environmental: Greening Your Yard: Make Your Yard Look Great Without The Carbon Footprint - 02/27/09 12:05 AM
The best place to start in making your yard more eco-friendly is to rethink the landscaping. The good news is that spring is just around the corner and rethinking your landscaping at this time means you don't have to sacrifice the attractiveness of your lawn. The first step of rethinking your lawn is to evaluate how much grass you really need. Most people can replace a significant amount of grassy area with border gardens, which can use mulch and compost. Increasing garden areas also reduces the amount of time and gas spent mowing the lawn, which in turn reduces greenhouse emissions. … (1 comments)

environmental: Five Ways to Cut Energy Usage & Save Money Around the House - 08/24/08 03:52 AM
It takes unimaginable amounts of energy to power the United States, and the needs is constantly growing. As global warming and fuel crises gain more and more public attention, people everywhere are now looking for ways to live a greener lifestyle. But this doesn't mean rebuilding your home to run on solar energy, or overhauling your current lifestyle. There are plenty of small, simple things you can do every day to help reduce your household's energy consumption (and even waste). Here are five effective changes you can make right now. 1.Turn Off the Lights We've all heard this a million times, … (2 comments)

environmental: Town Lake - Lady Bird Lake - 08/19/08 04:29 PM
Known previously as Town Lake, Lady Bird Lake is actually the portion of the Colorado River that runs through the center of Austin, dammed on either end to create a peaceful waterway with plenty of boating opportunities. The Town Lake Corridor, surrounding the water, is full of hike and bike trails, parklands, sports fields, music and festival locations - with views of the Austin skyline competing with the serenity of river's vistas.
The Town Lake Corridor includes both north and south banks of Lady Bird Lake, bounded by Cesar Chavez to the north, and the appropriately named Riverside to the … (0 comments)

environmental: Hamilton Pool Preserve - 07/01/08 05:42 AM
One of the most beautiful and unique attractions Austin has is Hamilton Pool Preserve, located just a half an hour out of the city, in the gorgeous Hill Country. The historic swimming area and its surrounding grounds were designated a preserve by the Travis County Commissioner's Court in 1990, and this idyllic, untainted spot is like an oasis, offering an accessible get-away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With 232 acres of nature preserve, the emphasis is on preservation of natural habitats, and environmental education, but the crown jewel is the pool and grotto.
Formed from the collapse … (1 comments)

environmental: Texas Friendly Flowers - 06/14/08 02:09 AM
Do you love the beauty and color of flowers but cringe at the thought of the maintenance required for their upkeep? If your colorful blooms have a tendency to turn brown and crunchy from neglect in the hot Austin sun, there may be some flowers made just for you. Flora native or adapted to the Austin area thrive where others perish, resisting drought, pests and other hazards. Just choose your plants wisely and you can have fabulous landscaping for your property with little work.
There are many benefits to growing native plants. In addition to saving on water and fertilizer … (2 comments)

environmental: Easy Ways To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient - 06/06/08 02:34 AM
The average home spends a whopping $1500 annually on energy costs—an energy bottom line that is much bigger than it needs to be, because a significant portion of that energy is wasted and lost. The good news is, changing just a few simple things around your house can make a big difference and save a lot of energy—and money.
More than 10% of a home’s energy is consumed by light bulbs. By changing from standard incandescent bulb to compact florescent bulbs (CFLs), you can cut that consumption dramatically. A CFL uses 2/3 less energy and comes in a variety of … (2 comments)

environmental: The Hidden/Green City - 06/04/08 04:08 AM
Canopy. That’s a great word and a comforting thought when shade is what you need on a hot day. When it’s canopy provided by trees, the word and the comfort loom refreshingly larger in the mind of any summer sun-smitten shade seeker. No man made shade offers quite the appeal of the dark and dappled shade of a live oak tree on a sun-baked lawn.
Austin has a rich urban canopy and, although trees can cause problems with utility lines above ground and roots that break sewer and water lines below, their benefit to the community is undisputable. There are … (1 comments)

environmental: Peak Oil and the '08 Election - 05/04/08 04:00 AM
The headlines this month have been taken by the most insidious of America's vices: black gold. Oil futures are now projected to exceed $100 a barrel until 2016, and continue to sit comfortably near the $115-120 a barrel mark. Many different causes have been blamed for rising prices at the pump, ranging from massive speculation to supply instability in some oil-producing nations. However, one factor must surely be worrisome to most every American: oil companies haven't been getting enough of the stuff out of the ground.
Exxon Mobil's $11 billion quarterly profit disappointed Wall Street and investors alike, their shares … (4 comments)

environmental: Profiles in Green City Programs: Austin Texas - 04/27/08 02:26 AM
Several cities across the US are noted for their progressive city governments and citizenry in regards to environmental issues. Known as “green cities”, they not only initiate and practice policies that promote clean air and water, but often promote other programs and practices such as alternative energy systems and construction methods.
Austin, Texas consistently places in the various lists of the greenest cities in the US and the world. The Green Guide, affiliated with National Geographic, chose Austin as number 2 on its list on Top Green Cities in 2006. Criteria for its choices included air quality, electricity use and … (0 comments)

 

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