1. Solar energy
2. Wind energy
3. Hydro energy
4. E85 (ethanol)
5. Wave energy
6. Hydrogen energy
7. Geological energy

Global Warming
Is It For Real?

The hotly debated topic right now is whether or not global warming is real.  It’s a topic as volatile as politics and religion and one that will continue to be intensely contested.

It is said that global warming is caused by greenhouse gases (brought about by CO2 emissions).  Simply put, these gases get trapped in the earth's atmosphere causing the

Global warming is major issue behind the push for lowered CO2 emissions from vehicles.  Instead of pushing global warming as a major factor, we should focus (in part for the sake of the global warming opponents) on better health effects.  Not only is decreasing CO2 emissions better for the earth and surrounding environment, it’s also better for our health. 

For anyone in doubt about the negative effects (i.e., smog) all they have to do is look at California and the smog.  Anyone who has flown into LAX or Ontario airports has seen the thick level of smog that covers the city of Los Angeles.  Smog’s negative effect on people’s health is well documented and experienced by those in the area.

One of the reasons global warming has been rampant in the news is because of vehicular CO2 emissions.  Regardless of the reasoning behind lowering CO2 emissions from gas powered vehicles, the development and emergence of flex-fuel and hybrid vehicles is a positive change that should be embraced by all Americans (and drivers around the world). 

The production and development of hybrid SUVs should have SUVs drivers around the U.S. jumping for joy. GM will be releasing the hybrid 2008 Tahoe this year and it is supposed to have 25% more fuel efficiency.  Exact numbers have not been released yet for this vehicle.  

In addition to hybrids, the increased manufacture of flex-fuel vehicles is a slower, and not as effect method of decreasing emissions.  With flex-fuel vehicles (with use ethanol/gas blends), there is debate whether there is much savings in emissions when the use of plants and heavy machinery (transportation) is factored in.  While there are emissions from factories, some experts feel that placing plants next to dense forests would in effect negate those emissions.  The trees would in essence “eat up” the extra emissions. 

Every day in things we do at home, work or at play, we emit greenhouse gasses. In our homes, we can reduce our emissions by purchasing energy efficient appliances, windows, and furnaces².  Another simple way to reduce the emissions is to recycle, recycle, recycle.  It’s really easy to do this and really helps with waste and landfills getting overfilled.  Every little bit helps and in order to help our earth adjust to the many changes we are submitting it to on a daily basis.  If you can’t afford to buy energy efficient appliances or make other improvements to you home, the cheapest and easiest way in the world is to simply recycle.  Many cities offer curbside recycling services, check with your city to see what is available.