Raising Kids to be Earth Friendly

Rust Remover, Fabric ConditionerWhen thinking about preserving our earth, it is vital to consider the next generation of green activists. Without proper information and real life experience with being “green,” kids may not be as appreciative of this subtle art as you are. What are some things you can do?

Develop proper attitudes within them

A study about how eco friendly attitudes affect eco friendly behavior describes how this is important. Things like taste, and later on, price, determined whether or not students in college were likely to partake of organic foods. These attitudes are instilled within people as children, especially by example. When you eat delicious fresh raw organic fruits and vegetables, obviously enjoy them, and teach your children this enjoyment, they are likely to continue this behavior as adults.

Set an example

The strongest influence you can have is through example, and this is not just a famous quote by Huston Smith. Many parents learn that talking requires a great deal less effort than action. However, when they show how important something is by always following through on their words about the subject, they are respected by and an example to their children. Eat everything you feed your children. Wear eco friendly clothes. Care for the environment, as you have taught them to do. Go over and beyond what you consider necessary for them to see you doing something right.

Avoid becoming overwhelmed

“Eco Friendly Families,” an e-book by Helen Coronato, describes how parenthood brings out the best in you and makes you want to make your work a safe place in which your children can grow. She describes how, all of a sudden, those tricky little questions about environmentally safe products, biodegradable products, and non-petroleum-based products can sometimes give conflicting answers. This book can be a great deal of help for “green” parents who are constantly bombarded by messages about what is and what is not good for their children.

Tap into your strengths

A 2008 study on environmentally responsible division of labor between spouses in marriages talks about how sometimes husbands and wives treat eco friendly behavior differently. Women were far more likely to be interested in and actually implement and follow through on “green” practices that benefitted their households, whereas men intended to follow through, but were more likely to be innovative and come up with original ideas for how things could be changed. If you find yourself irritated with your spouse when implementing eco friendly practices within your own home, remember that basic progressive thought processes between your genders may be disrupting your creative flow. Simply recognize that different people contribute to the sustainable practices of the household in different ways, and plan accordingly.

Envirosafe Solutions offers eco friendly hand cleaners, laundry products and kitchen products, not only for the safety of your children, but for the safety and sustainability of your entire home. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07448480903295292

http://books.google.com/books?id=5I5w_BSa0t4C&dq=eco+friendly+families&lr=

http://spr.sagepub.com/content/25/6/923.short

Plant Life in the Oceans

Rust Remover, Fabric ConditionerJust as our terra, or earth, has living eco systems on land, the oceans have their own delicately balanced eco systems which preserve all life and growth under the sea. Just as in a forest fire or other natural disaster on land, oil spillages and fuel emissions which are spilled or thrust upon the ocean leave temporary long or short term defectiveness. Petroleum based fuels and carbon in the air both get into our oceans and kill off plants and fish through absorption. Again, this temporarily throws multiple eco systems off balance and only time will allow these living things to flourish once more. Unfortunately, if we continually allow these unnatural products into our oceans, then there is never even a chance of recovering this former abundance.

Petroleum is still used in massive quantities today, so it unlikely that it will be out of supply for some time. Many offshore drilling plants exist around the world, and even just transport across the ocean can be spilled and affect the ocean life.

Interestingly enough, offshore petroleum platforms in the water act as artificial reefs and rock for fish and plant life to be cultivated, and this in turn can attract ocean life that would normally be highly dispersed. Marine fishermen often use this fact to acquire fish and ocean mammals in water that is safe. These artificial creations which attract fish and marine life also manipulate currents, offer temporary protection, and a quick bite to eat along the way for passing ocean life. This is seen as a small benefit to our oceans regarding petroleum platforms, but this is not due to positive attributes of petroleum itself, but rather positive attributes of manmade structures under the water.

Petroleum spills can cause deformation of seagulls, fish, amphibians, coral, and mammals. Wastewater contamination is also a problem, because massive amounts of algae spring up in otherwise unpopulated areas, and feed on human excrement, then die off as the source of the wastewater dies off. The dead algae depletes the ocean in that area of oxygen and fish can literally suffocate to death.

As you see, our oceans can be affected by many things in many different ways. By doing your part to keep our oceans and our sewers clean by using eco friendly chemicals, such as the ones found at Envirosafe Solutions, you are contributing to thriving sea life. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Oc-Po/Petroleum-from-the-Ocean.html

http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/rigs-to-reefs/artificial-reefs.html

http://www.ehow.com/list_6883072_creatures-affected-toxic-waste-ocean_.html

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/oceanography-book/oilspills.htm

New Ways of Shipping Products Overseas

Fabric Conditioner, Laundry PowderAfter the many oil spills and shipping accidents which have occurred and threatened vital ocean life and eco systems, it is a good idea to take extra caution when shipping products overseas. Our environment must be protected and transportation is one of the major industries in which emissions can be reduced and sustainable fuel can be implemented and tested out. This is a wonderful opportunity to implement the green movement through use of biofuel and sustainable fuel in mass transportation of international goods.

