Bicycle advocate and rapper Paul Freedman (a.k.a. Fossil Fool) gets his kicks by turning pedal power into sound waves. As emcee of the Pedal Powered Stage at the Maker Faire, Make magazine's annual event showcasing creative inventions, Freedman asked audience members to take turns riding specially modified "soul cycles," powering the microphones and speakers onstage. Freedman's company, Rock the Bike, promotes safe bike travel and sells cool products like bike-powered blenders.
Daily bikers and bus riders may scoff, but for those still attached to their cars, a greener driving experience can be as easy as one, two, three:
1 Buy an electric, hybrid, or biodiesel-fueled vehicle at a specialized dealership like the Green Car Company in Seattle;
2 Get your insurance and roadside assistance from the Better World Club, which supports ecofriendly causes and advocacy; and
3 Tune up at a pollution-minimizing repair shop like the Organic Mechanic in Asheville, North Carolina.
"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race," wrote H.G. Wells. The perfection of the humble bicycle may, in fact, turn out to be the 19th century's greatest gift to the modern era. Anytime you ride a bicycle, you're building up some serious green karma, and we salute you. But there's green and then there's really green.
Take our "How Green Is My Bike" quiz to find out just how green your bicycle riding really is.
For savvy shoppers, there's a raft of new reasons to look at labels: REI's ecoSensitive tag (right) ID's clothes made of materials like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, or recycled synthetics. Stickers on all new U.S. vehicles now estimate the annual cost of fueling up. (In New York and California, they'll soon include information on greenhouse-gas emissions too.) U.K. manufacturers are adding carbon-footprint data to food ingredient lists, and a new California law will require the source of bottled water to be disclosed on the label.
Eight ecofriendly resolutions for a happier, healthier 2008
1. Bring camaraderie to your commute
Carpooling saves gas and turns traffic delays into socializing opportunities. Find fellow riders at goloco.org and zimride.com.
2. Be an informed eater
If you're torn between the trout and the halibut, text 30644 with the message "FISH" and the type you're considering to learn which is the more sustainable choice (fishphone.org).
3. Junk the junk mail
Inundated by catalogs but too lazy to call and get off their mailing lists? Just register with catalogchoice.org, which will do the legwork for you. (Services like greendimes.com and 41pounds.org stop other kinds of junk mail too--for a fee.)
4. Become a mix master
DIY kits make it easy to blend up your own nontoxic household cleansers, skin products, and pet-care items (all from eco-me.com) as well as all-natural baby food (freshbaby.com).
5. Learn to share
At neighborrow.com and borrowme.com, you can find neighbors willing to lend you books, tools, or other things you'd rather not buy.
6. Give back on your next getaway
Count whales or plant trees in exotic locales--opportunities abound at greenvolunteers.com and in The Ethical Travel Guide (Earthscan) and The 100 Best Vacations to Enrich Your Life (National Geographic Books).
7. Just say no to bottled water
If tap water is good enough for some of the country's top restaurants, isn't it good enough for you?
8. See more meaningful movies
Sick of Hollywood fluff? Subscribe to a socially conscious film series at earthcinemacircle.com or ironweedfilms.com and get cinematic conversation-starters delivered to your door.
What's your green new year's resolution? Share it with us in the comments section.
(Illustrations by Josef Gast)
When a man writes a love song for his 1948 Buick, you know he's got a thing for old cars. But Neil Young's latest automotive exploit is no exercise in nostalgia--he's had his 1959 Lincoln Continental converted to a biodiesel-electric hybrid engine, and will be directing a film about the car as he drives it across the country to raise awareness about alternative fuels. My my, hey hey, hope that's an idea that's here to stay.
Children walking to school, helped across the street by a smiling crossing guard--it's as American as apple pie, right? But this wholesome scene is becoming increasingly uncommon, as harried schedules, fear of predatory strangers, and lack of sidewalks and walking paths in many suburban communities 
lead many parents to drive their kids every day, adding to both environmental problems and the obesity epidemic.
In response, a group called the National Center for Safe Routes to School has declared today, October 3, Walk to School Day, but with a little community teamwork, you can help make walking and biking to school safer any day of the year. One idea with a proven track record is a "walking school bus" or bicycle train--essentially, just a group of children walking or biking together with one or more adult leaders. (Since there's safety in numbers, of course.) Sound simple? It is. Just goes to show that improving the environment and kids' health can be as easy as putting one foot in front of the other.
