Finding a job in the building trade is not as easy these days as it might have been. However, on the other hand, with many of people hesitant because of the current shakiness of the construction industry, it is a great time to get yourself in position to take the opportunities that present themselves. Getting in line for a job that can see you earning a lot of money is never looked upon as wrong, and as the standards of the building industry change subtly it is worth considering the doors that will be opened to you by getting the appropriate accreditation. This is best done right now by passing the LEED exam.

The LEED exam is the best form of accreditation pertaining to environmentally sound building in the current market. By completing and passing the LEED exam, you will open up a broader range of employment options than you could have ever imagined before. Even if you are not generally looking forward to exams, this is one that you can consider a great use of your time ” with the emphasis on great. It may take some time to become profitable ” many who have sat it recommend a month of study before completing the exam ” but passing it will be a breeze if you try your best. Also, the LEED Study Guide is designed to make the exam far less of a frightening prospect, and enable you to complete the exam in full confidence of getting a passing mark.

Building green is not all about adding solar panels and placing trees around the building. It is a more complicated process than that, and having a good knowledge of exactly what the process can involve and how to develop the energy efficiency of a building that you are working in can make you a desirable candidate for employment. It can also make the structures you are involved with a standing advertisement for future marketing, and if it also happens to be the place in which you work it will make for good premises which will not have to undergo complicated, long-term repairs that result in a loss not only of energy efficiency but of all efficiency.

The LEED study guide will give you the knowledge that is required to pass the exam, and will give you the confidence that you can do so. The LEED exam is an indispensable step towards becoming a sought-after employee in the construction industry, or even lead into being a project manager yourself. As well as giving you an appreciation of how green issues affect the building industry and the jobs of architects, engineers and other professionals within the field, studying for the LEED exam will allow you to pick up handy tips on building in general. It may even give you a more rounded appreciation of what it takes to get on in the industry. Checking it out today could be the wisest decision you make all year ” and the most profitable for some time to come.
The leading resource for learning is to study for the leed exam. Pass the leed exam by visiting the Leed Study Guide.

by: Todd Alan

Originally posted 2010-04-17 18:16:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

In the world of engagements and wedding planning, green is the new white. From conflict-free wedding jewelry, to an environmentally-conscientious reception, with an eco-friendly honeymoon to round out the nuptials, couples are throwing out the era of Bridezilla and ushering in the age of green weddings. And it all starts with that oh-so-special wedding jewelry.

Choosing a diamond engagement ring (http://www.danforthdiamond.com) and wedding bands are incredibly personal decisions that are also becoming ethical decisions. Socially aware couples now want to ensure that their wedding jewelry selections are not linked to human rights abuses or have not negatively impacted the environment.

Conflict-free Diamonds

Until recent years, newly engaged couples were blissfully unaware that an untold number of corrupt organizations in African countries were illegally mining diamonds that are directly linked to human rights abuses.

The good news is that more than 40 nations worldwide, including the United States, now voluntarily participate in the Kimberly Process, a system that imposes stringent requirements on imports to certify that diamonds are free from conflict. 99.8% of the global production of rough diamonds is now accounted for through the Kimberly Process.

Reputable engagement and wedding jewelry retailers readily confirm the origin of any stone. Online retailers are particularly sensitive to consumer concerns regarding the genesis of their diamonds. Leading online retailers, such as Danforth Diamond, My Solitaire, and Brilliant Earth actively educate consumers by providing helpful information on their websites to ensure that accurate information is easily accessible.

Green Gold?

For those who truly want guilt-free glitter, there are a number of retailers who offer recycled gold for wedding bands and the like. Concerned about a lackluster green ring? Worry not. Recycled gold, which is melted and re-refined, is the same quality as newly-mined gold.

NoDirtyGold.org publishes an ever-growing and impressive list of retailers who support the responsible production of gold.

Vintage jewelry is also enjoying a resurgence in popularity as brides and grooms opt to purchase estate jewelry or wear wedding rings that have been passed down from a family member.

Eco-friendly weddings aren’t just for the granola crunching crowd nowadays and conflict-free diamond engagement rings and recycled gold wedding jewelry are just the beginning. As green weddings become more mainstream, the options and price ranges are increasingly abundant.

