Cool News
Consider Deflectors Instead of Your Car’s Air Conditioner
Thursday, July 17th, 2008It’s July, so your car gets incredibly hot when parked outside on a sunny day. Your first instinct may be to crank the a/c to maximum, but consider that you’re using more gas when you do so. Instead, think about installing deflectors around your car windows. These devices permit you to open the windows, allow fresh air in, while keeping bugs and highway noise out. Just remember-each gallon of gas you don’t use saves almost 20 lbs. of carbon dioxide pollution from going up into the atmosphere.
Global Warming Could Cause More Kidney Stones in Region
Thursday, July 17th, 2008Little did we Midwesterners know that just south of our region lies America’s so-called “kidney stone belt”, where warm temperatures cause loss of fluids, which in turn lead to the painful condition that currently afflicts 5% of our nation’s population. Thanks to global warming, there could be more than 2.2 million more cases of kidney stones, at an estimated additional public health cost of about $1 billion.
Obama & McCain Camps Share Views on Global Warming Policy
Thursday, July 17th, 2008At a forum hosted by the National Journal this week, advisors to presumptive nominees John McCain and Barack Obama shared their candidates’ views on the right prescription to reduce global warming pollution. While both men endorse a basic cap-and-trade concept, the details of their policies differ.
Global Warming Cuts Alaska Expedition Short
Thursday, July 17th, 2008What was supposed to be a research trip lasting until late August has been shortened by six weeks. Every summer for decades, a team of Russian scientists each year has evaluated Arctic flora and fauna. But this year, for the first time, melting ice has made the trip’s usual agenda impossible to follow. Only last April, the ice was solid enough to permit the construction of an air strip.
Look into Energy Star windows!
Friday, July 11th, 2008When we think of buying energy-efficient windows, we usually think of reducing our home heating bills. But they can do just as much good in the summer by decreasing our need for air condioning. If you’re in the market for new windows, consider purchasing energy-efficient windows. Energy-efficient windows cut demand for electricity to drive air conditioners, and thus contribute to lower global warming pollution even during summertime.
Toyota Announces Major Changes at Auto Manufacturing Plants
Friday, July 11th, 2008In yet another sign of troubled times for the auto industry, Toyota, bolstered by record sales of its hybrid Prius, announced today a set of modifications to its U.S.-based assembly plants that highlight the plummeting sales of its larger vehicles. The Princeton, Indiana plant will no longer make pick-up trucks; instead, the Midwestern plant will manufacture the Highlander SUV, although notably absent is any mention of whether that plant will make the hybrid or standard Highlander. Other changes at Toyota’s plants involve a reallocation of resources to make the fuel-efficient cars Americans are buying in droves. As each gallon of gas releases almost 20 lbs. of carbon dioxide when burned, more fuel efficiency equals less global warming pollution.
California Decides on Route for High-Speed Rail; Voter Approval Next
Friday, July 11th, 2008In what Californians believe is a significant step toward making a 2-1/2 hour train trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles a reality, the state yesterday picked a route for a high-speed rail corridor. Debate over alternative routes had been going on for years, but concerns over rising gas prices helped force the issue to a decision-point. ELPC strongly advocates for high-speed rail development in the Midwest as a tool to reduce global warming pollution in the transportation sector, the #2 source of such pollution in our region. As an example, a train carrying 200 passengers from Chicago to St. Louis emits 22 fewer tons of carbon dioxide pollution than 200 cars, and 15 tons fewer than two 737 jets.
Group of Eight Summit Ends with Conflicting Views on Results
Friday, July 11th, 2008In 15 months, the nations of the world are due to come together in Copenhagen to sign the successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol. But in a continuing demonstration of differing views on how to handle the climate crisis, the G8 summit in Japan ended with only the approval of a “shared vision” to deal with global warming. Moreover, a reduction target of 50% by 2050, which scientists say will not go far enough, was not approved by China and India.
Turn the A/C Thermostat Up!
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008The heat of summer is upon us, but as Time magazine’s Joe Klein writes in this week’s issue, that’s no reason to make it 65 degrees inside. Klein reminds us that air conditioning is one of summertime’s chief uses of electricity, contributing to global warming pollution. Klein also points out that in many homes, office buildings, and particularly hotels, Americans seem to prefer summer interior temperatures even cooler than those we like in winter.
Obama and McCain Offer Competing Plans on Halting Global Warming
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008Both Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Barack Obama (D-IL) say they will act to begin reversing global warming upon entering office. However, their approaches do differ. CNN Money and Fortune magazine present their analysis of the candidates’ ideas and positions.
