GreenLite, Singapore’s first hydrogen-powered public bus      
     
Singapore’s first hydrogen-powered public bus will hit the streets next month.

It’ll be the first such bus in Southeast Asia and promises to help save the environment.

Called GreenLite, it does not emit carbon and is “low” on noise.

It’s powered by a battery system and fuel cell technology that “converts” hydrogen into electrical energy and creates pure water as a by-product.

The bus is jointly developed by researchers from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and China’s Tsinghua University over seven months.

GreenLite will be used first as a shuttle bus for athletes and officials at the Youth Olympic Village next month.

General Motors India recently launched the CNG version of its Chevrolet Aveo mid-size sedan.

The Aveo CNG is a bi-fuel vehicle with a petrol tank, and is environmentally friendly car to be available in India.

The car is equipped with computer-controlled CNG injection technology from Italy, and the kit components are fitted at the factory — including the CNG injectors, selector switch, modified wiring and suspension.

• Use recycled paper and recycled printer cartridges
• Use both sides of paper
• Consider Car pooling
• Unplug your electrical items when not in use.
• Consider flexible work schedules
• Grow more plants and encourage energy efficiency

Researched by Maninder

• Keep a check on Air and Noise Pollution
• Use Jute, Cloth, paper bags
• Use Renewable(Solar) Energy
• Adopt Rain Water Harvesting
• Use Energy efficient appliances
• Adopt Reduce, reuse and recycle principle
• Plant tree saplings

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Holi comes alive with the colours of ‘gulal’. These gulal are nowadays made from very harmful Chemical dye. A word of caution to all holi players merits attention here.

More

• Flooding
• Drought
• Per Capita Water Decline 
• Black Carbon
• Monsoon Variability
• Wetlands Drying up
• Heat Stress
• Himalayan Glacier Melt
• Storms grow more intense
• Saline Water intrusion

Solutions:

• Technology Innovation
• National Missions
• Energy Efficiency
• Climate Communication
• Energy efficiency
• Clean Development Mechanism(CDM)

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• Increased public awareness on the issue of climate change
• Division between the developed and developing countries deepens
• The need to keep temperature increase to below two degrees Celsius by 2050
• No specific emission cut targets set for the developed countries
• Mobilisation of financial resources for supporting reforestation efforts of developing countries

Compiled by Maninder

The Maldives government has launched the project together with a UK-based company, Carbon Gold.

The pilot project aims to produce biochar using bio-waste, including coconut shells, which are abundantly available in the archipelago.

Biochar is produced through the “slow cooking” (pyrolysis) of plant wastes. The resulting black char is rich in carbon and can be mixed with soil as a fertiliser.

Carbon Gold argues that the biochar is an effective way of removing CO2 from the atmosphere.

The company says the fertiliser also improves soil fertility and locks up its carbon contents for several years after it is ploughed into the ground.

Researched by Maninder

Firecrackers are obvious contributors to noise and dust pollution, emitting hazardous chemicals.

Some ecofriendly suggestions would be to take to tradition and light clay lamps, maybe those bought from NGOs, with cotton wick and oil in our homes. Instead of bursting firecrackers try meeting up with friends and cousins, even the long-lost ones, exchanging sweets and inviting people over for lunch or dinner. You could also bring a smile and cheer to those less privileged by visiting orphanages or homes for the underprivileged and spending quality time with them.

So, think about the the environment, your city and the earth and have a fun, safe and green Diwali!

Wishes from Maninder and Team Getecofriendly

green diwali

What is Solar Cooker:

- A fuel saving device in which food can be cooked without using gas, kerosene, coal or wood and electricity.
- It is a sleek compact metallic/fiber glass kit with 3-4 heat absorbent containers.
- It cooks at 100-150 degree centigrade.
- It works both as a cooker and an oven
- It works with solar energy from the sun rays.
- All type of food can be cooked, boiled and roasted.

How to use:

- Place the device in the sun in open space before putting cooking pots.
- It be adjusted in such a way that sun rays fall on the transparent glass lid (mirror).
- Tighten the hinges of the mirror and keep it in the sun for 15 minutes.
- After 15-20 mts. open the glass lid and place in it cooking pots and tighten the lid.
- When the food is cooked, left open the lid for 10-15 mts to allow pots to cool down.

Precautions:

- while removing the pots, gloves or cloth napkins should be used.
- The lid should be opened fully to allow the steam to escape.
- Keep face and body away to avoid burn injuries.
- The double glass should be held carefully while removing the pots.

Advantages:

- It does not require any fuel.
- No danger of cylinder burst, gas leakage or fire.
- Does not require constant attention.
- Lot of time is saved
- Can cook, boiled, baked all type of food items.
- Operation is simple, no maintenance cost.
- It preserves the nutritious value of the food and the food retains its flavour.
- Most importantly it is pollution free as there is no smoke, soot spoils utencils.
- Electrical back up solar cooker can be used in cloudy weather/nights.

Researched by Maninder

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