Warnings Given 15 years ago

The climate can change naturally but Man has in no doubt accelerated and interfered with this natural occurance as the IPCC stated in their Fourth Assessment Report released in 2007. The cynics have to open their eyes as we all know deep down inside that something is fundamentally wrong yet we continue to be swayed by the negative few trying to influence the many, leading to confusion. We are running out of time debating climate change and who's caused what. It is time to act now whether small changes are made by the individual or larger changes by organisations - changes must be made. But one thing is absolute - the rainforests must be saved - act now!

This an excerpt from The Report by Ann Walker and White Arrow which was written in 1991 and sent to World Leaders in 1992.

"Europe and England
Presently, the overwhelming influences on Europe’s climate are the Atlantic Ocean, the cold land-mass of Asia and the warm air mass over the ocean with its warm Gulf stream. The Gulf stream is so effective in elevating temperatures that, mountains apart, where the Atlantic and Saharan influences coincide in southern Spain, winter temperatures presently can be as high as Florida – ten degrees of latitude or 700 miles farther south.
England will be an indication of the severity of upcoming changes that Europe will experience, during process. In the year 2012 there will be nationwide crop losses. The temperature, twenty years hence, in England will begin at 120F and constitute the start of the irreversible stage of temperature increase. Throughout England, at this time, there will be widespread flooding, together with a phenomenon of frequent large-scale fires that may be likened to the spontaneous fires which occur in Canada/North America after prolonged arid conditions."


Fifteen years ago, Ann Walker and White Arrow warned us what we should expect if the rainforests were not saved. The year 2012 has changed. Ann said in her book The Messenger The Messiah that due to continued deforestation and the shift in the Earth's axis, the process had been brought forward five years to 2007! We cannot be complacent. For the past 10 years, climate records have been broken whether its the wettest June, the hottest year, the warmest Winter - these are not one-off occurances. During June/July 2007, the UK has experienced severe thunderstorms and flooding which have hit all parts of England, Wales and Scotland. Homes have been flooded, transport networks have ground to a halt and crop losses have been reported. On 20th July, over one month's rain (100mm) fell in one day in Oxfordshire. The Met Office reports the severe storms that have lashed the UK have been caused by the jetstream that has moved to a lower latitude around the UK which had led to frequent low pressure areas, leaving us with lots of rain and storms - but no-one explains why these weather patterns have changed!

Ann's report has been verified by United Nations as being correct in its predictions - we must do something NOW! It is up to us to push for change - our politicians are not interested or they would have acted to prevent catastrophes happening to the very people that elect them!

How long before before you become a victim of climate change?
SAVE THE RAINFORESTS AND SO SAVE OURSELVES!

The term 'Global Warming' is a misconception - it is not only going to get warmer, our climate will also get colder, wetter and more unstable - this is 'Climate Change' !

Source: saveourearth.co.uk

5 Ways to Save the Earth

Going green is easier than you think. There are little things you can do every day to help reduce greenhouse gases and make a less harmful impact on the environment. Taking care of the Earth is not just a responsibility -- it's a privilege.

1. Pay attention to how you use water. The little things can make a big difference. Every time you turn off the water while you're brushing your teeth, you're doing something good. Got a leaky toilet? You might be wasting 200 gallons of water a day [Source: EPA]. Try drinking tap water instead of bottled water, so you aren't wasting all that packaging as well. Wash your clothes in cold water when you can.

2. Leave your car at home. If you can stay off the road just two days a week, you'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds per year [Source: EPA]. Combine your errands -- hit the post office, grocery store and shoe repair place in one trip. It will save you gas and time.

3. Walk or ride your bike to work, school and anywhere you can. You can reduce greenhouse gases while burning some calories and improving your health. If you can't walk or bike, use mass transit or carpool. Every car not on the road makes a difference.

If you must drink bottled water, recycle the bottle.

4. Recycle.You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in a different bin. If you're trying to choose between two products, pick the one with the least packaging. If an office building of 7,000 workers recycled all of its office paper waste for a year, it would be the equivalent of taking almost 400 cars off the road [Source: EPA].

