The new Fragile Earth app for the iPhone and iPad shows the impact of climate change on the planet by utilizing before and after satellite images of the Earth from around the globe.

Collins Geo, a division of Harper Collins UK has created a new smart phone application called The Fragile Earth for the iPhone and iPad that shows the impact of global warming on 70 sites such as melting glaciers, drought-ridden deserts and destruction caused by severe weather. The new app shows the impact of the changes on the planet by utilizing before and after satellite images from around the world.

Fragile Earth is an electronic extension of a book under the same name published in 2006 and not only shows the effects of global warming around the planet but also how urbanization, such as the construction of Dubai, or natural disasters like the Japan tsunami, altered the local environments. A spokesman at Collins Geo said the company is not making judgments on the images and has no opinion about the conclusions users will make, and says that the firm is simply trying to visually portray some of the geographical features and changes around the world. Collins Geo said the new app will be updated regularly with new visual materials as new developments occur around the Earth and when new images of those developments become available.

Jethro Lennox, head of publishing at Collins Geo, said “When you’re looking at the earth changing, it’s almost surprising and it shows how amazing the place is. For years glaciers have been retreating and advancing, and we don’t really know exactly why this is taking place. But the rate of some of these changes is amazing.” Lennox added that some of the most dramatic images come from the Aral Sea area that was once the world’s fourth-largest freshwater lake but has been drastically reduced in size over the past 40 years.

Lennox said, “We even have to change our world maps quite regularly because it changes so fast.” Each before and after image set in the app is accompanied with a text explanation of the changes in the images, which adds to the appeal because users do not need to be scientists in order to understand the changes they see in the images. The images used in the Fragile Earth app date from 1914 to present day and come from a variety of sources including NASA’s new Earth Image Gallery and GeoEye, a company that sells satellite imagery. Fragile Earth is now available worldwide and costs users just $2.99.

Earth Day 2012 gives people a reason to make lifestyle changes that
will benefit the environment and to support alternative energy
research, including wind and solar power.

April 22 will mark Earth Day 2012 worldwide this year, an event that
is now in its 42nd year and is observed in 175 different countries
around the world. The concept of a global Earth Day was started by
U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 as part of an environmental
teach-in class and the cause was eventually taken to the international
level in 1990 by an environmental activist named Denis Hayes. Since
its inception, Earth Day has inspired and mobilized many people and
different organizations around the world to commit to renewed efforts
toward environmental protection and overall sustainability. Without an
Earth Day, it is unlikely that legislation like the much-needed Clean
Water Act and Clean Air Act would have even come to pass in the United
States.

The last two years have marked by two of the worst environmental
disasters in history with the explosion and collapse of the Deepwater
Horizon off-shore oil drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and the
earthquake and tsunami damage to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power
plant in Japan. Thankfully, there has not be a greater or equal
environmental emergency of the same degree this past year, but the
cumulative after effects of those U.S and Japanese disasters is still
being assessed. Both incidents served to raise the awareness of the
safety of both nuclear power generation and off-shore oil drilling, as
nations around the world continue to struggle with the multiple
problems stemming from generating enough power for a modern society to
function and grow without destroying the environment in the process.

Because 2012 is an election year in the U.S, people are as concerned
about politics as the environment, and Earth Day presents an
opportunity for all citizens to let their government know that they
are as concerned about environmental issues as politics, and that they
consider their government representatives to be accountable for the
often critically important environmental decisions they will make in
the years going forward. Earth Day gives every citizen a reason to put
more lifestyle changes that will benefit the environment into action
and send the message to our government that the nation should put
effort into alternative energy research, including wind and solar
power as well as renewable fuel sources.

Researchers at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. recently held a
press conference where they said there is a very good chance that the
first true “alien Earth” will probably be discovered within the next
two years. After years of searching the distant night skies,
astronomers had discovered some 750 new “alien” planets before NASA’s
Kepler Space Telescope was put into action and found an additional
2,300 “candidate planets” that now await more examination and
confirmation by follow-up studies.

