Featuring the same data from The A.T. Guide, by David Miller and weighing in at just 4 grams each, this waterproof, tear resistant, information rich strip-map features an Appalachian Trail map on one side and elevation profile with altitudes and trail data on the other. The map imagery includes high resolution GPS track, topographic maps, accurate road crossings and a bird’s eye view of points along the trail. The elevation profile side includes trail mileage, shelter locations, camp sites, water sources, resupply points, lodging, outfitters, and post offices and much more. A serious tool for trail use and hike planning. AntiGravityGear’s long trail Pocket Profile Maps were listed in the April 2012 Backpacker Magazine Spring Gear Guide under the heading “The Ten Essentials”!
Yes! Our US supplier abides by the 4 R’s of environmental stewardship: Recycle, Reuse, Respect, & Reduce.
Recycle & Reuse
Our paper is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and is therefore 100% recyclable in category 2 HDPE. Our supplier constantly strives to eliminate the waste generated by their production processes throughout the entire production chain:
Waste linked to the synthetic paper production
The production waste is regranulated and recycled in our production processes.
Production scrap that cannot be reused in the production process is collected by a recycling company to be reprocessed as raw materials for other plastic items.
Waste produced by printing processes
Scrap resulting from printing processes are collected with other polymer products and reused to make other plastic items.
Minimizing End-User Waste
Our paper is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and is therefore 100% recyclable in category 2 HDPE.
Keeping our environmental impact as low as possible during the manufacturing processes.
All production sites comply with ISO 14001 environmental standards.
Have their own water treatment plants to handle the water used in their processes. Waste water is therefore already clean when it leaves the production sites.
The manufacturing process does not use ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs.
The manufacturing process does not include any dangerous or polluting components.
Health and Safety
In addition to complying with the ISO 14001 EMS standards, our supplier has taken the following health and safety initiatives:
Components are fully compliant with the following legislation dealing with heavy metals:
The 1994 standard of the Coalition of Northeastern Governors’ Model Toxic (CONEG).
Part 3 of the 10988 European EN71 standard stipulating upper limits for toys and film coatings.
The requirements set out in the EC directive 94/62/EC relating to packaging waste.
Does not contain phthalate, chlorine, or other halogens.
When incinerated under the right conditions, the paper is non-toxic and does not produce dioxins or other highly toxic materials.
The unique characteristics of the paper also contribute to resource conservation and sustainability.
It has no impact on forest resources.
The manufacturing process uses five times less water that traditional paper production, thus preserving water resources.
It has a long service life in its applications (maps, tags and manuals, for example), thus reducing the need for source materials.
The AntiGravityGear Pocket Profiles™ are waterproof, rub resistant and tear resistant. Backpacking subjects gear to the most strenuous of conditions that will test the limits of any well made piece of gear. And so, as with all backpacking gear, there is some special care that can be taken to preserve the life of your Pocket Profile™.
Your Pocket Profile™ is rub resistant, meaning the ink is quite durable and will not rub off easily. And while your profile is in no way fragile, abuse can test the limits of the rub resistance. The folds are likely to wear the quickest. Avoid overworking the folds. One strategy is to roll the map and put it in your accessory pocket on your pack rather than folding it.
As with any gear, it’s not good to fold your Pocket Profile™ up while wet for storage. After it has gotten good and wet, give it a good dry off before folding and stowing it. If your Pocket Profile™ was accidentally allowed to dry completely from wet while folded, and is frozen together, run it under water for a while and slowly and gently work it apart.
Your Pocket Profile™ is tear resistant, meaning it’s difficult to tear, but not impossible. Keep it away from sharp objects that could puncture it in your pack.
A little care and good common sense will go a long way to preserving the life of your Pocket Profile™.
The Pocket Profile™ in the photo to the left has been soaking in this Nalgene bottle for 6 months. It has been taken out and crumpled up and put back in several times. Basically, we’re abusing it. While it definitely does not look as beautiful as it did when it was brand new, it is holding it’s own. It’s still quite readable, and would definitely still get us down the trail.
The AGG TEC™ reference number located between mile markers above the elevation profile is the measure of Total Elevation Change per segment. These are also commonly referred to is PUDs or MUDs (Pointless Ups & Downs or Mindless Ups & Downs). This rating is meant to give you an idea of how TEChnical the terrain ahead of you will be.
For instance: If, during the course of a 3 mile segment, you climb 1000 feet and descend 500 feet, the AGG TEC™ number for that 3 mile segment would be 1500. This number, when compared to the elevation profile, can give you an idea of how much elevation change is ahead and whether it is likely to be more uphill or downhill or a mixture of both ups and downs.
At the top, in the blue bar on the elevation side of each profile, is an AGG TEC™ reference number for the entire section of the trail that the map covers.
This is what the TEC™ numbers look like. They are the grey numbers in between mile markers:
We update the Appalachian Trail Pocket Profiles at least once a year. But, they are not all updated at the same time. The A.T. Guide contains town information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, instructions, etc.) which has a tendency to change quite a bit and must be updated each January. However, the trail data (i.e. shelters, water sources, road crossings, etc.) for the Appalachian Trail changes so minutely that a hard dated annual update is not necessary for the pocket profiles. Minor changes can be covered in our errata pages. In many cases, the Pocket Profiles can actually be more up to date than the Guidebook since we update them throughout the year.
Each of the 22 maps in the ATSET has a slightly different RF scale for a few reasons. They all do not cover the exact same mileage since some areas of the trail have a denser database of information to cover. Also, some areas of the trail are curvier than others affecting how much space the distance being mapped actually takes up on the page.
The AVERAGE RF scale for all maps in the set is 1:293,252 or 4.63 miles per inch.
In order to make the most of the scale we had to work with, we enhanced for visibility features most important to a hiker like road crossings, highways & interstates, national forest boundaries, state lines, cities, and major rivers and bodies of water to name a few. We work at a resolution much higher during the design process than what we use for final print resolution. This makes it possible for us to very accurately lay these enhancements over features on the map in order to make clear what would not otherwise be visible at these scales.
In order to simplify the scale for the hiker, we overlayed a 10 mile dotted line grid on each map to give hikers a visual idea of the area they have to cover between points on the map.
The specific RF scale for each of the maps in the 22 Map ATSET is as follows:
AT01: 1:297,926 (4.70 miles per inch)
AT02: 1:219,322 (3.46 miles per inch)
AT03: 1:234,849 (3.71 miles per inch)
AT04: 1:231,910 (3.66 miles per inch)
AT05: 1:278,249 (4.39 miles per inch)
AT06: 1:211,200 (3.33 miles per inch)
AT07: 1:213,924 (3.38 miles per inch)
AT08: 1:269,136 (4.25 miles per inch)
AT09: 1:269,893 (4.24 miles per inch)
AT10: 1:335,450 (5.27 miles per inch)
AT11: 1:235,128 (3.71 miles per inch)
AT12: 1:303,230 (4.79 miles per inch)
AT13: 1:340,133 (5.37 miles per inch)
AT14: 1:477,072 (7.53 miles per inch)
AT15: 1:297,856 (4.70 miles per inch)
AT16: 1:333,597 (5.27 miles per inch)
AT17: 1:387,783 (6.12 miles per inch)
AT18: 1:333,825 (5.27 miles per inch)
AT19: 1:248,949 (3.93 miles per inch)
AT20: 1:308,877 (4.87 miles per inch)
AT21: 1:314,692 (4.97 miles per inch)
AT22: 1:308,531 (4.87 miles per inch)


the innovative hybrid streetlight designed by nheolis
nheolis, french company, has launched the nheolight, an innovative hybrid streetlight which produces its own energy and requiring no electricity connection.
nheolis here combines its unique and inaudible wind technology to a set of solar panels for a next-generation high quality LED lighting.
The 3 main advantages of the nheolight are:
- Savings: no consumption of electricity for 20 years
- Easy installation: no trench connection
- Comfort: silence
nheolis leverages its expertise and offers a free feasibility study with technological tools to help you assess the relevance of your project.
This feasibility study consists in evaluating your wind power potential based on the characteristics of your site.
The conclusion of this will enable us to make a technical and financial evaluation with respect to the performances of wind turbines nheolis.


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North Sea Wind Climatology. Part 2: ERA-Interim and Harmonie model data
Part 1 of this report gives an overview of the wind atlases that are currently used in the wind energy sector and explains what ...
Scientific report KNMI'14 climate scenarios
ESA project ISOTROP cloud comparisons
ESA project Impact of Spaceborne Observations on Tropospheric Composition Analysis and Forecast (ISOTROP) -- Comparison of cloud ...


Bring out your hazardous waste
Pierce County MRF/Recycling Center, Highway 65 north of Ellsworth, will dispose of household and agricultural chemicals free of charge 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 21.
The Clean Sweep event is for residents and farmers in Pierce and Pepin counties. Acceptable materials for disposal include pesticides, fertilizers, solvents, fuels, oil and latex paint. All materials should be in original containers for identification.


Michelle leads LACI’s work to accelerate system change in the zero emission transportation, clean energy and sustainable cities sectors via innovative partnerships, policies and pilots. She joined LACI in 2018 to grow and advance the Transportation Electrification Partnership, bringing together 30 public and private sector partners to accelerate zero emission transportation in the LA region.
Michelle was formerly the Clean Energy & Transportation Program Director for Environment California, working to advance an economy-wide shift to 100% renewable energy. In this role, she successfully helped to shape and pass numerous clean energy policies, including California’s historic SB 100, and coordinated the Charge Ahead California campaign, a joint effort of environmental and environmental justice organizations to ensure that California expands access to electric vehicles in low-income communities of color. She was also a leader in the L.A. County Electric Bus Coalition, which secured commitments from LA Metro, the City of Los Angeles, and City of Santa Monica to transition their bus fleets to electric by 2030.
Prior to turning her attention to California, Michelle was Co-founder and Deputy Director of Crude Accountability, a nonprofit that works with communities in the Caspian Sea basin to protect the region’s environment and ensure environmental justice. Michelle has a graduate certificate in Environmental Policy & Management from the University of Denver, and a BA in International Studies and Russian from Washington University in St. Louis. She was a finalist in the 2015 U.S. C3E Women in Energy Awards competition.


