Janelle Elizabeth asked:


l becoming more and more aware of the damage we are causing the environment by everyday activities like doing the laundry. The list of potentially harmful chemicals that are contained in laundry detergents is alarming to say the least.

The world of complex ingredients lists and vague labels leave consumers unable to identify potential harmful products, and laundry detergents are no exception.

Specifically, there are certain toxins present in laundry detergents that take particular aim at the environment. Linear alkyl sodium sulfonates (LAS) are more commonly listed as ‘anionic surfactants’ on detergent labels. They are one of the more common surfactants found in laundry detergents. They are a synthetic product.

As they are manufactured, cancer causing or carcinogenic toxins, as well as reproductive toxins are released into the environment. Benzene is one such toxin, and if this were not detrimental enough, these also biodegrade very slowly.

Another harmful chemical that is frequently found in laundry detergents are phosphates. Needed to remove minerals found in hard-water, and as method to prevent dirt settling back onto clothes while they are in the machine. Basically they are needed to make the laundry detergent more effective.

However, their negative impact on the environment is monumental. After their release into the environment, they can actually activate growth in marine plants. This can result in unbalanced ecosystems, forcing a lot of environmental changes that are not positive.

A lot of states have banned or limited the use of phosphates because of the problems they have been proven to cause. Some detergents even advertise their low or nonexistent phosphate level.

To put it succinctly, our environment needs us to start using safer alternatives. Laundry detergents that contain these harmful products need to be altered or perhaps a new method of washing clothes can be implemented.

Since much of these products do not openly delineate the kind of harmful ingredients it uses, it may be difficult for the consumer to know just how detrimental they are to them and the environment.

Avoiding such products that contain anionic surfactants or linear alkyl sodium sulfonates, and phosphates is a move in the right direction.

Quality alternatives are now here for those of us who are willing to step away from the old-fashioned way of washing clothes, and embrace newer, environmentally friendly methods. The cause for concern with laundry detergents and other chemically driven products like it is real, but becoming informed of the hazards can aid in making a change for the better.



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Alfred Anderson asked:


Conservation of the environment has always been an important concern for all of us. There has always been a continued effort in checking the processes that produce harmful wastes polluting the environment. One such process that needs concern in this regard is printing. In the digital age, printed material still has a lot of importance. Printed products such as booklets, brochures, business cards, notepads, postcards, calendars, stationery products, posters etc are always high on demand and thus are produced extensively.

It is a matter of concern that printing houses not only produce harmful wastes but also are one of the major users of natural resources. Thus the need is to print green. Green printing refers to the process of printing that conserves the environment. Most printing houses produce volatile organic compounds that if accidentally released into the environment not only add to air pollution but also damage soil and groundwater. Green printing takes care of this and implements measures to reduce the production of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere.

Green printing also regulates the use of natural resources. The process of printing relies heavily on natural resources such as trees and fossil fuels. Green printers that are certified by an authoritative agency check the amount of energy usage and keep it to the minimum while carrying on a particular printing process. The jobs are carefully planned to render optimum print quality at minimum use of natural resources. Papers required for printing is sourced only from companies certified by an authoritative certifying agency. This ensures that the paper comes from forests that are in compliance with proper environmental standards. Besides, electricity is used to the minimum and the supplies including paper are recycled and reused to curb down the consumption of natural resources giving rise to environment friendly printing.

The need of printed products is constantly on rise among the consumers. While eco-friendly printing green might cost a bit more than traditional printing, whatever extra you pay is your personal effort towards environment conservation.



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Christophe Catesson asked:


Take of Government on Global Warming- What is in store?

Environment, rather global warming to be precise, has become the burning issue of the present time, round the globe. With global warming causing serious consequences, authorities all over the world have stirred to fix this grave danger hovering on mankind. But political system often hinders this path. In US, Bush has treated global warning with indifference and discouragingly. However, Obama’s stand on global warming, as of now, looks promising to the people of America, and to the world.

Obama’s take on admitting the threats of global warming does not only make him sound serious but also eager to solve it. From these strategies it is evident that he is thinking beyond the obvious, unlike the indifference of his predecessors. He supports ‘clean coal’ and use of ethanol obtained from corn, another alternative source of energy in US that promises to hinder the rise of global warming.

Though none of these policies are fool proof and perfect, still it is encouraging to see the authority addressing the issue of global warming with importance. No wonder, environmentalists are happy to see Obama taking serious stance on emission of gases triggering global warming and use of renewable energy. This provides a ray of hope to fight global warming.

