Someone on NPR today echoed a sentiment I had expressed to my husband only days ago about the proposed bailout of the auto industry. Essentially, I feel like the issues that led to the current decline in demand for cars made by the companys in question must be addressed before any money is doled out.
Why not insist upon salary caps for top execs, mileage and energy efficiency standards for new models produced, and a timeline for expected growth/increase in sales?
As someone who is completely fed up with seeing flashy commercials touting cars that still only get 33 mph, I really think the opportunity now exists for the industry to remake itself and push into a new phase of creation and development aligned with green expectations and fuel-efficiency necessities based on our stated goal of weaning ourselves off foreign oil and finding new ways to support our energy consumption.
It's difficult, because so many jobs are tied to these decisions... and I would hate to see people laid off due to the poor decisions and bad management of those in top positions. But I do believe some kind of change has to be tied to any kind of financial parachute. Otherwise, we're just forestalling the inevitable collapse that will come from an industry that is out of touch and ineffective in the global market.
Sorry for the soapbox. These bailouts are making me increasingly nervous, and I still keep getting these nagging feelings we are in for even greater challenges and failings in the months to come. Let's hope I'm really, really wrong!
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Energy
I've written before about my emerging and increasing belief that to honor one another, ourselves, our descendants, and the planet, we must find ways to live more responsibly and create a life path that is less harmful to the people, places, and things around us.
One such area for improvement in our lives (Andy's, Ari's, and mine) is energy consumption. Some improvements are easy, no matter how busy or financially strapped we may be (changing lightbulbs, using less water, recycling, biking or walking more, turning off lights and other electrical energy suckers, etc.); however, some things will have to wait (solar panels, turbines, etc.).
And just when I was feeling down about the focus of the current administration on foreign oil and the ridiculously high prices at the pump, I heard a story this morning about an old oilman who has decided he wants to make wind power his legacy.
T. Boone Pickens has invested in oil for many, many years and has decided it's a dead end street (I'm paraphrasing). He feels remaining dependent on foreign sources of oil for energy consumption is ultimately not helping our country, and he has proposed spending billions of dollars investing in wind energy in Texas. Yup, Texas.
Apparently, North Dakota has enough land and enough wind to generate enough electricity to power homes in all of the United States (this seems like an inflated statements, perhaps, but this was something he said during the interview)... and his plan for Texas would generate enough electricity for over 1 million homes, which is a nice big dent if you ask me.
He also suggests using natural gas resources to power most of our transportation needs (though I would still love to see development of solar cars, electric cars, and hybrids everyone can afford). But wind is the way, according to Pickens. Which is pretty darn cool because it seems so very silly it's taken us this long to utilize natural weather patterns to serve our consumption needs.
So... a bit of inspiration for you sustainability and green junkies out there. If just a few more powerful moguls get on board for this kind of thing, we could actually be able to enjoy some innovative new resources that make life more affordable and more mindful (dare I say ethical?) as we go about our daily business.
And... in a related story, Philippe Starck, a French designer, has created a windmill the neighbors won't scoff at (though truly, why in the world would it matter to you what your windmill looked like?). I figure, if it gets more people buying them, especially owners of larger, more expensive homes who tend to use more energy, then I'm all for it!
At only $630 a pop, we might even consider buying one (though we'd probably only be on the 20% end if we stuck it in our current backyard). We shall see... that's definitely one of those "later" type changes.
One such area for improvement in our lives (Andy's, Ari's, and mine) is energy consumption. Some improvements are easy, no matter how busy or financially strapped we may be (changing lightbulbs, using less water, recycling, biking or walking more, turning off lights and other electrical energy suckers, etc.); however, some things will have to wait (solar panels, turbines, etc.).
And just when I was feeling down about the focus of the current administration on foreign oil and the ridiculously high prices at the pump, I heard a story this morning about an old oilman who has decided he wants to make wind power his legacy.