First 100% environmentally sustainable rock concert coming to Dubai
‘Rock the World-Save the Planet’ will take place at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
When it comes to rock concerts, we’re always onboard. And knowing that it isn’t harming the environment in any way only makes us want to rock out even harder.
What claims to be the first 100 percent environmentally sustainable rock concert by Neutral Fuels is coming to Dubai, and it promises to have a net-zero carbon footprint.
Kicking off all the carbon-free jams on Friday November 15 from 7pm onwards, ‘Rock the World-Save the Planet’ has partnered up with One Tree Planted.
Unavoidable carbon expended on due to the concert, such as flights for the bands coming to Dubai, will be apparently be accurately measured and offset by planting trees.
Taking place at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Neutral Fuels has also partnered up with DGrade who will collect all plastic from the event, reusing it to make clothing and accessories by converting the plastic to sustainable yarn.
Who can you rock your socks off to? The concert’s star line-up boasts Cueshé, an award-winning pop-rock band from Manila, and Razorback, a hard rock band who opened for legendary rockers Rage Against The Machine and Metallica.
There’s also Urbandub, from Philippines and Sandstörm, a Dubai rock cover band which features Karl Feilder as its lead singer.
“Ordinarily, a rock concert with its massive sound, complex lighting and special effects, emits tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere using energy from the national grid,” said founder and CEO of Neutral Fuels Karl W Feilder told Arabian Business.
“Rock the World/Save the Planet is different. It will achieve net zero carbon emissions by using Neutral Fuels B100 net zero biofuel to power the entire event."
If you’re up for an environmentally-friendly rock sesh, you can book your tickets by visiting www.tickets.virginmegastore.me or www.dubai.platinumlist.net. Tickets start at Dhs125, while VIP tickets are priced at Dhs225.
As for other concerts to look forward to, there’s a huge DXB Cucumber Carnival coming to Soho Garden, and you can expect live music, hobby horse polo, afternoon tea and more.
Count us in.
Dhs125 (regular tickets), Dhs225 (VIP tickets). Fri Nov 15, 7pm onwards (doors open 6.30am). Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Garhoud, www.tickets.virginmegastore.me or www.dubai.platinumlist.net (04 282 4122).


What Is Lidar? Lidar FundamentalsMarch 19, 2023
Single-pass UAV-borne GatorEye LiDAR sampling as a rapid assessment method for surveying Forest structureMay 18, 2023
UAV LiDAR Mapping the Brazilian Savanna to Help Fight Climate Change
A team of scientists from the Department of Forestry, the University of Brasilia, and other organizations invested in the study of climate change have been using sensors from Phoenix LiDAR Systems to map vegetation biomass by drone, providing key insights into the carbon cycle to help lower carbon emissions and better manage the impacts of climate change.
[Vegetation biomass is the total weight or quantity of plants present in a given area—terms like yield, plant matter, and plant production are also sometimes used in place of biomass.]
Traditionally, scientists collect vegetation biomass data in the field by walking through a sample area and making measurements. These sample measurements can then be extrapolated using mathematical models to create measurements for the entire environment. But this manual approach is incredibly time-consuming and expensive, not to mention potentially bad for the environment, since it requires researchers to walk through the area on foot as they collect data.
To solve the data collection problem, scientists have honed a new approach: using drones equipped with LiDAR sensors.
By using UAVs (Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles, also known as drones), researchers can fly over sample areas and collect detailed LiDAR data in a fraction of the time it would take to do so manually. This data can then be processed using mathematical models to estimate the total biomass for the entire system.
The UAV LiDAR approach has several benefits, including:
- Speed. The approach is much faster than mapping and making vegetation biomass estimates via manual data collection.
- Accuracy. Using drone LiDAR data instead of manually-collected data improves the accuracy of outputs such as tree height, leaf area density, and—the key data point—biomass.
- It’s better for the environment. This approach also minimizes the negative impact data collection can have on the environment, since the drone flies above the vegetation, avoiding the need for people to walk through it on the ground.
So far, the UAV LiDAR approach to mapping vegetation and making biomass estimates has primarily been used in forests, focusing solely on the biomass of trees. But there are other important types of ecosystems that contribute to the planet’s carbon cycles, such as the tropical savanna found in Brazil, called the Cerrado.
The Cerrado is the second largest habitat in South America, and a crucial environment for the global carbon cycle. The team of scientists decided to test UAV LiDAR there for vegetation mapping and biomass calculation, presenting one of the first times the approach has ever been used to study a tropical savanna habitat.
Keep reading to learn how the team adapted its UAV LiDAR data collection methods for the unique environments found in the tropical savanna, and whether the approach was a success.
Why Mapping the Savanna Is So Important
Although rain forests are often the focus when we talk about carbon capture and climate change, tropical savannas make up 20% of the Earth’s surface and also play a key role in the carbon cycle.
In recent years, these savannas have lost a huge amount of vegetation due to human encroachment and increases in fires caused by climate change. In Brazil, for example, the Cerrado has lost almost half of its original vegetation over the last few decades alone, a loss that can primarily be attributed to the growth in agricultural production in the area.
Although previous studies have highlighted the benefits of using UAV LiDAR for estimating biomass in forests by focusing on trees, most of the biomass in tropical savannas comes from things like grass, dead leaves, and plant material on the ground, all of which can have a big impact on the amount of carbon stored in the ecosystem.
To inform policymakers in developing strategies for carbon markets, it’s important to understand how the environment naturally captures and stores carbon, and how much of this is happening in different types of environments across the planet.
This information is crucial for reducing carbon emissions—and that’s why mapping the vegetation biomass in the Cerrado was a point of focus for the team of scientists. If they could develop an approach that worked there it could potentially be applied to other tropical savannas, presenting a major step forward in humanity’s understanding of the global carbon cycle.
How Scientists Used UAV LiDAR to Map the Cerrado
Scientists had already established a method for mapping large areas of forests using UAV LiDAR. The approach involved collecting data in a sample area by drone, then using mathematical models to extrapolate the biomass for the entire environment. But the Cerrado presented a new environment, which meant new models would have to be developed.
The end goal for the team was to estimate and map the total aboveground biomass density (AGBt) of woody, shrubs, and surface vegetation found in the Brazilian savanna—an ambitious endeavor given that the Cerrado spans over two million square kilometers.
Here is the approach they planned to use:
- Identify types of vegetation for mapping. Three major types of vegetation were identified in the tropical savanna: forest, savanna, and grassland.
- Develop a framework. Given that this type of environment hadn’t been mapped with UAV LiDAR before, new frameworks were needed that would allow the scientists to choose the best UAV-LiDAR metrics for building AGBt models.
- Identify areas for data collection. Four locations in the Cerrado biome were selected for data collection, each of which had unique vegetation structures and was representative of different types of vegetation found there in terms of height, width, and species diversity.
- Take measurements. Using UAV LiDAR, scientists would collect measurements at each of the four locations.
- Process the data and make conclusions. After collecting the data, scientists planned to process it using the frameworks and models they had developed. They hoped to make findings regarding the vegetation biomass in the Cerrado, as well as evaluate the UAV LiDAR approach itself to see if it could be used to map other tropical savannas.
The four areas selected for data collection in the Cerrado biome
To ensure thorough data collection, scientists first established field plots of 30 meters by 30 meters, making sure to cover the entirety of each area with the plots.
Plot corners were registered using a Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS), and the aboveground biomass density of trees in each area was determined from measurements of all the individual trees within the plot with a diameter at breast height. Similar methods were used to measure shrubs and small trees.
Ground pictures and UAV LiDAR point clouds for three types of vegetation
While these measurements were taken on the ground, scientists also used the GatorEye UAV-LiDAR system to collect data from the air as well. The GatorEye system consists of a DJI Matrice 600 Pro UAV mounted with a Phoenix Scout Ultra core to integrate LiDar with an inertial motion unit, a differential GNSS system, and a Velodyne VLP-32c LiDAR sensor.
The GatorEye UAV-LiDAR System in the Cerrado
Scientists programmed the drone to perform its data collection flights autonomously. In total, the drone flew approximately 600 kilometers of flight lines covering 1,854 hectares. According to the scientists conducting the study, at the time and to the best of their knowledge this was the largest area of UAV-LiDAR ever used in a publication.
After collecting LiDAR data by drone the scientists excluded duplicative measurements, then selected five measurements that were important for understanding the vegetation. These five measurements included the height of the tallest trees, the extent of the tree canopy, and the shape of the vegetation.
By analyzing these measurements they were able to build models that accurately estimated the amount of above-ground biomass vegetation in the area. Using a combination of aerial imagery and advanced analysis techniques, scientists were able to map the biomass in the area and then use that data to estimate the amount of carbon stored in each of the four locations studied.
The uncertainty and errors of the researchers’ estimations were assessed for each vegetation formation separately, resulting in Root Mean Square Errors (RMSEs) of 27.08 Mg/ha (25.99%) for forests, 17.76 Mg/ha (43.96%) for savannas, and 7.72 Mg/ha (44.92%) for grasslands, making the grassland data the most uncertain of the three.
Here is depiction of the workflow the scientists followed to perform the AGBt mapping:
Results and Next Steps
The team of scientists found that the use of UAV LiDAR was successful in mapping the tropical savanna environment presented by the Cerrado of Brazil. This success makes the study a benchmark for future efforts to map vegetation biomass, which can help other scientists to generate consistent maps of aboveground biomass density (AGBt) using UAV LiDAR.
In addition to informing future studies, the data can also be used as a baseline for managing fires and climate change impacts in the Cerrado and in other tropical savannas.
Here are some specific findings from the study:
- Savannas and forests stored much more carbon than grasslands
- Savannas were the most common vegetation types in the study areas
- The uncertainty associated with carbon estimates was higher in grasslands than in savannas or forests
The fact that LiDAR-equipped drones can help expedite biomass data collection while also making it more accurate presents a promising new method for this important work to improve our understanding of the global carbon cycle and inform conservation efforts in general.
This study is just the first step toward better understanding tropical savannas using UAV LiDAR. Now that these baseline data have been collected, there is more work to be done.


