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The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has released a list of the 12 Greenest Vehicles of 2007. And pushing the Prius aside is none other than a car powered by…natural gas? The Honda Civic GX runs on a compressed form of the fuel and while its mgp range doesn’t beat many on the list, it is one of the least polluting cars on the earth, with close to zero-emissions. As some point out though, you have to be really dedicated to put up with the GX’s limitations. For starters, unless you plan long distance drives around refueling stations, you might end up needing a tow. CNG fuel can’t just be toted around in portable containers. A smaller tank than other Civics also means more frequent refueling. A “Phill” refueling appliance can be purchased for the home, but it’ll cost about $4000 by the time you’re done. Not to mention that even with rebates, you’ll be spending several thousand more for the car. The GX has some really great aspects and is definitely a step in the right direction - people who live near stations and make short close-to-home trips could really see savings. But what about the rest of us? Cars for the right price, right now - even if you can't afford a hybrid 1. Honda Civic GX 2. Toyota Prius3. Honda Civic Hybrid4. Nissan Altima Hybrid 5. Toyota Yaris - This little manual gets 34 city and 40 highway mpg. The automatic is also good. 6. Toyota Corolla - Highway drivers can go far in this manual. It gets 41 mpg. 7. Toyota Camry Hybrid 8. Honda Fit 9. Kia Rio / Rio 5 10. Hyundai Accent 11. Hyundai Elantra - An automatic with 28 city and 36 highway mpg. 12. Honda Civic - Always a decent choice. The civic is roomy and an automatic, with 30 mpg city and 40 highway.
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A government-funded report out of the UK questions whether organic foods are actually less harmful than their intensively-farmed counterparts. While it does question whether “all organic” is better than “all conventional”, it’d be a bit misleading to say they’ve questioned the benefit of every organic product. Unfortunately that assumption could easily be made after viewing recent newspaper headlines. The report found many organic foods have a lower environmental impact, but items like milk, chicken and tomatoes, which it was discovered pollute more and are much less energy efficient, swayed the study in favor of conventional agriculture. Some things the study did not take into consideration; increased biodiversity thanks to organic farming, improved soil condition, animal welfare and water use. Not to mention hormones and antibiotics. Who hasn’t heard the worrying reports on those issues lately? Britain’s main organic certification body, the Soil Association, admits raising poultry and growing vegetables out of season can be less energy efficient when done organically. But they pointed to the overlooked factors, which they say outweigh others. So what message should we take from this? Don’t be afraid to go to your local Whole Foods and get all the organics you need. Especially those the Environmental Working Group calls the “dirty dozen”; apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, grapes (imported), nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, raspberries, spinach and strawberries. Other often recommended organic products…none other than milk, poultry and beef.
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A tipping point on global warming is said to be close at hand in the U.S. Politicians, leading businesses (including GE, of ecomagination fame) and economists have been joining up with environmental organizations to push for laws limiting greenhouse gases. So far the Bush administration has brushed off calls, while maintaining a commitment to deal with the problem through alternative fuels and new technology. So how do you deal? Waiting for the government to get its act together could take some time, even if the current news is somewhat reassuring. Making personal changes now can show everyone where your priorities lie. Look for a green power provider in your state and grudgingly accept the premium in favor of cutting emissions. After you update your home to increase energy efficiency, like buying CFL light bulbs and increasing insulation, you probably won’t even notice a difference. If some areas of your life can’t be trimmed, carbon offsets are available from a variety of sources, like CarbonFund.org, to help you atone for your greenhouse gas contributions.
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The American Solar Energy Society has recently released a 200 page report explaining how concentrating solar power (CSP), photovoltaics (PV), wind power, biomass, biofuels, and geothermal power, along with increased energy efficiency, can significantly reduce carbon emissions by some 1.2 billion tons a year by 2030. " Takling Climate Change in the U.S." is the name of the 200 page report. The report shows that renewable energy has the potential to provide 40% of the U.S. electrical need projected for 2030. The combination of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy could provide 50% of the 2030 need. Have you been thinking of investigating solar energy? Check out our Google map of renewable energy projects to learn more about what works and what others are already doing to combat climate change. FindSolar is a pre-screened national directory of renewable energy professionals. Find a solar energy installer in your area who can provide a quote and expertise on a variety of solar energy systems. It’s time for all of us to take control of our carbon emissions.
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A series of concerts planned for July will be showcasing musical talent from around the world. The concerts called “Live Earth” are being organized y Al Gore and the Save Our Selves (S.O.S.) campaign for Climate Crisis. The concerts will take place on July 7, 2007. London, Sydney, Shanghai and Johannesburg and Rio de Janerio have been confirmed as locations for the simulcast performances. Each of the seven concerts are planned to last between four and eight hours. The responses from the music community so far have been very positive. Kevin Wall who organized the Live 8 concerts has said that bands are moving their concert tour dates around in order to be part of the event. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg are some of the big names that have already signed up. The goal of the concerts will be to get the message of climate crisis out to billions of people. As Mr. Gore says “we have to get the message out to billions.” Climate change is the one issue that affects all of us. Check LiveEarth for updates on concert locations and bands.
