I apologize for this, but all posts of the IGR will be suspended temporarily. I've got a boat load of personal things going on in my life right now that need to be taken care of. And I know that the timing of this couldn't be worse, with the end of the Tournament so near, but I really need to focus on other things right now. Hopefully I'll be back to posting regularly towards the end of next week, but I don't want to guarantee anything. You should use this time to catch up on any old posts that you may have missed.
Thank you, and stay Green!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tournament Round 3, Match 1 - (1) Recycling vs. (6) Wildlife Conservation
Round three is just about to begin, and it should be a little bit more fun than previous rounds. I have a lot more flexibility in terms of coming up with silly news stories to share with everyone. I'm going to stretch this one out a bit longer so I can have a more thorough discussion of the topics. I'll only talk about Recycling today and talk about Wildlife Conservation Tomorrow. Enough of this chit chat, let's see how Recycling does!
Recycling
Positive News Stories (5 out of 30)
I'm not going to even pretend that I looked through all of the Recycling based news stories over the past year. I skimmed through a lot of headlines and I was pretty disappointed in what I found about Recycling. Most stories were from regional newspapers talking about the city or the county collecting some new item such as different numbered plastic or bottle caps or something. A lot of stories talked about raising costs to collect recyclables. But really, there hasn't been any remarkably exciting news stories when it comes to Recycling. It's become a pretty well developed concept that isn't going to change much each year.
Negative News Stories (-12 out of -30)
Negative new stories were somewhat easier to find. One in particular, which was posted 3 minutes before I started looking for news stories is the following:
(WARNING: Don't read this story while eating. Or if you plan on eating any time in your life.)
Bleaaaach! NO! Never! I originally didn't want to include this under Recycling because usually you think of plastic, not placentas when you think of Recycling, but I decided to leave it in here. Recycling, by its very definition, is taking something that you would throw away and turning it into something useful (such as a teddy bear or a lasagna).
If you really want something more normal, I did find an article that discussed how a Recycling program in California took in $1.2 Billion dollars but they wasted so much money that it actually cost the state around $1 Billion. No wonder California is having so many budgetary issues!
User Comments (4 out of 20)
To answer your concern, Chris, I update the Tournament picture on the right hand side of the page so you can see the current match up.
Okay, now that the suspense has been built, you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see how Wildlife Conservation does and who the winner is.
Recycling
Positive News Stories (5 out of 30)
I'm not going to even pretend that I looked through all of the Recycling based news stories over the past year. I skimmed through a lot of headlines and I was pretty disappointed in what I found about Recycling. Most stories were from regional newspapers talking about the city or the county collecting some new item such as different numbered plastic or bottle caps or something. A lot of stories talked about raising costs to collect recyclables. But really, there hasn't been any remarkably exciting news stories when it comes to Recycling. It's become a pretty well developed concept that isn't going to change much each year.
Negative News Stories (-12 out of -30)
Negative new stories were somewhat easier to find. One in particular, which was posted 3 minutes before I started looking for news stories is the following:
(WARNING: Don't read this story while eating. Or if you plan on eating any time in your life.)
Bleaaaach! NO! Never! I originally didn't want to include this under Recycling because usually you think of plastic, not placentas when you think of Recycling, but I decided to leave it in here. Recycling, by its very definition, is taking something that you would throw away and turning it into something useful (such as a teddy bear or a lasagna).
If you really want something more normal, I did find an article that discussed how a Recycling program in California took in $1.2 Billion dollars but they wasted so much money that it actually cost the state around $1 Billion. No wonder California is having so many budgetary issues!
User Comments (4 out of 20)
To answer your concern, Chris, I update the Tournament picture on the right hand side of the page so you can see the current match up.
Okay, now that the suspense has been built, you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see how Wildlife Conservation does and who the winner is.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Tournament Round 2, Match 8 - (2) Canvas Bags vs. (3) Recycled Products
Savor this moment! It's the very last match up of Round 2!
