Yes, that’s right!
Chicago’s CTA is now running a test hybrid bus on the #8 Halsted line. The new bus gets 7-8 mpg, as compared to the 2-3 mpg for their current diesel buses. CTA officials are working to calculate if the nearly $200,000 more for the hybrid will be off-set over time with fuel savings.
Are you shopping for a new washing machine? Consider buying the front-loading style. Front-loading washing machines use 40 percent less water, 50 percent less energy, and less detergent than the traditional top-loading washing machines. Plus they spin more water out of the laundry, which means drying time is cut and in turn even less energy is used. So, greenify your wash by buying and using a front-loading washing machine instead of the traditional top-loading machines.
The mkSolaire, pictured here, is an awesome prefab home from Michelle Kaufmann Designs and is part of the Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibit that opened May 8, 2008 at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry (MSI).
“The mkSolaire has been designed to bring healthy living to the city. This open, spacious, loft-like home has been designed to offer healthy, clean and green city living and is perfect for an urban-infill lot, or anywhere a family might enjoy the luminous, loft-like feeling of this home. Through the use of strategically designed roofs and windows, the mkSolaire addresses the challenges of the standard row house by sculpting light and air into the center of the home.” - www.mkd-arc.com
I recommend checking it out if you are in the Chicago area. The mkSolaire is a full scale home that is fully functional and explores new directions in sustainable living and eco-friendly technology. The mkSolaire showcases the latest & greatest in eco-friendly technology including the following features:
One of the easiest ways to green-ify your life is to use technology. Technology can help you cut down on paper waste, trash sent to the landfill, as well as save yourself money & time. Here are the top 5 ways to use technology to live a greener life and lessen your carbon footprint on the environment.
1- News - Read news & celebrity gossip online instead of receiving a daily newspaper or weekly magazine
2- Cards - Send e-Cards & e-Invite instead of traditional cards & invites
3- Meetings - Set up a video conference with iChat AV & iSight instead of traveling for meetings
4- Bills - Use online bill pay to pay your bills instead of mailing them in the traditional way
5- Music - Download your favorite music from iTunes instead of buying a new CD
Use technology to your benefit and help eliminate some of the stress of filing your taxes this April 15th.
Filing your taxes online makes the whole ordeal all and all easier for you and the government. It saves time, manpower, supplies, and money for both of you. Plus, there are no envelopes to seal, no lost mail, and best of all, it is faster!
So, go green this tax season by cutting down on your use of paper, save on your postage, and get your returns quicker by filing online.
Are you shopping for a new computer? Consider buying a laptop. Laptops use 50 percent of the energy used by a typical desktop computer when plugged in and just 1 percent of the energy when running on batteries.
Want to make your office a more energy efficient one?
Check out this article posted a few months back by Macworld. It features tips and tricks to going green at the office with your Mac.
My favorite tip is number 7 - Let your keyboard do the flying.
“Traveling not only requires that you spend money on plane tickets, lodging, and the like, but also includes a hidden cost. The average cross-country passenger-plane flight adds about one ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the air—per passenger. You can use the online CO2 calculator at macworld.com/ 2576 to more accurately estimate a particular trip’s impact (see “Emissions Calculator”).
When you need face time with far-off clients or colleagues, consider using technology to span the distance. With a high-speed Internet connection, iChat AV, and an iSight or a video camera, you can easily set up a simple videoconference. You’ll get the benefit of reading facial expressions without the hassle, expense, and emissions involved with traveling.
If you simply have to fly but are concerned about the CO2 you’ll create, consider donating to an organ-ization such as Native Energy or TerraPass. These companies calculate your impact and suggest a monetary donation—which goes toward projects such as building renewable energy sources or planting trees—to off-set it.”
With the wonders of internet technology, many banks now offer online banking as an option to their customers. Using this option is a great way to go green. Not only does this cut down on the use of paper, but with each bill you pay online, you also save a stamp. Save money & be eco friendly - what more could you ask for.