In 2008, the sea conservation supporter, Earthrace, used their powerboat to completely circumnavigate the world on 100% biofuel. This indicates that it is possible to travel and transport across the ocean using nothing but safe, effective, sustainable fuel that is both biodegradable and safe for humans. This is part of a revolutionary movement which is focused primarily upon replacing all carbon based fuels and petroleum based products.

Now that we know that ocean transport is possible using 100% biodegradable and sustainable fuel, it becomes necessary that we learn more effective ways of making the transition from our current fuel engines to newer ones. In fact, some engines designed for petroleum based fuels have been able to burn a combination of biodiesel and petrol, and this sometimes requires a modification or addition to the engine. However, replacing carbon based fuel engines with something greener is not only highly expensive, but it also is a monumental task, considering how many engines for cars, airplanes and ships exist today which only function with non-sustainable diesel.

Biomethane is a liquefied natural gas which is becoming increasingly popular and appealing to the shipping industry today. This may be part of the transition to more eco friendly times while old engines are being used up and replaced by engines which can run entirely off of biofuel or biodiesel. These are just a few of the options which we have available today in order to make our planet a safer, greener place to live and increase sustainability of our lifestyles.

Envirosafe Solutions offers eco friendly corrosion treatment, radiator liquids, fuel treatment, and rust removers in bulk form so that you can use them in all of your industrial operations. Call us today to find out more about our 30-day money back guarantee on all of our products: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://www.bioenergytrade.org/downloads/worldbiofuelmaritimeshippingstudyjuly120092df.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VK6nSJCw58

http://www.biofuelstp.eu/boats.html

Natural Insecticides

Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Glue RemoverWhether you own a small farm, do your own private gardening, or are heavily into agriculture, natural insecticides offer a wide range of benefits for your planting needs. They do not harm living plants, they do not prevent breakdown of organic material, and they are not toxic when soaked into the earth. Natural insecticides are a great way to get rid of critters which are feeding off of your fruits, vegetables and other plants, without having to worry about touching harmful chemicals or potentially entering the food supply. What are some natural insecticides which are currently used today and how do you apply them?

Homemade Insecticides

Homemade insecticides are used to help keep critters off of things like private gardens or vegetables or flower beds. In many cases, they are cheap and easy to make, but typically people make them in order to avoid using potentially harmful chemicals in the first place. In addition to homemade insecticides, many gardeners use what is called “companion planting,” where they plant desired plants together with plants which tend to repel unwanted insects. For instance, gardeners often plant a two-foot wide band of marigolds around their vegetable and fruit gardens, because marigolds repel a wide variety of bugs, insects and even some pest animals.

Neem Tree Insecticides

Some people who do not have success using a variety of insecticides against aphids or spidermites find Neem Tree insecticides to be helpful in getting rid of the more hard-to-kill or hard-to-repel types of critters.

Application of Organic Insecticides

Before you begin mixing and spraying homemade or store bought organic insecticides, be sure to test a small area of your plants first. Coat the leaves of a couple of plants with the substance you will use, on both sides of the leaves and as much of the stalk as possible. This ensures contact with the unwanted pests. Then, wait a couple of days to see if this negatively affects the plant itself before spraying all of the remaining plants.

As with humans, one of the best ways to repel unwanted insects is to be strong and healthy. Bugs, insects, parasites, and viruses are all heavily attracted to diseased or rotting vegetation and weakened or unhealthy plants.

One of the best ways to keep both your humans and your plants healthy is to never attack them with unnatural or harsh chemicals. That is why Envirosafe Solutions takes our eco friendly policy so seriously. We want our products to work, and we want you to find them safe. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://www.cleanairgardening.com/organicbuyers.html

http://www.chron.com/life/gardening/article/Organic-pesticides-1696268.php

http://www.rollitup.org/outdoor-growing/315641-what-best-100-organic-pesticide.html

http://www.plasmaneem.com/homemade-organic-pesticides.html

http://www.plantingseedsblog.com/2011/05/the-top-5-organic-pesticides-to-make-in-your-kitchen/

Mainland Soil Erosion

Rust Converter, Dishwasher PowderSoil erosion is the cause of overgrazing, water desalination, reef degradation, and lack of vegetation and wildlife to keep the soil fertile and therefore seeded and dug. Australia is not the only coastal environment where soil erosion has been caused by excessive industrial operations and inadequate agricultural planning. Desertification can occur anywhere, and is especially likely to occur where crop rotation has been neglected or industrial operations have driven out wildlife which is necessary to the ecological balance of the land. In other words, when the nutrition of the soil has been depleted to the point where plants cannot put down long roots to hold the soil in place, and therefore wildlife leaves, which removes the composting ability of their feces and plant gathering, then the land can quite realistically become a desert.

