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The (economic) crisis is a crisis in consciousness, the crisis that cannot anymore accept the old norms, the old patterns, the ancient traditions and considering what the world is now, with all the misery, conflict, destructive brutality, aggression and so on. Man is still as he was, is still brutal, violent, aggressive, acquisitive, competitive and he has built a society along these lines. -Jiddu Krishnamurti

The end of the world is at hand some say. But, only the world as we know it now. For a human civilization that has been at war with itself, separated, saturated in fear, disease and riddled with suffering, isn’t it about time for it to? Instead of fearing the end, perhaps we can embrace and love it for what it really is: A new beginning. And now, more than ever, we need one.

How do you feel about living in a world where a mere two-percent (2%) of the population owns over a whopping fifty-percent (50%) of the wealth? Do you think we are still benefiting from this widespread monetary concept? Or do you wonder, like I do, is it thwarting our ability to discover our own true value?

In this time when the world economy is being dismantled and redesigned, the questions of what we are really capable of without money is coming up time and time again, both in our personal lives, and on the public stage. What are we really worth? Who are we without money? Can we survive without it?

For the longest time, we’ve had a green belt wrapped tightly around our consciousness. Money means survival, and survival meant success. At any cost, even at the destruction of the planet and people, maximizing profit always has to come first. So, when do we get move on from simply surviving so we can start to thrive?

In this collapsing economic system, our values stood as such: as long as profits were maximized, it didn’t matter whose lives were torn apart by poverty, hunger, unemployment, and war. The pollution being created by it or the planet that was being raped and pillaged of its natural life giving beauty wasn’t even considered as long as profit was cultivated.

And you can forget about making a product that lasts forever or that is good for us. How would it make money? If a car was constructed that could avoid accidents, that ran on infinite, natural, free energy, that never needed to be repaired and there was only as many made as people who needed to be transported, despite how much more value would be added to our lives, profit loss would be tantamount.

Thankfully, this archaic paradigm is entirely unsustainable and coming to an end.

In world where value is measured and quantified in dollar signs, where does the value of life fit in? How can there be compassion, cooperation and caring in a system that is built on scarcity and debt? Every dollar in your bank account has only been “loaned” to you in exchange for your energy (work), and so it is actually owed to somebody, somewhere at some point. If we are all made equal, then why did the ruling elite treat people and the planet like they were extinguishable and expendable? Survival means sacrifice, because money = scarcity.

In our current system, we have created a scarce money supply so that somebody always has to go without in order for there to be a demand and thus in debt. In this system abundance is not a valuable thing overall. Only for a few. This creates a vibration of fear in all of us who are embedded in this system.

How will I make enough to make ends meet? When will I have enough money to enjoy my life? What will I do if I am poor? Seeing poor people makes me feel so bad. Why can’t I do something I love and still make money? I have all the money in the world, but I still feel worthless. We all can’t win when a world of competition demands only one winner. So, who is really winning at this money game anyway? And how do we stop playing with debt, scarcity and fear should we deem this system no longer meets our needs?

Begin to invest in your true value, your inner power. It holds the key to the endless prosperity of the creative loving force that lives within us all. Be fearless, investigate the non-physical world within and unlock your potential to know your unending prosperity.

Start to appreciate all the abundance of family, friends, beauty, health, creativity, freedom, opportunity, connection and joy in your life right now. These are more valuable than that piece of paper in your wallet, or that number on the screen at the ATM machine. And they certainly bring more joy.

“When we use the term prosperity, a lot of people immediately think of money,” says Louise L. Hay. “However, there are many other concepts that come under the auspices of prosperity, such as: time, love, success, comfort, beauty, knowledge, relationships, health, and, of course, money.”

The big question that comes to our mind is, “what will be achieved without the impetus of investment?” Well that is the problem we face. That is the question of the ego, a question of survival and fear. It is not a question of the heart, which is a place that connects us to the power that makes everything possible. What is more valuable to the heart, people and the planet, or profit?

Without the monetary system we would be free to invest in the most important thing about being alive, ourselves. The we could profit from connecting, exploring every corner of the cosmos and every cell and atom in our beautiful bodies, we could heal all pain and disease, explore the world freely without borders, share in the abundant resources and energy of the planet, educate our children in the ways of understanding who they are and their real worth, value and power. We will create a world where it is safe to love each other and place to be free to enjoy every experience of life that only costs a simple “thank you”.