Canvas Bags
Green Pride (17/20)
I think I mentioned this last round, but there aren't a lot of Green ideas that can be used as fashion statements. Canvas Bags are one of them. Bags can have fun slogans advertising how much better they are for the environment then their friends. They can have fun pictures that demonstrate how much better they are for the environment then their friends. They can even have advertisements for companies that are clearly better for the environment than the companies that your friends shop at. Basically, what I'm saying is that people are proud of their Canvas Bags.
Green Guilt (16/20)
People are pretty guilty nowadays when it comes to not using Canvas Bags. It makes it even worse that they always have the bags hanging there right next to the cashier, just staring you down as if they're judging you, saying "Why do you hate the environment?" I mean, you can almost picture their sad little puppy dog eyes boring holes through your soul.
Reader Comments (2/10)
For three!!! I mean... two!!!
Recycled Products
Green Pride (17/20)
You know how I mentioned that there aren't a lot of ideas that can be used as fashion statements? Well, you can use Recycled Products as fashion statements too. For example, I have a t-shirt made of recycled Coke bottles. People can also have book bags or hats or purses made of Recycled Products. And let me tell you, as someone who wears clothing made of Coke bottles, people who wear Recycled Products like to tell other people about their Green-ness.
Green Guilt (4/20)
There's not a whole lot of pressure from society to buy Recycled Products. It's mainly a voluntary thing. You know, kind of like extra credit. You can still pass (environmentally), but it would be a whole lot easier with extra credit (Recycled Products). Nobody feels guilty for not doing extra credit.
Reader Comments (0/10)
Just think! You, could contribute to the winner of this tournament!
Time to tally the scores!
Canvas Bags: 35
Recycled Products: 21
And there you have it! Canvas Bags really brings it hard to Recycled Products. Come on back next week when I start (and finish) the third round of the Tournament!
Canvas Bags
Green Pride (17/20)
I think I mentioned this last round, but there aren't a lot of Green ideas that can be used as fashion statements. Canvas Bags are one of them. Bags can have fun slogans advertising how much better they are for the environment then their friends. They can have fun pictures that demonstrate how much better they are for the environment then their friends. They can even have advertisements for companies that are clearly better for the environment than the companies that your friends shop at. Basically, what I'm saying is that people are proud of their Canvas Bags.
Green Guilt (16/20)
People are pretty guilty nowadays when it comes to not using Canvas Bags. It makes it even worse that they always have the bags hanging there right next to the cashier, just staring you down as if they're judging you, saying "Why do you hate the environment?" I mean, you can almost picture their sad little puppy dog eyes boring holes through your soul.
Reader Comments (2/10)
For three!!! I mean... two!!!
Recycled Products
Green Pride (17/20)
You know how I mentioned that there aren't a lot of ideas that can be used as fashion statements? Well, you can use Recycled Products as fashion statements too. For example, I have a t-shirt made of recycled Coke bottles. People can also have book bags or hats or purses made of Recycled Products. And let me tell you, as someone who wears clothing made of Coke bottles, people who wear Recycled Products like to tell other people about their Green-ness.
Green Guilt (4/20)
There's not a whole lot of pressure from society to buy Recycled Products. It's mainly a voluntary thing. You know, kind of like extra credit. You can still pass (environmentally), but it would be a whole lot easier with extra credit (Recycled Products). Nobody feels guilty for not doing extra credit.
Reader Comments (0/10)
Just think! You, could contribute to the winner of this tournament!
Time to tally the scores!
Canvas Bags: 35
Recycled Products: 21
And there you have it! Canvas Bags really brings it hard to Recycled Products. Come on back next week when I start (and finish) the third round of the Tournament!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Tournament Round 2, Match 7 - (1) Low Energy Lighting vs. (5) High Efficiency Toilets
Time to begin the Green Products Region, Round 2!
Low Energy Lighting
Green Pride (14/20)
I fear that LEL is beginning to follow the path of Recycling. These new Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs have been around for some time now and people are starting to take them for granted. In fact, a lot of countries now have plans to ban the sale of high energy light bulbs within the next ten years, so after that point, people will take no pride in doing what is really the only option that they have.
But for now, people are pretty proud of the fact that they are able to cut down their energy bills by buying light bulbs that look somewhat silly and whimsical.