5. Compost. Think about how much trash you make in a year. Reducing the amount of solid waste you produce in a year means taking up less space in landfills, so your tax dollars can work somewhere else. Plus, compost makes a great natural fertilizer. Composting is easier than you think.

Source : HowStuffWorks.com

A Successful Waste Separation Plan

Appendix I

A. Importance of Waste Separation

Waste separation at source can enhance the homogeneity of the waste recovered and minimise its level of contamination. Both the technical and economic hurdles for recycling can then be lowered and this increase the recycling viability.

The following figures illustrate the relative price of different kinds of well-sorted recyclables:

B. Some Tips to Increase the Value of Your Relatively Low-value Recyclables

Paper

Paper waste is divided mainly into 5 grades in the market: high grade paper such as white writing paper & computer printout, paper board & containers, corrugated containers, old newspaper and mixed paper, in decreasing order of market price. It is advisable to sort separately for the high grade paper if its quantity is substantial. For most recovery programmes, sorting for mixed paper is easily manageable. Stick to the following separation practice to ensure the waste paper recovered is recyclable :

Do Collect	Don't Collect
· Pure paper waste (e.g. office paper, letter, forms, envelopes [remove plastic window], newspaper and magazine [not on glossy paper], books & reports [remove plastic covers and plastic ring binders], etc.). [Note : paper clips, staples, rubber bands need not be removed] · Clean and dry paper waste.	· Composite materials (e.g. packaging with paper, plastics, aluminum foil and other materials, glossy paper, plastic coated paper, etc.). · Wax paper, adhesive paper, carbon paper, blue print & fax (thermal) paper. · Contaminated paper waste such as tissue and toilet paper, lunch boxes, paper cups.

Plastics

Plastic waste is divided by resin type (chemical form) and there are quite a number of resin types being used in the market. As the homogeneity of the feedstock waste is particularly important in plastic recycling, the plastic waste being recovered in Hong Kong is mainly industrial scrap which is relatively homogeneous, dry, clean and stable in supply. Recovery of domestic (post-consumer) plastic waste has a very limited market because of its heterogeneous and contaminated characteristics. The major forms of domestic plastic waste in the market include PET bottles (mostly mineral water and soft drink bottles), film canisters and large plastic containers such as baskets. It is advisable for you to secure an outlet before deciding on the form of plastic waste to be recovered in your programme.

Do Collect	Don't Collect
· Homogeneous waste (of a single resin type such as PET bottles, film canisters). · Clean and dry waste. · For bottles, rinse and remove accessories such as lids and labels which are usually made of other materials or resins.	· Composite materials such as plastic packagings. · Contaminated waste such as food containers.

Glass Bottles

While most of the locally-filled glass beverage bottles are being recovered for reuse by the beverage manufacturers through deposit-refund schemes, there is only a very limited market for the non-refundable glass bottles. These non-refundable glass bottles, if recovered, are either rinsed for reuse or crushed for overseas recycling. It is advisable for you to secure an outlet before recovering these non-refundable glass bottles.

Do Collect	Don't Collect
· Bottles with deposit-refund scheme. · Bottles with lids and labels removed.	· Small or irregular-shaped bottles unless you have secured an outlet. · Containers of hazardous chemicals unless throughly rinsed.
· Bottles with residues removed.	· Other forms of glass such as light bulbs, window glass and mirror unless you have secured an outlet.

GLoBaL WarminG PART (2)

Responsible

Choices
The choices we make and the products we buy test our commitment to maintain a healthy planet. When we burn fossil fuels—such as oil, coal, and natural gas—to run our cars and light our homes, we pump carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air. This thickens the heat-trapping blanket that surrounds the planet, causing global warming.

Choosing modern technology can reduce our use of fossil fuels and help protect the planet. These ten steps will help curb global warming, save you money, and create a safer environment for the future.

Drive Smart!
A well-tuned car with properly inflated tires burns less gasoline—cutting pollution and saving you money at the pump. If you have two cars, drive the one with better gas mileage whenever possible. Better yet, skip the drive and take public transit, walk, or bicycle when you can.