You can’t put a value on creation. So why do we put a value on our lives through money? If money is here to serve us, and we create it, then why not use that money to benefit ourselves, by benefiting all. As Baird T. Spalding states, “earth is a series of interconnected beings, and therefore the best way to promote our own interests is to promote the common interest and the only way to preserve our own good is to preserve the good of the whole.” Once we put the planet and people first, then we will truly have made a worthy profit.

Sky Sheridan is founder of the conscious Ad-venture, Called2Create. Find out how to empower your thoughts, feelings and beliefs about yourself, others and the world by clicking here: http://www.Called2Create.com and awaken your creative capacity and infinite potential now.

In looking back at the lives of my parents and grandparents, I remember seeing a lifestyle of food cellars where they stocked up and stored food in case of an emergency, or to get them through a hard winter. Though that tradition was slowly vanishing for many years, it is now being renewed more than ever, due to all the environmental & economic challenges we are seeing around us. In light of recent earthquakes, severe snow storms, power outages, floods, etc., many thousands of people are now storing freeze dried foods and water, because it is so important to be prepared for any emergency.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in personal and emergency preparedness sprouting up all around us. For many of us, storing years of freeze dried foods and water has been motivated by a general sense of concern and uncertainty about our future. Storing food could literally save the lives of you and your family if things continue to get worse.

Here are 5 Simple Steps to Emergency Foods Preparedness that have helped many people begin creating their easy Food Storage Program:

1. Start with a 72 Hour Emergency Meal Kit and a 7 Day Food Unit which is made of Mountain House Freeze Dried Food Pouches for each family member of your home. Always store extra Water with it in a cool place if possible.

2. Have a short term emergency food storage program for you and your family of 3-6 months in your home. You can get an excellent variety of entrees, vegetables and desserts with Mountain House Food Freeze Dried Pouches & #10 Cans, which has a 7-30 year shelf life. The Mountain House food is easy to prepare with just hot or cold water, and it is the tastiest freeze dried food on the market.

3. Have a long term emergency food storage program for you and your family of 1-2 years, but more if you can afford it. Some people are storing 3-5 years of freeze dried foods. The Mountain House Freeze Dried Foods #10 Cans are excellent for this, because they have a 25-30 year shelf life. You can get them in already pre-designed food storage packages, which saves you time and money! It is encouraged to store this food in a cool place in your home like your garage, cellar or basement if you have it.

4. Always have a reliable source of water for your family. This is Essential. If you live in the city or the country, make sure you have an excellent Water Filter for all types of water that can filter out 99% of contaminants and impurities of all well or city water, rain water, river, lakes, streams, roof water, etc… An excellent filter is the Berkey Water Filter that can last for a couple years with continual use. Make sure to have 2-4 months of extra water stored in your home in case of power outages and much more.

5. Have at least two 72-Hour Emergency Meal Kits stored in a back pack in your car or truck with plenty of Water in case of an emergency with your vehicle.

This list could be 5 times longer with all the extra items to get you ready for emergency preparedness, but the most important items to start with are freeze dried foods (Mountain House foods being an excellent choice) and clean water.

After you have a food storage program, start with making easy lists of the things you and your family use on a daily basis – things you might need in an emergency; such as favorite foods & drinks, vitamins & medications, warm clothing & boots, blankets, batteries, candles, extra cash, alternative method to heat food or water, hand powered radio & flashlight, etc. So, get yourself prepared for any type of emergency, and have fun doing it. You will be very happy you did.

Elizabeth Bennett has been in the sustainability and emergency preparedness industry for many years. She has written many informative articles, facilitated workshops and has helped so many people with creating a self-sufficient lifestyle. For more information on food storage with Mountain House Freeze Dried Foods, visit EarthWaveLiving.com where thousands of people across the nation get vital, emergency preparedness information, excellent supplies and often at big discounts with free gifts. The folks at EarthWaveLiving.com are teaching people to learn from the past, look to the future, and to get prepared NOW!

Wildlife conservation holidays are a great way to get up close and personal to some of the world’s rarest animals. However, if you want to spot an animal that’s not often seen in the wild you’ll need to travel a long way. Here are a list of the eight rarest animals in the world and where you’ll need to go to spot them:

Pinta Island Tortoise

Do you want your wildlife conservation holidays to pay for themselves? If so, head to the Galapagos and attempt to find a female Pinta tortoise. If you succeed, you could be quids in as the government are offering $10,000 to anyone who discovers one. The female is needed for George, a male Pinta tortoise, who is believed to be the sole survivor of the species.