Many years ago, the world thought of asbestos as a miracle fiber. It was tough and resilient, and it resisted both heat and fire. But then people learned it was also a carcinogen. After considerable delay, the government banned many of the mineral’s uses.
Now, while many countries around the world have completely banned all uses of asbestos, the United States has outlawed most but allowed several exceptions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlined these exceptions in its April 2019 Final Rule. But new evidence suggests these exceptions still expose workers to a heightened risk of cancer.
The ongoing risks of asbestos exposure
The EPA recently released a draft report on continued asbestos use. It explored the dangers the substance presents to those who work in the industries in which it’s still allowed. The results? The EPA found asbestos presented an “unreasonable risk” to those who work with:
- The chlor-alkali diaphragms used to create supplies of chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen
- Sheet gaskets
- Brake blocks
- Aftermarket automotive brakes and linings
- Other friction products used in vehicles
In short, the EPA found that workers in the industries still approved to use asbestos are at an increased risk of getting cancer. It also noted that even though workers may wear personal protective equipment while they perform some duties, few wear the gear for the entirety of their shifts.
As Chemical & Engineering News noted when they reported on the EPA’s findings, the study didn’t explore the dangers of “legacy uses” of asbestos, such as the old insulation and floor tiles still at use in older buildings. The EPA plans to investigate those uses in a later report.
A predictable response
The response from the American Chemistry Council (ACC) likely surprises no one. The ACC, which represents the chlor-alkali industry and others, argued that the EPA’s results play up the risks workers face. They claim the EPA based its findings on “invalid assumptions.”
The problem is that, for many, the studies on asbestos aren’t about valid or invalid assumptions. They’re about the deadly cancers that asbestos can cause. They’re about how people suffer and lose time with their friends and family. And the EPA’s latest report appears to confirm that most–if not all–remaining uses of asbestos continue to put people in harm’s way.


Organic cosmetics are becoming increasingly popular with consumers. Organic products are made from natural ingredients and do not contain chemical or synthetic ingredients that are harmful to the skin. Opinions on organic cosmetics are varied, but there are many people who find them beneficial to health and the environment. In this article, we will look at various opinions on organic cosmetics so that you can make an informed decision on their use.
Our Test of the Most Popular Organic Cosmetics
Beeswax cosmetics, propolis skin care and herbal cosmetics are among the most popular. Our organic cosmetics test is a great source for anyone looking to find natural and environmentally friendly products that work best for them. Organic beeswax-based cosmetics are great for moisturizing and protecting the skin, while propolis-based skin care products are known for their antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The products natural cosmetics Herbal products also offer a variety of options to moisturize, soften and protect the skin. These products typically contain active plant ingredients that work on the skin without harmful side effects.
Which Organic Cosmetics Make You Shine the Most?
Organic cosmetics are becoming increasingly popular and appreciated for their natural ingredients and skin benefits. Vegan makeup, ethical cosmetics, shea butter cosmetics... all these types of products can help you achieve a healthy, natural glow. Shea butter-based cosmetics offer intense hydration without weighing down the skin, while vegan makeup contains rich pigments that highlight natural eye and lip colors. In addition, ethical cosmetics are formulated without cruelty to animals and without substances harmful to human health. By choosing these environmentally friendly products, you can not only have a radiant complexion but also help save the world.
The Best Opinions on Organic Cosmetics
Organic cosmetics have become very popular in recent years and the best reviews of this type of product are very positive. Propolis-based skin care products are particularly popular for their ability to nourish and moisturize the skin. Coconut oil-based cosmetics are also very popular as they offer a wide range of benefits for the skin, including deep and long-lasting hydration. Finally, natural cosmetics for mature skin offer a variety of options specifically designed to meet the needs of older adults, and their beneficial effects on fine lines and wrinkles have been universally praised.
Discover Our Favorite Organic Cosmetic Products
The Organic cosmetics are a type of cosmetic product using natural ingredients and organic without chemicals. Plant-based cosmetics are very effective for sensitive skin and offer a variety of options for caring for your skin. Organic cosmetics do not contain harmful products, so they are perfect for those who want to eliminate harmful substances from their beauty routine. Check out our favorite organic cosmetics, such as moisturizing lotions, anti-aging creams, sunscreens and more, that improve the quality and texture of your skin. Indulge yourself with our gentle, natural formulas!
The Benefits of Organic Cosmetics: Our Opinion
Organic cosmetics have become increasingly popular in recent years as they offer a natural solution to skin and hair care. With their natural mineral-based ingredients, natural hair care and skin regenerating honey, organic cosmetics are a healthy and natural alternative for your daily routine. They contain nourishing ingredients that protect skin and hair from the sun's harmful rays, help reduce skin inflammation and provide your skin with a healthy, rejuvenated look. Organic products also contain antioxidants that help prevent premature aging. Finally, they do not contain chemicals (parabens, phthalates etc.) that can cause skin irritation. For all these reasons, organic cosmetics offer a healthy and sustainable option for natural face and body care.
What are the advantages of organic cosmetics?
Organic cosmetics allow consumers to care for their skin by making healthier choices. Shea butter-based products are rich in vitamins A, D and E and have moisturizing and nourishing properties. Honey-based skin care products contain antioxidants that help protect the skin from oxidative stress. Beeswax is used to maintain moisture, soothe the skin, regulate oil and repair damaged tissue. Cosmetics made with natural ingredients also offer additional benefits such as no irritants or allergens and greater skin tolerance. Not only do organic cosmetics promote healthier skin, but they are also good for the environment because they are made with ingredients that respect our planet.
Where to buy organic cosmetics ?
If you're looking for organic products for your skincare routine, you'll be happy to know that there are affordable and healthy options for caring for your skin. Organic cosmetics offer products made with aloe vera, honey and argan oil that can change the texture and tone of your skin. These natural ingredients are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help protect the skin from free radicals and provide complete nutrition. You'll find organic products for every skin type, from face washes to face masks, moisturizers to anti-aging lotions. You can find all of these products on specialized websites or at a local retailer that carries these eco-responsible cosmetics.
What is the difference between organic and conventional beauty products?
Organic beauty products have a big difference compared to conventional products. Organic cosmetics are safe for your health and respect the environment. They are made from natural ingredients such as essential oils, plant extracts and vegetable oils. In addition, organic cosmetics contain fewer harmful chemical ingredients such as synthetic dyes, chemical preservatives, etc. Natural cosmetics can help nourish, protect and moisturize the skin while preventing and repairing damage caused by external or internal factors. For acne-prone skin, there are natural cosmetics specifically designed to help reduce the appearance of skin blemishes. Similarly, for oily skin, there are skin care products made with green tea that help absorb excess oil and keep skin clear and bright.
What are the recommended organic cosmetic brands?
Natural and organic cosmetics are a great option for those looking for products that are free of harmful chemicals. Eco-friendly makeup is also very popular because it does not contain harmful ingredients and is very gentle on the skin. Shea butter-based cosmetics, such as cocoa butter or mango butter, are especially recommended because they contain nutritious vitamins and minerals that nourish the skin while providing intense hydration. Whether for face, hair or body care, there are several well-known brands that offer natural organic cosmetics, each with their own specific benefits. These include Pai Skincare, Organic Pharmacy and Madara Cosmetics for those who want to enjoy the benefits of eco-friendly makeup.
What is the best way to use organic cosmetics?
Organic cosmetics offer a full range of natural solutions to care for your skin. Natural cosmetics for oily skin are a great way to get great results. Essential oil-based skin care products contain active ingredients that can help regulate excessive oil production and deeply moisturize the skin. In addition, herbal cosmetics are rich in antioxidants that help fight free radicals and other toxins that damage the appearance and texture of the skin. In addition, this method is environmentally friendly and does not carry the risks inherent in chemicals.
Organic cosmetics are a great option for those who want to avoid harmful chemicals and prevent allergic reactions. They can also be beneficial to the environment, as they contain fewer chemical ingredients and are more environmentally friendly. Organic products have many advantages over conventional products: better quality, more natural and safer, less risk to health and the environment. Although they are generally more expensive than non-organic products, their quality and composition make them a good long-term investment.


