GREENING THE TEA INDUSTRY IN EAST AFRICA

THE PROBLEM

Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, after water, with an estimated 18 to 20 billion cups of tea consumed every day. Tea production in the East African Region, which contributes 28 per cent of the world market supply, is carried out in highland areas characterized by high annual rainfalls and all-season river flows. Despite these favorable conditions, optimal tea production in the industry has been hampered by unreliable, insufficient and expensive energy from the national grid system as well as by a lack of supply in remote areas. The processing of tea, which requires both electrical and thermal energy, has made it necessary for all tea factories to install backup diesel generators that are highly polluting and greenhouse gas emitting.

THE SOLUTION

UNEP launched the “Greening The Tea Industry in East Africa” (GTIE) project in 2007 to address the energy challenges facing the tea companies by transferring renewable energy technologies and knowledge to the players in the sector. The overall project aims at installing six small hydro-power plants (SHP) with a cumulative capacity of 10 MW that will generate 105,000 MWh by project end. 84,000 tons of CO2 equivalent are expected to be mitigated over the project duration and to increase to an estimated 765,000 tons over a 20 year period. UNEP established the suitability of SHP within tea estates in the countries covered by the East African Tea Trade Association and embarked on installing electricity-generating stations.
The increase in the supply and reliability of electricity to tea factories reduces the industry’s energy and production costs and ultimately increase their competitiveness in the world market. Greenhouse gases from tea factories are also reduced through green power generation. Moreover, rural electrification is enhanced through power wheeling technologies – thereby improving the livelihoods of surrounding communities.

THE IMPACTS

The GTIE project has made commendable progress on the implementation of SHP in selected countries. Kenya’s successful implementation of a 0.85 megawatt SHP is now fully operational while construction of two additional hydro power plants capable of generating 10 megawatts will commence following the completion of technical design plans. Rwanda’s construction of a 4 megawatt station is ongoing; Tanzania will embark on constructing 1.5 megawatt SHP in Suma once sufficient funds have been mobilized. Similarly, Uganda’s construction of a 1.97 megawatt SHP will begin upon identification of a suitable developer.
The project is also working with various regulatory authorities to improve the policy and operating environment, which in turn has fostered public/private partnerships in the hydro power implementation process. Progressive implementation of electricity generating stations has not only spurred interest amongst in other tea companies in investing in small hydro power but has also resulted in financial institutions developing financial products to facilitate loans to the renewable energy sector.

SUPPORT

Global Environmental Facility trust funds; African Development Bank; East African Tea Trade Association; Tea Development Agencies in Kenya Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

WEBSITES

• greeningtea.unep.org
• www.eatta.com

SUCCESS STORY

One of the success stories of the GTIE project was the commissioning of the 0.85 megawatt Tagabi small hydropower station in May 2011. The fully operational plant in Kericho, Kenya has to date saved the tea company an estimated US$613,833 and generated 6,445,277 kilowatt-hours. Further energy savings and earnings through feed-in tariffs will continue to be recorded at the station and subsequent SHP’s once operational.

Source : Re-blogged from http://www.unep.org

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MAKING THE BUILDING SECTOR CLIMATE FRIENDLY

THE PROBLEM

The building sector accounts for up to 30 per cent of global annual greenhouse gas emissions and consumes up to 40 per cent of all energy. It also provides the greatest potential for significantly cutting emissions, at low cost, in both developed and developing countries.
Collectively the building sector is responsible for about 40 per cent of global resource consumption, including 12 per cent of all fresh-water use, and produces up to 40 per cent of our solid waste. The sector is estimated to be worth 10 per cent of global GDP (USD7.5 trillion) and employs 111 million people. With urbanization increasing in the world’s most populous countries, building sustainably is essential to achieving climate mitigation and sustainable development.

