It’s Not Just About the MPG
I am beginning to learn this summer, as I look for a vehicle that is both family and eco-friendly, that it’s not just about the MPG. I wish it were, as that would make my decision a little easier. Although important, the overall fuel efficiency of any given vehicle is just one aspect of its green rating. For instance, the U.S. EPA has created a Green Vehicle Guide (www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/select.htm) that rates each car and truck on a number of criteria, including air pollution and greenhouse gas scores. Additionally, a vehicle can receive an EPA SmartWay or SmartWay Elite designation that can be earned by having both good air pollution and greenhouse gas scores (6 or better for SmartWay and 9 or better for SmartWay Elite). According the EPA website, SmartWay Elite Vehicles are said to be “superior environmental performers.”
Now, let’s see how the EPA Green Vehicle Guide works with a side-by-side comparison of three vehicles I am thinking about purchasing:
Honda Odyssey 6 cyl with FWD (2010)…
Air Pollution Score = 7 out of 10, Fuel Economy 17/25, Greenhouse Gas Score = 5 out of 10. The Odyssey just misses the SmartWay designation by 1 point.
Suburu Outback Wagon CVT with AWD (2010)…
Air Pollution Score = 6 out of 10, Fuel Economy 22/29, Greenhouse Gas Score =7 out of 10, rated a SmartWay vehicle.
GMC Terrain 4 cyl with AWD (2010)….
Air Pollution Score = 7 out of 10, Fuel Economy 20/29, Greenhouse Gas Score = 6 out of 10, rated a SmartWay vehicle.
This system is a great way to make sense out of a lot of conflicting information regarding what makes a vehicle green. How does your vehicle fare?
Electric Car Incentives Only For Rich?
I found an interesting article about the fact that he believes government subsidies for electric are only for the rich.
This statement does make sense in the early stages of selling electric cars. The technology is still in its infancy and it’s main competition has been established for many decades. So we need an incentive for consumers to begin buying these cars, especially after seeing the massive damage oil is having on our country. And who is going to be buying these cars? Of course it will initially be those who have the money to spend on a car that is slightly more expensive and requires an electrical charge station in their homes.
Though this statement may be true, you can say the same thing about every major technology that has come our way. Whether it be the origination of the automobile, computers, cell phones and many more. All were originally owned by those who had more money, but expanded as the technology became cheaper.
This same logic will apply for Electric Vehicles as well. As soon as battery technology becomes cheaper, manufacturers will be able to produce cars at competitive prices(if not lower) with traditional gas vehicles. If that takes some initial incentives by the government, then I am willing to allow the “rich” to benefit initially.
After looking at this entire oil spill situation, I don’t see how anybody can still make an argument against having EV’s being mainstream as soon as possible. I’m sure many Americans probably feel the same way as I do are are ready to help rid our country gas cars.
What are you thoughts on whether or not electric car tax incentives are only for the rich?
Product Review: Ecosavr Solar Pool Cover
I am loving a little invention I found at the pool supply store that is designed to keep your pool warmer without a heater or solar cover. It is called ecosavr. This small rubber fish, that retails for about $7.00, reportedly contains a non-toxic liquid that is said to coat your pool’s surface, absorbing heat from the sun and reducing evaporation. According to the product’s website, an ecosavr fish can raise your in-ground or above-ground pool temperature by about 4-8 degrees per month, much like an expensive solar cover would do. The effects are said to last approximately one month. The website also states that the chemical that is released into the pool is harmless to people, pets and to the environment. For a demonstration of how it works, visit www.liquidpoolcovers.com/videos.html.
Does it work? Stay tuned…
2010 Sunscreen Guide
Summer is upon us, and as nothing but sunny days (I can dream, right?) are on the horizon, it is time to stock up on sunscreen. Broad-spectrum protection (from both UVA and UVB rays) is a must. But beyond that requirement, I’ll confess that I am usually more than a little intimidated by the multitude of options on the sunscreen aisle. That is, until now.