To date, the analysis of the newly discovered planets had not yet
yielded an Earth-like exoplanet that is approximately the size of our
own planet and orbits its own sun at the correct distance to support
the existence of liquid water and perhaps even alien life in some
form. That situation changed this week when Shawn Domagal-Goldman, a
lead researcher at NASA who specializes in exoplanet biology, said in
the press in Washington that “I believe Kepler will find a ‘Goldilocks
planet’ within the next two years, and we’ll be able to point at a
specific star in the night sky and say ‘There it is, a planet that
could support life!’

Although the excitement is real, the NASA prediction may be a bit
premature as studying alien Earths is both part science and part art,
when you consider that most of these Earth-size planets are so far
away from us that the only way researchers have to examine them is to
study the light reflected off of them. However, because these small
planets are so distant, the light they do put out is almost completely
covered up by nearly every larger and brighter star around them. The
team at NASA is now using an indirect approach to look at these target
planets called transit spectroscopy. Because the light reflected off
of the planets carries information about the planet’s atmosphere, it
can give researchers a clue as to the composition of the planet as
well as the gasses surrounding it.

As part of the ongoing mission to discover new planets with life on
them, NASA is also considering teaming up with Google to participate
in an observatory project called the Transiting Exoplanet Survey
Satellite (TESS) that would focus on studying several hundred
Earth-like planets that are within 50 light-years of Earth, making
them close enough to study in detail. Target planets that are much
farther away will be examined with the latest generation of transit
spectroscopy technology called FINESSE, short for “Fast Infrared
Exoplanet Spectroscopy Survey Explorer.” The FINESSE system will
measure the reflected light spectrum given off distant stars and their
nearby planets from two different positions in order to better
separate the faint light from a small planet from the blinding glare
given off nearby stars. It is hoped that more accurate measurements of
the light spectrum will also yield a more accurate estimates of the
composition of a planet’s atmosphere in the process.

As the technology improves, so does our knowledge of distant planets
that may one day be found to have some form of life on them. The
researchers at NASA are very optimistic about the capabilities of the
new, next-generation telescopes and lead researcher Domagal-Goldman
summed it up nicely when he said “I expect to be amazed.”

Caring for the Earth does not mean that you cannot use an air conditioner in your home. In fact, a reliable and efficient air conditioner can use far less electricity, last longer and cool your home far quicker than models made even just 10 years ago. Even better, many of these new efficient air conditioners qualify for tax breaks that help subsidize part of your purchase. Use this guide to show you exactly what to look for to save the most money and help save the Earth around you.

Energy Star: even better than a rock star

The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has devised a system to rate the efficiency, cost of ownership and energy usage of each energy-using product. This rating governs products ranging from automobiles to water heaters and everything in between. For an air conditioner to meet the Energy Star rating means that it is at least 10% more efficient than a conventional air conditioner. A fun fact provided by energystar.com is that if every air conditioner in the country were Energy Star rated, it would prevent over 900 million pounds of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere every year. That is the same as if 80,000 cars were taken off the road every year!

The type of air conditioning system you choose matters

Central air, long considered the king of cool, is sometimes seen as wasteful and inefficient. Now, options range from window-units to ductless, wall-mounted options. That is not to say that central air is inherently bad, but many people see the benefit in only cooling rooms where people actually are, without worrying about closing registers and vents. Ductless system work in a pinch, require no heavy-duty construction and are easily controlled through the use of in-room thermostats or remote controls. A window-mounted unit can cool an attic or upstairs room, while using far less power than what an old-fashioned central air system could do.

The right brands for efficiency

Look for Energy Star-equipped air conditioners in each market segment. Not only are these products sure to save you money in month-to-month operation, through all seasons, but they are also eligible for the tax credits issued under the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010. Under this bill, certain air conditioners and other Energy Star-certified items qualify for credits of up to $500 if installed by December 31, 2011. This tax credit is a far better “discount” than those possible through other offers. If you are looking to upgrade or improve your home’s ability to keep cool, check out these certified products soon!

