{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"categoryState":{"relatedCategories":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2023-01-02T12:01:08+00:00"},"categoryId":33932,"data":{"title":"General Sustainability","slug":"general-sustainability","image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Garden & Green Living","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33916"},"slug":"garden-green-living","categoryId":33916},{"name":"Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33928"},"slug":"sustainability","categoryId":33928},{"name":"General Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"},"slug":"general-sustainability","categoryId":33932}],"parentCategory":{"categoryId":33928,"title":"Sustainability","slug":"sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33928"}},"childCategories":[],"description":"Wondering about wind energy? Have a conservation conundrum? Check out our articles on sustainability best practices.","relatedArticles":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles?category=33932&offset=0&size=5"},"hasArticle":true,"hasBook":true,"articleCount":44,"bookCount":4},"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"}},"relatedCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{"count":10,"total":44,"items":[{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:58:29+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-04-07T16:15:34+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:35+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Garden & Green Living","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33916"},"slug":"garden-green-living","categoryId":33916},{"name":"Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33928"},"slug":"sustainability","categoryId":33928},{"name":"General Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"},"slug":"general-sustainability","categoryId":33932}],"title":"Wind Power For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"wind power for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"wind-power-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Learn about the basic parts of wind-electric systems, evaluate how much energy your home needs and explore how much wind your site gets.","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"After you decide that your home is a good candidate for wind power, you need to understand the basic parts of wind-electric systems and how they fit together. In addition, you need to evaluate how much energy your home needs and how much wind your site actually gets — a realistic wind resource assessment is key. You also want to make sure to steer clear of \"too good to be true\" energy estimates from the pros who want to sell you their goods and services.","description":"After you decide that your home is a good candidate for wind power, you need to understand the basic parts of wind-electric systems and how they fit together. In addition, you need to evaluate how much energy your home needs and how much wind your site actually gets — a realistic wind resource assessment is key. You also want to make sure to steer clear of \"too good to be true\" energy estimates from the pros who want to sell you their goods and services.","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10583,"name":"Ian Woofenden","slug":"ian-woofenden","description":" <p><b>Ian Woofenden</b> is a Senior Editor with Home Power magazine, the Northwest &amp; Costa Rica Coordinator with Solar Energy International, and a wind-energy author, consultant, and instructor. He has been living off-grid with his family and several wind generators for almost 30 years.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10583"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33932,"title":"General Sustainability","slug":"general-sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":195899,"title":"Verify Energy Claims from Wind Generator Professionals","slug":"verify-energy-claims-from-wind-generator-professionals","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195899"}},{"articleId":195898,"title":"Do You Get Enough Wind for a Wind-Energy System?","slug":"do-you-get-enough-wind-for-a-wind-energy-system","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195898"}},{"articleId":195894,"title":"The Major Parts of a Wind-Energy System","slug":"the-major-parts-of-a-wind-energy-system","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195894"}},{"articleId":195895,"title":"Assess Your Energy Usage to Determine Your Wind-Energy Needs","slug":"assess-your-energy-usage-to-determine-your-wind-energy-needs","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195895"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":208379,"title":"Alternative Energy For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"alternative-energy-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208379"}},{"articleId":208344,"title":"Green Cleaning For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"green-cleaning-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208344"}},{"articleId":206672,"title":"How to Set Up Your Own Community Environmental Project","slug":"how-to-set-up-your-own-community-environmental-project","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206672"}},{"articleId":206671,"title":"Eco-friendly Driving Tactics","slug":"eco-friendly-driving-tactics","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206671"}},{"articleId":206670,"title":"Cutting Back Consumption and Aiming for Zero Waste","slug":"cutting-back-consumption-and-aiming-for-zero-waste","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206670"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282674,"slug":"wind-power-for-dummies","isbn":"9780470496374","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470496371/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0470496371/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0470496371-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470496371/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0470496371/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/wind-power-for-dummies-cover-9780470496374-201x255.jpg","width":201,"height":255},"title":"Wind Power For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<p><b data-author-id=\"10583\">Ian Woofenden</b> is a Senior Editor with Home Power magazine, the Northwest &amp; Costa Rica Coordinator with Solar Energy International, and a wind-energy author, consultant, and instructor. He has been living off-grid with his family and several wind generators for almost 30 years.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":10583,"name":"Ian Woofenden","slug":"ian-woofenden","description":" <p><b>Ian Woofenden</b> is a Senior Editor with Home Power magazine, the Northwest &amp; Costa Rica Coordinator with Solar Energy International, and a wind-energy author, consultant, and instructor. He has been living off-grid with his family and several wind generators for almost 30 years.</p>","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10583"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;garden-green-living&quot;,&quot;sustainability&quot;,&quot;general-sustainability&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780470496374&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b370fe8a\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;garden-green-living&quot;,&quot;sustainability&quot;,&quot;general-sustainability&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;9780470496374&quot;]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221b3710938\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":195894,"title":"The Major Parts of a Wind-Energy System","slug":"the-major-parts-of-a-wind-energy-system","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195894"}},{"articleId":195895,"title":"Assess Your Energy Usage to Determine Your Wind-Energy Needs","slug":"assess-your-energy-usage-to-determine-your-wind-energy-needs","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195895"}},{"articleId":195898,"title":"Do You Get Enough Wind for a Wind-Energy System?","slug":"do-you-get-enough-wind-for-a-wind-energy-system","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195898"}},{"articleId":195899,"title":"Verify Energy Claims from Wind Generator Professionals","slug":"verify-energy-claims-from-wind-generator-professionals","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/195899"}}],"content":[{"title":"The major parts of a wind-energy system","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>When it comes to power, a wind generator by itself will do absolutely nothing for you. You need a wind-energy <i>system</i><i>,</i> which consists of most or all of these components:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Batteries (for off-grid and backup systems)</b> provide energy storage for periods of calm or during utility grid outages.