Earth-friendly Invitations

Wedding invitations printed with soy- or vegetable-based inks on recycled paper are a mainstay for green couples. If thats not green enough for you, perhaps paperless invitations are the way to go; simply extend electronic invitations for guests who can be contacted via email. Emailed RSVPs offer an added bonus: guests are more likely to respond promptly, allowing you to accurately plan your headcount.

Location, Location, Location

A central wedding location that requires minimal travel for most guests will save on carbon emissions. Booking a venue that can host the wedding ceremony and reception will further reduce carbon emissions. Art galleries, botanical gardens, eco-friendly restaurants, hotels and parks are all excellent choices.

Here Comes the Bride

Something old, something new, something borrowed… something green? You betcha. Green brides can choose lovely, previously-worn gowns from vintage stores or gown consignment and rental shops. Brides can also turn to their family tree for a wonderfully sentimental heirloom gown. A number of designers have also embraced the eco-friendly trend and offer extravagant gowns made of hemp silk.

Wedding Favors as Decorations

Organic, locally grown flowers for bouquets and centerpieces offer a fresh, seasonal touch. Flower arrangements used at the wedding can perform double duty by being moved to the reception. Potted plants also make lovely arrangements and can be transplanted outdoors after the wedding or can serve as gifts that guests can take home.

The Gift that Keeps Giving

Portovert Magazine, the nation’s first and only online publication devoted exclusively to environmentally and socially responsible weddings, and NativeEnergy offer a carbon emissions calculator that can be used to evaluate wedding-related carbon sources, including travel, guest lodging and power used at the wedding venues, which can help in the planning of a carbon-neutral wedding. You can find it here: http://www.nativeenergy.com/Splash/Portovert/portovert_wedding_calc.html.

Couples can also offset the carbon emissions produced as a result of their nuptials by making contributions to an eco organization of their choice or requesting that guests do the same in lieu of a wedding gift.

Paying it Forward

Eco-friendly tours, green hotel resorts, simple outdoor adventures, volunteer work for a preservation project green honeymoons run the gamut and cater to a variety of preferences and budgets. From relaxing and luxuriant to active and outdoorsy, newlyweds can take their dream green vacation that celebrates the beginning of their new life together and the future of our planet.

And to think that it all began with a diamond engagement ring. Green weddings provide couples the opportunity to make a lifelong commitment to each other and to their world. Every wedding anniversary, from the small ones to the milestones years is an opportunity to renew that commitment for now and for years to come.

Perhaps a future generation will honor that same commitment by choosing to wear your heirloom wedding jewelry.

Originally posted 2009-09-22 03:16:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

by Debra Lynn Dadd

You probably are aware that giving your immune system a helping hand can ward off colds and the flu. But did you know that common exposures to toxic chemicals in your everyday life can actually increase your chances of becoming sick?

Catching a cold or flu requires exposure to bacteria and viruses and a body with a weak immune system. When bacteria and viruses encounter a strong immune system, the immune system recognizes the bacteria or virus as a foreign invader and fights them off. But when the body’s immune system is compromised, it can’t do its job of protecting us against the bacteria and viruses that can make us sick.

Unfortunately, today, our immune systems are exposed to a torrent of toxic chemicals that can weaken its ability to defend the health of our bodies. Plastics, pesticides, and pollutants of all kinds are in most consumer products. And virtually all of these chemicals can damage the immune system, leaving your body vulnerable to attack.

On the other hand, sometimes what may seem like a cold or flu may not be a cold or flu at all, but is actually a poisoning. In the wintertime, for example, during the “flu season,” many families turn on their gas heat. Exposure to combustion by-products from burning gas can result in flu symptoms. Taking a cold or flu remedy won’t help relieve those symptoms of toxic exposure.

Cold and flu symptoms can also be a sign that your body is at work to eliminate toxic chemicals it has been exposed to. A runny nose or sneezing might be a cold, or it might be the body trying to clear out nasal passages that have been inhaling toxic chemicals. There are many toxic exposures in the average American home. So many, in fact, that there is a whole class of chemicals called “immunotoxicants,” which, by definition, cause “increased incidence or severity of infectious diseases.”

Removing immunotoxicants from your home will do even more than stop colds and flus–it will protect you and your family from all contagious diseases, including bronchitis and pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, mumps, whooping cough, and others. Flu shots and vaccinations? Removing immuntoxics from your home allows your immune system to regenerate naturally, and fight off all infectious diseases.

