So, you want to get more MPG out of your vehicle?

Jason Brown-Gear Head/Eco-enthusiast

I'm going to start out with the easy stuff that anyone can do right now to conserve fuel consumption.

Start by reducing the weight in your vehicle. The more weight you're hauling around with you, the harder the engine has to work-resulting in more fuel being burned. Take out all of the stuff you don't absolutely need. For example, maybe its summer and you're still carrying your tire chains in the trunk. Kick 'em out 'til winter! Keep the basics in at all times!

Another quick tip is to make sure your tires are inflated at the proper pressure. Too much air and the tires will wear out to quickly-too little air and the car works harder to move. You want as little friction as possible so the car can flow on the road with minimal effort.  

For the eco-car enthusiasts, imagine a low-rider. That might sound a bit funny, but lowering your vehicle, allows less air to pass underneath the car which means less wind resistance-less wind resistance equals less fuel usage. This might not be an option if you live in certain areas, so plan ahead. JC Whitney sells coil springs lowering kits for $45 a pair and will work on pretty much any vehicle without any cutting, welding or heating. Visit http://www.jcwhitney.com to find out more.

Remember, keep the RPMs down! This is easier if you have a manual transmission. If you shift a little earlier that means lower

RPMs-lower RPMs means the engine isn't moving as fast. A slower engine means less fuel consumption. Driving more conservatively will also save you more fuel. Don't worry about trying to get ahead of the pack, if someone wants to pass you, let them. They're the ones burning excess gas.

Keep your engine compartment clean. Make sure the inside is as free of dirt, dust, oil, grime and grease. Pay special attention to the engine block. All that dirt and grime acts as an insulator and will make it run hotter and less efficient. Making sure your car has its lube service performed regularly which will help for better fuel efficiency.

Here is some easy tips that everyone can do right now. Some of these modifications might cost some money, but with the fuel you'll save, your investments will pay for themselves. Minor performance upgrades will increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Research your vehicles make and model to learn what modifications would best suite your vehicle. The idea here is you want your engine running as smoothly as possible. 

 

Less is more

by Molly Claire Eco-contributor

As consumption increases alongside human population growth, landfills are reaching capacity at a fast rate.

Wisconsin faces pressure with landfill capacity as they fill up with neighboring garbage. Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois have landfills reaching capacity and thus have been dumping their trash into Wisconsin’s borders.  On average one landfill closes a day and thus states and nations are becoming increasingly dependent to be one another’s trash can.

The average person creates 56 tons of trash every year. That’s a lot of waste. Think about how much you use in your daily activities starting from the moment you wake up and go to work, then come home and go to bed. Make a mental note of the smallest thing you throw away to the largest item and calculate that on a daily basis. Every little bit adds up.

According to the Clean Air Council, only about one tenth of all solid waste in the United States gets recycled.  Our major downfall is disposable items.

So many people throw items away without considering whether it can be recycled.  Americans have become preoccupied with the instant gratification “grab and go” lifestyle so much that our waste habits have adopted the same immediate response: To simply use items without thinking where they came from or where they will end up.

A small item such as one aluminum can wastes as much energy as if that can were half full of gasoline. According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic bags per year, which requires approximately 12 million barrels of oil to make. Bear in mind that plastic bags truly are forever, they do not decompose.

Despite the discouraging consumption habits, there is a silver lining around the junk filled cloud. As we slowly begin to realize how wasteful and lazy our society is when it comes to devouring habits, we are adopting better recycling techniques and learning to become a more sustainable culture.

With the costs of gas and oil continuously reaching new highs, industries are becoming more innovative with waste management by adopting new technology that can turn waste into energy. Citizens are taking the initiative within their work environments by encouraging better recycling programs and introducing biodegradable products.

With summer finally approaching, there are many ways to take individual measures to lessen your carbon footprint and be more environmentally friendly in a way that will help your wallet stay fat.

-          Buy used, vintage clothing. It’s fashionable and inexpensive.

-          On average, Americans waste 14 percent of food purchases. Instead of throwing away your organics, create a compost pile. It’s less garbage and it’s good for the soil.

-          Now that weather is warmer, have a rummage sale. Anything you don’t sell, donate.

-          Cut back on the junk mail by having electronic billing and take your name off mailing lists by contacting companies and having your address removed.

-          Bring a cloth bag or old plastic shopping bag to the grocery store.

-          Most importantly, only buy what you need. Rethink every purchase and consider how much you will actually use the item.

GOING THE GREEN MILE

Is all this talk about going green making you green behind the gills? Is all this hype just an obsession with A-list celebrities and the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous? Should anyone really care? Let’s hope not and let’s be glad someone does.