You must not mix separately collected paper, plastic, metal or glass with other material with different properties. You must do this if it is necessary to help prepare waste for re-use, recycling or other recovery operations.
Why do I have to separate my recycling?
3) Separating the material allows us to identify contamination easier and earlier. If we are able to remove an item from the bin earlier, this can lead to lower costs. 4) The problem isn’t what truck the materials are dumped into but how you as the resident put your recyclable material into the bin.
Do cans and bottles need to be separated?
Glass needs to be sorted from plastic bottles, cartons and cans which can be kept together. You may find it helpful to separate glass before your visit.
What recyclables go together?
“Commingled” Recycling at Home
Most recyclable items are simply put in one larger container, without sorting. The sorting is done by the recyclers. Tin, aluminum, plastic and all kinds of paper, including newspapers, cardboard and junk mail, can be tossed together in the blue cart.
Should I crush my cans before recycling?
Long-time recyclers have always been told to crush their aluminum cans. … For those of you can recyclers who are part of a multiple-stream recycling program (sorting your cans in separate bins), feel free to crush away. But if all your recycling is tossed into one bin, keep your cans intact.
Can I crush my beer cans for return?
Rinse Your Containers
Cleaning your beverage containers means less odor and germs. Leave tabs, labels and lids on plastic containers. While it is okay to squish plastic milk jugs, please don’t crush cans or bottles, they need to remain as is.
Can crushed cans be redeemed?
Can I crush my cans and bottles? No. Please don’t crush your containers. They must be readily identifiable as an eligible container to receive a refund.
Do cans actually get recycled?
And while many Americans dutifully put items into their recycling bins, much of it does not actually end up being recycled. …
How is plastic separated for recycling?
Infrared laser beams shine on the plastic items, and a sensor detects the signatures of different grades of plastic. Strategic puffs of air separate the recyclable and nonrecyclable kinds into different bins.
Why should plastic be separated into different types before it can be recycled?
In fact, different plastic polymers have different characteristics and mixing them together would alter those characteristics. So, when recycling plastic, different polymers should be separated. This way, the outcome of each recycling process is a single type of plastic polymer, rather than a mixture of polymers.
How do you separate papers for recycling?
The first step to recycle paper is to separate it by grade. It is then baled and shipped to a mill, where the paper is cleaned to remove ink, adhesives and non-paper products (like plastic windows in envelopes or staples). The resulting pulp is dried and rolled, then sent off to make new paper products.
Do you recycle cans with plastic?
Recycled beverage containers, like aluminum cans or plastic and glass bottles, can be recycled in curbside recycling bins or redeemed for California Refund Value (CRV) at a local buyback center. Learn more about the CRV program, or find nearby recycling centers. … Find a recycling location. www.erecycle.org/.


'Did It Work?': GMP's Energy-Generating Community Biodigester In St. Albans Town
In fall 2015, Green Mountain Power announced its plan to build a biodigester facility in St. Albans Town. It was supposed to take in manure from three area farms, as well as food waste from the region, and convert it into energy. It was also going to help reduce manure runoff into Lake Champlain. So what happened?
VPR's Did It Work? series looks at a sampling of publicly-funded initiatives in Vermont of the past several years. More from the series here.
First of all, you may be wondering: "Wait, what even is a biodigester?"
A biodigester generation facility takes organic waste and transforms it into a source of energy. It does this through the process of anaerobic digestion — which, put simply, is when bacteria consume organic matter and emit biogases like methane, which can then be converted into usable energy.
Although Green Mountain Power had been involved with digesters for years through their Cow Power program, this one they announced in 2015 would have been the first fully owned and operated by the utility. In fact, the company hoped this would be the first of five community digesters.
The project was going to cost $8 million to put together. According to GMP's statements at the time, the digester was going to "generate enough renewable electricity to power about 700 homes a year" and "reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking over 1,000 cars off the Vermont roads a year."
GMP said the digester was also going to decrease the amount of phosphorus pollution in the St. Albans Bay by nearly one-third, which is why then-selectboard member David McWilliams voted in favor of the project.
"I did vote for it because of removing the phosphorus. ... If you go down to the bay, during the summer we've had blue-green algae. That's caused by runoff from farms," McWilliams said.
If everything went according to plan, construction was going to begin in summer 2016.
In May 2016, Green Mountain Power filed a letter with the Public Service Board (which today is known as the Public Utility Commission) to suspend the project so they could "make certain design changes in response to concerns raised in the proceedings."
Some locals were pleased — like Tim Camisa, president of St. Albans-based Vermont Organics Reclamation.
"It was about being sexy to say we're affecting water quality ... when in fact, that was greenwashing," Camisa said to VPR recently.
When GMP started the process to build the digester back in late 2015, Camisa was one of several community members who spoke out in opposition to the project. He was worried about how the digester's biogas emissions might impact air quality, and the potential for spills into nearby Jewett Brook.
Camisa was also concerned about the Abenaki artifacts that were discovered on the proposed digester site. In the initial phases of the project, however, a team from the Northeast Archaeological Research Center took care of that.
As Gemma Hudgell, the assistant director of archaeology at the center, told VPR: "We completed everything that would be required to make sure the project didn't have any impact."
Nevertheless, Camisa hired an attorney and met with Green Mountain Power CEO Mary Powell in the early days of the project to discuss his concerns. Powell said she recalls this meeting, but that talking with Camisa did not deter the project.
"We then provided data and information that showed that the [Camisa's] concerns were actually all dealt with and were not ultimately a concern at all," Powell said. "I think it made us stronger."
So then, why did the St. Albans digester project falter? It comes down to two main reasons:
- Local pushback, and
- Bureaucratic quagmire
According to Powell, the project met opposition from existing fertilizer dealers in the area, since the digester's byproducts would have been a new source of fertilizer.
She also said working with multiple state agencies — like the Department of Public Service, the Agency of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture — is slow and challenging. As Powell put it: "Good things take time."
Plus, there were supposed to be three farms that would have supplied manure to the digester — but one of them dropped out.
Then there were those like Camisa, who resisted the project because of concerns about its design and location. Specifically, they wanted more assurance from GMP that the digester was not going to be a source of air pollution, that precautions would be taken to prevent spills, and that it truly would fulfill the promise of phosphorus reduction in the lake.
They asked GMP to address those concerns, and when GMP filed with the Public Service Board to suspend the project, it was so they could "make certain design changes in response to concerns raised in the proceedings."
The utility has not moved on from that point.
Did It Work?
Nearly five years after the initial announcement, there is no digester in Saint Albans. The cornfield on Dunsmore Road where the digester was going to be is still just that: a cornfield.
The original project as it was proposed has not happened, and it doesn't seem like it's going to. That's even after GMP put $2.2 million into the initial phases, most of which — $1.8 million — will be passed onto ratepayers.
In an email to VPR on Aug. 21, the utility said the project "could not go forward as originally proposed in St. Albans, even after various revisions to make it work."
Although the digester in St. Albans has not happened, Green Mountain Power CEO Mary Powell said something similar is definitely possible in the future.
"Whether or not it will be in the St. Albans basin part of Vermont ... or another part of Vermont where there’s also significant challenges, is yet to be decided," Powell said. "But yes."
In fact, there's a digester that will be built soon in Salisbury — by Vanguard Renewables, not GMP — which will take in food waste and manure, and generate natural gas.
Did It Work? GIF Verdict
GMP's Energy-Generating Community Biodigester In St. Albans Town ... [drumroll] ...
While we hear a lot about new initiatives or funding when first announced, it's not always as easy to figure out whether they lived up to their promises down the line — and if they were a good use of public money. In VPR's Did It Work? series, we're following up at a sampling of publicly-funded initiatives in Vermont of the past several years. More from the series here.


It is easy to spend a week at our region if you use our Toucan Birding EcoLodge & Wildlife Reserve as a home base either if you come individually or as part of a goup. We are quite centrally located in the Pacific Region partly because we are at lower mid elevation from where within less than half an hour you can be down at the seaside either at lowland forests or at a mangroves. Or it is the same travelling time to upper-middle elevation habitats and within about 2 hours or a bit more we can be at tropical cloudforests or paramo and other high elevation habitats. We usually suggest to spend one day in our garden and forest around and then next day discover a bit further area with a drive out. Then again a day in the lush environs of the lodge followed by another outing with a different altitude.
You can find more pictures at the GALLERIES main menu.
Phone: Call May-October; Text all year
+36 30-645-9318 or +36 30-211-0006
Call Nov-April: +506 84961012 or 84961417
ecotoursgabororban @ gmail.com
toucanbirdingecolodge @ gmail.com
Our first priority is to save habitats & species.
Secondly we would like to share our knowledge of wildlife and encourage you to participate directly or indirectly in protecting nature.
We are also working continuously on our carbon balance with developing our 23 hectares of wildlife reserve.


