Sarmad Mansoor asked:


Uses of Soapnut shells:

 

How Soapnuts clean your laundry? The process by which Soapnuts clean your clothes is naturally quite simple. The soapnut shells contains a natural saponin that works as a surfactant, making your water "wetter" and allowing it to penetrate the fibers of yours clothing, working away the dirt, keeping it in suspension in the water until it’s drained away, taking the dirt with it.

Soapnuts are ideal as natural and Eco-friendly detergent in the washing machine just put up 3 to 6 Soapnut shells (4 to 8 half shells), according your loads, into un-bleached cotton bag (provided free with each pack of "Sindhiya Washnuts" ) or in a sock. Tied tight and pop the bag in the washing machine with your clothes, these are suitable at any temperature, pre-wash or rinse cycles and on delicate fabrics. Shells can be used for more than one wash (up to 4 or more washes, according to your loads) on same day, discard any remains when they go dark brown and soggy.

What’s left is a load of clean clothes and nothing else! That’s the way laundry should be. Much like clean water, clean laundry should not contain toxic chemical residues. In fact, it’s more important to consider what laundry products do NOT contain then to look at what they do contain.

Wash the clothes:

The soapnut shells contains saponins (a natural detergent), when come into contact with water they make mild suds, soapnut shells are natural, organic, environmentally friendly a natural alternative of all kind of detergent, soaps, cleaners and shampoo. Soapnuts are ideal as a chemical free natural detergent in washing machines and laundries. Just put 4 to 8 soapnut shells in unbleached cotton bag/pouch, sock, handkerchief or similar, tie it up tightly and throw it in your washing machine with your clothes as soon as soapnut shells make contact with water (e.g. in your washing machine)the saponins dissolves and has the same effect as most normal detergent. You will not need to add any other detergent or fabric softener! The smell of the clothes washed with Soapnuts is absolutely natural – if you prefer scented laundry, simply sprinkle a few drops of ethereal oil on the bag of Soapnuts: Nice choices could be lavender, rose, orange, lemongrass or other your favorite – the variety of fragrances is nearly infinite. Soapnuts wash effectively between 30 and 60 degrees and same bag of same Soapnuts will be use 3 to 4 times for wash continues on same day. You will be wondered and amazed to see Soapnuts really works and they had cleaned your clothes as well as normal detergent.

 

Use as a bathing liquid soap or shampoo for allergic or sensitive skins: Soapnuts are 100% natural and gentle, these are so best for those who have sensitive skin or suffering from neurodermatitis and allergy in particular will benefit from the use of Soapnuts, as clothes which were cleaned with Soapnuts do not irritate the skin. Also allergic persons and people with sensitive skin may use Soapnuts for bathing instead normal soaps or medicated soaps which are contains with chemicals. For this purpose put 100 grams of soapnut shells in a pot with at least 1.5 litters of water cover the pot and put on stove for boil for at least 30 to 40 minutes. The boiling process extracts the saponins from the soapnut shells and combines with the water. Let allow then to cool till safe to handle than strain into appropriate container. Now your liquid soap is ready for use you can use it for bathing and as well as shampoo or all purpose for cleanings, pet’s washing soap or shampoo and many kinds of cleanings.

Use as a shampoo:

A Soap suds made of Soapnuts is a shampoo, which reliably and enduringly fights dandruff. A soapnut shampoo not only washes your hair but also cares for it. Especially allergic persons and people with a sensitive scalp should use soapnut suds to wash their hair: Because it is 100% natural and does not contain any kind of chemical additives, it will not irritate the scalp! Soapnut shampoo also best for lice and other kind of hair diseases. Women of south Asian countries are used this type of natural shampoo since stone ages. This kind of Soapnuts shampoo will make your hair strong, long, silky and healthy. Soapnuts shampoo does not damage your hair or skin although you use it regularly or rarely.