Buy Local and Organic
Did you know the average American meal travels more than 1,500 miles from the farm to your plate? Think of all the energy wasted and pollution added to the atmosphere - not to mention all the pesticides and chemicals used to grow most produce! So go to your local organic farmer to get your fruits and veggies.

Support clean, renewable energy.
Renewable energy solutions, such as wind and solar power, can reduce our reliance on coal-burning power plants, the largest source of global warming pollution in the United States. Call your local utility and sign up for renewable energy. If they don't offer it, ask them why not?

Also, support a national renewable electricity standard (RES). The Energy Bill signed in 2007 lacked key components that address our energy security and global warming emissions: a renewable electricity standard of 15% by 2020 and a tax package that will provide investment incentives for clean energy alternatives. Use our action center to urge your members of congress to support the renewable electricity standard and tax package!

Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
Especially those that burn the longest each day. Compact fluorescents produce the same amount of light as normal bulbs, but use about a quarter of the electricity and last ten times as long. Each switch you make helps clean the air today, curb global warming, and save you money on your electricity bill.

Saving energy at home is good for the environment and for your wallet.
Start with caulking and weather-stripping on doorways and windows. Then adjust your thermostat and start saving. For each degree you lower your thermostat in the winter, you can cut your energy bills by 3 percent. Finally, ask your utility company to do a free energy audit of your home to show you how to save even more money.

Become a smart water consumer.
Install low-flow showerheads and faucets and you'll use half the water without decreasing performance. Then turn your hot water heater down to 120°F and see hot-water costs go down by as much as 50 percent.

Buy energy-efficient electronics and appliances.
Replacing an old refrigerator or an air conditioner with an energy-efficient model will save you money on your electricity bill and cut global warming pollution. Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances or visit their website at www.energystar.gov to find the most energy-efficient products.

Plant a Tree, protect a forest.
Protecting forests is a big step on the road to curbing global warming. Trees "breathe in" carbon dioxide, but slash-and-burn farming practices, intensive livestock production, and logging have destroyed 90 percent of the native forests in the United States. And you can take action in your own backyard — planting shade trees around your house will absorb CO2, and slash your summer air-conditioning bills.

Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!
Producing new paper, glass, and metal products from recycled materials saves 70 to 90 percent of the energy and pollution, including CO2, that would result if the product came from virgin materials. Recycling a stack of newspapers only 4 feet high will save a good-sized tree. Please...buy recycled products!

Mount a local campaign against global warming.
Educate your community about how it can cut global warming pollution. Support measures at the national, state, and local level that:

• Make automobiles go further on a gallon of gas;
• Accelerate the use of clean, renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind;
• Increase energy efficiency and conservation; and
• Preserve forests around the world.

resource (http://www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/tenthings/ )

Solar cells that work at night?

The Idaho National Laboratory, Microcontinuum, Inc. and Patrick Pinhero from the University of Missouri are developing an exciting new technology which uses "nano-antennas" to capture solar energy. What is especially cool about this new solar technology is that it would operate both during the day and at night by using the leftover radiation after the sun goes down. Each nano-antenna is a spiral as wide as 1/25 the diameter of a human hair, meaning that many of them can be fit into a tiny space, and may be as much as 80 percent efficient.

At this time, researchers have a ways to go before the technology is commercialized, but they are hoping that their finished product would be no more expensive as a coating than a cheap layer of carpeting.

