Buzzworm Earth BlogEnvironmental solutions and conservation news.

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How many times have we gone into a public restroom and been turned off by the odors emanating from that room? Don’t you wish there was some kind of air purifier that would kill the odors, and the germs on surfaces so there would be no more worries on that front?

If you have a business with an odor problem in the restrooms, or even in the office area, like a moldy or stuffy smell, well your worries are over. We are offering a new technology called RCI that not only kills odors, but germs and viruses on surfaces. Bacteria and viruses like MRSA, E-coli, Bacillus, Pneumonia, Listeria, Strep, and Salmonella on counter tops are destroyed.*

*Published scientific testing with Kansas State University has demonstrated the use of RCI technology to substantially reduce microbial populations on surfaces.

Most businesses today don’t think about the germs in the air or on the surfaces of the workplace, until there is a rash of flu that spreads throughout their workforce. When you get a lot of call outs by sick employees, then it is time to think about how to control the spread of these viruses. This new technology can help by killing the germs and viruses on the phones, doorknobs, countertops, and even the carpet.

The “Roomie”, a single room air purifier that kills germs and mold and freshens the air in larger rooms up to 500 square feet. It plugs directly into any wall socket, and comes with an anti-theft device so the mounting is secure wherever you put it. It is small and compact and it comes in two colors, pearl and graphite, so it can blend in anywhere. The Unit is also ozone free, so it will not affect people with asthma.

Powerful and inconspicuous, the Roomie system is designed to target larger rooms with RCI technology. Its anti-theft mounting system makes it perfect for offices and businesses too. Creates fresh air while killing mold and bacteria on surfaces.

Click on this link to see the
Roomie Air Purifier

Growin’ Greens in the City

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Anecdotes, stories about passing nature onto kids?

I’m a writer working on a project on how kids are introduced or “turned on” to nature nowadays. I’m particularly interested because of a few factors. Richard Louv’s recent book “Last Child in the Woods” expresses his concern that kids today are growing up without exposure to nature, and makes a good argument for doing so. Current environmental issues today need multigenerational solutions, so this will only become more troublesome as the next few generations mature. And most of all, I have a son now, and it’s darn fun to get him involved in nature. It got me thinking: books like Louv’s do a great job arguing for getting kids back into the natural world, but they don’t much talk about how it’s done. I want to talk to people who are really, totally, uniquely passionate about doing this in diverse locations, with exciting or inspirational stories of how you (or someone else) pass the world and passion for it onto kids. Think Steve/Bindi Irwin, etc. Anyone out there willing to correspond?

I am a Boy Scout leader now, but 10 years or so ago, I had a Cub Scout (2-3 grade) den that met every Monday at my house. One crazy week in very early spring (probably mid February ) I had no real plans for the meeting and there those quick, bright, busy little boys were there waiting for me. So we did a “Signs of Spring” walk around the neighborhood. I pointed out spings of grass, bulging tips of branches, new tiny green leaves on bushes-just anything that I could to show them this great world. I showed them the first tree that would burst into bloom when it was spring (a flowering peach.) It was a great success and all those boys asked me later when we could have another walk like that!

Global Kids Teen Second Life Anniversary Party

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The development of an adequate, cost effective way to store solar energy cannot come fast enough. Different methods are being used currently, and others are being experimented with and explored. Some home solar energy users have had great success with their systems, but solar systems may not be appropriate for all areas of the world, nor would they be good on a larger scale. If solar energy is to be the replacement for other less environmentally friendly energy sources, then there must be a way to store it on a larger scale that is still safe and affordable for everyone.

The Pros to Solar Energy Storage

Solar energy is renewable, non-polluting, and easy to harness for use. A new home that is built with solar panels or an existing home that adds them can qualify for a tax credit or other financial incentives. This makes the concept even more attractive. The current systems for solar energy storage include a photovoltaic system and a molten salt system, but each has drawbacks.

Solar power can be used to offset or replace electrical costs from the utility company. This, in turn, forces the utility company to become more competitive in their pricing. If one family in a neighborhood sets up solar panels and reduces their energy costs by half or more and the utility company increases the rates for the next door neighbors, it is not long before the next door neighbors are going to consider going to solar power as well.

Solar power is safer to use than other energy sources, especially those that rely on coal which must be mined from the earth and then transported around the country, or oil which is expensive and must be obtained from foreign countries. Harnessing the sun’s heat may be the easiest way to store the energy for later use in solar thermal systems.

The Cons to Solar Energy Storage

The sun is not entirely predictable or reliable. Clouds can block the sun’s rays for seconds, minutes, or even hours causing a storage system to lose megawatts of energy. The loss of megawatts can result in power loss for the users. If the system in place is not big enough to store enough energy for these times, it will not be useful in the long run.

The sun is not a good choice in certain parts of the world where the weather is generally cloudy and overcast. Even in places where there is a lot of sun, days of rain and clouds could shut down a system in a matter of hours.

The salt tank systems are adequate on a small scale. On a larger scale, they could face the same NIMBY protests that other types of energy plants face whenever a new one is proposed.

Solar panel systems can be expensive, especially at start up. A photovoltaic system that is large enough to run an entire household can cost $50,000 -far out of the reach of many budgets in these times.

Eco20/20 is a cutting edge informational site. The primary focus of the site is clean energy. For almost two year Eco20/20 has been a leader in forward thinking articles. http://www.eco20-20.com

Wind energy with Hydrogen production

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Strong economy or solutions to environment and social issues?

We have social and enviromental problems in the UK, US, Western Europe but we seem to be happy if our economy is strong.

I understand that economic growth has resulted in healthcare, enough to eat and a home for almost everybody – this is a good thing. However, social and environmental issues are often not tackled and are negected due to the economics and trying to become more “wealthy “as a country.

Now we all have enough to eat, have a home and have healthcare…should we now tackle our problems with society and environment?
Terrorism: It is a social issue.

Environmental issues: Global warming (I am ignoring the first comment but not the peer reviewed articles on the subject), smog, acidic rain, polluted rivers, deforestation, extinction of plants and animals, polluted seas etc. etc.

I think its an error, or at least a misconception, to say that healthcare, food and housing in the UK are no longer an issue. There is still clearly a lot that needs to be done in these areas. However, I would agree that other issues (particularly environmental – climate change, e.t.c) need to be tackled with greater priority and urgency than they have been previously, given our current knowledge and understanding.

Europe 2007 Part 29 Menton and Ventimiglia