Here are five simple things you can to start eliminating immunotoxicants from your home and strengthen your immune system.

1. Open the window. During the winter, we keep windows closed to keep warm and save energy, but this also keeps toxic chemicals inside the home. Open a window occasionally to let the toxic fumes out and bring fresh air in.

2. Don’t spray disinfectants. It’s second nature to reach for a disinfectant to kill cold germs and flu viruses, but disinfectants only make things worse. Disinfectants contain the immunotoxicants cresol, phenol, ethanol, and formaldehyde, which reduce the ability of the immune system to fight the germs they are killing. Better to strengthen the immune system to protect the body from germs as it should. If you need to kill germs, use hot water or tea tree oil.

3. Don’t use “permanent” markers. These contain the solvents cresol, toluene and xylene, all powerful immunotoxicants. Choose waterbased markers instead.

4. Don’t use nonstick cookware. A 2008 study by the Environmental Working Group through West Virginia University found higher levels of a chemical in Teflon found in the blood of test subjects correlated with lower levels of a protein that helps the body fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Instead use cast iron, porcelain enamel, glass, clay, or one of the new PFOA-free “green pans.”

5. Sleep on untreated cotton or linen sheets. All polyester/cotton and permanent-press cotton sheets are treated with a formaldehyde finish that cannot be removed and continues to emit formaldehyde for the life of the sheet. Common symptoms from this immunotoxicant include runny nose, itchy eyes, and other cold and flu symptoms.

If you have children in your home, it’s even more important to reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals because a child’s immune system isn’t fully developed until age seven or eight.

Every step you can take toward removing toxic chemicals in your home will greatly improve your health. Begin today.

To learn more about protecting yourself and family from immunotoxicants, visit Debra Lynn Dadd’s Web site at www.dld123.com/colds-flu, and get your copy of Home Safe Home.

Hailed as “The Queen of Green” by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a leading consumer advocate for products and lifestyle choices that are better for health and the environment since 1982. Visit her website to learn more about her book Home Safe Home, to sign up for her free email newsletters, and to browse 100s of links to 1000s of nontoxic, natural and earthwise products. http://www.dld123.com

Originally posted 2010-03-11 14:21:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Promotional products are no doubt used on quite a regular and sometimes excessive basis in terms of their production, distribution and overall quantities. And naturally, most of these items are selected with one narrow-minded, business-driven goal in mind – gaining wide exposure to lift a business’s status higher, and their success, soaring. And this popular pursuit of gaining and continuing elevated statuses through promo products is the standard.

What’s not standardized is unconventionality; items selected and given at trade shows are usually pinpointed with a mundane mindset, unless unorthodox minds are dealing with selection processes. But, of all, one this is certain about selection considerations. When most individuals are selecting promotional items for a trade show, the last concern that comes to mind is the notion of saving the earth, of being eco-friendly, or oddly enough, being that envious color, green.

Green Horizons For Promotional Decisions

Promotional products are usually run-of-the-mill, both in their composition and existence, but are also detrimental to the environment. Most are not, as mentioned, in that “gone green status.” Green promotional products are not visually distinctive through actual color, yet are categorized as “green” based on the materials used in their overall compositions. Green promotional items are ones made of earth-friendly and environmentally-conscious materials, or are specifically products veering off course from standardized not-so-earth-considerate methods, such as items utilizing heavy paper and/or plastic ingredients.

Currently, there is quite a green movement in the corporate and business realm as environmental concerns have become much more pronounced and publicly declared. An awareness is spreading and companies are taking advantage of this simply to further push the urgency of being more concerned and active in mending our wounded and polluted earth.

Making Promotional Items Green, An Easy Task

Taking a promotional item from standard to eco-friendly is not troublesome or difficult. Actually, it’s much easier than one would think, especially since the green movement is in full swing. This said, there are many options of well-designed and eco-friendly products for trade show purposes.

Eco-Friendly Promotional Options

The best thing to do as a distributer of promo items at a trade show is to not only provide eco-friendly giveaways, but also spur an instilled sense of continued environmental care though the products themselves. Saving trees by not using excessive amounts of paper and using non-plastic items are basics to start with and can easily be accomplished through correct promo item selection.