If you enjoyed this post and want to know more, don't forget to visit us again at

http://save2live.blogspot.com/

GLoBaL WarminG part (1)

	GLOBAL WARMING IS EFFECTING THE EARTH AT A GREAT EXTEND Since global warming appeared during the last decade as a serious environmental issue, it has been the subject of a lot of debate. Global warming is defined as the warming of the earth by greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere naturally or by mankind. But there are many questions about global warming, from its causes to its full effects.
		Many people even question whether or not global warming exists. And if global warming does exist, people question why it exists. But there is one fact that no one has questioned - the surface temperature of the earth has increased 0.45 - 0.6 degrees Celsius in the past century.
	Is the increased temperature something we need to worry about? Well, there are two different viewpoints. The believers in global warming think that the increased temperature proves that global warming exists, and that it's a significant problem that should not be taken lightly. Skeptics of global warming believe that the increased temperature is a natural phenomenon, and that if global warming does exist, it's not something to be worried about. What makes this debate so interesting is that there is valid scientific data to prove either side.
		Global warming has been proven and disproven using computer climate models. Believers in global warming use them to show that in the next century there will be a significant rise in the Earth's temperature, and an increase in the height of sea level. Global warming skeptics suggest that the models are not entirely based on fact, and that they can not be trusted.
	There are many arguments for and against the existence of global warming. We'll take a look at some of the arguments for both sides on the following pages, starting with the believers in global warming. Surface analysis has shown that the temperature of the earth has increased dramatically over the past century because of the emission of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, act as a shield and trap heat inside the atmosphere. The graph shows how the temperature rises when the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases. The fear is that the earth's temperature will continue to increase. An increase in the planet's temperature may eventually cause the ice caps to melt and the sea levels to rise. The world's coastlines, like the one pictured to the left, will be washed away. There will also be widespread outbreaks of disease for both humans and wildlife. The idea that serious disasters like these could happen from global warming is cause for alarm. The following is a list of web sites from people or organizations who believe in global warming. There is a brief description of each site with a link to it. The Environmental Protection Agency The EPA is a governmental agency that protects the environment. Its web site covers a tremendous amount of information about global warming. The Sierra Club The Sierra Club is a non-profit environmental protection organization. This site offers a list of global warming-related news it has posted. The Environmental Defense Fund The EDF is an America-based environmental organization. It offers a solid explanation of global warming on its site. Scientific American Scientific American puts its magazine online at its web site. This link leads you to its articles on global warming and its perceived effects. The White House Find out about the U.S. government's position on global warming here! Review environmental statements from President Clinton and Vice-President Gore. The United Nation Environmental Program The UNEP is a branch of the UN that focuses on environmental issues. Perform a search on global warming to view many related articles. Out There News Out There News is a news organization based on the Web that lets you experience the news. This link features its articles on global warming. Skeptics of global warming believe that global warming is not an environmental problem. They think that the recent increase in the earth's temperature is no cause for alarm. And they believe that earth's coastlines and polar ice caps are not in danger of disappearing. Skeptics believe that the climate models used to prove global warming and to predict its effects are misrepresented. They point out that according to the models, the last century should have been much worse than it actually was. Temperature increases occurred before the widespread emission of carbon dioxide in the middle of the 20th century. As the graph below shows, there have been widespread temperature fluctuations throughout time. Temperature increases are also attributed to the fact that most of the observations are taken in cities or airports where temperatures may be skewed higher. Look for information on the Urban Heat Island Effect to find out more about this. The following is a list of web sites from people or organizations who are skeptical about global warming. There is a brief description of each site with a link to it. The Heartland Organization The Heartland Institute is a nonprofit public policy research organization that has posted many articles about the science (or lack of) behind global warming. The Junk Science Home Page A web site that posts "junk science" - faulty scientific research used to support a personal agenda. Read its article on global warming. The Science & Environmental Policy Project SEPP was founded on the idea that credible science must be the basis for health and environmental decisions. Read their reports on scientists that are questioning worldwide global climate accords. World Climate Report The World Climate Report is a leading site in finding weakness in current global warming science and policy. The online magazine has a wealth of information. resouces : (http://weathereye.kgan.com/expert/warming/explain.html ) (http://weathereye.kgan.com/expert/warming/belivers.html) (http://weathereye.kgan.com/expert/warming/skeptics.html)

Plant a tree and save the Earth

LIVERMORE, Calif. — Can planting a tree stop the sea level from rising, the ice caps from melting and hurricanes from intensifying?

