sustainable logging http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for sustainable logging Copyright 2008 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:21:39 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/sustainable+logging Sustainable Logging To Be Allowed In Amazon Rain http://www.artwoo.com/article/sustainable-logging-to-be-allowed-in-amazon-rain http://www.artwoo.com/article/sustainable-logging-to-be-allowed-in-amazon-rain#comments Tue, 11 Apr 2006 10:00:07 +0000 amazon rain forestforest loggingillegal loggingselective loggingsustainable logginglogging practicesamazon area http://www.artwoo.com/article/sustainable-logging-to-be-allowed-in-amazon-rain Amazon rain forest. The objective of the law is to reduce while giving rural Brazilians employment. The plan is also aimed at generating revenue for forest management and protection.

Logging licenses will be restricted to private Brazilian companies, and by changing logging patterns, it is hoped that less damage will be done to the rain forest.

Current illegal , which account for most of the production, pay little heed to environmental regulations. A 2005 study found that "stealth logging" -- the of mature trees carried out under the protective canopy of the forest -- causes considerable damage to the forest.

In fact the study found that such selective logging is almost as harmful as if the forest was just cleared. Selectively logged areas are up to 8 times more likely to be settled and eventually cleared because of the access roads that are cut into the forest.

Logging itself is not thought to be the main cause of deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. That honor goes to agricultural expansion -- cattle ranching, soybean production and subsistence farming.

The has lost more than 132,000 square kilometers of rainforest since the end of the 1990s.

The hope is that Brazilian firms will be able to operate profitably in the Amazon without damaging or diminishing the forest. Given the importance of the Amazon district to the ecology of the entire world, this is an experiment that all of us should hope will be successful.

**Brazil automakers sustained by exports

Although the Brazilian domestic market for new automobiles was down slightly in February, exports increased, keeping the overall level of vehicle production moving upwards. February production was up 3.3% over January and 3.9% over February of 2005.

Analysts had expected exports to decrease as the value of the Brazilian real strengthened. The real has gained almost 25% against the U.S. dollar since the beginning of 2005. But, in fact auto exports increased -- a sign that the Brazilian economy is stronger than expected.

Although domestic auto sales were down by 3.8% from January, this is an increase of 11.3% over February 2005.

Flex-fuel vehicles continued to be the biggest sellers, accounting for 93,000 or 76.6% of the total sales. Flex-fuel vehicles run on any combination of gasoline and ethanol. About The Author: Rick Hendershot publishes Linknet News -- http://www.linknet-news.com | Brazil Eco Tours - trips across Brazil -- http://www.brazilecovip.com.br | Forex and Futures Trades - 95% Winning - 100% Rebate Offer -- http://primepathnetworks.com ]]> Time Logging To Increase Your Personal Productivity http://www.artwoo.com/article/time-logging-to-increase-your-personal-productivity http://www.artwoo.com/article/time-logging-to-increase-your-personal-productivity#comments Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:20:01 +0000 personal efficiencyefficiency ratiopersonal productivitylogging timeprecious assettime logtime logging http://www.artwoo.com/article/time-logging-to-increase-your-personal-productivity precious asset, especially when establishing your career or business. Proper use of your time can help you do more and even earn more. An intelligent approach to increase your is by ging.

is a good way to better manage your time since you know how you are currently spending your time. When keeping a detailed time log, record the time each time you start or finish any activity all throughout the day. You can simply use a stopwatch to record the intervals for every activity, doing this during your working hours or the entire day. Then, sort the time into categories and determine how much time was being spent for each type of activity.

For instance, note how much time you eat, surf the Internet, read the newspaper, spend in the bathroom, etc. If you want to be more detailed, consider doing this step for a week. Depending on your activities and your consistency, you can be surprised at how many log entries you can make for a day. Moreover, you may even be surprised to find that you are only spending a small portion of your working time on what should be considered as actual work.

Studies show that an average office worker spends only about 1.5 hours of actual work in a day, with the rest of the time spent engaging in non-work tasks. In fact, s/he does not eve begin doing actual work until at 11am and starts to wind down at about 3pm.

Your time log should help you analyze your results and make changes, when necessary.

The next step is to measure your ratio. This can be computed by recording the time spent on "actual work" divided by the total time spent "at work." However, you should keep in mind that while it is important to get as much of the job done as possible, it would also be foolish to work longer than you should. You may want to consider cutting back on the total hours to boost efficiency.

If you try to discipline yourself by doing something that does not really motivate you, chances are that you are most likely to fail. Trying harder can, in fact, actually de-motivate and drive your even lower. For instance, if your time log indicates a low efficiency ratio, try limiting your total working time per day and see the result.

This is because when the brain recognizes that working time is limited, it sends you a signal to get working. Usually, you will find a way to get the job done and be more efficient with time constraints compared to having the luxury of time. Then, you can gradually increase your total hours at work while keeping peak efficiency.

Time logging is a great way to ensure peak productivity without necessarily increasing your work hours. It only takes little effort and time to do it, but it can produce long term benefits. If you are interested in personal productivity, check this web-site to learn more about increase productivity. http://www.measureproductivity.com/ ]]> Instant Message Monitoring - Chat Watch http://www.artwoo.com/article/instant-message-monitoring-chat-watch http://www.artwoo.com/article/instant-message-monitoring-chat-watch#comments Sun, 11 Mar 2007 08:27:05 +0000 aol instant messengerchat watchchat logsmailgoogleinstant messengersicq http://www.artwoo.com/article/instant-message-monitoring-chat-watch chat watch 3 and 4, chat watch 5 has many new features and enhancements and we can import chat watch 3 and chat watch 4 into chat watch 5 easily. That is a very practical program that each parent should own now.

Chat watch 5 is an instant message monitoring and logging software fo today's most popular . With this software, we can monitor all the instant messaages sent and received on the computer and then organize the , and we can log all chats on , Talk, , MSN/Windows Live Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger.

With this software, we can search the chat logs by category, keyword, user, date, and instant messenger; we can use plugins function to add support for logging other instant messengers quickly and easily; we can view the chat logs in real-time remotely suing chat watch with chat watch.net and synchronize with chat watch.net too; if we want to view the chat logs on the mobile, we can use chat watch mobile edition; those unwanted chat logs will be moved to the thash before they are deleted permanently; it's very fashion, it can be used in windows vista system.

In this software, it's acronym translator function can replace obscure acronyms with their meanings quickly. For example, replace AFK with away form keyboard and it offer a full list of acronyms.

The software can monitor the content. The content monitor can highlight those chats which may contain offensive words and notify us via e- of the chats. Moreover, we can add custom words to the content monitor watch list.

We can save the chat logs as PDF documents and print it within chat watch.

Now, the chat watch SPEAR Edition is available. This version is for investigations especially. So, those people who must be an agent or a representative of a law enforcement agency can get a trial kit. Its development is very quickly. Software Reviews and Downloads http://www.softsea.com http://www.softsea.com/review/Chat-Watch.html ]]> Rainforest is Back on the Hit List http://www.artwoo.com/article/rainforest-is-back-on-the-hit-list http://www.artwoo.com/article/rainforest-is-back-on-the-hit-list#comments Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:01:35 +0000 amazon rainforestamazon junglecarlos mincbrazilian rainforestbrazilian newspaperscommodity pricessatellite images http://www.artwoo.com/article/rainforest-is-back-on-the-hit-list Brazilian rainforest in recent years, it seems worrying that there is once again concern over its destruction after official government data emerged recently stating that deforestation has risen by 64 percent in the last twelve months. This sudden increase in deforestation can be attributed to loggers and soy farmers pushing ever further into the and the recent high .