The take of immediate former President George W Bush on global warming is quite discouraging by that standard. He denied to accept the posing threat on environment and called global warming a hoax. He had even refused to sign on Kyoto Protocol, according to which production and use of greenhouse gases causing global warming should be reduced. Refusing to sign on it left common Americans in a disturbed state. However, there are experts who believed that global warming alarm was indeed a hoax and Bush had cooled it down.

Positive aspect of these takes and policies on global warming is that scientists are happy with the focus of Obama. He signed a memorandum requiring Environment Protection Act to revise the rules set for auto emission as well as fuel efficiency. To resist the problem of global warming, he also considers utilizing other alternative energy sources like geothermal, solar, water etc.

Global warming is a humungous threat posed on earth and if not handled within time and with proper strategies, mankind will be left with a huge survival crisis. Rise in sea level, flooded coastline, escalated numbers of asthma patients, extinction of flora and fauna are all consequences of global warming. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

What global warming has left for us in future is uncertain, but we are aware of the outcome. When maps from Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and National Center for Atmospheric Research were studied, a definite environment trends were found. The concentration of carbon dioxide proves that the greenhouse effect will increase resulting in yet more global warming. This concentration will be more on poles, so more rise in sea levels is on cards. Both the maps also show that concentration of carbon dioxide is more likely to be on lands than on ocean.

Development in the field of technology is taking its toll on environment in form of global warming. In order to solve this pertinent problem, extensive measures needed to be taken. The delay made during Bush era needs to be compensated with quick actions by the present President. Thankfully, measures have started to be taken in form of strict rules and signing memorandums. And it is expected the files on global warming threats that were shelved for a long time will get the attention of government now.



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Sushil Kumar Singh Raghav asked:


It is an obvious assumption that most, if not all teens wants to save the environment. From saving the extinct species to eliminating global warming, name all the good changes and every person will nod his or her head in agreement. The question is, are you doing an active role to make this dream a reality? Diverse environmental consciousness programs have been done to advertise the causes and effects of being negligent with the existing environmental problems.



The major environmental issue that teens should be aware of is Global Warming. Global warming is actually caused by the abnormal change of the temperature on Earth. Carbon dioxide that’s being emitted by large factories and factories contributes to the ever changing climate in the world today. These environmental problems continue to grow that it prompted some of the most influential people in the world to make significant actions to prevent major catastrophes in the future.

Former U.S. Vice President and Nobel Prize winner Al Gore came up with an Academy Award winning documentary titled “The Inconvenient Truth,” to make the public aware of the horrible effects of global warming. Major Hollywood actors and actresses are Gore’s efforts.

Denudation of the forests for modernization is something that should be considered seriously. Trees serve as a reservoir for water and once they’re cut, then expect massive floods make deadly rampages in the cities. One can only see the television and see the latest news of floods happening from different parts of the world. The message is loud and clear, something must be done!

This leaves a question to a confused teen. What should I, at this age, do to make things right? Simple. Do the right thing. The emergence of modern technology such as the Internet and mobile phones makes it easier to determine the surefire ways to help the environment. On the teen’s part, they can make their friends and classmates at school become aware of the nagging problems in the environments. Form a club, organize lectures and plan environment-friendly activities. Suggested activities would include tree planting, mountain climbing (and cleaning up the mess made by previous climbers and put up awareness signs about the importance of preserving the forests and the mountains).

The power of the Internet presents the teen a chance to make himself or herself useful by creating a website that promotes clean environment. Emails can be sent to distant friends and relatives about the environmental problems and what simple solutions can be made to prevent it. Send emails to government officials who can make significant changes in the law or join existing environmental organizations who have the same aim of saving the world from destruction.



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Alfred Anderson asked:


In this age of digital technology, printing presses still play a major role in the production of a range of materials such as booklets, posters, postcards, brochures, business cards, calendars, stationeries etc. While this wide-spread process of printing gives us such informative and eye pleasing products, the resultant environment pollution caused due to these goes unnoticed. Saving the environment is a responsibility that is vested on for all of us and thus the need of the hour is to print green.