We talked awhile back about how the fuel-consumption display in the Toyota Prius inspires drivers to try and get even better mileage out of their hybrids. Now (or at least, recently--I'm a bit behind, so thanks, Grist, for catching me up), Nissan is putting similar devices in all of its cars. "You will become a little less lead-footed if you can see what putting your foot to the pedal does to your fuel economy," spokesman Tony Pearson told USA Today. What do you think: Would knowing your real-time mpg encourage you to drive better, or less? And what other ways could technology be used to prod people toward conservation? A note on your computer sign-in screen telling you how much energy you'd wasted by leaving it on overnight, perhaps?
If you're in the Detroit area this weekend, grab your bike, roller blades, or just your walking sneakers and head on out to the suburbs on Saturday to join the Green Cruise, a people-powered alternative to the city's annual "Dream Cruise" of classic cars. The pre-cruise bike ride starts at 11 a.m. and tours Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Royal Oak, Berkley, and Oak Park before the main parade at 1 p.m.
Participants can also choose to sign the Green Cruise Pledge:
"In an effort to save money, keep myself personally fit, and make our air
safe to breathe, I promise to walk, rollerblade, hike, run, canoe, kayak, and/or
ride my bike at least once a week."
Even if you don't live in Michigan, why not give that a try?
(Photograph by Jay Pliskow)
Tune into Sierra Club Radio on Saturday for the scoop on plug-in hybrid cars and this weekend's big marches to stop global warming, plus some tips from me on remodeling green. For more on that last subject, check out "Remodeling Right" in the July/August issue of Sierra.
A roundup of news worth noting from the past month or so:
BUSINESS/MONEY
* GE jumped on the green-credit-card bandwagon with its GE Money Earth Rewards Platinum MasterCard, which must be applied for online or by phone (to save paper, don'cha know). Boosters and doubters weighed in.
* A Portland startup has developed software to reduce paper waste while printing.
GRAPEVINE
* Actress/activist Daryl Hannah is working to green this weekend's Virgin Festival (sponsored by the media company, silly) in Baltimore. Music-lovers coming to see the Police, the Smashing Pumpkins, and dozens of other acts will also find plates made of sugarcane, biodiesel-run generators, and "green angels" monitoring waste disposal. Don't miss Explosions in the Sky, y'all. They totally rock.
* Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro has joined the campaign to preserve the island's Northeast Ecological Corridor. (Yeah, the article is in Spanish and from April, but even old news is worth reporting when it comes to Benicio.)
In 2006, Americans took 10.1 billion trips on public transit, the highest total in almost 50 years. Find local options at publictransportation.org/systems.
I like to pat myself on the back because I don't own a car, but if my boyfriend offers to pick me up after I've had a long day at work, I'm not about to say no. Despite what we know about their polluting ways, cars are still a part of life for many environmentalists. And unless you've converted yours to run on French fries or plug-in power, you've still got to buy gas. But where?
| Pulling up to the gas pump is never something you can feel 100 percent good about, and the huge size and complex organization of oil companies makes their activities hard to track. But there are differences. When Sierra looked at oil companies, we broke our research down into four categories: |  Get a free air freshener listing our top, middle, and "bottom of the barrel" choices |
Based on this, we gave our worst ("bottom of the barrel") ratings to ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips and middling scores to Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, Valero Energy Corporation, and Citgo.
Philadelphia-based Sunoco came off looking pretty good, but the company is relatively small and doesn't do its own oil drilling and exploration, so there are fewer opportunities for it to do ill. Of the big companies, BP ended up as our "best" (or, really, "least worst") choice because of its leadership on reducing CO2 emissions, supporting the Kyoto Protocol, backing off on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and investing in alternative energy. Of course, BP has plenty of black marks on its record too. All the more reason to reduce the amount of gas you have to buy, by walking, biking, taking transit, carpooling, or driving a more fuel-efficient vehicle.
Check out the full survey or find out how you can get a free air freshener listing the summary results.
Unlike some household batteries, the lead-acid batteries generally found in cars are easy to recycle: Most states require dealers to take them back. A nearby recycling location is just a click away at Earth 911 (search for "car batteries" in your zip code), where you can also find out what to do with used motor oil and oil filters.