Unusually, fish-rain occurred Last Month late at night in Dire Dawa City Eastern part of Ethiopia for a few minutes both in rural and urban areas.
According to Dire Dawa Agriculture, Water, Mining and Energy Bureau Public Relations Officer Hadera Yesuf the fish rain happened in Dechatu and Finfinne or 05 and 06 kebeles of urban areas as well as Eyawale Woreda, Adada kebele in rural Dire Dawa.
People in these areas were stunned by the occurrence to the extent of referring it a blessing from Almighty God, she said.
Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute Livestock Director Dr. Getenet Assefa on his part said that this phenomena occurs due to cyclone. In meteorology, a cyclone is an area of closed, circular fluid motion rotating in the same direction as the Earth.
This is usually characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. If it is high cyclone, it can pic fish with the help of air and come again down not far from the sea.
“But I do not think it sprung from the Red Sea. It could not happen due to simple cyclone for it does not have the capacity to jack up fish.”
The Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Public Relations Coordinator Abraham Tesfaye said: “We have information but we dispatched a team of professionals to examine the causes and consequences of the occurrence as it is the first of its kind in the country.”
Haromaya University Metrology Department Head Efrem Mamo also said the circumstances are not uncommon in areas where ocean currents and winds are heavier than usual.
Citing scholarly researches, he also said that at times frogs and toads roam the countryside in large numbers, and that violent winds could pick them up and carry them for a long distance. Nonetheless, there have been many unproven circumstances that have occurred in fair weather conditions and in the absence of strong winds or waterspouts like the situation in Dire Dawa.
Tornadic waterspouts analysis is a much agreed scientific explanation: saying tornadic waterspout transports animals to relatively high altitudes, carrying them over large distances.
This proposition appears to be supported by many and the type of animals carried in such rains are usually small and light, (most of the time aquatic).
Such kind of rain is often preceded by a storm. Though, the theory does not account for how all the animals involved in each individual incident would be from only one species, and not a group of similarly-sized animals from a single area.
By Girmachew Gashaw


This beautiful little Fincube is a high-tech, low energy, small footprint residence that offers fantastic views of Italy’s Dolomite Mountains. Built on a pedestal, the one-bedroom residence sits off the ground, providing better views and ventilation while minimizing its footprint on the ground. Studio Aisslinger and hotelier Josef Innerhof originally designed this one-bedroom residence as an option for eco tourism that would have a small impact on the natural landscape, but still let visitors experience beautiful sites.
The Fincube is oriented in a helical pattern, so when visitors enter up through the pedestal, they travel in a circle through the kitchen, living area, then the bedroom and finally the bathroom. Triple-glazed windows cover the entire facade of the home, offering 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape, and an exterior shade screen with walkway cages in the house. The shade screen provides shading and ventilation for the house without impinging on the stunning views. Additionally, the home is a smart house and all vital house-functions are controlled by a central touchpad and a solar system can easily be added to the roof.
The home offers just a single level of living space, but it’s raised 3 meters off the ground with a supporting structure made from locally-sourced larch. The footprint of the structure is only 2 sq meters (10.7 sq ft), but the kitchen, living space, bedroom and bathroom amount to 47 sq meters (506 sq ft) of living space. Local suppliers and craftsman were utilized to build this home, which can also be easily dismantled and moved to a new site if required. With only a small area of the home touching the ground, there is less damage to the earth and the ground could quickly recover when the residence is moved.


Linear high bay LED lights are a great solution for lighting commercial and industrial spaces with ceilings more than 20 feet tall. They have many advantages over fluorescent or metal halide high bays, including lower energy consumption and a longer lifespan.
They are a great fit for warehouses, manufacturing facilities, big-box retail stores and gymnasiums. They also qualify for utility rebates and are DLC Premium rated.
Linear high bay led lights are a cost-effective solution for illuminating warehouses and other commercial spaces with high ceilings. They are available in a range of lumen outputs and wattages to suit the needs of each application.
Because they use less energy than traditional fluorescent and metal halide light fixtures, they can significantly cut your lighting costs over the long run. Additionally, they don’t produce as much heat and don’t contain toxic mercury, making them a safer choice for warehouses and other commercial spaces.
LED high bays also last much longer than their HID or fluorescent counterparts, which means maintenance staff don’t have to worry about changing them as often. This helps reduce downtime and keeps your facility running smoothly.
Linear high bay led lights are highly energy efficient, which can help lower electric bills. They also produce little heat, which reduces the need for air conditioning.
For warehouses, factories, and other commercial spaces, LED linear high bay lighting is a cost-effective solution to provide ample illumination. It can also enhance flexibility and improve safety.
Gymnasiums, for instance, need bright and uniform illumination to ensure that athletes can easily see their surroundings. These fixtures can be used to achieve this goal, while also saving energy and reducing maintenance costs.
As a one-for-one replacement for fluorescent lighting, these linear high bays have been proven to dramatically cut operating expenses. Especially when combined with smart sensors that control lighting levels and turn on the lights when necessary, facilities can save up to 80% on their electric bills.
A linear high bay LED light is a highly durable fixture that can provide plenty of light in warehouses, gymnasiums and certain retail stores. These fixtures can be used to replace fluorescent and incandescent lighting.
They offer a long lifespan of up to 10 years. This makes them more affordable and environmentally friendly than traditional lighting options.
In addition, these lights are incredibly energy efficient. They can save a business up to 80% on energy costs.
They also reduce glare and improve eye health. This can lead to better productivity and a happier work environment.
Linear high bay led lights offer a low maintenance alternative to metal halide and fluorescent fixtures. They are much less expensive to operate and require a shorter warm-up period than their predecessors, so you can save on your energy bills while also helping the environment.
They come in different wattages, so you can find a fixture that is right for your application. They also come with various controls, including occupancy sensors and emergency backups.
These lights are ideal for warehouses and other industrial spaces because they provide a consistent and bright light that reduces eye fatigue and helps workers focus on their work. They also offer a higher color temperature than traditional high bay lights.
They offer a long lifespan, so you can expect them to last for up to 50,000 hours. In addition to their long life, they are also incredibly durable and are resistant to breakage. They are also more efficient than their fluorescent and metal halide counterparts.


Depart for Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary in the Upper West Region of Ghana.
The Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, a community protected area is located at the extreme north-western corner of the Upper West Region of Ghana. it consists of a 40-kilometres stretch down the length of the Black Volta River which forms the region’s western boundary with Burkina Faso. It is home to hippos, hedgehogs and many different types of lizards and reptiles. The sanctuary is an excellent place to see birds with over 200 species identified and new sights seen regularly. The sanctuary contains much more than just hippos. We are an excellent spot for bird watching, including woodland savannah, riverine and forest shore bird species. Trek through the many hiking trails, searching for monitor lizards, bats, hedgehogs, pythons, and even chameleons. This relatively undisturbed Lobi area has distinct architectural designs, interesting marriage systems and funeral rites. Spend the night in our Hippo Hide Tree House and experience one of the best dawn choruses (bird song) in all of Africa.
Enjoy packed lunch from the hotel (extra cost)
For the most culturally oriented immerse yourselves in a cultural tour Lobi household tour.
This offers you opportunity to visit Lobi compounds and learn about traditional practices and ways of life. Drink some Pito, the locally brewed alcoholic beverage with the headmen and hear stories or listen to xylophone music. Learn Lobi traditional belief system and Marriage processes
The best time to see hippos is in the dry seasons, usually November through June. June hrough August is a good time to see birds in all their colourful breeding plumage.
To get most out of your visit and experience all that the sanctuary has to offer, we recommend that your plans involve spending the night at one of our lodges. Morning and Evening River Cruises tend to give the best view of the hippos, birds and other wildlife. Afternoon can be spent trekking the trails, visiting local homes, and even relaxing in our Hippo Hide. It is high in the trees and an excellent spot for bird watching. Come, see and experience the wealth of wonders and activities Wechiau has to offer.
1500Hrs: Board your bus/vehicle and continue on a scenic drive through rustic villages dotted sparsely in the Sahelian landscape back to Mole
Overnight: 4* Eco Lodge in Mole National Park


Welcome to Heirloom Gardening, Muskoka's newly created Blog!
Heirloom is an end-to-end gardening service, dedicated to creating, enhancing, & maintaining the most beautiful gardens in Muskoka, Ontario. We believe the tradition of local, professional, & affordable garden & container care is worth preserving.
Recently awarded Bee Friendly Gardening Certification by Partners for Sustainable Pollination, our company boasts a tradition of zero Pesticide/Herbicide usage, making us not only YOU friendly, but also safe and inviting for Bee, Bird, Butterfly populations - so vital to the health of our environment!
We strongly encourage planting flowers, shrubs, & trees that are native to our area, because Mother Nature knows best! What better way to ensure the long life of your garden than by filling it with only the tried and truly hardy?
As we move forward through the upcoming 2012 growing season, we hope to see you here often, checking out our latest posts and pictures, all designed to assist you in creating enticing, peaceful, & healthy garden spaces.


Incident command for the Gate 13 Fire is scheduled to downsize from an integrated team of Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs personnel to Camp Navajo Fire Department tomorrow morning.
This decision comes with reports of 75 percent containment of the fire and a weather forecast favorable to fire suppression for the rest of the week.
Reduced winds and increased precipitation have improved firefighting conditions for those combating the Gate 13 Fire at Camp Navajo today.
This comes after a series of effective controlled burns yesterday that laid the ground work for successful containment of the burn area.
Another controlled burn is scheduled for today in the northwestern area of the fire pending weather conditions. This burn is designed to mitigate future fires if weather conditions remain dry this winter.
Fire crews will begin burning an additional 500 acres of hand piles scattered across the southern half of the Williams Ranger District beginning Monday of this week.
Inclement weather bringing moisture has presented favorable conditions to continue reducing fuel loads at various locations that include Coleman Lake, Sevier Flat, and Jackass Flat. Conditions will be evaluated daily before burns are implemented to ensure desirable effects and management objectives are being met. Fire managers will conduct operations incrementally at different locations throughout the week.


