The Chevy Volt

Hybrid cars have grown to be quite popular over the years as gas prices have sky-rocketed and one of the most known companies to market these cars has been Toyota. Sure, other companies such as GMC have cooperated with this change in technology but even more recently, Chevy came out with a new car, the Volt, to compete with the Japanese car we know as the Toyota Prius.

Chevrolet started their production with the Volt in December of 2010 but the car has been advertised greatly this year to generate more popularity. Below is a link to the new commercial for the 2012 Volt. 

2012 Chevy Volt Commercial

We already have many hybrids on the road but this car will be a great addition to the future of reducing the emissions of gas, a very well known air pollutant. To the environment mostly because it runs on gas after it runs out of electricity, rather then running on both all the time. As far as the specifications go for the fuel, the Volt is able to go up to 35 miles solely on battery and switches to gas when out of electricity, which runs at 35 MPG city and 40 MPG highway. The 2012 Prius, however, runs only 15 miles on electricity alone but in hybrid mode receives 49 MPG. 

In conclusion, it can be said that it doesn't necessarily matter which car someone may purchase to reduce the emissions of gas into the air as long as they are reducing their pollution. If someone drives a hybrid car, electric car, or an average car that drives over 40 miles with one gallon of gas, they are contributing to the health of the planet. It also doesn't matter which type of fuel efficient car one purchases because there is still a lot of competition in technology. Many consumers want to preserve the health of the atmosphere with fuel efficient cars but many more want to save money and with the competition in technology, the next car will always try to be better then the last in fuel efficiency.

References:
http://www.chevrolet.com/#sonic
http://www.toyota.com/

Water Used as a Green Solvent

Water can be used as a "green" (environmentally friendly) solvent very easily because it's already a natural solvent unless it's combined with a solvent or solute that isn't green. One example could be the way water is used to create energy (electricity) through hydropower plants. An average hydropower plant will usually consist of three parts; a power plant where the energy is created, a dam with the ability to open or close, and a reservoir, where the water will be stored.

The very useful part of this green energy is that the water in the reservoir is actually stored energy so it never goes to waste. Also, the flow of water can be controlled when the town needs more or less energy. After the water is used, it won't be contaminated by the equipment at the plant and could even be used miles away at another power plant. As long as there isn't a large drought, this energy will always be attainable and sustainable.

The first part of the process is where the water from the reservoir enters through the dam's opening and leads down long pipes, which are called penstocks. When the water breaches the end of these pipes, it then moves the turbine's blades. This turbine is connected to a generator to provide the energy needed for electricity, which is then delivered to a utility company through transmission lines.

This website provides photos and additional information:
http://www.need.org/needpdf/infobook_activities/SecInfo/HydroS.pdf

Cleaning with Citric Acid

Melaleuca, the maker of Ecosence, provides a tub and tile bathroom cleaner that delivers not only a product that’s green but does so in a green manner.  In their plants, they use reusable plastic bins to move their products from one facility to the next instead of using disposable corrugated materials. Along these green practices, they also recycle any material they can in their plants so it won’t go to waist.

Their products include biodegradable cleaning agents in their cleaners that include mainly citric acid with other detergents. In fact, the only ingredients other then these are solvent, fragrance, and T36-C5 Melaleuca Oil. 

Citric acid exists as a weak organic compound because it contains the element carbon. It is most common used for the sour tastes in foods and soft drinks but brings a different purpose for this green product. This organic compound works in ways that chelate the metals in hard water (water high in minerals) and involves no scrubbing to remove stains from hard water on surfaces. This organic compound is therefore used in a green process to successfully use less plastic, less water, and less cost but still gets the job done in the bathroom. 

In addition to all of this, Melaleuca also goes above and beyond by using concentrated formulas so their products last up to six times longer then competitors. Here, everyone wins!

For videos and other information, here is a link to their website:

http://www.melaleuca.com/