Month: March 2007

Ethanol vs. Gasoline: How Each Impacts the Environment and Politics

One of the greatest debates concerning the future of energy use surrounds the differences between ethanol vs. gasoline. Each of these fuel substances is riddled with pros and cons, yet two of the most powerful issues surrounding these fuels are environmental concerns and politics. Regardless of how powerful the environmental argument for ethanol, gasoline wins out when it comes to politics in the ethanol vs. gasoline debate.

If you watch the gas prices fluctuate from holiday to holiday and season to season, it s easy to see that gasoline is big business. Nations have fought wars over the precious supply of oil that is difficult to find, drill, and refine. Still, there are concerns from environmentalists of the effects of reckless farming methods that may take advantage of land and labor in third world nations. In conclusion, when it come to ethanol vs. gasoline, it is important for consumers to know the way energy use is changing. Be watchful for cars that will run on mixed fuels or ethanol only.

Environmental Concerns

When it comes to environmental concerns, there are many differences between ethanol vs. gasoline. There is no question that the combustion of fossil fuels has lead way to many environmental concerns. In fact, it is proposed that transportation fuels are America s largest polluters. The burning of petroleum-based fuels produces the majority of pollutants such as carbon monoxide, reactive organic gases, and nitrogen oxides that American cities suffer with. For this reason, many fuel oxygenates have been created to counteract these emissions. While ethanol is one such oxygenate, MTBE or methyl tertiary butyl ether is another. MTBE is proven to be a water pollutant and is considered to possibly be a human carcinogen.

When comparing ethanol vs. gasoline, it is important to understand that ethanol can either be used as an additive to gasoline or on its own. The use of ethanol either mixed within gasoline or on used its own can have a powerful impact on the amount of pollutants produced. The use of ethanol can reduce the carbon monoxide emitted from the tailpipe by 30 percent. In addition, VOC exhaust emissions can be reduced by 12 percent. Ethanol use has also been used to reduce toxic emissions by 30 percent and PM emissions by more than 25 percent. Ethanol is slowly replacing the use of MTBE mentioned above. Unlike MTBE, ethanol is significantly less harmful as it is non-toxic, biodegradable and water soluble.

Interior Design in the Living Room Sets the Theme

The best interior designers will design homes that have themes, or they might end up with a chaotic feeling for the family and the friends that gather. The designers know that a theme for a home will unify the living spaces to provide the most comfortable living for their clients.

The clients may not realize this at first and may decide they want leopard skins in the family room but ultra modern in the living room. If these rooms are placed closely together, the two rooms might make for an uncomfortable feeling. The job of the interior designers should be to work with the clients to decide on a theme for a unified design.

Living rooms vary greatly from home to home. Some living rooms are quite large and need a lot of furniture to fill up the space. Some living rooms are very small because they are intended only for small, formal gatherings. Other living rooms are combined with the family room and the kitchen. Those in charge of the interior design in the living room must contend with all of these variables. The best designers will take all of these factors in stride and provide a wonderful living room for every client.

Interior Design in the Living Room Will Cater to the Use of that Space

Each client should know what they want to do in the living room, and they should make this information clear to the designers in charge of the interior design in the living room. Some clients will have lots of space so the living room can be reserved for very special, formal occasions.

They will be able to use their family room for casual activities such as playing pool or watching television. Some clients will have less space, and they will have to watch television and visit in one room. The interior design in the living room will have to accommodate all of the activities of the client.

The designers in charge of the interior design in the living room should also consider the ages of their clients and their family. Those with very young children may want to use the living room differently than those without children.

Those with young children may want a very comfortable, informal design where the children will feel relaxed as they play. Some clients may entertain extensively so their living rooms will have to accommodate their functions. A good designer will be aware of the needs of the clients and make sure that the rooms are designed for entertaining.

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