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>A</b> <b>charge controller and/or voltage clamp</b> take raw energy from a wind generator and condition it so it can charge batteries safely and effectively or interface with an inverter and the utility grid.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Disconnects and overcurrent protection</b> provide safety from overloaded circuits and allow you to isolate different parts of the system.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>A</b> <b>dump load</b> is a place to divert excess energy in off-grid systems or when the utility grid is down, it&#8217;s windy, and your batteries are full.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>An</b> <b>inverter</b> converts direct current (DC) electricity to conventional household alternating current (AC) electricity, and it may &#8220;sell&#8221; surplus electricity to the utility grid.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Loads in a system </b>are energy-using devices, such as lights, appliances, and other electricity users.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">*<b>Metering</b> gives you data display and logging so you can tell what your system is doing and whether it&#8217;s performing well.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>A</b> <b>tower</b> supports a wind generator, getting it up into the smooth, strong wind that&#8217;s needed to generate meaningful amounts of electricity.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Transmission wiring and conduit</b> allow you to transfer energy from where it&#8217;s made to where it&#8217;s stored and used.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Wind generators (or turbines) </b>collect the energy in the wind and use it to make electricity.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Assess your energy usage to determine your wind-energy needs","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Doing a usage assessment to determine how much energy you need is a vital step toward getting a successful wind-electric system that meets your power expectations. These steps help you calculate how much energy you&#8217;re using:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Review all energy bills so you can determine your overall energy use.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">List all <i>loads</i> (electrical appliances) with wattage and run time to see specifically where you&#8217;re using energy and how much you&#8217;re using.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Measure <i>phantom</i> <i>loads</i> (loads that use energy when turned off) using a watt meter.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Inspect your <i>building envelope</i> (the shell of your house), sealing, windows, and so on by having a professional do a blower door test (which pressurizes your house and measures how leaky it is).</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Have an HVAC professional inspect your space and water heating systems.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Consider your energy use habits and goals so you can look for ways to reduce your energy use and plan for future energy use.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n"},{"title":"Do you get enough wind for a wind-energy system?","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Analyzing your wind resource (your site&#8217;s average wind speed, measured in miles per hour) is one of the hardest jobs you face when selecting a wind-electric system; no single method gives you exact numbers. To come up with a good estimate of your site&#8217;s average wind speed, combine as many of the following strategies as possible:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Put up a recording anemometer </b>at the proposed wind generator height to measure your actual wind resource; you often need to do it over the course of a year or more.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Use a small test turbine with a watt-hour meter </b>to give you some data while giving you a bit of energy; you can learn important lessons from the experience.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Consult wind maps and roses, </b>which show generalized wind resource information for your area.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Sift through local weather data, </b>which may be an excellent source of wind resource information.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Live on site with eyes and ears open</b> to note seasonal variations in wind.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Climb something tall (like a tree that&#8217;s on a high point on your property) </b>and look at topography and obstructions; this can help you determine your optimum tower height.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Study vegetation, </b>which<b> </b>may reflect how much wind you have; by reading the deformation of trees, you may be able to estimate your wind resource.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\"><b>Talk with neighbors; </b>they<b> </b>may give you valuable perspective on wind in your neighborhood, especially if your neighbors are wind-energy users.</p>\n</li>\n</ul>\n"},{"title":"Verify energy claims from wind generator professionals","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"<p>Many wind generator inventors, manufacturers, and installers make claims about how much energy you can get from their idea or product, but how can you know whether those energy claims are realistic, ambitious, or outright scams? In all cases, you should seek real-world confirmation of estimates and check your wind power professional&#8217;s numbers.</p>\n<p>To test for &#8220;enthusiastic&#8221; estimates from inventors, manufacturers, or installers, do the following:</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Verify the average wind speed the professional or manufacturer is using as the basis of the claim.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Without an accurate average wind speed from your actual tower height, you can&#8217;t get an accurate prediction of wind energy on your site.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Verify the <i>swept area</i> (the area that the blades sweep) of the wind generator.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">For horizontal-axis machines, the swept area equals the rotor radius (half of the diameter) squared times Pi (3.14 if your calculator doesn&#8217;t have a Pi button). For vertical-axis wind generators, take height times width for swept area; multiply that total by 0.65 for Darrieus-style vertical-axis turbines.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Multiply the swept area (in square feet) by the average wind speed cubed (in miles per hour), and divide that total by 32,000 for an estimate of average daily kWh production from a typical machine.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Multiply your final total by 30 to get your average monthly energy in kWh and 365 for annual energy in kWh.</p>\n</li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"first-para\">Check this prediction against manufacturer claims or installer production estimates.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\"><b></b>If the manufacturer or installer claim is 50 percent or more above your estimate, the machine may possibly be <i>very</i> efficient, but you&#8217;re probably looking at an exaggerated claim.