Archives - July, 2009



25 Jul 09

Adding Interest To Your Garden

By Ahmad Nugroho

There are many ways that you can add interest to your garden. Anything that becomes a focal point will add interest and that can range from garden sculptures to the types of plants you choose. And these are your home gardening tips :

Adding block planting of a particular specimen can become a focal point in the garden.

Even adding areas of variegated foliage can create a focal point in the garden. Seats are another item that can add interest to the garden and additionally they can offer a nice place to rest and relax while you admire your work.

home gardening tips for

home gardening tips for

Mirrors that are strategically placed can enhance the garden in many ways. They can bring reflected light to dark corners of the garden. They can also give the impression that the garden is bigger or alternatively they can give the impression that the open space is bigger. Placed at various angles, mirrors can add a lot of fun and interest to a garden and help to lead a visitor on to other areas.

Using hedges can also add interest to the garden while offering protection to the plants. Hedges are also an excellent way to gain privacy without feeling closed in.

Water features are a favorite for many people and the sound of running water in the corner of a garden can add an atmosphere of calm and relaxation. Water features can also be good for the birds in the garden particularly in the summer months when they might find it difficult to find water lying around to suit their needs.

As with sculptures, stones, rocks and pebbles can add interest and offer areas where you can walk even when the surrounding ground might be too wet. Shells also make a good cover on the ground for paths that can remain dry in the wet season.

There are so many different home gardening tips that you put in your garden to add interest. Everything from old cartwheels to wind chimes, aviaries or anything else you can imagine.






19 Jul 09

Deforestation Statistics Overtime

By Ahmad Nugroho

Ecological matters affect all life in this planet, from the negligible parasites to the human race. Slight interruption in the Earth’s fragile balance can mean particular damage of the very place that embraces the lives of many species.

It is not so easy searching for ways to cure the presently perilous and confronting movements of planet dilapidation which have been a bother on the planet over the recent years. Deforestation statistics is one of the issues that require further study and consideration. Trees have been or are being cut down at progressively higher rates. If this is not blocked, ill-fated effects could be the consequence.

Although deforestation statistics are essentially needed by the government and all environmentalists for further studies, what calls for more attention are the initial steps toward the green movement. It requires every human effort in the planet coupled with sincerity to duties and diligence at the working process.

Why Forests Are Needed

To understand why deforestation is reaching global issues, we must first comprehend the need of forests and everything that it is composed of.

The natural world is the home of 50-90% of all kinds of flora and fauna. It is where the wildlife and ecosystem exists. Without it, the normal world cannot go through the different cycles of life. It is where all sorts of trade happen, from carbon dioxide elimination, to food consumption, and even to unknown organisms which may prove itself useful in the future.

Undoubtedly, this is the very reason why such world should remain to be untouched by human hands. The work and doings of people may cause a disruption in the all-natural habitat, and all can turn into a disaster in no time.

Primarily, the forest is the living source of almost all species in the planet. However, it is not only there extinction that we should be afraid of. Studies show that 25% of the human medicines are derived form nature, and perhaps other cure for rare diseases may be there too. Our source of carbon dioxide exhaust is provided by the tree which inhabits in all forests. Without them protecting us, the world could be full of all toxic gases in no time. Truly, the services that nature renders can be totaled in immeasurable ways.

The Extent At Which Deforestation Ate The World

Developing countries with bigger populations such that of Europe has had about 90% of their forests turned into urbanized areas, and all for the purpose of metropolis revolution. Other countries have shown to have hit almost the same records too. All over the world, countries have followed deforestation into the extent that almost 80% of the total forested areas of the world have been compromised.

amazon deforestation

amazon deforestation

The effects are variable for every country too. Others had problems of greenhouse gases, soil erosions, limitless floods and other human catastrophes, and a lot more. The rates of disasters due to deforestation are only going sky high. The need to reverse the situation is called for by all leaders of earth movement. If not stopped, even human life can put to extinction in the coming years.

True enough, deforestation statistics is not perfectly accurate. However, we can see from our day to day lives that the world has changed in so many ways. It is a good thing if the world can progress yet remain to be untouched, but what is happening now is something that should be prevented even if it offers bigger benefits for humans.

Even the seas are now dumped with cement and transformed into dry lands for the construction of malls or other company buildings. One day, the world may change into a fully industrialized spot, and there would be no room for nature to grow.

