into adulthood. It was then that she decided to do something about the harm being done to the waters. In 2017, she and entrepreneur Sian Sutherland founded A Plastic Planet. The charity has one goal: to rid the world of single-use plastics. This is more possible than it seems. A plastic-free supermarket aisle was opened in Amsterdam, created the first plastic-free consumer trust mark, launched the first plastic-free day, and completed 55 media interviews in only 24 hours. All of these accomplishments happened this year. (You can reduce the single-use plastic in your life with reusable bags and bottles.) "It's a big task, but I think it can be done."A Plastic Planet founder Frederikke Magnussen Niklas Zennström: The Tech Innovator Making Our Electric Dreams a Reality This leading venture capitalist's product is better known than his name. As one of the founders of Skype, there is no surprise that ...

At Old Donation School, eighth graders are taking control of a project aimed to turn a retired school bus into a traveling education center. The project began with the school system's gifted program. School principal, Dr. Kelly Hedrick, had read about a school bus conversion and brought up the idea to her fellow teachers. Eighth grade civics teacher, Jared Fritzinger, was on board. Each year, eighth graders are required to complete what is known as a capstone project. This is a year-long exploration into a topic of their own choice. The question or problem is answered and solved using independent research. At Old Donation School, students have the option of economic, environmental, or social issues affecting their community. They also have the choice to complete group projects. The concept appealed for several reasons: It would fit nicely into Fritzinger's students' capstone project requirements,he has retained an affinity for bus and van conversions after touring with a band for several years. "It was too good to ignore. I knew the students would jump on it, if we had the means to get them a bus."Old Donation School eighth grade civics teacher Jared Fritzinger Seeing enthusiastic student response, Fritzinger enlisted the help of earth science teacher, Dianna McDowell, and Assistant Principal Janet Smallwood joined to lend expertise. With the assistance of the division's Office of Sustainability member Tim Cole, retired school bus No. 914 was resurrected. Gym floorboards from former elementary school, Princess Anne Elementary, were reused. (Reuse your grocery bags by purchasing these instead of using single-use plastic.) The students removed the seats and are focusing on areas of interest while the engine is converted to run on vegetable oil. It currently uses diesel. Students are working in teams to address the interior design, educational components, and documentation of the project. Thirteen-year-old Emma Robbins said that her group is focusing on education. "We're doing research on the best ways to create a curriculum on environmental sustainability, so kids can have fun and learn at the same time. We know positive emotions make information easier to learn and more retainable, so we're trying to think of ways to make it enjoyable."Thirteen-year-old Old Donation School student Emma Robbins Students are welcoming community assistance. This help is needed in areas such as interior design, construction, electrical and solar work, and sustainable elements like furniture and seating. (Qualify your ability to help with these seed paper business cards. Instead of throwing them away when finished, plant them to grow beautiful wildflowers.) "We're having weekly meetings to discuss ideas and make plans, and we're open to help or advice from anyone."Thirteen-year-old Old Donation student and interior design team member Miranda Glover Fritzinger said that he plans to obtain a commercial license so he can operate "Eco ...

A driver's group, the Alliance of British Drivers, has warned that confusing branding, such as names like "Bluemotion," could cause issues for motorists. They may end up with a surprise as cities crack down on older vehicles that pollute more. Some drivers may be left stumped when they drive cars only three or four-years-old into cities such as London and are heavily charged. This charge is despite the fact that their car has "eco badging." Earlier this year, London mayor, Sadiq Khan, said the capital's air was "lethal." He said his newly expanded ultra-low emission zone would "help transform the air." He did confess that "some motorists will need help switching to greener transportation options." He called upon the government to introduce plans for diesel scrapping plans that would help with the transition. As a plan to improve air quality in England's capital, cars such as the Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion, which was sold as a low-emission, low-consumption family hatchback, will soon be charged extra to enter the city. Under the new system, which starts next year, it will cost diesel drivers whose vehicles don't meet the Euro VI emissions standard £12.50 ($15.72) per day to enter to Congestion Charge zone. This is in addition to the standard Congestion Charge. Older, gasoline drivers will also have to pay, although only if they don't meet the standards set forth in 2005. A similar plan has been proposed for the southwest city of Bath. Other cities have also suggested the idea. The ABD says this will come as a surprise to those who thought their cars were environmentally friendly. Diesel was promoted by the government and many vehicles were given a "blue" or "eco" label. ABD states that while many bought these in good faith, they are about to be presented with a bill. Spokesman Nigel Humphries said that many drivers were unaware that their vehicle was going to be affected. "Many people think that as they don't drive in London, or that they drive newish 'eco' cars, this won't affect them. They are wrong. The UK government has given powers to local authorities to introduce emissions-based charges pretty much at their whim and with no justification. Councils all over the UK are looking to copy Sadiq Khan's lead, with Manchester being well advanced in its plan."The Alliance of British Drivers spokesman Nigel Humphries Humphries also said that the plans would affect used car values. He called on the government to not only reverse this decision but also ban the zones and other similar policies. "Values of the many affected cars--and even some that are not currently affected--will fall due to fear of future charges long before they even happen. If the government wish to avoid 'Yellow Vest' style protests, they need to act now, by removing such powers from local authorities and ban all such schemes."The Alliance of British Drivers spokesman Nigel Humphries ABD isn't the only organization to express doubt. ...