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":"One year","lifeExpectancySetFrom":"2022-04-07T00:00:00+00:00","dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":209451},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T14:49:14+00:00","modifiedTime":"2019-06-14T13:53:15+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:17:10+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Garden & Green Living","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33916"},"slug":"garden-green-living","categoryId":33916},{"name":"Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33928"},"slug":"sustainability","categoryId":33928},{"name":"General Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"},"slug":"general-sustainability","categoryId":33932}],"title":"Cheap Ways to Be Greener Today","strippedTitle":"cheap ways to be greener today","slug":"cheap-ways-to-be-greener-today","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Building sustainable practices into your everyday routines improves the health of the planet and the wealth in your wallet. To lighten your carbon footprint and","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"Building sustainable practices into your everyday routines improves the health of the planet and the wealth in your wallet. To lighten your carbon footprint and save some green, try these low- or no-cost practices:","description":"Building sustainable practices into your everyday routines improves the health of the planet and the wealth in your wallet. To lighten your carbon footprint and save some green, try these low- or no-cost practices:","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33932,"title":"General Sustainability","slug":"general-sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":209451,"title":"Wind Power For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"wind-power-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209451"}},{"articleId":208379,"title":"Alternative Energy For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"alternative-energy-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208379"}},{"articleId":208344,"title":"Green Cleaning For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"green-cleaning-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208344"}},{"articleId":206672,"title":"How to Set Up Your Own Community Environmental Project","slug":"how-to-set-up-your-own-community-environmental-project","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206672"}},{"articleId":206671,"title":"Eco-friendly Driving Tactics","slug":"eco-friendly-driving-tactics","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206671"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;garden-green-living&quot;,&quot;sustainability&quot;,&quot;general-sustainability&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221aa6b0a00\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;garden-green-living&quot;,&quot;sustainability&quot;,&quot;general-sustainability&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-63221aa6b12aa\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Step by Step","articleList":null,"content":[{"title":"Recycle","thumb":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/92130.image1.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/92129.image0.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Most communities in the United States provide a way to recycle cardboard, newspapers, magazines, paper, glass, plastic, cans, and clothes. (If yours doesn’t, <a href=\"http://earth911.org/recycling/start-recycling-program/\">start a recycling program</a> yourself.) All you need are some boxes or bags and the time and the will to get ’er done.</p>\n"},{"title":"Bring your own bags","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Instead of accumulating or even recycling the paper or plastic bags that consume untold resources to manufacture, and, in the case of plastic, literally never decompose, carry purchases in your own cloth bags.</p>\n"},{"title":"Turn off the tap","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Water is the most precious of natural resources, yet it’s often taken for granted. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and lathering your hands or face. Collect the cold water that would otherwise head down the drain while you wait for the water to get hot.</p>\n"},{"title":"Attach low-flow showerheads","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Inexpensive and easy to install, a low-flow showerhead can reduce your home water consumption and your energy costs as much as 50 percent without sacrificing water pressure.</p>\n"},{"title":"Make your toilets lower-flow","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Fill a two-liter bottle (or a couple of smaller bottles if the big one doesn’t fit) with water and put it in your toilet tank. 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Talk to local service organizations, community-based clubs, or youth groups, for example. Get your municipal or county government involved. </p>\n"},{"title":"Put a plan in place.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Organize your project to map out goals, strategies, and even contingencies in case of obstacles.</p>\n"},{"title":"Raise funds if necessary.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Look for local, state, and federal grants (make phone calls or start searching online), and collect donations from the community.</p>\n"},{"title":"Raise awareness in the community.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>The most successful projects capture the community&#8217;s imagination and support, so let the community know what&#8217;s happening and why. Contact local community newsletters, newspapers, and other media outlets and offer to submit articles about the project or provide people who can be interviewed about it. Put up posters on community bulletin boards (such as in supermarkets, libraries, and community halls), and talk about the project to friends and neighbors.</p>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":null,"lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":206672},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T14:49:28+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-27T14:49:28+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:13:29+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Garden & Green Living","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33916"},"slug":"garden-green-living","categoryId":33916},{"name":"Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33928"},"slug":"sustainability","categoryId":33928},{"name":"General Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"},"slug":"general-sustainability","categoryId":33932}],"title":"Eco-friendly Driving Tactics","strippedTitle":"eco-friendly driving tactics","slug":"eco-friendly-driving-tactics","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Despite the environmental issues attached to vehicle usage, sometimes even the most eco-friendly person has to drive. At those times, you can increase your fuel","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<p>Despite the environmental issues attached to vehicle usage, sometimes even the most eco-friendly person has to drive. At those times, you can increase your fuel efficiency and reduce your emission of carbon and other pollutants by following these strategies:</p>","description":"<p>Despite the environmental issues attached to vehicle usage, sometimes even the most eco-friendly person has to drive. 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You also may want to buy tires that offer improved mileage. </p>\n<p><b><i>Warning: </i></b>Always check the recommended pressure for your tires and don&#8217;t overinflate them!</p>\n"},{"title":"<b>Travel </b>lightly<b>.</b>","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Take anything you don&#8217;t need out of your vehicle to reduce weight, improve your fuel consumption, and reduce emissions. The same goes for roof racks and other items that increase wind resistance and therefore decrease fuel efficiency. </p>\n"},{"title":"<b>Plan your </b>travel<b>.</b>","thumb":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/91949.image3.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/91948.image2.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Consolidate your errands into one big trip rather than lots of smaller ones. For example, drop the kids at school and then hit the grocery store. Talk to friends and family members to combine trips or errands.</p>\n"},{"title":"<b>Plan your </b>timing<b>.</b>","thumb":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/91951.image5.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/91950.image4.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Avoid driving at peak times when you&#8217;re more likely to run into traffic congestion that will keep you on the road longer.</p>\n"},{"title":"<b>Don’t idle.</b>","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>An idling vehicle gives off 80 percent more pollution than one that&#8217;s moving! Turning the vehicle engine off and then back on again uses less fuel than idling longer than 30 seconds. </p>\n"},{"title":"<b>Slow down.</b>","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>You use a quarter less fuel at 50 mph than at 70 mph. It&#8217;s better for fuel efficiency to drive the speed limit than to exceed it.</p>\n"},{"title":"<b>Keep it steady.