The “green” revolution is a realization that our consumption on this planet is having a devastating impact on our limited natural resources. The checks and balances that have sustained life on this planet are being offset by questionable capitalism practices and the increased demands of a growing population. The green movement is not just a latest fad, but a new concept to deal with this pressing global issue and what we can do to improve the environment.

The confusion about all this green and what you can do to support our environment does not necessarily  lie with mandatory hybrid cars, retro fitting your home and an organic lifestyle-though it would have a positive impact, it’s is just not feasibly sound considering the average citizens wallet.  Technology to support green-minded policies and social innovative ideas is evolving and has yet to be produced to the public at an affordable price. Yet that shouldn’t be a deterrent in starting today in implementing healthy green choices in our daily lives. Future generations depend on the decisions we make today. If everyone just did a little, it could add up to a lot.

Going green is as simple and sound as this:

      Shutting off lights and powering done your computer conserves energy.

      Recycle paper, plastic, glass and check with your local municipalities for programs in your areas.

      Next time you are at the grocery store, bring your own bag from previously shopping or bring a canvas bag. Decline bags for single items you can carry out by hand.

      Explore the public transit or start a car pooling at your place of business.

      Consider a hybrid or compact car instead of current low gas mileage vehicles…walk.

      Purchase recycled products.

      Invest in a home water purifier and leave the plastic bottles back on the shelf.

      Reduce the amount of newspapers and magazines you receive-read them online, go to your local library or share a subscription with a friend or family member.

      Shop at secondhand stores instead of purchasing new. The amount of new resources needed to produce new products is reduced and it saves money.

      Support local business that retail in recycled products and material. Go organic. It is good for the environment, your health and the economy.

      Purchase items with the least amount of packaging. Over 35% of landfill space is packaging from toys, electronics and other house hold items.

Every day we can make the choice to reduce and reuse products and resources. We just have to do it together…every little bit helps. Recycle, Reduce and Reuse.

Here is the Moo

Combat climate change by having one meat-free day per week then cut back further. A simple diet change is important in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental problems associated with rearing cattle and other animals.

Deforestation in response to a growing population to allow more cattle herds is a factor that not too many media outlets seem to cover. Precious forests that absorb green house gases are being wipeout for a steak, a rack of ribs and a juicy burger. Coupled with an uneasy Dairy or beef cattle’s stomach, a small portion of methane is released when the moo cow passes gas.

Will the world’s meat consumption continue to melt polar caps at their current rate?

Chances are no, but when you factor in large amounts of forests being wipe out and the growing population rate this planet faces-every little bit can help. We need to reevaluate every aspect of our lives to bring about reductions in global warming.

Without action, the planet's rising temperatures could unleash potentially catastrophic change to earth's climate system, leading to hunger, drought, storms and massive species loss-which means bye bye Moo Cow.

Earth Day April 22, 2011

Witness the pioneers in the Green Movement.

Eco-tips and our children

The green movement starts with everyday citizens. This movement to change the world will be a challenging one. Our children’s environmental living depends on the choices we make today and the example we set for them.  Safe and sound recycling, reducing and reusing tips that we begin to use in our daily lives will set the foundation for eco-sound decisions they will make in future. Start today by showing your children how to become stewards of our planet. Start them on the path to Going Green today!

Here a simple tips for earth-friendly living for you and your children. Remember to explain to your family their impact on the planet and why you are considering going green and what they can do to help.

·         Don’t idle your car in the pick-up line at school.

·         Car pool or have your children take the bus.

·         Walk or bike to school with your child.

·         Rinse out zip-lock bags and food containers to reuse them.

·         Pack your child’s lunch in a plastic container and thermos.

·          Replace paper napkins with cloth.

·         Pack your child’s own flatware.

·         Make sure your child uses both sides of any paper, envelope or loose leaf.

·         Buy markers with the least toxic-inks.

·         Choose pens and pencils made from recycled plastic or rubber trees.

Green Jobs

In the next several years, the potential for “green” collar jobs from firms and organizations to create a new job sector with the sole purpose to improve environmental quality through products and services will be considered the norm. The new industries that small businesses will embark on will consist of zero waste, energy conservation, solar power, green construction and an assortment of other green expansion programs that will increase rapidly. Experts say that the “green” market for everything from organic cleaning products to green landscaping, hybrid cars and eco-tourism will grow at least by 10% annually. It is projected that the consumer will pay up to 15% for new and innovative green products and services.

