GREENCulture blog We put the “green” in greenyness!

For at least the past 3500 years,  mankind has known how to build a sundial, which is a device that uses shadows cast by the sun to keep time.  Sundials are incredibly easy to make, require no power or maintenance, and can add an interesting, artistic feel to any outdoor environment.  I will go through the simple steps that it takes to make your very own sundial for your outdoor area.

Note: The type of sundial I am explaining how to make is called a Horizontal Sundial.

Materials needed:

• A flat, circular piece of wood or stone.
• A protractor
• A calculator
• A square piece of wood and a saw
• A map, atlas, or Google maps (to determine your latitude)

1. First, get a flat, circular piece of wood.  Mark the very center of the circle with an “x”.  The very center of the circle represents you, and the circle itself roughly represents the path the sun takes around you during every 24 hour period.
2. Divide this circle in half by marking a straight line going from one end of the circle, through the middle, to the other end.  This mark represents noon, or mid-day on one side of the “x” at the end of the circle, and midnight on the other side of the x at the other end of the circle.
3. Lay your circle flat on the ground.  Now get a compass.  If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, your mid-day line should be pointing due North and your midnight line should be pointing due South.  In the Southern Hemisphere, these directions are reversed.
4. Use a map or atlas to look up your latitude.  I will use my current latitude, which is 33 degrees, as an example.  The next step is the hard part, and it is only hard because it requires a little bit of math.  Don’t worry though, if you have a calculator I can explain to you exactly how to do it.  You could even use Google as a calculator if you want.
5. Now, we already know where 12:00 pm is, because it is the mid-day line.  We are now going to use math to figure out where the line for 1:00 pm and 11:00 are supposed to go.  It will be easy, I promise!The formula for finding out where the other hour marks are supposed to go is tan(A) = sin(latitude) * tan(hour angle), where A is the number of degrees from the mid-day line where you draw the next line.  I will explain this so it is clear as glass even to someone who doesn’t know any math at all.  Keep reading and I will tell you exactly how to enter this equation into Google calculator and all you have to do is plug in the right numbers. No math at all!  I promise!Now, what does “hour angle” mean?  Hour angle refers to the number of degrees the sun passes every hour.  Since there are 360 degrees in a circle and 24 hours in a day, there are approximately 15 degrees in every hour.  To get the hour angle, you just take the time that you want to draw the line for and see how many hours away from noon that time is, and multiply that number by 15.  For example, the hour angle for 1:00 pm is 15 degrees, because there is one hour between noon and 1:00 pm and the sun travels 15 degrees in the circle in one hour.  The hour angle for 3:00 pm is 45 degrees because there are three hours between 12 and 3 and, and 3*15=45.  The hour angle for 8:00 am is 60 degrees by the same logic.

   Ok, so let’s figure out where the line for 1:00 pm is supposed to go.  Just copy and paste (ctrl+c & ctrl+v) this expression into Google:

   180*tanh(sin(pi* 33 /180)*tan(pi* 15 /180))/pi

   Where you would replace 33 degrees with your latitude and 15 with the hour angle of the time you wanted to calculate.  I got 8.30263592, or approximately 8.3 degrees between the mid-day line and the line for 1:00 pm.  Take your protractor, measure out 8.3 degrees (or whatever your number is) from the noon line, and draw a line coming out of the center at that angle.  Do that again on the other side of the noon line also for 11:00 am.

   I will give one more example of this for clarity.  Say I wanted to do 4:00 pm.

   180*tanh(sin(pi* 33 /180)*tan(pi* 60 /180))/pi = 42.21 degrees.

   Therefore, 4:00 pm is 42.2 degrees from the noon line.  This would also be the same value for 8:00 am.

6. Repeat for your desired hours.  The angles should get bigger and bigger as you get farther away from noon.  The number of degrees given by the above equation always represent the number of degrees from the noon line.
7. Now that you have the base of your sundial done, you need to make the part that actually casts a shadow on it.  This part of the sundial is called the “gnomon.”  The gnomon is shaped like a triangle most of the time.  You will cut a corner end off of your square piece of wood to make the triangle.  Take that square piece of wood and your saw.  Now take your latitude. Mine is 33 degrees, so I will use that.  Notice how the corner of the square piece of wood forms a 90 degree angle; that is one corner of your triangle.  Create a triangle by drawing a line at 33 degrees from the base of the triangle and cut it out along the line.
8. Now you have to glue, nail, or fasten the gnomon on top of the sundial.  Position the triangle so that the 90 degree angle is up in the air, the 33 degree angle is in the center of the table where you drew the x in the first step, and the 66 degree should be closest to the mid-day point on the sundial.  You are now done!  Position your sundial so it is facing due north and enjoy!

