ADAC’s 2008 Ecotest ranks the ecofriendliness of current car offerings in Europe
May 29, 2008
Based on the calculations of the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), the ADAC (the German car club) has released its 2008 ranking of green cars sold in Europe. The 5th EcoTest, as it’s called, produced a list based not only in the amount of CO2 produced per km, but additionally other considerations such as particulates and hydrocarbons. ADAC selected more than 700 cars for its analysis, with and without air conditioning, and applied the forementioned NEDC numbers to draw its own conclusions.
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Seeping methane could cause global meltdown sooner than we think
May 29, 2008
Could methane from melting permafrost be the tipping point that brings us endless summer within a few decades?
A new study in the science journal explores the concept that global warming could release huge amounts of methane from oceans and arctic permafrost, creating a feedback mechanism that would lead to runaway global warming at a speed previously unimaginable.
Methane is a greenhouse gas about 25 times more compelling than CO2, and it’s estimated that there are about 10,000 gigato…
An eco-friendly kitchen renovation
May 29, 2008
Gwendolyn Bounds chronicled her eco-friendly kitchen renovation that month in the Wall Street Journal. What was included in the 484-day renovation?
Sustainable wood floors
Bamboo cabinets
No formaldehyde
Energy-Star appliances
LED lights
Low VOC paints
Concrete countertops
Some highlights included selling her old cabinets, which is good news on the recycling front. additionally, they knocked down a wall to let southern light in, meaning that the lights are rarely needed during…
Green Sunscreen
May 29, 2008
Last weekend, after slathering both of my daughters head-to-toe with sunscreen, I headed outside for an afternoon of gardening only to realize that I forgot to lather up my own lily-white skin. Subsequently I obtained my first (and hopefully last) sunburn of the summer season.
Sunscreen is as pivotal to summer fun as bathing suits and sandy toes. So you may be surprised to learn that the grade you’re using may not be as effective as you thought. In fact, in an extensive Sunscreen Survey, t…
Telling the truth on gas prices
May 29, 2008
Thomas Friedman of the NY Times takes on, what he considers, the truth regarding gas prices, in light of the presidential candidates’ disagreement on the gas-tax holiday.
What would a truthful presidential candidate tell the nation, according to Friedman?
There is no short-term fix for gas prices. Supply is what it is and is increasing all by the world, including in India and China.
The gas-tax holiday would only manufacture it worse.
The reply is to go the other way, “guarantee s…
Five ways to keep your electricity bill low that summer
May 29, 2008
I held off as distant as I could but air conditioner use is in full swing at my house. that does not mean a full surrender to high electricity bills, however. There are ways to save electricity and stay cool that summer. It just takes a few small changes.
Keep blinds and curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day. that keeps the sun from cooking your living room.
Turn off your A/C when you are not home or at the very least, set it for a higher temperature.
Use a programmable…
Urbanites emit less CO2
May 29, 2008
If you live in a large city, pat yourself on the back, it turns out that you’re lifestyle is generally more carbon-conscious than the national average. According to a study by the Brookings Institute, residents in the 100 largest US metropolitan areas were responsible for an average of 2.47 tons of carbon emissions each year, while the average is sitting at around 2.87 tons.
While cities still produce their fair share of emissions — an estimated 56% of total US emissions — that news def…