Every year, Americans purchase 25 to 30 million real christmas trees, according to the National Christmas Tree Association! But that isn't the bad news. Most experts agree that a real tree is the more eco-friendly option. As trees grow, they provide habitats for wildlife and clean the air. Christmas trees are also 100 percent biodegradable and recyclable. If disposed of properly, they can give back to the environment long after Christmas is over. One thing not to do is cut it up for firewood. Unfortunately they don't make good firewood. The chemical creosote builds up in the wood. While they do burn extremely hot, they can also send dangerous sparks flying! Are you afraid of having a real Christmas tree, or mini "Hannukah bush." even if you know these facts, because you're afraid it will end up in a landfill? Here are 10 things you can do to get rid of that tree in an eco-friendly way: 1. Replant It If your tree has a root ball and you have a backyard with room, the best option is to replant it as soon as you can. This will allow it to continue to grow, providing another, or new, home for backyard wildlife. Many different Christmas tree varieties, such as the Norwegian Spruce or Fraser Fir, are pretty resilient. They'll likely recover quickly, even with droopy branches. 2. Turn the Whole Thing into a Bird Feeder Even without roots, your tree can be beneficial to backyard critters. Stick it outside a window. String it with popcorn, cranberries, stale bread, dried fruit--even whole sunflower heads! In no time, chickadees, sparrows, cardinals, among other backyard birds, will find a tasty snack. They'll also appreciate shelter from the cold. (You can hang items from your tree with a recycled or organic lanyard.) 3. How to Make a Stump Bird Feeder Don't want a dying Christmas tree handing out in your yard all winter long? We don't blame you. If this is a puzzle, because you still want to feed birds, you can make stump bird feeders. If you cut the trunk into pieces, they become resting places and natural bird feeders with little work. You can leave some seeds on top, or if you remember to flip that stump every day, you'll reveal insects and worms--a bird's favorite! 4. Using the Branches in Your Garden You can use trimmed Christmas tree branches, needle free of course, in your garden as support sticks. Plants such as legumes, which includes beans, peas, and peanuts, are "thigmotropic." This means that their growth is directionally based upon touch. They often need support to help them grow upwards towards the light and not lean. Christmas tree branches are perfect for this, since the knobs, twigs, and texture will give your plants much to cling to. 5. Protect Your Flowers from Frostbite If you cut whole branches off of your tree, and place them over perennial flower beds, you can protect your plants from frostbite. This will help the soil maintain an even temperature and make sure your plants look healthier next spring. (If you have ...

Here at Custom Earth Promos we have talked about all kinds of eco-friendly travel topics. From modes of transportation, to apps that help lower your carbon footprint, to airlines, to boats, to vacations you can take, there are a million ways to explore eco-friendly travel. These topics are all about the act of traveling and things to do, but what if you, as the traveler, don't know how to keep your footprint low and you are traveling with the earth in mind? Sustainable travel doesn't have to be exclusive to certain conscious travelers--those who can afford expensive, eco-friendly vacation destinations or the most expensive, eco-friendly luggage. We can all do our part in helping reduce our carbon footprint when we go across the globe. Air travel tends to be a passenger's biggest "carbon dump." More than eight million people catch flights every day! Even simple things you may not think about, such as asking for fresh hotel towels daily, waste huge amounts of water. This also lets huge amounts of laundry detergent and soaps into our water systems. We also know plastic is estimated to take more than 500 years to decompose, and landfills are the last thing we want to gift to our children. If you need to visit relatives this holiday season, here are some simple tips to help you offset travel trash and have good environmental karma. Beauty Breakdown Instead of purchasing an endless supply of toiletries, bath and beauty products, keep a stash on hand. Have reusable bottles and pots that you can refill each time you need to go away. Buying products in bulk not only saves money, but it cuts down on plastic. One large plastic bottle is better than one hundred small ones. You can also take an eco-conscious travel towel. These towels are very thin, packing lighter and drying quickly. They are also kind to your skin and take less water to clean. Purchase Eco-Friendly Products There are plenty of brands today that let you help save the environment. They aren't just easy on the earth, but on your wallet too. You can buy eco-friendly versions of almost everything, from mosquito repellent, to human shampoo, to conditioner, to dog shampoo, to deodorant, to sunscreen, to makeup, to clothing, to shoes, to accessories. We recommend checking out these bags to pack with, and frequent flyers can always have water with them--don't pay airport prices! Energy Saving Rechargeable, solar recharging, and wind-up items are much better for the environment than products with batteries. LED bulbs are much better for the environment and last so much longer than regular incandescent light bulbs. These two facts are good to keep in mind for items such as flashlights, shavers, and lamps. You can help keep bills low by turning off switches when leaving rooms, unplugging things that won't be used for a while, not leaving taps running, and only running the washing machine when it's full. Be respectful not only of your own wallet but also the host's. Transportation Tips Going ...