Welcome to our Half Acre Eden*. This short essay was written in preparation for our first Gratitude Day open house in July 2010. It will give you some background about where we came from, and where we are going.
Bonnie & Margaret
The Back Story….
We found this house through a friend; it was not advertised. We saw it on a blustery March day and fell in love. Then I went back to the States. We bought the house and moved in mid-July, 2006. All we knew about the yard was that it was fenced and substantial with an ancient-seeming Yew and low-growing juniper presiding over the back quarter. The deed says =/- ½ acre.
I had lived rurally, high on a hill top for 25 years before coming here. This is where I raised my kids and developed Golden Yarrow Landscape Design & Garden Mentoring. During those years I worked with clients of all walks of life: some in the city, others in the country; some with complex yards, others with simple needs; some who loved gardening, others who didn’t. I developed an eclectic style of design to serve the specific people who called. The style of garden you find here reflects our personal tastes.
This is what we found…..
A beach….. My first response to gardening here at Wildwood Ave was elation: there were no significant rocks! There was no heavy clay. I could sink my garden fork into the soil and it didn’t bounce back. Ah, the joys of loose, sandy soil. A neighbour who knew our house and land since his grandparents’ time said that commercial strawberries had been grown here, proof of the soil’s fertility. Over time, I learned that there are challenges to ANY soil.
New foundation plantings hugged the east, south and west sides of the house. There was evidence of spring bulbs: tulips, certainly, and daffodils.
A small weeping birch sat in the middle of the flat, rectangular yard.
Two overgrown weed patches, one planted with sad looking tomatoes struggled along. Neighbours told of previous years’ largess in this tomato patch. The soil had been tilled. It was fertile.
Behind the backyard cottage we found a huge area of *goutweed* (a.k.a. Bishop’s Weed or Aegopodium podagraria), a highly invasive plant sold as a ground cover. It reproduces by seed AND underground runners. There were/are also intransigent stands of hackberry, Manitoba maple, choke cherry, mulberry, and buckthorn.
Irregularly-shaped native stone, primarily rounded and of all sizes surrounded some of the existing beds. We also found pavers, medium-sized granite blocks, and old bricks. We collected them and attempted an inventory.
We share a love of gardening, but have different styles.
We have little money for this project and a desire for beauty, diversity, and food crops.
We have more time than capital, within the limits of our comings and goings.
This is what we did…..
As soon as we owned the house, we made nursery beds for the plants we were moving. We used the easiest possible technique: creating cardboard & compost beds. We had cardboard from moving. A friend connected us with our first compost delivery. The delivery truck sinking to its hubcaps in the middle of the yard was a harbinger of coming challenges.
With the nursery beds made, the plants found new, if temporary homes. Some of these homes were not as temporary as we had hoped. Some of the overcrowding, especially around the hot tub, is a result of our pace in expanding the original nursery beds.
That first week I also cleared out a former vegetable garden (a 12 foot square in front of the backyard cottage), making it into a heart-shaped raised bed with smaller beds surrounding it, an off-season valentine to welcome Margaret to our new home. Then I left for the States.
Margaret began “sheet mulching” (layering cardboard and mulch) the areas of goutweed under the juniper and behind the backyard cottage. This project has taken four full growing seasons. In the process, she has created a garden bed with the deepest, most rich soil on the property. She also works the fence lines, removing weed trees, including small Chinese Elms (much to our chagrin, the large ones remain!), hackberry, and buckthorn. As she takes out or cuts off each stem, she paints the cut edge with plain white vinegar as a deterrent to future growth.
We removed the weeping birch.
As I have come and gone and finally stayed, we continue clearing and expanding beds, and creating new ones.
This is what worked…..
Each garden bed works well. We grow a significant portion of our summer vegetables and have lots of beans, berries, winter squashes, potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables to store for winter. We eat salad greens from April through November. Our garlic carries us throughout the year from fresh thinnings to scapes, to braids for the winter.
Margaret added raspberries in 2007 and we began picking in 2008. The fruit trees and seedless purple grapes came in 2009. We expect our first peaches and pears this fall. The wild black caps were here when we arrived and we gorge ourselves yearly while promising to remove this patch or that. We’ll see!
Garden season 2010 saw the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream, asparagus! The hitch with asparagus is setting aside substantial, sunny, perennial space. Margaret realised that we could plant asparagus individually, as a contrasting texture in the ornamental and mixed beds. Now they are tiny. Soon they will be a delicious feathery presence among the flowers
We continue working on privacy. Clearing the fence-lines to eliminate, or control invasive species and weed trees, has been a double edged sword. The fences are a blessing both to us…..and our dog(s). However, as we clear away the invasive species, we have exposed the fences to view. Along the Springbank Drive side of the yard, we have begun adding understory trees and a shrub border. This on-going project adds the challenge that we are shading in our southern exposure, cutting down on sunny growing spaces. The new island bed in the centre of the yard adds new southern exposure.
We planted a fall blooming clematis against the hot tub surround. It thrived. When that it got in the way I began training it over the deck railing. It forms a very dense screen getting in the way of seeing the gardens. Come fall, I will attempt to move it to the back fence line where it can grow to its heart’s content.
In the fall of 2009 we hired someone to remove three Norway Maples on the western fence line and several trees at the far back, eliminating future weeding and opening up to afternoon sun.
I have been working with the rock, beginning with rebuilding the retaining wall for the small bed to the north of the gate where you entered. The unsightly drainage pipe in that bed became a dry stream bed that funnels into an iron birdbath. This project began with several substantial rocks already in place that serve as a foundation.
I started a low retaining wall for the front bed. This is quite a challenge. I am familiar with working with shale that splits pretty much along a grain. Balancing rounded rocks has been frustrating. But the beauty of natural rock is inspiring and I persevere. Warning: don’t sit on the wall in front of the house! It isn’t (yet) sturdy.
We seeded part of the front gravelled-drive with grass to make a softer, but drivable entrance to the gardens. We are unclear how far this project will go.
We give ourselves the gift of Beauty, a value that offers a sense of peace and spaciousness that allows us to live into our potential. Beauty encourages creativity and connection with the cycles of life, aligning us with the natural world.
How has it gone…..
Our first compost was Triple Mix. Coming from a farming area, I was used to richer compost and sought out farmers. With the second farmer we hit the jackpot. In spring 2009 we received 10 yards of composted cow manure rich with red wriggler worms. We got 5 more yards last week. I use compost enrich beds that are already planted and to create new beds.
The tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, all heavy feeders, think they are in heaven. The broccoli wishes the soil was a bit leaner. The flowers, trees and shrubs are uniformly happy.
The unplanted areas, notably the expanded original nursery beds on the south side of the deck, baked and shrank in the sun. Had we created these beds earlier in the season and gotten them planted, we might have avoided this situation. As the cardboard and sod underneath breaks down, it is becoming useable.
Removing the Norway Maples opened up the western side of the yard. One unforeseen impact is that the backyard cottage is hotter than anticipated. We rescued a tiny corkscrew hazel and planted it to hold the space where we expect to move a magnolia from Margaret’s former home.
I experimented with a colony of native bunchberry (Cornus Canadensis) in front of the house. Using our standard technique of layering the area with card board covered with four inches of compost, I planted the bunchberry in late spring 2009.
All seemed well, for a while. In the heat of summer, it faded quickly. Margaret rescue-watered. About one third of the original planting survived. We re-composted and re-planted. About a quarter survived. About 1/3 of those plants came through last winter.
Working on the bed, I discovered the reason for the failure. The area is riddled with a tight mat of grass roots. We think this is from the sod laid by the city when the road was re-paved in 2008. This is only the second time in nearly 30 years of using the sheet mulching technique that it failed.
Meanwhile, impatiens grows in the space while we decide our next steps.
The vegetable garden behind the studio occupies the area formerly filled with goutweed that had been sheet mulched. It is also the area where we had several weed trees removed. In 2008 we planted tomatoes, and in 2009 winter squash, in piles of compost on top of the mulch. They did great. This year Margaret dug up the area, finding deep rich soil and relatively little goutweed. We thought we were winning! We planted tomatoes, basil, potatoes, beans, and leeks. We lost five tomatoes, perhaps to jugalens from black walnut roots. The rest of this garden seems fine. The question remains, it this area sunny enough to support vegetables?
In the country I lived with many types of wild life: bear, deer, foxes, rabbits, porcupines, racoons, skunks, and more. But the city four-legged have expanded our need for creative protection. The chicken wire cages are our attempt to foil the rabbits, chipmunks, and squirrels.
.Still to come…..
The island bed in the middle of the back yard will extend to fill most of that space, significantly cutting down on mowing.
The south and west fence lines will fill in using primarily low-growing (5 or 8 ft.) understory trees and shrubs to create a background for the yard.
A strawberry patch will be added.
We will continue working towards eliminating invasive species: buckthorn, hackberry, garlic mustard, goutweed, nightshade, etc. And further develop the shade garden along the north fence line. This may become a sitting area.
Margaret’s magnolia will move to the western fence line, filling in the area left by the Norway Maples, recreating shade for the backyard cottage.
An arbour of white grapes is proposed over the deck for shaded afternoon sitting space.
In front of the house: we hope to finish the retaining wall along the road, and decide what will live in the front bed. We will add native understory trees to the front island. We will create a bed along the east boundary held in place with a third rock wall. We want to take out the Chinese Elms but it is currently cost prohibitive.
* Inspiration for our name comes from Gene Lodgson’s, Two Acre Eden, Rodale Press. 1971 & 1980.