Yangtze River Dolphin

The Yangtze River dolphin is an unusual looking dolphin solely found in China’s Yangtze River. China’s rapid expansion has seen these dolphins competing for food and now it’s believed that there are only ten left in the wild.

The Vancouver Island Marmot

This cute critter is only found in the mountainous regions of Vancouver Island on British Columbia. It is believed that only 30 exist in the wild, but four separate breeding centres on the province contain a further 90 marmots. On your wildlife conservation holidays you can help conservationists reach their ultimate goal; which is to restore a sustainable population of up to 400 marmots.

Seychelles Sheath-Tailed Bat

Wildlife conservation holidays in the Seychelles may seem like a batty idea, but the island is home to the spooky-looking sheath-tailed bat; an animal at severe risk of extinction. The bat can also be found in Madagascar, but between these two lush tropical islands exists no more than 100 bats. Research needs to be undertaken on their behaviour and the long-term goal is to create a sustainable population of 500.

Javan Rhino

You don’t expect to see a rhino in Vietnam and Indonesia, but if you look closely you may spot one of the 60 remaining Javan rhinos that make their home in these locations. If you’re into rhino conservation you’d be better off taking your wildlife conservation holidays in a South African Game Reserve where your chances of spotting a rhino are greater.

Hispid Hare

The unusual Hispid hare, also known as the bristly rabbit, is found in the foothills of the Himalaya. Deforestation and human settlement have had a negative effect on the species, which was feared extinct in 1964. However, in 1966 the creature was spotted again and it is now believed that 110 remain.

Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat

Downunder in tropical Queensland, you may be lucky enough to spot a northern hairy-nosed wombat, but only if you take a visit to the Epping Forest Station. This national park is the only home of the northern hairy-nosed wombat, which is the rarest marsupial in the world, and only an estimated 113 remain.

Tamaraw

This dwarf water buffalo is only found on the island of Mindoro in the Philippines. Not much is known about the numbers that remain in the wild and it’s thought to be anything from 30 to 200. Although the animal is protected by law, the illegal capture of these species is still carried out.

Mark Bottell is the General Manager for Worldwide Experience, an online tour operator offering extended breaks on wildlife conservation holidays and various adventurous gap years for adults.

Magnesium Sulphate which is very much in use these days in mining, farming, and paper, pulp, as well as fermentation industries is one of the most useful chemical present in today’s date. The magnesium is found in fertilizers, fireproofing materials, detergents, steel furnaces, ceramics and so many other things. The use of magnesium and sulphate is in many field and these are mostly used in medicine and retail beauty products.

Gardeners help their plants store energy with the use of application of Epsom salts on those. Similarly, when a human body gets lethargic or it feels dull then magnesium is used. Traditionally this concept hold very true and people used to follow this concept and whenever the body needed to regulate itself biochemically, then magnesium was taken by them. Here comes an example when stomach acid flows back then esomeprazole magnesium is taken which is said to heal the esophagi. In drugs form, this is popularly called Nexium.

Aluminium Magnesium Hydroxide is said to lower down the acid content in the stomach. Similarly, Magnesium Citrate helps in emptying the bowel just before the surgery and Potassium Magnesium Citrate helps in preventing recurring kidney stones. Magnesium sulphate helps the body in rejuvenating itself.

There are as many forms of magnesium sulphate as there are its uses. To get into details of various forms of magnesium sulphate, we have Epsom salt gel, which is used by many people for osteoporosis pain. Some other people prefer to use this salt by bathing with this so that it soothes their muscle aches and pain and also help in boosting up their mind.

While using the Epsom salt for bathing, it is also said to be a treatment for dry and scaly skin. Further the Magnesium Sulphate paste is used to get rid of boils, Carbuncles and Abscesses as this medicine has the property of oozing out the sores. Barium poisoning victims are also said to be treated with the use of these Epsom salts. It also relieves people with acute asthma and severe migraine symptoms when used in regular intervals.

There are various other advantages of this too. Some of this is listed below and we will know them one after the other. This has very great use in asthmatics as it can be very easily nebulized into inhaler. Pregnant women also take advantage of using this drug when they want to prevent the seizures during a condition when they suddenly start having too much of blood pressure and they also start feeling rapid weight gain. Sometimes, this also helps the pregnant lady by preventing the premature labor and also to prevent cerebral palsy in all the pre term babies.

These cases in pregnant women had been noticed since earlier and some professors have also found out that they have been helpful in lowering the maternal blood pressure by stabilizing the vessels in vulnerable pre term babies. And in this way baby is protected from diminished oxygen and inflammation.