Curious about the nickel metal hydride batteries in hybrid vehicles? Check out what Mr. Green has to say on the subject in his column and his mailbag.
With the weather getting warmer, it's a perfect time to begin biking to work. You'll burn calories instead of fossil fuels, and by combining your daily commute with your daily exercise, you'll have more time left over for summer fun. Here's how to get started:
Get geared up. You'll be wearing a helmet, of course. But if you're going to be doing any night riding, make sure you also have a headlight and taillight, white reflective tape for your wheel rims, and some highly visible or reflective clothing. When it comes to bicycle choice, a mountain bike's fat, knobby tires can be better in the city than a road bike, at least for short commutes; they’re more stable and less likely to slip when it's wet or if they get caught in a grate.
Know your needs. Depending on your circumstances, special bikes can make cycling more alluring. A folding bike can be taken on public transit for part of a longer commute. The Xtracycle, an elongated bike with a rear platform for cargo, works well if you need to cart things around.
Pick the right route. The most direct way to work isn't always best when you're on a bike. Look for quieter streets, streets with bike lanes (or at least wide ones), or multiple-lane, one-way streets for the safest ride. Avoiding any routes heavily trafficked by big trucks and buses also reduces your exposure to pollution. (Speaking of pollution, you can check your local air quality on the EPA's AIRNow site. If your city's air-quality index is higher than 151, you might be better off taking public transit that day.)
Practice proper maintenance. Make sure your tires are properly inflated (the correct pounds per inch, or ppi, should be listed on the side of the tire) and check your brakes before setting out.
Get in position. When riding, create space between your bike and other vehicles, both moving and parked. Ride about four feet away from parked cars to avoid being "doored"; drivers can see you more easily that way too. If there's more than one lane going in your direction, it's OK to ride in the middle of the lane.
Drive defensively. Always assume that drivers don't see you. Get a rearview mirror so you can check traffic all around you. Always ride with traffic and follow all traffic laws, including using hand signals to change lanes and turn.
Clean up green. Wipe down your bike after every ride to keep it running smoothly and lube the chain every few trips with a plant- or vegetable-based lubricant like Pedro's CHAINj.
If you still have concerns about city riding, look for a local cycling association or advocacy group. They generally offer safety classes and serve as a way to hook up with other riders (there's safety in numbers) and get involved with campaigns for better bike lanes and other improvements. Programs in Charlotte, Chicago, and Kansas City have bike "mentors" or escorts who will suggest routes and equipment and even ride to work with you on your first day bike commuting. So what are you waiting for?
It's probably too late to order one for your Fourth of July fest, but thanks to the geniuses over at the Juice Peddler, you can have your drink and burn it off too. Their pedal-powered blenders range from the dedicated (and stationary) "Fender Blender" to the Mini-B3 (pictured), which fits on any bike that can carry a rear rack--even an Xtracycle. The site doesn't say how many calories you'll expend, but sadly, it's probably not as many as are in a margarita. And if you're riding while blending, better stick to smoothies.
You've heard of a car that runs on vegetable oil, but what about one made of plants too? Top-to-bottom biodegradability or recyclability is the goal of students at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom who built the Eco One, a biofueled race car with a hemp shell, flax-fiber brake pads, and tires manufactured with potato starch. Next to come are plant-based seats and seat belts, though the engine block and chassis are likely to remain aluminum and steel, both readily recyclable.
...keeps global warming at bay. (And other environmental problems too!)
Want to start living a lower-impact, higher-quality lifestyle? Not sure where to begin? Sign up for our new Green Life newsletter and receive an easy tip every day about a small change that can make a big difference. Simple steps like replacing conventional lightbulbs with more efficient ones, keeping your car tires properly inflated, or adjusting your thermostat a degree or two can save you money, reduce waste, and help save the planet. Don't delay, sign up today!
To successfully combat global warming, we need to cut carbon-dioxide emissions 80 percent by 2050--or 2 percent each year. How would that change our daily lives? Residents of Berkeley, California, may be 
the first to find out. The city, which passed a mandate late last year to make those necessary greenhouse-gas reductions, is already creating a blueprint for its carbon-lite future that includes free bus passes for every apartment dweller, a car-share vehicle parked on every block, and mandatory upgrades to household appliances and insulation. "I think people are looking for ways to lighten their footprint," Mayor Tom Bates told the San Francisco Chronicle. "People are willing to make these lifestyle changes, and the cumulative effort will add up. It's not rocket science. We can do this."