</b>","thumb":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/91953.image7.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/91952.image6.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Avoid hard acceleration and heavy braking, which increase fuel consumption. On the highway, use cruise control (and overdrive, if you have it).</p>\n"},{"title":"<b>Go gadget free.</b>","thumb":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/91955.image9.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/91954.image8.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Use your vehicle&#8217;s air conditioner and other electrical gadgets only when you need to &#8212; they can use up to 10 percent more fuel. </p>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":null,"lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":206671},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T14:49:26+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-27T14:49:26+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:13:10+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Garden & Green Living","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33916"},"slug":"garden-green-living","categoryId":33916},{"name":"Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33928"},"slug":"sustainability","categoryId":33928},{"name":"General Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"},"slug":"general-sustainability","categoryId":33932}],"title":"Cutting Back Consumption and Aiming for Zero Waste","strippedTitle":"cutting back consumption and aiming for zero waste","slug":"cutting-back-consumption-and-aiming-for-zero-waste","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"The real environmental impact of trash disposal starts when garbage leaves your house and often your consciousness. Much of the energy that created what is now ","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<p>The real environmental impact of trash disposal starts when garbage leaves your house and often your consciousness. Much of the energy that created what is now trash comes from nonrenewable sources, so the hidden waste includes the raw materials that went into the production and the costs of packaging, transporting, selling, and storing the items. </p>\n<p>The green living ideal is to reduce your trash so much that you produce no waste at all; however, it’s far more practical to focus on reducing your trash as much as you can. Tips for reducing your consumption include:</p>","description":"<p>The real environmental impact of trash disposal starts when garbage leaves your house and often your consciousness. Much of the energy that created what is now trash comes from nonrenewable sources, so the hidden waste includes the raw materials that went into the production and the costs of packaging, transporting, selling, and storing the items. </p>\n<p>The green living ideal is to reduce your trash so much that you produce no waste at all; however, it’s far more practical to focus on reducing your trash as much as you can. Tips for reducing your consumption include:</p>","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33932,"title":"General Sustainability","slug":"general-sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":209451,"title":"Wind Power For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"wind-power-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209451"}},{"articleId":208379,"title":"Alternative Energy For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"alternative-energy-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208379"}},{"articleId":208344,"title":"Green Cleaning For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"green-cleaning-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208344"}},{"articleId":206672,"title":"How to Set Up Your Own Community Environmental Project","slug":"how-to-set-up-your-own-community-environmental-project","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206672"}},{"articleId":206671,"title":"Eco-friendly Driving Tactics","slug":"eco-friendly-driving-tactics","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206671"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;garden-green-living&quot;,&quot;sustainability&quot;,&quot;general-sustainability&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-632219b662e73\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;garden-green-living&quot;,&quot;sustainability&quot;,&quot;general-sustainability&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-632219b66371b\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Step by Step","articleList":null,"content":[{"title":"Buy less.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>The best way to reduce waste is to buy fewer things you have to dispose of eventually. Bring into your home only what you really need and know that you&#8217;ll use &#8212; whether it&#8217;s food, clothes, or electrical appliances. </p>\n"},{"title":"Keep a buying journal.","thumb":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/91959.image1.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/91958.image0.jpg","width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Record everything you buy for a month or even a week. You may see spending patterns you weren&#8217;t aware of. Perhaps you eat take-out food more than you realize or make up for a tough day by buying yourself a new piece of clothing. Recognizing your patterns is often enough to help you break out of them.</p>\n"},{"title":"Buy quality.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Opt for good quality items over mediocre ones. From the kitchen cupboards to the bedroom closet, buying fewer items of good quality keeps your spending in check and doesn&#8217;t overwhelm your storage space. It also ensures that you&#8217;re not throwing items out because they&#8217;ve worn out prematurely. </p>\n"},{"title":"Pay attention to packaging.","thumb":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"image":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"content":"<p>Bring your own containers and buy food in bulk when you can; choose the product sitting unpackaged in a bin rather than the same thing encased in three layers of plastic. And always bring your own bags to carry your purchases home.</p>\n"}],"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":null,"lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":206670},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T23:08:18+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-26T23:08:18+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:12:19+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Garden & Green Living","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33916"},"slug":"garden-green-living","categoryId":33916},{"name":"Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33928"},"slug":"sustainability","categoryId":33928},{"name":"General Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"},"slug":"general-sustainability","categoryId":33932}],"title":"Examining Genetically Modified Food","strippedTitle":"examining genetically modified food","slug":"examining-genetically-modified-food","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"A green lifestyle is about treating the planet and the life it supports with respect. Genetic modification (GM) generally runs counter to a green lifestyle, esp","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<p>A green lifestyle is about treating the planet and the life it supports with respect. Genetic modification (GM) generally runs counter to a green lifestyle, especially when it comes to food. <i>Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) </i> — also known as <i>genetically engineered organisms</i> — are living things whose genetic makeup (their DNA structure) has been changed by the addition of genes from another living thing. This tampering is done primarily to make plants and animals more useful in food production. Human intervention in this way carries with it some major concerns that, for the green community, outweigh the pros.</p>\n<p>Crops can be genetically modified so that they resist insects, herbicides, and disease or so that they contain extra nutrients or even vaccines. Animals can be genetically modified to produce lower-fat meat, resist certain diseases, or create less waste.</p>\n<p class=\"Remember \">The primary beneficiaries of genetic modification are food producers in terms of higher production capacities, increased disease or pest resistance, or increased herbicide resistance (which actually allows farmers to use more weed-killing herbicides).