Green Guilt (6/20)
People aren't too guilty about not using these new light bulbs. Right now there are too many excuses (many not valid) for not wanting to upgrade their lights. They're too expensive (the lower electricity costs pay for themselves within a year or so), they have odd coloring (newer technologies have fixed that), they take too long to turn on (really, you can't wait 1/2 of a second?).
Reader Comments (0/10)
Make sure to comment!
High Efficiency Toilets
Green Pride (12/20)
I really do want to give this a higher score, because I think people would be (and most likely are) proud of their water-free toilets. But when I'm rating these ideas, I like to think about how often and how vocally people like to brag about owning the product. And the one thing that society has taught us well is that you don't talk about toilets to strangers at parties. That's just really weird, even if composting your own waste is really good for the environment.
Green Guilt (7/20)
People will feel pretty darn guilty some day. Right now, things aren't too bad and water is something that is fairly common. But once droughts begin taking hold and water is something that is almost as scarce (and valuable) as oil, people will begin singing a different song. So for now, I'll have to give this a low-ish rating, but if it makes you feel any better, I'll give this one a few future point that can be redeemed in 5 years.
Reader Comments (2/10)
Just think! You, too could contribute to the winner of this tournament!
Time to tally the scores!
Low Energy Lighting: 20
High Efficiency Toilets: 21
I hope you aren't too UPSET by that result! Come on back tomorrow to see how (2) Canvas Bags and (3) Recycled Products fare against one another.
Low Energy Lighting
Green Pride (14/20)
I fear that LEL is beginning to follow the path of Recycling. These new Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs have been around for some time now and people are starting to take them for granted. In fact, a lot of countries now have plans to ban the sale of high energy light bulbs within the next ten years, so after that point, people will take no pride in doing what is really the only option that they have.
But for now, people are pretty proud of the fact that they are able to cut down their energy bills by buying light bulbs that look somewhat silly and whimsical.
Green Guilt (6/20)
People aren't too guilty about not using these new light bulbs. Right now there are too many excuses (many not valid) for not wanting to upgrade their lights. They're too expensive (the lower electricity costs pay for themselves within a year or so), they have odd coloring (newer technologies have fixed that), they take too long to turn on (really, you can't wait 1/2 of a second?).
Reader Comments (0/10)
Make sure to comment!
High Efficiency Toilets
Green Pride (12/20)
I really do want to give this a higher score, because I think people would be (and most likely are) proud of their water-free toilets. But when I'm rating these ideas, I like to think about how often and how vocally people like to brag about owning the product. And the one thing that society has taught us well is that you don't talk about toilets to strangers at parties. That's just really weird, even if composting your own waste is really good for the environment.
Green Guilt (7/20)
People will feel pretty darn guilty some day. Right now, things aren't too bad and water is something that is fairly common. But once droughts begin taking hold and water is something that is almost as scarce (and valuable) as oil, people will begin singing a different song. So for now, I'll have to give this a low-ish rating, but if it makes you feel any better, I'll give this one a few future point that can be redeemed in 5 years.
Reader Comments (2/10)
Just think! You, too could contribute to the winner of this tournament!
Time to tally the scores!
Low Energy Lighting: 20
High Efficiency Toilets: 21
I hope you aren't too UPSET by that result! Come on back tomorrow to see how (2) Canvas Bags and (3) Recycled Products fare against one another.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tournament Round 2, Match 6 - (2) Solar Power vs. (3) Waste to Energy
Finally! A comparison that isn't comparing two almost identical topics! Solar Power and Waste to Energy couldn't be more different!
Solar Power
Green Pride (18/20)
I don't think that it's unreasonable to assume that people are just as proud of Solar Power as they are of Wind Power. Most people would probably (if not secretly) like to have solar panels installed on their roofs and would probably brag about them quite a bit to anyone who would listen. This may change in the next 10 years or so as Solar Power becomes more popular. Then it will be like recycling in that everyone does it, so it's not really something to brag about.
Green Guilt (8/20)
When compared with Wind Power, people are probably slightly more guilty about not having Solar Power, simply because solar panels are much more inexpensive than wind turbines. I mean, you're not going to see people buying small wind turbines unless they live in an open area such as a farm. Solar panels, however, can be used anywhere that has a roof and gets a good amount of sun each day.
