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When it comes to large-scale alternative power, hydroelectric plants are currently the most common – supplying more than 80% of the word’s renewable energy. While hydro power is much cleaner and more cost-efficient than the generation of electricity using fossil fuels, there are a number of disadvantages including the threat of dam failures, disturbance to the natural environment, and some greenhouse gas emissions.
Wind farm development is playing a huge role in a clean energy future. While mass wind power may offer a beneficial energy alternative, the construction of wind farms creates a great deal of controversy – from the destruction of natural habitats and dangers to birds and bats to the actual effectiveness of wind as an energy source. Some even argue that wind farms are ugly, disrupting the scenic coastlines and natural beauty of the world. Take a look at these wind farm pictures and let us know your thoughts – ugly or simply amazing?
Image by Krassy Can Do It
New ways to integrate alternative energy sources into your home and everyday life are surfacing everyday. We’ve featured creative off-the-grid gadgets, awesome uses for wind and solar power, and the available options for solar ready homes. The power of humans is just as reliable – and typically more cost-effective – than other types of alternative energy. Take a look at these innovative ways to use your own kinetic energy at home…
Solar ready homes are the latest thing in green building standards. From prewiring to prefabs with solar-ready roofs, there are already plenty of options available. New legislation, like the recently signed solar ready homes bill in Colorado, will ensure that even more homes can easily make use of solar power. We’ve compiled a collection of the best solar ready housing options currently on the market…
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Alternative energy sources are the foundation to a sustainable future. We talk a lot about wind and solar power – for good reason, but there are plenty of other feasible (and not so feasible) options to consider. In previous posts, we’ve looked at the potential of tornados as alternative source energy and explored the simplistic awe of human power. This post will cover a few more alternative power solutions that could play a role in the future of energy – from chicken feathers to ancient mudstones…
Image by Michael Jantzen
While wind and solar power may not be the complete solution to a green energy future, these 2 sources of clean, renewable energy definitely have some amazing potential. From off-grid homes and gadget chargers to bike helmet generators and fully-functional campers, there are already plenty of awesome applications for wind and solar power and just as many other unbelievable ideas to come…
This post is a collaboration between Mashable’s Summer of Social Good charitable fundraiser and Max Gladwell‘s “10 Ways” series. The post is being simultaneously published across more than 100 blogs.
Social media is about connecting people and providing the tools necessary to have a conversation. That global conversation is an extremely powerful platform for spreading information and awareness about social causes and issues. That’s one of the reasons charities can benefit so greatly from being active on social media channels. But you can also do a lot to help your favorite charity or causes you are passionate about through social media.
Below is a list of 10 ways you can use social media to show your support for issues that are important to you. If you can think of any other ways to help charities via social web tools, please add them in the comments. If you’d like to retweet this post or take the conversation to Twitter or FriendFeed, please use the hashtag #10Ways.
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Wind + solar power = a sustainable, renewable energy future … or does it? As China’s renewable energy sector grows in leaps and bounds – doubling wind power capacity alone each year since 2005 – the US is questioning the viability of a wind and solar powered economy.