FREE Cell Phone MLS Access! Sign Up Here

Click the phone below to access every listing on your cell phone for FREE!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

HEAD TO HEAD: PLASMAS VS. LCDS

Which flat-screen TV is greener?
The most earth-friendly decision you can make is to stick with your old CRT until it bites the dust, but when it's time for a new one, is there a truly greener flat-screen TV?

Monday, March 9, 2009

NOVA Green Team is an official sponsor of Earth Day @Loudoun

Earth Day @Loudoun

First Annual Earth Day Event
Announced for Loudoun County

Ashburn, VA – January 26, 2009 – The Broadlands Wildlife Habitat Committee today announced the first annual Earth Day for Loudoun County to take place this spring. Event organizers are launching the event to promote the environment, eco-friendly products and services and to boost positive environmental activism in the local area. The event titled, “EarthDay@Loudoun 2009 Family Festival”, is designed to bring a national theme home to the local area in a grassroots effort to promote environmental awareness.

Event Co-Chairperson Stevens Miller said, “Loudoun County is considered a progressive, active and involved area of citizens and this organization wants to provide “EarthDay@Loudoun 2009” as an opportunity to educate, engage and encourage participation in making our area an even better place to live.”

EarthDay@Loudoun 2009 Family Festival will be held on Sunday, April 26th; however, Miller said the celebration is actually a month-long tribute with many festivities planned. We will hosts art exhibits featuring local artisans and their “green” works of art. The entire month of April will offer our local residents plenty of opportunities to celebrate environmental stewardship.”

In celebration of EarthDay@Loudoun 2009, the Broadlands Wildlife Habitat Committee and Loudoun County Soil and Water Conservation District plan a countywide tree planting program to be coordinated through local area Homeowner Associations. In addition, the Banshee Reeks Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program plans a panel discussion of sustainable living practices in our county. Event Co-Chair Andrea McGimsey said the purpose of these events is to promote local sustainability, “Our mission is to provide entertainment, exhibits, workshops and activities that engage and inspire the entire community, especially for the next generation of Loudoun citizens.”

Event organizers are currently selling sponsorships for EarthDay@Loudoun 2009 Family Festival as well as accepting vendor applications for participation. Proceeds from the event will support environmental efforts to reduce the county’s ecological footprint. For more information on how local area businesses can be involved, e-mail info@earthdayatloudoun.org or call Oya Simpson @ (703) 725-8040






Saturday, March 7, 2009

CNet Special Report On Green Tech, Day Three

Day Three:
Making solar cheaper than coal
Typical polysilicon solar cells--the most common cell material--convert about 15 percent of the sunlight that hits them into electricity. Sachs' work has focused on boosting that efficiency closer to 20 percent by trapping more light and by reducing electricity loss in the wires. The trick, though, is to get that efficiency with manufacturing techniques that don't add cost.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

CNet Special Report On Green Tech, Day Two

Day Two:
They got their green-tech bill. So now what?
"There still are people in Congress who think of this as some sort of phantom-technology or vaporware or Internet boom, based on products that don't exist," Reed said. "They don't understand that we're talking about real companies with real products and real jobs. It's very simple for me because I am just looking at my backyard, at companies and their products."

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

CNet Special Report On Green Tech, Day One

Starting today, CNet is running a three-day special report on green tech.

Day One:
In search of the Google of green tech
"Utilities are really in a great position to build large-scale projects," said Katherine Potter, communications vice president at Ausra. "You need to walk before you can run, but the technology is there."

Monday, March 2, 2009

Volatile Organic Compounds: Sources, Effects, And How To Reduce Exposure

Many household products contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are organic chemicals that can vaporize at low temperatures. Long and short-term exposure to VOCs can have adverse effects on human health.
Common household products that can contain VOCs are furniture, paint and painting supplies, carpeting, and varnishes.
The Environmental Protection Agency's Web site provides an overview of VOCs, their effects on human health, and methods for reducing exposre in the article An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality.
For additional information on VOCs and no or low VOC paints, visit How Stuff Works.