Uses of medicinal purposes:

Soap nuts especially are used medically as an expectorant, emetic, contraceptive and for treatment of excessive salivation, epilepsy, chlorosis and migraines. Studies show that saponin from Soapnuts inhibits tumor cell growth. Soapnuts are among the list of herbs and minerals in Ayurveda. They are a popular ingredient in Ayurvedic shampoos and cleaners. They are used in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for eczema, psoriasis and for removing freckles. Soapnuts have gentle insecticide properties and are traditionally used for removing lice from the scalp. Soapnuts are antimicrobial and are beneficial for septic system and gray water. Soapnuts are used in the remediation of contaminated soil.

Use as a liquid soap to wash your pets:

Wash your dog, cat, horse, monkey, bunny and other of your pets or working animals with a Sindhiya soapnut liquid suds – and thus without any chemicals.

 

Use as floor cleaners: A liquid soap made by Sindhiya soapnuts you may use also as your Floor cleaner, you may use it for bath, toilet cleanings also because it has power to fight against germs naturally!

All-purpose cleaning agent:

Better use such a decoction instead of usual chemical cleaning agents for your kitchen and bath room.

Jewellery cleaning: press half a lemon in some soapnuts decoction, soak in it a toothbrush and rub your jewellery. In South Asian countries, peple used Soapnuts to clean their Jewelleries, Precious stones and Gold and Precious ornoments since centuries.

Pesticides:

Moisten or water your house and garden plants with the already mentioned decoction and take advantage of the saponine agent to fight against harmful organisms such as aphids, without damaging your plant or poisoning your garden.

Mosquitoes repellent:

Wash or coat exposed parts of your body with the mentioned decoction, mosquitoes are repelled by the smell of saponine and will move away. Try it is to adopt it ! Your beloved kids may sleep with coat of Soapnut liquid, you may relax and don’t afraid about mosquitoes.

Throw a few soap nut shells in with your automatic dishwasher and watch how clean they get!!

Soapnuts are successfully used in dish-washers. They do not, however, have a scrubbing agent to them.

Bugs do not survive at 65°C washing temperature. Moreover, Saponine has a repressive effect on fungal and bacteria growth. Put 3 to 4 soapnuts in the little cotton bag, put this bag inside the dishwasher and launch it.

Using SoapNuts, you can make your own ultra-pure multipurpose cleaner.

 

Place some nut shells in the bag/sock (4 to 6 for soft water / 6 to 8 for hard water). Pull the string tight and tie it off. Then place the bag on top of your washing in the machine, with your clothes– that is it!

Each "set" of shells should be good for up to 4 wash cycles. (Dependent upon wash temperature and quality of shells.) Change the shells after 3 to 5 washes and use the old (used) shells to make liquid (see below). Indeed, for other purpose of cleaning.

You should be able to see in the below pics that fresh shells have a shiny inner surface. As if they were made from solid satin varnish! Or tasty toffee - so keep children away from them. This progressively changes to a matt beige as the saponin is released and the outer surface gets darker. Note that this is only really obvious when the shells have dried. You will find that they work better if multiply washes are done the same day. For that reason I keep the used nuts in the bag, in a small bottle, part filled with water.

Here is picture of shells, you may see the result after 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th wash by same load of shells …



New Shells                         1 Wash                              2 Washes                          3 Washes                            4 Wash

 

How to perform a SoapNuts

Soapnuts decoction: Bring 6-10 shells of Soapnuts to boil in 1 liter water during 10 minutes, leave it to cool down and screen the obtained liquid. The decoction is now ready for use ! To obtain a higher saponine-concentrate decoction of Soapnuts, use more SoapNut shells in the same water volume.

This concoction can also be made to do your laundry. Here’s how:

Boil 100 g of Soap Nuts in 12 cups (3L) of water for 30 minutes. The liquid you have is now a concentrated, chemical free detergent. The leftover shells can be placed in your compost. Use 3 Tbsp or 45 ml of this detergent with each load of laundry. This allows you to do approximately 60 loads of laundry.