Nutrition is transferred from water through rainfall, rivers, and lakes. It also is transferred when animals urinate at any point, releasing chemicals back into the soil and upon the plants and grass which utilize this nutrition from animals, many of which are herbivores and actually contribute the same nutrition back to the soil which caused the plants they ate to grow in the first place. It is a cycle, and in local areas, it can actually be a continuous cycle which feeds and waters itself ad infinitum. However, when eco systems are not taken into account during land renovation, industrial projects, or over hunting and over grazing, this can affect more than just a few animals or a few blades of grass. In fact, if the entire eco system cycle is dependent upon itself alone, introducing new components to the cycle necessarily means that new balances must be considered and made available to both plants and wildlife. If socially conscious developers and engineers are not aware of these complex and delicate life cycles, then desertification, along with other earth damaging effects, can occur. Therefore, it is important to always research and be aware of the original habitats and geological structure of a coastline, plain, or wooded area before moving modern practices into the cycle.

Envirosafe Solutions is careful to consider the earth and how we can contribute to its sustainability when we design our laundry detergents and kitchen cleaners. We are devoted to doing our part for the greater good, while bringing you the best in green solutions. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169555X09002517

Luxury Hotel Cleaning Services

Rust Remover, Fabric Conditioner, Laundry PowderIf you own or run a luxury hotel, then your first concern is in maintaining your quality reputation. In order to do this, you must work out every detail of your business plan to such an extent that the program and modus operandi are already planned out and members of your staff only have to carry them out. An example of such planning was given in a recent book on business management. The author had visited a red cedar national park, and had found a hotel tucked away in the mountains at the end of the day. He was tired, so he decided to stop there for the night.

At the front desk, the author was asked his coffee and liquor preferences, and whether or not he would like a reservation at a nearby restaurant, which was within walking distance of his room. When he returned from the restaurant that evening, the fireplace in his room was already lit, the coffee maker was set for the morning complete with his favorite brew, and his preferred liquor was opened and ready to drink by the fire.

Recently, at a luxury hotel, I encountered similar quality regarding the housekeeping services in our room. Not only was the housekeeping thorough, immaculate and privacy oriented, but eco friendly practices were also implemented. Obviously, cleaning the room when it was not requested or desired to be clean can waste resources and materials, such as water and chemicals, so a gift card was given out at the front desk for anyone who wished to trade in their housekeeping services for a day. This was meant to reward “green” behavior in hotel guests, because of resources which would be saved. In a hotel of over a thousand guests, this saving can really add up, for the sake of the earth and for the sake of hotel and guest expenditures.

Envirosafe Solutions also offers green friendly cleaning solutions, degreasers, laundry products and sanitizers. Our goal is to be effective and to be earth friendly, and we believe that we have accomplished both of these goals. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://www.morrisonhouse.com/mrr-services/green-hotel.html

http://www.hotelpalomar-dallas.com/dlp-services/green-hotel.html

http://www.monaco-alexandria.com/luxury-hotel-services/green-hotel.html

Locally Available Alternative Energy

Dishwashing Liquid, Toilet Bowl CleanerAlternative energy in Western Australia is important for several reasons. First, it is a sustainable source of fuel or power so that we may continue our current lifestyles indefinitely. Second, it produces fewer carbon emissions, which helps retain our solar/ultraviolet balance. Third, it better for our planet as a whole, since it reduces toxic waste put into agriculture, our food supply, our water supply, and keeps unnecessary waste from polluting our oceans. What are some locally available alternative sources of energy?

Perth Seawater Reverse Osmosis Plant

Desalination is an excellent way to convert massive amounts of seawater into drinkable, usable fresh water for human consumption. The Perth Seawater Reverse Osmosis Plant is an efficiently run desalination plant, which draws electricity from the Emu Downs Wind Farm, bringing the renewable energy cycle to completion. This allows Perth and Western Australia to treat seawater appropriately, while renewable energy to accomplish this task. This is an excellent example of human needs being met fully by alternative energy cycles.

