GOING GREEN

When my fledgling company committed to implementing a solar lighting project for Project 90 in KZN last year, the list of potential challenges was daunting. First and foremost was putting together the right team for the job. We had never attempted a project quite like this before and did not know where to begin finding a suitable local team.
We needed to send components for 50 solar home lighting kits to Durban, get them assembled in one week, and get them installed in two very remote villages in the mountains around the south coast area one week later. The plan was ambitious, some might say it was crazy. Nevertheless, we needed to help Project 90 deliver this essential programme.
As the founder of an engineering consultancy I understand how choosing the right people is essential to the success of a project. We needed to find people who understood basic electronics, were happy to work very long hours and when the going got tough, would be able to stick it out and get the job done no matter what. Wise people would advise extensive reviewing of cv’s, calling references, doing interviews, contacting recruitment agencies etc., but I simply didn’t have the luxury of time. I needed a stroke of luck.
I asked around and discovered an organisation in Durban called Learn-a-Trade, a donorfunded organisation that trains young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the basics of electronics.  I had hit the jackpot.

Installing the solar panels

What I found was a group of young, ambitious and smart kids, who, despite their circumstances had taken it upon themselves to get trained in a skill that they could use to uplift themselves. I contacted the organisation and told them what we needed. We needed these 50 systems assembled and for two people to come along to the site and assist with installation.
On arrival at Learn-a-Trade I was met by the director of the organisation, and a row of students lined up like soldiers with big smiles wearing their smartest shoes. I was introduced to them all, given an opportunity to chat to each one about what skills they had and what they wanted to achieve with their lives. Their stories were truly inspirational and I couldn’t resist wanting to help them all. So I gave them all a description of what I needed done and pulled out a pre-assembled system.
When my fledgling company committed to implementing a solar lighting project for Project 90 in KZN last year, the list of potential challenges was daunting. First and foremost was putting together the right team for the job. We had never attempted a project quite like this before and did not know where to begin finding a suitable local team.
We needed to send components for 50 solar home lighting kits to Durban, get them assembled in one week, and get them installed in two very remote villages in the mountains around the south coast area one week later. The plan was ambitious, some might say it was crazy. Nevertheless, we needed to help Project 90 deliver this essential programme.

Assembling the lightbox

They had never seen a “real-life” solar panel, charge controller and all the other bits and their imaginations were captured immediately. Chatting amongst themselves, they fiddled with every little part and wire and asked questions incessantly – relevant and insightful questions. I was gobsmacked. I asked myself: How do these guys not have jobs? How has nobody seen their potential?
I set up a little production line in the back room and got four of the younger ones to assemble everything for me. The first day I decided to sit with them, showing them exactly what I needed. After about an hour, I realised they didn’t need me anymore. I asked how long it would take them to do all 50, and the response – “when do you need them by?” I was gobsmacked again. This was a Thursday and from what I had seen they could do ten a day. What happened next? They worked though the weekend and the assembled systems were proudly presented to me four days later. On delivery I was confronted with more questions, and suggestions on how to do it better the next time. The work had sparked their interest in solar energy, and they asked about how they could get access to these systems so they could sell them in their own communities.  It didn’t end there. I now needed to get the systems installed in the 50 targeted households. There were two slightly older students, Bongani and Thulani. Bongani is a part-time labourer, Thulani an ex-driver. They spent every free day they had at Learn-a-Trade to get their engineering certificates. Bongani and Thulani would complete our installation team.
Each day I picked them up from home at 6am and dropped them off at 9pm most nights and never even saw them indicate an ounce of discontent. Some days we didn’t even have time to stop for lunch. The installation team got stuck in, worked hard and did a really good job. Bongani and Thulani impressed me from day one and we have subsequently employed them to carry on maintaining the systems on our behalf and they still go out to the sites regularly to check up and fix what they can.
So, what is the moral of this month’s story? You don’t have to look too far in South Africa to find enthusiastic, hard working and smart young people. Despite what you might hear around braai’s on the weekend, there is hope for our youth. Yes, the education system might be in a bad state and unemployment is off the charts, however, there are organisations like Learn-a-Trade, and there are young people like Bongani and Thulani and the many other young men who assembled our solar lighting kits out there looking for employment and the opportunity to prove themselves.
Gary.
Gary Fahy is the founding director of Grey Green sustainable energy engineering.  The consultancy frequently partners with Project 90 by 2030 on community-based  energy and water security programmes. Gary writes regular feature articles for the Project 90 newsletter on Energy efficiency and simple renewable energy ideas for households.
SOURCE: http://90by2030.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/youth-trained-up-to-install-solar/

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Solar Energy For The Future

At present, it is safe to say that it is fast becoming a part of your daily life. Solar energy is being used more commonly nowadays, in most homes, and even in the work place. And since this particular form of alternative energy is becoming more and more viable.
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At present, it is safe to say that it is fast becoming a part of your daily life. Solar energy is being used more commonly nowadays, in most homes, and even in the work place. And since this particular form of alternative energy is becoming more and more viable, new and better applications for its technology are now being developed for the future.