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With all the crazy stuff going on in the world today it is easy for people to forget about the least populated place in the world: Antarctica. Antarctica has a huge effect on the world’s ecosystems, although it is desolate and far from most human populations. That’s because Antarctica has about 90% of the world’s ice, and about 70% of the world’s fresh water. Most people are aware that if Greenland’s ice shelf were to fall into the sea, that the global sea level would rise by about twenty feet. However, if the majority of the fresh water on Antarctica were to fall into the sea, the sea level could rise as much as 190 feet, according to some sources like Science Daily. With global temperatures on the rise, it is in everyone’s interest to watch the Antarctic ice sheets closely.

Composite satellite image of Antarctica.

Obviously the chances of all this ice falling into the sea at once are very low. However, even a small rise in sea level by a few feet could trigger a massive chain reaction of melting in the low-lying Antarctic regions as the sea water comes into contact with the freshwater ice. This is where the danger lies. Since the ice is very cold and dry in Antarctica and other polar regions, it remains in place by sticking to the rocks. Rising sea levels can cause water to come between the ice and the Antarctic rocks, causing the ice to become un-stuck and very slippery against the rocks. The ice eventually cracks and large chunks slide into the ocean due to gravity, where they eventually melt and raise the sea level little by little. Bit by bit, the sea keeps coming into contact with more and more ice, which gets unstuck, and the process perpetuates itself indefinitely.

Once of the reasons why this is so alarming is that Antarctic ice is not just ordinary ice. Antarctic ice is extremely dense because it has been packed down for thousands of years by metric tons of other ice. Antarctica’s ice sheet is about a mile thick on average, so the ice really gets packed down. This makes Antarctic ice much denser than normal ice due to gravity. When ice has been frozen for many thousands of years and put under a lot of pressure, gravity squeezes all of the air molecules out, causing the ice to crystallize. This makes the ice blue and transparent like water, and in this state the ice is known as ‘blue ice,’ which is also the form of ice that exists in glaciers. This ice is so dense that it is the form of ice responsible for puncturing the steel hull of the Titanic.

When this ice becomes unstuck and falls into the sea, it is practically irreplaceable because it has been formed over thousands of years and is much denser than normal ice. This issue is compounded by the fact that it is so cold in Antarctica that little to no precipitation usually falls. Technically Antarctica is considered a desert! It is literally too cold and dry to snow in most places in Antarctica. Therefore the replacement rate of this ice is nowhere near the rate that it is being destroyed. What this means is that once we start this process of the destruction of Antarctica’s ice sheet, it cannot be stopped. We all need to pay attention to Antarctica’s sensitive ecosystem and take every opportunity to protect it, or the global environment that we know now may change forever.

Women + Poor Air Quality = Risk

It’s not enough that today’s women are so busy they barely have time for themselves, but now women have to worry about air pollution. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine stated that air pollution, particularly in the urban environment, is directly linked to fatal and non-fatal heart disease and stroke in older women. Can the same be said for men? Nope! Women have smaller blood vessels than men and are more susceptible to particles getting deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and ultimately leading to heart disease and strokes.

But there is a solution. The EPA recommends using HEPA air purifiers in the home and office, as this can greatly reduce the amount of indoor airborne pollutants, creating a breathing environment that is actually healthier than outdoor urban air. So by having your indoor air cleaned of at least 90% of airborne pollutants, you are providing a healthy lifestyle and actually reducing your risk of contributing to lung inflammation, heart disease and stroke due to high concentrations of airborne pollutants.

Thankfully, HEPA air purifiers come in many sizes and are very affordable. At GreenCulture, we carry only the top quality brands of HEPA air purifiers, such as the Alen Paralda Air Purifier, and sell them at prices that fit any budget. We know a woman’s life can be hectic, so maybe our making air purifier shopping simple can contribute a little to making a woman’s life just a tad easier.

Does your bed feel crowded?

Does your bed feel crowded with your partner and pets? Well, it’s more crowded than you may think. Did you know that there are thousands of dust mites in your bed as well. Yep, you read that right – THOUSANDS! But fear not, for microscopic dust mites, though creepy looking, are utterly harmless to humans and your pets. However, it is their droppings and shed skin casts that can cause allergic reactions in humans, including bringing on asthma attacks.

