Environmental Job Market To Expand

Green Jobs Will Flourish

First Published Date: December 7, 2013 ADawnJournal.com

The current financial situation worldwide has reached such a point that a number of industries are suffering from severe cutbacks, and experts in a range of areas are finding their job prospects marginalized, if not altogether blocked. This is not a situation that anyone is overjoyed about, but for the individuals who find themselves in such situations, public sympathy is pretty cold comfort. Trying to find a way of improving the situation is something that involves a lot of effort – both for the authorities whose place it is to create and nurture the circumstances where it will be less of a problem, and for the individuals who are currently in a position they would not have chosen.

In such a set of circumstances, you can hope that the efforts to improve the situation prove successful – which will inevitably take time – or you can take steps yourself to improve your situation. If you are currently unemployed this may mean taking on short term work in another field. Or you can take steps to increase your employment prospects by up-skilling. The latter is something you can even do if you are in a job at the moment, but fear that it may come under threat in the near or immediate future. And if you are seeking to take this step, one potentially very wise option is in the environmental sector. Although the credit crisis is biting in a range of areas, governments are still aware that they have responsibilities to the environment, and are wisely avoiding taking their eye off that ball.

Alternative energy sources and environmentally-friendly manufacturing – among a number of other things – are being looked at closely by governments and businesses. This is partly out of altruism – no-one really wants to have “I destroyed the planet” as their legacy, after all – and partly out of the fact that eventually, renewable energy sources and materials are going to be vital in terms of keeping a business afloat – the scarcer a product becomes, the higher a premium it will have placed on it. This makes f or opportunities in the environmental science sector, as there remains a lot to be discovered in the sector, and indeed a lot of current knowledge to be refined and put into practice.

There is no way of putting this particular genie back in the bottle. Governments and businesses are now tied to legislation that makes environmental issues impossible to ignore. However much it costs up front, it will save in return when the situation is normalized. And for the individual who learns the ropes of environmental compliance, there will be opportunities to turn that knowledge into a secure job, an income stream and something they can really put into practice. It may even allow some of us to set up our own businesses, thus allowing thousands, even millions of us worldwide the chance to draw our own road map to a greener, brighter future. It’s a journey we are all going to have to take – isn’t it better to be in the driving seat?

To streamline and minimize blog maintenance, I will be discontinuing maintaining the Thegreenlivingblog.com website (however, I will still hold the domain). I will gradually move all articles from this site to A Dawn Journal. This article originally published on the above website on May 14, 2009.

D-Link Wireless AC1200 Dual-Band Router Review

D-Link Wireless AC1200 Dual-Band Router Review

First Published Date: December 17, 2013 ADawnJournal.com

D-Link Router Review

The last router I bought was probably ten years ago and so much has changed since then. What routers can do these days were unthinkable 10 years ago. So it was about time to upgrade my router.

When I hit Staples to check what kinds of routers are available, I was surprised to see so many different versions and different bands. For example, I did not know that computer maker Asus makes routers these days as well. After going through a myriad of choices, I picked the D-Link Wireless AC1200 Dual-Band Router.

Some of the Features

– Next generation 802.11 AC technology. It offers 3x speed than 802.11N.

– Dual band capability. You will have two different wireless Internet from the same router on two different bands at Up to 300Mbps (2.4GHz) + and 867Mbps (5GHz) speeds.

– There are apps to video monitor, control home network, stream digital files, and setup your router from your phone or tablet.

What I Like

– Initial setup is very simple and easy. If you install the smart phone app (QRS Mobile) and follow instructions, it takes about 3 minutes.

– Dual band comes very handy for different sets of tasks. For example, I use one for regular Internet use and the other band for streaming (to watch Netflix, TV, etc.).

What I Don’t Like

– All other smart phone apps (except QRS Mobile) are very user unfriendly and do not work properly.

– You need to go through a complicated registration process to use mydlink Lite app and most people will give up after going through half way.

Last Word

Although AC1200 Dual-Band Router is a pricey one, it’s worth its price. It provides a very powerful WiFi signal and you should not need to buy another router in at least 10 years.

Global Warming – G8 Nations Aren’t Doing Enough

Global Warming - There Is Work To Be Done

First Published Date: December 22, 2013 ADawnJournal.com

For environmentalists who look to the world’s established economies and governments to provide a positive lead on global warming, the news emanating from the World Wildlife Fund’s research looks gloomy, it has to be said. The news which has emerged this week is that none of the G8 – the group of eight nations which between them set the trends for much of the world to follow – has managed to do enough to curb global warming. Even worse news comes for the North American green movement with the revelation that sitting in spots seven and eight are the United States and Canada respectively. With this year seen as a pivotal moment in time for the purpose of reversing the global environmental trend, the outlook is decidedly frosty.