Preservation of a Soapnuts decoction:

Soapnuts decoction must be kept in a cool place to assure a conservation of about ten days if citric acid or lemon juice or essential oil is added.

Soapnuts shells already used in a washing machine or a dishwasher, can be recycled by making a decoction.

SoapNuts More than just laundry soap…

The natural saponins found in SoapNuts are universal cleaning agents. Sure, they work great in the laundry, but did you know they are also traditionally used to clean skin and hair? In fact, the soap nut saponins work on everything from pets and children to washing fruits and vegetables. In ancient India, jewelers even used the soap to shine their precious metals and stones, giving them a beautiful natural luster.

With all the cleaning uses for SoapNuts, can you bath with them?

Remember! that you can create a liquid concoction to wash your hands, floors, counters, etc. but we have found that you can also bath with them.. Simple place a half a cup of your concoction in your hot bath water and enjoy yourself. Wash or soak and when you come out your body will have that clean feel to it not to mention a soft feel.

You can also use the Soapnuts by themselves. Throw in 4-5 Soapnuts and into the hot bath. Swish them around for a few minutes to get the saponins flowing and then step into the tub.

Hand Wash:

Even when the shells seem exhausted they still contain some saponin and you can use them to make a FREE hand wash.

Put your old shells, with any new little "broken off" pieces that are too small to put in the bag / sock, in a blender. Add a half pint (ish) of water and blend for a few seconds. The idea is to break all the shells into tiny bits so that they release as much "soap" as possible.



Simmer for a few minutes.

Cut the pipe of an old dispenser bottle so it reaches about half way down.

Allow the blend to settle and pour in to your dispenser, to below the pipe.

Give it a shake and pump away.

You will get a palm full of soapnut foam!

Excellent for general cleaning.

You can also add a drop of lemon juice as preservative and a nice smell.

Worried about watering your garden in a hot, dry summer? Soapnuts are totally organic and, as stated earlier, a mild insecticide. It is safe, even beneficial to put on your garden. Your washing machine uses about 50 litres (12 gallons!) of water per wash. Collect that waste and your watering problems are over. Unless you are an aphid!

By the way, all children’s clothes should be washed in these soap nuts to avoid exposing infants and children to the toxic chemicals found in commercial laundry products. And while you’re at it, why not save yourself from that exposure, too, by washing your own clothes with nature’s laundry soap?

 

What SoapNuts do NOT contain, include:

 





Foaming chemicals that, consumers into thinking their clothes are cleaner because there are "suds" in the wash. TRUTH: Suds have nothing to do with cleaning. They are chemical additives used to create the illusion of cleaning action.



Fragrance chemicals that make laundry "smell" clean. Most commercial laundry products use toxic, synthetic fragrance chemicals that are, in fact, well known to promote cancer and liver disorders. Laundry products are not really regulated by any single government agency, and there is currently no law banning the use of known cancer-causing chemicals in laundry products (much like with cosmetics).



Filler ingredients. Nearly all commercial laundry products are made with at least 50% filler ingredients to "bulk them up" and make them appear to deliver more value for the price. Consumers are mostly just buying the illusion of detergent, made mostly with filler.



You won’t find filler or toxic chemicals in SoapNuts. Just pure, natural saponins grown by a tree and engineered by nature. In our opinion, that’s where more of our products should ultimately come from. Wouldn’t it be great if shampoo also grew on trees?

Actually, it does!

 

An amazing Traditional use in Myanmar (Burma):

On the last day of Myanma year, in Myanmar, all of people use SoapNuts to wash their houses to remove all of dirt of last year from their houses, shopes and offices. They also wash and clean their hair with SoapNuts on the last day of Myanma year. They believe that if they wash and clean their hair, houses, offices and shopes by Soapnuts, no dirt of last year will come to in their lives during coming new year!!!

Sindhiya Enterprise Bangladesh is th leading producers of Eco friendly products in Bangladesh. They collect best and selected quality of Himalayan soapnuts export same worldwide.

