A catalyst for homes, industries, schools, universities and business, the incredible diversity of enterprises is driven by a common bound to move to a green lifestyle.

Inhabiting a world where environmental awareness is a vital concern to the future of our planet, it is important to take note of the consequences of improper building materials and environmental degradation. The implementation of Eco-construction and green energy home solutions will play an important role in the transformation to a healthier and sustainable world.

Throughout the greater part of the 20th century, a naturally-occurring mineral known as asbestos was utilized in a variety of applications. Due to its flame resistant, highly durable and inexpensive qualities, it became the ideal choice for manufacturers as a form of insulation, piping, brake lining and flooring. There are many green, Eco-friendly materials that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually.

Tips to avoid exposure

If any suspected asbestos is located, the best advice is to leave it alone. If you are having home renovations, performed, do not panic. Again, asbestos that is left un-disturbed will normally pose no threat.

It is recommended for home or business owners removing asbestos to have it performed by a licensed abatement contractor who is trained and equipped in handling hazardous materials. It is also important for the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) not to be violated.

Exposure to damaged asbestos has been proven to be the only known cause of a rare but aggressive form of lung cancer known as mesothelioma. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases are diagnosed every year in the United States, accounting for three percent of all cancer diagnoses. Diagnosis of this asbestos-related lung illness is a difficult task due to a long latency period and many mesothelioma symptoms mimicking less serious ailments.

GO GREEN and Don’t Go Back

Utilizing Eco-friendly methods of building and insulation can have many environmental, economic and health benefits, including enhancement of air quality, improvement of pulmonary health, increase property value and reduction of energy costs.

Currently, many cities in the U.S. have created lumberyards which re-store where you can purchase recycled building materials that are authentically strong and inexpensive. The implementation of green alternatives such as cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose can reduce annual energy costs by 25 percent. Cotton fiber is also becoming a favorite insulation method. Made from recycled batted material, it is then treated to be fireproof. Water based spray polyurethane foam, lcynene, is a healthy insulation which contains no toxic components.

The Department of Energy concluded that cooling and heating counts for up to 50-70 percent of all energy used in the average home in the U.S. In today’s state, this philosophy can also save natural resources. Recently, congress passed an economic stimulus package that promotes energy efficiency for home and business owners.

The American Recover and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 includes incentives for upgrading to more Eco-friendly/sustainable methods of energy and insulation. Many locations throughout the United States are swiftly changing their construction practices to suit the environment and the health of human beings.

Not to spoil your holiday, but there is a dark side of this day.  Turkeys raised on corporate game farms, hatched and caged in a production oriented environment, trapped in tiny cages, tubes jammed down their throat and force fed a carefully devised diet that fattens them up faster than you can say “gobble, gobble.”  

The cages they’re kept in and spend their entire life in are no bigger than their unnaturally fat white meat breasts because this keeps the meat tender.  Hormones have been eliminated from the diet because consumers now shy away from this additive but who needs hormones when you can force feed and confine? Sitting on your best china serving plate dripping with golden juices, stuffed with a family recipe stuffing and trimmed with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and followed with pumpkin pie, who stops to think of how our supermarkets are able to obtain enough delicious holiday turkeys for a nation of hundreds of millions of drumstick preferring people?

If you do decide to give up the turkey this year you will find you are a part of a growing number of caring intelligent souls that not only show their compassion for this doomed species but find themselves sitting in front of a far healthier meal also. 

There is a wide spectrum of alternative recipes for the main course on Thanksgiving.  In this time of economic struggle this change will also bring a fair savings for your efforts.  That is what I call a win-win situation!

 Passing on the traditional holiday turkey reduces the number of birds hatched and raised in deplorable conditions, most likely being replaced with a healthier main course like a vegetarian substitute and saving money to boot. Wow! Going green can be truly beneficial.

But wait!  There’s more.  

Try recycling and reusing.  Adding these much advocated activities to your green Thanksgiving adds to the environmental cause and also - again! - saves you money.  Big family get together?  Don’t reach for the paper plates and plastic utensils; instead use the tableware to its limits.  Fancy turkey depiction adorned red and brown and orange napkins by each setting?   Take out the cloth napkins instead. 

Most of all don’t go all out in setting the table.  Many families tend to spend days in the kitchen cooking so many different courses that no sane person would try to eat some of each and yet we all do.  The next day stomach aches abound and the left-over side dishes pack the refrigerator.  Leftovers are served for the next week or so and eventually a lot of food finds its way into the garbage – because it was simply too much.  Cut back a little this year; eliminating waste is the first maxim of living green.