Improve the value of your home and the cost of cooling it by choosing efficient Energy Star air conditioners. Ductless, wall-mounted units such as those offered by Mitsubishi and wall mounted units by a variety of other brands exceed these requirements while giving you a tax credit on your next tax return.

Eco tourism is one of the latest trends in travel. It focuses on not only exploring new areas, but helping to improve those areas while visiting. The goal of eco tourists is to explore new areas in a responsible way that helps preserve them for future tourists. Greece offers many different experiences for an eco tourist who is looking to explore this ancient country.

Locations

There are several locations currently up and running for eco tourism in Greece, including many hotspots. Thrace, Athens, Crete and other cities are great places for eco tourists to visit. All of these cities feature beautiful natural areas. Accommodations include small inns and hotels, eco first-class hotels and even monasteries. All of the accommodations have little to no impact on the natural area. Many eco first-class hotels provide a five star experience in a hotel that is in a restored building and uses many green ways of operating to impact the surrounding area in the least way possible.

Things to do

All activities available to an eco tourist either improve the local environment, or do not negatively impact the environment in any way. Archaeology is a huge draw for visitors to Greece. Eco tourists get to visit ancient areas, and help unearth secrets from the past, all while exploring a beautiful area. Taking in local sites such as birdwatching or observing flora is another popular eco tourist experience. How eco tourists differ from other tourists is that oftentimes they volunteer to clean up a wildlife or botanical area. This helps keep it pristine and available for more visitors to enjoy in the future. Hiking is another popular pastime for eco tourists in Greece. Greece is full of trails that criss-cross throughout the country. Many eco tourists keep the paths walkable as they travel along and clear brush, or pick up debris left by other hikers.

Greece is a beautiful country that any tourist can enjoy visiting. By adding eco sites to your itinerary, you get to see the wonderful sights, and ensure that these sites stay pristine and eco-friendly for future explorers to enjoy. Eco tourism enables you to fully experience a new area while at the same time, preserving the land, buildings and other resources for the people who call that same area home. When booking your next vacation to Greece, make it eco-friendly.

The cleanest and most abundant of all current renewable energy technology sources is by most standards, solar energy. The potential for harvesting solar energy is greatly increasing in efficiency as new technologies emerge. Current solar cells, collectors, batteries and solar rechargers make powering many of the smaller electronic devices, such as cell phones and laptops, extremely easy. Two way metering for residential home power with solar energy is more convenient than ever.

Solar energy is still here

For longer than humans have existed, solar energy has powered the earth and its systems. Winds, water currents, air pressure, precipitation, plant growth, decomposition and an endless number of other processes and activities are fueled either directly or indirectly by the sun. Solar energy was most probably the first form of non labor energy used by humans. Its first uses were undoubtedly as simple as drying grains or other plant material and curing hides or drying clothing. As humans advanced, solar energy did also, with passive energy building techniques and solar lighting quickly accepted as a standard practice of architecture and construction. Solar water heating and active solar cells are incredibly recent additions to the uses of solar energy.

Active and passive

Solar energy is categorized into two basic types known as active solar energy and passive solar energy. Passive solar energy is the use of solar energy without any active mechanical systems. Buildings use passive solar in the way they are situated. Their design takes advantage of the available sunlight and uses it for heating and creating air flow. Solar cookers and solar chimneys are other examples of passive solar energy uses. Active solar energy is produced by using mechanical means to convert solar energy into another more useable form, such as heat or electricity. Solar cells and solar water heaters are the most prominent examples of this type of energy.

Charge the batteries

Batteries are increasingly powering the things used in daily lives like cell phones, MP3 players and laptops or tablets. The current market for solar rechargers is flooded with choices and types to fit the needs of almost any electronic device user. Solar battery chargers for multiple types of batteries and devices are found easily and cheaply. Chargers in today’s solar market can charge almost any USB chargeable device or battery ranging from AA rechargeable batteries to 12v automotive batteries and everything in between. Using a solar battery charger is one of the easiest ways to make solar a part of a renewable energy program.

Solar energy is one of the most underutilized forms of renewable energy available on the planet. Current technologies combined with longstanding solar energy practices make today’s use of solar energy more available to everyone and more economically sound than ever.