Printing green refers to the process that reduces wastes, encourages recycling and implements other measures that leads to an eco friendly printing operation. Such printing presses carry on their processes in a way that causes minimal harm to the environment. The primary concern for a green printing press is to manage wastes effectively. The objective is to have less waste being generated as that would mean fewer measures to be adopted to eliminate such wastes. Waste management starts from the prepress process itself. Efforts are concentrated towards pollution prevention processes that start with photographic chemistry management and recycling of used plates etc. Furthermore the wastes are segregated into categories such as hazardous and non hazardous wastes. The discharge of hazardous wastes is carried out in an eco friendly manner. Waste management in green printing houses are two fold i.e. either they implement measures to reduce wastes or else recycle them.

High volatile organic compounds are one of the prime causes of air pollution in the printing industry. These compounds evaporate very quickly at the room temperature which not only adds to more material consumption but also leads to air pollution. Green printers use low VOC’s in their printing processes thus reducing the air emissions and also less material consumption.

Green printers adopt various means to implement the current printing technologies that are eco-friendly. Thus they not only help in reducing environmental pollution but improve the overall quality of the product.



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amaan asked:


We are living on an earth that witnesses scientific development each and every day. As everyone knows that in there has been an increasing amount of pollution and contamination in the air, not just outside; but also in the laboratories and construction sites. A lot of dust particles are found in the air that causes various diseases, especially lung and breathing related. It is because of this that the environment monitoring instruments have been developed. They can be used at any place, where there is a need to check the level of contamination in the air for the safety of people working in that particular area. After all, the security for life is more essential than anything else.

The main aim of manufacturing environment monitoring equipment is that it releases a laser light that collects the sample of dust particles in air and checks the level of impurity. By doing so, the laboratory technicians will be able to apply necessary remedies to eradicate that contamination in the air and make it pure. Another type of technical development that is most talked about are traffic monitoring systems. Such kind of systems is appropriate to control the increasing amount of traffic on roads and the kind of chaos that they create. These systems help the traffic controllers to check the speed limit of the vehicles and enable them to keep a control over it. After all, it is a need to organize the increasing amount of traffic to avoid road accidents also.

Safety matters a lot in the present world. We just cannot ignore the things in our life, when they are life threatening. Working in a contaminated environment and driving in a traffic jam or chaotic traffic are certain situations that can lead to any mishap. That’s the reason, why scientists developed instruments and gadgets to manage these issues. No one would like to invite problem; rather, they would keep themselves away from it. After all, life is not something that will allow you to take risks in life. It is always better to use environment monitoring systems or traffic monitoring systems to take a control over the required situation.

If you are willing to buy either of the product; then, there are a lot of companies in the market that deal in such kind of products. The only thing that you need to check before buying them is their quality and can get it tested through a demonstration by the selling agent.



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Roger Munns asked:


Prince Albert had long been thought of as a playboy while his father was the monarch of Monaco. He was known for his carefree lifestyle, much of which he learned while attending college in the United States.

Since Prince Albert has taken over the throne in Monaco, he has changed his ways and become a leader concerned about the future of the second smallest country in the world. To this end, he has worked hard to protect the environment of Monaco.

Prince Albert takes such a remarkable interest in the global warming cause in part because his small country sits on the Mediterranean Sea. As the level of the seas slowly rose, he became quite concerned that Monaco would be disastrously affected. In April 2006 he journeyed to the North Pole to make a point about the seriousness of global warming and saw first-hand how glaciers were slowly melting.

Environmental and social issues are a big part of Prince Albert’s agenda. He has gone to great lengths to heighten awareness of global warming and ways to work together to protect the environment. The first act that Prince Albert achieved in his environmental efforts was to sign the Kyoto Protocol; a treaty signed by many nations to help reduce the greenhouse gases that affect the environment.

The Monaco Embassy in Washington, D.C. is known as “The Green House”, a nickname given it by a Monaco travel site. Many believe that this embassy was established in order for Monaco to exert influence over the US Congress on social and environmental issues. Monaco publishes Gross Domestic Product statistics, which allows them to have full participation in the Third World and donates 7% of GDP to UN agencies appropriately.

The “plant a billion trees” campaign has Prince Albert’s participation. The purpose of this campaign is for companies, communities and other organizations to plant more trees in their surrounding areas. Participants pledge to report how many trees they commit to plant to the United Nations Environment Program. The goal of the program is for at least 1 billion trees to be planted worldwide each year.