T. Boone Pickens has invested in oil for many, many years and has decided it's a dead end street (I'm paraphrasing). He feels remaining dependent on foreign sources of oil for energy consumption is ultimately not helping our country, and he has proposed spending billions of dollars investing in wind energy in Texas. Yup, Texas.
Apparently, North Dakota has enough land and enough wind to generate enough electricity to power homes in all of the United States (this seems like an inflated statements, perhaps, but this was something he said during the interview)... and his plan for Texas would generate enough electricity for over 1 million homes, which is a nice big dent if you ask me.
He also suggests using natural gas resources to power most of our transportation needs (though I would still love to see development of solar cars, electric cars, and hybrids everyone can afford). But wind is the way, according to Pickens. Which is pretty darn cool because it seems so very silly it's taken us this long to utilize natural weather patterns to serve our consumption needs.
So... a bit of inspiration for you sustainability and green junkies out there. If just a few more powerful moguls get on board for this kind of thing, we could actually be able to enjoy some innovative new resources that make life more affordable and more mindful (dare I say ethical?) as we go about our daily business.
And... in a related story, Philippe Starck, a French designer, has created a windmill the neighbors won't scoff at (though truly, why in the world would it matter to you what your windmill looked like?). I figure, if it gets more people buying them, especially owners of larger, more expensive homes who tend to use more energy, then I'm all for it!
At only $630 a pop, we might even consider buying one (though we'd probably only be on the 20% end if we stuck it in our current backyard). We shall see... that's definitely one of those "later" type changes.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
The Green Thang
In an effort to live a "greener" and more eco-friendly lifestyle, I intend - every few months or so - to try making my own chemical-free cleaners to use in our home. I record recipes or mixtures I come across that are supposed to be both allergy-free and successfully cleanser-y so that we may be left with grimeless surfaces and shiny appliances, tubs, toilets, etc.
Making this stuff is generally (if one is to believe the suggestions found in magazines, websites, and books) very easy to make. A little water here, a little vinegar there. I saw one today that relied on Arm & Hammer washing soda (yes... washing, not baking).
With such cheap ingredients and so few steps, you'd think I'd have concocted some of these solutions years ago and tried them out in my house. But for some reason, I have persisted in buying expensive, chemically-enhanced cleaners in favor of the homemade version because (I think) deep down in my heart I suspect they work better. And I don't like germs. Or dirt.
As someone with asthma, it is ridiculous that I have not at least tried some vinegar/lemon alternative - before rejecting it outright - just in case it does miraculously clean my counters and leave the house smelling fresh!
I'm not entirely sure what the holdup or the hesitation may be. Perhaps it's laziness? Perhaps an inherent distaste for change? Perhaps a fear it will work so well I'll kick myself and feel all angry for not having transitioned sooner?
What stuff do you hesitate to do? What are the things you know you should be doing... and yet, week after week - perhaps year after year - they sit (undone, neglected, forlorn) by their lonely little selves waiting for some kind of personal revelation that will move you forward into action.
My personal list of as-of-yet abandoned and neglected goals:
Some may see this as a movement toward the divine, others as a way to become ever-more human. Whether it is enlightenment or grounding, spiritual or physical, ecstatic or humbling... most of us seek to improve upon who we are and how we live. And sometimes it is filled with purpose and direction; other times it is fraught with fumbling and guesswork. But it's movement nonetheless.
My movement just happens to involve hot water, washing soda, lemon juice, and a lot of vinegar. At least for today.
Making this stuff is generally (if one is to believe the suggestions found in magazines, websites, and books) very easy to make. A little water here, a little vinegar there. I saw one today that relied on Arm & Hammer washing soda (yes... washing, not baking).
With such cheap ingredients and so few steps, you'd think I'd have concocted some of these solutions years ago and tried them out in my house. But for some reason, I have persisted in buying expensive, chemically-enhanced cleaners in favor of the homemade version because (I think) deep down in my heart I suspect they work better. And I don't like germs. Or dirt.