Reader Comments (0/10)
Make sure to comment!
Waste to Energy
Green Pride (19/20)
Okay, this is pretty darn awesome! I have to admit that I hadn't heard about this until recently mainly because it is relatively uncommon these days. But when I did hear about it, I couldn't have been more proud that people were finally doing something productive with their waste. The reason I didn't give this a 20 is that people are still a little weirded out by the idea of turning garbage into something that can run their refrigerators and Xboxes.
Green Guilt (1/20)
Waste to Energy? What's that? I've never heard of that before, and therefore do not really feel guilty that my city's not doing that. Oh, well, I guess I won't worry about it because I've got better things to deal with.
Reader Comments (0/10)
They're worth double now, so make sure you comment!
Time to tally the scores!
Solar Power: 26
Waste to Energy: 20
Well, there you have it! Solar Power comes out the winner! It's the first #2 seed not to be upset this round. Tomorrow I will talk about how (1) Low Energy Lighting and (5) High Efficiency Toilets compare with one another.
I guess now would be a good time to talk about the next round and how the scoring for that will work. As usual, there will be a total of 50 points. Up to 30 points will be given for positive news stories that have happened in the past year based on how significant the story is to the environment. Up to -30 points will be given to negative news stories that have happened in the past year. And 20 points will be given for user comments. 4 points per comment, up to 5 comments per topic. Sooo, have fun!
Solar Power
Green Pride (18/20)
I don't think that it's unreasonable to assume that people are just as proud of Solar Power as they are of Wind Power. Most people would probably (if not secretly) like to have solar panels installed on their roofs and would probably brag about them quite a bit to anyone who would listen. This may change in the next 10 years or so as Solar Power becomes more popular. Then it will be like recycling in that everyone does it, so it's not really something to brag about.
Green Guilt (8/20)
When compared with Wind Power, people are probably slightly more guilty about not having Solar Power, simply because solar panels are much more inexpensive than wind turbines. I mean, you're not going to see people buying small wind turbines unless they live in an open area such as a farm. Solar panels, however, can be used anywhere that has a roof and gets a good amount of sun each day.
Reader Comments (0/10)
Make sure to comment!
Waste to Energy
Green Pride (19/20)
Okay, this is pretty darn awesome! I have to admit that I hadn't heard about this until recently mainly because it is relatively uncommon these days. But when I did hear about it, I couldn't have been more proud that people were finally doing something productive with their waste. The reason I didn't give this a 20 is that people are still a little weirded out by the idea of turning garbage into something that can run their refrigerators and Xboxes.
Green Guilt (1/20)
Waste to Energy? What's that? I've never heard of that before, and therefore do not really feel guilty that my city's not doing that. Oh, well, I guess I won't worry about it because I've got better things to deal with.
Reader Comments (0/10)
They're worth double now, so make sure you comment!
Time to tally the scores!
Solar Power: 26
Waste to Energy: 20
Well, there you have it! Solar Power comes out the winner! It's the first #2 seed not to be upset this round. Tomorrow I will talk about how (1) Low Energy Lighting and (5) High Efficiency Toilets compare with one another.
I guess now would be a good time to talk about the next round and how the scoring for that will work. As usual, there will be a total of 50 points. Up to 30 points will be given for positive news stories that have happened in the past year based on how significant the story is to the environment. Up to -30 points will be given to negative news stories that have happened in the past year. And 20 points will be given for user comments. 4 points per comment, up to 5 comments per topic. Sooo, have fun!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Tournament Round 2, Match 5 - (1) Wind Power vs. (5) Offshore Wind
Allllll right! This one's going to be interesting. (1) Wind Power and (5) Offshore Wind Power. I'll try to differentiate them as much as I possibly can to make a good comparison between the two. Wind Power will refer to only wind turbines on land while Offshore refers to anything that is situated in water.
Wind Power
Green Pride (18/20)
Now, this is a little different than most of the other topics I've talked about so far because it's not something that individual consumers choose to buy or to take advantage of. Most Wind Power comes from the utility companies. So when I say that people are proud to have Wind Power, I mean that in that they're proud to have wind powering their city or country or space station (good luck with that). And for the most part, people are pretty proud to know that they have wind turbines near (but not too near) their homes.
