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How to Keep Warm This Winter Just by Burning One Candle!



A friend emailed me a few days ago, ((waves to G.)), busy with industry as he built himself a heater of such revolutionary (but not new) proportions, that the Envirowarrior became excited and felt compelled to pass this marvel on, to all who would see and hear, and venture forward to save energy and money. All who would stay warmer this winter for the simple cost of a few candles. . (?)

Not possible you say, well guess again, as this ingenious invention is so simple a child can built one and a couple of these will set you up as warm as toast this winter, for about $5 per week!



The Kandleheeter as it is known, is an amazingly simple radiator which takes the small flame of a candle (or light bulb) and turns it into a heater that will grace the interior of any 21st century home - which you may correctly say - looks just like a bunch of upside down flower pots? And you would be right. You may also comment on how easy it would be to make one of them at home yourself. . . and you would be right there too, and in luck, because the guys at www.heatstick.com are so keen for you to get off the electricity grid, they have posted the step by step instructions for you to do just that (use the link below).

See the Promo movie

The Technical stuff goes something like this : Steel has the ability to approach the temperature of its heat source, so the Steel Inner Core is driven to Very High Temperatures of around 500-550 deg. Fahrenheit, by the burning candle flame which converts it into a very hot Internal Radiator.

The intense heat of the Steel Inner Core is transferred into the Three Ceramic Modulators (or pots), one into the other. The High Inner Temperatures are gradually reduced by the Increasingly Thicker Walls and Larger Surface Area of the modulators (outer pots).

The outer surface of the radiator itself becomes a Dry Heat Radiating Body with surface temperatures of 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit which covers an area of over 88 Square Inches (double that for cms).


Whilst the manufacturers claim that one of these will not heat up a room entirely, they say it will add to the heat in the room significantly, which is brilliant if you are burning fragrant scented candles anyway! However, if you have a couple of these burning in one room, you will find that it would significantly warm the ambient room temperature for the cost of a couple candles, otherwise wasted (for me that means saving incense money too, double bonus!)

You*ll find all you need to know on How to Make a Kandleheeter but a word (or two) of caution here too, if you are making one yourself. Take note that the head of the bolt is visible in the photo and would be a serious burn issue. It is covered by a ceramic cap in the finished (bought) unit. The cap is attached with high temperature cement. So you will need to consider this if you have small children, who should be asked to treat this as they would any naked flame or heater.

Also too you are asked to always make sure it is on a firm flat surface away from any drapes or soft furnishings. You will find all the things you need to know on the website.

It makes sense too, to remember that this thing is radiating heat so the candle will eventually melt unless you put it into a glass container, or better still get one of those oil burners with a wick.

To make the stand yourself : See the movie on how to fold it properly.

For those of you who want to mail order you can BUY ONE NOW for $29.95 (US Only) Please note: that the first time you use your kandleheeter it will not radiate much heat as it takes about eight hours to *dry out* the terracotta pots properly.


You will see that there are electric versions available which means you can turn your ambient lamps/ lighting into thermal heaters all around your room, without all the soot!




On that note, if using candles, the manufacturers also advise that the Kandleheeter COLLECTS SOOT!


They say : Soot associated with burning a candle is trapped in the layers of the radiator (which is better than on the ceiling) which it does brilliantly, but that soot has to be cleaned out. You could rinse it out with water, but then the radiator will need a 6-8 hour burn to be dried out again. So a better deal is to brush it out with a small pastry or paint brush, or vacuum it out. Easy done. DO NOT BLOW IT OUT WITH YOUR BREATH *Giggle* OR YOUR FACE WILL BE INSTANTLY BLACKENED AND YOU COULD EASILY GET SOOT INTO YOUR EYES.

The photo is of a Radiator that had been burning many evenings over several weeks. It shows a "light dusting" of soot and does not need to be cleaned. Better candles produce less soot. Check your radiator weekly to get an idea of how quickly soot is building up.