To save trees and spur continued consciousness for avoiding overuse of paper, why not give away USB flash drives and non-disposable drinkware? USB drives will cut down on already discouraging amounts of printing and will make information not only environmentally accommodating, but also compactly mobile and convenient. Make carrying information limited to a space the size of a thumb, rather than a bulky portfolio.

And by providing non-paper or plastic based cups, mugs and the like will cut down on individuals continually using and then discarding wasted drinkware items. Coffee mugs and sport bottles -made of polycarbonate materials- are great types of permanent and long-life drinkware items that can be considered to imprint and prolong a green way of thinking and doing.

Originally posted 2009-08-21 05:16:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

If you have made all the traditional changes to your lifestyle but are trying to find another way by which you can make a difference to the environment, then you should look into green eco-friendly fashion. There have been attempts made to mass market green eco-friendly fashion to a global market, and some of them have not been successful because the clothing was not something that appealed to everyone. However, in recent years this has changed as more and more people have begun to make a transition toward a more organic way of life so that they can lessen the impact they have on the environment.

In fact, green eco-friendly fashion did not really get a break until movie stars began to wear these types of clothes in order to showcase their willingness to side with this movement. One thing that many people may not realize is that organic fashion is not as simple as having clothing that is made from pure cotton instead of a poly blend. The reason is that there are millions of pounds of pesticides put on cotton that is grown non-organically each year. So, by going out of your way to purchase green eco-friendly fashion options, you are lessening the amount of pesticide that is released into the atmosphere each year.

The good news is that with all of the attention the environment is getting and the number of people who are turning to green eco-friendly fashion as a way to help reduce their carbon footprint, has allowed for an increase in styles and designs that appeal to a broader audience. This means that you are going to be able to have more options available to you so that you can choose from those that will benefit you while still remaining in the category of green eco-friendly fashion.

Also, remember that we lead best by example. So, if you want to be as environmentally conscious as possible the best way to demonstrate this to others is by openly wearing and endorsing, green eco-friendly fashion. This way everyone who sees your unique style and fashion will be aware of your personal position on the environment. And, you will simultaneously be helping to reduce your impact on the environment. If just one person asks about your green eco-friendly fashion and decides to go with this more organic approach, you will have made double the impact.

Originally posted 2010-04-17 18:04:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

In the constantly warming planet that we live in today, each and every single one of us needs to do our fair share to assure that our earth stays healthy for the future generations. This means making changes to the way that we operate and go about our daily lives. One way that you can certainly do your part when it comes to be mindful of our fragile environment is to assure that the home furnishings you purchase are as eco-friendly as possible. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can go about being friendly to our environment without compromising the quality of the home furnishings that you buy.

Plant Fiber Area Rugs

Some of the most eco and earth-friendly area rugs that you can spend your money on are those that are constructed out of durable and renewable resources like plant fibers. Plant fiber rugs are created from easily harvested and fast growing plants, found around the world, and are both biodegradable and delectable when woven into a quality area rug. Common plant fiber area rugs included sisal, jute, bamboo, seagrass, mountaingrass and hemp. They are extracted from the plants themselves and spun into yarns, which are then woven into quality and eco-friendly area rugs.

According to the statistics, more than seven hundred million square feet of carpeting and rugs are tossed into landfills each and every year. Many of these are made from industrial grade chemicals and plastics, which can take centuries to degrade and can taint nearby water supplies, harming the environment. By assuring that you only buy natural, plant fiber rugs, you can still find the rugged durability that you seek, in a wide variety of styles and feels, while doing your part to help preserve our planet. Earth-friendly is not just something we think about—rather it is something that we all must actively pursue in our day to day.

Chemical-Free and Hypoallergenic

There are many people who suffer from allergies to certain chemicals commonly found in many area rugs. For those who truly wish to enjoy a quality and long lasting area rug that will not cause them an allergic reaction, the eco-friendly area rugs are the way for them to truly be free of their allergies while complimenting the interior of their homes at the same time. Earth-friendly area rugs do not use any harsh industrial chemicals and are only made from 100% all-natural materials that grow in the earth.

Animal Fiber Rugs

Another way that you can be environmentally conscience when you are purchasing area rugs for your home interior is to buy animal fiber rugs. Area rugs that are made from naturally groomed animal fibers, like wool, do not harm the environment or the animals from which the fibers are harvested. Sheep wool, for example, is sheered twice per year and the undercoat tends to grow back thick and healthy. When woven into a carpet, wool tends to be soft to the touch, yet durable enough to withstand high traffic and the elements without deteriorating. Another plus side to animal fiber rugs is that they are easily cleaned and are naturally stain resistant.