This week, Brazil's National Institute for Space Research said that around 3,145 square miles -- an area about half the size of Wales -- of forest were destroyed between August 2007 and August 2008. The were captured by a real-time monitoring system, known in Brazil as Deter. It comes as a shock -- and a terrible step backwards - that deforestation has picked up again after it seemed to be diminishing over the last three years.

The rainforest statistics have been highlighted by the , sparking a debate over how best to preserve the and triggering environmental campaigners to attack the government, claiming that the battle to protect the rainforest is not being given sufficient recognition.

This information about the yearly rise in deforestation was released soon after an announcement of monthly figures assessing deforestation per month, which actually showed that it had decreased. Government figures show that between May and June this year deforestation fell by 25%. "This is not about luck, it is about work, work, work," said Brazil's environment minister, who described the levels of forest destruction as "alarming".

Although the monthly decline in deforestation is of course positive, Environmentalists think that the annual statistics give a more accurate representation of the damage being done to the rainforest, and the environment cannot afford for them to be ignored. Minc is aware that the government still has to combat large problems such as illegal logging. "We can't celebrate because deforestation is still very large. We have to invest everything into sustainable development," Minc was quoted in an interview with the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper.

Environmental campaigners are now accusing the government of backing out of its original promises to protect the Amazon rainforest, which has been constantly destroyed since the 1970s by a mixture of logging, cattle ranching and soy farming. Brazil is striving to expand its economy and develop the Amazon region; however the campaigners fear that this is at the expense of Brazil's natural resources.

"The president (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva) said there would be no steps backwards," the former environment minister Marina Silva said in an interview with the O Globo newspaper. "But suddenly there is a conjuncture of things that go against everything that was being done."

We can only hope that the Brazilian government hasn't just been making these claims to pacify environmentalists and that they really are willing to crack down extensively on the decimation of this rainforest before the destruction becomes uncontrollable and it is too late.Hannah Walker is a writer for www.ecoswitch.com]]> The Exemplary Sustainable Agriculture of Sonoma County http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-exemplary-sustainable-agriculture-of-sonoma-county http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-exemplary-sustainable-agriculture-of-sonoma-county#comments Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:57:24 +0000 grape farmingwine grapessustainable farmersraising livestockadded elementsfarming communitysustainability report http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-exemplary-sustainable-agriculture-of-sonoma-county
Agriculture is the science, the art, or the profession which deals with farming by cultivating the land and then growing and harvesting its crops as well as by feeding, breeding and such as horses, cattle, sheep and poultry.

Sustainable agriculture is essentially defined in the same way as "agriculture" per se. However, sustainable agriculture must meet certain criteria and its definition has the following :

* It must be socially just by treating its workers fairly.
* It must be humane in its care of livestock.
* It must be economically viable by earning a respectable living for its owners and workers.
* It must be environmentally friendly by avoiding the depletion of the land and its natural resources.

In 2002, the State of California has enacted the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing which ranks it at the head of sustainable in the nation as well as around the globe.

Out of the more than 250 growers of in Sonoma County, close to forty percent have adjusted their modes of operation and have been reassessed in order to qualify as to be included in the of the State of California.

Based on each farmer's particular circumstances, personal points of view, way of life and individual farming preferences and aspirations, the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing provides a "sustainability equation" centered around fourteen distinct elements for every grower to comply with. Such elements touch on every facet of cultivating, growing, harvesting and ultimately marketing wine grapes. Management of the farm's ecosystem, conserving energy, avoiding air pollution, recycling and reducing waste, fair and just treatment of employees, good relationships with neighbors and contributive efforts to the wine grape at large are but a handful of examples of the kind of elements that are addressed in the "sustainability equation."

For instance, one farmer may decide to make his farm organic and will, therefore, avoid using herbicides or pesticides of any kind. A second farmer may choose to protect a nearby stream from excessive sediment by planting cover crops. A third farmer might select to use farm machinery that emit fewer pollutants and provide more efficient usage of fuel. Each of these farmers made a very different choice but they all chose to improve the sustainability of their farms for those who will inherit them in the future.

Sustainable agriculture is an ongoing process that needs to be continually addressed and re-address while more improvements must be sought out through more targeted educational programs and the development of new techniques. And such are the modes of operation for many wine grape farmers in Sonoma County. They have had an impressive track record of more than 150 years of sustainable farming with often repeated statements such as, "I want to leave my farm in a better condition than it was when I first got it." "My farm is in a much better shape today than it was in my father's time and it will be better yet in my children's time."Learn more about Sonoma County Real Estate and homes for sale in Sonoma County by visiting us today.]]> Interview Preview: Danielle Weiss - Latin America Fan And Sustainable Travel Expert http://www.artwoo.com/article/interview-preview-danielle-weiss-latin-america-fan-and-sustainable-travel-expert http://www.artwoo.com/article/interview-preview-danielle-weiss-latin-america-fan-and-sustainable-travel-expert#comments Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:35:00 +0000 daniellesustainable tourismsustainable traveluniversity of waterlootourism coordinatorvolunteeredjungle http://www.artwoo.com/article/interview-preview-danielle-weiss-latin-america-fan-and-sustainable-travel-expert Sustainable travel has been an issue I have been interested in for a while now and through G.A.P Adventures, the sponsor of the grand prize for our soon to be launched Travel Story Contest, I was able to learn more about the topic of .

Weiss, a former tour leader for G.A.P, is now the company's Sustainable . While I was quizzing Danielle about sustainable travel issues of course I asked her a bit about herself and her connection to the adventure and eco-travel industry. As she started to tell me more about her background, I realized that I had a very interesting person right there in front of me, who has lived, worked, studied and in a number of foreign countries. Needless to say, I needed to find out more about Danielle and her background.

Danielle completed a degree in environmental studies at the and during her college years she traveled to Guatemala and Costa Rica. In her 3rd year of studies she went to Ecuador for two semesters. During the first semester she worked on academic studies, while during the second semester she volunteered in a coastal project where she provided environmental education to local children, got involved in a tree planting program and worked in a women's program.

That year in Ecuador truly changed her life - Danielle came back a different person. The most striking experience was that she had developed a strong distaste for the materialism that is so prevalent in our western societies. A key memory for Danielle was meeting a family who had walked for four days through the jungle with a sick baby to try to reach medical facilities. Unfortunately the family did not reach the hospital in time and the baby died. Images like these shaped Danielle's realization how hard life is for so many people and how lucky we really are.

Danielle will tell us how difficult it was to come back to Toronto and not surprisingly she went back to Latin America not much later. Over a period of several years, Danielle lived, worked and volunteered in different locations in Latin America and fell in love with the countries, the language and the people. She will share stories of survival where she literally survived on about a dollar a day. During one of her stays in Latin America she linked up with G.A.P Adventures and eventually become one of their tour leaders. In the upcoming interview, Danielle will tell us more about her travel experience and her experience as a tour leader, continuously on the road for 12 months.