You are advised Not Allow Soot to Build Up Inside the Radiator Assembly!

Note to artists : You will be glad to know Soot is "lampblack," a pigment used in painting. You can collect the soot and make a superb black by mixing it into a small amount of Linseed Oil.

A final word from my friend on making your own: Using slightly bigger pots does generate more heat.

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June 16th 2009 @ 01:56

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Environmental
   


Exotic Bird Trade Finally Banned in EU!!



Apart from the cruelty and brutality and the fact that escaped imported species also puts a strain on individual environments; the continuing threat of viruses jumping from animals to humans in recent years, has finally caused some major world governments to take a long hard look at exotic animal trading. For someone like the Envirowarrior, this is a great blessing, as the madness and cruelty involved in both legally and illegally shipping birds and animals for the prestige set of the affluent world, has been a bane for many years, reaching (as it has) all time highs of depravity and brutality as the *industry* blossomed.

According to a recent paper published in the Journal Science, research revealed that between 2000 and 2006, the United States alone imported nearly 1.5 billion live animals from 190 countries across the world, mostly for sale as pets. Eighty percent of those animals came from wild populations in underdeveloped countries, whose governments continued to turn a blind eye and nearly 70% of them came from Southeast Asia, a known hotspot for emerging diseases which have made the jump from the animal kingdom to ours ; like the recent bird and swine flu*s.

The main animals of export from the Philippines are; snakes, turtles, monkeys, crocodiles, lizards and many already endangered species of native birds and in response to the growing concern to public safety because of Avian flu, some European and Asian governments have finally started to take things seriously and crack down on this activity as a public threat.



Amongst the first to act, the Philippines government gave people 60 days to register exotic pets to create a record of both exotic and endangered species, aimed at public safety, it also ensures that the animals themselves are visible in the care of more humane private individual keepers. A failure to comply is reported to risk (a) the confiscation of the animals, or (b) arrest. It is unclear if these confiscated animals are then released back into the wild or not?

In a non related report last week, I noted with curiosity an article which showed dozens of Philippine pet lovers bringing their dogs, cats, and rabbits to a Roman Catholic shrine for a rare religious ceremony to bless the pets in honor of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals?

However, across the planet a little and the European Commission has also started to take things seriously by temporarily banning the import of all live wild birds into Europe completely. The decision coming in response to calls from both the UK and German ministers, after an imported parrot into the UK tested positive for avian flu.

Prior to this ban, the European Union averaged the importation of 1.76 million birds annually, an amount equal to over 90% of the global annual market, so the news for a complete halt to operations was a major breakthrough for animal liberationists, conservationists and animal welfare groups like the Wild Parrot Trust and WWF.

A day of great celebration for them all, many who have been lobbying their individual governments for years and the pressure had been mounting behind the scenes. Luckily with the outbreak of avian flu adding its own urgency to the chorus of rationalizations, the bill was finally passed. It may be interesting to note here that despite the consistent urging of a grand total of over 230 conservation and animal welfare groups, constantly at the European Commission to halt the import of wild birds, it only took one case of avian flu to make it happen!

Interesting too to note that many new arguments against the trade have come from diverse statistics which are only now beginning to reveal the damage caused by escaped imports becoming invasive species. The findings clearly outlined in yet another paper, published last week in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, where the European researchers estimated that the controlling of such an invasive species, currently costs as much as US$10 million or more.

The report outlines further that;

The ban is also critical to the survival of parrots and songbirds in the wild. Though some parrot species are protected under Appendix I of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species which prohibits the commercial trade in those species, massive numbers of other birds continue to be imported despite scientific studies that show the trade is not sustainable. But the number of birds that make it to European shores represents only a small fraction of those harvested because 40-70% of all wild birds captured die before export.



Though the current European ban issued is temporary, activists see this as a victory as the risk from Animal and Wildlife-borne diseases is here to stay, possibly itself as a result of our mismanagement of our world and the other species on it in general. Many claiming that in today*s *world of risk* it no longer makes sense to import wild birds as pets at all, especially from high risk countries, which makes me very wary of the Australian black market taking off big time?

