environment Archives

turning single-use items into multi-purpose savers

Want to know how to dry your washing using your refrigerater? How about using the engine of your car? Creative, out of the box thinking for objects around the home.

an energy saving alternative to solar – an addendum

Here’s an alternative to investing in solar panels that’s free. And this alternative can save more than you might think.

solar power–are you missing out on energy that’s out of this world?

So, you happen to have a few thousand dollars spare (don’t we all?) and you’re considering buying solar panels. This article explore the what, why and how of solar panels and answers the question (or tries to) are they worth the investment.

food for thought thursday – Kinetic innovation

Yesterday I wrote about how muscle power can save on electricity and save you money. Today I look at how inovative people are using muscle power to generate electricity.

food for thought thursday–everyone wants better, no-one wants change

An insightful article by Jonathan Fields.

save money on the bills by going green

This is a guest post from Wallet Watcher. Following a green lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend more. There are little things we can do in our everyday lives to save energy and maybe even a little money. Green living is all about simplicity—using less while also re-using and recycling more. There are [...]

food for thought thursday–jevons paradox

Increased energy efficiency is often touted as a solution to our environmental problems. The more energy efficient our contraptions are (like cars and light bulbs), and the less non-renewable resources we use, the better off the environment, right? Jevons argues no. In 1865, the economist William Stanley Jevons observed that despite improvements in technology and [...]

food for thought thursday – space to garden

I came across this on the Inhabitat website: the Norwegian tradition of growing grass on the roof of the house. Norwegians have been growing plants on rooves for hundreds of years, but the idea is becoming more popular in modern buildings. The benefits of these green rooves include: providing insulation creating a wildlife habitat absorbing [...]

planning for emergencies

source When writing for this blog, it helps me to do a little editorial planning ahead of time and way back in November I had planned this week to write about emergencies. You see, despite having lived in QLD for over four years and despite having been evacuated because of bush fires down south, we [...]

pest control and the cycle of life – to kill or not to kill?

You may or may not be horrified by this confession, but we share our home with a variety of bugs and other critters. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say we live in complete harmony with these fellow residents, for the most part ants marching across the living room floor are ignored and [...]