Today, Danielle is back in Toronto, and after various positions at the head office, she has become G.A.P's Sustainable Tourism Coordinator. Through her work Danielle makes a difference in a number of Latin American communities and demonstrates how individuals and private businesses can lend a hand to people in need. Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com, a web portal for unconventional travel and cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new ]]> Parks Protect Amazon in Perul http://www.artwoo.com/article/parks-protect-amazon-in-perul http://www.artwoo.com/article/parks-protect-amazon-in-perul#comments Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:29:27 +0000 commercial timber productionperuvian amazonlogging concessionsdeforestation ratesrainforest canopyforest disturbancecarnegie institution http://www.artwoo.com/article/parks-protect-amazon-in-perul Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology studying satellite date have found that only 1 to 2 percent of in the occured in protected areas, which means that land-use and conservation policies have been successful. Protected areas are 18 times more effective at reducing deforestatio than unprotected areas.

Lead author Paulo Oliveira said, "We found that only 1 to 2 % of this disturbance in Peru happened in natural protected areas. However, there was substantial forest disturbance adjacent to areas set aside for legal logging operations. This leakage of human activity outside of is a concern."

Peru's tropical forests are larger than France, which stretch 661,000 sq km and is second only to Brazil's forest area. The Peruvian government has been conscientiously putting aside large areas as parks and reserves while allocating around 40,000 sq miles of forest for long-term by 2005. With of less than 1%, Peru has comparatively lower rates when compared to its neighbors.

Scientists used the Carnegie Landsat Analysis System (CLAS), a "satellite-based forest-damage detection system" that penetrates the to reveal the impact of logging. The CLAS system can uncover forest changes at a resolution of less than 100 by 100 ft.

GP Asner said, "Our approach has improved over the past eight years, but relies on a core set of methods that have consistently worked. We spent years developing them in Brazil, then went to Peru and completed this study in only a year. We are now operating over Borneo. Our approach is proving a good way to monitor rain forest disturbance and deforestation anywhere in the world."

Researchers found that Peru's forest disturbance and deforestation rates between 1999 to 2005 were only 0.2% a year, with an average of 244 sq miles and 249 miles a year. More than 85% of the damaged forests were in Madre de Dios and near Pucallpa. 75% of the damage was found within 20km of roads. Even within those limits, forests set aside by the government were more than 4 times better protected than areas not designated for conservation.

The authors said, "Overall, only 2% of the forest disturbances and 1% the deforestation detected in the entire study area occurred within the boundaries of natural protected areas. Furthermore, territories occupied by indigenous communities contained 11% and 9% of the total forest disturbance and deforestation, respectively. These results clearly show that these two forms of land-use allocation can provide effective protection against forest damage."

"The establishment of protected natural areas, the titling of native territories, and the sanctioning of selective logging activities, have combined with the Peruvian Amazon's traditional conservation allies--its remoteness and a complex hydrological network--to ensure a moderate level of success in the conservation of its forest ecosystems. Economic development of the forest sector, which employed 279,000 people nationally in 2001 (24), is essential for the well-being of human populations, but poorly monitored logging concessions, along with the challenges of uncontrolled road access, may hinder efforts to maintain ecological function and diversity in Peruvian rainforests in the future," the authors continued.

"Increased satellite monitoring of logging and other forest disturbances will thus be essential to conservation, management and resource policy development efforts in Peru and other rainforest nations," they concluded.

"This is another study from the Carnegie group showing the world how tropical forests can be systematically monitored amazingly quickly and at a reasonable cost." said Michael Wright of The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which helped support the research. "I foresee that CLAS-like satellite analysis systems will become the standards routinely used by local conservation agencies to track rain forest disturbances and deforestation in the future."

The study was published in the on-line edition of Science Express this month.L. S. Sya [please visit Deforestation Watch.]Deforestation Watch was established to drive sustainability mainstream. Striving to be a center of green news, solutions and all things green, we also help corporations looking for green guidance.]]> How the E.U Plans to Combat Global Warming http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-the-eu-plans-to-combat-global-warming http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-the-eu-plans-to-combat-global-warming#comments Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:43:25 +0000 global warming and climate changewhat is the european unionpolitical organisationsinterdependent componentseconomic decisionsproduction patternsglobal action http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-the-eu-plans-to-combat-global-warming
The E.U is one of the biggest in the world. It comprises 27 member states and under its banner are close to 500 million people. The GDP that the E.U generates accounts for roughly 30% of the world.

In terms of the world's environment, then, it is a chief player. doing to combat ? And are they committed to the cause?

The official E.U website has this to say on the matter:

"Sustainable Development stands for meeting the needs of present generations without jeopardizing the ability of futures generations to meet their own needs -- in other words, a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. It offers a vision of progress that integrates immediate and longer-term objectives, local and , and regards social, economic and environmental issues as inseparable and of human progress.

Sustainable development will not be brought about by policies only: it must be taken up by society at large as a principle guiding the many choices each citizen makes every day, as well as the big political and that have. This requires profound changes in thinking, in economic and social structures and in consumption



and ."

What is clear, then, is that the E.U see promotion of the message as central; a sustainable future is only possible with a growing conciousness and willingness on the part of the public to accept and encourage environmental policy and legislation.

If the E.U can get its citizens to accept the challenge, though, what policy can be expected from the organizations governments?

The 'E.U Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS)' was established to answer exactly that question. In its own words, the SDS will "gradually change our current unsustainable consumption and production patterns and move towards a better integrated approach to policy-making...[it will] reaffirm the need for global solidarity and recognizes the importance of strengthening our work with partners outside the EU, including those rapidly developing countries which will have a significant impact on global sustainable development."

So the E.U - acknowledging its role within the world's sphere - champions the importance of climate change as a global issue, and believes that it should be treated as such. Its method for achieving that aim is to work closely and extensively with the world's other governmental bodies.

The SDS has 7 key areas of interest:

Climate change and clean energy
Sustainable transport
Sustainable consumption and production
Conservation and management of natural resources
Public Health
Social inclusion, demography and migration
Global poverty and sustainable development challenges

Central, then, is the simultaneous need for a maintenance of current ecosystems - to conserve and manage the continent's current resources - combined with a development of a sustainable infrastructure for the future; investment in clean fuels, plus solar energy, wind energy and biogas.

Indeed, the E.U - through its 7 SDS points - recognises that environmental issues affect everything in our lives, because we are part of the environment, and so everything we do is affecting it also. As such, the E.U beleives that 'Changing Behaviour' is imperative in the fight against climate change:

"A host of cultural, economic, social and psychological factors affect the way we behave, often locking us into unsustainable consumption habits. Even those who say they will buy organic food for environmental reasons and the good of their own health may change their minds if products outstrip their budget."

The overall challenge, then, for the European Union - along with the rest of the world's nations - is to educate the next generation on the pitfalls of our own.

That way, the E.U can guarantee that it does not return in the future to the issues that have caused the problem in the first instance.Chris Woolfrey is the Global Warming expert at EcoSwitch The environmental social network.]]> The Reproduction Patterns Of A Tropical Tree http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-reproduction-patterns-of-a-tropical-tree http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-reproduction-patterns-of-a-tropical-tree#comments Tue, 18 Sep 2007 08:20:01 +0000 tropical treescanopy treescontactel ninoreeking havocreproduction techniqueshorrendous event http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-reproduction-patterns-of-a-tropical-tree tropical trees on planet Earth have seen better days. Today, the world's second largest tropical rainforest is on death row. Is there a way to save this jeweled segment of this ecosystem? If this tropical tree dies off, a unique ecosystem will vanish, a place where trees have learned to pattern their . Tropical trees in Indonesia pattern reproduction by coinciding with the recurring arrival of .