Meanwhile, and most sadly, for those who do still fancy a pet jaguar cub or rare parrot, the Mexican government is unmoving in turning a blind eye to their enormous trade in black market wild animals, which continues to threaten some of the world*s most exotic endangered species.

At the Sonora Market, a bustling bazaar, in the heart of Mexico City, traders illegally continue to sell animals alongside exotic herbs and folk cures inside its labyrinthine corridors, where despite being illegal, the laws are largely ignored. Conservationists like *Defenders of the Wildlife*s,* Juan Carlos Cantu continues to shudder as he watches a vendor stuffs a rare bird into a cage through his camera lens, aware that the statistics continue to rise dramatically, with an estimated 80,000 parrots captured illegally in Mexico last year alone. Around him, the stalls are packed with endangered yellow-headed parrots, boa snakes and squirrel monkeys.

Juan Carlos Cantu
Juan Carlos Cantu
Cantu knows only too well, that you can continue to get what you want, delivered to your home here in the heart of Mexico*s Cities lawless hive, including; young jaguars, crocodiles, eagles and a myriad of exotic parrots and Cantu knows only too well too, that 80% of the parrots will die needlessly before they are sold.


Who doesn*t remember the shock throughout the western world, when in the 70s and 80s, most of Mexico's illegally traded birds were discovered being smuggled across a porous U.S. border, tucked in cardboard tubes and drugged with tequila to stifle their calls. Not much has changed it seems and today, declining wild populations, stronger domestic demand and a general border clampdown means, 90% of parrots are sold within Mexico itself. A popular black market item like illegal drugs, tossed about by cruel pirate street vendors rather than through legal humane private handlers, mortality rates soar.

As for the law in Mexico, it reads something like this; that violators caught trading in exotic birds can receive prison terms of up to 12 years. However, this very rarely happens because all the authorities turn a blind eye to the animal trafficking in general. The truth is that in a regime still so rife with lawlessness, prosecutors have a hard time convincing congested courts to be strict with bird sellers in a country plagued with drug trafficking and kidnapping gangs.

Perhaps the saddest reality of all here notes Cantu, is not the lawlessness, but that as long as there is demand, there will be a market.
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June 1st 2009 @ 23:57

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Environmental
   


Only a Few Months Left to Get Rid of Your Incandescant Lightbulbs, or be fined!

A couple of years ago, in what looked like a bold, almost defiant new statement, the Canadian province of Ontario, announced that it was banning the sale of inefficient incandescent light bulbs by 2012. The move came as part of a broader effort to cut energy use by the turn of the decade.

The move by Ontario, Canada's most populous province came shortly after Australia*s similar announcent, which will make us amongst the first countries in the world to be incandescent free by 2010. Too bad we didn't get the vouchers and discount initiatives that Ontario government also handed out, but then the Howard government did give away lots of boxes of free florous...

~oOo~


Australian statistics are harder to find and I don*t have the time today, but the fact is that by replacing all of the 87 million incandescent bulbs in Ontario households with more efficient lighting, such as compact fluorescent bulbs, will cut electricity demand by 6 million megawatts an hour, annually ~ which is enough to power 600,000 homes for a year!


~oOo~

IF YOU DON*T ALREADY KNOW BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN ON MARS : Compact fluorescent bulbs (we are told) use about 75 percent less electricity than old-style incandescent bulb and by replacing about eight of them in your home, can save up to $60 on your electricity bill. Although depending on where you are, they do put the cost of energy up to compensate, so don*t expect too much of a saving!!

~oOo~

The Ontario government went a little ahead of us then and also pledged to only purchase energy efficient bulbs for its own buildings too, something Australia has lagged behind in doing. A spokesperson in Ontario however, said that this one action alone, represented a huge step forward in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, because on a large scale it adds to the equivalent of taking 250,000 cars off the road!