 



MIQUEL
Jan
28
Filed Under (Going Green) by Eco Friendly Advisor
going green
slicedbread16 asked:


Does going green affect inflation? if so, in what ways? Change for the better or for the worse?

CARMEN
Jan
27
Filed Under (Green Products) by Eco Friendly Advisor
Eddie Delgado asked:


Today’s frenzy for “green-friendly” products, foods and way of life has really struck an interest in the entire world. Green-friendly not only pertains to household products and hybrid/electric cars. Today “going-green” is also a part of the adult toy products world.

Respecting nature is a very hot topic now a day in the minds of well-rounded, professional Americans. This means that everyone is becoming more self conscious of issues concerning nature and pollution.  Much of public before would only recycle if there was a monetary reward. But now this mind-set has changed to seriously thinking about not only what you use and how you use it, but to how is it going to affect the earth.

I am an animal lover/activist who happens to enjoy *** and *** toys very much. My part in living in a green friendly environment was to find *** toys which encompassed this approach. I will only use *** toys that are environmentally safe.

Let’s take a look at organic lubricants. Made from natural and organic ingredients, these lubricants are actually my favorites. Avoiding lubricants made from harsh chemicals are the best choice you can make, not only for your personal health, but for the planet as well.

Another green friendly choice is choosing *** toys that are made out of biodegradable or recyclable materials. Just think, a ***** that will decompose when left to it self. WOW!!!

Giving back to the earth pales in comparison to what the earth has given us. So why not be green-conscious in your personal *** lives as well.



NINA
going green
septogenarian asked:


Sometimes going green winds up costing you more/less in the long run. How about you? Is it worth the trade off financially?

ROSANNE
Jan
22
Filed Under (Going Green) by Eco Friendly Advisor
going green
ilove nick asked:


i have two questions on this. first if you turn off your computer but leave it plugged in will it still be like taking up energy. and second my famil.y is going green, so does anyone know wat the sight is called that has like al gores video and stuff and it has like tips on going green. and if anyone could me links to websites with tips on going green that would be great!!! thank you all god bless and go green!!!

ARIEL
Jan
21
Glady Reign asked:


With the alarming environmental concerns and the aim of preserving a greener tomorrow, automakers are triggered to build more environment-friendly automobiles. In fact, part of the fast-rising vehicles today is powered by alternative fuels. In a short span of time, these vehicles have swiftly stolen the limelight of the industry.



Alternative fuel, also known as non-conventional fuels, is any material or substance that can be used as a fuel, other than fossil fuels, or conventional fuels of petroleum, coal, propane, and natural gas. The term usually refers to a source of which energy is renewable. Its main function is to store energy in a form that is stable and can be easily transported from the place of production to the end user. Alternative fuels include biodiesel, butanol, ethanol, chemically stored electricity like batteries and fuel cells, hydrogen, methane, natural gas, biomass, wood, wood gas, vegetable oil, and peanut oil.



One of the vehicles using such alternative fuels is the Volvo Multi-Fuel. Said vehicle is optimized to run on five different fuels so there is a need to upgrade on Volvo performance parts. The Volvo Multi-Fuel, based on the Volvo V70, is powered by a 2.0-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine that will run on hythane (10 per cent hydrogen and 90 per cent methane), biomethane, natural gas (CNG), bioethanol E85 (85 per cent bioethanol and 15 per cent gasoline) and gasoline.

Aside from the fact that it runs on 5 different engines, another notable facet of the Volvo Multi-Fuel is its relatively consistent performance not considering the fuel used. Volvo claims that the turbocharged engine of the vehicle is producing about 200 horsepower. It is sufficient to power up the wagon. The vehicle runs exceptionally clean. In fact, when pure renewable fuels such as hyrdrogen, biomethane or bioethanol are used, very little fossil carbon dioxide is emitted.

Hythane, E85 bioethanol and CNG biomethane are extra-clean fuels. This is main reason why the vehicle has surpassed all existing emissions regulations imposed in any market at the present time. Furthermore, it would also qualify for the upcoming EuroV emissions regulations. The mentioned fuels also have the advantage of being carbon neutral. It means that the amount of carbon emitted when the fuel is burned is equivalent to the amount acquired by the crops used to make the fuel.



