Archive for January, 2009
January 30th, 2009
Well, of course they want money, but have they talked about being kinder to the planet?
I stumbled upon this U.S. Department of Energy site for children while on rrstar.com. They can play games, take a quiz and learn about easy ways to save energy. There are lesson plans for teachers, too.
Which reminds me: I scold my daughters to “stop wasting energy” when the fridge door is open and they don’t know whether they want string cheese or yogurt, for example. I don’t think that’s what my mom said to me…
January 28th, 2009
… Remember to reduce and reuse. Good reminder from this story, in case you missed it a few days ago.
January 28th, 2009
This post is just for fun:
One of my co-workers spotted a license plate that said “I GO GRN.”
While many people personalize their plates, and there’s an environmental plate available in Illinois to support our parks, how many of you make that kinds of eco-statement?
If you’re the driver of this car, let me know. And if you have similar “green” letters on your plates, share them, too!
While you’re at it, if you drive a hybrid, tell us about it, too. I might be in the market for one on the bigger end. Repeat, “might.”
January 27th, 2009
In case you missed it, Saturday’s editorial about the community effort to encourage folks to turn off their car engines while waiting in line or outside someone’s home.
The editorial raises an interesting observation I hadn’t thought of:
It may be easier for the younger generation to adopt No Idle. Gloria Lundin, president of the Community Foundation, recalls when seat belts were once awkward and foreign but have become second nature.
The group meets one last time Wednesday before February’s kickoff.
And yeah, even I remember as a child when wearing seat belts became a “new thing.” It wasn’t the law. It was after two car accidents in a year.
January 26th, 2009
This morning, I came into work to find yummy cookies from Mary Haas, who wrapped them in newspaper bags, per my idea last week. It looks much nicer in person than my camera phone captures.
Of course, Mary is a loyal reader, married to Editorial Page Editor Wally Haas. Thanks. And way to go!
Now I can go on to recycle these bags, too. (And did you notice a nice change of pace with red bags this Sunday?)
… Hers is not the only reaction I’ve gotten. Thanks for the added ideas for dirty diapers, knitting supplies and the pantry.
January 26th, 2009
In his first week in office, President Obama is expected today to give states the power to tighten their auto emission standards. Here’s the context, from the AP:
On car emissions, the Clean Air Act gives California special authority to regulate vehicle pollution because the state began regulating such pollution before the federal government did. But a federal waiver is still required; if the waiver is granted, other states can choose to adopt California’s standards or the federal ones.
But in 2007 the Bush administration’s Environmental Protection Agency denied California’s request, gaining praise from the auto industry but touching off a storm of investigations and lawsuits from Democrats and environmental groups who contended the denial was based on political instead of scientific reasons.
California’s proposed restrictions would force automakers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in new cars and light trucks by 2016.
At least 13 other states — Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington — have already adopted California’s standards, and they have been under consideration elsewhere, too.
January 24th, 2009
I blogged about this site on Bricks & Clicks. Figured you could use a Saturday laugh. Surprised someone didn’t turn it green.
January 24th, 2009
This week is the second of our new Go Green page in Sunday Life&Style, and we’re debuting a tip from our partners at WREX-13, who run a Going Green segment every Tuesday. Thanks to Justin Gehrts, who reports this every week!
January 23rd, 2009
… to be the top choice for the 2010 International Bioenergy Days, which BusinessRockford.com writer Thomas V. Bona calls “international showcase of bioenergy technology and applications.”
Our ties with Sweden could sweeten the deal.
Bengt Erik Löfgren, president and managing director for Äfab, the Swedish company co-sponsoring the event, thinks International Bioenergy Days — which started in 2006 — is a way to show the private sector that going green doesn’t have to go against the bottom line. In the past five years, Sweden has seen its gross national product increase significantly even while cutting its carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent.
“We have shown that this is big business,” Löfgren said. “You don’t have to lose your great new jobs to do it.”
January 21st, 2009
I’ve noticed a few times lately that people thought they turned off the faucet but left it dribbling away.
If the faucet dripped once a second, it would add up to 8 gallons in a week. And most leaks are more than that.
So watch when you wash.
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