THE SOLUTION

UNEP launched the Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative (SBCI) in 2006 to promote sustainable building and construction practices. The initiative has nearly 50 partners and collaborators representing all segments of the building sector, including contractors and developers, designers and engineers, local and national authorities, real estate companies, Green Building councils, professional associations and other non-governmental organizations. UNEP-SBCI draws on UNEP’s capacity to provide a global platform for collective action, utilizing its network and partnerships to develop reports, tools, and methodologies to promote sustainable building policies and practices.
Tools developed by UNEP-SBCI include:

• the Common Carbon Metric (CCM), a protocol for measuring energy consumption and calculating greenhouse gas emissions from building operations that is intended to meet international Measurable, Reportable, and Verifiable (MRV) standards
• the Quick Scan Policy Tool, developed in conjunction with the Central European University as an online platform for policymakers to assess their policy environment and develop policy packages to strengthen sustainable building practices in their jurisdictions.
• “State of Play” reports on sustainable buildings in India, France, several countries in Southeast Asia and more data-intensive “Baseline Emission and Reduction Potential” reports for South Africa and Mexico, with more reports in progress for the United States and Colombia.

THE IMPACTS

The work of UNEP-SBCI, including the initiative’s tools and strategies is informing policy-making worldwide. The Common Carbon Metric (CCM) has become the basis for a new international standard to measure the climate impact of building operations currently being developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). This effort will result in a better understanding of energy consumption and GHG emissions from buildings, and provide a globally applicable methodology for measurement and reporting. UNEP has incorporated the CCM in a project proposal to assist governments in Asia to develop Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA) for the building sector.

SUPPORT

Private sector companies, government and local authorities, non-governmental organizations and research institutions organizations, including the Central European University, the Gulf Organization for Research and Development in Qatar, the Institute for Industrial Sciences at the University of Tokyo, the T.C. Chan Center for Building Simulation and Energy Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Center for a Sustainable Built Environment at New York University; Governments of Norway and Finland.

WEBSITE

• www.unep.org/sbci

SUCCESS STORY

In Malaysia, the Ministry of Energy Green Technology and Water has adopted the CCM tool for the building component of its Low Carbon Cities Framework and Assessment System (LCCF), applying it to buildings in Cyberjaya and with future plans to apply it in four other townships in Malaysia. The CCM assists in establishing a baseline so that the effectiveness of retrofits and policy interventions can be effectively measured.

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How To Save Money On Your Household Lighiting With LED and CFL lamps

An average household dedicates about 10% of its energy budget to lighting. Switching to energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills. Timers and motion sensors save you even more money by reducing the amount of time lights are on but not being used.

Indoor Lighting

You have many choices in energy-efficient lighting. The most popular light bulbs available are halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Although they can initially cost more than traditional incandescent bulbs, over their lifetime they save you money, because they use less energy.

Energy-Saving (also called Halogen) Incandescent Lighting

Energy-saving, or halogen, incandescent light bulbs are about 25% more efficient and can last up to three times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. They are available in a wide range of shapes and colors, and can be used with dimmers.

CFL Bulbs. ENERGY STAR®-qualified CFLs use about 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescents.

CFL bulbs last about 10 times longer and use about one-fourth the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs. A typical CFL can pay for itself in energy savings in less than 9 months and continue to save you money each month.

You can buy CFLs that offer the same brightness and colors as traditional incandescent bulbs. Some CFLs are encased in a cover to further diffuse the light and provide a similar shape to traditional incandescent bulbs.

CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury and require special handling if they are broken. CFLs should be recycled at the end of their lifespan. Many retailers recycle CFLs for free. Visit epa.gov/cfl for cleanup and safe disposal steps.
LED Lighting

LEDs: A New Kind of Light. LED bulbs offer similar light quality to traditional incandescents, last 25 times as long, and use even less energy than CFLs. Choose ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs for the highest quality and energy savings.

LED bulbs are rapidly expanding in household use. ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs use only about 20%-25% of the energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. They come in a variety of colors, and some are dimmable or offer convenient features such as daylight and motion sensors.

In addition to standard screw-in bulbs, you'll find LEDs in applications such as recessed downlights, desk lamps, kitchen undercabinet lighting, and outdoor area lights.

