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Because just about everything is made in China these days, it's no surprise that solar panels are too. Westerners have enjoyed many great deals on solar panels made in China. In fact, in recent years, China has manufactured more solar panels than any other nation--though they have been notoriously slow to adopt solar energy themselves. Changes are afoot, however. Reports suggest that China has plans to retain some of that solar power business and install a stunning increase in solar at home. It's a good thing, too, because countries like the U.S. have plans to impose tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels to help support domestic sales.

The Cost Increase on Chinese Solar Products

Americans can expect to pay 14% more for solar panels made in China (1). That increase is bound to hurt Chinese sales of solar goods. This increase has not pleased the Chinese, of course, and some solar product manufacturers have vowed to bypass the U.S. market altogether. Recently, one-third of the American solar market has been supported by products produced in China. As a consequence of this tariff increase, U.S. consumers will have to pay more for their Chinese goods--unless Chinese manufacturers lower their price, which is what some companies, plan to do to remain competitive in the U.S.

Alternatives for Solar Consumers

While the governments continue to battle over these tariffs, many consumers prefer to avoid the increasing prices and shop for solar panels from auction services that specialize in solar materials. For instance, Heritage Global Partners "have specialized in the sale of solar panel and related solar manufacturing equipment globally for the last 30 years." (2) Buying high-quality used materials is a great way to save money while moving toward a more sustainable form of energy production. Many companies and individuals prefer to save money by purchasing assets like solar panels at auction and find the experience ideal for meeting their needs. In spite of the wave of new Chinese tariffs on solar products, you can still go solar affordably.

Sources:

1. MarketWatch, "U.S. Prices on Solar Products to Rise on China Duties," http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-prices-on-solar-products-to-rise-on-china-duties-2014-06-19

2. Heritage Global Partners, "Solar Panel Manufacturing," http://www.hgpauction.com/solar-panel-manufacturing/

Where did the wildlife go? That's a scary question, but one that scientists and observers are posing in the wake of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The solution deployed to clean up the 210 million gallons of Louisiana crude spilled was the oil dispersant Corexit. Three years later, the evidence suggests that this wasn't the right way. Those who've come in contact with the substance are reporting disturbing symptoms - nose bleeds, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, and others. Wildlife in the area is also suffering; fish eggs and coral larvae are reportedly dying as a result. The long-term impact on a multitude of organisms that depend on the health of this region's ecosystem, will undoubtedly demonstrate similarly disastrous results.

Are there oil spill remediation solutions that do not compromise the health of the local ecosystem? There are. The following are some of environmentally-sustainable ways to respond to the next man-made environmental disasters.

Let there be Hair!

One innovative solution is to stuff nylons with human hair and place them at the site of an oil spill (as was the case with the BP Deepwater Horizon). The idea came by a chance viewing 11 years earlier of a similar technique used to clean up oil after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. They used fur and the viewer conjectured that if fur could do it, maybe hair could as well. When tested, hair picked up "a gallon of oil in less than two minutes for about $2."

Putting the Functional in Fungus

Certain oil-munching mushrooms are natural absorbents used to clean up oil spills. This is a process called bioremediation, in which native or introduced organisms absorb oil, break it down and render it much easier to clean up. G-Clean uses a similar technology of bioremediation, via a plant-based, bioremediation agent. This solution relies on colloidal chemistry. Micelles are formed which penetrate and immediately begin breaking down long-chain hydrocarbons into smaller units. Once this occurs, resident bacteria are able to ingest and biodegrade via bioremediation. The product is ranked as Ultimate Biodegradable, the highest biodegradability ranking as determined by ASTM Standards (2.1 ASTM D-5864).

Pine Shavings to the Rescue!

Who knew that pine shavings, the stuff generally discarded at lumber yards, could have such a useful second-life? Like hair, pine shavings are an effective (and environmentally-friendly) oil spill absorbent option. The one drawback is its smell, which can cause respiratory problems for some wildlife.

Making Hay out of the Beach

Another naturally helpful substance for oil spills is hay, which can also provide a nice sideline for local farmers.

Bees are Amazing!

We need them for flowers and plants and now it turns out these workhorses can help us with cleaning up oil spills. Beeswax balls (or microcapsules) have hydrocarbons that stick to and "eat" oil. Once the maximum oil has been ingested, these balls explode, releasing enzymes, water, and carbon dioxide -providing a healthy snack for marine organisms.

Bonus: Peat Moss

This soft, fuzzy, almost cute stuff is tough. Impenetrable and sponge-like, peat moss is natural soil erosion control. Used for oil spill cleanup, it serves as a natural catcher's mitt that collects oil and makes it easy to retrieve.

Sources:
"11 Eco-Friendly Ways to Clean Up American's Next Oil Spill" from Takepart: http://www.takepart.com/photos/oil-spill-cleanup-alternatives-to-corexit/much-ado-about-mushrooms.
"G-Clean Industrial Cleaner" from E&B Green Solutions: http://www.ebgreensolutions.com/products.

Today, a month and two days after Spring Equinox, is the Earth Day. A few days ago we celebrated the Earth Hour and now we dedicate an entire day to environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970 and now it's organized by the Earth Day Network and takes place in more than 192 countries each year. Over the years milions of people all over the world take action to make the Earth greener and safer and today everybody can act to contribute the Earth Day.

But what is the sense? Will something really change? Will climate change end today? Of course not but what we do today should be repeated every day of our lives. All these daily actions will make the difference. In the past years the word has been spread and a new green generation is ready to face and solve the problems made in the past years.

Earth Day this year is dedicated to green cities. Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities. As the urban population grows and the effects of climate change worsen, our cities have to evolve. According to the Earth Day Network we have to improve three aspects of our cities:

Energy. Most of the world currently relies on outdated electric generation structures that are extremely inefficient and dirty. Renewable energy is the energy of this century.

Green Buildings. Buildings account for nearly one third of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Through simple efficiency and design improvements to buildings we can reduce those emissions drastically.

Transportation. The fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. We need to improve standards, increase public transportation options, invest in alternative transportation, and improve city walkability and bikeability.

But what you can do today not to feel guilty and to help the environment? If you want to join this global movement there are two ways:

Online activism. Lend your voice, spread the word from your computer.

Local campaigns. More than 192 countries (almost all in the world) are celebrating Earth Day. Join the nearest campaign to you.

One of the causes that brought to the first Earth Day was an oil spill in California and today we're still fighting against the same dirty and polluting kind of energy source. It sounds repetitive but change is necessary and change depends from the number of people involved, so let everybody know that today is the Earth Day.

For more details on green cities and global campaigns go to earthday.org

The Growth of the Green Movement infographic created by Fast Haul, highlights the roots and development of the green movement in the United States, popular environmental ordinances that have been enacted in certain regions and are now spreading across the nation, and the top ranked "greenest" cities in the U.S. today. Happy Earth Day everyone!