In this way, magnesium sulphates have been found to be so useful in a life of a human being.

Do visit Irsan’s latest website at portable kerosene heater which contains reviews and deals on portable electric heaters and other information about electric heaters.

Last year, the EPA released a list of over 40 “high hazard potential” sites around the country that contain coal combustion residuals, which are commonly referred to as coal ash. This substance is a product of burning coal and is often stored in containment ponds or dams near electrical utilities. As coal ash leaches into the soil and spills into areas surrounding these facilities, there can be serious ramifications on human and animal health, residential areas, and the environment. These storage ponds hold fly ash, bottom ash, coal slag, and flue gas residues that contain toxic metals such as mercury, arsenic, selenium, cadmium, and lead—all potentially toxic to people and wildlife.

Waste Generation

According to the EPA’s website, “the coal combustion process generates ash equal to about 10 percent of the original volume of the coal. About 95 percent of the ash is retained:

· Fly ash is entrained with hot flue gases, trapped by stack filters, and accounts for about 74% of the ash generated. As a side note, certain cement and ready-mix companies that produce fly ash with their cement kilns have tried to come up with environmentally-friendly ways to use this fly ash.

· Bottom ash, too large or heavy to be entrained, settles to the bottom of the boiler and accounts for about 20% of the ash generated

· Boiler slag, formed when the ash melts under the intense heat, collects at the bottom of the boiler and in exhaust stack filters, and accounts for about 6% of the ash generated.

The average yearly generation of coal ash is about 61 million metric tons (MT). In 1990, the combustion of coal in utility and industrial boilers generated 61.6 million MT of coal ash and slags and 17.2 million MT of sludges.”*

Due to several recent coal ash spills, the EPA and other federal regulatory agencies are cracking down on the assessment, maintenance, and clean up of coal ash storage ponds in the United States. These agencies will request information from facilities about their operations and then thoroughly review it to identify issues that need priority attention. Some agencies will also visit many of these facilities to see if the management units are structurally sound. The top five states that are home to these “high hazard potential” sites include: North Carolina, Arizona, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Although the risks associated with hazardous coal ash sites can be devastating to the communities surrounding them, this is a chance for our government to take a more active role in making sure electrical (and other energy) utility sites are operating responsibly. This is also a great opportunity for insurance agents to assist their clients—those who operate energy utilities as well as contractors who may be hired to clean them up—and make sure they have adequate environmental insurance. Take this opportunity to help your insureds protect themselves from a potentially disastrous financial loss and secure the future of their businesses and workforces.

* Information sited from the EPA’s webpage on coal ash: http://www.epa.gov/radiation/tenorm/coalandcoalash.html

Bill Pritchard is the President of Beacon Hill Associates, Inc., a wholesale insurance broker specializing in the placement of environmental insurance and other specialty coverages such as Site Specific Pollution and packaged insurance coverages for agents nationwide. Beacon Hill Associates, Inc. can be found online at http://www.b-h-a.com

Conserving marine life appears to be increasingly getting tougher. Global warming which has come about due to deforestation and increased carbon dioxide emissions, threatens the existence of all marine life. Global warming is only a single obstacle that affects marine life and there are so many more. In response to this many marine conservation projects are now being initiated in many countries around the world.

Conserving the ecosystems within the ocean could be referred to as marine conservation. There are various programs and projects that function primarily for this particular reason. Despite the many difficulties faced by those involved in such projects, some achievements have been made in this regard. Such programs have succeeded in campaigning and putting a stop to the fishing of various types of fish. However, despite these minor achievements a lot more progress has to be achieved in this area if conditions are to improve for species that live within the ocean.

There are thousands of marine conservation projects and programs around the world. Some such projects are concerned with eliminating threats to the existence of certain species that appear to be in the brink of extinction. Sea turtle conservation, dolphin conservation, humpback whale conservation and coral conservation projects are a few such programs. Kenya, South Africa, Italy, Greece, Australia and Honduras are just few countries which have such projects. Islands like Hawaii and Seychelles have become important centers for marine conservation and there are thousands of such projects in these kinds of areas.

If you happen to have an interest in marine life you could get involved in such projects as a volunteer. Almost all marine conservation programs and institutes are constantly on the lookout for such volunteers. Especially if you happen to be someone like a student on a gap year, you could spend your year in a very meaningful manner while having fun by volunteering for such a project. Some such organizations even offer internships and such details are always available on their websites.