</p>\n<p>The biggest reservation about GM practices in the food chain lies in the field’s relative youth. Modern genetic engineering began with scientific discoveries in the 1950s through 1970s, so long-term consequences have yet to be determined. And given the amount of time generally needed to link cause and effect, it’s likely that these consequences won’t be identified for years — perhaps generations — to come.</p>\n<p>Some short-term effects have been observed, however, including the potential of GM seeds growing in non-GM areas, meaning that the non-GM crops would no longer be considered free of GM material — a huge issue for organic growers who, through no fault of their own, would suddenly be prevented from calling their crops organic. Other concerns include the potential for organisms insects and viruses to evolve and become more powerful and overcome the resistant GM animals and plants. Some scientists also are concerned that GM ingredients may cause toxic poisoning, allergic reactions, antibiotic resistance, and even cancer in humans. Research hasn’t proven all the concerns, but there’s enough evidence to warrant caution.</p>\n<p>GM crops are common in the United States, and no labeling is required; in fact, it’s believed that upwards of 70 percent of foods in U.S. supermarkets contain some element of genetic engineering. It’s highly likely that you’re eating GM ingredients in your food without even realizing it. Some of the foods and ingredients currently subject to genetic manipulation include</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Soybeans:</b> Soy is one of the main sources of genetically modified ingredients in food and can be found in everything from chocolate to potato chips, margarine to mayonnaise, and biscuits to bread.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Canola:</b> Canola oil comes from certain types of canola plants. GM canola may be used for oils in making potato chips and animal feed.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Corn:</b> GM corn is used as cattle feed but also is used in all sorts of packaged food, such as breakfast cereal, bread, corn chips, and gravy mixes.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Milk:</b> Cows are injected with a genetically engineered growth hormone to increase milk production.</p>\n </li>\n</ul>\n<p>The best way to find out whether your food choices contain genetically engineered ingredients is to choose local options so that you can talk to the producers and find out from them exactly what went into the food. If you can’t do that, then try talking to the managers or owners of local grocery stores — they may not be able to tell you about production methods, but the fact that you asked them may help to convince them that they should pay more attention to this issue. If you can’t buy the groceries you need from your community, try contacting food manufacturers directly. Their Web sites often contain information about production methods and a consumer telephone or e-mail hotline for questions. If companies aren’t able to categorically deny that they use GM ingredients, chances are good that they use these products.</p>","description":"<p>A green lifestyle is about treating the planet and the life it supports with respect. Genetic modification (GM) generally runs counter to a green lifestyle, especially when it comes to food. <i>Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) </i> — also known as <i>genetically engineered organisms</i> — are living things whose genetic makeup (their DNA structure) has been changed by the addition of genes from another living thing. This tampering is done primarily to make plants and animals more useful in food production. Human intervention in this way carries with it some major concerns that, for the green community, outweigh the pros.</p>\n<p>Crops can be genetically modified so that they resist insects, herbicides, and disease or so that they contain extra nutrients or even vaccines. Animals can be genetically modified to produce lower-fat meat, resist certain diseases, or create less waste.</p>\n<p class=\"Remember \">The primary beneficiaries of genetic modification are food producers in terms of higher production capacities, increased disease or pest resistance, or increased herbicide resistance (which actually allows farmers to use more weed-killing herbicides).</p>\n<p>The biggest reservation about GM practices in the food chain lies in the field’s relative youth. Modern genetic engineering began with scientific discoveries in the 1950s through 1970s, so long-term consequences have yet to be determined. And given the amount of time generally needed to link cause and effect, it’s likely that these consequences won’t be identified for years — perhaps generations — to come.</p>\n<p>Some short-term effects have been observed, however, including the potential of GM seeds growing in non-GM areas, meaning that the non-GM crops would no longer be considered free of GM material — a huge issue for organic growers who, through no fault of their own, would suddenly be prevented from calling their crops organic. Other concerns include the potential for organisms insects and viruses to evolve and become more powerful and overcome the resistant GM animals and plants. Some scientists also are concerned that GM ingredients may cause toxic poisoning, allergic reactions, antibiotic resistance, and even cancer in humans. Research hasn’t proven all the concerns, but there’s enough evidence to warrant caution.</p>\n<p>GM crops are common in the United States, and no labeling is required; in fact, it’s believed that upwards of 70 percent of foods in U.S. supermarkets contain some element of genetic engineering. It’s highly likely that you’re eating GM ingredients in your food without even realizing it. Some of the foods and ingredients currently subject to genetic manipulation include</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Soybeans:</b> Soy is one of the main sources of genetically modified ingredients in food and can be found in everything from chocolate to potato chips, margarine to mayonnaise, and biscuits to bread.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Canola:</b> Canola oil comes from certain types of canola plants. GM canola may be used for oils in making potato chips and animal feed.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Corn:</b> GM corn is used as cattle feed but also is used in all sorts of packaged food, such as breakfast cereal, bread, corn chips, and gravy mixes.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Milk:</b> Cows are injected with a genetically engineered growth hormone to increase milk production.</p>\n </li>\n</ul>\n<p>The best way to find out whether your food choices contain genetically engineered ingredients is to choose local options so that you can talk to the producers and find out from them exactly what went into the food. If you can’t do that, then try talking to the managers or owners of local grocery stores — they may not be able to tell you about production methods, but the fact that you asked them may help to convince them that they should pay more attention to this issue. If you can’t buy the groceries you need from your community, try contacting food manufacturers directly. Their Web sites often contain information about production methods and a consumer telephone or e-mail hotline for questions. If companies aren’t able to categorically deny that they use GM ingredients, chances are good that they use these products.