Posts filed under 'Global Warming'
December 23rd, 2007
The photo on the cover of Neil Young’s latest album, Chrome Dreams II, is the hood of his “baby”, a 1959 Lincoln Continental Mark IV. That car, a 19′ long 2 1/2 ton cruiser is currently in Wichita KS being converted to a hybrid electric vehicle. The gas guzzling engine is being replaced by a combination of electric motor and a biodiesel powered diesel engine. 100 MPG highway is expected after the conversion, at which time, Neil will head for Detroit, where “Linc Volt” will visit its original factory.
Linc Volt, “Re-Powering the American Dream” is a documentary currently in production at Neil’s “Shakey Pictures” studios. The documentary will include footage of his Fall 2007 drive from San Francisco to H-Line Conversions in Wichita and all the gas stops along the way, including interviews and reaction from folks he met en route.
There’s a bit of CNN video here.
Pre-trip, Neil stopped by google to check out the RechargeIT charging station.
He’s no stranger to biodiesel. During his 2003 “greendale” tour, I photographed his buses being refueled with biodeisel in Moline, IL. The entire tour fleet, buses and tractor trailers alike, were biodiesel powered. He also drives a biodiesel powered Hummer. Linc Volt will be different, incorporating an electric motor with instant torque. The setup, with the fuel engine capable of generating power for the electric motor, is not unlike a modern train engine.
Not everyone can drop an estimated $40k converting their car to a hybrid but it’s nice to know that those who can, to raise awareness, will.
But I have to admit, part of me thinks Neil also wants a mini-biodiesel-locomotive he can drive every day.
Long may you run, Linc Volt.
December 22nd, 2007
On Dec. 19, the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007 was signed into law. Among other things, the bill raised fuel economy standards for the first time in 32 years and set a Renewable Fuel Standard that will mandate the use of renewable biofuels by energy producers.
The bill also requires that by 2012 to 2014, all light bulbs must use 25 to 30 percent less energy than they do today. Traditional incandescent light bulbs use almost 90 percent of the energy they use to produce heat, not light. The phase-in will start with 100-watt bulbs in 2012 and end with 40-watt bulbs in 2014. By 2020, bulbs must be 70 percent more efficient. Compact fluorescent bulbs already meet that efficiency standard. Learn about CFL bulbs at CFLbulbs.com
Why wait? Hit the iron while it’s hot. Make some changes now toward a smaller footprint. Switch to more energy efficient light bulbs. Don’t waste energy. Educate yourself on the use of biofuels.
May 13th, 2006
as reported by billingsgazette.com…
MONTANA — During a recent helicopter tour of Glacier Park conducted for ABC News, Montana Governor Schweitzer noted, “We had over a hundred glaciers … Now we’re down to a couple dozen, and by 2025, 2035 at the rate that they’ve been declining, there will be no glaciers in Glacier National Park.”
Yes, the ice is melting.
Go to Glacier National Park. See them while you can. Then come home and reduce the ways you waste energy. It’s not so hard to change your own habits and you’ll feel good in the process. Be part of the solution. Don’t give up. It’s not too late.
May 2nd, 2006
as reported by onedayvancouver.com…
BEIJING — Global warming is causing Tibet’s glaciers to melt faster than expected at a rate of 7 per cent annually, triggering droughts, expanding desertification and increasing sandstorms in China.
China has collected data from 681 weather stations over four decades. The results? A 2 degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature since the 1980’s. And yes, the ice is melting – 7% per year. Deserts are sprawling and sandstorms are becoming problems.
Whether you believe we have caused global warming or not, the ice is melting. There are ways you can help induce global cooling.
Carpool. Use public transportation. Walk. Turn your thermostat down a bit in the winter, and up a bit in the summer. Drive a more efficient vehicle. Use or support energies like wind and solar through direct use, or by purchasing energy tags.
April 30th, 2006
Since leaving office, Al Gore has traveled the world presenting one version or another of his “traveling global warming show”, a slideshow, for free. He’s been raising awareness and has made this presentation in his estimation, “a thousand times.”
Now, it’s a movie and by some accounts, a terrifying movie.
More info is available at climatecrisis.net where you’ll find global warming background and stats, a carbon footprint calculator, and a request to pledge to see the movie on opening day, May 24. View the movie trailer.
You may also setup an email reminder to see the movie. Which is handy in case you forget to remember the ice is melting.
April 29th, 2006
The satellites will view clouds in three dimentions in an effort to understand the significance of the greenhouse effect and the extent to which it contributes to global warming.
as reported by decaturdaily.com…
The rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., at 5:02 a.m., carrying the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations and CloudSat satellites.
This is probably good news, to know there’s an effort. But some of us are already convinced that Global Warming is real. We don’t need to wait for the mounds of data to come back off these birds. We’re already changing things here on the ground.
Change to more efficient light bulbs. Turn lights off, that don’t need to be burning. Use less fossil fuel. Use Energy Star certified appliances. Talk with other people about it, and encourage them. There are many ways to fight Global Warming today, right here on the ground.
He’s no stranger to biodiesel. During his 2003 “greendale” tour, I photographed his buses being refueled with biodeisel in Moline, IL. The entire tour fleet, buses and tractor trailers alike, were biodiesel powered. He also drives a biodiesel powered Hummer. Linc Volt will be different, incorporating an electric motor with instant torque. The setup, with the fuel engine capable of generating power for the electric motor, is not unlike a modern train engine. 
Not everyone can drop an estimated $40k converting their car to a hybrid but it’s nice to know that those who can, to raise awareness, will.