We all love beautiful gardens. But beautiful gardens usually require vast amounts of water, a substance that is in short supply in thirsty and dry Las Vegas. In order to combine our love for beautiful gardens and the need for water conservation we can turn to the technique of Xeriscaping, an ecologically sound way to have pleasing landscaping in Las Vegas.

The term xeriscape is a combination of two words. Xeros is Greek for dry and it is combined with a portion of the word landscape. Put simply, xeriscaping involves planning gardens that conserve water, something that is become increasingly important to the landscaping in Las Vegas.

The first and most obvious way to conserve water in planned gardens is to select plants that do not require more water than the environment can naturally provide.

Often the best choices are native plants. In terms of landscaping in Las Vegas this means selecting plants that are native to the Nevada desert.

The next important consideration involves soil type. In the past landscaping in Las Vegas meant wholesale replacement of soil and plants, and this often included selection of non-native plants and soil that could not absorb and hold water. When planning a garden using the xeriscaping method, it is important to choose soils that can retain water.

Soil can be further improved by adding compost. The natural bacteria and fungi in compost helps soil both conserve water and give nutrients to the plants.

Composted soil becomes aerated and allows for better water absorption and retention, which is crucial to any landscaping in Las Vegas.

To help the soil conserve water and adhere to the purpose of xeriscaping it is also important to cover the areas near plants with mulch. Mulch provides a barrier to the burning desert sun that can dry the soil and cause it to lose water through evaporation. Because of the dry climate any landscaping in Las Vegas should include mulch because combined with the right soil the water savings could amount to as much as fifty percent.

It's not enough to simply choose plants that use less water than existing plants. The new plants have to be divided according to their own level of water use and placed together. When using xeriscaping for landscaping in Las Vegas it is important to group plants together according to their water needs and place the plants with the greatest water consumption nearest the water source.

Xeriscaping also requires careful selection of watering methods. There are two ways to think of watering methods when planning landscaping in Las Vegas and both center on how to avoid water loss, or waste, due to the burning sun. A method such as a drip system that allows water to be placed nearest the plant without having to travel through the air is best. On the contrary, sprinkler methods that shoot water through the air waste a considerable amount due to evaporation. It is also important to minimize water loss by regulating the time of day when plants are watered. During midday when the sun is highest and the temperature is hottest the greatest water loss occurs. It's best to avoid this time of day for watering.

Lecture by Professor Richard Muller of the University California, Berkeley. Taken from Lectures 20 and 21 of the spring 2008 webcasts of Physics For Future Presidents. Also known as Descriptive Introduction to Physics. Emphasis is on conceptual understanding, rather than mathematics. This lecture deals with the physics of climate change, the data on global temperature and carbon dioxide changes, and some potential solutions. Also covered are the many mistakes that can be made, including the trap of exaggeration. He warns against the danger of cherry picking and overstating the case. When people discover that the exaggerated case is not valid, they may dismiss the problem altogether. Professor Muller has researched this topic for many years and has co-authored a book with Gordon MacDonald called "Ice Ages and Astronomical Causes". The reports of the IPCC are referenced much during this lecture. The full IPCC reports can be found here: www.ipcc.ch This lecture can also be found here, along with many other lectures: webcast.berkeley.edu
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Over 8 million total views. Now there's a book: "...superbly crafted...A must read." -Gen. Anthony Zinni, US CENTCOM Commander (Ret.) "This book trumps most of our accounts of the global warming crisis." --author Bill McKibben "Al Gore should share his Nobel peace prize." -The "New Scientist" "This is a tremendous book and well worth anyone's time to read.... You're in for a treat—Craven is funny as well as exceptionally clear, and wise." --Kim Stanley Robinson, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of the Mars Trilogy and Science in the Capital "This is a terrifically thoughtful book.... Cravens book shines an illuminating floodlight on how we think about global warming." --Ross Gelbspan, author, "The Heat Is On" and "Boiling Point" On Amazon: snurl.com Greg Craven (that's me!), the creator of "The Most Terrifying Video" never intended to write a book. It just sort of happened. All as a result of the two-year back-and forth I've had with the YouTube community about this video and its follow up marathon "How It All Ends." So now "What's the Worst That Could Happen? A Rational Response to the Climate Change Debate" is available from Amazon and other sellers through the links at www.gregcraven.org, as well as your local bookstore (I hope!). Check it out if you're intrigued by the argument in this video. On Amazon: snurl.com Trailer for the book: www.youtube.com What the critics are saying: www.gregcraven.org Download a 25-page preview: www.gregcraven.org In the press: www ...
Video Rating: 3 / 5

"Wisconsin's Changing Climate: Impacts and Adaptation" is the first comprehensive report from the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) and the first comprehensive survey of climate change impacts in Wisconsin. The report proposes a multitude of measures to help protect and enhance Wisconsin's natural resources, economic vitality, and public well-being as the state's climate becomes warmer and wetter (to see the full report, visit www.wicci.wisc.edu). Watch as Daniel Vimont, co-chair of the WICCI Climate Working Group and assistant professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides an overview of current and likely future climate change across the state.

