I was pondering this because I just used Yahoo's carbon footprint calculator within their green site. They break down your CO2 emissions by home, car and air. Since I don't drive I was basking my ZERO car emissions glory when I read that I will produce 10.9 tons of CO2 in the air this year. Wow! I went back and made up some car numbers for my self, and I was able to produce 13.6 on the road. That made me feel a bit better, but not really.
I have also taken cruise ships before, are they better? How is one to get from the US to Europe or Asia without stinking up the joint aka planet earth. With a bit of searching, I found the following online, From the Guardian UK http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2006/dec/20/cruises.green. It quotes lots of sources and it does look like taking an ocean liner to Europe is worse off then taking a long haul jet to England France, Germany or where ever you are going in Europe.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Carbon Footprint - 10 things to can do today.
So, on that trip to London we flew. Spraying CO2 all over the place. I just went to CarbonFootprint.com and calculated my flight. Total CO2 = 3.962 tonnes. I am not sure what what that equates to, or if that's broken down to just me or the whole plane... but it sure sounds like a bunch.
I also took a trip over to Climate Crisis and they have a calculator of their own. I am sure there are plenty more out there.
However; who really needs one of these things? We are all producing way too much and using way too much. All of this has an effect and it needs to stop. Here is a little list, that I hope it lets us all do a little bit each day. Try out these ideas and help the planet today.
Good luck greening your town today.
I also took a trip over to Climate Crisis and they have a calculator of their own. I am sure there are plenty more out there.
However; who really needs one of these things? We are all producing way too much and using way too much. All of this has an effect and it needs to stop. Here is a little list, that I hope it lets us all do a little bit each day. Try out these ideas and help the planet today.
- Walk whenever possible
- Use reusable shopping bags
- Recycle
- Use efficient lighting (replace burned out bulbs with more efficient ones)
- Bottle your own water
- Plant a tree
- Purchase Food Locally (farmers markets and local farms)
- When replacing old appliances, get the most efficient possible.
- Buy a beanie and turn down your thermostat or buy a bikini and turn off the AC.
- Bring your own silver ware and plates when you know they will have paper and plastic. (Have you seen those awesome potato utensils?)
Good luck greening your town today.
Car Sharing - no more need to own your own car.
In the United States and in the United Kingdom, car sharing services are becoming more and more available. While recently in London, I discovered, quite by accident, another ZipCar lot.
Here in the Bay Area ZipCar Flex Car and City Car Share have been common place for years. While Zip Car and Flex Car have many locations around the country, City Car Share is a bay area car sharing service. In other cities like Philadelphia, you have Philly Car Share, Boulder has CarShare.org and Austin has Austin Car Share.
Having grown up in Los Angeles, with its less than perfect public transportation service, I can easily see how many of us need to own our own vehicle in order to get to work, grocery shop and generally just get to where you gotta be. But for those of us who just use a car from time to time this is an excellent alternative to help out the environment. How does this help out? It reduces the overall need for more cars. Less cars needed, less cars need to be made. Further, you can pick and choose the car you want or need each and every time you use the service. Moving? Get a van. Driving on a trip? Get something very fuel efficient like a hybrid.
If you are hanging on to your car because you need it on weekends, then stop. If you live in an area serviced by one of these companies, then use them. If not, I bet there is a car rental service around. Right? Sell or donate your car, start walking more and when the need arises, use one of the car sharing services that are popping up all around us.
Thanks!
Here in the Bay Area ZipCar Flex Car and City Car Share have been common place for years. While Zip Car and Flex Car have many locations around the country, City Car Share is a bay area car sharing service. In other cities like Philadelphia, you have Philly Car Share, Boulder has CarShare.org and Austin has Austin Car Share.
Having grown up in Los Angeles, with its less than perfect public transportation service, I can easily see how many of us need to own our own vehicle in order to get to work, grocery shop and generally just get to where you gotta be. But for those of us who just use a car from time to time this is an excellent alternative to help out the environment. How does this help out? It reduces the overall need for more cars. Less cars needed, less cars need to be made. Further, you can pick and choose the car you want or need each and every time you use the service. Moving? Get a van. Driving on a trip? Get something very fuel efficient like a hybrid.