An average dust mite leaves behind their feces 20 times per day. It is the protein in these dropping and their skin casts that cause the allergic reactions, so that is why it is so important to regularly wash your sheets and pillow cases. But keep in mind that the bed is not the only place our sloppy little freeloaders dwell – carpets, couches and anyplace we plant ourselves are prime places for dust mites to call home. So make sure to regularly wipe down your furniture and vacuum you carpets.

And since their droppings and skin casts are so small, a lot of it becomes airborne, too. That’s why it’s recommended that you use a HEPA air purifier in your favorite living areas. HEPA air purifiers catch particles that are 0.3 microns in size and larger, thus cleaning your indoor air of more than 90% of airborne particles. You may not be able to entirely rid your home of dust mites, but at least you can clean up after them and allow yourself to breathe easier.

HEPA vs. Ozone

Trends and hype can be exciting, but they don’t always have our best interests in mind. Consider the buzz around ozone-generating devices being marketed as a health boosting solution to indoor air quality problems. Upper atmosphere ozone is a layer of gasses that protects us from skin damaging ultraviolet sun rays, but ground level ozone is really SMOG! Who wants to buy something creates that smog in your home?

The US Federal and State Clean Air Legislation lists what breathing in excessive ozone can do to a person:

• Eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation.
• Significant temporary decreases in lung capacity in healthy, exercising adults.
• Asthmatic individuals are especially susceptible to ozone toxicity, which includes constricting airways.
• Can cause increased sensitivity to airborne allergens and other irritants, and it can impair the body’s immune system.
• Summertime ozone episodes in the northeastern U.S. lead to 10-20% increases in hospital admissions and emergency room visits.
• Human population studies of long-term exposures to low-level ozone indicate that it may lead to permanent reduction in lung capacity; animal studies have shown chronic high-level exposures can cause lasting structural damage in the lungs.
• Children, especially asthmatics, are most at risk from exposure to ozone.

A high efficiency particle air filter (HEPA) air cleaner is a better and proven way to clean indoor air. Check out the evaluations of household air cleaners that have been published by the Consumers Report, the American Lung Association and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The former two reports give explicit warnings against ozone-generating devices. As the Consumer Reports’ authors conclude, after performing tests, they “wouldn’t recommend an ozone generator even as a last resort.”

UV light vs. bacteria

Ever wonder why you never got sick during those hot, summer days at the beach or pool? (Getting sunburn doesn’t count) The sun casts a special wavelength of ultraviolet light called UV-C which neutralizes flu viruses and other pathogens. In fact, UV-C also neutralizes bacteria, fungi and molds. That’s why hospitals and laboratories use UV-C on their work surfaces, indoor air and equipment to reduce the risk of infection. Also, pharmaceutical manufacturing and food processing facilities use UV-C to sterilize water.

The way UV-C neutralizes viruses and other pathogens is that the UV-C damages the RNA and DNA, removing the virus’ capacity to reproduce. It’s the virus’ capacity to reproduce that causes sickness and infection.

Just keep these advantages in mind when using UV light in, say, an air purifier to clean your indoor air:

• Ultraviolet light is a non-chemical approach to disinfection.
• Because ultraviolet light works by physically damaging the DNA, viruses and other germs cannot develop resistance or immunity to it. Microorganisms will remain susceptible to UV-C light.
• It makes your environment healthier in general, providing the benefit of disabling all kinds of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and molds.

Ever wanted to have your very own Hobbit home? Sure you have. We all have at some point (especially after watching Lord of the Rings). A family man in Wales wanted just that and built his own low impact, environmentally-friendly Hobbit-style home with the help of some family and friends. A couple thousand man hours and approximately £3000 later, the on-going family home project is coming to fruition. Built with nothing more than spare wood, lime plaster, straw bales, solar panels, and a few eco-friendly necessities and utilities, living a sustainable lifestyle can actually be quite affordable. Of course, the matter of having access to land for a project like this is a difficult proposition. The point of it, however, like all worthwhile endeavors is the possibility of achieving a sustainable way of living in some fashion.

According to a recent survey, going green may prove to be more difficult for the average consumer as the expense of convenience and comfort is far too great. A third of Americans in the new study shows that they would give up their iPods if they knew it harmed the environment. Although the poll showed 60%  of Americans are looking for greener products, if modern conveniences were no longer convenient or comfortable, roughly 30% of people would not go out of their way for the greener alternative. “Conveniences have become necessities,” says Suzanne Shelton, whose firm conducted the survey. It’s awfully common sense to attribute comfort and convenience as barriers to any alternative lifestyle. It requires a kind of passion to undertake and change the way we live our lives, which is not a simple and easy endeavor. If the average consumer can find green products as easily as they do any other product, whether in a store or online, then perhaps we can bridge the gap and see the trend to go green widen.