There are global implications likely to occur that go along with this about to transpire. So, just how do tropical trees reproduce? More importantly, can they survive?

Tropical trees vary in terms of the timing, extend, and intensity of flowering and fruiting. Most tropical trees do not produce reliable fruit crops. The majority of trees rely on animals to help pollinate the flowers and spread out the seeds released to the forest floor. It is more likely than not that seeds will come into animal prior to germination. This unfortunately is a fatal meeting for the seed.

Mother Nature, specifically El Nino is another player in the reproductive cycle of tropical trees. Speaking of El Nino's relationship with tropical tree reproduction, there are climate conditions of the El Nino that activate immediate fruiting. This fruiting is essential for seed reproduction to continue in all varieties of tropical trees.

According to Lisa M. Curran, tropical ecologist at the University of Michigan, masting, the ability for trees to provide abundant seeds on the forest floor to feed animals in the ecosystem, offers a key strength. In a normal six-week masting period, a tropical canopy tree can release over 180 pounds of seed. Due to the fact that an abundant amount of seed is produced simultaneously, there is enough to germinate and foster new growth on the forest floor.

Yet, there are other adverse human conditions on this tropical tree's ability to reproduce: Logging, for one. In 1998, despite a major fruiting event that transpired during the 1998 El Nino year, no new seedlings were found. Even though a park under study is off-limits to logging=97at least it's supposed to be off limits=97the forest continued to lose the ability to regenerate itself.

Seed predators, for example, are unable to find food beyond the perimeter of the park. So, they venture inside and eat up the tropical seeds awaiting germination. This is but one issue surrounding the near extinction of various tropical rainforest.

Steps must be taken to aid in the reproduction patterns of tropical trees. For one, government action must take place. Since deforestation through logging has been a key element in the lack of tropical reproduction, it's up to us to find government subsidies or financial incentives to help in promoting progressive harvesting of tropical trees. Secondly, although it sounds obvious, we must prevent clear-cutting and burning of trees for industrial plantations. Without human intervention, many tropical ecosystems will die off. Avid full time hobby bonsai grower. Owner of http://www.mishobonsai.com a website with ressource for Bonsai seeds and Bonsai tree care. ]]> Choosing And Buying Gourmet Seafood - Wild American Shrimp http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-and-buying-gourmet-seafood-wild-american-shrimp http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-and-buying-gourmet-seafood-wild-american-shrimp#comments Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:20:00 +0000 omega 3 fatty acidsheadless shrimpshrimp cocktailtrans fatty acidspandalus borealisgourmet cookspink shrimp http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-and-buying-gourmet-seafood-wild-american-shrimp gourmet cooks. Shrimp are not only recognized for outstanding flavor but they can be an important part of a healthy diet.

Wild American shrimp are delicious steamed, boiled, grilled, fried and in recipes such as scampi. They are also popular as an appetizers such as , bisques and salads. They also freeze well and can be purchased in large numbers, processed and excess amounts frozen for later meals.

Shrimp tend to be low in fat and calories and have no carbohydrates or . They contain vitamins B3, B6, B12, vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids and are sources of tryptophan, selenium, protein and minerals including iron, phosphorus, zinc and copper.

American species include white (Litopenaeus setiferus), brown (Farfantepenaeus aztecus), pink (Penaeus duorarum) and royal red (Pleoticus robustus or Hymenopenaeus robustus) rock (Sicyonia brevirostris) and Northern ().

Shrimp are sized by "count". The number is the average number of specimens per pound. This applies to both whole and heads-off products. For example, of 16/20 count means there are 16 to 20 headless product per pound. Counts for headless product typically range from 16/20 (large) to 60/70 (small). Pacific are even smaller, having counts of about 100 to 140 whole shrimp per pound.

Wild American shrimp are also a good choice in terms of sustainability. Many of the American fisheries have been recognized for ethical harvesting techniques.

The Wild American Shrimp Certification Program certifies that warm-water, wild caught shrimp from U.S. coastal waters meet a high standard of quality and consistency. Certified Wild American Shrimp receive special labeling. Participation in the certification program is available to harvesters, processors, distributors, retailers, grocers and restaurateurs.

Another American fishery has received international recognition. Oregon's pink shrimp fishery has earned the world's first sustainable shrimp certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification program.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which runs the world's leading independent certification program for sustainable fisheries, and independent certifier TAVEL Certification Inc., awarded Oregon pink shrimp its certification on December 6, 2007. The action distinguishes Oregon's pink shrimp trawl fishery as a sustainable and well-managed fishery. The Marine Stewardship Council certification also allows Oregon pink shrimp to be sold using the coveted blue MSC eco-label indicating a sustainable fishery.

The Marine Stewardship Council is an organization that works to improve the health of the world's oceans and to help create a sustainable global seafood market. MSC pursues its mission by certifying fisheries that meet its sustainable standards and developing market demand for certified seafood. The MSC model is based on consumers rewarding sustainable fisheries by choosing seafood that originates from certified sustainable fisheries.

Pink shrimp, also known as bay or salad shrimp are small (100-140 whole per lb). They are harvested using advanced trawl methods. Pink MSC certified shrimp are delivered to shore for cooking, peeling and freezing, resulting in an extremely fresh product of excellent quality.

The variety of high quality, healthy and sustainable American shrimp makes them an excellent choice for seafood lovers. The author maintains seafood related websites including http://www.fresh-seafood.net, http://www.commercial-fishing.org and http://www.chincoteague-island.net ]]> The Solar Decathlon - Giving Solar Power a Makeover http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-solar-decathlon-giving-solar-power-a-makeover http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-solar-decathlon-giving-solar-power-a-makeover#comments Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:57:24 +0000 decathlon competitionsolar decathlonhigh tech materialsprecious commoditysolar housesdecathletesenergy today http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-solar-decathlon-giving-solar-power-a-makeover Solar Decathlon' will take place in Washington, D.C.

When it is under way, the experts and spectators alike will see some of the best examples in the world of the relationship between design and solar power.

Comprising 20 teams - each representing universities or colleges - entrants are expected to build a house that is solar powered, and is judged on aesthetics and design.

The official Solar Decathlon website has this to say:

"Teams of college students design a solar house, knowing from the outset that it must be powered entirely by the sun. In a quest to stretch every last watt of electricity that's generated by the solar panels on their roofs, the students absorb the lesson that energy is a . They strive to innovate, using high-tech materials and design elements in ingenious ways. Along the way, the students learn how to raise funds and communicate about team activities. They collect supplies and talk to contractors. They build their , learning as they go."

Perhaps the key phrase, then, is that "energy is a precious commodity". What the Solar tries to show is that sustainable and renewable energy is not just important, but necessary; with climate change on the rise, and fossil fuels declining, the message from the Solar Decathlon is one of duty, not preference.

Which is not to say that sustainable and renewable energy cannot be attractive and exciting, as the competition also shows.

