The Hybrid Electric Vehicle – Saving Money While Saving The Environment
The word ‘Hybrid‘ doesn’t really inspire images of cars with British people; though the vehicles have been available for many years over here, the technology hasn’t quite penetrated the way it has in America just yet, but that seems to be changing in recent times with vehicles by Honda and Toyota being both commercially and critically successful.
Though the word ‘Hybrid’ may remind us of such diverse subjects as science fiction films or plants, the hybrid electric vehicle ranges from manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota and Ford are soon to be added to that list. Combining both traditional fossil-fuel and modern electric propulsion systems, the hybrid contains many facets of power saving technology, including kinetic energy battery charging, shutting down the conventional engine when the vehicle isn’t in motion and purely electric propulsion at lower speeds on some models, these vehicles are an excellent way of getting around while saving money on both fuel and electricity, making them both good for you and for the planet.
In the current economic climate, many of us are trying our best to save money and purchasing a hybrid vehicle such as a Ford Escape, Honda Civic or Toyota Prius is an excellent way to save ourselves money on fuel, but this technology is also kind to the environment. Requiring less petrol than most traditional vehicles, this saves on both environmentally damaging emissions and non-renewable fossil fuels, while the inbuilt recharging of the electrics will save on your homes carbon footprint as the battery will need to be recharged less often.
Although the economy will recover from its current state, any damage done to the environment is permanent until we develop a way to reverse the effects that we have had on the ozone layer and as such, it is important that we all take steps towards minimising the damage we do with our daily activities and a hybrid vehicle such as a Honda Civic is one of the best solutions to this if other transport methods aren’t viable.
Often costing far less than you may expect, hybrid electric cars such as a Ford Escape or Honda Civic can be as kind to your bank account as they are to the planet and, with both the economy and the health of the planet being overarching concerns for many of us, choosing a greener way to travel is one way we can allay these fears.
Anna Stenning is a car journalist with many years of experience driving and writing about hybrid vehicles. Find out more about hybrid cars from Honda at http://www.hondainchcape.co.uk/
Article Source: ArticleSpan
Nancy – GotSmog.com – The Pollution-Reducing Blog
George Carlin on Global Warming
George Carlin is, well George Carlin so if you’ve sensitive ears don’t press play.
Nancy – GotSmog.com – The Pollution-Reducing Blog
Congress to Pass[ed] Dramatic Global Warming Bill Members Could Not Possibly Have Read
Shadegg: This legislation will affect the livelihoods and lives of every single American, yet it will have been impossible for any Member of Congress to have read before the vote occurs.
Nancy – GotSmog.com – The Pollution-Reducing Blog
Climate confusion
In reference to David Jensen’s letter, “Friedman and Herbert” , I too have a book that should be read by everyone: Climate Confusion: How Global Warming Hysteria Leads to Bad Science, Pandering Politicians and Misguided Policies that Hurt the Poor, by Roy W. Spencer.
Nancy – GotSmog.com – The Pollution-Reducing Blog
California weighs global warming fees on producers – Forbes
California air regulators on Thursday will consider leveling the nation’s first statewide carbon fee on utilities, oil refineries and other industries as a way to pay for the state’s landmark greenhouse gas emissions law. The move comes at a time of …
Nancy – GotSmog.com – The Pollution-Reducing Blog
How The New Mini Is As Kind To The Environment As It Is Your Parking Space
For many years the Mini has been one of the first choices of drivers looking for a car that can fit into just about any space – they are amongst the most manoeuvrable cars in history and with their compact design, they can get into just about anywhere, from that narrow country lane to that tight parking space at the supermarket. This is often one of the features credited with keeping the car so popular throughout its long and storied history, but many people don’t know that the car is also as kind to the environment as it is their awkward parking spot.
The modern Mini has been named the most ‘green’ car in its class by industry magazines for several years in a row, thanks to their parent company BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology which covers many facets of power saving design and is instrumental in making the car as fuel and energy efficient as it can be, saving the environment while saving the owner money on fuel and electricity.
Implementing seemingly simple functions such as automatically turning the engine off when the vehicle is not in motion and the clutch is not in operation and cleverly designed electronics such as a battery which charges from the vehicle’s kinetic energy when not accelerating or power steering which is only powered when in use will also really help cut down on your home’s carbon footprint as the battery will not need to be charged anywhere near as often, while also cutting down on fuel usage and emissions.
