Making Your Planet Green

Air Car has no exhaust!

2007-06-14T00:40:00Z

What may be of interest to you and probably people you know is that the Air Car is being designed by a former formula one racer and MDI, is basically an electric car which uses compressed air (or combo air/petrol or ethanol) for fuel, will have optional 2, 4 or 6 cylinders, has fuel cylinders designed to split within a casing rather than explode in the event of a car accident, is made of light-weight aluminum, has only clean air for exhaust and will be on sale in 2008.

The CityCat model will travel at speeds up to 68 mph for up to 125 miles before refuelling with a standard air compressor which takes a few minutes or via electrical outlet which takes about four hours. The side note here is that it should not use an expensive or compromising amount of electricity ...and fuel efficiency is the winning ingredient.

I know... this sounds really nice.

It sounds like the current models are noisy on some accounts. I'm hoping this will greatly diminished at show time. The question I'm really asking myself is "Which is the better long term/short term fuel strategy?" Granted the powers in control in the US are not allowing the air compressor only cars to be sold here at this point. However, I hear that the air compressor/ethanol hybrid will be. Where can one find an air compressor anyway?

If you have more information, I'm all ears. Please also submit links related to this topic.

The Green Prince

2007-05-18T01:02:00Z

Prince Charles sees the writing on the wall and his message is clear and seemingly heart-felt. His message is consistent in that he is concerned about posterity and doesn't want his grandchildren saying, “Why didn’t you do something when it was possible to make a difference?”

He's apparently making good strides in efforts to rally support for the future of the human race by participating in well organized and well attended global forums. He’s probably best known in the U.S. as the organic gardening advocate. http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5075.cfm

I'll keep an eye on him a key public player in the biodiversity arena.

For more information, visit HRH's website:

http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/speechesandarticles/an_article_by_the_prince_of_wales_for_the_newspaper_society__934667360.html

The Prince of Wales is advocating that local newspapers spread the word about 'thinking globally, act locally’; most of us have access to a fairly local newspaper or publication. If your paper doesn’t have a Green column writer or section – Ask for One! Tell them this is what their viewers want to read about.

Carbon Footprint

2007-05-17T03:08:00Z

There are easy steps we all can take on the way to reducing our own personal ‘carbon footprint’. Unfortunately, on one hand, U.S. public service announcements will likely not come until new, more forward-thinking leadership takes the wheel and encourages the public to do the 1-2-3 basics. On the other hand, energy reducing products and services should really be made available in stores near you.

Things You Can Do At Home:

-Set up sensors to more efficiently use of lights and control air conditioning demand.

-Install white roofing to reflect not absorb sunlight.

-Install solar panels on your roof.

-Check out options to sell or get credit for your excess solar power from your local power company.

-Check and possibly reinforce seals around windows and doors. Set timers on outdoor lighting and water systems.

-Recycle more efficiently.

-Donate reusable items to local institutions. (magazines, clothing, books, videos, DVDs, cell phones, glasses)

-Use ‘energy star’ products during off-peak hours.

-Use mass transit or request improvements in your city’s mass transit system.

-Buy a hybrid next time you buy a new car or minivan.

-Change your bulbs to fluorescents.

-Use organic gardening products.

-Buy food grown locally and/or organically.

-Plant a tree on Earth Day this year.

-Find out which companies use recycled paper in products like tissues, toilet paper, napkins and paper towels.

For more options and in-depth information, check out http://www.myfootprint.org/ to take a carbon footprint test or kids and teachers can visit, http://www.kidsfootprint.org/

By consciously shopping for Green products and services and spreading the word to your family, friends and neighbors to do the same, you’ll be doing your part to increase demand – thus sending the message that Green is what people are looking for. You’ll see that the markets will respond and free enterprise will kick in with more and more Green options.

Once you understand how to save money and energy by implementing a new Green policy for yourself, Pay it Forward. Why not volunteer some time at a school, senior citizen’s home or other public facility to show them the Green way.