Griffin Energy and Stanwell Corporation

Griffin Energy and Stanwell Corporation have a joint venture on Emu Downs Wind Farm, which is capable of producing 80 megawatts of power, enough for fifty thousand homes, at peak performance. Wind energy is an excellent source of power, since it is ever present and can create electricity which can be stored in batteries and electricity storage plants for use during low periods of wind. This is a great way to skim the cream off the top of the milk, so that all produced wind energy is used. Griffin Energy and Stanwell Corporation also have a joint venture on Badgingarra Wind Farm, which is set to be commissioned in late 2012 and will have a proposed capacity of 130 megawatts, capable of powering 80, 000 homes at peak performance.

These are only a few example of how local alternative energy is being used to facilitate the lives of thousands of Western Australians. Not everyone is aware of locally available alternative energy and what initiatives are ecological to support. This is a great way for young Australians to learn about the energy of the next generation. Envirosafe Solutions is part of this ecological movement, and we offer eco friendly fuel treatments, hand cleaners, radiator liquids, and soil treatments for your green projects. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

http://www.water-technology.net/projects/perth/

http://www.griffinenergy.com.au/index.aspx

Keeping Vegan Pets

Glue Remover, Rust ConverterIf you have a carnivore (meat eater) for a pet, such as a cat or dog, you will find that their diet may not fit very well into your own diet, if you are a vegan or vegetarian. We begin with a rather humorous commentary on a short-lived (extremely short-lived) satire in the Americas based upon making fun of the ultra-frugal vegan lifestyle of a stereotypical liberal. At various points throughout the few episodes which aired, the family is shown feeding their pet dog only vegan dog food. The dog is shown salivating and obsessively picturing meat everywhere, even entertaining the possibility of chewing on live human legs in order to satisfy his meat cravings. At various points throughout the show, a neighborhood telephone pole is shown, with notifications of all types of missing family pets, with the implication that the vegan-fed dog has caught and eaten all of them.

While this is just a satire, many vegans are unsure about how to take care of their pets in such a way that satisfies the needs of the pets, but also conforms to their own belief systems and personal views on the subject. There are two approaches to this:

The first approach shows that many people feel that their canines and felines are not negatively affected by a meatless diet as long as they are fed a complete and balanced diet, which is appropriate to their needs. This may need to include supplements, which are typically naturally found in meat. It is recommended that you get their PH levels tested, and ask your veterinarian about the appropriate care for your particular breed of dog and how an alternative diet may affect their behavior or energy requirements. It may also be noted here that carnivores such as cats and dogs tend to only eat vegetation when they are sick and need to clean out their systems. So, while vegetation is naturally eaten by carnivores, it is obviously not their first choice of food.

The second approach depicts how many vegans and vegetarians recognize that while they do not wish to eat meat themselves for various reasons, their carnivorous pets require meat as part of a balance diet and buy meat from a local butcher, sustainable source, or even pay for more expensive organic meat which was not raised on steroids or in inhumane conditions. Whichever way you choose to feed your vegan pet, the choice must be entirely up to you. Only in this way will you feel good about your final decision and feel in control of your household and pet decisions.

There are other ways to be health conscious and to be aware of the impact you have on the humans and animals around. Envirosafe Solutions offers eco friendly spill kits, waste disposal kits, disinfectants and sanitizers, in small and bulk packaging. Call us today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AmazingAnimals/story?id=7154396&page=1

http://www.vegetariandogs.com/

http://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/vegetarian-cats-and-dogs.aspx

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/25/vegan-pet-food-is-it-ok-t_n_178880.html

Bio Waste Management

Anti-Bacterial Hand Wash, Industrial Hand CleanerAn article published by Ralf Otterpohl, Matthias Grottker, and Joerg Lange discusses how different types of bio waste can be managed differently to allow for purification and redistribution when it can be done. The article suggests that grey water can be purified and used again, rain and storm water can be collected, tested and purified, and various other methods set up to help the end of line waste systems which we take for granted so often to be reused in another form and redistributed to increase productivity. The articles goes on to say that artificial fertilizers in the agriculture business are now obsolete and that there is a possibility of turning black water into alternative fertilizer production for the agriculture industry.

This presents an interesting idea. Many people think of human grey water and black water as being the end of the line and solely a waste product which cannot be reused in another form. Incidentally, artificial fertilizers lack the true biodegradability of organic waste products, and so this could be a double opportunity for completing the cycle of waste and growth. In nature, many eco systems complete a full cycle, where the death of one organism or life form feeds another and those small transitions are part of a much larger macro eco system which is self sustaining all on its own. Humans find it incredibly difficult and advanced to form an artificial life cycle or eco system from our own resources, but the above quoted article may be part of at least implementing human innovation into the natural cyclic systems.