Though perhaps not as much of a status symbol or as lust-worthy as many of the higher-end cars such as BMWs or the new ranges from Lexus, many people have found themselves looking to smaller cars like the Suzuki Swift, the Mini and the new Fiat 500 as an alternative to the current trend of enormous, petrol-guzzling sports utility vehicles filling our roads. Where a sports utility vehicle will struggle to drive down many city streets with cars parked on both sides, the compact design of these cars will have no such trouble, able to nimbly drive through the narrowest of roads.
Although it’s not as light on petrol as a Smart Car or a hybrid, it is still a fairly fuel efficient car and with the lowered emissions from the modern technology, more new Mini cars on the road is a definite step in the right direction for greener British drivers.
With modern technology increasing both fuel and electrical efficiency of new Minis combined with their classic good looks and the desirable compact design enabling drivers to get to those spaces that most other cars just can’t reach, it’s easy to see why the car has never really gone out of fashion. Often costing less than you may expect, these cars can be an excellent solution to the challenges faced when driving in modern Britain.
Anna Stenning is a car journalist with many years of experience driving and writing about smaller cars. Find out more about the environmental benefits of the newMini at http://www.coopermini.co.uk/
Article Source: ArticleSpan
Nancy – GotSmog.com – The Pollution-Reducing Blog
New regulations will require infrared-reflective windshields
New regulations passed Thursday in the state legislature will require auto manufacturers to equip new light- and medium-duty vehicles with infrared-reflective windshields.
Nancy – GotSmog.com – The Pollution-Reducing Blog
Marine Pollution – Just Say No!
It has been estimated by the U.S. Geologic Survey that there is 346 quintillion gallons of water in the worlds oceans. They are also quoted as saying that "95% of the water on this planet is contained in our oceans". With this unfathomable amount of water one would come to the conclusion that water is an endless resource. This type of thinking is dangerously wrong.
For centuries, man has been dumping pollutants into the oceans and today, nearly all this water contains some level of pollution. It has been estimated that nearly half the world’s population lives within 100km (62 miles) of the coastline. This fact alone makes one realize that the problem of marine pollution affects a whole lot of people.
In an effort to reduce marine pollution, the direct dumping of pollutants such as toxic chemicals, human waste, and garbage directly into the ocean, had been banned worldwide since 1972. While these point sources of marine pollution have decreased, the amount of pollutants getting into the oceans from non-point sources continues to grow. Why is Marine Pollution Such a Concern?
Marine Pollution Defined
Marine pollution has been defined as the harmful effects that are caused by the entry of toxic chemicals or particles into the ocean. The problem doesn’t stop there, since many of particles are microscopic, they stick to the tiny particles of food that are then eaten by the filter feeding plankton animals. Fish along the food chain start off by eating this plankton, then larger and larger species of fish eat those fish, until the pollution ends up in humans.
To add insult to injury, much of the animal feed for our livestock contains high levels of fish meal and fish oils. These feeds, which are contaminated by marine pollution, are causing contamination of the animals on our land as well as the products produced from these animals. Meat, milk, butter and eggs all have been found to contain contaminates that have been directly traced to marine pollution.
Who Can We Blame?
It would certainly be easier if we could point our finger at a single source of marine pollution, but the answer isn’t that simple. In truth, all of us are to blame for this ecological mess.
Some of the sources of pollution that have been identified include"
- Oil Spills – Illegal ocean dumping, shipping and industrial accidents, or faulty equipment have all led to numerous marine catastrophes. – Toxic Materials – Slowly degrading metals and chemicals enter our waterways daily. Everyday household chemicals, industrial waste products, animal waste, and leakage from automobiles are all lumped into the category of toxic materials and are causing our problem of marine pollution
- Trash – Non-biodegradable plastics entering our oceans result in animals getting tangled up in them or they may mistake them for food and die.
- Mining – Coastal mining sites and other erosion makers threaten our waterfronts from the run off of pollutants on the ground to air pollution where impurities in the air find their way to the oceans.
- Raw Sewage – There have been numerous incidences of fines being levied for dumping raw sewage directly into the ocean. This sewage contains a host of toxins that have caused irreversible damage to the plant and animal life that call the ocean their homes.
What Can We Do?