When changing between fuels, the driver only has to choose between gaseous or liquid fuel and the engine management system will adjust to optimize performance for the fuel. The Multi-Fuel has separate fuel tanks for gaseous fuels that include hythane, biomethane and CNG; and liquid fuel like E85 and gasoline.

“The whole car is optimized for high performance, driving on any of the five different fuels,” said Mats Moren, project leader engine at Volvo Car Corporation. “It is a step towards a hydrogen-powered society. Perhaps we can develop the system even further, to run on a higher blend in the future.”

Volvo is known for its commitment to lead automotive milestones. As a fact, it has been associated with remarkable safety and ninety-degree bodywork. At this point in time, the automaker has already established a name that embodies style, quality, cutting-edge design – and superb green technology.

Aside from Volvo, renowned automakers like Daimler Chrysler are producing entry vehicles that use alternative fuels. The latest entry so far is the E320 CDI BlUETEC that runs on a biomass-to-liquid (BtL) fuel known as SunDiesel. Said fuel can be used as the lone fuel or as an additive. “We believe BtL fuels can make an important contribution to our energy supply,” explained Prof. Dr. Herbert Kohler, vice president of the Research Body and Powertrain and also chief environmental officer of DaimlerChrysler AG. “They can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and with their good carbon dioxide audit they can also help make mobility more environmentally compatible.”

The Mercedes-Benz E200 NGT and the smart four two cng were also entered, both running on CNG. The E 200 NGT reduces CO2 emissions by over 20 per cent and with a power output of 163 horsepower from the 1.8-liter engine. It is the most powerful CNG passenger car currently in production. The driver can decide whether to use CNG or gasoline using buttons on the steering wheel, and an electronic control unit ensures a smooth transition from one power source to the other. Fuel consumption is 39 mpg with CNG and 26 mpg with premium unleaded.

Ford’s green vehicles include Focus C-MAX H2 ICE is powered by a prototype hydrogen internal combustion engine. The engine is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 110 horsepower. According to Ford the Focus C-MAX H2 ICE has a driving range of about 120 miles with the fuel capacity of 2.75 kg of hydrogen.

General Motors newest entry is Saab 9-5 BioPower, which runs on either bioethanol or gasoline. The BioPower is not only environment-friendly; it also but delivers more power and performance than the gasoline-only version. The vehicle can switch between bioethanol and gasoline without any adjustment by the driver.

The Q7 TDI, powered by 3.0-liter direct-injection with impressive fuel economy of 22 mpg, is Audi’s latest green SUV pride. For the recently held Challenge Bibendum, the Q7 TDI was fueled with Synfuel produced by Shell. It is manufactured from natural gas, biomass or coal to decrease the environmental impact by reducing exhaust emissions.



MELODY
going green
Tim O asked:


How can I make an charity organization to raise money to benefit the ‘Going Green’ scene?

LOLITA
Jan
15
Filed Under (Green Products) by Eco Friendly Advisor
Greg Roy asked:


Today, almost 1 million acres of forest disappear each week. This alarming rate of deforestation is forcing many world economies to rethink their business and manufacturing practices. A seventy-foot tree cut for its lumber takes 65 years to replace. A seventy-foot bamboo cut for market can be replaced in less than 3 months, as bamboo is officially recognized as the world’s fastest growing plant. Some species can grow 3 feet per day!

Driven by the constantly-growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products, many bamboo-related companies are gaining momentum as a reliable source for high quality and durable green building materials. Consumers are choosing high quality alternative building materials over traditional non-sustainable products. Hybrid cars, recycled materials, reusable energy sources, bamboo flooring; use of these products is exploding as consumers are recognizing the need to choose products of a sustainable and regenerative nature.