Even certain universities have marine conservation programs of their own. For example University of Miami launched such a program recently. The dedication of those working in such initiatives could mean the difference between survival and extinction to many kinds of marine species. Certain types of sharks and a majority of whales are under threat due to overfishing and the destruction of their natural environment.

Such marine conservation programs attempt to identify threats to various forms of marine life and try to come up with solutions to eliminate such threats. Thousands of researchers are involved in such activities. The knowledge gained and the experience received through participation in such programs could be extremely valuable at times.

The programs which receive attention are often those which are conducted globally. However there are now many regional marine conservation projects initiated by governments in countries such as Australia. These programs often attempt to educate the local population about the need to conserve marine life and the obstacles that they could encounter in the process. Many such new, grass root level, programs should be initiated and cooperation of youth should be sought if marine conservation is to be done successfully, at least in the future.

South Pacific Projects is a Marine Conservation organization based in Fiji. South Pacific Projects provides conservation volunteers with Fiji Scuba Diving adventures.

In December 2009 Poland announced that it would be looking to increase the tax on plastic bags in order to change the views of the consumer to start reusing bags. In January 2010, however, Poland has decided to back out of their promise of raising tax causing outrage within many green and pro-recycling activists. However, the real question to consider is, should we really depend on the government to force us to into changing our habits or should we decide for ourselves if we want to recycle and re-use plastic bags or not?

As you would expect the opinion on this matter is split, especially for those of us in the UK who believe that we are, in effect, in a nanny state.

On one side of the argument the greener people would say that the government should do its part, even if it is by forcing us to change our ways as it is their fault for creating this community. In a way we have to agree, as just like smoking, the government first said that it was okay, then they did a U-turn and then started to block the usage by age, amount even by taxing tobacco in order to forcibly stop those of us who are money conscious. If we were to do this with plastic bags then the next logical step to tale would be that of which Poland first promised in that we would increase the amount a plastic bag cost to an amount such as 10+p. By rising the prices to such an amount people will start to think twice about buying them and will be more inclined to take the small price jump to get reusable bags that are more durable (such as tote bags).

On the other side of the argument you can argue, as did the smokers at the time, that although it was first introduced by the government it is still their choice. The problem with their argument is that they were already addicted to the product and as such what they had to say was purely influenced by their need for the nicotine within the cigarettes. When we compare this to the use of plastic bags we are, in a way, addicted to the usage of plastic bags, we take them for granted, throw them away without thought and buy them again in the same way. We have done it for so long, so many times and watched so many other people do it that not only have we learnt the behaviour but we have also become addicted to it as a process of shopping.

When you ask a person what things they think of when they recall a shopping trip people will usually say the bag that their items come in last, if at all. What this shows is that we do not truly case about the packaging our good come in, but the thought of change is what makes us want to rebel. Adaptability to environment may have made us the dominant species, but our refusal to change ourselves socially will be the death of the environment.

Make a difference to the number of plastic bags going to waste, use reusable bags over plastic bags. There are many styles and varieties and sizes of tote bags available at Bag It Don?t Bin It.

Natural Gas Powers Texas

According to the US Dept. of Energy, Texas produces and consumes more electricity than any other state. Over half of Texas’ energy comes from natural gas-powered generation plants. Texas produces 25% of the nation’s natural gas and is the largest producer; storing and supplying natural gas via pipeline for all regions of the country. Yet while Texas has large reserves of low grade coal, most of what is burned in its coal-fired plants is brought in via train from Wyoming and Montana.

So, it makes sense for Texas electric power generators to rely more on the supply of natural gas in our back yard rather than waiting for the next 10,000 tons of coal to roll in from Wyoming. Natural gas burns cleaner than coal and does not leave behind large amounts of cinder and ash that require proper disposal.

In the past, natural gas was usually uncovered when drilling for oil. Many middle eastern oil companies commonly used natural gas to push oil out from deposits in the earth and then let the gas burn off (called “flaring”). This was because there was neither large local demand for natural gas, nor a way to safely transport it overseas to markets that wanted it.

In Texas, the practice was very different. Natural gas and oil have been twin commodities that helped build Texas. Natural gas pipelines stretch in all directions from Texas and it has long been used throughout the US for heat, light, and electrical generation. So, it’s little wonder that in this country its price has long been bound to oil, a commodity in a very volatile market where prices are often shaped by world events. For this reason, power generating companies have paid more for natural gas than coal, nuclear, and wind. Because it is the most expensive and so heavily relied upon, the price of natural gas determines the price of electricity.