If you are hanging on to your car because you need it on weekends, then stop. If you live in an area serviced by one of these companies, then use them. If not, I bet there is a car rental service around. Right? Sell or donate your car, start walking more and when the need arises, use one of the car sharing services that are popping up all around us.
Thanks!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Green Energy Stocks drop in 2008
In 2008, many green stocks are down 20-30 percent from their December peaks. This is due in large part to the credit crunch caused by the downturn in the mortgage market. This drop in green stocks is led by the solar panel manufacturers. But is this going to hold?
With the growing need for eneregy efficiency, there should be a growing demand for energy stocks well into this decade. There are a couple of notably great things about solar panels that you should now. First is that they will allow you to create energy for your house, or eventual electric car, just from the rays of the sun. The next great thing is that in many areas you can actually sell back your unused electricity to the power company and get a credit onto your bill each month. Solar should be around for many years to come, so why are they dropping so much?
The reason is that many investors are moving their money into more stable and larger blue chip stocks. Thus choosing to sell off smaller or growth stocks which may be putting downward pressures onto these company stocks. So what to do? I definitely don't know the answers, but I do know that most smart investors get into good stocks when prices drop.
With the growing need for eneregy efficiency, there should be a growing demand for energy stocks well into this decade. There are a couple of notably great things about solar panels that you should now. First is that they will allow you to create energy for your house, or eventual electric car, just from the rays of the sun. The next great thing is that in many areas you can actually sell back your unused electricity to the power company and get a credit onto your bill each month. Solar should be around for many years to come, so why are they dropping so much?
The reason is that many investors are moving their money into more stable and larger blue chip stocks. Thus choosing to sell off smaller or growth stocks which may be putting downward pressures onto these company stocks. So what to do? I definitely don't know the answers, but I do know that most smart investors get into good stocks when prices drop.
Safe removal of unused paint
Just about every home has some type of half filled paint can lying around the garage. We keep these cans because we are all afraid that one day we'll need to touch up the paint around the house and need the colors again. I hate to say it but that rarely happens. My wife made us keep about 13 cans of paint in the garage last time we painted the house. And its been about 3 years with no paint ever being used.
So now, we are looking at removing the paint...but how to do it. Paint is a hazardous material and not something that should be disposed of with care. What you need to do is contact you local city government to find the right procedure for disposing of this waste. Most city governments will have a drop off location where the city will assist in properly removing this waste. There may be a fee, so definitely ask the right questions.
Oil Based Paint
If you have oil based paint an no city help to remove your waste you need to visit, Paint.org as they will have some guidance for you regarding your unused paint.
Water based paint is less toxic
Not all cities have these types of disposal sites. So, I suggest that you visit Lowes website as they have some helpful tips for removing your unused paint safely.
So now, we are looking at removing the paint...but how to do it. Paint is a hazardous material and not something that should be disposed of with care. What you need to do is contact you local city government to find the right procedure for disposing of this waste. Most city governments will have a drop off location where the city will assist in properly removing this waste. There may be a fee, so definitely ask the right questions.
Oil Based Paint
If you have oil based paint an no city help to remove your waste you need to visit, Paint.org as they will have some guidance for you regarding your unused paint.
Water based paint is less toxic
Not all cities have these types of disposal sites. So, I suggest that you visit Lowes website as they have some helpful tips for removing your unused paint safely.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Toyota leading again
Toyota is starting to capitalize on its lead in hybrid technology. Now the auto maker is off to the races to develop plug in hybrids. Toyota expects to have plug in or electric only vehicles on the road by 2010.
GM's attempt at the hybrid technology with the Volt is seeing increased delays. GM's development on battery technology to be used with the Volt has not been very successful. When announced last year, the Volt was heralded as the vehicle to change the industry as it was able to make a 40 mile journey on only electric power.
The increased competition has to be good for both the consumer, the industry and of course the environment.
GM's attempt at the hybrid technology with the Volt is seeing increased delays. GM's development on battery technology to be used with the Volt has not been very successful. When announced last year, the Volt was heralded as the vehicle to change the industry as it was able to make a 40 mile journey on only electric power.
The increased competition has to be good for both the consumer, the industry and of course the environment.
Friday, January 11, 2008
J & J goes Green...LOVE IT!