</p>","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33932,"title":"General Sustainability","slug":"general-sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":209451,"title":"Wind Power For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"wind-power-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209451"}},{"articleId":208379,"title":"Alternative Energy For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"alternative-energy-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208379"}},{"articleId":208344,"title":"Green Cleaning For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"green-cleaning-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208344"}},{"articleId":206672,"title":"How to Set Up Your Own Community Environmental Project","slug":"how-to-set-up-your-own-community-environmental-project","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206672"}},{"articleId":206671,"title":"Eco-friendly Driving Tactics","slug":"eco-friendly-driving-tactics","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206671"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":0,"slug":null,"isbn":null,"categoryList":null,"amazon":null,"image":null,"title":null,"testBankPinActivationLink":null,"bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":null,"authors":null,"_links":null},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;garden-green-living&quot;,&quot;sustainability&quot;,&quot;general-sustainability&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-632219833440e\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;cat&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[&quot;home-auto-hobbies&quot;,&quot;garden-green-living&quot;,&quot;sustainability&quot;,&quot;general-sustainability&quot;]},{&quot;key&quot;:&quot;isbn&quot;,&quot;values&quot;:[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-6322198334c8c\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":null,"lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":202615},{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T23:08:15+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-26T23:08:15+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:12:19+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Garden & Green Living","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33916"},"slug":"garden-green-living","categoryId":33916},{"name":"Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33928"},"slug":"sustainability","categoryId":33928},{"name":"General Sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"},"slug":"general-sustainability","categoryId":33932}],"title":"How the Government Can Go Green","strippedTitle":"how the government can go green","slug":"how-the-government-can-go-green","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"In order to meet the world’s increasing demand for energy without further damaging the world’s climate and environment, specifically preventing carbon dioxide f","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<p>In order to meet the world’s increasing demand for energy without further damaging the world’s climate and environment, specifically preventing carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, governments need to:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Improve energy efficiency.</b> Reducing the amount of energy people use is an essential part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions — solutions can range from sealing energy leaks in homes to driving more fuel-efficient vehicles.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Stop forest loss.</b> Nurturing carbon dioxide–eating plants is a major way to reduce the effect of carbon emissions. Trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere as part of the photosynthesis process.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Accelerate the development of low-emissions technologies.</b> Practical (as in, available and reasonably priced) <i>alternative energy sources</i> such as wind, hydro (water), biomass (fuel from natural material such as crops and agricultural waste), and solar power are considered renewable. Humans can’t use up the wind and the sun, for example, in the same way they can use up fossil fuels. Alternative energy sources also have the benefit of producing little to no greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, technologies need to be researched and implemented to reduce emissions from existing energy sources.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Develop flexible fuels.</b> Flexible fuels such as hydrogen fuel cell technology would allow the effective and efficient storage of energy from intermittent sources such as the sun and wind so that the energy could be used as and when needed.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Replace high-carbon coal with low-carbon gas.</b> Although natural gas gives off carbon dioxide emissions when it’s burned, the emissions are much lower than those given off by coal. Switching power plants, for example, from coal-burning to gas-burning can significantly reduce emissions.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Equip fossil fuel plants with carbon capture and storage technology.</b> <i>Carbon capture technology</i> takes the carbon that results from burning fossil fuels and stores it where it can’t be released into the atmosphere (underground, for example). Although it doesn’t exactly reduce emissions, carbon capture technology does prevent emissions from reaching the atmosphere.</p>\n </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Most industrialized countries are now focusing on reducing or eliminating waste by educating residents and businesses about how to decrease the amount of waste they’re responsible for, how to reuse as much as possible, how to recycle what can’t be reused, and how to turn household and garden waste into compost.</p>","description":"<p>In order to meet the world’s increasing demand for energy without further damaging the world’s climate and environment, specifically preventing carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, governments need to:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Improve energy efficiency.</b> Reducing the amount of energy people use is an essential part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions — solutions can range from sealing energy leaks in homes to driving more fuel-efficient vehicles.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Stop forest loss.</b> Nurturing carbon dioxide–eating plants is a major way to reduce the effect of carbon emissions. Trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere as part of the photosynthesis process.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Accelerate the development of low-emissions technologies.</b> Practical (as in, available and reasonably priced) <i>alternative energy sources</i> such as wind, hydro (water), biomass (fuel from natural material such as crops and agricultural waste), and solar power are considered renewable. Humans can’t use up the wind and the sun, for example, in the same way they can use up fossil fuels. Alternative energy sources also have the benefit of producing little to no greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, technologies need to be researched and implemented to reduce emissions from existing energy sources.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Develop flexible fuels.</b> Flexible fuels such as hydrogen fuel cell technology would allow the effective and efficient storage of energy from intermittent sources such as the sun and wind so that the energy could be used as and when needed.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Replace high-carbon coal with low-carbon gas.</b> Although natural gas gives off carbon dioxide emissions when it’s burned, the emissions are much lower than those given off by coal. Switching power plants, for example, from coal-burning to gas-burning can significantly reduce emissions.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\"><b>Equip fossil fuel plants with carbon capture and storage technology.</b> <i>Carbon capture technology</i> takes the carbon that results from burning fossil fuels and stores it where it can’t be released into the atmosphere (underground, for example). Although it doesn’t exactly reduce emissions, carbon capture technology does prevent emissions from reaching the atmosphere.</p>\n </li>\n</ul>\n<p>Most industrialized countries are now focusing on reducing or eliminating waste by educating residents and businesses about how to decrease the amount of waste they’re responsible for, how to reuse as much as possible, how to recycle what can’t be reused, and how to turn household and garden waste into compost.</p>","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33932,"title":"General Sustainability","slug":"general-sustainability","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33932"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":209451,"title":"Wind Power For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"wind-power-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209451"}},{"articleId":208379,"title":"Alternative Energy For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"alternative-energy-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208379"}},{"articleId":208344,"title":"Green Cleaning For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"green-cleaning-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","garden-green-living","sustainability","general-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/208344"}},{"articleId":206672,"title":"How to Set Up Your Own Community Environmental 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General Sustainability Articles