The general population is becoming weary of ever-decreasing hardwood forests and the threat that this deforestation poses to an already fragile global environment. Bamboo flooring is the logical and ethical choice. Since bamboo is termite, moisture and rot resistant, it functions extremely well as a prime flooring material.

There are multiple types of bamboo floors sold that cater to unique tastes. Strand woven bamboo flooring is twice as resilient as regular wood flooring and has a hybrid grain that is between wood and bamboo. Distressed bamboo floors look antique as if they were pulled out of an old barn. Engineered/laminate bamboo floors are highly stable and great for basements and in areas of varying humidity.

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth. It is known to produce 30% more oxygen than a hardwood forest of comparable size, while preventing erosion, restoring soil, providing sweet edible shoots and removing toxins from contaminated soil. Ecologists tout bamboo as a logical, renewable source of building materials. Many promote bamboo planting for erosion prevention, and even to reverse the effects of global warming.

Bamboo helps reduce carbon dioxide gases blamed for global warming. Bamboo removes significant quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which makes it a highly efficient plant, and conducive to fresh air. Being a grass, bamboo regenerates without replanting after harvesting.

Bamboo is a natural water control barrier. Because of its widespread root system and large canopy, bamboo greatly reduces rain run off, preventing soil erosion. Bamboo can keep up to twice as much water in a watershed. Due to its high nitrogen consumption, bamboo helps mitigate water pollution, making it a solution for excess nutrient uptake of wastewater from manufacturing, livestock farming and sewage treatment.

Bamboo can restore degraded lands. It is a remarkable plant and can be grown in soil damaged by overgrazing and poor agriculture practices. Proper harvesting does not kill the bamboo plant, therefore topsoil is held in place. Because of its dense litter on the forest floor, it feeds topsoil creation, restoring healthy agricultural lands for generations to come.

Traditional hardwood lumber trees, such as oak, maple, and birch, take 40-50 years to regenerate. In the meantime, there is less oxygen produced, less carbon dioxide consumed, and more soil runoff in the spot where those trees were harvested – all producing negative environmental effects. Our planet is suffering from resource depletion, habitat loss, species extinction, and ecosystem pollution. The choice of bamboo flooring will greatly help reverse those negative trends.



RUDOLPH
Jan
12
Filed Under (Clean Fuel) by Eco Friendly Advisor
Glady Reign asked:


Gasoline prices have fallen. Hence, automakers have to entertain alternative fuel vehicles to provide more options to consumers. This is especially true to automakers that are relying greatly on non-gasoline vehicles.

General Motors Corp. Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said, “With the price of oil at its lowest level in 19 months, we run the risk of reverting back to our traditional energy policy. That is, relying heavily on the lowest-cost energy available on world markets, including imported oil, without providing adequate support for developing alternative sources.” He also added, “I hope oil prices stay low, but I also hope that our nation stays committed to energy security through energy diversity.” The statement of Wagoner came after the revelation of the University of Michigan study that focused on auto executives’ and other experts’ comments on gasoline prices and government fuel economy standards.

At the annual automotive event, an auto supplier executive called for imposing a steep tax on gasoline to help fund the transition to alternative energy sources, especially hydrogen. Alternative fuel, also called alternate fuel, is any substance or material that can be used as fuel other than fossil fuels and other conventional fuels. It also pertains to renewable source of energy.

The essence of alternative fuel is to store energy in a stable form that can be easily transported from the place of production to the end user. The latter is then able to consume the fuel at will. The demand for alternative fuels is triggered by ecological concerns. In 2000, about 8 million vehicles ran on this type of fuel.

Alternative fuels include biodiesel, ethanol, butanol, chemically stored electricity like batteries and fuel cells, hydrogen, methane, vegetable oil, biomass, natural gas, wood and peanut oil. Types of alternative fuels include gasoline type biofuels like butanol, E85 with 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent gasoline blend, P-series fuels and hydrogen internal combustion. To boost the performance of the engine, car systems are modified. Toyota parts and accessories are modified to complement the fuel used by the vehicles. Volvo tie rods and other car parts are also engineered to specifically entertain the new technology.