By celebrating Earth Day in a simple way, you might find that the effort can lead to something you can see yourself doing every day, or at least consistently, if you haven’t already. As a starter, here are seven simple things you can do to contribute to the cause:

1. Plant some flowers, or a tree. Get some flower seeds, or a small tree if you prefer, and plant something in your yard. You’d put a great big smile on Earth’s face.

2. Recycle something. Instead of tossing that finished can of soda or bottled water in just any trash bin, take an extra step and find a recycle bin.

3. Let’s face it, there is litter everywhere. If you see an unsightly display of litter on the streets within your reaches, lend a helping hand. You will be amazed how good it feels.

4. Think you want to do more? Interested in furthering the good cause in your home? Look into composting. For the gardening enthusiast, composting is a wonderful way to use your kitchen scraps as nutrient-rich soil for your garden.

5. Want to do a little shopping today? On your short trips to the local supermarket that you normally drive to can be traveled the same on a bike or by foot. Keeping your car off the road for a bit of exercise is a win/win situation. Or, better yet, a greener alternative is to shop online.

6. And greener still as you shop online is to shop green. Our wood, metal, and glass based furniture and lighting products are made with sustainable features such as recycled and recyclable sources. Whether you’re looking for a floor lamp, dining table, coffee table, or wool rugs, GreenCulture carries a diverse selction of eco-friendly home furnishings.

7. Lastly, spread the word. Socially share your green experience with others on your blog or your twitter.

Happy Earth Day!

Green Crawler, founded by Ryan Lewis with co-founder Jacob Morris, both self-professed evolving “greenies,” will be the next big thing to hit eco-friendly merchants and products on the web. Expected to launch April 13th, 2009, the site will be a valuable resource that connects green companies with like-minded consumers searching for green alternatives to the products they already use.

The idea is quite simple. Unlike sites and services such as PriceGrabber.com and Google Products, Green Crawler is a green-only product database that catalogs a host of products supplied by online merchants in an easy to navigate and search, centralized location. Through their database, online shoppers can browse, buy, and compare specific green products of their choice without having to rummage through a more generalized product database. No longer will it require a consumer to search more in order to find what they are looking for. Green Crawler’s service is geared towards shoppers looking specifically for a niche product.

In striving to become the largest search engine for green products, Green Crawler allows any merchant that carries green alternatives to submit products free of charge, via Google Base formatted data feeds in XML and CSV/TSV files. From beauty and personal care products to household, furniture, and apparel, Green Crawler currently features over a thousand products already listed on their database. And the process of adding your products to the database is as simple as sending your formatted data feeds to info@greencrawler.com.

Green Crawler is a great new business opportunity for merchants to market green niche products and for consumers to find the product they want through a simple to use search engine.

Today’s quiz is a bit more in depth compared to the last one I posted called What’s Your Environmental Footprint? This quiz called the Ecological Footprint Quiz is a bit more personal, first asking you questions like your age and what city/township you live in, in addition to 15 questions about how you live and whether you carpool. Once again, I was put in my place, with an ecological footprint score of 17, compared to the average of 24, which tells you that if everyone lived like me, we’d need 3.8 planets. Ouch. Take the quiz and share your score!

…if you want to save gas. According to this article found on Treehugger.com and cited on Discovery.com thanks to Mythbusters, if you drive or draft closely behind a big rig, you’re sure to save some gas by reducing wind drag - as long as you have enough reaction time to save your own life when necessary. Read on and decide who would win the battle of saving gas if you’re tailgaing :thisclose: to the big rig in front of you.

Somewhere in the universe lives a young boy - a little prince - on a lonely little asteroid called B612. On this asteroid are three volcanoes, two active and one dormant, one rose, and baobab trees that the little prince has to keep uprooting or else they would destroy his asteroid. Imagine if we lived on an asteroid, how would we treat it? The author of this blog asks us to imagine that if each person were to live on their own asteroid (about 6 acres or 2.5 hectares of dry land), what would we do to sustain our and the asteroid’s overall survival? How would we cultivate the land, irrigate water throughout the asteroid and utilize fossil fuels? With the issue of global warming taking center stage as of late, we as humans are depleting our resources daily and soon enough, our planet may not survive. How can this small scale model help us (or not help us) solve this large and growing problem?