When it comes to sewage systems, again, it is most commonly thought to be a necessary storage of and removal of waste. However, if bio waste, organic material which can be returned to the earth and used for something productive, can be utilized efficiently, this would be a major step in reducing carbon emissions, facilitating sustainable plant growth, and alleviating the buildup of unnecessary storage and contamination. If a simple, effective system can be implemented in major cities worldwide where waste is offset by useful growth in the agriculture industry, this might correct several problems at one time.

Envirosafe specializes in environmentally safe and biodegradable bio waste spill kits, corrosion treatments, disinfectants and sanitizers. Contact us today for more information: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

“ScienceDirect – Water Science and Technology: Sustainable water and waste management in urban areas.” ScienceDirect – Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027312239700190X.

Agrochemicals Turned Earth Friendly

Fabric Conditioner, Laundry Powder, Dust SuppressorThe agriculture industry encounters a very specific problem when using artificial agrochemicals. Sometimes the plant is negative affected by the chemical directly, and sometimes, when releasing the toxin, the plant stunts the growth of neighboring plants of the same species or plants from a different species. By the way, this toxic release and the resulting growth suppression is called allelopathy. Interestingly enough, researchers are attempting to find ways to harness this toxic release and turn it into something positive. Biodegradable and healthy agrochemicals are one solution, but the plant’s release of these chemicals can potentially be used to stunt neighboring weed growth, as natural herbicides. This phenomenon is not a new occurrence. In fact, all living things take in what nutrition they can and then expel the waste or non-nutritive substances, using a variety of elimination techniques. For example, humans are capable of eliminating waste not only through urinating and defecating, but also through sweat, tears, bleeding, vomiting, and by collecting liquids or hard substances and merely pushing them through the skin. Using a plant’s natural abilities to release chemicals and impact the environment around them could be advantageous. After the chemical has been somewhat altered by the plant and then released, it’s effect upon the target weed could be used to kill it. These altered agrochemicals are called microbial secondary metabolites.

Sanjai Saxena and Akhilesh K. Pandey wrote an article published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. This article discusses using microbial secondary metabolites in conjunction with biodegradable and eco friendly agrochemicals to achieve the desired result: turning them into environmentally friendly herbicides to destroy weeds which grow among healthy crops.

While these technologies are being improved upon, there are other technologies which are already developed and effective. There are many types of agricultural products which are safe, earth friendly, and highly effective. Envirosafe Solutions offers completely eco friendly dust suppressants and soil wetting agents for your agricultural needs. Stop by our website, read our reviews, ask us any questions which you may have, or contact us by phone today: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

“SpringerLink – Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Volume 55, Number 4.” SpringerLink. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. http://www.springerlink.com/content/rp19gtrqcp4fhqnc/.

Steps to Initiate Alternative Fuels for Our Clean Planet

Laundry Powder, Dishwasher Rinse Aid, Fabric Conditioner, Dishwasher PowderEnvironmentally speaking, alternative fuels would be part of a greater movement to use biodegradable and sustainable products all over our beautiful green earth. Experimenting with and developing alternative fuel prototypes is part of global effort and scientists are employed in just about every nation, working on making their countries more sustainable. Even so, their efforts are not always recognized until someone else, who has power, authority and a solid reputation, begins to use their alternative fuel prototypes in real engines under real life circumstances.

In America, the U.S. Navy is sailing a Spruance-class destroyer along the California coast, using a 50-50 blend of petroleum based fuel and alternative sustainable oil. This is a positive move in favor of environmental protection for several reasons.

First, military forces from developed nations worldwide already have access to technology which the civilian world catches up on in about five to eight years time. Military structures are designed to use the latest technology and they tend to lead the trend in any new effort to make our lives more enjoyable or easier. Implementing alternative fuel may be the beginning of widespread alternative fuel development and petrol prices which are unbelievably low and cost effective.

Second, militaries worldwide implement new systems and practices which are now in use today. For example, the idea of workplace drug testing would have been highly controversial in private market thirty years, when military forces began using them, but are available today in many forms and to all types of businesses. Clearly, our efforts to keep our earth healthy and safe are bettered by the example set by any military force which uses alternative fuel. The American Navy has set a goal of using completely “green” alternative fuel in all of their sailing vessels by 2016. Envirosafe Solutions applauds all use of alternative fuel in our support of a better planet.

Alternative fuels are just one part of keeping our planet sustainable. Envirosafe Solutions offers fuel treatments, corrosion treatments, radiator liquids, and heavy duty solvents, all of which are environmentally safe and biodegradable. Our business is to keep our planet clean and your business clean: (+61) 1300 88 90 70.

