Biofuels

Biofuels are one of the alternatives of gasoline and it is produced by plant crops, vegetable oils/animal fats, cellulosic ethanol (plant cell walls broken down), and plant wastes such as corn stalks. According to the U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture, biofuels are “currently enough to replace around 30 percent of the country’s existing gasoline consumption.” Biofuels are a great benefit to the economic growth because it provides more crops to supply and more exports (more revenue). Though, have some disadvantages. Biofuels can be environmentally dangerous. Biofuel production cause more deforestation and land conversions such as rapid soil erosion and could lead to a “strain on the global water supply.” “Converting rainforests, peatlands, ssavannahs or grasslands to grow fuel crops releases CO2, in some cases a staggering 420 times more CO2 than from burning fossil fuel.” Biofuels are one of the alternatives that are being used by many and the demand for it keeps growing. The more biofuels are produced, the more the environment will deteriorate which would ruin the people’s common space, which is the environment. The people should look forward for other environmentally friendly fuels to use.

Source:
"Biofuels: ‘Green gold’ or problems untold?"
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/02/24/eco.biofuels/index.html

Green fashion

Buying green fashion may be easy. But "More than half of the 2,007 respondents in a shopper survey in September by BBMG, a branding agency, said they were looking for certification seals on green claims to feel confident about their purchases.
'It is no longer O.K. to slap a green label on something and think that is acceptable to consumers,' said Raphael Bemporad, a partner in the agency. 'If you just put an eco-friendly phrase on something, you are risking a backlash from more savvy consumers.'"We have the option to buy organic cotton, soy-based, or bamboo clothes.

Though, despite the expensive prices, "green clothes" have environmental costs. Fabrics are chemically treated which means that it causes more pollution. Natural fibers are less durable and wear out faster which means more needs to be replace and in turn, more pollution. An alternative to get the "green" fashion can be made from scraps of unused leftover clothes or from old clothes. This article proposed that the greenest clothes are the ones we already own...though from that, it may stop economic growth for clothing industries...




http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/fashion/13green.html?pagewanted=2&sq=eco-friendly&st=nyt&scp=7

climate change and poverty

In Toronto, Canada, climate can go to the extremes especially during winter. This would greatly affect low in come families because they are struggling to save enough money for energy. There are the Friends of The Earth of Canada that helped sell tools with low costs to the low income families. The tools include window films that provides insulation, energy efficient light bulbs. This way, selling and providing the tools for lowincome families benefits for the economic growth (to help keep rising) for companies that help promote to a more healthy environment for the earth.


http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2008/02/17/yoon.warm.winter.eco.cnn

Clorox turning green

Yes, Clorox are going green. They are creating "eco-friendly product lines". There was a little rumor that Clorox's bleach negatively affect the sewer systems. Though that's not the case. Personally, I have noticed they had a product line already in grocery stores, Green Works. Maybe you have seen them? Green Works are household cleaning solutions that contain 99 percent natural and 1 percent preservatives and fragrances. This would definitely help to live green and to help the environment (instead of using synthetic ingredients). Though it would be expensive yet for economic growth, it would be profitable. The article states "Clorox research recently found that 53 percent of consumers planned to buy more eco-friendly products this year and that 47 percent were willing to pay 20 percent to 25 percent premiums for them."

Source:
"Can Burt’s Bees Turn Clorox Green?"
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/business/06bees.html?_r=1&scp=20&sq=eco&st=nyt&oref=slogin

"Eco-tourism"

Eco-tourism is a strategy for economic growth and promotes the welfare of the people while preserving of the environment. The countries that are already on the way to eco-tourism includes: Gabon (Africa), Greece, Puerto Rico, Portugal, and Belize. United States are also "starting to embrace the trend." They are promoting hotels and tour operators to reduce their environmental impact. This includes replacing bulbs for energy-saving light bulbs and asking travelers to reuse towels in hotels. 58.5 million U.S. travelers agree to pay more for the travel companies to preserve the environment and 61 percent of the travelers would like to pay 5 or 10 percent more to use those travel companies.


http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/01/22/travel/22ecotourism.html?st=cse&sq=eco&scp=1