Just as there isn’t a single reason for marine pollution, there isn’t a simple solution. Some of the more ingenious ideas that has been proposed are:
- Government – Many governments have passed stricter and stricter laws that regulate and impose fines for the dumping of industrial waste. Until these laws become worldwide, there still will be marine pollution. Countries all over the world need to consider marine pollution a priority.
- In the home – On a more personal level, there are many things we can do to help reduce marine pollution and other forms of pollution. The use of alternative cleaning products that are phosphate-free and do not contain other toxic chemicals is our first step. Eliminating the use of these toxic products in the home can help reduce the amoutn of toxic waste that contaminates our ground waters and eventually finds its way into the oceans.
- Recycling – Another way to reduce marine pollution. It is critical that we make every effort to keep plastics out of the oceans. This will help reduce the harm they cause to marine and animal life.
- Frugal fuel – By developing clean energy sources, we will rely less on foreign and have less need for large ships to transport that fuel. This hopefully will reduce the number of oil spills that have been so catastrophic to our marine environment.
Conclusion
Whether you live near the cost or not, marine pollution is a serious problem for everyone and we all need to do our part to not only clean up the oceans but to prevent further marine pollution. Solving the problem of marine pollution is going to involve a lot of creative thinking. It will also mean that we will have to change our way of doing things if we want to see a brighter future for our oceans.
Beverly Saltonstall is an environmental writer who is showing people easy ways they can help solve our pollution problems. Send for your free report that shows you incredibly simple ways that YOU can prevent pollution. Complete details in an easy to read report can be found at http://pollutionwebsite.com/freereport
Article Source: ArticleSpan
Nancy – GotSmog.com – The Pollution-Reducing Blog
N.C. at risk from warming – Blueridgenow.com
To The Editor: The ground-breaking government science report titled ?Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States? presents a clear picture of global warming?s threats to North Carolina. Declining crops, degradation of habitats, and …
Nancy – GotSmog.com – The Pollution-Reducing Blog
Environment Agencies Have Begun The Battle Against The Effects Of Global Warming
Environment agencies have begun the battle against global warming. Despite the recession they say that money must be found to enable them to begin work on strengthening and re-enforcing existing sea defences, as well as beginning construction on completely new defences in areas which are known to be susceptible to rising sea levels.
It is has been calculated that one in every six houses in the UK are at risk of flooding. This is not only homes which have been built in recent years on known flood plains it includes many other homes along certain shore lines, with Kent and the Wash being the most susceptible places to live in the UK.
The Environment Agency says that by 2035 billions of pounds will have to be spent each year to try and stop the sea and consequently rivers from encroaching onto the land. Not only will this be an on-going battle to try and retain the sea from breaching the defences, but it will also be necessary to give serious consideration to drainage systems in streets which are prone to flooding.
Many will argue that local councils do little in the way of drain maintenance as they did in the past, using the reduction in maintenance purely as a cost cutting exercise which has effectively shot them in the foot.
Arguably proactive rather than reactive strategies are needed if people homes are to be saved from an annual deluge of flood waters. Weather warnings and known high tides dates provide some hope for those who live in coastal towns or close to major rivers and yet with sea levels continuing to rise each year substantial and sustainable action has to be taken now rather than later.
Those in parts of England including Gloucestershire, are still unable to return to their homes after last year’s high flood waters has rendered them uninhabitable, furthermore their contents are either damaged beyond repair or remain piled upstairs while the houses are being completely renovated, which is of little consultation for those who are still having to make do by living in rented houses or mobile homes.
The impact of the number of insurance claims for both buildings and contents has seen a sharp rise in premiums, with some insurance companies refusing to provide insurance for homes which are prone to flood damage as they are considered to be too great a risk. As such the knock on effect means that people are unable to sell their homes and are in a complete catch twenty two situation living in homes which are effectively worthless.
The best option for anyone living in places which are classed as high risk areas due to flooding, is to approach the established insurance companies as these are more likely to be able to provide house insurance at the most competitive prices due in part to the established underwriters the work in partnership with. It appears that along with many other consumer services in the UK the post code lottery appears to play a huge part in people’s lives without the possibility of ever winning the jackpot.
Swinton offer extremely competitive House Insurance deals
Article Source: ArticleSpan
Nancy – GotSmog.com – The Pollution-Reducing Blog
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