From April 19-27, 2008, the Tennis Masters Series will take place at the Monte Carlo Country Club. This event attracts the elite of the male and female tennis arena, many hailing directly from Monaco. Prince Albert will once again take the opportunity to use the popular annual event to raise money for sustainable development of the country, as well as environmental protection endeavors. The proceeds from the event go directly to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

It is easy to see that Prince Albert cares much about the environment of his country. There was concern that the residents of Monaco would not share Prince Albert’s enthusiasm for environmental causes.

Would his spotlight on environmental issues diminish their claim to fame as a favorite tourist attraction country, with the Monaco Grand Prix and other popular venues? Since Prince Albert has found a way to keep environmental issues in the UN and not hurt revenues within the country, however, people are onboard with Prince Albert and they congratulate his efforts.



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Al Gammate asked:


Are perception or thought, behavior, and environment related? Does good perception or thought improve behavior, improving environment? Does bad perception or thought worsen behavior, worsening environment? Or is there a complete disconnect between these variables?

Perception Affects Behavior

Success, which is something so simple in the end, is made up of thousands of things, we never fully know what.

- Rainer Maria Rilke

Success is simple; it is also complex. It is simple, in that success consists of accomplishing your goal. It is complex, in that there are thousands of things you must do along the way to goal accomplishment. If you view success as simple, you persist confidently. If you view success as complex, you hesitate alarmingly. The former leads to accomplishment, the latter to procrastination. Therefore the trick to getting anything done is to view it as easy rather than difficult. Viewing affects doing; perception affects behavior.

Behavior Affects Environment

Karma basically means that in doing good things, good things will come to you; and in doing bad things, bad things will come to you. Karma generally applies to all human behavior. Karma is the environmental result of your behavior.

Some examples of bad karma are if you disrespect others, others will disrespect you; if you murder others, others will murder you; if you cheat others, others will cheat you; if you steal from others, others will steal from you; if you deceive others, others will deceive you.

Revenge, though not a virtue, is part of human nature. People naturally anger at injustices done to them. In serious criminal acts, the justice system attempts to punish the perpetrator by matching the punishment to the crime. For example, a murderer receives death (execution) or the death of his time (life in prison). Also, a court-ordered fine takes a thief’s property or imprisonment takes his time.

Some examples of good karma are if you respect others, others will respect you; if you help others, others will help you; if you are honest with others, others will be honest with you; if you give to others, others will give to you; if you are loyal to others, others will be loyal to you.

Gratitude is part of human nature. People naturally feel grateful for favors bestowed upon them, and seek to repay the favors. For example, a neighbor would be more apt to give you food and shelter, if you gave the neighbor food and shelter in the past. Also, a coworker would be more apt to give you a loan, if you gave the coworker a loan in the past.

Oftentimes, evil deeds get rewarded and good deeds get punished in the short run; and evil deeds get punished and good deeds get rewarded in the long run. For example, a dishonest bank robber is richer than an honest banker in the short run. But in the long run, the honest banker is richer than the imprisoned bank robber. Indeed, positive behavior eventually leads to positive environment; negative behavior eventually leads to negative environment.

Thought Affects Behavior, Affecting Environment

Nature gave men two ends - one to sit on, and one to think with. Ever since then man’s success or failure has been dependent on the one he used most.

- George R. Kirkpatrick

Action equals success; inaction equals failure. Action or inaction begins in thought, working its way to behavior, ending in environmental success or failure. Actively thinking about accomplishing your goal generates ideas on this. You may make many wrong turns on the road to your goal; but if you keep driving, you will get there. Oftentimes, trial and error teach best, especially if there is no road map to guide you. In contrast, inactive thinking generates nothing. You are parked, going nowhere. Trial and error play no role, since you never begin driving.

Sitting on your rear brings failure near; thinking with your brain brings successful gain.

Behavior & Environment Affect Thought

According to physics, the interaction of mass and velocity produces kinetic energy. Changing mass or velocity changes kinetic energy. Changing Mass: A car hitting you at 50 miles/hour will do more physical damage to you than a housefly at the same speed, because the former has more kinetic energy than the latter. Changing Velocity: A car hitting you at 50 miles/hour will do more physical damage to you than the same car at 5 miles/hour, because the former has more kinetic energy than the latter.

Likewise, the interaction of environment and behavior produces thought energy. Changing your environment or behavior changes your thought energy. Changing Environment: Living in a slum will thoughtfully depress you more than living in luxury. Changing Behavior: Resting away aimlessly will thoughtfully depress you more than striving toward a goal.