The challenge of building a “green” economy that shifts towards sustainability will be the biggest project that allows opportunities for urban America and the planet to restart a new wave of economic activity. If the global market allows expansion of local “green” collar jobs for environmental quality in their area, a significant growth could begin to turn the global economic situation around. This is the challenge of building a “green” economy.

This is a clear understanding that “green” collar jobs will be made available to workers with limited education and skills that will provide stable living wages and benefits to workers and families-with the opportunity for growth. “Green” collar jobs will offer workers a supportive network and experience that will contribute to eco-improvements on our planet. This emerging “green” economy will start with everyday citizens who will commit to pioneering in the “green” movement and support policies designed to improve environmental restoration and quality. 

Here are a few examples of green collar jobs:

·         Energy retrofits for local businesses.

·         Green manufacturing jobs.

·         Bicycle repair.

·         Maintaining park services.

·         Public transit.

·         Bicycle repair.

·         Products produced from recycled products.

·         Wind and Solar installations.

·         Green Building.

·         Urban Agriculture.

·         Weatherization.

Thinking Green

Some believe the planetary crisis that we face could have potentially civilization-altering consequences.  Most Scientists around the globe warn that the world has a decade at most to reverse the growth in greenhouse gas emissions, or risk catastrophic climate change. Some scientists, though not all believe, feel that the future of human civilization is at stake. Few even think that maybe we've already run out of time and we just don't know it yet.

Personal solutions to global warming like changing a light bulb, driving a hybrid, better insulation and even recycling are not enough to put even a dent into the reduction of green house gasses needed to solve this crisis. There is an estimated rate of about 70 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions released a day. Personal commitment helps, but industrialized nations need to act quickly to steer the world towards a cleaner, cleverer and more competitive energy conscious tomorrow. Global policies have to change.

Investment in solar, wind, nuclear as well as maximizing energy efficiency would slow gas emissions as well as increase economic growth. Implanting carbon capture and storage for existing fossil fuels, retrofitting buildings to be more green, expanding mass transit, freight rail, green construction, a smarter electrical grid, advanced biofuels, electric cars and carbon-free renewables like geothermal are just a few markets that could help revive the U.S. and Global economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs while saving the environment. We must require innovation, funding and sacrifice at every level of society to achieve green success.

In the next several years, the potential for “green” collar jobs from firms and organizations to create a new job sector with the sole purpose to improve environmental quality through products and services will be the largest movement of its kind. The new industries that small businesses will embark on will consist of zero waste, energy conservation, solar power, green construction and an assortment of other green expansion programs that will increase rapidly. Experts say that the “green” market for everything from organic cleaning products to green landscaping, hybrid cars and eco-tourism will grow at least by 10% annually. It is projected that the consumer will pay up to 15% for new and innovative green products and services.

Remember, the green recovery begins with you. Support businesses that that provide eco-friendly products and services that better the environment. Contact your elected officials and voice your concern for more eco-friendlier practices. Together everyone must do their part and continue to reduce, reuse, and recycle in our daily lives.  This emerging “green” economy will start with everyday citizens who will commit to pioneering in the “green” movement and support policies designed to improve environmental restoration and quality.

Down with “Junk Mail”

Enough is enough!!! Here is a chance for everyone to take the first step and help pioneer in the green movement.

. Did you know you can choose not to receive Junk Mail; here are a few ways to eliminate unwanted paper waste.

·         Stop credit card offers in the mail by calling 1-800-5-OPT-OUT.  

·          Write to Mail Preference Service to have your name removed from most national mailings @                               P.O. Box 9008

       Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008.

·         Contact businesses directly and ask to have your name taken off their mailing lists.

·         Pay utility bills and other payments online.

Plumbing, tax accountants, out of state solicitation and national pizza chains are taking over our mail boxes, not to mention our garbage. Most businesses now have websites where coupons and discounts can be downloaded or printed. We praise small businesses for their effort at reaching out to the community, but this means of advertisement is dated in the age of the wonderful world of the internet.

Greenbugz has partnered with West Coast Graphic Designer Ben Nelson who has created 5 logos for you to copy, paste and print so you can place this “No Junk Mail” sign on your mail box today. (Please refer to example.) The next time you see your mail carrier, explain to him or her, the concern you have for the environment. Tell your family and friends why you are stopping “Junk Mail” once and for all and to visit Greenbugz to copy and paste their “No Junk Mail” logo today.

Collectively, we can all make a difference.

Go Green!!! Join The HIVE!!!

5 easy steps to go green today!!!

1. Copy and paste one of the logos below into a document.
2. Print and cut.
3. Take clear tape and seal logo.
4. Place on mailbox.
5. Tell everyone how easy it is to go green!!!