When the Wave Broke

Throughout 2007 and into 2008, petroleum and natural gas prices rose due to a popular tide of speculative investment. This drove resource development and innovation in natural gas technologies to bring gas reserves to market. Among these:

• The growing Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) trade is expected to increase at 6.7 percent per year until 2020. New fleets of inexpensively built ships and refineries expanded the industry worldwide. LNG now involves 15 exporting countries and 17 importing countries, including the US.

• Qatar announced its goal to develop both its Northfield natural gas reserve production (from roughly 54 billion cubic feet in 1995 to 2.7 trillion cubic feet in 2008) and its Gas-to-Liquids capacity. Qatar is now the world’s largest LNG exporter.

• Developments in horizontal drilling and rock fracturing techniques with high pressure water provide lower-cost access to several huge deposits of natural gas trapped in common shale. These include the Marcellus shale bed and the Barnett shale in Texas (much of it under Ft. Worth) – which has been estimated at holding 26 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and is producing 2 billion cubic feet per day.

In July, 2008, the petroleum/natural gas price wave peaked. Gasoline surged to over $4.00 per gallon and natural gas prices to $13.69 per billion BTU (mmBTU). The cost of Texas electricity exploded.

Inundated with high fuel prices, consumers all across America cut their travel and their energy use. In the fall of 2008, the economy contracted so severely that businesses laid off workers or closed. They stopped using natural gas to heat their buildings and stopped needing electricity to power their machinery. This helped drive down the price of oil, gasoline, and natural gas. But in the case of natural gas, the big developments in LNG supply and natural gas shale brought enormous amounts of natural gas out of the ground. Ready to use, it now lay idle in pipelines, tanks, and ships at sea. With plenty of supply but no demand, the price sank further.

One year after the price peak, the DOE’s EIA reported in its weekly natural gas storage report for August, 14, 2009:

“Working gas in storage was 3,204 Billion cubic feet (Bcf) as of Friday, August 14, 2009, according to EIA estimates… Stocks were 562 Bcf higher than last year at this time and 513 Bcf above the 5-year average of 2,691 Bcf.”

By September, 2009, natural gas lost over 80% of its July 2008 value and had plummeted to $2.409 per mmBTU. Texas electric rates fell as well.

Big Supply + Little Demand = Low Price

Because of booming US domestic supply, natural gas’ price tumble has decoupled it from oil’s price. As analyst Fadel Gheit put it, “[O]il is a global commodity; gas is a regional commodity. You can have a huge discrepancy in gas prices from country to country, from continent to continent, because of a lack of adequate transportation – the means of shipping to take gas from where it’s found in abundance to where it’s needed.”

As a regional commodity now, present US domestic natural gas prices are somewhat insulated versus shocks from international problems. New shale deposits being drilled throughout the lower 48 states provide a more stable supply and stable pricing. As a result, LNG imports to the US are dropping, prompting the United Nations International Energy Agency’s chief economist, Fatih Birol, to forecast a world-wide natural gas glut continuing through 2015.

In an interview with Bloomberg News, energy commodities analyst Stephen Schork painted this picture of the current natural gas supply: “We have more gas than we know what to do with in the U.S.; we have more waterborne gas floating around the world’s oceans that doesn’t have a home.”

When natural gas prices began their slide, many natural gas companies capped their wells and cut their production. The EIA recently reported in its Short Term Energy Outlook:

Total marketed natural gas production is estimated to have increased by 3.7 percent in 2009, despite a 59-percent decline in the working natural gas rig count from September 2008 to July 2009.

Even Qatar announced it will not pursue any new development in its North field reserve for another four years.

Right now, the two big drivers of US consumption are its winter and its economy. This winter, an early cold snap increased heating demands for much of the country and even caused a brief $1 price increase. Though faltering, the US economy has improved somewhat since September, 2008. Because of the slight contraction in productivity and the early cold weather, natural gas prices have risen from their September, 2009 low —but they are still 50% lower than their peak in 2008. The EIA statistic for the January 27, 2010 price at the Henry Hub in New York ($5.42 mmBTU) is 14% higher than the same date last year ($4.75).

The big new for 2010 is it’s still a natural gas buyer’s market. With storage levels still at 5 year highs, enhanced domestic production capabilities, and slow consumption growth, prices are not expected to rise dramatically through 2010. EIA projects that the natural gas spot price at the Henry Hub will increase to an average of $5.25 mmBTU in 2010, which is $1.27 more than the 2009 average of $3.98 mmBTU. Remember, this is an average price; seasonal increases will occur, especially during the summer cooling months in Texas when power demand is at its height.