Your toilet is probably not the first thing to come to mind when thinking about earth-friendly products, but a great deal of water waste in the home occurs in the toilet. Low-flow and composting toilets, popular among environmentalists for many years, are now reaching the mainstream. Low-flow toilets once had a bad rap for not completely flushing waste, but contemporary low-flow toilets have improved performance, and the even more environmentally friendly composting toilets are also gaining popularity.

Low-flow toilets

There are several new low-flow toilets available to please earth-friendly shoppers as well as those concerned with performance. The G-Max by Toto low-flow toilet uses far less water per flush than the average toilet and users report flushing results comparable to traditional toilets. Another choice, the Incinolet, does not use any water at all; this toilet uses heat to burn waste into ashes. Although this choice saves water, it uses electricity, which is not always an environmentally friendly choice. Other toilet brands, such as American Standard, Briggs, Caroma, Ceralux, Crane and Eljer provide toilets with fewer gallons of water per flush than other brands. The Niagara Conservation’s Stealth toilet and Power Assist Two-Piece High Efficiency Toilets use a combination of water and air to flush waste, which results in even lower levels of water usage. While these toilets are slightly more expensive to purchase than traditional low-flow toilets, they can pay for themselves in the amount of water saved with each flush.

Composting toilets

The most environmentally friendly option for a toilet is a composting toilet, which allows someone to not only get rid of bathroom waste without water, but also use that bathroom waste as compost for use on a garden or yard. The Separett Composting Toilet actually separates solid waste from water waste when creating compost, while The Loveable Loo brand composting toilet does not separate urine and solid waste. Envirolet provides several options in composting toilets, from completely water-free composting toilets, to toilets that combine composting and more traditional low-flow-water toilet styles.

While it might seem radical to completely replace your toilet, getting rid of a wasteful toilet can not only help to reduce water costs, but also help prevent water waste. While personal conservation techniques can help reduce water waste, changing your toilet to a low-flow or composting toilet can make an even larger impact on the environment.

Development in the modern world seems irreconcilable with sustainable living. However, this is a false assumption. Sustainable development recognizes the needs of the builders in the context of a developing environment. A greater quality and a better investment often come from the careful consideration of environmental factors.

LEED certifications

One of the biggest ways to affect sustainable development is through Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications. Builders who are LEED certified understand a variety of tricks that can make a traditional building more cost effective, eco-conscious and sustainable. For example, having large windows facing north or southward, depending on the hemisphere, allows for greater use of the sun’s energy. When seeking out a developer, consider a LEED-certified company for sustainable work.

Minimizing new development

Green spaces allow for the greater health of communities. When planning a sustainable development, one should consider how to re-purpose old buildings in already developed areas. The benefits to this approach include the preservation of green spaces and the possible rehabilitation of blighted areas. Blighted areas may also receive tax credits from the U.S. Green Building Council, as well as support from Tax Increment Financing (TIF), a tool used by municipalities to increase property value.

Integrated systems

In addition to simply creating a building with minimal impact, sustainable development often includes items which help the building sustain itself. Rain barrel systems, for example, can help capture fallen water for use in the building’s landscaping efforts. Solar panels can lower energy costs, and on days where the building uses little or no energy, they may contribute energy back to the area’s power grid. All of these items help meet the resource needs of a community, instead of draining those resources.

Common sense measures

Even the simplest building project can make use of common sense sustainability efforts. Painting flat, tar rooftops white helps reflect solar energy, keeping the building marginally cooler as well as reducing the overall impact the roofs have on urban environments. Some larger cities with many black tar roofs see an overall increase in the city’s temperature due to the absorption of solar energy. This affect causes all buildings to use more resources in staying cool. To that end, ensuring that insulation systems are up to date can help a development avoid using more energy than necessary.

Giving back

In the instance that a development must invade an otherwise unspoiled area, there is still much that developers can do for the sustainability of the community. Replanting any trees destroyed by the construction is one step. Carbon credits are another way in which a development can begin to affect worldwide sustainability, contributing money towards efforts to preserve and sustain nature elsewhere.