What Is a Feed-in Tariff?
A feed-in tariff (FIT) is a policy mechanism that accelerates investment in renewable energy technologies.
A FIT provides a long-term contract between an energy generator and the utility company.
The terms of the contract define a set price that the utility will pay for energy generated by the renewable resource over some time, typically 20 years.
In some cases, the contract may also include an annual escalator to account for inflation.
How Does It Work?
A FIT allows renewable energy generators to sell electricity to the grid at a higher price than the prevailing market rate.
The higher price provides a financial incentive for investments in renewable energy, and over time as the technology becomes more widespread, the price paid for renewable energy will decrease.
How Does a FIT Compare to Other Incentives?
A variety of policies encouraging the development of new renewable capacities are more commonly used in the United States.
These include rebates for purchasing renewable generation equipment, renewable portfolio standards (RPS), net metering, and tax incentives (production- or investment-based).
The federal wind production tax credit is one example of the latter. Each of these policies has its strengths and weaknesses; it helps to consider them before implementation.
However, they provide a practical way to encourage the increased use of renewable energy sources.
How Can I Take Advantage of the Feed-in Tariff Program?
Generators can take advantage of the feed-in tariff program by signing a contract with their utility company. Utility companies must offer a FIT contract to any generator that meets the eligibility requirements.
Another way is to participate in a FIT program that a state or local government has established. This is done by installing renewable energy generation equipment and following the program guidelines.
The FIT in the United States generally includes solar photovoltaic technologies but may also have other renewable energy technologies such as geothermal or biomass.
In contrast, other countries' FITs, particularly the German and Danish programs where the policy was originally tested and developed, initially focused on supporting wind energy.
In U.S. states with a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), the FIT-eligible technologies generally overlap or coincide with RPS-eligible technologies. For example, the FIT set by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power applies to all technologies eligible for the California RPS.
Therefore, though there is some variation in eligible technologies from country to country and state to state, overall, the goal of FITs remains the same: to support the development of renewable energy sources and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Advantages of a Feed-in Tariff
FIT has a fair share of advantages:
Stimulates Investment in Renewable Energy
Long-term contracts provide predictability and stability for investors, which is essential for investments with a high up-front cost.
Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
FITs create an incentive for renewable energy generation, reducing power sector emissions.
The installation and maintenance of renewable energy generation equipment create jobs in the construction and manufacturing industries and the renewable energy sector.
Increases Energy Security
FITs help to diversify the energy mix and reduce dependence on imported fuels.
Disadvantages of a Feed-in Tariff
Below are some disadvantages of FIT:
High Up-Front Costs
FITs increase the cost of electricity for consumers in the short term as the higher prices paid for renewable energy are passed on to consumers.
Difficult to Design and Implement
FITs can be complex and challenging to design and implement. In particular, setting the right price for renewable energy can take time and effort.
Not Well-Suited for All Technologies
FITs may not be the best policy for promoting certain technologies, such as mature technologies with low costs or technologies that require little investment.
Can Lead To Cronyism and Corruption
FITs can create opportunities for corruption and cronyism if the selection of projects or technologies is not transparent.
The Bottom Line
A feed-in tariff (FIT) is a policy that requires utilities to purchase renewable energy from generators at a predetermined rate.
FITs can be an effective way to encourage investment in renewable energy and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, they also have some disadvantages, such as the high up-front costs.
FITs are complex policy tools, and their success depends on their design and implementation.
1. Is FIT the best policy for promoting renewable energy?
FITs are just one of many policy tools that can be used to promote renewable energy. Their effectiveness depends on their design and implementation.
2. What technologies are eligible for the FIT?
The technologies eligible for the FIT vary from country to country and state to state. Solar photovoltaic technologies are generally eligible, but other renewable energy technologies may also be included.
3. How does a FIT compare to other incentives?
FITs provide stability and predictability for investors, which is essential for investments with a high up-front cost. Other incentives, such as tax credits, may be more effective for mature technologies with low costs or technologies that require little investment.
4. What are the disadvantages of a FIT?
The disadvantages of a FIT include high up-front costs and difficulty setting the right price for renewable energy. In addition, FITs can create opportunities for corruption and cronyism if the selection of projects or technologies is not transparent.
5. How can I take advantage of the FIT program?
You can use the FIT program by installing eligible renewable energy technologies and selling the energy to your utility at a predetermined rate.


Today is the day to think about the planet. Some say that today is the largest secular holiday in the world.
Earth Day, celebrated every year on 22 April, is a day to reflect on the measures all of us can take to protect the environment and life on earth.
And this year's Earth Day is significantly more important because world leaders are gathering at the United Nations on Friday to sign the Paris climate deal and get the ball rolling on a quick entry into force to start beating back global warming.
The first Earth Day was celebrated as a national holiday in the United States in 1970. According to Earth Day Network, Gaylord Nelson — Earth Day founder and US Senator from Wisconsin — announced his idea for a "national teach-in on the environment" after witnessing the destruction caused by the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.
22 April was the day selected for the event because it fell between spring break and final exams in the US. Twenty-two million Americans took part in the first Earth Day.
The first global Earth Day was celebrated in 1990.
Around 220 million people in 141 countries participated in the event which gave a "huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide and helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro."
Today, the day is organised by the Earth Day Network, which is "the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 50,000 partners in 196 countries to build environmental democracy."
Since its launch, Earth Day has also been supported by celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Emma Watson, according to Mirror.
The day has its own flag and even has its own anthem, performed to the tune of Beethoven's Ode To Joy.
For this year's Earth Day, Google has created a special map to point out the location of several events taking place across the planet to celebrate the day.
Europe on Friday is also going to launch satellites to track environmental damage to Earth, reported AFP. Setting off on a Russian Soyuz rocket will be Sentinel-1B with its Earth surveillance radar, and Microscope, a French-built orbiter seeking to poke a hole in Einstein's theory of general relativity.
They will be hoisted from Europe's launch pad in Kourou, French Guiana, at 9 pm GMT (1.30 am IST on Saturday) on Friday.
But the most important event on this year's Earth Day will undoubtedly be the signing of the Paris climate deal.
French President Francois Hollande and Canada's Justin Trudeau will join US Secretary of State John Kerry for the ceremony attended by more than 165 governments, the largest ever one-day signing of an international agreement.
Held on Earth Day, the ceremony comes four months after the hard-won deal was clinched in Paris and marks the first step toward binding countries to the promises they made to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Oscar winner and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio will be on hand to praise leaders for signing, urge others to do the same and appeal to all to turn their commitments into action.
While the US, China and India — the world's top greenhouse gas emitters — will not be represented at their highest level, there will be some 60 heads of state and government on hand for the signing.
With inputs from AFP
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Updated Date: Apr 22, 2016 14:15:17 IST


RIDGECREST, Calif. (KABC) -- A 3.5-magnitude earthquake struck near the Ridgecrest area early Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS said the quake hit the region at approximately 3:13 a.m. and was 9.2 miles northeast from Ridgecrest.
The quake was also approximately 10 miles northeast of Trona.
There were no immediate reports of damage.
In July, the Ridgecrest area was hit hard by two powerful temblors. On July 4, a 6.4 earthquake rocked the area, and a 7.1-magnitude temblor hit the next day.
Since then, aftershocks have continued hitting the area.
Another temblor hit Southern California early Thursday morning, a 3.1 quake in Lytle Creek.


Because the use of scuba diving equipment has long been prohibited in the British Indian Ocean Territory, not much is known about the area’s dive sites. What little information we have is from scientific expeditions or dives completed by military members stationed on Diego Garcia. There is hope that the regulations concerning scuba diving in the Chagos Archipelago will soon change, but no firm plans have yet been made.
The area’s underwater environment is made up of shallow limestone reefs, more than 300 seamounts and pinnacles, and a massive deep sea trench. There are also rumors of aircraft and shipwrecks but none of these have yet been described. Most of the islands include a shallow shelf or lagoon that falls away into the blue. Of the sites described around Diego Garcia, most are approximately 100 feet (30 meters) at the maximum depth. Both boat and shore dives are possible from most locations.
Divers in the area can expect pristine conditions. Water temperatures are warm year-round and allow for diving without a wetsuit. December to February is considered wet season with west-northwesterly winds while June through September is dry season with south-easterly breezes. Winds are light throughout the year.
While not much is known about diving in the British Indian Ocean Territory, those who have had the chance to dive these spectacular waters often remark that these are the clearest and most diverse waters they have ever seen.
When to go
Rain and temperature
Click to expand
Click to expand
What to see
As the world’s second largest no-take marine protected area, the British Indian Ocean Territory is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The Chagos Archipelago is home to 220 species of coral including an endemic brain coral and staghorn coral. Of these species, 60 are endangered making the marine park an important benchmark in coral conservation.
In addition to the staggering amount of corals, there are at least 784 different fish species in the area. Because of its no-take policy, the marine park has also become an important conservation area for pelagic species such as manta rays, whale sharks, tuna and the endangered silky shark. A variety of other rays and sharks can also be seen.
Finally, the islands provide refuge for both hawksbill and green turtles as well as the world’s largest terrestrial arthropod, the coconut crab.
Given the opportunity to dive in the Chagos Marine Protected Area, you are likely to see more species per dive than you can remember.
For better readability of the table, pass into the landscape mode.
Most likely sightingsPossible sightings
The British Indian Ocean Territory is one of the most remote places on Earth. It is located mid way between Indonesia and Tanzania and the BIOT’s closest neighbor is The Maldives to its north. The Territory is comprised of seven atolls known as the Chagos Archipelago with more than 1,000 small islands. These islands are mostly coralline structures formed by underwater volcanos. The largest island, which is also the most southerly, is Diego Garcia and is used as an American military base.
The Chagos Archipelago was originally chartered by Vasco de Gama in the 1500s, but wasn’t colonized until the eighteenth century when the French claimed the archipelago as a part of Mauritius. The islands were settled by African slaves and Indian contractors who worked on the coconut plantations. In 1810, Mauritius became a colony of the United Kingdom and in 1965, the United Kingdom split Mauritius and the Seychelles to make the British Indian Ocean Territory. This strange decision was fueled by the creation of an American military base. The islands from the Seychelles were later returned to the jurisdiction of that country after it gained independence in 1976.
Today, the base at Diego Garcia still exists. In addition, the UK government recently formed the second largest marine park in the world around the Chagos Archipelago. The marine park is the size of France and is also encompassed by an Environment Preservation and Protection Zone (EPPZ) and a Fisheries Conservation and Management Zone (FCMZ). However, the marine park was not formed without controversy. Many believe the government used the creation of the park to prevent the return of the native Chagossians who were displaced by the formation of the military base.
Because of the islands’ remote nature, protected status and military usage, visiting the British Indian Ocean Territory is hard to do. But for those who persevere, an untouched paradise full of interesting marine life awaits.
There is no tourism infrastructure in the British Indian Ocean Territory because access is incredibly limited. As such, the only topside activities are limited to those invented by boaters who arrive by private vessel. They may have the opportunity to explore deserted beaches or do a little fishing for a fresh supper. While diving is prohibited in the marine protected area, snorkeling is not. The opportunity to explore this diverse underwater environment is a huge opportunity for any visitor to the area.
The British Indian Ocean Territory, or the Chagos Archipelago, is only accessibly by private vessel. Those sailing to the BIOT and mooring in one of the harbors, need to apply for a permit prior to visiting. Please note that there are no supplies for purchase in this area and therefore, visitors should bring everything necessary with them.