For Texas electricity consumers, this means that energy prices will remain low through for the rest of the year, though there will be some fluctuation due to seasonal demand, as stated. However, one thing about the near future is certain: consumption of natural gas will increase as economic conditions improve. Businesses will need more people as they will get back to running equipment and machinery – and they will all use more energy. As consumption rises, more generators will burn natural gas to meet that need. Natural gas prices will rise. And so will the price of Texas electricity.

Long Term Solutions for the Texas Energy Consumer

The best thing an electricity consumer in Texas has right now is energy choice. If you sign on to a two year (24 month) plan now, you can lock in the current 2010 rate through 2012. Switching between now and spring when rates are low could save you hundreds of dollars over the next two years. Why? Because you can take advantage of a long term fixed energy plan that locks in the current low energy price. In the near future, the EIA projects that prices will increase in 2011, averaging $6.00 mmBTU as the existing surplus shrinks in the face of a rebounding economy. That’s a 13% increase in price. Right now, if your energy plan is locked in at .114 cent/kWh for 1500 kWh per month, you’re paying about $171/month. But in 2011 given a 13% average increase, your bill could jump to $193.23/month. That’s a difference of $22.23/month or $266.76 for the year.

To maximize your savings for these next two years, you need to act before mid-April because that’s when the price begins its annual increase for summer cooling costs. To find a long term plan that will help you save the most money, go to Bounce Energy and check out their Price Protector 24 plan. Qualified customers will receive movie tickets, bill credits, companion airline tickets, price reductions and more for paying their bill on-time!

Bounce Energy is a Texas Electric Company based in Houston. Bounce Energy’s goal is provide more than low Texas Electric Rates to our customers. With innovative and flexible plans, excellent customer service, and superior customer rewards, Bounce Energy offers a unique approach to Texas electricity.

Many of you have read or seen in the news how a lot of the global warming gurus have been skewing climate records to make global warming seem like it is real. People have fallen for it for over 30 years while people have made billions off the lies. The mainstream media still does not like to talk about this as a possible fraud case. It also seems the governments do not know what to believe. No matter what side of the issues you are on about global warming you do not know what the facts are or what really to believe.

One more serious issue that needs to be talked about that actually effects the world is how people are changing landforms. It can be studied a lot easier than global warming. The real facts are also actually out there when compared to the questionable facts on global warming. Changing landforms is more alarming. It is actually astonishing more people have not picked up on this alarming cause. It has been going on for centuries.

New Orleans is a classic example of landforms changing for the worse. Many parts of New Orleans use to be a swampy area. Hurricanes could blow into land with no worries of harming humans. The land then changed to benefit people and give them a place to stay. For the people to stay in the city of New Orleans they had to be protected from hurricanes with levees. The land itself should have told the people designing this area should have never been changed in the first place. They ruined natural habitat to stay there. They also put themselves in danger in the landform they lived in. Changing this landform had a negative impact on the people that chose to live there.

Changing landforms can benefit and have negative impacts on people. The example of New Orleans was a negative impact. Changing landforms can have a far more negative impact on the environment. It has been factually proven, unlike the so called man made global warming or the newer term, climate change. Take a look at people who have changed the flows of rivers. This has caused the destruction of fish and animals. It even has caused the extinction of some animals.

Cutting down forests is another example of changing landforms that have had a negative impact on our world. This has also caused the death and even extinction of some animals. We hear about owls, leopards and other types of animals that are in the endangered species list because their homes are being destroyed. We also have fewer trees to clean up the carbon dioxide in air that creates more pollution. Changing forests can have a very negative impact on our world.

Changing landforms can also have a negative impact on the weather. Flattening out lands can create more winds and change weather patterns. This can cause more rain in an area or even draught. Changing weather is natural but changing landforms can cause unnatural change. Something, we as people, need to think about.

To live and survive, we do need to change landforms. However, we need to really study the effects of changing landforms can have on our environment and world. There are real facts that changing landforms can have negative effects on animals, weather and the environment. We do not really know if global warming is real or not. More people need to focus on helping landforms survive than global warming. Only change what actually needs to changed.

The studying of Landforms is a major need in the entire world. The author believes in helping landforms survive to protect the world for future generations. Landform protection.