Indeed the ultimate aim of the competition is to fuse the need for sustainable energy with the luxury of good design:

"The Solar -- tomorrow's engineers, architects, researchers, and homeowners -- are sharing with us a new vision for living under the sun. These solar homes are powerful, comfortable, and stylish. They are relaxed and elegant, wasting neither space nor energy.

Today's solar houses connect with nature to take advantage of heat and light from the sun and cooling breezes and shading. But they crank this natural advantage way up by using the newest products and technologies on the market. The Solar Decathlon solar homes combine the best from the past and the present... and deliver the promise of a brighter future."

So the Solar Decathlon is committed to a growing movement that dispels any beliefs on the incompatibility of good looks and sustainable power.

And - since its launch in 2002 - it has proved that point. With the stipulation that the entrants build the houses with only existing commercially available products, the Solar Decathlon commits to sustainable housing that is commercially viable.

Within a commercially anchored framework, then, the teams are judged in 10 contests throughout the competition.

They can be divided into two groups, detailing technology and everyday use.

Technology:

Architecture, Engineering, Communications, Appliances, Lighting, Hot Water, Energy Balance.

Everyday Use:

Market Viability, Comfort Zone, Getting Around.

So the Solar Decathlon brings public interest to the solar development issue; the same institutions that are developing the most high tech and specialist advances in sustainable energy are expected to use their knowledge for the benefit of public and commercial culture.

As the competition begins again next year, the commercial will once again -quite rightfully - take precedence over the specialist.Chris Woolfrey is the solar power expert at EcoSwitch The environmental social network.]]> What is Sustainable Development http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-sustainable-development http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-sustainable-development#comments Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:15:34 +0000 slip and fall accidentsfood service industrywhat is sustainable developmentrelative povertyus department of agriculturesafety measuresfood handlers http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-sustainable-development
? The concept was brought to life and named by The World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987. Since it's conception, the concept has become a major focus in the 1990s to the present time.

What is sustainable development related to hunger? The concept would attempt to make sure that all people have enough to eat no matter what their income is. Whether you are well off or live in absolute or , you would legally have the right and the ability to purchase foods to provide you and your family with an adequate number of calories each day to maintain health.

What is sustainable development related to economics? All people in the workforce have a right to economic growth without undermining the environment, natural resources and the incomes of the next and future generations. Safeguards are put in place by the world government so that labor standards are put into effect along with mechanisms for compliance internationally. People that work with hazardous materials have rules to follow to keep themselves and the environment safe. People that work in high places must use safety equipment to ensure they don't slip and fall. Accidents do happen; however, many times accidents are related to human error when the rules of safety are not followed correctly.

What is sustainable development related to food service? Domestic foods are regulated by the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN); it also regulates foods that are imported at the point where they were received into the US. The and the FDA require that workers in the have people in place to educate and train all how to prevent food-born illnesses though applied .

What is sustainable development related to preventing food-born illnesses in the food industry? Foods meant to be served cold must sit in ice when left in the open. Staff is responsible for recording the temperature of food, and if the temperature falls below the safe zone it must be discarded at once. All foods left out in the open for the public to serve themselves, such as in a salad bar or a buffet must have a shield between the food and the customers that serve themselves. This shield is to prevent contamination from people breathing, sneezing or coughing.

What is sustainable development related to dairy and meat farming? Sustainable farming does not use practices such as giving antibiotics or hormones, and once processed, the meat cannot be irradiated. In factory farming animals are almost driven insane with fear and cramped conditions, but in sustainable farming the animals are treated humanely. What is sustainable development? It is all the things mentioned above and so much more.

Goals of Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Industries

The goals of sustainable development concerning the world system are to promote freedom of sociopolitical expression, economic freedom, as well as to protect human rights. The Goals also include that the governments are willing to invest in their citizens health, education and welfare. Workers and business people in the urban and rural regions of the world join in a team effort to make a living while preserving economic and environmental resources.

The goals of sustainable development are to preserve raw materials, conserve our natural resources such as water and energy. Learning to be conservative starts at home; we can start by recycling or reusing the items that would be detrimental to the environment. Articles such as plastic bags, plastic bottles do nothing more than clog up the landfills. As an individual, you can help fulfill the goals of sustainable development by separating paper, plastics, aluminum, and glass; these items will be re-manufactured into new products.

In the workplace, the goals of sustainable development are similar; you may be asked to reduce waste in your job. One of the goals of sustainable development is conservation of energy. Everyone can conserve by shutting off lights that are not in use. Tossing out the old incandescent light bulbs and putting in the new energy saving light bulbs saves energy and lasts much longer. Some light bulbs last up to 5 years.

In farming businesses, where our food originates, are reaching goals of sustainable development by changing over from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy. The approaches the farmers use to achieve the goals of sustainable development may differ from businesses in the urban sector. A cattle farmer may divide his pasture land into subdivisions so that the cows can graze on different sections of the land in a rotation. The advantage to doing this is to manage the integrity of the soil, and the cattle can get adequate food to promote weight gain. To provide shade and cut the wind, farmers sometimes plant trees; this helps the livestock and also prevents lost soil through soil erosion.

In the food farming business, goals are to preserve the integrity of the soil, control or eliminate pests, and produce large crops that produce a good income to take care of their families. Goals of sustainable development are quite broad; one goal is to plant more than one kind of crop. This is called diversification; unlike mono-farming, where the farmer grows one crop, the grower is more likely to make a good profit even if the weather doesn't cooperate. A farmer that is banking on one crop may lose that crop and lose his income; however, a diversified farmer that grows two or more crops is more likely to have a good yield of at least one of his crops. The goals of sustainable development vary from industry to industry; but in the end the the goals are met to promote socioeconomic growth, while preserving the environment.Marcilio David M.D. is a Cardiologist, Clinic Owner and Internet Entrepreneur. Get your FREE report, receive a tips newsletter and learn more about Sustainable Development by visiting: The Sustainable development Guide.]]> Tips For Care And Landscaping Your Real Turf http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-care-and-landscaping-your-real-turf http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-care-and-landscaping-your-real-turf#comments Thu, 13 Jul 2006 12:27:30 +0000 water evaporationwater loggingturf caredefinitelygrasselatedlawns http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-care-and-landscaping-your-real-turf lawns. The green looking lawns are a result of painstaking efforts and some real . It is not very difficult to maintain the green turf as in golf courses or the horse races. Read all about it here

Easy and simple Real Turf Care Guidelines

A green looking turf that you see in the catalogues of golf clubs is not very difficult to maintain. You too can do this landscaping . All it takes is work and some common sense tips. You will be surprised if I were to tell you that you could have a good lawn if you follow the rule of 25 mm and the rule of third. Let me explain,

Watering of Lawn: You should water the lawn just enough so that the evaporation loss is replenished and the gets its due share. The rule of 25 gives the value of water loss through evaporation.

When watering the lawn. Take a dish and keep it in the area where watering is being done and allow about 25 mm height of water to get stored in the dish. After watering is complete, place the dish in the same where it was filled up and allow the water to evaporate. Note the time required for water to evaporate. You should water the lawn after this time interval.

The watering should be heavy and infrequent rather than frequent and shallow. When you water the lawn shallow, the root system starts looking for water and the root system does not penetrate deep in the ground. At the same time there should be no in any area. The water logging would destroy the grass in that area.