Environmental Working Group has issued its 2010 Sunscreen Guide in an attempt to help consumers navigate the choices – spray or lotion? SPF 30 or 50+? – and protect ourselves against both the sun as well as potentially harmful ingredients in sunscreen.
The 2010 Sunscreen Guide contains Sun Safety Tips, a list of the best and worst sunscreens, and a search mechanism to help you find out more about the sunscreen you usually use. Unfortunately, the Guide has shown me that the sunscreen I relied most on last summer only provides “moderate” protection against UVA and UVB rays and contains oxybenzone (a potentially toxic chemical). With the help of the Guide, I’ll be picking a safer, more environmentally-friendly sunscreen for 2010.
“Greendex” Ranks America Last
According to National Geographic’s 2010 Greendex survey, Americans scored worst environmental footprints among the world’s top nations. America did make some strides by improving their rankings from last year’s survey. India, Brazil and China received the top rankings of the survey.
So what exactly is this survey and what it is comprised of?
Started just 2 years ago in 2008, the Greendex survey in order to measure the environmental impact consumers choices are having on the environment. The survey began polling consumers from 14 different nations, but now polls 17,000 consumers from 17 different nations. There were initial concerns about the environmental impact that consumers in developing nations have on the environment from the survey’s results. Those same results also indicated that welathier nations actually were having a much large impact on the environment than the others, even though they could be making smarter and more sustainable choices.
There are 4 major cateogires including housing, transportation, food and consumer goods in which the survey measures. The Greendex Score is generated through a complex algorithm based on the consumer patterns retrieved from the results of each consumer within their nation.
If you would like to get much more in-depth results about the survey or its results, be sure to check out National’s Geographic’s Greendex site.
To Walmart or not to Walmart?
That is the question.
Just a little history…I had boycotted Walmart for a good 2- 3 years, due to the corporation’s VERY poor rating on the socially conscious scale. Walmart has been accused of holding their suppliers over a barrel- by offering to pull their accounts unless these suppliers agreed to sell their products for unfairly low prices. Then, there was the issue of some clothing lines being produced in sweat shops (remember the Kathie Lee Gifford fiasco?) And then there were the hiring practices- again in the media, due to the company’s apparently bad choices.
In my area, boycotting Walmart was easy to do. My old store was run down, unpleasant and unattractive. But now, we have the Super Center. Ahhhh, the Super Center. My mom and I decided to pop in one day, just to check it out. Couldn’t hurt, right? And what a mistake that was. Lots of products and brands, organic and eco-friendly choices, oh my. Even my mom, who is very P.C., was enticed by the sheer number of Lean Cuisine entrees. The choice to shop there or not is further complicated by the current state of our economy, and my family, like most, is just trying to make ends meet until things turn around.
So my question is, is it bad to shop at Walmart, given their dismal report card as a company or is it every family for themselves? Is it better to shop organic and green at Walmart, because you can afford it, than not at all? I heard on a Walmart commercial last week that the average family can save about $3100 per year if they shop there exclusively. I’d say that’s a pretty compelling reason to shop there. Or not? What do you think?
Families Live Green
I want to announce a new Green blog that is part of the Pays to Live Green Network called Families Live Green. This blog will be joining the network along with Healthy Intake. Sarah, a writer for Pays to Live Green, will be operating this new blog.
So what kind of content will Sarah have on Families Live Green?
Families Live Green is a blog devoted to moms and families who would like to save money and share ideas while also reducing their carbon footprint(s). We will be posting budget, parenting and lifestyle tips on a regular basis for families who want to live green, practically!
A native of Maine, Sarah graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Psychology and from Boston University with a Master’s in Social Work. Before Sarah had children, she worked as a Social Worker in a public elementary school as well as for several non-profit organizations. Now Sarah wears several hats as a real estate broker with energy efficiency certification, freelance writer and full-time mom to two kids.
Please check out this new blog and be sure to sign up for Families Live Green RSS Feed to receive updates on all the great article coming up.