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I recently experienced firsthand that low-chemical paint can go a long way in making a room look great and making the painter feel good about their home improvement project. It all started when I looked up at the cupboards above my washer and dryer, for the hundredth time, and felt dismayed at the extent of their ugliness. So I was off to the Home Depot, where I asked staff in the paint department what could be used to update my cupboards while saving my lungs from the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) off-gassed from almost all paint products. They directed me to a lonely shelf, where two kinds of low VOC paint sat - eggshell or semi-gloss. Since I wanted white it was an easy trip, adding color tints would have taken more time and added more VOCs back into the mix. There was a bit of an off smell I’ll admit, but it didn’t give me that nauseas feeling I recalled from previous paint work. Even in a small bathroom, where I painted trim, and the laundry room, the paint almost completely lacked fumes. It didn’t cost me any more and it looks great. I’ll never be able to go back now, and I don't know why anyone would want to.
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Next Monday is one of our favorite days of the year here at The Renewable Planet. It’s the Savers / Value Village 50 % off sale! What’s so great about Savers, you ask? It’s the ultimate in recycled clothing, accessories, books, furniture and more. We’re heading down early for some great deals. I’ll be the one with the stick fighting off rival bargain shoppers (just kidding). Not only can you put together a one-of-a-kind costume, there are some great casual, trendy or classic finds if you’ve got a bit of time to search. I spent a few high school years wearing my way through the same items my parents once bought off the rack. And even though I’ve now thankfully moved on from the bellbottoms and polyester phase, Savers still works. For the daring designers who like to make new clothing from old, this store is the place to go. I once put together a very sad looking jean patch skirt, so who knows; maybe the redesign bug will bite me once again -- like it did these teens, who were handpicked by Savers to breathe new life into found fashions. No one expects you to follow their high-fashion cues, but who knows, maybe you'll be able to update a few pieces. Either way it'll be new to you. If you want to know what happens to the items you donate to a store, Savers' website provides all the info. From charities the company supports, to recycling unsold items by donating them to developing nations. Let us know if you find anything and tell us about places you like to shop second hand.
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Who doesn’t love getting free stuff? And for that matter who doesn’t love pawning off their junk (and I mean that in the nicest sense of the word) on someone who’ll make good use of it. You’re probably thinking “ Freecycle” and that’s the same thing I, and many others, would have thought no less than a month ago. Since the day I signed up my mailbox has been flooded with offers for television sets, couches and baby clothes. Had I ever found the time to sort through them I might have a pretty impressive clutter collection by now. The point I’m getting at it is it took a lot of patience to sort through Freecycle emails and I don’t have very much. So when I first heard about Gigoit (Garbage In, Garbage Out), I was intrigued. It too is based on the premise that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. The best part is this, it’s really simple to use, and there’s no mailing list! It all started when two friends from Missouri thought they could do the online-donation concept better, and it seems they really did. So far it’s available in the U.S. but there are plans for this non-profit to go worldwide. You’re not restricted to viewing items in one area either, so you can find items for friends or do some freebie hunting while you’re on vacation. Get out a camera and use Gigoit to start your spring cleaning early. ![]()
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Well it's been a week since the release of the UN’s IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report that states that "warming of the climate system is unequivocal.” The cause of the warming is “a very high confidence that the globally averaged net effect of human activities since 1750 is one of warming.” The term “very high confidence” relates to a specific calculation that denotes a 90% probability of being correct. If this was a horse race I would bet the bank. Unfortunately gambling on our future health and survival on the planet is not something to risk losing.
Recent surveys show that consumers are willing to go green but only if the price of green products is not more than other similar “non-green” products. In fact many green products can save money if the math is understood. Compact florescent light bulbs are a great example of this. For a small up front cost the light bulb saves 60% annually on electricity costs and over the reported seven year life span reduces replacement costs as well. In future posts DailyGreen will continue to examine the barriers to human change in the fight against climate change. Send us comment with your ideas and tips for going green.
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If you paint a mountain green is it considered green-washing, feng
shui for the countryside or just another western concept lost in
translation? Villagers in western China have found their neighborhood
has been beautified by government workers who have been literally
painting the side of a mountain with green paint. Workers have told
local residents that they were just following orders but unsure as to
the reason why. The side of the mountain has been gradually
removed as part of a quarry for over 20 years. So the local community
has lived with raw exposed rock as part of the view for many years.
Another suggestion is that soil erosion in the area from forestry
activities combined with the quarry has resulted in an unstable
landscape. However the local forestry department was unaware of reasons
for the paint job. Green paint can’t really pass for grass and
trees. Does the mountain look better for the decorating? – You can be
the judge of that in the picture from Associated Press.