One of the greatest developments in human history was the harnessing of electricity, which now gives us light and warmth, heats our water, cooks our food and entertains us with television, radio and, more recently, e-books. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), Americans paid roughly $350 billion for electricity in 2009, the latest year for which data are available. That amounts to over $3,000 per family per year, partly in our electricity bills and partly in the electricity costs embedded in the goods and services we buy. The investment required over the next 20-30 years to expand and upgrade the power system will be measured not in billions but in trillions of dollars. Unfortunately, many of the critical investment decisions on our future power supply are being made in Washington by people who believe that the cost of power to the American people does not matter.
Wind turbines have been the darling of the green energy crowd for a number of years. Here on Cape Cod (where I am privileged to spend my summers) every town wants a wind turbine, naturally paid for by someone else. Hearts may swell with green price at the sight of these impressive towers, but do they really help our power supply?
Our public officials and the media tend to confuse power production with power capacity. Take, for example, a power plant with a capacity of 1 million kW. If the plant could operate 100%, it would generate 24 X 365 = 8,760 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity every year. No machine can run continuously without shutting down from time to time for maintenance. You can drive your car at 60 miles per hour, but you need to stop every once in a while for fuel and rest. Modern coal, nuclear and natural gas power plants can operate in excess of 90% of the time, so a 1 million kW power plant can generate close to 8,000 kWh per year. Not so with wind. According to the EIA, wind turbines in the US produce on average only about 2,400 kWh from each one million kilowatts of capacity. In other words, they operate effectively only 27% of the time.
By my calculations, a modern combined cycle natural gas power plant can generate electricity for about 5¢ per kWh, including 2¢ for the plant construction and operation and 3¢ for the fuel. The fuel for a wind turbine is, of course, free, but the plant cost is very high, since it sits idle most of the time. My estimate for wind is 15½¢ per kWh, more than three times as much as natural gas. (I’d be happy to share my calculations with any interested reader.) It’s just silly to call wind power “free”.
Perhaps even more importantly, we have no economically viable way of storing electricity. Electric power companies must have in place sufficient generating capacity to meet demand moment by moment. If you need power, and the wind isn’t blowing, tough luck.
So what does all this mean to consumers? Have a look at an excellent article by Robert Bryce in The National Review entitled “The Wind Energy Myth” which you can find at http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/274388/wind-energy-myth-robert-bryce). Bryce looks at the role that wind power has played in meeting the extraordinary power demand in Texas resulting from the extended heat wave they have endured this summer.
According to the EIA, Texas has about 110 million kilowatts (kW) of nameplate electric generating capacity, including about 10 million kW of wind, more than any other state. The rest of Texas’ capacity is mostly natural gas (75 million kW), coal (21 million kW) and nuclear (5 million kW). You might assume that the wind capacity would come in handy when Texans rev up their air conditioners to fight temperatures exceeding 100º F day after day. According to Mr. Bryce, you’d be wrong. Why? Because the wind doesn’t blow much on hot summer days. Wind power tends to come almost entirely at night, when temperatures are lower, businesses and factories are closed and people are asleep. What Texans need is power at the peak of demand in the late afternoon.
According to Mr. Bryce, on the afternoon of August 2, when high air conditioning demand put substantial pressure on the generating system, wind power supplied only 1½ million kW or 15% of its capacity. The chart in Mr. Bryce’s article shows an inverse correlation between when power is needed and when wind energy is available. In essence, wind power supplements, but does not replace other kinds of electricity. When the wind turbines are working during the night, the power company must shut down available natural gas or coal plants. The only cost savings is the fuel. Therefore, wind power at 15½¢ per kWh saves us only 3¢ per kWh in natural gas costs. If a coal plant is shut down, the savings are even less at about 1¢ per kWh.
Not only does wind power not come when we need it, it doesn’t come where we need it. In Texas, for example, most of the wind turbines are in West Texas, where land is cheap and farmers and ranchers are happy to have extra income. Most of the demand, however, is in the big cities of Eastern Texas: Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Corpus Christi. In addition to the $25 billion cost of the Texas wind turbines themselves, Mr. Bryce notes that another $8 billion has been spent on transmission lines to bring the power from west to east.
The bottom line is that all kilowatt-hours are not created equal. A gallon of gasoline is easy to produce, move around and store. Refineries do not have to worry about how many drivers will fill up their cars at 5:00 pm on a hot August afternoon. Kilowatt-hours, on the other hand, must be produced in the right place at the right time. Otherwise, they’re worth very little to consumers.
Like ethanol, wind power is simply a terrible idea. It’s expensive, and its utility is limited. Unfortunately, by the time we ultimately kill these useless programs, we will have spent an enormous amount of money. Good thing the federal government has plenty of cash to spend.


05_11_2015, Germán Orizaola, Amphibians and breeding phenology, a life history perspective
Amphibians and breeding phenology: a life history perspective Germán Orizaola Animal Ecology, Dept. Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Sweden. Time is often a critical ecological constraint determining whether animals survive and successfully reproduce. Organisms have evolved to synchronise the timing of key seasonal events (i.e. reproduction, migration, hibernation) with the environmental conditions that maximize their fitness. Seasonal environments are characterised by short time-windows with optimal conditions to breed and grow. However, the timing and length of these conditions are variable among seasons, and many organisms have recently experienced abrupt changes in their phenology ascribed to climate change. The capacity of organisms to track alterations in seasonality and adjust their life-history strategies to the changing environment is thus crucial for adapting to the current scenario of high climatic variability. In my research, I focus on the processes and mechanisms that allow organisms to cope with phenological variation, using amphibians as study models. In this seminar, I will talk about the plasticity of life-history strategies in larval amphibians in response to changes in breeding phenology, the interaction between life-history responses to breeding phenology and predation risk, as well as on the costs and potential activation mechanisms of alternative life-history strategies in amphibians.


Congratulations to the @IKEA "glue task force" and Kazlų Rūda operations team on taking bold steps to create healthier and lower carbon footprint products for our future! #climatepositive #sustainability #innovation #woodpanels #IKEA
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FED UP with the garbage and litter strewn all over the roads and drains after the weekly Saturday night market in Section 8, Bandar Mahkota Cheras, residents are urging the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) to act.
Many residents said they had been putting up with the nuisance of some traders and customers, many of whom were foreigners, littering everywhere.
Akhmal Bakar said it was time council workers did a better job to clean up the mess after the market closes at around midnight.
“I noticed that some of the workers were more interested in looking for recyclable items such as cardboard boxes than in doing a proper clean-up.
“Sometimes, these recycled items will be left overnight before it is collected the next day.
“Some of the traders also take the easy way out by throwing leftover boxes and other trash into the nearby bushes and drains,” said the office worker who has lived there for the past three years.
Another resident, Fern Koh, agreed, saying that such an inconsiderate attitude was unfair to the residents who had to bear the brunt of it.
“We are not against them doing business but they should be considerate of the residents who live here.
“I am sure they will be upset if we did the same thing in their housing area,” the housewife said.
Koh said the rubbish posed a health risk as pests such as crows, rats and stray animals would scavenge for food and could transmit and trigger an outbreak of disease.
Retiree John Lee said despite a signboard warning against illegal dumping, these litterbugs paid no heed.
He said the MPKj should take pro-active measures to stop the eyesore and potential health hazards.
“One option is to consider relocating the night market to another site without blocking the main access road into the housing estate.
“Big garbage bins can also be placed within the night market area to educate the people not to throw empty bottles, plastic and leftovers wherever they like,” he said, adding that with the current hot spell, a fire might break out and spread to the nearby Tenaga Nasional substation.
Sales executive Evelyn Teo also pointed out that the nearby public field was crowded with foreigners in the late afternoon.
“Some of them bring their children along and have picnics there. It is not wrong but some of them throw rubbish indiscriminately, adding to the problem,” she said.


Your water may contain a multitude of harmful contaminants, so it’s essential to research the various water filtration systems available on the market.
There are several harmful contaminants that can be found in water, including:
- Heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium.
- Pesticides and herbicides such as glyphosate.
- Industrial chemicals like PCBs and dioxins.
- Chlorine and chloramine, which are disinfectants used to treat water but can create harmful byproducts.
- Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause illness.
- Pharmaceuticals and personal care products that are not always effectively removed during wastewater treatment.
Other potential water contaminants include nitrates, arsenic, radon, and radioactive materials. It’s important to note that the specific contaminants present in your water can vary depending on your location and the source of your water supply. Regular testing and filtration can help ensure that your water is safe for consumption.
Making the switch to purer water is easier than you might think, and taking the time to explore your options can make all the difference. If you need assistance, we have several recommendations available to help you find the best solution for your needs.