Author: Evelyn Long

Evelyn Long is the editor-in-chief of Renovated, where she covers sustainable housing and improved building techniques for readers interested in a greener future.

Environment

9 Myths and Facts About Environmental Toxins

Post author By Evelyn Long
Post date January 4, 2023
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Environmental toxins on food — There's a lot of misinformation about what environmental toxins are and how they affect humans. Image source: Deposit Photos

Learning about environmental toxins can be frightening, but there’s also a lot of misinformation about what they are and how they affect humans. By definition, environmental toxins are substances that can negatively affect our health and include a variety of chemicals or organisms including carcinogens, BPA, and volatile organic compounds.

Given the wide range of substances out there, it’s not surprising that there’s a lot to unpack when you hear people discussing different toxins. What’s an exaggeration or piece of misinformation and what’s fact? Here are 9 myths and facts about environmental toxins you should know.

Climate

Top 6 Deadliest Hurricanes ever recorded

Post author By Evelyn Long
Post date November 7, 2022
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Hurricane Dennis was an early-forming major hurricane in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico during the very active 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Dennis was the fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season. In July, the hurricane set several records for early season hurricane activity becoming the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever to form before August; a title it held for only six days before being surpassed by Hurricane Emily. Dennis hit Cuba twice as a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, and made landfall on the Florida Panhandle in the United States as a Category 3 storm less than a year after Hurricane Ivan did so. Dennis killed 88 people—76 directly and 13 indirectly—in the U.S. and Caribbean and caused $2.23 billion (2005 USD) in damages to the United States, as well as an approximately equal amount of damage in the Caribbean, primarily on Cuba. Photo: US Navy 050709-N-0000B-003 (wikipedia)

Hurricanes are inevitable every year, but it often seems like they’re becoming deadlier with each passing season. On average, the world sees nearly 50 of these storms per year. Not all of them are devastating, but the ones that are will make the news and let you know just how much damage they caused. Here are the top 6 deadliest hurricanes ever recorded.

Unfortunately, this trend of severe hurricanes will likely continue due to climate change unless action is taken.

Are All-Electric Homes Feasible in the Near Future?

Post author By Evelyn Long
Post date September 25, 2022
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Electric vehicles are having a moment in the sun thanks to significant pushes to invest in the performance and energy efficiency of EVs. While electrifying our lifestyles isn’t perfectly clean energy, it significantly reduces our carbon footprint by lessening our nonrenewable energy consumption.

This leads many to ask – can we electrify our homes while we electrify our cars? With home construction thriving and 67% of homebuyers preferring energy efficiency as their top purchasing criterion, one constructive method of keeping costs down is going electric.

But what is an all-electric home, and are they feasible?

Environment Energy

Electric Vehicles Include More Than Just Cars

Post author By Evelyn Long
Post date August 19, 2022
1 Comment on Electric Vehicles Include More Than Just Cars

Vehicles powered by electricity are steadily taking over the world and becoming more popular. As more people push to fight climate change, electric vehicles (EVs) should be seen on the road more and more. EVs are a net win for the planet, helping people adapt to machinery-heavy commuting and work needs with far less reliance on fossil fuels.

However, the electrification of the automobile industry encompasses more than cars for individual consumers. The extent of the push for electrified vehicles reaches into the construction industry, warehousing, and bicycle commuting, too. Learn more about the extent of electric vehicles in the market today.

People Environment

7 Ways Daylighting Design in Building Impacts Your Health

Post author By Evelyn Long
Post date July 26, 2022
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Daylighting is a design technique architects and building designers use to make the most of the sun and increase a building’s appeal. They achieve this design using solar tubes to capture and reflect light throughout the building. Light shelves and skylights also increase the amount of sunlight in a room.

Environment Climate Global Warming

Construction Technology Enabling Sustainable Building

Post author By Evelyn Long
Post date June 24, 2022
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Sustainable building creates affordable housing

The growing effects of climate change have forced many industries to rethink their best practices and find more eco-friendly solutions. The construction sector is no exception, as companies have implemented many new technologies to reduce pollution and waste. Here are some of the most influential additions to construction and how they’ve enabled sustainable building.

Global Warming Climate

Buildings in Cold Climates Aren’t Ready for Climate Change

Post author By Evelyn Long
Post date May 24, 2022
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Photo: Houses in Oppland, Norway on Deposit Photos.

Fluctuating temperatures are causing severe weather events. Greenhouse gases are the culprit, insulating the Earth and trapping heat in the atmosphere. What we do now to protect the planet is crucial, as many houses need updates to fight climate change.

Global Warming Climate Environment

How to Protect Coastal Regions from Flooding Risks

Post author By Evelyn Long
Post date April 21, 2022
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View of flooded New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Photo by Commander Mark Moran, of the NOAA Aviation Weather Center, and Lt. Phil Eastman and Lt. Dave Demers, of the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center, all commissioned officers of the NOAA Corps, flew more than 100 hours surveying Katrina's devastation. Eastman piloted NOAA's Bell 212 Twin Huey Helicopter from August 31 to September 19. All three men took dozens of aerial photos from an altitude of several feet to 500 feet. - http://www.katrina.noaa.gov/helicopter/helicopter-2.html, Public Domain, Link

Combating climate change requires battling threats on multiple fronts, especially when it comes to flooding. Coastal residents have a unique waterborne threat that destroys livelihoods numerous times each year. We should consider ways to protect these regions from flooding and advocate for long-term solutions.

Energy Environment

Inspiring Ways Microgrids are Used Around the World

Post author By Evelyn Long
Post date March 23, 2022
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Microgrid in Cape Verde — An example of microgeneration via a microgrid in Cape Verde, using small wind turbines, solar PV and energy storage to power a community. Photo by Munro89 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

A microgrid is a small power grid with its own control capabilities, meaning it can operate independently from large traditional grids. They act as energy-efficient alternatives to primary sources that power large land areas throughout the world and help give underprivileged populations access to electricity, air conditioning, and other utilities.

How do microgrids work, and how have we used them to create a better world? Here are the basics of microgrids and some inspiring examples of what they can do.

Environment

10 Coolest Ways to Transform Waste for Housing

Post author By Evelyn Long
Post date January 13, 2022
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Home building and design have come a long way. While most homes rely on materials like concrete, plaster, and masonry, new technologies are making it easier to convert construction and household waste into usable materials – opening up more doors for eco-friendly buildings.