Over-watering will not kill the grass but water logging will do it. In fact over-watering is good. Infrequent over-watering coupled with generous use of nitrogen rich fertilizers will help in developing spongy grass on which you will feel when walking.

Watering of lawns should be done in the morning so that the water has time to penetrate to the ground. is highest during noontime. Watering at this time, would only allow higher evaporation. You do not want water to evaporate, you want it to reach the ground and penetrate the surface, so water in the morning or evening when evaporation rate is minimal.

Mowing The Lawns Second Real Turf Care

Mowing the lawns carefully and timely is the second care that you will give to the lawns. The rule for the real turf care is rule of third. When mowing the lawns, do not cut the grass more than the third of the existing blade length. A marine crew cut is not the best way to develop green grass. In fact, you are killing the grass if you give it a marine crew cut.

The root system does not develop properly when you give it a close shave and the growth of grass is reduced. Hence, the grass should never be cut close to ground. Depending on the type of grass the blade length could be between 20 to 40 mm. For example, the buffalo grass should be allowed to grow 30 to 40 mm in summer and winter before cutting. Follow the rule of third and the minimum blade length will be maintained.

When you cut the grass, you may leave the cut grass instead of removing it so that the grass gets its food from the cut grass. Care should be taken to see that thatching of soil should not occur; otherwise, grass growth could be restricted.

With two simple rules, you can get good-looking lawns. Andrew Caxton is the webmaster and successful author of http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . A guide on lawn mowers and garden tractors and how to choose the right type for your garden, including synthetic turf for different garden styles at http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com/synthetic-turf.html ]]> Making Life Simple With Wireless Technology http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology#comments Sat, 05 Aug 2006 02:27:11 +0000 hot spotswireless networkingwireless cardswireless fidelitycomputersrouterlocal computer store http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology Wireless fidelity , or WiFi, is an amazing technology that allows you to network your , office, home, etc. without the need for wires. This makes networking so much easier and less messy because wires are not used. The computers simply connect to the network via radio signals.

Because of this easiness, many businesses, schools, malls, restaurants, cafes, stores, airports and other businesses have set up wireless that allow anyone to log onto the network. This is amazing for individuals that need to be able to work from any location, however there are some disadvantages because hot spots can be used by unauthorized users if not adequately protected through different security safeguards.

Hot spots are relatively new, but are growing in acceptance and popularity because of the incredible access it gives to students, travelers, business people and the like. Some hot spots are free, while others charge an hourly rate.

These days, if you go to an airport or hotel you will see signs that say internet zone or hotspot and will either say free or how to pay. Because of this evolution, individuals are able to work and study wherever they are, which makes traveling and working much easier and less downtime which is very important.

can also be installed in your home, which means you can work in any room in your home or even outside if you so choose. Many individuals are starting to realize how much easier this makes their lives and are installing the equipment necessary for a wireless network.

To get started, you will need an Internet connection, a , and then for your respective computers. The router allows the Internet signal to be routed throughout the home and the wireless cards that each computer has picks up the signal which eliminates the use of wires. All of this equipment can be purchased in your or online if you are looking for extra discounts.

If you are interested in installing a wireless network in your home, office, or business, then you can do some research online and install it yourself if you know even a little bit about computers. However, if you have a lot of computers you want to connect or are unsure of what you are doing, then you might consider hiring a professional to handle your wireless solution for you.

Once you have the wireless network setup anyone in your "hotspot" will be able to log onto the server as long as they are within range. However, if you want to exclude just anyone from logging on then you can use a virtual private network, Internet Protocol Security, or other security programs that will protect unauthorized users from logging onto your network. Robert Michael is a writer for Dvdn Wireless which is an excellent place to find wireless links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.dvdnwireless.com ]]> Making Life Simple With Wireless Technology http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology#comments Sun, 19 Aug 2007 13:20:01 +0000 wireless hot spotswireless cardswireless networkingwireless fidelitylocal computer storesecurity safeguardsinternet signal http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology Wireless fidelity , or WiFi, is an amazing technology that allows you to network your computers, office, home, etc. without the need for wires. This makes networking so much easier and less messy because wires are not used. The computers simply connect to the network via radio signals.

Because of this easiness, many businesses, schools, malls, restaurants, cafes, stores, airports and other businesses have set up that allow anyone to log onto the network. This is amazing for individuals that need to be able to work from any location, however there are some disadvantages because hot spots can be used by unauthorized users if not adequately protected through different .

Hot spots are relatively new, but are growing in acceptance and popularity because of the incredible access it gives to students, travelers, business people and the like. Some hot spots are free, while others charge an hourly rate.

These days, if you go to an airport or hotel you will see signs that say internet zone or hotspot and will either say free or how to pay. Because of this evolution, individuals are able to work and study wherever they are, which makes traveling and working much easier and less downtime which is very important.

can also be installed in your home, which means you can work in any room in your home or even outside if you so choose. Many individuals are starting to realize how much easier this makes their lives and are installing the equipment necessary for a wireless network.

To get started, you will need an Internet connection, a router, and then for your respective computers. The router allows the to be routed throughout the home and the wireless cards that each computer has picks up the signal which eliminates the use of wires. All of this equipment can be purchased in your or online if you are looking for extra discounts.

If you are interested in installing a wireless network in your home, office, or business, then you can do some research online and install it yourself if you know even a little bit about computers. However, if you have a lot of computers you want to connect or are unsure of what you are doing, then you might consider hiring a professional to handle your wireless solution for you.

Once you have the wireless network setup anyone in your "hotspot" will be able to log onto the server as long as they are within range. However, if you want to exclude just anyone from logging on then you can use a virtual private network, Internet Protocol Security, or other security programs that will protect unauthorized users from logging onto your network. Robert Michael is a writer for Dvdn Wireless which is an excellent place to find wireless links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.dvdnwireless.com ]]> Forestry Communities In Northern Ontario http://www.artwoo.com/article/forestry-communities-in-northern-ontario http://www.artwoo.com/article/forestry-communities-in-northern-ontario#comments Tue, 20 Mar 2007 05:00:02 +0000 forestry industryforestry communityforestry sectorlivelihoodministry of natural resourcesprecious natural resourcesabundant natural resources http://www.artwoo.com/article/forestry-communities-in-northern-ontario livelihood to forestry communities all over the region. According to the , about 90% of the forest area in Ontario is publicly owned. Since aboriginal times, Northern Ontario has been dependant on forests for its livelihood and so has its social, economic, and cultural development. The twentieth century saw the development of sawmills, paper and pulp, logging, and other such industries in Northern Ontario. Today, the forest product industry, tourism, fishing and hunting, lumbering, and transportation contribute to the livelihood of more than 90,000 people all across Northern Ontario.

The forests sector industries ensure that they indulge in effective forest management. Since the livelihood of the region depends on the forest areas, effective measures are taken to ensure that the natural resources are sustainable and able to provide for the entire . High standards in terms of environmental protection and reforestation are provided to the . Apart from communities in Northern Ontario that are dependant on the for their bread and butter, there are also communities in Southern Ontario that exist on the basis of the , making using of products such as timber, paper, lumber, and so on. Thus, the forestry industry and community in Northern Ontario is playing a significant role in the economy and standard of living of other regions in Ontario as well.

