by Justin Manger on August 22nd, 2010
Back in January I sold my 2003 Hyundai Elantra and began the “carless” life in Washington, D.C. This was the first time since freshman year of college that I’d gone without a car. So, now that it’s been 8 months, how is it going?
First of all, I’m lucky to live in an area of Washington, D.C. that has a
walk score of 88 (out of 100). I live within walking distance of
2 Metro stations, at least 6
Metro bus lines and the
DC Circulator. I can get to all three major airports rather easily by public transportation. I’ve been to Japan; Denver, CO; Charleston, SC; New York City, and several other places all without using my own car (though I did use a cab once and a friend took me to the airport near his place another time). Incidentally, I don’t recommend the overnight Amtrak train to South Carolina. I can also get close enough to my friends’ houses that I can walk the rest of the way or they don’t mind picking me up. This little experiment would not be possible in many U.S. cities and in most of the suburbs in this country. So, with the understanding that I’ve got it relatively good when it comes to public transportation options, here are a few thoughts about not having a car.
by Justin Manger on August 21st, 2010
The following interesting graphic comes from 1BOG (One Block Off the Grid), a company that helps consumers pool together to get discounts on solar panel installation. The graph extrapolates the growth of solar power if its use were increasing at the rate of Facebook’s growth. Currently, solar power grows 60% each year, according to 1BOG. If it were to somehow expand at Facebook growth rates, however, all of California would be powered by solar in a little over a year. After 3.5 years, the entire U.S. would be powered by the sun, and in 4.7 years the entire world would run on solar power. Of course, while unrealistic that this would happen, it is a neat brain bender to think about. (Graph after the jump).
by Eric Wilson on August 21st, 2010
Last year the website This Is Reality launched a commercial by the Coen brothers, directors of films such as Fargo, No Country for Old Men, and The Big Lebowski, about clean coal. The commercial, which can be seen below, paints a satirical picture of so-called clean coal technology.
According to the IEA and cited on This Is Reality, “There are no homes in America powered by ‘clean’ coal.” However, this may change. EverGreen Energy Inc., located in downtown Denver, Colorado, has developed K-Fuel. This technology claims to make coal “cleaner, more heat-efficient, and affordable.”
by Eric Wilson on August 20th, 2010
As schools start back in session this month amidst budget cuts, many teachers and administrators are looking for alternative sources of funding. In honor of the 75th anniversary of the beverage can, the Great American Can RoundUp, “a program that helps organizations recycle cans into cash and raise environmental awareness among participants with fun, easy-to-use resource kits” is launching soon. To register for the Can RoundUp, click here. All manner of groups are welcome to participate. In addition, educational material is available for schools that would like to implement this as part of their curriculum.
by Justin Manger on August 20th, 2010
- Combine fuel use with passenger occupancy, and buses are four times as energy efficient as cars or planes.
- 24 Percentage of U.S. credit card users who receive statements online only.
- $1 approximate cost for a company to print and mail a paper statement.
- 39% Portion of survey respondents that would elect online statements for a $5 credit.