As human beings grow and expand, development continues. However, development is not synonymous with destruction. Through proper planning and an understanding of the sustainable practices available, one can make a development of any size sustainable.

As the largest conservation organization in America, the National Wildlife Federation works with a network of over 4 million people. With this network, the NWF helps fight global warming, protects wildlife habitats and restores them to their former glory and assists Americans in reconnecting with nature and all its beauty. For over 75 years, the National Wildlife Federation has acted as the voice of conservation, preservation and protection of animals and their habitats. Through its work and the work of the donors who support it, this national organization can help prevent further decimation of our natural wildlife and preserve the country for the youth of tomorrow.

What the National Wildlife Federation does

In the 21st century, wildlife faces many obstacles. As the world evolves and industrializes further each year, animal habitats face destruction, and more species face extinction. Global warming threatens to kill off plant life, effectively removing a food source for many of our animal friends. The National Wildlife Federation seeks to help stop these losses and even reverse the damage, if possible, by working with the government to pass new laws regulating carbon consumption and protecting wildlife resources. The NWF also works to organize cleanups of areas where animals live to ensure safe, protected habitats.

Where the NWF Works and How to Help

The National Wildlife Foundation works all over the United States of America. Each region of the country has its own regional center, and affiliate offices exist within those regions. The National Wildlife Federation website exists as a wonderful resource for finding out where to find the local office in your region, and it provides great tips on activities you can do to make your own backyard more eco-friendly. The National Wildlife Federation also accepts donations and allows you to enroll in gift memberships, whereby a certain amount of money is given to the NWF each year in your name. As a member, you are entitled to a lot of perks, like free gifts, so this may seem like the best option if you cannot volunteer but still want to contribute.

The National Wildlife Federation helps to bring awareness to the growing problems of nature conservation in the 21st century. With its help, Americans can begin to alleviate the pressure they put on the country’s natural resources and prevent our native wildlife from becoming extinct. The government keeps the country running smoothly, but the NWF keeps the country alive.

Coating windows with solar window film reduces the levels of heat that can pass through glass and also reduces glare. Window film is easy to apply to any size or shape pf glass. Advanced tinted window film can also provide protection from UV rays. Older and less expensive films are dyed to provide the tint. Newer film is made up of thin layers of metal sandwiched between two pieces of polyester plastic. The result is a film that provides natural, glare-reducing windows with many more solar protection benefits.

SolarfilmCo

SolarfilmCo sells scratch-resistant 1.5 mylar-polyester film, a film that usually is available only to commercial window tinting companies. It provides the do-it-yourself homeowner with quality film that is easy to use and durable. The film contains no dyes that may fade or turn purple with time. The neutral-colored NiChrome films are almost invisible and are also used on vehicles.

Solar Gard

Coating windows with solar window film does more than just saving energy. Window film from Solar Gard protects from ultraviolet rays. Its Armorcoat solar safety films are tinted with a metalized layer of polyester that provides privacy, minimizes eye glare, balances temperatures and helps protect furniture and other items from sun-induced fading.

Solar X

A Texas based company, Solar X sells 3M brand sun control and safety and security window film. The sun control film is available in clear or tinted. It can lower A/C bills by up to 30 percent and blocks winter heat loss by 73 percent. It also prevents furniture and floors from fading, and it reduces sun glare. Solar X safety and security window film holds broken glass together in the event of hurricanes or thieves. It also prevents permanent graffiti damage.

Solar Window Film

Solar Window Film adds great customer service to its quality line of window films. The window films it provides help to save energy, reduce fading, reduce glare, prevent graffiti and beautify your windows. A 100 percent guarantee is provided with all of its products, and the company installs the film for free.

Adding a metalized solar window film to windows is reported to reduce a building’s heating and cooling demands by 20 percent. The film blocks solar heat coming from outside in the summer, and it blocks radiant heat from escaping through the glass during the winter. Coating windows with solar window film is one of the best investments anyone can make for their home and the planet.