Though the future for solar energy appears to be clear and better, a lot of people are still speculative about what the future really holds for solar energy. However, in order for us to be able to understand and properly predict what the future holds for solar energy, we need to first take a step back and look at what solar energy is right now.

Solar Energy Today

Right now, solar energy is being used for a number of reasons. It is being widely used for certain purposes, such as providing your home with an alternative source for energy and electricity, thereby allowing you to greatly reduce the cost of your energy and electric consumption by a considerable margin. Certain solar energy systems provide you with different advantages and benefits depending on what you intend to use them on.

Solar Energy Benefits

One of the main advantages and benefits of using solar energy is that it uses one of the best sources for renewable and clean energy, which is the sun. The sun is known produce solar energy that is over 10,000 the energy that our planet could produce. This means that there is no real shortage on viable solar energy that you can use in the future. However, how you apply solar energy could affect how much energy and electric power you consume.



One of the challenges that solar energy needs to hurdle for the future is the problem of space. Solar energy power plants require a significant amount of space in order for it to be able to harness and collect enough solar energy and sunlight through its solar panels. Aside from that, solar energy power plants also require a place that is relatively very sunny at most times during the day, in order to get the most energy and sunlight. An area in the dessert would appear to be one of the most ideal places for such solar energy power plants to thrive in.

Another problem that solar energy systems would encounter would be the integration and retro-fitting of these solar energy systems to the different houses and structures that are already constructed without any solar energy system incorporated in them.

Solar Energy in the Future

The future of solar energy appears to be gearing towards the better, especially since there are a lot of research and developments that are being done by different researchers and scientists, all focused on finding ways to improve alternative energy systems and technology. They are trying to find ways to make solar energy an economical solution to the world's current energy and power crisis.

LONGEVITY SECRET FOUND IN THE SEA!

Marine species are the longest-living of any species known to man.

They live hundreds, even thousands of years because they contain highly potent substances and have unique molecular structures. This is why they survive, adapt, and thrive in the harshest environmental  conditions—including animal attack.

Researchers have discovered that their secret to near eternal youth comes from their extreme ability to protect and repair their own DNA.

They also maintain high antioxidant levels throughout their lives so theyconstantly beat back free-radical damage and toxic invaders. Read on...

How Bad Is Global Warming ?

How Global Warming Effects Your Weather

Do you use the internet, watch television, or listen to the radio? If you do, you have likely heard of global warming before. In recent years, global warming has been a topic that has increased in popularity. Although global warming is a theory that is widely debated, it may still be of great concern to you.

When it comes to global warming, there are many individuals who wonder about the affects it will have on the planet. More specifically, many are wondering how global warming will impact our weather. If this is a concern of yours, you will want to continue reading on.

Before focusing on ways that global warming may impact the planet and its weather, it is important to know what global warming is. Global warming is the phrase that is used to describe the gradual warming of the planet. This rise in temperature is due in part to greenhouse gases. Due to the phrase “global warming, many individuals automatically assume that our temperatures will become hotter. While this will ring true in some cases, the phrase global warming,can also be a little bit misleading.

When it comes to global warming, the rise in temperatures, due to green house gases, gradually raises the earth's temperature. Although this temperature rise will result in the melting of land masses of ice and snow and it may result in multiple droughts, that is not all that you will see. Global warming, according to many, creates instability in our weather. Yes, one area may see droughts due to global warming, but on the other side of the world, another area may see record breaking flooding. The same can be said for cold and warm temperatures.

As previously stated, global warming is a topic that is surrounded by a lot of debate. Perhaps, this is due in part to its name. As previously stated, the phrase "global warming" can be misleading, at least in terms of temperature. If you are looking for more information on global warming, as well as the affects it may have on the environment, you will find that you have a number of different options. For starters, you may want to turn to the internet.

When using the internet to learn more about global warming and the influences it can have on our weather, you will want to perform a standard internet search. When doing so, it may be a good idea to search with the phrase “global warming and the weather,or another similar phrase. Your internet search is likely to lead you to online research websites. These websites are ones that often tend to compile reports and graphs from meteorologists and other scientists.

In addition to using the internet to learn more about global warming and the weather, you may want to turn to your television. As the debate on global warming continues to grow, you are likely to see more television programs and newscast that cover global warming. You can also rent or buy DVDs that cover the issue of global warming, such as Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth documentary.
As outlined above, global warming will have an impact on the weather. While the biggest impact may not be seen for years to come, you are likely to notice small changes in the weather right now. These changes may be erratic temperatures or weather storms with stronger intensities.