Carpenter, Margrette. “Alternative Fuel To Be Tested With Navy Equipment And Vehicles – Demo Part Of The Great Green Fleet | Soldier Finance.” Soldier Finance | American Military News And Financial Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. http://www.soldierfinance.com/2011/11/11/alternative-fuel-to-be-tested-with-navy-equipment-and-vehicles-demo-part-of-the-great-green-fleet/.

Tuna Threat

Extreme Green, Environmental Cleaning ProductsThe oceans were once thought of as vast and endless repositories of fish and food for human consumption. The bounty was plentiful and there for the taking, and mankind perceived the right and capacity to source all manner of seafood from the ocean’s currents and seas. But as conservation and green living has become a reality, so too has the realisation that our oceans are not an endless and unlimited source of food for us. They are finite reserves, carefully and sometimes precariously balanced, requiring forethought, management and even restrictions to ensure ongoing survival and viability.

Tuna is one such fish now considered under threat. Five out of eight of the world’s species of tuna are urgently in need of protection. Extinction is a real possibility and Australia’s Southern Bluefin Tuna is one of those most endangered.[1] The statistics are delivered in the Red List of Threatened Species which was produced by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

These IUCN Red List assessments and statistics were developed in consultation with many international scientists from Fisheries Management Organisations, international conservation organisations and also government agencies, universities, independent fisheries research institutions and other bodies.

On the 11th July 2011, the IUCN released its findings with the following being placed in the Near Threatened IUCN or Threatened Categories:

  • Southern Bluefin Tuna
  • Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
  • Bigeye Tuna
  • Yellowfin Tuna
  • Albacore

Many of these species have exceedingly high economic value and the information may assist governments to develop appropriate fisheries management strategies to monitor and safeguard against their extinction.

Dr. Bruce Collette who is the current Chair of the IUCN Species survival commission’s (SSC) Tuna and Billfish Specialist Group has said that “this is the first time that fishery scientists and ichthyologists and conservationists have come together to jointly produce an assessment of the threats facing a commercially important group of fishes.”[2]

Australia’s Southern Bluefin

Dr Kent Carpenter from the IUCN’s Marine Biodiversity Unit has stated that “all 3 of the Southern Bluefin Tuna species are susceptible to collapse under continued excessive fishing pressure.”  He has also made it very clear the Australian Southern Bluefin has already crashed in numbers, with very little hope or possibility of it recovering. The IUCN maintains these species must be managed appropriately and that a shutdown or wind down of the fisheries stocks until a point in time when they are rebuilt somewhat, would be the best strategy in the immediate term.

Even if legal fishing of the tuna was suspended for a period of time, the problem of escalated illegal fishing of these species would be another concern that would require overseeing. Management of the problem needs to encompass both legal and illegal fishing of the threatened tuna species.

Envirosafe Solutions has long supported a healthy and responsible attitude to our oceans and waterways, and that is why its products are phosphate reduced and have a low impact on water quality. Call Envirosafe Solutions and talk to a sales representative about economically viable and environmentally sustainable cleaning and liquid products that will not hurt our precious oceans and marine life. Envirosafe Solutions 1300 889070.


[1] http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/tuna-species-under-threat/story-e6frg6so-1226090508368

[2] http://www.iucnredlist.org/current-news

Triabunna Mill sale goes ahead

Eco Friendly, Eco Friendly Liquid Products, Extreme GreenThe Triabunna Pulp Mill sale has gone ahead. But not to the Aprin Company, as was expected! The mill, situated on Tasmania’s east coast, has been a stalwart of the Gunns timber company for many years. It has been purchased by the new wave of green business people currently making their presence felt on the Australian corporate scene.

Gunns Limited is possibly the largest and one of the oldest Australian timber companies with a $600 million turnover and over 900 sq km of eucalypt plantations. According to Wikipedia, it is also Tasmania’s largest landowner and by far “the largest export woodchip operation in The Southern Hemisphere.”[1] It has had a difficult profile over recent years because of its destruction of old growth forests in Tasmania. Environmentalists have attacked and criticised the company for its continued native forest wood chipping enterprises which have decimated areas of Tasmanian old growth forest.