American Steel Buildings Discusses Construction Concerns for Climate-Controlled Self StorageHere We Will Discusses the Finer Points of Installing Air Conditioning in a Mini Storage Building. Climate Controlled Storage.

The average size of a self storage steel building is about 43,000 square feet. That's a lot of area to heat and cool, especially in an energy-efficient manner. There are a lot of people who end up costing themselves more money just because they don't know any better.

Regular self storage buildings only have a 2 inch vapor barrier that goes in the roof to prevent moisture and condensation from forming. Climate control storage buildings, on the other hand, have actual insulation to provide temperature control and better moisture control.

Some people will just put 6 inches of insulation in the roof and 3 or 4 inches in the walls. We like to recommend 6 inches in both the roof and the walls because it helps with energy efficiency. The small extra cost just isn't that much more.

It's just like a house in that if you don't have much insulation, your energy bill can really go higher than it needs to. Unlike in a regular mini storage, climate control depends on airflow, and moving the airflow within the units.

Some folks actually run ducts into each unit, but that's rare and expensive. If you're on a budget, you'll do fine running a 5-ton unit in a 30 ft. building with several returns and ductwork down the hallway. Maybe put ducts in every third unit, if you want. We've even seen people do ceiling fans in the building down the hallway to increase circulation.

Climate control storage costs about .00 to .50 more per square foot in terms of building costs, but it can also make you more money than regular self storage.

With a climate-controlled self storage building, you can charge more for rent in the units. And there are ways to build it without breaking the bank, though it depends on what area of the country you're in. Southern construction crews are generally cheaper, and if you buy your materials in the Midwest, the pricing is better per square foot. We can help in this area.

Between the turquoise blue water and the spectacular coral reefs lie islands so intriguing they boast a few of the high vacationer numbers of the islands in the world. 5 Primary Islands are the product of the Indian Ocean. They are in no specific order Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Mombasa and Zanzibar.

White sandy beaches offer lazy days in the sun. A True seaside holiday is the Indian Ocean islands.

Seychelles

Seychelles are uniquely totally different to all of the islands. Flights from South Africa are approximately 5 hours. Defending the coral reefs Seychelles have enforced limited number of lodges to its islands. Only 16 of the a hundred and fifteen islands supply accommodation of which solely three provides multiple lodge - Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. Limiting the amount of individuals that can visit these islands ensures no overcrowded beaches. This nevertheless does come at a price and Seychelles are costlier than Mauritius.

Maldives

North East of the African continent approximately 9 hours direct flight to the islands of Maldives. Maldives include Atolls which make up the separate islands. Most resorts are positioned on their very own island which makes it a very distinctive experience. A few of the finest diving websites are in the Maldives and due to the remote location and guarded reefs Maldives are typically more expensive than Mauritius. Accommodation within the Maldives range from Seaside Bungalows to Water Villas that are constructed on stilts in the water.

Zanzibar

Throughout its mainland Tanzania lays the island of Zanzibar also referred to as Unguja. This island offers are real rustic beach holiday. Luscious palms to old metropolis (Stone City) excursions every part is obtainable in Zanzibar. Flight time from South Africa is 4 hours. A yellow fever inoculation for South Africans, Malaria precautions and a vacationer visa to be paid for is a number of the requirements to visit. Resorts are wonderful and presents high quality eating and nice variety. Conventional shows and heat tropical water promises a great vacation or honeymoon.

Mombasa

Mombasa is simply off the coast of Kenya, connected to the mainland by two deepwater harbors and about 5 hours flight from South Africa. Ideally suited to combine a seaside vacation and safari journey as Kenya presents really nice parks. Reasonably priced with quite a lot of resorts Mombasa is a good holiday escape. A yellow fever inoculation and vaccination in opposition to cholera for South Africans and Malaria precautions are the requirements to visit. The Indian Ocean islands are a should for your subsequent vacation or that after in a lifetime special honeymoon.Mauritius Island

East of the African continent lies Mauritius, the island of Love. Widespread for a wide range of lodges and offer excellent value for cash and ideal for honeymooners and weddings. Solely 4 hour flight from South Africa and no visas are needed by South-Africans. At current no Inoculations or malaria precautions are wanted which make it an easy inexpensive destination for South-African households and couples. Mauritius resorts boast among the largest selection water sports activities between the islands that are a should on any beach holiday and most are included in packaged deals. Mauritius accommodation is generally hotel style or seashore villas.It's not advisable to go to Mauritius without effectively informed, that's the case of Michaella Hart who was killed in her room on 10 January 2011. The safest and surest means is to consult and compare the hotels price on a lodge evaluating website online like MauriTravel.com. List of Hotels in Mauritius.