Good Fact

How to Make a Cool Home

- Adam Clare

Air conditioners are bad for the environment so it’s obviously good if you can avoid using one. It’s easier than you think! At Freshome they have complied a handy list that has many tricks to keep your house cool without using AC. Over at PlanetFriendly there is a list of alternatives to air conditioners.

From Freshome:

The most common sources of internal heat gain are; appliances, electronic devices, and lighting. Be aware from where the heat is comming. Now if you have air conditioning, use it wisely. Don’t put lamps, televisions or other heat-generating appliances next to your air-conditioning thermostat, because the heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer. The heat they produce will make it think your house is warmer than it really is, and your system will run harder than it needs to.

SARS Treatment Nears

- Adam Clare 1 Comment

Scientists in Beijing have discovered that there are two human antibodies that neutralise the active components of SARS. SARS is a respitory illness and caused a lot of fear a couple years ago. Fear no more, or less, now that research is finding ways to combat the infectious SARS.

Scientists have identified two human antibodies that neutralise the viral strains that caused the two outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) between 2002 and 2004.

These antibodies could be the first step in producing a treatment to disable the virus that causes SARS.

SiCKO

- Adam Clare

I just watched Michael Moore’s new movie Sicko last night and let me tell you – it’s amazing! Sure, the movie is upsetting at points because you feel for all the poor people who suffer due to the American health care system. Granted, that isn’t good, but what is good is that Moore continuously reminds us that change is possible!

He shows us how the Canadian, English, Cuban, and French health care systems provide universal care for their citizens, and how great those systems are in comparison to the for-profit USA system. Being a Canadian, I was reminded about how good we have it in Canada, and makes me want to sign up on this site. Watch this movie, and get inspired to make a healthy change for this world.

Watch the movie below:

If the video above no longer works, just try this search. On a more cinematic note, this is Moore’s best film since Roger and Me (I found his last two lackluster).

Echinacea Prevents colds

- Adam Clare

Echinacea is a good herb to use to fight off colds, it’s remarkably successful at prevention according to new research. The herb apparently improves the body’s immune system, but researchers don’t know exactly how it works yet. Echinacea can reduce incidences of colds by 65%, even more powerful when taken vitamin C!

Researchers, led by Dr Craig Coleman from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, combined the results of 14 different studies on Echinacea’s anti-cold properties.

In one of the 14 studies the researchers reviewed, echinacea was taken alongside vitamin C. This combination reduced cold incidence by 86%.

Urban Farm Towers

- Adam Clare

farming

Urban farming is not a new idea, it’s such a great idea that it is often forgotten though. A solution to transporting food and improving urban air quality is literally under our feet, and can soon be over our heads. There is an ever growing need for using buildings in cities as farms and more companies are now behind the idea. Skyscrapers as farms just sounds cool!

Not to mention locally-grown produce for the residents of central London, Manhattan and Tokyo, eliminating the environmental costs of transport (with fresher lettuces to boot).
Skyscraper farms can operate year-round with artificial lighting, so, on average, one indoor acre is the equivalent to between four and six outdoors, and companies are vying to reap the financial rewards that come from this increased efficiency.

Via Tree Hugger

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