Triabunna Sale

The Triabunna mill sale is an exciting prospect for environmentalists, who view the purchase as a symbolic and necessary shift in the battle between the timber industry and green groups in the apple state. The new owners have declared the mill will continue to operate for the short to medium term, (the next few years) to ensure job and town security. But the long term plans are already causing a stir as there will be a transition and conversion of the site into an eco resort. One of the new owners stated “we don’t want to see people thrown out of work but we also probably see more clearly the need for a restructuring in the forest industries generally and for people to open their minds about new ways of making a living in that part of Tasmania.[2]

The Australian newspaper also reported that “with new ownership of the mill comes immense power: its closure would, according to the state government and the industry, bring logging of native forests in southern Tasmania to a standstill.”[3]

The Buyers

The two buyers who comprise the main duo of the consortium are Jan Cameron and Graeme Wood. Cameron, originally a New Zealander is one of Australia’s wealthiest women, and made her money with the Kathmandu chain of clothing and camping supplies. She lives a reclusive life in Tasmania and in the past 4 years has donated approximately $30 million to charity. She is a committed and humble philanthropist and environmentalist – down to earth and considerably low-key, who tends her free range chickens daily. Graeme Wood is the owner of the online tourist accommodation “wotif” site and is also a committed environmentalist who donated over $1 million to the Greens before the last federal election.

Gunns had initially been negotiating with the logging company Aprin, in a deal which would have secured the timber industry in Tasmania for many years to come. Aprin owners Ron and Brendon O’Connor – a father and son team who see Tasmania’s future linked with ongoing logging and timber production, have been bitterly disappointed by the sale to Cameron and Wood, and believe the sale to the green entrepreneurs will also spell the death of the Tasmanian Forest Peace Plan that is currently underway.

Envirosafe Solutions director Murray Simon has stated the Triabunna Mill sale is an exciting step in the right direction for green business and industry in Australia. “When business leaders such as Cameron and Wood move forward with sustainable ideas and practices that can also ensure job security for a region, the future looks bright,” he said. He also added the move gave smaller and less robust companies a sense that sustainability and new modes of doing business are a viable economic reality that can be embraced.

Envirosafe Solutions believes new direction and economically sustainable approach to business can also be profitable and productive. The Extreme Green range of eco-friendly products are developed with the environment in mind. Call the team now to purchase, on 1300 889070.


[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunns

[2] http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/logging-off-mill-deal-saves-native-forests/story-fn59niix-1226094217303

[3] Ibid

The Heating Earth

Solvent-Free Degreaser, Sanitiser, Mould RidGround Zero on Global Warming1

Global warming is the continuous rise in the average sea, surface and atmospheric temperatures around the Earth. This increase in average temperatures began in the last 50 years and coincided with the industrial revolution and increasing consumption of fossil fuel by people on Earth. Our use of CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon) in aerosol sprays, refrigerators etc. further exasperated the problem by blowing a hole in the protective ozone layer allowing harmful radiation to penetrate all the way to the Earth.2 While it may at times seem like a script for a Sci-fi movie, the situation is a stark reality facing humanity in 2011.

Valuable Time Lost in Proving Humans were Responsible for Global Warming

Any child will confirm that if we sit in a car with doors and windows closed and one of us starts smoking, then the interior is going to get pretty uncomfortable very soon.

When scientists first presented the data and proof that the Earth was heating up, governments around the world scrambled to debunk the suggestion that industries and our appetite for consumption was somehow fuelling global warming3. In fact this state of denial derailed the Word’s first convention on global warming and the scientists lost valuable time in proving that global warming is not a myth or imagination by half crazed scientists crying wolf because the temperature on their thermometers jumped a notch higher.

Instead of asking the scientists to begin planning a strategy on how to turn off or reduce the heat that was causing global warming, the governments asked the scientists to prove that humans were responsible for global warming. By the time scientists proved their theory, and a new convention on global warming was agreed to, a few more years of valuable time was lost4 and the average global temperatures went a notch higher. Governments waited but global warming did not5.

While we waxed on eloquently about how to tackle global warming, the magnificent glaciers began to melt and sea levels rose slightly but high enough to permanently inundate certain low lying regions in the world6. For the first time there was tangible loss – people lost homes and property to global warming and yet, our penchant for procrastination did not stop.

Too little too late

The next convention on global warming set targets for the reduction of green house gases and stipulated the setting up of a global fund for research on alternate fuels. This effort was doomed to fail because the developing countries had just begun their industrial revolution and the developed countries were asking them to stop without offering any viable alternative that would secure and fuel growth in the developing countries without the accompanying pollution and its effects on global warming7. Of course there is also the fact that there wasn’t and still isn’t a real cost-effective viable alternative to fossil fuels8.

Meanwhile the Earth is slowly and inexorably moving towards a future in which humans and animals will not be able to step into the open without an air conditioner strapped on to their back. Will plant life still be there? Will the Earth even look the same? While we might not be able to reverse global warming – at least not yet, we might at least stop it from spiralling out of control by adopting a pro-Earth lifestyle and the time to do it is now, today. Tomorrow or 2012 might just be too late.