How Global Warming Should Impact Your Life

Global warming is defined as the warming of the earth's temperature. This rise in temperature is attributed to greenhouse gases. Unfortunately, global warming involves a lot more than just a slight rise in the earth's temperature. For that reason, global warming is an issue that should cause you concern.

As previously stated, global warming involves a lot more than a slight rise in temperature. Although the affects of global warming are widely debated, as many of these changes can also be attributed to other causes, our planet is changing. In many aspects, it is changing relatively quickly.

When it comes to global warming, many individuals wonder why they should be concerned. If you are one of those individuals, you will want to take a close look at the changes in which we are already seeing. Many of these changes have been attributed to global warming. For starters, we will focus on the temperatures.

In recent years, we have noticed a steady rise in temperatures. In 2006 and 2007 in the United States, many cities and towns saw record breaking temperatures. Many are also seeing a later arrival of winter weather. For example, some cities and towns are seeing snowfall later than normal. These same areas are also experiencing fall and even summer like temperatures, when it should be freezing outside.

In keeping with the temperature changes, there is some confusion. Although many areas of the United States have experienced record breaking temperature increases, others have not. This is what leads to the confusion. Since global warming focuses on the rise of temperature, many wonder why that isn't always the case. Part of global warming involves instability in the atmosphere. This instability can not only lead to higher temperatures in certain areas, but it can lead to erratic weather in other areas.

Although a rise in temperature is enough to make many people believe in global warming, many others wonder what else they can expect. Most of us will not see the drastic and horrific affects that global warming will have on the earth. This, however, does not mean that global warming isn't important or that it is an issue that should be pushed aside. Even though you may not experience the full impact of global warming, your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren may. So, the impact that global warming should have on your life should be a proactive one.

When it comes to being proactive, in terms of global warming, there is a lot that you can do. Many experts believe that the sooner we stand united and take action, the sooner we can end the threat of global warming or at least reduce the impact of it. Your goal, especially as a parent, should involve reducing the amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutants that you, yourself, put into the air. The best way to do this is to take a look at your home and your vehicle. Can you purchase energy saving items, such as a car, household appliances, or even light bulbs? These are just a few of the many steps that you can and should take.

As outlined above, global warming is starting to take affect now. Even those who debate global warming cannot avoid the changes that are occurring. These changes, whether or not they are directly related to global warming, can have an impact on the earth from now to years to come.

Where to Find Global Warming Pictures

Do you believe in global warming? If you are on the fence and are unsure about your stance, you are not alone. Although global warming is an issue that is widely discussed, it is also an issue that is widely debated. This debate is one that leaves many individuals unsure as to where they should stand.Every picture speaks a 1000 words!

When it comes to determining if global warming is an issue that you should be concerned about, there are a number of different approaches that you can take. The most successful approach involves doing your own research. Of course, you will want to examine scientific research materials, including articles and graphs, but you may also want to take a look at global warming pictures. For many, global warming pictures are a lot easier to examine, as it can be done without needing any scientific translation.

As nice as it is to hear that global warming pictures can help you understand the problem at hand, you may be wondering exactly where you should look. The good news is that there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding and examining global warming pictures. As few of these approaches are outlined below for your convenience.

The internet is one of the easiest and quickest ways to go about finding global warming pictures. These pictures will likely be posted on the websites of activists and environmental organizations and charities. Perhaps, the best way to find global warming pictures online is by performing a standard internet search. When doing so, your search phrase should include the words “global warming pictures,” or “global warming changes in pictures.”

The television is another one of the many ways that you can go about finding and examining global warming pictures. As global warming is an issue that continues to receive attention, you may notice an increase in global warming related programming, including special report programs. These programs often appear on well known stations, such as the Discovery Channel or The Weather Channel.

In keeping with using your television to gain access to global warming pictures, you will also want to examine video documentaries. These documentaries are increasing in popularity; therefore, they should be easy for you to find. One of the best global warming documentaries, that comes highly rated and recommend, is that of An Inconvenient Truth. This documentary is one that is mostly backed with research, including global warming pictures, graphs, and other footage.

When looking for global warming pictures, either online or on your television, you may be surprised with what you see. This is most evident with before and after pictures. These before and after pictures are, without a doubt, the most telling. You can often see pictures that show the changes that result in areas due to the melting of snow and ice. You may also see pictures of areas that have been impacted by droughts.

As previously stated, if you are looking for more information on global warming, you will want to examine global warming pictures. It should take only a few minutes of your time to do so. The most time that you will have to spend is an hour or two and this is only if you turn to the television or global warming documentaries to do your research and examination.