Wondering about wind energy? Have a conservation conundrum? Check out our articles on sustainability best practices.

Articles From General Sustainability

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General Sustainability Wind Power For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-07-2022

After you decide that your home is a good candidate for wind power, you need to understand the basic parts of wind-electric systems and how they fit together. In addition, you need to evaluate how much energy your home needs and how much wind your site actually gets — a realistic wind resource assessment is key. You also want to make sure to steer clear of "too good to be true" energy estimates from the pros who want to sell you their goods and services.

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General Sustainability Cheap Ways to Be Greener Today

Step by Step / Updated 06-14-2019

Building sustainable practices into your everyday routines improves the health of the planet and the wealth in your wallet. To lighten your carbon footprint and save some green, try these low- or no-cost practices:

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General Sustainability Alternative Energy For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-27-2016

If you want to make alternative energy a part of your life, either through your car, home, or at work, you should understand some basic energy terminology and the various alternative energy sources being used and developed.

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General Sustainability Green Cleaning For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-27-2016

If you want to “green” the way you clean your home, these Earth-friendly alternatives to typical cleaning methods and water-conservation techniques can help you shrink your carbon footprint as you go about your daily business.

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General Sustainability How to Set Up Your Own Community Environmental Project

Step by Step / Updated 03-27-2016

You can make a difference to the environment by launching your own green community project. You can tackle a wide range of needs — clearing a hiking trail in a park or lobbying your local legislators to add green space. Some basic steps to follow in order to make your project successful:

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General Sustainability Eco-friendly Driving Tactics

Step by Step / Updated 03-27-2016

Despite the environmental issues attached to vehicle usage, sometimes even the most eco-friendly person has to drive. At those times, you can increase your fuel efficiency and reduce your emission of carbon and other pollutants by following these strategies:

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General Sustainability Cutting Back Consumption and Aiming for Zero Waste

Step by Step / Updated 03-27-2016

The real environmental impact of trash disposal starts when garbage leaves your house and often your consciousness. Much of the energy that created what is now trash comes from nonrenewable sources, so the hidden waste includes the raw materials that went into the production and the costs of packaging, transporting, selling, and storing the items. The green living ideal is to reduce your trash so much that you produce no waste at all; however, it’s far more practical to focus on reducing your trash as much as you can. Tips for reducing your consumption include:

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General Sustainability Examining Genetically Modified Food