Envirosafe Solutions has developed a range of quality Extreme Green products that fit in with the pro-Earth lifestyle of this new era. For more information on these exceptional products, telephone Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 889070

References

1.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

2. http://www.centerforsustainability.org/resources.php?category=50&root=

3.  http://www.unep.org/ourplanet/imgversn/154/lieberman.html

4.  http://www.fao.org/kids/en/gw-un.html

5.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrumental_temperature_record

6.  http://www.climate.org/topics/sea-level/index.html

7. http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2009/12/copenhagen_clash_between_devel.html

8. http://www.livescience.com/5114-true-costs-renewable-energy.html

New Green Techniques in Agriculture

Today, Envirosafe Solutions looks at some of the new techniques in green agriculture that are being developed and adopted in Australia.

Solvent-Free Degreaser, Sanitiser, Mould RidWhenever we refer to agriculture, we always think about large scale harvesters, massive use of fertilizers, large scale irrigation, aerial crop dusting, etc. Well, all that has changed with the introduction of Regenerative Agriculture in New South Wales, Australia. 1 This new approach to agriculture is gaining significant momentum and is now considered a hallmark of green agricultural practices amongst those “in the know” when it comes to developing sustainable agriculture techniques.

Regenerative Agriculture

These days it is fashionable to talk about the need for new techniques in agriculture and how there is need for agriculture to be pro-earth and not against the natural ecosystems. 2 We hear how new techniques in agriculture should maintain and even improve the soil structure, enhance biodiversity, maintain water resources, maintain the levels of soil organic matter, etc. Regenerative agriculture, the latest of new techniques in agriculture does all that and more.

Until recently scientists and farmers took these set of requirements to be a pipe dream until, a few innovative and observant farmers from the Central West of New South Wales decided to study how Mother Nature managed its affairs and mimic it to whatever extent possible.

The Theory on Regenerative Agriculture

After studying how nature managed green cover, a handful of Aussie farmers came up with new techniques in agriculture which they called ‘pasture cropping’.3 Principal amongst these were two farmers Colin Seis and Darryl Cluff. These new techniques in agriculture were christened Cluff and Seis pasture cropping technique. The farmers observed that the native Australian grasses (C4) grew only in warm season whereas the Australian winter cereals (C3) grew only in the winter season. Further, they calculated that if they seeded the pasture land with winter cereals (C3) it would be ready for harvesting by summer and the same land could then grow the native grass which is eaten by the cattle. So they hypothesised that they could do cattle farming as well as agricultural farming on the same land. This is something that was never done before. Effectively, new techniques in agriculture were being created.

Problems associated with standard agricultural practices4

Normally, preparation of land for agriculture involved the removal of all existing vegetation from the land to be cultivated. This resulted in barren land both before and after cultivation. Barren land resulted in soil erosion and also between seasons the land would be taken over by unpalatable grasses or weeds resulting in rapid nutrient decline. Fertilisers only provided temporary relief. In the long term the soil always degraded.

The Birriwa-Gulgong district in Central West of New South Wales receives an average of around 600 mm of annual rainfall. 5 Those who remember it, in 1995 there was an 18-month drought. During this period Darryl Cluff seeded oat crop in an area normally covered with native red grass. Tests indicated that the subsoil moisture level was zero. Conventional logic indicated that the oat crop would not survive but not only did it survive, it flourished and new techniques in agriculture locally called the ‘Cluff and Seis pasture cropping technique’ were born.6 The winter season saw crops being planted and the summer season was for native Australian grass which was used to feed the cattle. Soil testing indicated that the soil did not degrade and also the biodiversity was maintained.

Envirosafe Solutions supports developments and adoption of regenerative agriculture practices. And the Envirosafe Solutions Extreme Green range also fits in with this approach. With a lower environmental impact and a greater respect for the Australian ecosystem, these products can make a considerable difference to your carbon footprint. For more information please call Envirosafe Solutions on 1300 889070.

References

1.  Regenerative agriculture explained: http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/features/0802/regenerative.shtml

2.  Pro-Earth agriculture: http://www.sdc.admin.ch/en/Home/Themes/Water/Water_for_food

3.  Pasture cropping explained: http://www.winona.net.au/farming.html

4.  Problems associated with standard agricultural practices: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factory_farming

5.  Gulgong, New South Wales: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulgong,_New_South_Wales

6.  Upcoming courses on pasture cropping: http://regenag.com/web/upcoming-courses.html