Originally posted 2009-08-15 22:50:19. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The good news is that environmental groups, state legislators, the EPA, and the cleaning products industry are all working together to improve the products that you use every day. Although Green Cleaning has only been fashionable for the last decade or so, we have been working on developing more environmentally-sound cleaning products for more than 50 years.

The cleaning products industry has understood the importance of biodegradable cleaning products since the 1950s. In the 1970s, the industry removed all CFCs from aerosols. In the 1990s, products became moreconcentrated (“ultras”) which reduced packaging. Cleaning products have been getting “greener” through innovation and continuous improvement – long before the “green” movement was even around!

Green Cleaning – It’s Not Just Black & White

Years ago, “green” was simply what you got when you mixed yellow and blue. Today, however, the word “green” can mean “environmentally friendly.” “Green” products are lining store shelves, and the Internet is abuzz with tips for green living and step-by-step instructions for making your own “earth-friendly” household cleaning products. But does homemade always mean “green”? Is green always safer? The amount of information out there can be overwhelming.

To most of us, the idea of green cleaning means using products that are better for the environment. But better than what? And what makes a product “good” for the environment?

Green=Clean?
So what exactly does it mean to be green? Does “green” mean considered safe for humans and animals? Does it mean that a product is made from plants and not petroleum? Biodegradable? Less packaging? Recyclable?

Yes, green can means all of those things. But green must also mean “effective.” A cleaning product that does not clean well is not good for the environment. Producing and packaging a useless cleaning product is a waste of time and energy, which is very “un-green.”

If you want to buy cleaning products that are environmentally friendly, you need to understand and be able to evaluate claims on a label. “Green” certification criteria are generally available online by the certifiers.

So what is “Green Cleaning?”

Green Cleaning is the commitment to make, use, and dispose of cleaners with people and the environment in mind. You are making your world a little greener when you use a cleaning product that is safe and effective, and you follow all product instructions and dispose of the product properly.
Article by www.aboutcleaningproducts.com

Originally posted 2009-12-18 02:16:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Experts believe there is tremendous potential for solar energy. Anything could be possible with the sun’s energy. It provides heat for our swimming pools, rivers, lakes and ponds. It is as a basic as hanging your laundry out on the line and it being dried by the sun. However we have been unable to harness it as a natural source of energy that can be used efficiently.

Scientists believe it is the best alternative source of power. This energy is drawn from heat that strikes the earth. Solar energy has been around for millions of years and it is safe for the environment. It can be renewed and concentrated. Experts are considering it as a viable alternative energy source so it can be used world wide.

It is being used across the world. Inherently, the sun provides a natural heat source which can be used to control temperature without converting it. To be used for electricity, it needs to be collected and converted. There are different forms of solar energy.

There is widespread use of solar panels to heat houses. Experts have been experimenting and have used solar energy to power cars, unsuccessfully. The technology is not quite there yet. You will not be seeing solar powered cars anytime in the near future. However some experts believe it may be around the corner.

Once captured, solar power, changes and distributes the sun’s power so it can be used for heat and ventilation. A trombe wall is an example of this. It uses solar heat with a system made up of channels of air that are between a window and wall. Then the sun heats the area and circulates through vents and then stores the heat. At night, this stored heat is utilized.

Solar power is dense and is quite an efficient use of power. These facilities could be set up across the world and they are maintenance free. The operating cost is very reasonable after the initial installation.

Australia has spent millions of dollars on a solar powered energy station. It is currently generating clean electricity to well over 40,000 locations in the small town of Victoria. It’s very energy efficient and safe for the environment due to there being no gas emissions.

There are other options for solar power such as PV systems. It is connected to an electrical grid and when there is an excess of energy it transfers to another grid. This is extremely efficient and cost effective

The PV cells are set up as a solar panel, and they have become more efficient and the cost of them has gone down tremendously. The designs have improved so that the harnessed sunlight can be focused on a centralized point. The size of the cells decrease as efficiency rises.

Originally posted 2010-05-03 13:08:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Originally posted 2010-03-01 03:38:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Originally posted 2010-02-22 14:02:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter