Fossil fuel contributing more to greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities cause the planet to warm up is no secret. The warming leads to extreme weather changes more frequent than ever. In order to slowdown the deterioration of the world environment, sustainable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are required and required immediately.

BP estimates that carbon dioxide emissions just from fossil fuel alone will be increased by 29 percent by 2035 from 2012 levels. Major contributor is the growing use of coal by developing nations. Aggressive policies and programs are required to slowdown the unsustainable increase in greenhouse gas emissions. However many challenges are existing at this time preventing developing a worldwide consensus for how to handle the issue. It was announced recently that the US and China agreed to a policy to limit and to cut down greenhouse emission levels by 2035. Commitments of these kinds of non-binding bi-lateral agreements are hard to monitor and implement. Entities such as the United Nations are working vehemently to come up with a binding agreement to cut down gas emissions. Each government should take the matter to the heart and work to corporate in order to save the planet for generations to come.

How Safe are Electric Fences?

Electric fencing can be a huge benefit to farmers looking for humane ways to control the spread of livestock on a property. The fences give the animal a small shock, which helps to mentally teach them not to lean or trample the fence. It’s good for the property owner, who spends less money on fencing. It’s also beneficial to the garden as the fence helps keep vegetables safe from unwanted pests. Electric fencing is safe, but you have to know how it works to be able to make an informed decision about whether using it is right for you.

History of Fencing

During the 1950s, electric fencing became a popular means to control the population of livestock on a farm. The construction of electric fencing goes all the way back to 1832, but both New Zealand and the US began using them in the 1930s. Bill Gallagher was one of the early proponents, having rigged a fence through a car ignition. The main purpose was as horse fencing, but it helped to control all cattle on the farm and keep them within a property’s limits. From crude to well designed, fencing has changed dramatically since then. Especially as it pertains to delivering the shock to the animal in question.

How Fences Work

When the animal touches an electric fence, the shock that is felt is the result of a high voltage pulse the fence produces. Bare wire is strung across the length of the fence, and a power energizer sends electric pulses through it. Every fence needs something to ground it, so there is typically a metal rod forced into the earth to complete the full circuit. Even a solar powered electric fence follows these same conventions, with the only change being the light-absorbing panels and batteries that store the charge.

Volts and Amps

The true measure of safety is found in the amount of amps transferred to the subject during a shock. Fence makers like to play on a customer’s lack of knowledge, bragging about voltage with little said about amps. Voltage helps generate the current, but the amperage is what causes the shock. Typically, an electric fence sends a minimum of 2,000 volts. This is equivalent to the type of shock you receive touching a door knob.

Final Thoughts

Electric fences are safe for most livestock. Smaller animals can suffer pain from the shock if the fence is turned up too high, so fine tuning your fence to deliver the proper shock is essential if you have dogs or other small animals near your fence.

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