So little at a household level, so much for the planet.

Whilst on the roll, Ontario Energy Minister, Dwight Duncan
, also announced a number of energy-saving initiatives during 2007, including offering coupons for compact fluorescent bulbs and other energy-saving devices, as well as a 10 percent rebate on electricity bills to consumers who cut power use by 10 percent.

Would be nice to see Kev offer a few of those down under too, hey?


~oOo~


DID YOU KNOW? : That by changing just (1) of your everyday lightbulbs, to a compact fluorescent Energy Saver lightbulb, is the same for the environment as not driving your car for (2) whole weeks!

Not only will you be helping save the environment, but you will also be saving money on your energy bill and although it is not clear how you will be persecuted for burning a normal lightbulb after 2010, but you may save yourself a fine too, or worse, painting public toilets or something on community labour services. So be warned!

Compact Flourescent lightbulbs use at least 2/3 the amount of energy, generate 70 percent less heat, and last up to 10 times longer. So go ahead and change those lightbulbs and save some money as well as some coal.

~ isn*t that a bright idea!



Source: Reuters, onesweetworld.wordpress.com/
Photo by : J.P. Moczulski
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May 17th 2009 @ 02:00

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Environmental
   


Newsflash : Criminal Milk Carton Rings : Confirmed Killers of our Wildlife

Ask any city kid today where milk comes from and they*ll soon tell you it*s a supermarket, but all jokes aside, the Plastic Milk carton looks harmless enough, doesn*t it, I mean apart from the amount of it in landfills, but then that is probably because half the population still don*t put them in the proper recycling bins provided. Hint ; as recycled plastic they are quite useful things.


But this post isn*t about converting the converted or punishing the ignorant, hopefully its more insightful than that, because the envirowarrior has gone undercover to discover and expose another more sinister killer lurking unnoticed in these harmless daily items.

Yes, some of your already know, that seemingly *harmless* little blue plastic ring actually kills more birds and small rodent wildlife than ten feral cats, two foxes and a drunken rogue car driver, put together.



The fact of the matter is that birds put their heads through them; rodents too, even baby rabbits, turtles and lizards have been found dead by wild life preservation workers, all with these horrible killing devices around their throats. All caught out as they foraged for food and nesting materials (especially around tips and landfill sites).

Please, before you chuck out your milk cartons remove these killer plastic rings . . and cut them through.


That is unless you want to recycle them for something pretty like this lovely pull tab bracelet.




But if you are cutting them, why not keep going? By cutting a milk container in half you not only create a great plant or seedling pot, pencil holder, craft supplies container; or old nails, bolts and screws containers; virtually anything and they can be glued or sewn together into rows of practicality ~ but you can also use the other half of the bottle as a rather funky garage (or kitchen) funnel. Certainly something to remember in case you get stuck whilst crossing the Nulabor.


Whilst on the subject of illumination, check these milk carton Lamps out, I think they are Awesome !!



How cool are these?





For the Mum*s who want to pass on some good craft habits, why not have a look at Linda Brittain*s Milk Carton Puppet pattern Book. Puppets made from plastic milk cartons! Incredibly creative puppets and making them is easy when you follow the complete directions in this book. There are full size patterns for thirteen southwest animals included. This craft makes use of recyclable materials for fun and education.

Visit the website <<here>>


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May 8th 2009 @ 03:09

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Environmental
   


Recycling Paper into Art, Form and Style




I am always amazed at the things I find on the internet, at craft shows and on market stalls everywhere that people do to recycle and re use, particularly when art meets function and style.



But first, here is one I prepared earlier, myself.



Her name is Zsa Zsa. She died over 25 years ago now and despite being a little dog eared (pardon the pun) lives on, guarding her own special doorway, as she always did. I used old brown paper bags from the supermarket and newspaper and lots of glue to preserve her memory and put her together. Mouldings her was easy as I could feel her shape in my hands after 17 wonderful years of companionship during some of my loneliest years. Her legs have broken off a couple times during various moves and I lost one completely at one stage, as I did half her tail . . but she is still about in her indomitable way.