Anyone who has played in the ocean surf or experienced the current of a river, felt the tug of outgoing or incoming surf, recognizes that there is energy contained in moving bodies of water. Harnessing that energy to create electricity has been in third position, behind solar and wind, as a source of alternative energy.

But now, advances in technology are changing that situation. Commercially viable prototypes and active production models operating in wave farms are currently producing electricity successfully. The World Energy Council has described wave energy as a concentrated form of solar energy. With three quarters of the earth covered in water, wave power is an inexhaustible source of clean energy.

Wave power- a brief history

Wave Power has been used as early in human history as 1100 AD in Egypt and, what is now, France and Russia. Wave power during this period was used to mill grain.

One of the earliest known patents was registered to a Frenchman named Girard in Paris and was dated 1799. Interest waned, as it did for wind, during the Industrial Age when fossil fuel became cheap, easy to find and more efficient to use.

In 1909, the then California Wave Power Company created electricity that was used to provide electricity to the wharves in California.

Yoshio Masuda, in 1940, used wave power to light navigation lights.

Interest in wave power strengthened in 1973, when the Arab nations invoked an embargo on the export of oil.

Universities around the world embarked on research to harness the power of the wave at such institutes as MIT and the US Naval Academy in this country. As a side note, the US Navy is currently heavily involved in the use of green sources of energy and is pushing away from a dependence on foreign oil supplies. In other countries, those involved in wave power technology were the University of Edinburgh and Norwegian University of Science and Technology. After the oil began to flow again, research slowed. Leading the way in research today is the University of Oregon, which has partnered on several installations along the Oregon coast.

Now with increases in fossil fuel costs and concern about the effects on the environment of global climate change, advances in wave power technology to create energy are full steam ahead.

Waves- how are they formed

As the sun heats the surface of the earth it creates uneven heating, which, in conjunction with the earth’s rotation, creates wind. Waves are formed by wind passing over the surface of water. As energy is transferred to the water it forms ripples, then, as the force of the wind continues to release energy on the surface, the water forms waves. If this process continues over an extended length of the water’s surface, ocean swells are formed. These ocean swells can travel great distances without a substantial loss of energy.

The World Energy Council estimates that the energy produced by the power of the earth’s ocean waves would produce two times the amount of electricity that is currently created by all other sources of electrical production, including coal and natural gas. This would be done without the hazardous emissions generated by coal and natural gas fired plants. For a more complete list of pollutants and the effects of mining for coal see Energy Loft

Wave Power- The technology

A number of companies have entered the wave power generation field. Some are funded by private infusion and businesses themselves. Others are supplemented by grants or incentives from governmental entities. The countries of Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Australia are investing heavily in this technology.

Ocean Powered Technology (OPT) is headquartered in Pennington New Jersey. OPT’s “PowerBouy” has been deployed commercially in six locations: Atlantic City, NJ, Oahu, Hawaii, Santona, Spain, Hayle, England, Reedsport, Oregon and Cross Bay ,Oregon.

In Oahu, OPT is working with the US Navy and Marines at the Marine base supplying electricity from the offshore PowerBouy array.

As you can see by the photographs, the bulk of the “PowerBouy” is located under the surface of the ocean and, with its design; it can be used to mount navigation signals. Communication devices and monitoring equipment can also be mounted on the buoy. They have designed their trademarked “Talk on Water” that allows boaters to use cell phones offshore, a great benefit for boaters if an emergency arises.

Voith Hydro Wavegen Limited is headquartered in Germany with offices and manufacturing facilities in Inverness, Scotland on the North Sea. In Islay, Scotland, Voith Hydro has a tide turbine generator built on the shoreline that looks like a concrete bunker.

Their offshore tidal current turbine looks like a wind turbine, but this one is underwater, as can be seen on this video produced by Voith Hydro. The blades are approximately 26 feet in diameter and seven stories high.

Pelamis Wave Power Ltd.is headquartered in Edinburgh Scotland. Their Pelamis Wave Energy Converter has the appearance of a segmented snake that is partially submerged when deployed. The joints incorporate hydraulic rams which pump the high-pressure fluid through motors when the wave passes along the unit.

Pelamis units are used at the first commercial wave farm at Agucadoura, Portugal and a phase of the project is planned for the near future

There are undoubtedly numerous other companies and designs, but these are fine examples of the work that is being done in the wave power generation field.

Energy Loft is authored by Gregory Colvin and contains articles covering the alternative energy field. Spotlighting new sources and technologies for a greener planet.