Three years ago, it was just a few Knights looking to make a difference - not sit around and talk about it, but actually get up, get dirty and make one. Today those five UCF students have spread their bright idea to ten different campuses in the United States, they’ve cleaned lakes and even built playgrounds. They’ve taken T-shirts and turned them into tote bags. They’ve even built shacks out of aluminum cans. Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions, or IDEAS, is a platform for environmentally conscientious people to grow in awareness, learn from research and act to benefit the environment in their community. Co-founder... [Read more]
Who knew that litter had a history? It wasn’t the casual tossing of a Styrofoam cup out of a convertible that caused the bubonic plague, but it was black rats, infected by fleas, living in unsanitary conditions. Let’s leap forward to today from the 14th century and reconsider that Styrofoam cup. Close your eyes and imagine it sitting on the side of Curry Ford Road. It’s spring and time for a little rainwater or dew to collect in that cup. What self respecting mosquito wouldn’t be attracted to that sturdy, non-biodegradable condo to start a family and spread a little West Nile virus? Litter is an important enough... [Read more]
Finding ways to be energy efficient can be tough. Owning a home and trying to make it energy efficient with a limited budget can be even tougher. When funds are tight and costs are high, sometimes it seems like the savings for going green don’t outweigh the costs it takes to get there. That’s where OCHEEP comes in, offering a new way to help Orange County homeowners save money on electric bills and have fun while doing it. OCHEEP stands for the Orange County Homeowner Energy Efficiency Program. It’s an educational program that offers a rebate incentive to participants. The program teaches homeowners how to save money on their... [Read more]
For the past 41 years family-owned Rinaldi’s Air Conditioning Service has provided Central Florida with exceptional HVAC service and installation, becoming one of the largest, highest-rated companies in the industry. Eighteen months ago, after noting an increased consumer interest in obtaining a more energy efficient home, Rinaldi’s set out to again establish themselves as a leader in an entirely new industry. Fast forward to today and, thanks in large part to their newly formed Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions Team (REST), they have again succeeded. The Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions Team (REST) team trains on one of their new insulation... [Read more]
A new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation is set to establish numeric limits on the volumes of phosphorus and nitrogen nutrients that would be allowed in lakes, rivers, springs, canals and springs throughout Florida. Why does that matter to you? Most phosphorus and nitrogen pollution comes from storm water runoff, municipal wastewater treatment, crop fertilization and livestock manure. The new EPA regulations would set a numeric limit to the amount allowed to be in Florida waterways. According to Congressman Adam Putnam and opponents of the regulation, the average Floridian could be paying as much as $700 a year more in utility fees... [Read more]