While it is still early and stoppable, deforestation activities should be halted. Let nature freely live on its own; it would be better letting it live as peaceful as it is and as unharmed as it was.






18 Jul 09

Alternative Fuel Vehicles – The Story

By Ahmad Nugroho

Do you know how many types of vehicles there are in all? Since the creation of the first crude automobile, several models and types have been created to suit the needs of people. These were developed in order to provide a safe, efficient and economical means of transportation. Some are built for luxury, others for practicality and some for environmental purposes.

Cruder Forms

Vehicles were first made thousands of years ago. The earliest forms of vehicles were actually living things like horses, elephants and camels. With the invention of the wheel around 3000 B.C., chariots, carts and horse-drawn carriages came into existence. The wheel has certainly paved the way for modern transportation as it is still very much present today.

Cycles were created around the 19th century which comes in many forms. Bicycles are one of the most common types of vehicles available today. There are also tricycles, quadricycles and unicycles. These vehicles mainly use a chain that goes around the wheels for propulsion. Cycling is a very important action in order to keep the transportation balanced. Later on, motorcycles were invented which incorporated a motor engine instead of manual pedals.

Origin of Alternate Fuel Sources

alternate-fuel-vehicles

alternate-fuel-vehicles

Electric vehicles or EVs were invented in the 1830’s which uses one or more electric motors. The rotary or linear motors propel the vehicle through the wheels. Linear motors are used by tracked vehicles such as trains and MRTs. There are several sources of energy used to move the vehicle like an on-board RESS or rechargeable energy storage system, batteries, on-board super capacitors and direct connection to energy-generating plants. Fuel cells and nuclear energy have also shown to be very viable in propelling vehicles.

Steam engines are another alternate fuel source which uses an external combustion engine or ECE. ECEs are less efficient compared to ICEs but proper configurations can be made for the fuel burner in order to emit very low amounts of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and other harmful gases making it environmentally friendly in the process. Steam cars do have a problem when starting from cold leading to the development of flash boilers.

The Automobile

Automobiles are the most common type of vehicle. The majority of automobiles today are powered by gasoline or diesel engines. Automobiles use an internal combustion engine or ICE which can be highly polluting due to the constant burning of harmful gases. This type of vehicle has shown to be very powerful, convenient and aesthetic as well making it the most popular of all time.

Gasoline engine vehicles are lighter and able to work at optimum rotational speeds. The invention of the electric starter has boosted its popularity beating steam and electric cars in the process. Carburetor and fuel injection are some of the most useful discoveries in enhancing automobile performance.

There are various innovations in the engine allowing exhaust gases to be less harmful. Others combine efforts to minimize the greenhouse effect by reducing emissions to zero. Gasoline engines are capable of running with different ethanol concentrations. Some may run on 15%, 85% or even 100% ethanol. Fuel burn efficiency of gasoline engine vehicles are around 27%.

Diesel engine vehicles are more cost-effective compared to gasoline engine ones because of their 50% fuel burn efficiency. However, power and performance is also compromised due to less concentration of fuel. Diesel also releases exhaust gases into the atmosphere from soot particles. 100% biodiesel has been developed to improve the downside of these vehicles.

Other Transports

A train is a series of vehicles moving along a guided track or rail. A separate locomotive provides power to propel the entire train. Diesel or electricity is the usual energy source of trains while older versions were dominantly powered by steam engines. There are special kinds of trains with special tracks like rubber-tired underground, high-speed and monorails. Some trains can have more than one locomotive or coach.

A road train has a prime mover pulling one or more trailers. Trucks are the simpler version of this. Since the weight and maneuverability are a challenge, these vehicles often require several wheels for more control. Speed should also be watched meticulously to make travel as safe as possible. Diesel engines usually power big heavy trucks and road trains for fuel efficiency and power.

Other unique types of vehicles are amphibious vehicles and snowmobiles. Amphibians can run on both land and water making them very versatile. There are amphibious bicycles, cars, trucks and ATVs developed for passenger and official use.

The advantages provided by amphibians made them very useful for military operations. Snowmobiles are propelled by a built-in track made of Kevlar composite or rubber in order to effectively move through snow. These are also powered by a motor engine that consumes gas for fuel. Tanks use the same mechanism as snowmobiles by running on steel tracks.

Just thought you interest with other guide on : hybrid vehicles