What would you change in your daily life to combat global warming? What wouldn't you be willing to give up?
Worried about the high cost of gas this summer? Here's some easy ways to save money at the pump--and make a difference for the planet too:
Mind your maintenance. A well-tuned car burns less gasoline, so get your oil and air filters changed regularly. Not sure if your filter needs changing? Take it out and hold it up to the light. If you can't see any light coming through, it's too dirty. It's also important to check your tire pressure monthly. (You'll get the most consistent results by using your own gauge when the car is cold.) Americans driving on under-inflated tires waste 4 million gallons of gas a day and reduce the lifespan of their tires.
Clear out the clutter. According to the Department of Energy, every 100 pounds you carry inside your car lowers its fuel economy by one to two percent. So if you don't need it on the trip you’re taking, don't have it in your trunk.
Don't drive like a jerk. Fast, aggressive driving is a big fuel waster. Try to maintain a constant speed--most cars reach peak efficiency while cruising steady between 55 and 60 miles per hour--and avoid rapid acceleration and braking, which can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40 percent. (And make everyone else on the road hate you.)
Keep your cool. Need relief from the heat? Consumer Reports recommends using the air conditioner if you're going faster than around 40 miles per hour, since a lot of engine power at high speeds goes to reducing drag. When you're cruising around town, it's more efficient to keep your windows open.
Think different. Could some of your short trips be made on public transportation, or by walking or riding a bike? Combining trips also helps, as does carpooling with friends.
Want to know how much you'd save on gas if your car got 40 miles to the gallon? Visit the Sierra Club's MPG calculator. Just enter in your car's make, model, and how many miles you drive each year, and it'll do the math for you.
Hopefully you, like me, have the day off on Monday. Here's some tips for good green fun this holiday weekend:
If you've got a kid, you've now got yet another reason to drive as little as possible: toxic car seats, which Grist reports "have joined baby bottles and bath toys on the ever-growing list of Evil Things You're Subjecting Your Child To."
While car seats keep your little one snug and secure, they may also be leaching bromine, chlorine, lead, and other unpleasant substances. After extensive testing, the Michigan-based Ecology Center has published recommendations for safer brands and general suggestions to reduce potential exposures, including "using solar reflectors and parking in the shade whenever possible…ventilat[ing] your car before entering…and limit[ing] the amount of time a child spends in a car seat." I guess those sleeping-inducing drives around the block aren't such a good idea after all.
With the school year drawing to an end, high school and college seniors are getting ready to begin the next phase of their life. Celebrate your grad's achievement with a green gift that will ease (or at least honor) the transition:
In the May/June 2007 issue of Sierra, Mr. Green considers the merits of using a Prius as a power source and offers tips for getting your workplace on the recycling bandwagon.
Curious, concerned, or just generally confused about environmental issues of all stripes? Send your thoughts and questions directly to Mr. Green, or weigh in in the comments section.
Changing your car's air filter every 12,000 miles (usually about once a year) can increase your mileage by up to 10 percent.
U.S. airports and airlines discard enough aluminum cans each year to build 58 Boeing 747s. nrdc.org/trashlandings
If congested freeways and crowded buses are getting you down, why not give two-wheeled transportation a try? There's no better time than the present, since it's National Bike Month. The Green Guide and the Sierra Club both offer safety tips for new riders and the League of American Bicyclists suggests some fun ways to celebrate cycling all month long. If you still need convincing, Mr. Green has a bike model to satisfy every concern--and dispel every excuse for not riding.
A roundup of news worth noting from the past month or so:
ART
* Jo Hanson, the founder of San Francisco's trendsetting "art at the dump" program, passed away.
FASHION
* A tote bag with an environmental message became a fashion must-have.
FOOD AND DRINK
* A group of locavores tried to eat local on a budget.
* Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck announced a new green direction for his restaurants, including serving more organic and local produce, seafood from sustainable fisheries, and more humanely raised meat.
* London eco-eatery the Acorn House was named "Best Newcomer" in the annual Observer Food Monthly Awards.
* British researchers showed that organic food is better for you.
* Organic and natural pet foods got a boost from the big recall of tainted chow.