Hence, the interaction of luxury and goal striving produces heightened thought energy.

In summarizing, we see that perception or thought affects behavior, affecting environment - and that behavior and environment affect thought. All of these variables make up a universal reality; each of these variables makes up a particular reality.



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John Wellington asked:


One thing that appears to be crucial in this world we all share is looking good. Do you look good? Hey, don’t take it the wrong way; I’m certainly not judging you. I’m simply making a valid query. I think we should all strive to look our bests. These days this can be taken to whole new levels. I don’t really care what you have in mind; you can probably get it done with the right amount of cash. Well, aside from making yourself taller.

One thing that can benefit anyone and everyone is skin care. What is your skin looking like now days? Are you completely satisfied with its tone, texture, and overall quality? You can get help with it if you like. This is not such a drastic change or alteration. Nothing like surgery. Have you ever heard of environ skin care? Maybe it’s time you had.

With services such as environ skin care, folks can truly enhance the appearance of their skin. Maybe you suffer from acne and require some serious treatments to get a hold on the situation. I have seen this dilemma many times before. My closest friend was one who required professional assistance with his breakouts. He just couldn’t get control of it on his own. The more he would treat his pimples, the more they would pop up. It was a no-win situation.

Finally he acquired a helping hand from environ skin care. With the aid of laser treatments, he was well on his way to a clearer complexion. Maybe you too are troubled with terrible zits. It’s definitely nothing to be embarrassed about. Around 80 percent of our species suffer from some sort of acne. The main thing is how you address and treat the issue. The sooner to seek professional help, the better off you are. Get a grip on your acne before it does any real and permanent damage to your mug.

If you are interested in environ skin care or some other skin care process, hop on your trusty laptop and see what’s currently available. The only way you’re going to squelch this irksome dilemma is by hitting it head-on. Read up on environ skin care so you have a clear understanding of what they can provide for you. It’s all about proper research. That’s where the Internet becomes your best friend. Find all you need to know and get the help you need concerning your skin.



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Peter Peterka asked:


Although Six Sigma has its roots in manufacturing, it works just as effectively in service industries. It’s no secret that service environments, such as financial organizations, healthcare providers, retail companies, and hospitality organizations have a harder time applying Six Sigma principles. However, the core principles of Six Sigma allow it to cost-effectively translate manufacturing-oriented Six Sigma tools into the service delivery process.

Service organizations have different root causes of problems and a unique set of processes and metrics. Thus, the tools and methodology required to achieve the improvements of Six Sigma are significantly different. While problems in the manufacturing setting may lie within a process, the issue in a service environment often is the process itself. Service industries are full of waste–and ripe for the benefits of Six Sigma. It is easy to apply relatively simple statistical and lean tools that will reduce costs and achieve greater speed with less waste in service processes. There are numerous case studies that demonstrate how Six Sigma can be used in service organizations just as effectively as in manufacturing-and with even faster results.

In a service organization, the critical factors in quality and efficiency are flow of information and interaction between people, especially interactions with customers. Transforming the process of these flows will yield quality results. At the heart of every service business are the opinions, behaviors and decisions made by people. Analyzing and modifying human performance in service environments is as complex as any manufacturing situation. Six Sigma achieves documented bottom-line strategic business results by initiating an organization-wide culture shift. Until a process focus-rather than a task focus-is developed, the scope and endurance of improvements will be limited. Analyzing and modifying human performance in these environments is complex, but Six Sigma provides the tools and methodology required to achieve significant long-term improvements.

Service managers trained in Six Sigma become skilled at advanced process analysis and problem solving techniques relevant to the “real world” of service environments. They learn to identify and eliminate poor decision-making processes, standardize practices, reduce cycle times and manage the risk of the extensive changes required for breakthrough process improvement in people-oriented transactional processes. Successful Six Sigma services projects will lead to improved customer satisfaction, increased profit margins, reduced costs, and lower turnover. Six Sigma tools can be used in many service environments, even service areas within a non-service industry. Areas such as procurement, call centers, surgical suites, government offices, R&D, and many more will all receive benefits from implementing Six Sigma process improvement.

Six Sigma will help a service environment become a customer-centered organization, gain control over process complexity, and improve response time on signature services. Peter Peterka is President of Six Sigma us. For additional information on Six Sigma Green Belt or other Six Sigma Certification programs contact Peter Peterka.



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