June 25, 2009
Just got a note from a reader about something of much interest to us, and presumably our readers as well:
If you didn’t already know, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (the so called “cap and trade bill”) is up for a vote on Friday.
Please, please, PLEASE take some time to e-mail - or better yet, call - your congressman to ask them to vote in favor of this bill. While it’s not perfect, it would represent real progress in trying to cut down on CO2 emissions and fight man made global warming.
It’s only up for a vote in the House of Reps on Friday, so you only have to e-mail/call your House member. It’s likely to be a VERY close vote, too… Hardly any Repubs are voting in favor, and a large chunk of Democrats are either undecided or planning to vote no.
Just to reiterate how important it is that we make our voices heard on this - today at my internship, I took 13 calls opposing the Clean Energy Act, and only one call in favor of it. Holden does represent a very conservative district, but I know there must be more people than that who favor the bill. Contacting your congressman about this is really important… If he/she only hears from people who oppose the bill, it makes it hard for them to vote in favor.
If you don’t know who your congresspeople are (shame on you! shaaaaame!), you can look them up here. Now go make a difference!
June 17, 2009
 One of our readers sent us a video of comedians sharing their ideas on how to fuel cars safely and responsibly. This may seem frivolous, but comedians are the closest thing our culture has to public philosophers, so it’s worth listening to them from time to time. And we must say, the “douchebaggery” suggestion appeals to us; Lord knows there’s enough of it to spare, judging from what this topic brings out in people. Hell, cars could essentially be powered by AM radio under that system, so perhaps Obama could throw some money at R&D as long as he’s bailing out every other undeserving company under the sun. Anyway, click Erin Foley’s extremely dignified face to watch the video.
June 11, 2009
 The Toyota Prius is, as we all know, was the first mass-produced hybrid car, and the 2008 model is the most fuel efficient car sold in the United States. It’s also become a archetype for pretentious liberals and rich hippies among conservatives, which is about to get worse because the newest Prius model comes equipped with cooling fans run by solar panels on the roof. Yes, Virginia, the Prius has gotten even more uppity.
The fans run when the car is off and locked, keeping it cool in hot weather and eliminating the need to rush for the A/C the second you restart the car. However, Toyota is still offering remote-control A/C as an option because of the high cost of the solar panel upgrade. The new Prius will also feature an improved aerodynamic design, which allows more speed for less energy, and redesigned headlights that use 17% less power than older models. Sadly, it doesn’t fly, talk, or bake cookies in the glove compartment yet, but it’s only 2009.
Besides, we like the fact that new Prius models feature a range of improvements, and that even the small tinkerings are more specific and noteworthy than changes in standard-engine cars. We’re also impressed by the across-the-board dedication to this technology, and it’s clearly a situation where competition is breeding improvements and progress, at least in this early stage of hybrid vehicle production. Of course, Rush Limbaugh will have a fit when he sees how much a solar panel upgrade will run the average consumer (which he considers himself to be, despite being a rich pill-popper who gets paid to do basically nothing), but if he’s that pissed off about hybrid technology, he’s welcome to return to the days of the Nash Rambler while the rest of us make a better world.
June 5, 2009
…wait, I thought that was Earth Day…
Whatever. Hug a corn cob!
June 4, 2009
Solaren Corp. - One could argue they’re already funding solar energy efforts by making plans to beam it down from friggin’ space. But they should throw some money at the Solar Decathlon to get their name out there and maybe pick up some ideas for America’s inevitable space colonizing efforts. The moon can’t go on unfranchised forever, ya know.
Dunkin’ Donuts - Free donuts and coffee for the participants would be nice. Make special donut holes called Sunspots or dye them green, whatever works.
Google - They make satellite footage of practically everywhere on the planet freely available, and they have storehouses of random online search information they’ve collected and refuse to release, so it’s about time they did something that wasn’t invasive and creepy. Besides, this could snowball into a GoogleGreen application for them, and since alternative energy is hip among the net-savvy right now, a one-stop resource for conservation and alt. energy resources would certainly be welcome.
Yahoo! - Why let Google have all the fun?
Starbucks - This lagging coffee empire has taken some hits from McDonalds for being uppity and too expensive. Helping fund a Solar Decathlon would show the upside to being an uppity, liberal-latte haven, in that they by default wouldn’t be a union-busting, predatory, multinational corporation that uses a clown to sell unhealthy food to children.
Sun Microsystems - Sun is in the name, so in that respect it’s not as far a leap as one would think. Plus, there’s enough of a cross-section between open source software users and the environmentally conscious that they could get some great press from sponsoring the Decathlon. Plus, there are far too many people unacquainted with OpenOffice, which is one of the best things ever.
Microsoft - They’re richer than Midas, and that money has to go somewhere. They could throw some money at this project or have Dell/Gateway/IBM-Lenovo throw in with them and donate a top-of-the-line PC for every house. Not Compaq, though. That would just be insulting.
Apple - In case Microsoft bails, Apple shares enough of that Starbucks college kid consumer base for this to be a logical sponsorship option. Plus, they could give all the participants iTunes gift cards.
Tesla Motors - They don’t even have to donate money; just have a hot girl in aviator sunglasses drive up in that sweet Roadster, honk the horn, and give a thumbs-up before speeding off. Seriously. That’s all we’re asking.
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