MEDIA LOUNGE
* Big Picture TV, a free web-based video channel focused on environmental issues, launched with commentary from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Jane Goodall, Eric Schlosser, and Wangari Maathai.
OUTDOORS
* New York City broke ground on a lofty park that will span the High Line, 1.5 miles of abandoned freight-train track on the West Side of Manhattan.
TRANSPORTATION
* A green taxi service--operating only hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles--started up in San Francisco.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), a single car battery contains about 21 
pounds of lead, three pounds of plastic, and one gallon of sulfuric acid--all of which can be recycled. From now until Earth Day (April 22), the motoring club is offering free recycling of old car, motorcycle, and boat batteries at various drop-off locations. Sites in California, Nevada, and Utah can be found at batteryroundup.com, while residents of other states can contact their local AAA chapter to find out where to go.
Have you joined a car-share program? Hung your laundry out to dry on a clothesline? Started riding 
your bike on short trips (or all the way to work)? Set up a community recycling effort? Switched from air conditioning to a fan?
Inspire others with your actions to curb carbon emissions by taking a photo of your small (or big!) step and uploading it to the Sierra Club's Every Day Solutions site. If you're fresh out of green ideas, check out what other folks are already doing.
In the March/April 2007 issue of Sierra, Mr. Green waxes mathematical on the carbon dioxide emissions generated by air travel, gives computer users some energy-saving rules to live by, and dispels rumors about recycled paper.
Curious, concerned, or just generally confused about environmental issues of all stripes? Send your thoughts and questions directly to Mr. Green, or weigh in in the comments section.
Sierra's own Mr. Green (a.k.a. Bob Schildgen) was on Wisconsin Public Radio recently, talking with host Kathleen Dunn about the viability of hydrogen as a fuel alternative. You can listen to the show online or read some of his thoughts on the topic in a book review he wrote a while back.
In the market for a new car? Then you might want to check out "The Greenest Vehicles of 2007," a list released this week by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The top scorers:
The ACEEE also publishes a "Meanest Vehicles" list of unrepentant gas-guzzlers. Lincoln Navigator and Lamborghini Murcielago, we're looking at you...
In the January/February 2007 issue of Sierra, Mr. Green offers advice on the "best" place to buy gas, explains just how much money you can save by turning the lights off when you leave the room, and considers the environmental aspects of the afterlife.
Send your thoughts and questions directly to Mr. Green, or weigh in in the comments section.
Chris Balish,
broadcast journalist
and car-free convert
When Chris Balish put his SUV up for sale, he wasn't trying to change his life. He just wanted to save money on gas. But when a buyer materialized before he got a new car, Balish turned to public transit and biking--and found himself less stressed, in better shape, and getting out of debt. His temporary solution became a new lifestyle, then fodder for a book, How to Live Well Without Owning a Car. Read an excerpt at livecarfree.com.
Q: What's the best benefit of not having a car?
A: Saving about 800 bucks a month. Anything you lose as far as freedom of mobility you gain in freedom of cash flow.
Q: How have you managed to stay car free in Los Angeles?
A: I found a community with good transit that's close to amenities. Riding the bus or train can take longer, but it's productive time to read and work.
Q: What do you think keeps people tied to their cars?
A: When you rely on an automobile, you don't even notice other forms of transportation like bike paths and transit hubs. Half the battle is just opening your eyes.
(Photograph by Candice Kelsey)
The average American walks about 300 yards per day.
Yahoo! Autos has launched a new site devoted to fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel cars (e.g. hybrids, biodiesel, ethanol, natural gas). The sleek-looking Green Center offers "Green Ratings" (developed with help from our pals at Environmental Defense) for more than 100 vehicles, information about different technologies, a gas-mileage impact calculator, links to discussion groups, and tips for moving up on a hybrid dealer’s waiting list.
I'm totally car-less (and a bit clueless about 'em too), so tell me what you think--is this site useful to you?
Airlines burned an extra 350 million gallons of fuel in 2000 due to U.S. passengers' increasing average weight over the past decade.
Urban cyclists have it easy in London, where bikes can be rented at subway stations, public buildings, and other popular destinations simply by entering a code into a mobile phone. (Similar setups in other European cities require cash deposits or prepaid swipe cards.) Charges range from about 50 cents for 15 minutes to $15 for a whole day. Now if they could just do something about the London weather. . . .
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