A new study says that it depends on where the trees are planted. It cautions that new forests in mid- to high-latitude locations could actually create a net warming. It also confirms the notion that planting more trees in tropical rainforests could help slow global warming worldwide.

In the first study to investigate the combined climate and carbon-cycle effects of large-scale deforestation in a fully interactive three-dimensional climate-carbon model, scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Carnegie Institution and Université Montpellier II found that global forests actually produce a net warming of the planet.

The study provides a holistic view of the deforestation issue. “This is the first comprehensive assessment of the deforestation problem,” said Govindasamy Bala, lead author of the research that will be presented on Dec. 15 at the American Geophysical Society annual meeting in San Francisco.

The models calculated the carbon/climate interactions and took into account the physical climate effect and the partitioning of the carbon dioxide release from deforestation among land, atmosphere and ocean.

Forests affect climate in three different ways: they absorb the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help to keep the planet cool; they evaporate water to the atmosphere and increase cloudiness, which also helps keep the planet cool; and they are dark and absorb a lot of sunlight, warming the Earth. Climate change mitigation strategies that promote planting trees have taken only the first effect into account.

“Our study shows that tropical forests are very beneficial to the climate because they take up carbon and increase cloudiness, which in turn helps cool the planet,” Bala said.

But the study concludes that by the year 2100, forests in mid and high latitudes will make some places up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than would have occurred if the forests did not exist.

“The darkening of the surface by new forest canopies in the high latitude Boreal regions allows absorption of more sunlight that helps to warm the surface. In fact, planting more trees in high latitudes could be counterproductive from a climate perspective,” Bala said.

The study finds little or no climate benefit when trees are planted in temperate regions.

“Our integrated systems approach allowed us for the first time to estimate the total effects of land cover change in different regions of the world,” Bala said.

Afforestation has been promoted heavily in mid-latitudes as a means of mitigating climate change. However, the combined carbon/climate modeling study shows that it doesn't work. The albedo effect (the process by which less sunlight is reflected and more is absorbed by forest canopies, heating the surface) cancels out the positive effects from the trees taking in carbon.

“Our study shows that preserving and restoring forests is likely to be climatically ineffective as an approach to slow global warming,” said Ken Caldeira, a co-author of the study from the Carnegie Institution. “To prevent climate change, we need to transform our energy system. It is only by transforming our energy system and preserving natural habitat, such as forests, that we can maintain a healthy environment. To prevent climate change, we must focus on effective strategies and not just ‘feel-good’ strategies.”

Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has a mission to ensure national security and apply science and technology to the important issues of our time. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

sourCe (https://www.llnl.gov/ )

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I particularly enjoy the picture below on the right side. This is one of the tree nurseries where many thousands of trees are growing to just the right size before being planted and cared for in an area awaiting trees. This is the same area where thousands of trees are being planted to replace paper used by individuals and organizations for the 100% Replanted Program.

How to Start a Waste Paper Recycling Programme in Office Buildings

DO YOU KNOW ?.....

· It takes 17 trees and 1500 litres of oil to produce one tonne of paper.

· In Hong Kong, nearly 8000 tonnes of municipal solid waste are disposed of daily, or 2.9 million tonnes a year.

· Approximately 20% of the domestic solid waste collected is paper.

· Producing recycling paper creates 74% less air pollution and 35% less water pollution than producing paper from virgin fibres.

It is a very simple operation. You can do it in any way that suits your operation most. The following are some guidelines to help you formulate a plan to implement of such a programme:

A. What are the objectives of a Waste Paper Recycling Programme in offices?

· The objectives are:

- to contribute towards an environmental cause by saving landfill space, conserving natural resources and reducing pollution; and

- to cultivate an environmental awareness among office workers who consume large amounts of paper daily.

B. What specific targets do we want to achieve?

· The targets are:

- to separate all recyclable paper waste from other wastes at source; and

- to supply the paper waste to waste dealers or paper mills for recycling.

C. What is the optimum scale of the programme?

· This is flexible. A programme can be organised on the basis of individual organisations or the building as a whole. The involvement of a greater number of organisations/buildings will, of course, make the programme more viable. Co-operate with neighbouring offices/organisations in these recycling programmes. Ideally the same cleaning contractor should be used by all offices participating.

