You bike to work instead of driving. You shop at the local farm stand rather than the big supermarket, and carry your purchases home in reusable bags. You haven’t used an energy-chugging lightbulb in years. But is the background for your computer search engine site still white? If so, you may be ever so slightly behind the enviro-curve. To get with the program, you may want to switch your search engine to Blackle, which is sort of but not really a black Google.
The idea behind having a black or dark screen is that it uses less power than a screen with a light or white background, according to a 2002 report by researchers at the University of California-Berkeley, which is cited on the “about Blackle” page.
What you see when you go to the site is a black screen with a search box powered by Google Custom Search. It doesn’t have all of Google’s options and when you search for your name (I did) on Blackle you may get less than 10 percent of what a full-on Google search would produce. That’s clearly not the point, any more than a blemish-free apple is the point to shopping at a farm market.
As of January 4, Blackle said it had saved nearly 400,000 watt hours of energy. Take a look and decide for yourself.
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Here is another tech way through which we can contribute to causes of global good including environmental causes. As of now, this is applicable only in US. Have a look at this chat messenger.
http://www.imagine-windowslive.com/Messe nger/IM/Home/
- Posted by AjithUm.. since most screens are LCD, and the backlight runs at full power no matter what the image is being displayed… isn’t this another waste of time?
Shut your computer OFF and go have another ’sustainable’ latte at Starbucks… Don’t waste everyone’s time and ENERGY with junk science like this effort…
- Posted by JonGREEN SEAL COSTA RICA
- Posted by Melanie FreiWhen you think green development in Costa Rica, you might think cute eco-lodges nestled Swiss -family Robinson style in tropical forests, one every 20 acres, far from civilization. With over 25% of its land devoted to national parks, and over 5% of the world’s biodiversity within a tiny country just bigger than Switzerland, Costa Rica’s environmental charm is central to its allure.
Today, however, the reality is a booming real estate market along the fabled surf beaches of Costa Rica’s Gold Coast that makes environmental responsibility an urgent requirement, not a quaint luxury. This booming development, unchecked, can lead to water pollution and water shortages, problems that developers, buyers and the public cannot afford to ignore.
Green Seal Realty, Costa Rica, is taking the lead by representing only environmentally responsible properties. Nothing else. If you want to buy a house or a condominium built without respect for nature, Green Seal will not help. Instead, you will be offered an environmentally responsible alternative.
Green Seal began its efforts leading by example, with its signature affordable condominium project,The Oaks Tamarindo, designed to showcase environmental practices. A 31 acre residential condominium and multi-use real estate development ideally located between Tamarindo and Playa Grande, The Oaks is setting new standards for environmentally responsible development on Costa Rica’s Gold Coast.
At the heart of The Oaks lies an advanced tertiary waste water treatment system that recycles waste water to up to 98% purity, so clean that it is reused for irrigation with no pollution to the ground water. This invisible system supports an ecological development built around a six acre nature preserve that includes a lake, biological corridors, a botanical orchid garden, butterfly pavilion and hummingbird sanctuary, all intended for research into saving endangered species as well as for enjoyment. And because Guanacaste is a natural desert environment, The Oaks also conserves water and energy in its design, with rain water capture systems, ultra low flush ecological toilets, and water-friendly front loading washers.
Energy conservation, and lower electric bills, are addressed through heavily insulated solid concrete block stucco construction, double-paned windows and outdoor compact fluorescent lighting. Costly, eh? Prices for two bedroom, two bath condos that includes marble, granite and cedar finishes start at only $142,500. Why? Part of the demonstration is that environmental responsibility does not need to come at a high price. All that is needed is planning and care.
Green Seal’s mission is to lead the green revolution by example. If more real estate investors ask dvelopers about waste water treatment systems, water conservation, and lowered energy requirements, more developers will seek the Green Seal of Approval. Do well by doing good.
For more information about Costa Rica’s green projects, ranging from land to homes to condominiums, contact info@greensealrealty.com.