Franklin Connection

By Jason Livingston-the operator of www.GreenLivingRocks.com where you can learn how to build solar panels, construct homemade windmills, and go green at home

Global warming is one of the “hottest” issues today. The present climate change is the worst yet to take place. Global warming is an overall increase in world heat which is attributed to the increasing number of greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere. Searching an alternative energy source is considered a way of reducing the toxic emissions.

Greenhouse gases can be produced both by natural and industrial processes. The most plentiful greenhouse gases on earth’s atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and CFCs.

There are several sources of greenhouse gases. Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation lead to elevated concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Without the trees and plants to take in the carbon dioxide emitted by burning fossil fuels, natural gas and petroleum products, all of the CO2 emitted remains in the atmosphere.

Also the use of CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons in refrigeration systems and in fire suppression systems and other manufacturing processes also increases the greenhouse content of our atmosphere. While the use of non-organic fertilizers in agriculture also lead to elevated nitrous oxide concentrations, another greenhouse gas.

In the USA, greenhouse gas emissions mainly come from the use of fossil fuels as energy source. Approximately 82 percent of the greenhouse gas emission in the United States in 2006 came from the combustion of coal, natural gas and petroleum (United States Energy Information Administration). Meanwhile in Asia, China is expected to increase its emission of greenhouse gas because of the construction of old-fashioned power plants in its internal provinces. Currently, the carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere are the highest in 150,000 years. The 1990s were most likely the warmest decade in history, while 1998 was the warmest year (Greenpeace).

Not controlling the greenhouse gas being emitted by human activity can strengthen climate change the next hundred years that will be much faster than anything known and recorded in times gone by. There are necessary steps to be undertaken to control the toxic emission that will soon be killing us.

To diminish the consumption of oil, petroleum and other fossil fuel, we should use energy efficiently. Energy that we use should be generated from renewable energy source, which would mean harnessing the natural energy from the sun, winds, crops, tides and waves.

Green energy is another term used to describe sources of energy that are considered to be environmentally friendly, which is also similar to the renewable sources of energy.

There are plentiful ways of generating electricity and energy from renewable and natural sources that generate clean and safe energy. Wind, sun, and heat can generate electricity for less cost and less carbon emission than those of coal and even gas.

Shifting the world’s attention to alternative fuel source rather than relying on fossil fuel is one of the solutions in resolving the radical climate change. Greenpeace cited that with renewable energy and using it smartly, can deliver half of the world’s energy needs by 2050. Greenpeace also cited that it is realistic to reduce carbon dioxide emission by almost 50 percent within the next 43 years.

Governments are taking steps to use and tap alternative energy sources as main source of energy. The European Union leaders made an agreement in March 2007 to ensure that 20 percent of their nation’s energy should come from renewable fuels by 2020. This is part of their effort to cut carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gas. There are even governments offering incentives to their populace who are using green energy.

Alternative energy source may not be the lone way to reduce the greenhouse emission that human activity produce. There are uncomplicated ways in which we can do to contribute in reducing toxic gas emission and mitigate global warming.

Copyright © Margie Franklin
http://www.franklinconnection.com

Today we find that Liv has booked travel to China. She decided to venture out of the country and head to the home of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

After searching several travel websites, Liv found the ideal China Tour Package at http://www.franklinconnection.com. Choosing this travel website was the right decision because it also alerted her that a China Visa is required for this tour. Luckily, she was able to download & print it from http://www.franklinconnection.com.

The China Visa is required, in addition to having a passport. The fee is $200.00 and it must be requested at least a month prior to the departure date. Liv was glad that http://www.franklinconnection.com had given her advance notice.

Liv prides herself in trying to “expect the unexpected.” To that end, she also bought the Travel Protection Plan. She’d hate to forfeit the money she paid for the China Tour if an emergency caused her to cancel the vacation. The Travel Protection Plan costs a little extra, but gives her peace of mind.

China was chosen as a vacation place because it sounds fascinating. Liv already new a few things about Chinese culture from high school. For instance, she knew that the Chinese are only allowed to have one child per family. Although some families receive authorization to have 2 children. The One Child policy was established to help with the over population issue. It seems to be working, but there’s also a rumor that abortions have increased and infancy deaths, especially for females. It seems that the Chinese prefer to have a son than a daughter. Liv is puzzled by this. It conveys a negative message to the world that the Chinese do not believe in a woman’s ability to excel or achieve greatness.

Liv’s vacation plans to visit China were already confirmed prior to the recent tragedy of the earthquake in the Sichuan province. Since the earthquake included the collapse of many schools, several families lost the only child they had. That made their loss even more devastating. The earthquake didn’t stop to consider one’s gender, it just destroyed everyone and everything in it’s path. There’s been over 60,000 deaths reported thus far, 26,000 people are missing and over 353,000 were injured.

The outreach of love, compassion and financial assistance has been overwhelming, but much more funds are needed to reconstruct Western China.

Even though the earthquake was quite devastating, China has not canceled the Summer games. Liv is so thrilled to be attending the major event of the year where several countries come together as one and participate in friendly competition. She really hopes to see the Olympic Flame too, but there’s been a lot of controversy & turmoil surrounding it. It seems some activists have made an attempt to snuff out the torch. They want to boycott the Summer Games because they’re protesting China’s crack down in Tibet. Liv applauds the brave, proud torch bearers who will keep the flame lit during the 130 day, 85,000 miles journey from Greece to China.

There’s so much to do in China. The Great Wall is definitely a must see for Liv. She’s heard so much about how fantastic it is. The Great Wall is the largest man-made construction and took several dynasties to complete. It was actually started in the 5th century BC and completed in the 16th century. It winds through the countryside for over 4000 miles and was built to protect the northern border of the Chinese Empire from invasions and attacks.

Liv can visualize the men hard at work, sweat dripping down their backs with a look of determination on their faces as they constructed the Great Wall. They had to overcome numerous challenges as the years turned into centuries, but they persevered. Millions of men lost their lives during construction of the wall.

From Beijing, Liv will fly to Shanghai and visit Cheng Huang Miao (Temple to the Town Gods), which is loved by tourists. From there she will travel to the famous Nanjing Road and…go…shopping! Nanjing Road is known as the best shopping street in China. The shopping district stretches for over 3 miles and is lined with hundreds of upscale department stores, theaters, bars, and fast food restaurants, and many other forms of entertainment. Speaking of entertainment, there’s a rumor that a young man ran for several minutes on Nanjing Road in the nude before he was finally caught.

If she can fit it in her budget, Liv hopes to extend her stay in China so that she may catch some of the Paralympic Games. The Paralympic Games start 12 days after the end of the Olympic Games. These games are inspirational as the athletes had to overcome illnesses and other challenges in order to compete. It would be great to be there to cheer them on to victory.

Although it’s too late now, Liv is hopeful that in the future the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games merge into one fantastic event!

When her vacation comes to a close Liv will be wondering what the next adventure will be. The destination is unknown, but she’s sure that she’ll book it at http://www.franklinconnection.com because of it’s so easy to use & has competitive prices.

At the end of her China Tour Liv will ride the Maglev train back to the airport. It travels over 258 miles per hour and is the world’s fastest train. Although Liv had lots of wonderful and unique experiences in China, she anxiously looks forward to sleeping in her own bed. It’s great to take vacations, but there’s no place like home.

About the Author:

Margie Franklin, The Home Biz Diva

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To book airfare, cruises, hotel reservations,

car rental, use the best honeymoon registry

or buy passports visit:

http://www.franklinconnection.com

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