It cannot be doubted that Canada will feel it has the most to be embarrassed about. Although the United States recently elected Barack Obama to the presidency after eight years of the hugely Enviroskeptic leadership of George W Bush, President Obama has had less than half a year to turn things around, and Canada’s fall has as much to do with a shortfall of work on the part of the government to ensure that it is meeting its targets. With five months to go until the G8 leaders meet in Copenhagen, Denmark seeking to agree a new deal to replace the embattled Kyoto protocols of 1997, Stephen Harper’s government has not implemented a plan to curb emissions. According to the WWF, Canada is some distance off meeting its Kyoto agreements.

Although President Obama can feel personally proud that the report praised his efforts to prioritize cleaner, greener energy, he may reflect on the report’s conclusion that per capita emissions in the US are among the world’s highest and projected to increase. Pointedly the report mentioned that the Obama presidency had led to more action in the States in the last four months than in the previous three decades, adding that this trend “will hopefully continue”. A qualified thumbs up for Mr. Obama, then, with the caveat that his actions will continue to be monitored. He may be invited to start by taking action to limit the future temperature rise for the United States to a level two degrees Celsius above the levels pre 1900, action he is yet to take.

If Canada and the US are bottom of a poor grade, then the lukewarm congratulations must go to Germany and the United Kingdom. Both nations recently gave an improved share of the vote to their respective Green parties, but the real headline news for each is that Germany has promoted renewable energy and set a target of a 40% cut in greenhouse gases by 2020. The absence of clear implementation plans prevented them from getting full marks, while the United Kingdom’s success in not only meeting but surpassing its targets came with a small cloud attached in the shape of its markedly non-green record in transport. There remains work to be done between now and the Copenhagen meeting.

To streamline and minimize blog maintenance, I will be discontinuing maintaining the Thegreenlivingblog.com website (however, I will still hold the domain). I will gradually move all articles from this site to A Dawn Journal. This article originally published on the above website on July 7, 2009.

Alexandria Day Trip – Part 4 | Egypt Travel Blog: Day 1 (Part 9)

Egypt Travel Blog: 10 DAYS Egypt Explorer - Felucca Cruise & Red Sea

Just arrived in Alexandria – The Ancient Feelings

Upon arriving in Alexandria, I felt the same ancient feeling like I felt in Cairo, but from a different perspective. The contrast between Cairo and Alexandria was palpable.

The coastal side of Alexandria, especially the area along the promenade (the waterfront area on the Mediterranean Sea) looked like a European city, but with a touch of ancient history. The architecture, shops, cafes, people…everything looked different than Cairo. The guide told me that you can find the prettiest girls in Egypt in Alexandria.

The general population in other parts of Egypt were darker skinned and you see less light-skinned and white people. But in Alexandria, it is flipped. Here you will see more light-skinned and white people and less dark-skinned people.

I saw some lime-yellow-coloured trams on the street. My guide told me this is one of the oldest tram systems in the world that is still operational. Alexandria trams are rumbling, clackety, old, and terribly slow. But they are fun and bear a part of history.

Alexandria is a quiet, laid-back and quaint city, which offers a blend of old history with traditional urban and natural beauty.

Alexandria benefits from its year-round pleasant weather bolstered by the coastal winds off the Mediterranean. Egyptians and foreigners alike enjoy spending time in Alexandria during the summer and winter.

During the winter, Alexandria’s temperatures stay around 20°C / 68°F by day, and around 10°C / 50°F at night. In the summer, highs can reach 30°C / 86°F or even 32°C / 90°F sometimes, but never as hot as Cairo.

Alexandria is also a haven for food lovers. You can try freshly-cooked beef kabobs along the Cornish with an amazing coffee. Also, I saw a fresh seafood market where you can choose freshly-caught seafood and the open-air restaurants will cook them right in front of your eyes while you enjoy sitting in the sun.

Our first stop on the itinerary was the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa.

The 2013 World’s Most Expensive Expatriate Cities

The 2013 World’s Most Expensive Cities for Foreign Workers

First Published Date: December 25, 2013 ADawnJournal.com

ECA International, a consulting firm that provides data and software in employment solutions to assist companies, recently released their report showing the most expensive cities in the world for foreign workers.

For the first time, Caracas (Venezuela) is on the top of the list replacing Tokyo (Japan). Here are the top ten cities most expensive cities in the world:

1.    Caracas (Venezuela, last year 7)

2.    Luanda (Angola 4)

3.    Oslo (Norway 3)

4.    Juba (South Sudan 14)

5.    Stavanger (Norway 8)

6.    Zurich (Switzerland 9)

7.    Geneva (Switzerland 10)

8.    Bern (Switzerland 11)

9.    Basel (Switzerland 12)

10.    Tokyo (Japan 1)

Some highlights from the list:

– If you are wondering how can Luanda or Juba be on that list, you are not alone because I am wondering about it too. The report suggests high import and transportations costs are the causes.

– Switzerland and Norway have 6 cities in the top ten list.

– No U. S. Or Canadian cities on top ten list.

– According to ECA, Caracas being at the top may be short-lived

– Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai are catching up and climbed up on the list.

– In the Middle East, cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Dubai have gone up significantly.

– Australian Cities Sydney and Canberra have gone down dramatically from their last year’s top 20 position to 31st and 39th position.

To view the full report, visit ECA International.