Plant fun

Green energy comes to the neighborhood

Who says plants can't read?

How about practicing conservation?

Must we in the United States be so heavily dependent upon fossil fuels, like gas and oil?  A short answer is, NO.  An article in the New York Times, Life after Oil and Gas, describes how other countries are utilizing renewable energy sources and practicing conservation. I was surprised and encouraged to learn that thirteen countries are getting more than 30 percent of their electricity from renewal sources.

It was disturbing to realize that European vehicles have been getting 30 percent better gas mileage than American ones.  Recently we are however seeing a dramatic increase in fuel economy, thanks in large part to President Obama's administration, that has mandated an increase the fuel economy up to 54.5 miles per gallon by the year 2025 (U.S. Sets Higher Fuel Efficiency Standards).

I hope that we will continue to work hard at developing renewal energy sources, conserving more and wasting less.  Not only is this good for the environment, it is also more economical over time, and the "conservative" thing to do!

Support for solar and wind power

Wind turbine at MN State
Fair Eco building

Even in a strongly capitalistic society, such as the United States, it is nice to see people would be willing to pay more for clean power sources than those that are more harmful to the environment.  An article in the StarTrbune, Solar, wind get strong support in Midwestern poll, noted that a majority of people in four Midwestern states would pay up to $6 more per month on electrical bills for power coming from sources like solar and wind.  A majority of those polled were opposed to hydraulic fracking to extract gas from shale.