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

A green lifestyle is about treating the planet and the life it supports with respect. Genetic modification (GM) generally runs counter to a green lifestyle, especially when it comes to food. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) — also known as genetically engineered organisms — are living things whose genetic makeup (their DNA structure) has been changed by the addition of genes from another living thing. This tampering is done primarily to make plants and animals more useful in food production. Human intervention in this way carries with it some major concerns that, for the green community, outweigh the pros. Crops can be genetically modified so that they resist insects, herbicides, and disease or so that they contain extra nutrients or even vaccines. Animals can be genetically modified to produce lower-fat meat, resist certain diseases, or create less waste. The primary beneficiaries of genetic modification are food producers in terms of higher production capacities, increased disease or pest resistance, or increased herbicide resistance (which actually allows farmers to use more weed-killing herbicides). The biggest reservation about GM practices in the food chain lies in the field’s relative youth. Modern genetic engineering began with scientific discoveries in the 1950s through 1970s, so long-term consequences have yet to be determined. And given the amount of time generally needed to link cause and effect, it’s likely that these consequences won’t be identified for years — perhaps generations — to come. Some short-term effects have been observed, however, including the potential of GM seeds growing in non-GM areas, meaning that the non-GM crops would no longer be considered free of GM material — a huge issue for organic growers who, through no fault of their own, would suddenly be prevented from calling their crops organic. Other concerns include the potential for organisms insects and viruses to evolve and become more powerful and overcome the resistant GM animals and plants. Some scientists also are concerned that GM ingredients may cause toxic poisoning, allergic reactions, antibiotic resistance, and even cancer in humans. Research hasn’t proven all the concerns, but there’s enough evidence to warrant caution. GM crops are common in the United States, and no labeling is required; in fact, it’s believed that upwards of 70 percent of foods in U.S. supermarkets contain some element of genetic engineering. It’s highly likely that you’re eating GM ingredients in your food without even realizing it. Some of the foods and ingredients currently subject to genetic manipulation include Soybeans: Soy is one of the main sources of genetically modified ingredients in food and can be found in everything from chocolate to potato chips, margarine to mayonnaise, and biscuits to bread. Canola: Canola oil comes from certain types of canola plants. GM canola may be used for oils in making potato chips and animal feed. Corn: GM corn is used as cattle feed but also is used in all sorts of packaged food, such as breakfast cereal, bread, corn chips, and gravy mixes. Milk: Cows are injected with a genetically engineered growth hormone to increase milk production. The best way to find out whether your food choices contain genetically engineered ingredients is to choose local options so that you can talk to the producers and find out from them exactly what went into the food. If you can’t do that, then try talking to the managers or owners of local grocery stores — they may not be able to tell you about production methods, but the fact that you asked them may help to convince them that they should pay more attention to this issue. If you can’t buy the groceries you need from your community, try contacting food manufacturers directly. Their Web sites often contain information about production methods and a consumer telephone or e-mail hotline for questions. If companies aren’t able to categorically deny that they use GM ingredients, chances are good that they use these products.

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General Sustainability How the Government Can Go Green

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

In order to meet the world’s increasing demand for energy without further damaging the world’s climate and environment, specifically preventing carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, governments need to: Improve energy efficiency. Reducing the amount of energy people use is an essential part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions — solutions can range from sealing energy leaks in homes to driving more fuel-efficient vehicles. Stop forest loss. Nurturing carbon dioxide–eating plants is a major way to reduce the effect of carbon emissions. Trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere as part of the photosynthesis process. Accelerate the development of low-emissions technologies. Practical (as in, available and reasonably priced) alternative energy sources such as wind, hydro (water), biomass (fuel from natural material such as crops and agricultural waste), and solar power are considered renewable. Humans can’t use up the wind and the sun, for example, in the same way they can use up fossil fuels. Alternative energy sources also have the benefit of producing little to no greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, technologies need to be researched and implemented to reduce emissions from existing energy sources. Develop flexible fuels. Flexible fuels such as hydrogen fuel cell technology would allow the effective and efficient storage of energy from intermittent sources such as the sun and wind so that the energy could be used as and when needed. Replace high-carbon coal with low-carbon gas. Although natural gas gives off carbon dioxide emissions when it’s burned, the emissions are much lower than those given off by coal. Switching power plants, for example, from coal-burning to gas-burning can significantly reduce emissions. Equip fossil fuel plants with carbon capture and storage technology. Carbon capture technology takes the carbon that results from burning fossil fuels and stores it where it can’t be released into the atmosphere (underground, for example). Although it doesn’t exactly reduce emissions, carbon capture technology does prevent emissions from reaching the atmosphere. Most industrialized countries are now focusing on reducing or eliminating waste by educating residents and businesses about how to decrease the amount of waste they’re responsible for, how to reuse as much as possible, how to recycle what can’t be reused, and how to turn household and garden waste into compost.

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General Sustainability Organic Farming Principles

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Organic farming is much friendlier for the earth and the local economy than massive corporate farming practices. Instead of using chemical-based fertilizers to create a high-yield soil, organic farming uses traditional methods of plowing the soil to break down soil compaction that can reduce water and air getting to the plants’ roots, rotating the crops to prevent crop-specific diseases or pests from building up in the soil, and growing cover crops that naturally add nutrients to the soil. Organic farming also emphasizes the use of physical, mechanical, or biological controls instead of chemicals to handle weeds, insects, and plant diseases. You can pull weeds by hand or machine, for example, or introduce a beneficial insect to eat a harmful one (for example, ladybugs to eat aphids). The lack of chemicals also eliminates the risk that dangerous substances will run into nearby rivers, streams, and the water table, affecting water quality. In turn, you’re less likely to be eating any chemicals used to keep bugs at bay and the soil fertile. When it comes to livestock, organic animals are fed only organic feed along with vitamins and minerals. Depending on the animal, there are specific rules about when and for how long the feed needs to be 100 percent organic. Look for meats labeled pasture-raised or grass-fed, indicating that the animals were raised outdoors on pasture and that their diet consisted of grasses and hay. This diet is much more natural and environmentally supportive than grain-feeding. Some animals (especially chickens and pigs) are fed some grains to ensure that they get the nutrients they need, but the grains can be organically grown. Growth hormones and antibiotics also are specifically banned in organic food products, although vaccines are allowed. Of course, farmers are allowed — in fact, they’re required — to give medication, including antibiotics, to sick animals to prevent suffering. However, food products that come from the animal involved may not be called organic if the animal has received a medication that’s on the organic-prohibited list.

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