Speed trumps conservation

A recent article in the StarTribune, Speed limits are increasing on Minnesota highways and around the country, discussed the trend toward increasing speed limits, both locally and nationally. The article however had not even a single reference to the impact greater speeds have on reduced fuel economy.  The general public's sentiments was summarized by Kara Macek, director of communications for the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, “People just like to drive fast — sort of a bellwether indication of our frantic lifestyle and our need to get places quickly.”

Slow down to conserve fuel

Want to save gas on your drive? Try slowing down. I kept our car between 55-60 mpg on the drive to and from Decorah, Iowa yesterday and managed to average 54 mpg. I was driving a 7 year old Prius. As someone who likes to conserve energy, I discovered it really helps to have a consumption meter on the dash that shows which speeds are best for fuel economy.

One of the biggest challenges in order to conserve energy while driving is the willingness to NOT go with the flow.

Let's quit using styrofoam!

Join me in avoiding styrofoam whenever possible! 

A MOMENTARY use to a styrofoam cup/plate/container can create waste that has the potential to practically be with us as garbage ETERNALLY.

Oil subsides continue under the influence of money

The recent voted by the US Senate to protect $23.5 billion in tax breaks for oil companies is disheartening.  (Senators who voted to protect oil tax breaks received $23,582,5000 from big oil). Interesting to see the strong correlation between the money received by those voting for big oil tax breaks by the oil and gas companies versus those that voted against the subsidy.

I like the recommendation made by one observer that legislators wear the corporate logos of those businesses who are so magnanimously supporting their political campaigns. They would look a little like race car drivers.  However I'm not sure however that their suits could accommodate so many logos.

Even a "conservative" meteorologist like Paul Douglas has gone on the record questioning the Republican support of our national energy policy. Mr. Douglas notes something that I've long been chagrined about, "conserve" is a root of the word conservative. (A message from a republican meteorologist on climate change).

One of the simple things that our automotive industry could to to help us conserve energy would be to add gas gages to our vehicles that provide instantaneous measurements of fuel economy.  While making a couple of longer road trips in a Prius this week I found I was much more conservative in my driving that I would have  been otherwise. I could see the significant improvement in miles per gallon (MPG) when driving 55 MPH versus 70 MPH.

Measuring our CO2 emissions

Why aren't we measuring our emissions?  My wife and I recently purchased a used Toyota Prius.  It has a fuel gage that provides instantaneous readings of gas usage, along with a running average of miles per gallon (m.p.g.). It was amazing to see that even in the winter months, with a conservative driving technique, we averaged 42 m.p.g. on our first tank of gas.

This fuel gage has me thinking of emissions, which never get measured.  What if we could each see our CO2 emissions when we're driving, or even at home when our furnace or hot water heater is running? A business friend of mine once commented that we only improve upon those things which we measure. If we're really serious about reducing emissions we should be keenly aware of what we are emitting, and be taxed accordingly, based on our output.

On a personal note, since hearing about the value of measuring progress I've made it a point to annually measure my IQ and height.  Alas, as you might surmise, no improvements.

Reduction in energy demand

Swamp Milkweed by pond

Good news, it seems we just might be making inroads into energy conservation.  An article in the StarTribune, Xcel's power pullback, indicated that Xcel Energy is realizing a reduction in demand for electricity within the state of Minnesota.  The bad news was they attribute the reduction in energy use to a bad economy.

An encouraging bit of news from this article was that the power company was tracking with the state's energy mandate that it produce 26 percent of its power through renewable sources by 2020. While the costs of renewable energy are greater up front, think of all the environmental and health benefits they provide in the long-term, which aren't typically considered in our determination of "cost".

At the national level the Obama administration is looking to back off of proposed rules to reduce toxic air emissions from industrial boilers and incinerators. An article, New proposal eases some requirements on boilers but preserves health benefits, describes this recommendation to appease corporate interests.  Often it seems progress is made by taking two steps forward and one backward.

"Conservatives" and state budget shut down

Governor Mark Dayton

As of July 1^st we’ve got a government shut down in the state of Minnesota.  There is an impasse between Governor Mark Dayton and the Republicans, who control the legislature.  The Governor feels that taxes ought to be raised on those making over a million dollars/year (the top 0.3%), while the Republican’s have vowed not to raise taxes to meet the growing demands of the state (increased health care costs, etc.)

I’m puzzled that the Republican’s identify themselves as “conservatives” yet many of their actions at the state and national level don’t seem to correspond to my definition of conservative.  Seems to me someone who is a conservative would:

• Not support gambling as a means of raising vital budget dollars
• Value spending enough money to assure a top quality education is available to all children and young adults, despite income qualifications
• Abhor a preemptive war and extravagant military spending
• Value conservation of natural resources and thus promote alternative energy and careful environmental monitoring
• Find corporate CEO salaries unconscionable, sometimes over 100 times more than workers on the front lines
• Discourage consumerism, and encourage conserving resources; reducing, reusing and recycling

      Many conservatives have closely aligned themselves with the Christian church.  If Jesus is their model, seems they would be:

Bees on rose

•       Radically generous with the poor, and not worry about being repaid
•       Welcoming to immigrants and those of other nationalities
•       Comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable   

As tensions grow between "liberals" and "conservatives" it seems we would all be wise to recognize there is no “them" and "us”, there is only “us”.

Let's hope there will be compromise on both sides and government workers can soon get back to work (hence the busy bee picture taken earlier this morning). 

Why Americans don't buy conservation

Bird's nest over Bassett Creek

On a long walk yesterday morning it finally occurred to me why conservation simply does not sell well to consumer driven Americans....... it doesn't involve buying anything!

Even when it comes to charity, people from the USA tend to focus on material things. The founder of Habitat for Humanity, Millard Fuller, once noted "Americans love to give to anything they can take a picture of."

Do you buy this?