Field sales reps drive around all day and call on medical professionals for J & J. They have thousands of these people and guess what, J&J is going GREEN! They are starting a wave of buying Hybrid cars for their field sales reps. I love it because it is a bold and fantastic move by the medical giant.
Way to go J&J. Thank you for supporting our environment by buying Hyrids. Buy you know what they don't seem to advertise it. I think that they should publicize this great move and put pressure on other major companies to also come forward and take an interest in preserving our environment.
Way to go J&J. Thank you for supporting our environment by buying Hyrids. Buy you know what they don't seem to advertise it. I think that they should publicize this great move and put pressure on other major companies to also come forward and take an interest in preserving our environment.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Put your money where your mouth is.....
Investing into Green Energy companies is not only a wise move but one that has powerful socio-economic meaning. It says to the world that you are trying to do your part to help bolster a better world to live in.
Now with all of that said, there is a more important reason to invest in Green companies...and that is to make money. Yahoo wrote a great article on investing into green companies via mutual funds. This is a great way to start because after all, who knows which technology will prevail...really?
Read about the Green funds at Yahoo.com
Now with all of that said, there is a more important reason to invest in Green companies...and that is to make money. Yahoo wrote a great article on investing into green companies via mutual funds. This is a great way to start because after all, who knows which technology will prevail...really?
Read about the Green funds at Yahoo.com
Monday, January 7, 2008
The most Eco-friendly US president?
Who is going to be the most eco-friendly president running in the 2008 campaign? Right away we can rule out the republican candidates, as republicans are typcially more business friendly and less concerned about the environment.
Far and away the best presidential candidate is John Edwards. He has the best plan to curb the global warming problem and isn't afraid to talk about it.
Far and away the best presidential candidate is John Edwards. He has the best plan to curb the global warming problem and isn't afraid to talk about it.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Toyota on the RISE !
Toyota became the number two car maker in the US at the beginning of '08. While Ford saw a huge drop in car sales in 2007, Toyota was bolstered by strong Hybrid sales.
The US car makers need to understand the critical importance of making energy efficient vehicles.
Putting all of my Pro-US feelings asside....Go TOYOTA Go !
The US car makers need to understand the critical importance of making energy efficient vehicles.
Putting all of my Pro-US feelings asside....Go TOYOTA Go !
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Recycle, Recycle, Recycle
To keep our towns beautiful, shouldn't be that difficult, should it? Since I live in Los Angeles, I see how difficult it can be for a large metropolitan area to keeps its streets beautiful and clean.
As I drive to work each day I see the hard work of our cities gang bangers as they spray paint on everything not covered by ivy. As I walk from my car I see bums littering trash all over the place... But we have to remember that is just a few. It is up to the rest of us, the majority of us to do our part to keep this world beautiful and clean.
The Los Angeles City Recycling Program was started in 1989 by the Los Angeles City Bureau of Sanitation , the recycling program includes clean paper, cans, glass, all plastic bottles, and greenwaste. Over 700,000 households in the City have special recycling dumpsters at their homes and offices to help distribute and separate the trash. This type of work helps to keep our city cleaner and to reuse valuable resources, and limit overall waste in city dumps.
What can you do? Simple, go to your city council meeting and learn about how you can impact your cities trash waste. There are dump sites in your local area that keep filling up with city waste. You can put pressure on your local government to implement policies and procedures to limit city waste and thereby keep your city more beautiful. It is important for us all to do our parts.
Do More...
As I drive to work each day I see the hard work of our cities gang bangers as they spray paint on everything not covered by ivy. As I walk from my car I see bums littering trash all over the place... But we have to remember that is just a few. It is up to the rest of us, the majority of us to do our part to keep this world beautiful and clean.
The Los Angeles City Recycling Program was started in 1989 by the Los Angeles City Bureau of Sanitation , the recycling program includes clean paper, cans, glass, all plastic bottles, and greenwaste. Over 700,000 households in the City have special recycling dumpsters at their homes and offices to help distribute and separate the trash. This type of work helps to keep our city cleaner and to reuse valuable resources, and limit overall waste in city dumps.
What can you do? Simple, go to your city council meeting and learn about how you can impact your cities trash waste. There are dump sites in your local area that keep filling up with city waste. You can put pressure on your local government to implement policies and procedures to limit city waste and thereby keep your city more beautiful. It is important for us all to do our parts.
Do More...
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