However, the forestry communities of Northern Ontario have their own share of problems too. Although Northern Ontario has been blessed with , and even though these sources are being used to generate power, they have not managed to alleviate the costs of power itself. The astronomical pricing of power is causing a loss of jobs and affecting the livelihood of the forestry communities. The government must ensure that power is produced at a price so that its supply can be carried out at a reasonable cost. Lack of an organization or a committee to regulate the forestry industry produce and ensure that adequate reforestation takes place is also a big problem faced by the forestry community in northern Ontario.

The signing of the Ontario Forest Accord in 1999 has been a breakthrough in terms of advancement for the forestry community in Northern Ontario. An effort has thus been made by the government, the forestry communities, and the environmental community to understand each others problems and come up with effective solutions together. Explore the Greenstone region's rich heritage of fur, gold, and forestry at interpretive sites in various communities or experience a traditional Pow Wow and learn of the ancient ways of the First Nations people. http://www.greenstone.ca/ ]]> Composting To Reduce Landfill Sites, And The Path To Biofuel Sustainability http://www.artwoo.com/article/composting-to-reduce-landfill-sites-and-the-path-to-biofuel-sustainability http://www.artwoo.com/article/composting-to-reduce-landfill-sites-and-the-path-to-biofuel-sustainability#comments Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:27:32 +0000 carbon economyhydrogen economyorganic wastemethane productionbiofuelfossil fuelschemical fertilisers http://www.artwoo.com/article/composting-to-reduce-landfill-sites-and-the-path-to-biofuel-sustainability organic waste as possible away from landfill. This is a high priority for the United Kingdom if we are to reach Government recycling targets which are designed to ensure we comply with required landfill diversion rates as set by the EU Landfill Directive.

What is the easiest way to divert organic waste away from landfill, and close a lot of landfills for good?

The answer to this is composting. Composting is the natural way to bring left-over organic material back into the nutrient cycle. It also replaces and improves the quality of the soil, reducing crop pests, and retaining more moisture in the soil which then means that less watering is needed.

So composting is a good way to divert waste from landfill, but is there real demand for the huge quantities that could be made from the very large proportion of our municipal solid waste which is organic?

No, there are good reasons for concluding that there will never be a large enough demand for it from farmers and gardeners, because there is a huge amount of organic waste in our rubbish from potato peelings to newspapers, cardboard, and even our old non-synthetic clothes.

Composting can also be the first stage toward more sophisticated waste processing technologies such as Anaerobic Digestion, and take us toward a much more sustainable which many see as the intermediate step civilisation needs to go through before entering the age of the .

The vision of a carbon economy leads us toward a need to increase . This is because there will be a demand to produce a lot of methane which can then be processed further into such as biomethanol and biodiesel - away from dependency on oil as our fuel source - and toward a marvelous new freedom from .

However, just as in most scientific and commercial advances, they work best through evolution rather than revolution, and so it will be with composting. Many nations including the UK, are now composting very successfully, but we appreciate that composting alone will not bring us to the point where we become sustainable.

We realise that we need sustainable renewable fuels very urgently to stop using fossil fuels and reduce the rate of climate change. By building on our success with household green waste and by beginning to compost commercial waste, and food wastes too, we are developing a culture which begins to accept organic waste processing, and not landfilling as the norm. Many successful new businesses have been created to process compost in the UK, and those businesses will naturally seek to develop and diversify.

Composting requires energy, it is a net carbon emitter and it is still not very sustainable for Municipal Solid Wastes. It is not the best use of waste organic matter which can contain a lot of contaminating materials.

So, how can we adapt composting to be a net carbon emissions reducer, or andquot;Carbon Negativeandquot; and allow these new business to expand their hard won skills in biowaste processing?

The answer is Anaerobic Digestion for all the organic waste feedstocks suitable for it.

The process of anaerobic digestion (composting without air (oxygen)) uses organic waste materials to produce methane gas. The methane gas produced is a sustainable fuel for direct burning for power generation.

Doing this is carbon positive, it uses only renewable resources, it replaces fossil fuel use. It will reduce climate change.

Put this all together and you have real sustainability. A way of living without climate change, and without jeopardising the lives of later generations from global warming. To buy sustainable (peat free) compost visit http://www.compost-for-sale.com and also see this http://www.anaerobic-digestion.com web site for more information about AD. ]]> Oil and Gas Fears for the Amazon http://www.artwoo.com/article/oil-and-gas-fears-for-the-amazon http://www.artwoo.com/article/oil-and-gas-fears-for-the-amazon#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:29:36 +0000 madidi national parkwestern amazonnational wildlife refugeoil and gas explorationnon profit organisationsarctic national wildlife refugearctic national wildlife http://www.artwoo.com/article/oil-and-gas-fears-for-the-amazon western Amazon, and have now completed a comprehensive map covering the area that shows the alarming extent to which the corporations have plans for commencing their destructive trade in their area.

The study identified 180 "blocks" that have been ear-marked for , an area that stretches 170 million acres, an area just smaller than that of oil rich Texas. Understandably, these findings have caused a huge amount of concern that the businesses are instigating a plan to begin operating in this delicate, bio-diverse portion of the world. The threat to wildlife and indigenous people is obvious, and the report found that many of the oil and gas blocks overlie areas of the greatest ecological wealth, meaning that any activity in the area would come at the cost of species that are already under threat, amphibians for example.

Environmentalists should be under no illusions as to the amount of pressure that businesses can exert on areas that have been in theory protected from their activities. The Arctic in Alaska is an example of an area that was recognised as being environmentally vulnerable, was defended through legislation and has still found itself under the avaricious eyes of the Bush administration and their oil drilling friends. When president calls for congress to authorize oil prospecting in a wildlife refuge, you realise that the measured, protective legislation put in place to guard environmentally valuable areas is all to easily brushed aside for the immediate plans of big business.

This study fond that the highest concentration of these 'blocks' were concentrated in the most pristine areas of the Amazon, and that even the world famous national parks contained within, such as Bolivia's , were earmarked for exploration. Overall, the study found that there are a total of 64 'blocks' in the Peruvian Amazon, covering around 121 million acres or 72% of the total land. Peru, like many other developing, Amazonian countries, has been driving toward increasing its hydrocarbon exploration in its own borders, although it is not currently allowing such activities in its national parks.

The report focused on the impact that road building would have on these remote, potted havens of biodiversity. As well as destroying the rainforest beneath their path, roads make previously inaccessible areas easily accessible to human influence, including illegal loggers and poachers. Illegal logging is already a major problem in the vulnerable Amazon, where the sheer scale of the area makes effective policing very difficult. It is estimated that illegal logging accounts for around half of all logging globally, and would be devastating to a developing Amazonian country as it would cause a loss of biodiversity without bringing any of the economic benefits to the country as a whole due to the loss in tax revenue.