. . not into cats . .

What about a dog then?






No? still no good. . then how about a keepsake of your favourite Chicken, made from old magazine pages and plastic bread bags?




Here*s one for the boys, something to keep you occupied for a few days at least and I can*t help thinking how nice the wars would be if all the armies of the world had heavy artillery and bullets made like this one!



What about form and function, something like these amazing bowls and coasters,
which I discovered in the Oxfam shop. They are made from tightly rolled glossy magazines, which are wound around and around to create the bowl. Then glazed for added waterproofing.

~oOo~


Q: What do you call a paper guy hanging on a wall?

A: Art.




How about some paper jewelrey?



Or some new A4 Reflex lamps to brighten the house a little ?



Failing all that, what about some of the craziest art you*ve ever seen?

Egg Carton Art
Egg Carton Art


Egg Carton Flowers


Or Cut and Past Your very own Escher, perhaps?



How about a new paper and poly/plastic bag blend of envirohouse for the post 2012 world of tomorrow?



But perhaps one of my favourite Ideas of all, hanging mobiles from all those mental scribbles, lists and draft printouts of stories that never made the publishers ~ to remind you to keep trying ..



~oOo~

Don*t worry if you are not the creative, artsy fartsy type, because you can buy a shredder for about $100 from Big W and shred all your paper dragons : for pot plants and compost, or just straight on top of your garden beds. Add a bit of fish emulsion and you*ll have the best Tomatoes on the block.
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May 5th 2009 @ 23:52

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Environmental
   


Do You Remember The Humble Brown Paper Bag?

You all know how much I hate supermarkets and what they represent. So now I shop online, all delivered to my door. Problem solved right? Wrong, because I cannot use my cloth bags. Not good, but what am I to do, my shopping arrives in black plastic trays, all neatly bundled in masses and masses of plastic bags. . somestime two around one cabbage! Its almost enough to drive me back to the supermarket, but not quite.

I don*t understand it, the UK haven*t had plastic bags since 1985 (or thereabouts). Well you can get buy them, but they cost (back then) about 6pence to buy just one. Let*s say about 20 to 25 cents EACH! A great deterrent.
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April 24th 2009 @ 11:02

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Environmental
   


It*s the little things that make the difference.




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April 13th 2009 @ 09:23

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Environmental
   


As Delicate as A Spiders Web . .



The World is as delicate and as complicated

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March 23rd 2009 @ 22:07

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Environmental
   


March 15th is World Zeitgeist Day 2009

A little of the beaten track, but not by much, I just responded to Damo*s post about whether we need Conspiracy Thoeries or not, and noticed by coincidence that it was World Zeitgeist Day today, so whilst on the subject, I thought I would pad out my words from the comment and perhaps offer a few who haven*t seen this documentary yet, a chance to see it and make up your own minds as to the need for such *truths* in today*s world of shrinking freedom of speech. (Thank God for the net I hear you say?) . .

For me personally, Zeitgeist is perhaps the ultimate conspiracy film on 911 and our current banking system, amongst other things. It has been seen by some 60 million (?) folks around the planet, who claim growing awareness of the truth as a result. If you haven*t had the pleasure of these two films, then go <<here>> (make sure you watch the blue one first, not the eye, that is the Addendum made some years later and explaining the monetary system in detail).. you*ll need a couple hours, but they are such good value (especially for morons like me who didn*t really understand the Fractional Banking Reserve Monetary system that we currently live under and how it REALLY works and why we would need things like war to support it).
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March 15th 2009 @ 00:18

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Politics
   


Is it a Bird, is it a Plane..?



No, Its another MagLev Train
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January 18th 2009 @ 22:51

Posted By: Lilla - Category: Environmental
   


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