At the North American International Auto Show, GM is showing off a concept plug-in hybrid named the Volt. It can travel 40 miles on battery power alone. In its totality, Volt offers a bold and quality statement. Chevrolet wants to prove that beauty and efficiency combined in one car.

Detroit’s Big 3 have been urging the Bush administration to help their efforts in developing alternative fuels like biodiesel and E85, an ethanol-based fuel. The Big 3 also seek aid in the production of batteries to power vehicles. It can be recalled that the top executives of the Big 3 met with Bush in November last year to discuss alternative energy plans however; they got no promises from the president.

Meanwhile, the Bush administration sought authority to raise fuel economy requirements for passenger cars. This was opposed by the Big 3. “One of the things that government has to do to really promote energy diversity is proactively support the development of alternative fuel technology,” Wagoner said. “And incentivize consumers through tax credits, fuel subsidies and so on to adopt these exciting new technologies.”

According to a recent survey conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, respondents predicted that fuel prices and fuel economy standards will rise substantially in coming years. It was also anticipated that gas prices will average slightly more than $4 a gallon by 2015 and just over $5 a gallon by 2020. Respondents are composed of automakers, suppliers and other experts.

The study also found that Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for cars are expected to amplify to 33 mpg in 2015 and 38 mpg in 2020 which is a 38 per cent jump from today’s 27.5 mpg standard. For trucks, CAFE standards are predicted to rise to 27 mpg in 2015 and 31 mpg in 2020, a 44 per cent increase from 21.6 mpg today. “Our research reveals surprising agreement among all stakeholders in the automobile industry that fuel prices are on a steep upward trajectory,” said U-M researcher Bruce Belzowski.

“If we’re ever going to get there, we better start. That much I agree with,” said Don Altermatt, senior manager of diesel engineering for DaimlerChrysler AG regarding the proposal to boost alternative fuel sources. “Is there a need for a national energy policy? Absolutely,” added Nancy Gioia, director of sustainable mobility technologies and hybrid vehicle programs at Ford. “We have not got the kind of collaboration yet that we need.”



STANLEY
Jan
10
Kenneth Scott asked:


As responsible human beings it is our moral duty that we leave this world a better place than we got it from our ancestors. There is an ardent need for saving the environment that is being polluted by emissions given out by the extensive use of gasoline.

The conventional and traditional fuel sources are becoming more and more expensive to extract and their indiscriminate use in the past century has resulted in their depletion. Alarm bells have already started ringing that these storehouses of natural fuel sources will reach critically low levels and precipitate a crisis much earlier than we think.

However there are promising discoveries that give hope that before any crisis occurs, mankind would have perfected and commercialized alternate sources of fuel that will be eco- friendly and affordable too.

Bio-diesel is one such alternate fuel source that is extracted from plants. Also known as E 85, bio-diesel is partly renewable. Its contents of 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol mean that it is at least better than using pure gasoline.

Although such alternate fuel sources like E 85 score above gasoline, they still pollute and require a vast amount of corn to be grown which in turn translates into availability of lesser land for growing food for people.

Presently, electric cars seem to be the best alternate fuel source that we have, if we are to conserve our natural fuel sources. They are efficient because all of the electricity that they need can be generated at one central location. It is a much better option than consuming petroleum derivatives and polluting more by using small and inefficient combustion motors. Electricity can be produced in any manner that suits the needs on a particular location depending on the resources it has. One can use coal, hydro-electric or wind to produce this electricity that is required for electric cars.

The ultimate alternate fuel source, of course is your own legs on bike peddles. Peddle power is becoming increasingly popular as none of the other alternate fuel sources has completely panned out. Bio-diesel is not widely available and the power that the electric cars allow has not been perfected as yet. The bike is really a flawless machine for short to medium commutes. You will be in better shape, save some money, and do the environment a favor as well.

So, before switching on the ignition of the vehicle, ask yourself if it would not be easier to walk or ride.



ROMEO