California High-Speed Rail Line First of its Kind in U.S.

A plan approved in early December includes an 800-mile transit system connecting San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento and other major California cities, and will run through the state’s farm-rich Central Valley. The project will be the first high-speed rail line in the United States, with construction to begin in 2012 and to be completed in 2017. Construction and service is expected to create tens of thousand, if not hundreds of thousand new jobs

Read more:  http://www.smartgrowth.org/engine/index.php/news/2011/california-high-speed-rail-line

Article courtesy of Smart Growth.org      Resource: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/03/us/03borden.html?hp

 

Green Your Car: Warm It Up Manually

Dealing with frost on the car windows can be a hassle, and unfortunately, most people tend to get rid of it by sitting inside their cars while they warm up. Instead, reduce carbon dioxide by manually clearing the frost using an ice scraper and some elbow grease. Not only will this defrost your car in a more eco-friendly manner, but it’s a great way to warm yourself up as well. If you have to park your car outside overnight, cover up the windshield with a piece of cardboard. It’ll prevent frost from forming and save you and the environment a whole lot of grief the next morning.

Article courtesy of The Green Life (green.life@sierraclub.org)

DIY Air Freshener

Store-bought air fresheners aren't very good for the
environment; most are made of paper and filled with chemicals.
The next time you want your car smelling fresher, take matters into
your own hands by making your own air freshener. Find an old blanket
or old piece of clothing and cut out a shape of your choice. Next, affix
the cloth to a piece of cardboard (keep it the same size), decorate
it, then soak the fabric in your favorite essential oil.

Article courtesy of The Green Life (green.life@sierraclub.org)

Improve Fuel Efficiency

Daily Tips for Living Well and Doing Good from the editors of Sierra magazine

Driving is one of the least green modes of transportation,
but there are ways of being eco-friendly even while in a car. This
week's tips will help you have less of an impact the next time
you have to drive.

http://action.sierraclub.org/site/R?i=fP9EX21klBhnPvYpuQ4QUg..

While zero-impact cars and fuels don't (yet) exist, there are
things every driver can do to improve fuel efficiency. One is simply
by driving at a smoother pace - rapid acceleration wastes gas
and increases emissions. Avoid drive-through windows, too: Unless you
drive a hybrid, idling next to a pick-up window for more than 30
seconds actually wastes more gas than turning off, then restarting
your car.

 

Article courtesy of The Green Life (green.lie@sierraclub.org)

California electricity pricing threatens plug-in hybrid affordability

California has been targeted as an early adopter market for plug-in hybrid vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Volt. Yet a study released Thursday said the price of recharging those vehicles may make them less economical to operate than traditional hybrids.

California utilities tier electricity pricing, so heavier users pay higher rates. The study said most Californians reach the most expensive tier of electricity pricing each month. 

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/01/california-electricity-pricing-threatens-plug-in-hybrid-affordability.html

Article courtesy of the LA Times -Greenspace by Susan Carpenter

The melting Arctic: a bigger-than-estimated impact on climate

The dramatic shrinking of Arctic sea ice and the Northern Hemisphere's glaciers and snowfields has reduced the radiation of sunlight back into space more than scientists previously predicted, according to a new study in the journal Nature Geoscience.

As a result, the ocean and land mass exposed by the melting ice and snow have absorbed more heat, contributing to global warming.

Read more:   http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0147e1aeb583970b-pi

Article courtesy of the LA Times Greenspace  by Margot Roosevelt

Evergreen Solar expands job-cut figure

Evergreen Solar Inc., which revealed on Tuesday that it will close its solar panel plant in Devens, now says it will cut more jobs than previously disclosed. However, the company also plans to invest millions of dollars in its existing research and development center in Marlborough, and remains committed to Massachusetts.

Read more:   http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2011/01/15/evergreen_solar_announces_additional_job_cuts/

 

Article courtesy of The Boston Globe by Todd Wallack