Indoor Lighting Tips

    Replacing 15 inefficient incandescent bulbs in your home with energy-saving bulbs could save you about $50 per year. For the greatest savings, replace your old incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR-qualified bulbs.

    Visit ENERGY STAR to find the right light bulbs for your fixtures. They are available in sizes and shapes to fit in almost any fixture and provide the greatest savings in fixtures that are on for a long time each day.

    When remodeling, look for recessed light fixtures or "cans" which are rated for contact with insulation and are air tight (ICAT rated).

    When replacing incandescent bulbs from recessed light fixtures, use energy-efficient bulbs that are rated for that purpose. For example, the heat buildup in downlights will significantly shorten the life of spiral CFLs.

    Consider purchasing ENERGY STAR-qualified fixtures. They are available in many styles, distribute light more efficiently and evenly than standard fixtures, and some offer convenient features such as dimming.

    Controls such as timers and photocells save electricity by turning lights off when not in use. Dimmers save electricity when used to lower light levels. Be sure to select products that are compatible with the energy-efficient bulbs you want to use.

    Keep your curtains or shades open to use daylighting instead of turning on lights. For more privacy, use light-colored, loose-weave curtains to allow daylight into the room. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight.

Outdoor Lighting

Many homeowners use outdoor lighting for decoration and security. A variety of products are available from low-voltage pathway lighting to motion-detector floodlights.

LEDs work well indoors and outdoors because of their durability and performance in cold environments. Look for LED products such as pathway lights, step lights, and porch lights for outdoor use. You can also find solar powered outdoor lighting.
Outdoor Lighting Tips

    Because outdoor lights are usually left on a long time, using CFLs or LEDs in these fixtures will save a lot of energy. Most bare spiral CFLs can be used in enclosed fixtures that protect them from the weather.
    CFLs and LEDs are available as flood lights. These models have been tested to withstand the rain and snow so they can be used in exposed fixtures.

    Look for ENERGY STAR-qualified fixtures that are designed for outdoor use and come with features like automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors.

Energy Saving Tips For Home - Kitchen

Refrigerator

• Do not open door frequently.
• Set thermostat in medium cooling position.
• Keep adequate space from wall.
• Do not overload the refrigerator.
• Defrost your refrigerator regularly.
• Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost buildup increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running.
• Leave enough space between your refrigerator and the walls so that air can easily circulate around the refrigerator.
• Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold.
• Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight.
• Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
• Do not open the doors of the refrigerators frequently.
• Don't leave the fridge door open for longer than necessary, as cold air will escape.
• Use smaller cabinets for storing frequently used items.
• Avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge.

Mixers

• Avoid dry grinding in your food processors ( mixers and grinders) as it takes longer time than liquid grinding.

Electric Stove

• Turn off electric stoves several minutes before the specified cooking time.
• Use flat-bottomed pans that make full contact with the cooking coil.

Gas Stove

• When cooking on a gas burner, use moderate flame settings to conserve LPG.
• Remember that a blue flame means your gas stove is operating efficiently.
• Yellowish flame is an indicator that the burner needs cleaning.
• Use pressure cookers as much as possible.
• Use lids to cover the pans while cooking.
• Bring items taken out of refrigerators (like vegetable, milk etc.) to room temperature before placing on the gas stove for heating.

Microwave Ovens

• Consumes 50 % less energy than conventional electric / gas stoves.
• Do not bake large food items.
• Unless you're baking breads or pastries, you may not even need to preheat.
• Don't open the oven door too often to check food condition as each opening leads to a temperature drop of 25º C.

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How Long Does It Takes To Decompose

The Advantages & Benefits of LED Lighting

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are a form of solid-state lighting that is extremely efficient and long-lasting. While incandescent and fluorescent lights consist of filaments in glass bulbs or bulbs that contain gases, LEDs consist of small capsules or lenses in which tiny chips are placed on heat-conducting material.