D. What organisational set up is required?

· If the programme covers a large building or involves different organisations, you may need a steering committee with representatives from different departments/organisations to:

- plan and implement the programme;

- liaise with the cleaning contractor and the waste paper collector; and

- publicise the programme and solicit the support of all employees.

· The appointment of "Recycling Co-ordinators" or "Floor Captains" who are enthusiastic persons with organisational ability and good communication skill is essential particularly for multi-storey or multi-organisation operation. They will be responsible for:

- explaining the programme in detail to the employees of different organisations and staff accommodated on different floors;

- ensuring that the collection facilities mentioned below are readily provided and properly maintained; and

- addressing problem areas after the programme begins.

E. Are there any facilities required?

· You will need to provide the following for the collection and storage of waste paper:

(I) small containers for disposing waste paper (you may make use of unwanted cardboard boxes and label them as "green boxes" for identification purposes). Select containers to fit your individual needs, as dictated by space limitations, and the quantities of waste paper generated. They should be clearly labelled and placed nearby existing litter-bins, and

(ii) designate a corner in the general office as the "newspaper bank" for collecting unwanted newspapers.

F. Are all kinds of paper recyclable?

· Not all papers can be recycled. Depending on the specific requirements of certain paper mills, the following are the usual DOs and DON'Ts:

DO recycle · With office paper- letterhead, business forms, offset paper, scratch paper, copy paper · Coloured paper · Photo copies · Adding machine tape · Index cards · Computer printout paper · Standard business cards · Brochures and Newsletters (if not on glossy paper) · Magazines/books with stapled/sowed binding (any coated glossy cover should be removed)· Envelopes and folders (including stamps but remove adhesive flap or plastic window) · Leaflets from junk mail

DON'T recycle · Adhesive removable notes · Overhead transparencies · Carbon Paper · Envelopes with plastic windows · Blueprint paper · Cellophane · Film · Spiral binders · Magazines/books using glue for binding · Lunch boxes, wax paper, papercups, paper plates · Napkins, tissue, paper towel · Self-adhesive stickers or those with glue or tape.

Rubber bands, paper clips and staples are OK as they will be removed in the recycling process but large metal fasteners and other contaminants should be removed.

(Note : High grade white office papers such as computer printout is of higher value and

should where possible be separated from other paper waste.)

G. Who collects the separated waste paper?

· Your current cleaning contractor will collect waste paper from the "green boxes". Arrangements should be made with them regarding the frequency of emptying the boxes and newspaper banks. The contractor will liaise with the waste dealer/paper mill on arrangements for final delivery. Many waste dealers will provide a pick-up service on a daily basis if the quantity is sufficient. Well co-ordinated collection arrangements avoid undesirable storage of large quantities of waste paper in your building.

H. Are there any financial implications?

· No cost need be incurred except for any spending on publicity.

· Agreement should be sought with the cleaning contractor over the selling price of the waste paper and whether any revenue generated is to be shared with management. This however is a delicate issue since the contractor may have been previously making his own arrangements to sell the paper, though unseparated. It should be borne in mind that this is an exercise in responsible waste management and social necessity, not in profitmaking.

I. How to publicise the programme?

· Promotion and education are the keys to a successful recycling programme. This could be achieved through:

- an appeal start up letter from senior management to all staff;

- display of posters in the common areas of the office/building; and

- visits to various sections and departments by the Recycling Coordinator.

J. Where to seek advice?

· The back of this guideline shows a list of waste paper dealers who can provide pick-up service. Before approaching them however you should consult your cleaning contractor. He may already have made contact. For a detailed list of waste paper companies, please refer to the Hong Kong Telephone Co's Hong Kong Commercial/Industrial Guide on the category of Waste Paper.

* Leaflets can be obtained from the Environmental Campaign Committee Secretariat,45/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

· For technical advice on recyclables, call the Environmental Protection Department (Tel:2755 2750).