I tend to think that because “green” in the English language can mean a
concept, an emotion or a color, the Chinese translation is more than a
little rocky.
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We decided to take pity on all you stragglers. You know who you are, you forgot to order something off Gaiam for your Valentine and now you’re thinking about whether he or she would be satisfied with a card. Don’t worry; you can be creative even if you live nowhere near your favorite earth-friendly gift store. Yummy fondueIf you haven't already stocked up on an assortment of organic fruits, take a few minutes to pick up your sweetie's favorites. You might also need some other ingredients. This recipe from About.com can be made as is or you can use your favorite substitutes. - 1/4 cup margarine
- 8 ounces dark chocolate
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 2 tbsp soy milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Optional - 1/4 cup flavored liqueur (Kahlua)
All you do next is melt the margarine, soy milk and chocolate before mixing in the remaining ingredients and transferring to a fondue pot. If you don't have a pot, pre-dip all the cut up fruit and arrange it on a tray. Bring the spa to themIf you're not at home in the kitchen - or really want to make the day special - put your inner masseuse to work for a Valentine's Day to remember. If you don't have any Good Clean Love products, grab some olive oil out of the cupboard and get busy setting the mood. Olive oil mixed with avocado can make a great facial, while mixing it with rosemary can soothe aching muscles.
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Maybe your heart's not yet as big as Ed Begley's, who it was announced yesterday won the Ecorazzi Big Heart's Celebrity Contest with his wife Rachelle Carson, but you still have the rest of the day (and maybe a bit of tomorrow if you're lucky) to get your butt in gear and find that perfect green Valentine's Day gift for your significant other. From fair trade chocolates to a cozy organic cotton robe, we figure the good gifts are easy to come by. So instead we've decided to reiterate what you should already know - some of the best intentions can make bad gifts. Things you may not want to buy for Valentine's Day - Mineral deodorant - While you may be thinking, "If it's good for the planet and my health, it must be good for the person I love," think again. Most people won't enjoy receiving a gift that seems to come with a subtle hint that they smell.
- TerraCycle fertilizer - This one's really a judgment call. Some avid gardener types may really enjoy a bottle of liquefied worm poop, but chances are no one else will be able to see through the droppings to the romantic intent behind it.
- Method cleaning products - Unless the person you're trying to woo loves cleaning, skipping all soaps that aren't for the body is a good idea. If you still feel your first instinct was right, at least go for the candles or aroma pills and capsules. And no matter what you try to tell yourself, just because the new mop looks sexy, doesn't mean it will make your partner feel sexy.
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If children are our future, then here is an opportunity for them to imagine and shape their own future; at least as relates to renewable energy. Imagining Tomorrow is a contest for students to submit their written and video ideas for the future of alterative energy. The contest is open to all US high school students. Young people are aware of the issues we face as regards to energy and climate change. In fact they are probably more aware than many adults. Projects can present solutions for economic, climate or cultural issues around renewable energy. There is $10,000 in cash awards up for grabs for students progressing through regional and state competitions. The competition is run by a Massachusetts based non-profit called The Foresight Project in partnership with the Northeast Sustainable Energy Society (NSEA). For more information check out the winning projects from 2006 at the Foresight Project.
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Well, we're off to the 2007 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto tomorrow. And seeing the Green Vehicles section they're bragging about, we're anticipating there will be quite a bit to look at. Some of the cars sound pretty practical, although I'm a little put-off by one concept, the Ford SynUS. Why anyone would ever want a vehicle named after the nasal cavity is beyond me, but I'll wait to see it before I prejudge too much.
What we're really looking for are the cars that have a future on the road or are already there. We'll be asking questions you want answered and seeking out the real winners. With over 1000 vehicles on display it'll be quite the job.
So you can't afford a Tesla and the promises of hydrogen technology are too far off, that doesn't mean there's not a car for you out there right now. Make sure to check back for photos and video of the big event.
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Imagine - washing your laundry without using any detergent. Ok, I'll admit my first thought was that this sounds a bit like a scam with potentially gross consequences, but I've since been convinced (by people I know and trust...and who don't smell) that it might actually work. The idea is this: placing two strong magnets inside the washing machine creates a magnetic field that alters the molecular structure of water, similar to the way detergent does. No chemicals, fragrances and no rinse cycles are needed, so not only would you save money; you'd be saving water too. A product to replace laundry detergent? Now that got my attention. One website goes on to explain in detail how the magnets are supposed work, but unfortunately much of it goes over my head. I do know one thing though; I would love to rid my home and clothes of all laundry-washing products, even the environmentally friendly ones, for reasons of money savings and convenience. And since I'm one of those people who are skeptical until they see it for themselves, I've decided to get my hands on a set of these so-called dirt magnets and find out whether they actually work. I'll let you know when I do.
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