Green Teen

Cars Could Run on Recycled Newspapers

Newspapers can be just as eco-friendly as the Internet. How?

A recent study, published by Tulsa University scientists, shows that car could run on recycled newspapers!

The scientists at Tulsa University have discovered a bacterial strain, called TU-103 that can convert cellulose in papers to butanol--a biofuel that can replace gasoline.

This is a major discovery because previously, other strains of bacteria have always been killed off by oxygen, but TU-103 stands up to oxygen and still produces butanol.

Butanol is much more safe, less erosive than ethanol and can be adapted to much more easily.

Replacing the use of gasoline by butanol will prove to reduce carbon dioxie an smog emissions, compared to gas, as well as having a positive impact on landfill waste.

For more information:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110825105024.htm

Eco-tip of the (bi) week: RECYCLE! Almost everything can be recycled, you'd be surprised. Keep a separate trash bag for plastic cans, aluminum, paper, styrofoam, paper. The tabs on soda cans? Those are actually recycled to produce medical equipment (Google Ronald McDonald can tops or soda tops). So many things spend ages in the landfills, never decomposing, bringing harm and clogging up our already polluted world. Did you know? These are everyday items that are thrown away, showing how fast they decompose from least amount of time to the most:

• Paper Towels
• Newspapers
• Milk Cartons
• Plastic Bags
• Styrofoam
• Aluminum Cups
• Six-pack rings (like those on sodas and beers)
• Water bottle
• Fishing Lines
• Glass

Gone Too Soon?

Lately, I've been listening to a lot of music from musicians who have died at an early age. I may sound a bit morbid by saying that, but I find it heartbreaking and fascinating to listen to the immense amounts of potential in such young artists.

One of my favorite bands is The Doors. The lead singer, Jim Morrison, died at the age of 27 from an alleged overdose. He was part of the "27 Club," or celebrities who passed away at the young age of 27. He was a singer, a lyricist, a poet, a young star who died too soon.

Another young talent lost was Bradley Nowell, the lead singer of Sublime. The band's sound with Nowell as the original lead singer was like no other. Their songs were full of depth wrapped in humor, and they were one of the best ska punk bands of the 90's.

All these early deaths make me wonder about how these bands would have sounded if they had been able to continue to grow as musical talents. Would their fame even be acknowledged as great, or would they be cast aside as just another band from that generation? Would their music be as influential as it is today if they hadn't kicked the bucket?

It makes you stop and think about music today and who is becoming famous for what. Is talent measured in longevity or instant popularity? I believe that regardless of age, good music is good music. All that a band really needs to become successful is passion for their craft and determination. And I don't necessarily mean monetary success. If today's musicians could pour their heart and soul into their art, the music scene would flourish with originality again.

Who knows, the next Jimi Hendrix (another "27 Club" member) could be in our generation.