K. Reviews

· Periodic reviews of the operation of the programme are useful for making improvements and for keeping up momentum.

· Regular communication with staff involved is essential in order to keep them informed of the progress and achievements of the programme.

L. Waste Minimisation

· The primary goal is to reduce quantities of waste, i.e. to use less paper and to recycle what we must use. The programme will therefore be much more meaningful if it is complemented by a campaign to minimise the consumption of paper in your organisation. There are many opportunities for reducing paper waste. You may be able to add other ideas to the following suggestion:

- reuse the paper which has been used on one side only for scrap paper;

- cut down on paper for memos;

- make two-sided copies;

- minimise the number of files;

- promote electronic mailing;

- ask to be removed from junk mailing lists.

M. Use Recycled Products

· To go a step further in promoting the environmental image of your organisation, use recycled paper for stationery, printing, packaging, etc. A successful paper recycling industry depends on a stable and long-term market for its products. You can make a valuable contribution in this respect.

(Source : http://www.epd.gov.hk)

SAVE ENERGY IN YOUR HOME : Part III

Contd from Prev Post :

2. Towngas & LPG appliances

General Cooking Hints

These apply equally to cooking with electricity

* A pressure cooker saves up to 2/3 cooking time, saves energy, and preserves the goodness in your food.

* A slow-cook pot also uses a great deal less energy.

* Use cooking utensils that conduct heat well.

* Boil only as much water as you need.

* Use the right size of rice cooker for your family - an oversized cooker wastes energy.

* Always use the lids on pans to trap heat; this saves a lot of energy.

* Once your food has boiled, reduce it to a simmer.

* Use pans, etc., which completely cover the sources of heat from your stove.

* Turn your oven or ring off before you have finished cooking, and let the residual heat gently finish the job.

* Do not spend too long pre-heating your oven: 10 minutes is usually enough.

* Cook several dishes in one session when using the oven; foods requiring the highest temperature first.

* Do not cook too far ahead of meal time - reheating/ keeping food warm simply wastes energy.

* Defrost frozen foods before cooking them.

* Use efficient appliances like a toaster oven for cooking and baking in small quantities.

* Check your oven door seal for heat leakage, and replace it if necessary.

* Keep your oven clean for maximum cooking efficiency.

Gas Hotplate/Cooker/Oven

* Choose a cooker/oven of a suitable size for your family's needs, and consider using it in conjunction with a microwave oven.

* A multi-jet cooker/oven offers you more versatility, and can minimise wastage.

* Adjust the flame to fit the bottom of your pan. Gas flames going up the side of a pan are a waste, can be dangerous, and do not increase cooking efficiency.

* Use the simmer burner rather than the oven to reheat casseroles and other food.

* Steaming and stir-frying is an energy-efficient way of cooking.

* Use your grill to its full capacity, rather than cooking one item at a time.

* Keep you cooking appliances clean and well maintained, and have them inspected from time to time.

Water Heater

* Take a shower instead of a bath. You'll save about 50% in heating costs.

* A low-flow shower head also saves water and heating energy.

* Don't leave hot water running when shaving, rinsing dishes, etc., and use cold water where hot water is not absolutely necessary.

* When not using your water heater, switch off the pilot light.

* Have your water heater inspected from time to time to ensure its efficiency and safety.

3. Water

Water is a precious commodity in Hong Kong. It also uses energy in being filtered and cleaned, transported, and pumped up to your roof tank - as well as in being heated. Please don't waste it.

* Don't draw off more water than you need for any given purpose.

* Take a shower instead of bath.

* Turn off the tap whilst brushing your teeth.

* Be economical with your washing machine or dishwasher - don't use it until it is fully loaded.

* Make sure there are no leaks in your toilet flushing system.

* If you have a dripping tap, please get it fixed - it can waste up to 70 litres of water every 24 hours.

* Avoid rinsing hands, clothes, vegetables etc. under a running tap - use a bowl.

* Re-use shower/bath water to wash the floors or water your plants.

( Source: http://www.epd.gov.hk )