As someone with asthma, it is ridiculous that I have not at least tried some vinegar/lemon alternative - before rejecting it outright - just in case it does miraculously clean my counters and leave the house smelling fresh!
I'm not entirely sure what the holdup or the hesitation may be. Perhaps it's laziness? Perhaps an inherent distaste for change? Perhaps a fear it will work so well I'll kick myself and feel all angry for not having transitioned sooner?
What stuff do you hesitate to do? What are the things you know you should be doing... and yet, week after week - perhaps year after year - they sit (undone, neglected, forlorn) by their lonely little selves waiting for some kind of personal revelation that will move you forward into action.
My personal list of as-of-yet abandoned and neglected goals:
- Exercise
- Eat right
- Pare down on my possessions
- Organize my junk
- Identify my trash (and throw it out!)
- Take vitamins
- Find a therapist to work with on an as-needed basis
- Read more school counseling articles and books
- Work on the landscaping
- Paint the garage and touch up the house
- Paint inside and try to finish up as much as possible
- And... oh yeah... start using green cleaners made from scratch!
Some may see this as a movement toward the divine, others as a way to become ever-more human. Whether it is enlightenment or grounding, spiritual or physical, ecstatic or humbling... most of us seek to improve upon who we are and how we live. And sometimes it is filled with purpose and direction; other times it is fraught with fumbling and guesswork. But it's movement nonetheless.
My movement just happens to involve hot water, washing soda, lemon juice, and a lot of vinegar. At least for today.
Friday, March 28, 2008
It's not easy being green...
I heard two stories today that made me feel happy, excited, and proud. Both focused on organizations begun here in the U.S. that emphasize green living, using new ideas to help work against the growing climate crisis.
The first was on NPR's Morning Edition - a story about a man dedicated to obtaining "zero waste" locally and, eventually, nationally. His name is Eric Lombardi and he has created a not-for-profit in Boulder, CO called Eco-Cycle. Eco-Cycle's Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) specializes in recycling unusual materials and objects. Some of the more unique items they'll recycle for Boulder residents: cooking oil; toilets, sinks, and urinals; and athletic shoes.
The second was on one of our local PBS stations and highlighted the Cambridge Energy Alliance, a nonprofit group committed to transforming the city of Cambridge by retrofitting and re-making existing buildings for homeowners and businesses into green buildings. Not only do they provide consultation and training, but they also provide low-interest loans to Cambridge residents who wish to make "green" updates.
I think sometimes it's easy to lose sight of the innovative and inspirational steps people all around the world are taking to continue making the world a better, safer, more socially conscious place to live. Whether we're headed for an environmental disaster or not, it makes me feel a deep sense of gratitude and joy to know Ari will benefit from the brilliant steps being taken to move us forward.
The first was on NPR's Morning Edition - a story about a man dedicated to obtaining "zero waste" locally and, eventually, nationally. His name is Eric Lombardi and he has created a not-for-profit in Boulder, CO called Eco-Cycle. Eco-Cycle's Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) specializes in recycling unusual materials and objects. Some of the more unique items they'll recycle for Boulder residents: cooking oil; toilets, sinks, and urinals; and athletic shoes.
The second was on one of our local PBS stations and highlighted the Cambridge Energy Alliance, a nonprofit group committed to transforming the city of Cambridge by retrofitting and re-making existing buildings for homeowners and businesses into green buildings. Not only do they provide consultation and training, but they also provide low-interest loans to Cambridge residents who wish to make "green" updates.
I think sometimes it's easy to lose sight of the innovative and inspirational steps people all around the world are taking to continue making the world a better, safer, more socially conscious place to live. Whether we're headed for an environmental disaster or not, it makes me feel a deep sense of gratitude and joy to know Ari will benefit from the brilliant steps being taken to move us forward.
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