As I write this, the international climate change summit looks set to go the way of so many political get-togethers: failure, hypocrisy, delay and shunting the problem on to future governments and future generations. However, when our governments fail to lead us, perhaps we can lead them. Free, environmentally sound power may seem like an unlikely solution. Solar panels and wind generators cost a fortune right? Well no actually, you can have free power, after only a small initial outlay and a little time and effort.

Not only that but your free power will keep coming and coming, solar panels in particular have no moving parts and they will take many years to wear out if not damaged by some kind of impact or physical accident. Wind turbines do have moving parts and items like bearings may need replacing or overhauling every few years, but that’s all.

Governments, power companies and nay sayers will tell you that renewables can never replace nuclear, or coal, or gas fired power stations and as things stand they may be right. Frankly though, if every household in the developed world reduced its dependence on power brought in by national grids and power companies, by adopting the use of solar panels and wind turbines, the need for new power stations would go into reverse. In fact it’s just possible that where wind farms, hydro and tide power cannot supply all our needs now, maybe they could if we all took a little power into our own hands.

How often do you get the chance to do something good and profit from it financially? If you don’t want to, or can’t afford to spend out on professionally installed solar and wind power, easy to follow plans to build your own, from inexpensive, readily available components, with minimal tools and little expertise are available.

Don’t pass the problem on to your kids, help change the environment for the better, learn new skills, maybe share the building of you own mini home power station with your kids, teaching them new skills at the same time you demonstrate to them your care for the world they will inherit. Maybe even consider making a business out of it, or create a neighborhood project to bring people together and inspire other communities round about.

Every amp you generate will save you money, month in, month out for years and reduce your dependence on power produced using dirty or dangerous technologies. Free clean power, it’s not a dirty word and it doesn’t have to be a dirty world.

Malcolm Snook is author of the book ‘Of Land, Sea And Sky’, he has been an explorer, sailor, skydiving instructor, car and motorcycle racer as well as an entrepreneur and businessman. He is also a keen swing dancer and has a great interest in promoting peace and green issues.
www.freepowerknowhow.com www.trafford.com/07-2592

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/what-can-we-do-if-the-copenhagen-summit-fails-1598850.html

The Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (CICR) announced that it was becoming concerned about the way in which trade will be impacted by measures which seek to combat global climate change.  ”Costa Rica has a good position with respect to the carbon footprint of its products, but you have to prove it and that’s expensive,” said chamber president Juan María González in a news conference.

According to industry representatives, at the next climate change summit which is to be held in Copenhagen from December 7 – 18, it is likely that guidelines will be implemented so that exported products will have to prove their carbon footprint in the future.

The carbon footprint is the total of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted by the direct or indirect effect of an individual, organization, event or product.  Highly industrialized countries and countries which are rapidly developing and becoming highly industrialized, such as China and India, tend to have a larger carbon footprint than small countries such as Costa Rica.

The summit will be successful, depending on certain perspectives,  because people from different nations are demanding true commitments from their leaders. The USA has already announced that it will take important steps in this matter and this loudly announces that there is political will in countries to take real action on behalf of the environment.

Industry believes that Costa Rica should cautiously take actions to meet the future.  The measures being proposed have a high cost.  “It’s cheaper to meet environmental standards than to demonstrate compliance with them,” Gonzalez said.

The industrial sector produces about 800,000 tons of CO2, and it sits as the fifth sector in the country that emits the most greenhouse gases, according to the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET).  The industrial sector’s Carbon intensity is increasing at an annual rate of 14%.

Given this figure, CICR proposed an industrial climate change strategy which would be a response to environmental challenges faced by industrial companies, which are increasingly demanding, said Gonzalez.

What is still uncertain is what the future holds for companies who fail certify their carbon footprint.  However, Costa Rica claims to be a green or environmentally friendly country and this comes with a responsibility to meet the requirements in order to be able to use this moniker.

Read more news about Costa Rica.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/environmental-requirement-for-companies-1528254.html