The report went on to highlight the huge impact that opening up these secluded areas of jungle would have to the indigenous people who currently inhabit the area. Many of these communities would be extremely vulnerable to disease brought in from the outside world, and there is a concern that traditional cultures and ways of life would be placed under threat through coming into contact with people from outside the forest.Matt Gammie is a writer for the green camparison website ecoswitch]]> Webwatcher - How Webwatcher Compares To The Competition http://www.artwoo.com/article/webwatcher-how-webwatcher-compares-to-the-competition http://www.artwoo.com/article/webwatcher-how-webwatcher-compares-to-the-competition#comments Sun, 10 Jun 2007 23:29:51 +0000 parental control softwareunwanted sexual solicitationsoffice of juvenile justiceinternet filtering softwareoffice of juvenile justice and delinquency preventionmonitoring softwarewebwatcher http://www.artwoo.com/article/webwatcher-how-webwatcher-compares-to-the-competition Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention indicates that increased proportions of young internet users were encountering unwanted exposures to sexual materials and online harassment, and 1 in 7 received . As bad as this seems the even more disturbing fact in the study is that the increase in exposure to unwanted sexual material occurred despite increased use of internet filtering, blocking, and in households of youth internet users. This means that either the being used was either ineffective or the parents were ineffective in their application of the . is claimed by many to be the most effective monitoring software on the market today. In this article we will examine three key features of monitoring software and how WebWatcher compares to other popular internet filter products on the market today in these areas.

Filtering Capabilities

This is what most parents look for in parental control software. A parents first thought is generally to have the ability to block access to inappropriate sites and material (i.e. keep the bad stuff out and let only the good stuff in). Filtering is done generally is two ways. The first is by direct blocking of websites and the second is blocking thru keyword lists and/or categories. Almost all control software will allow you to input websites to block. Only the more advanced and more expensive software will also provide the ability to filter by keywords. WebWatcher, in addition to direct and keyword blocking, will also allow you to block by category selection, which can be a big time saver (e.g. select gambling for example and all gambling websites are blocked). It also has the ability to create a white list, which allows the parent to block everything on the internet except for pre-approved websites (e.g. homework sites). Still, filtering, as advanced as it is, cannot totally block all unacceptable content. To overcome this inherent limitation in all monitoring software, the logging and monitoring capabilities are used to catch what might otherwise might me overlooked or missed.

Logging/Monitoring Capabilities

The logging and monitoring capabilities are generally what separate the good internet filters from the really excellent ones. Quality software will be able to record keystrokes (key logger), monitor internet activity, log chats, etc.. Instant messaging logging should include all popular networks including AOL, AIM, Yahoo, MSN, Windows Messenger and the currently popular MySpace chat (currently only the WebWatcher software appears to have the ability to monitor MySpace chat). The software should also be able to record email sent and received on all the popular email systems. And finally, make sure that the parental control software, in addition to performing the above tasks, also has the ability to properly format and display the results in a useable format. Raw keystrokes recorded in an unformatted form require too much additional time to try to decipher and can lead to frustration and eventually non use by the parent, which defeats the purpose of the software to begin with.

Ease of Use

The best internet filtering software in the world is completely useless if the parents cannot figure out how to quickly use and customize the software to suit their particular needs. Thus the ability to use the software and get the expected results are key to effective parental control software. Although WebWatcher rates well in its ease of use along with many other popular brands, it has two distinct additional features that appear to separate from the rest. Those features are its remote monitoring and multiple computer capabilities. WebWatcher is web-based, which means you have total access to the data from any computer, anywhere, anytime. Other parental control software with similar features charge an additional $10 per month for this feature. This can become quite expensive if the software is used for two or three years. WebWatcher is also designed to monitor multiple computers from one location. This is a great feature if you have several children and computers that you want to monitor from a central location (separate software purchase is required for each additional computer).

Despite all our best efforts it appears that the threat to our children's safety from the internet is still growing. It is our responsibility and duty as parents to protect our children while they are under our roof. Finding quality internet filtering software that can be used effectively is one way we as parents can protect our children. Matt Collins is a father, author, and the owner of several small businesses. He runs an informational website about parental control software products. To visit his website go to http://www.webwatcher-review.com ]]> Blogging 101 http://www.artwoo.com/article/blogging-101 http://www.artwoo.com/article/blogging-101#comments Sun, 03 Jun 2007 04:14:58 +0000 blogspersonal journalingbloggingdomain namesvirtual marketlimelightsentiments http://www.artwoo.com/article/blogging-101 blogging is one way of using words to come up with an art. This is because people who are into blogging are the ones who are artistic on their own sense, carefully choosing words that would best describe their feelings, , wishes, desires, and everything.

Basically, were first introduced as weblogs that refer to a "server's log file." It was created when web logging hit the . Since its inception in the mid-1990s, web logging gradually saturated the virtual community making the Internet a viable source of greater information.

However, with web logging, you still need a web site and , but with blogging, you do not need anything just an account with blog providers. In most cases, these kinds of blogs are free of charge.

With the onset of blogging in the industry, had been a common ground for people who wish to be known all over the world. However, not literally famous as this is not a case on being popular or well-known personality.

Generally, blogs are created for personal use. Like a journal, people can write their daily adventures, sentiments, and whatever ideas they want to express online.

Nevertheless, with the advent of the online businesses, blogs had gradually taken the in providing businesses a chance to boost their productivity online. This is where the business blogs have taken the limelight.

Business blogs are, basically, created to advertise the services or products of a certain web site or online business in order to increase online sales.

Moreover, business blogs are also one way of promoting the company so that the other readers will know that a certain company exists online. With blogs, entrepreneurs are able to establish a name in the virtual market through articles that can be very useful in the reader's life.

From there, you can make money out of blogs by simply syndicating it to your business' web site. This can be done through the RSS technology.

So, if you are thinking to create a blog, whether for business or for pleasure, you need to know some tips that could help you get through and make your blog one of the interesting blogs online.

Here's how:

1. Consider your audience

Even if your blog is generally personal, still, it would be better to consider the minds of your readers. You have to think of something that would interest them.

After all, most of the reasons of people who write blogs are not at all confined to their own personal motives. Most of them would love to be "heard" (or read) and would love to be known, in some way or another, even for just a minute. Hence, it is very important to come with a write up that everybody can understand, not necessarily that these people can relate to it but they can understand it.

2. Pictures speaks a thousand words

To make your blogging worth the browsing effort of your readers, it would be extremely nice if you will put some pictures in it. It does not necessarily mean you have to place a picture of yourself. Any photographs will do as long as it does not pose danger or insult to anyone who will be reading your blog.

3. Make constructive and beneficial blogs

Even if you are free to write anything you wan to say to the world, still, it would be better to create some write-ups that would be beneficial to your readers.

After all, its information technology that you have there so better be inclined to provide information rather than sheer quirky entertainment.

4. Avoid making multifaceted and complicated blogs

In order to have an interesting blogs, try not to use some highly technical and highfalutin words. After all, it is not a science discourse or a debate that you are making, so better stick to simple facts and short blogs.

Bear in mind that most people who use the Internet usually do more scanning than scrutinizing each site word for word. Therefore, it would be better to come with blogs that will not bore your readers just because you have these lengthy articles.

5. Make it interactive

As much as possible and if your capacity will allow it, make your blog interactive. Yu can do this by placing some video or audio clips in your blog in http://www.unemployment1.com .

You can even place an area for comments or for some feedbacks. In this way, you can get some impressions or reactions of other people. Who knows, you might even gain some friends just by making them feel at home in your blog site.

Indeed, blogs are not created just for the mere fun of it. It also has its own purpose in the world of the Internet. Therefore, for people who wish to harness their craft, as far as writing is concerned, blogs are the best way to do it.

As they say, blogging is the contemporary term of creative and commercial writing. http://www.groups1.com ]]>