Going Green: Facts & Myths

As we mark Earth Hour, we're reminded of our collective responsibility in caring for the planet. After all, if the environment founders, so do we.

There are many claims out there on how best to live an environmentally-friendly life. You'll be surprised how many of them are misunderstood, or just plain wrong. Some of them, of course, are true. Which is which?

1. Off is not OFF

Claim: Turning devices off is enough.

Fact: Not exactly. Perhaps especially relevant to Earth Hour, the truth is quite a few electrical appliances continue to draw power even after the switch is flipped to the 'off' position. This occurence is (very appropriately) termed 'vampire power'. To be really sure, unplug them from their sockets too.

How to be 24-hours tech-free?

People (you and me) nowadays are relying heavily on technologies.

Cellphones, smartphones, laptops, televisions, and so on.

Once awhile, why not try to be 24-hours tech-free?

Here's how:

1. AVOID TECHNOLOGY

World's greenest cities

Where Mother Nature would feel right at home.

What makes a city 'green'? It's definitely more than just bicycles lanes and eco-friendly buildings. It's also about green spaces, transportation policies and environmental policies, to name a few. 

1. The city with the green concrete jungle: Vancouver, Canada

The greenest concrete jungle boasts a huge family of carbon-neutral buildings. Structures abide by the 'Passive Design Toolkit', relying on natural air movements and sunlight heat, to lessen the need for artificial heating and air conditioners.

2. The city with the freshest air: Reykjavik, Iceland

As a nominee of the European Green Capital, a new Cycling Plan was implemented in 2010, stipulating that an additional 90km of cycling paths would be built in the next 10 years. The aim: to get more cars off the road.

3. The city with the smartest cars: Copenhagen, Denmark

A local company developed hybrid electric vehicles and the first public hydrogen fuelling station. As hydrogen is created with the use of water and wind turbines, that meant zero carbon emissions and the creation of an alternative source of renewable energy. In addition, a new environmental zone was introduced banning large trucks without particle filters from entering Copenhagen.

4. The city with the greenest land: Stockholm, Sweden

A majority of the population in Stockholm live within 300m of a green area, like a park. On top of that, passenger trains have zero carbon emission as it is fuelled by organic waste from cows!

5. The city with the greenest music: Oslo, Norway

Oslo is a recognized 'greeny' many times over, the recipient of several awards. Festivals like The Oslo Miljofestival and Oya festival keep awareness high and are themselves powered by a hydroelectric dam for energy, followed by responsible clean-ups after, like special sewage treatments and recycling programs.

this amazing article was By Rachel Lai, MSN Travel, 1/18/2011 (msn)

Seriously, our country should make these countries as examples, and put more effort into creating a green environment......at least no plastic day is a good start... 

:)

Bicycle lanes, eco-friendly buildings, hybrid electric vehicles, passengers train fueled by organic cow wastes, man....i wish to live in these cities!