Size and Efficiency

LEDs measure from 3 to 8 mm long and can be used singly or as part of an array. The small size and low profile of LEDs allow them to be used in spaces that are too small for other lightbulbs. In addition, because LEDs give off light in a specific direction, they are more efficient in application than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, which waste energy by emitting light in all directions



Long Life

The life of a high-power white LED is projected to be from 35,000 to 50,000 hours, compared to 750 to 2,000 hours for an incandescent bulb, 8,000 to 10,000 hours for a compact fluorescent and 20,000 to 30,000 hours for a linear fluorescent bulb. LED lifetimes are rated differently than conventional lights, which go out when the filament breaks. Typical lifetime is defined as the average number of hours until light falls to 70 percent of initial brightness, in lumens. LEDs typically just fade gradually.

Lower Temperatures

Conventional lightbulbs waste most of their energy as heat. For example, an incandescent bulb gives off 90 percent of its energy as heat, while a compact fluorescent bulb wastes 80 percent as heat (see References 4). LEDs remain cool. In addition, since they contain no glass components, they are not vulnerable to vibration or breakage like conventional bulbs. LEDs are thus better suited for use in areas like sports facilities and high-crime locations.

EnergyStar LEDs

Poorly designed LEDs may not be long-lasting or efficient. LEDs that are EnergyStar-qualified should provide stable light output over their projected lifetime. The light should be of excellent color, with a brightness at least as great as conventional light sources and efficiency at least as great as fluorescent lighting. The LEDs should also light up instantly when turned on, should not flicker when dimmed and should not consume any power when turned off.

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12 Fabulous Reasons To Take Cold Showers

Seriously, regular cold showers are incredibly beneficial and incredibly healing.  They can improve circulation, help boost white cell activity, dissolve tension, bring more blood flow to your organs, help your body detox, balance hormones,  revitalize chakra’s and cleanse the auric field.

1: Mood booster:

It gives you an instant rush, leaving you feel awake and alive.  Cold water releases natural endorphins into your blood stream and brain. It shifts your mood. There are many scientists who even believe cold showers can help alleviate symptoms of depression.

2:  Releases stress and tension:

Tension is generally blocked energy and a cold shower helps move and shift that blocked energy.  Better energy flow equals a more relaxed and less stressed you.

3: Improves circulation:

Cold water stimulates blood flow to the core of your body bringing better blood flow to your organs and glands.  Improved blood flow equals more oxygen and a healthier you.

4:  Flushes out toxins:

The cold water contracts your muscles to encourage the flushing out of toxins.  With improved circulation the removal of toxins and pathogens is far more efficient.

5:  Clears negativity from your aura:

When your aura is strong it acts as a protective shield.  When fragile or damaged it can leave you drained and depleted.  Cold showers are excellent for cleansing, uplifting and strengthening the energy field around your body.

6: Cleanses your chakra’s:

Cold water is known to spin your chakras.  Its such a simple way to cleanse and revitalize them.  Make sure the cold water reaches all chakra’s, in particular the throat chakra which can often get missed if your neck is not fully open and extended.

7: Strengthens your immune system:

Improved circulation, more efficient removal of toxins and better oxygen flow throughout your body all support a healthier immune system.

8:  Speeds up the healing process:

For all the above reasons your body is working more effectively in healing and repairing itself from illness.

9:  Restores your energy levels:

Each cold shower boost the flow of energy throughout your body, releasing fatigue and lethargy.  You are left feeling refreshed and uplifted.

10:  Brings you fully into your body and fully into the present moment:

Without a doubt having a cold shower brings you 100% into the present moment.  It is very difficult for the mind to wonder if you are in the middle of a 1 minute cold shower.  You are totally focused on your body in the here and now.  Try and worry about something else when you are having a cold shower. It’s kind of impossible.

11: Cheap and environmentally friendly:

Cold showers are a very green thing to do.  It costs virtually nothing plus you are saving energy by not using hot water.  I personally only have a 3 minute cold shower due to our current water restrictions.

12:  Clears negative thinking:

Our cells contain water, and water holds memory of our thoughts, beliefs and lifestyle.  Regular cold showers help clear those cells of negative thinking supporting a more positive way of being.


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