Green Guilt (7/20)
I guess people are pretty responsible and know that their cities should be powered by alternative energy, but for the most part, they know that they can't see the difference between coal or natural gas powered electricity and Wind Power. So what does it matter to them where it comes from? And prices will probably rise with Wind Power so who wants that?
Reader Comments (2/10)
One vote for Wind Power!
Offshore Wind Power
Green Pride (17/20)
Nobody cares if you build wind turbines near landfills. People like that. People are pretty proud of Offshore Wind Power too, but it seems like there has been a lot more opposition to Offshore Wind Power because it tends to get in the way of beautiful beaches and scenic views. Oh, come on, people! The view isn't that bad!
Green Guilt (5/20)
This one is sort of a non-issue for a good portion of the world. A lot of people don't live near the water, so they know that they can't have Offshore Wind Power. And that means they don't have to be guilty about it! Hooray!
Reader Comments (0/10)
They're worth double now, so make sure you comment!
Time to tally the scores!
Wind Power: 27
Offshore Wind Power: 22
Well, there you have it! Wind Power comes out the winner!
I may be busy tomorrow so I might not get to post until Thursday. But when I do post, it will be (2) Solar Power vs. (3) Waste to Energy.
Wind Power
Green Pride (18/20)
Now, this is a little different than most of the other topics I've talked about so far because it's not something that individual consumers choose to buy or to take advantage of. Most Wind Power comes from the utility companies. So when I say that people are proud to have Wind Power, I mean that in that they're proud to have wind powering their city or country or space station (good luck with that). And for the most part, people are pretty proud to know that they have wind turbines near (but not too near) their homes.
Green Guilt (7/20)
I guess people are pretty responsible and know that their cities should be powered by alternative energy, but for the most part, they know that they can't see the difference between coal or natural gas powered electricity and Wind Power. So what does it matter to them where it comes from? And prices will probably rise with Wind Power so who wants that?
Reader Comments (2/10)
One vote for Wind Power!
Offshore Wind Power
Green Pride (17/20)
Nobody cares if you build wind turbines near landfills. People like that. People are pretty proud of Offshore Wind Power too, but it seems like there has been a lot more opposition to Offshore Wind Power because it tends to get in the way of beautiful beaches and scenic views. Oh, come on, people! The view isn't that bad!
Green Guilt (5/20)
This one is sort of a non-issue for a good portion of the world. A lot of people don't live near the water, so they know that they can't have Offshore Wind Power. And that means they don't have to be guilty about it! Hooray!
Reader Comments (0/10)
They're worth double now, so make sure you comment!
Time to tally the scores!
Wind Power: 27
Offshore Wind Power: 22
Well, there you have it! Wind Power comes out the winner!
I may be busy tomorrow so I might not get to post until Thursday. But when I do post, it will be (2) Solar Power vs. (3) Waste to Energy.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Tournament Round 2, Match 4 - (2) Electric Vehicles vs. (3) Hybrid Vehicles
Happy Independence Day, everyone! Let's celebrate by discussing something that Japan is doing much better than the United States! Making Hybrid Electric and Electric Vehicles. But which is better? It's time to find out!
Electric Vehicles
I just want to remind everyone of the differences between Hybrids and Electric Vehicles. Hybrids run primarily on gasoline or diesel internal combustion engines but they also have electric motors that are charged while the car is running, typically while the car is breaking. Electric Vehicles are the cars that you plug in at night and can run for a certain number of miles before they need to switch over to a gas motor or just die on the side of the road. Get the difference? Sounds great, let's move on to the good stuff! First up is Electric Vehicles (EV).
Green Pride (18/20)
People looooooooove EVs. Most of the time, they're ridiculously expensive and gas would need to be something like $10 a gallon or you have to drive a couple hundred miles a day (beyond the range of the EV) for it to be financially worth it. So the people that buy these cars are usually very proud of how good they are for the environment. When you meet someone that has one of these cars and don't know what to talk about, bring up their car and you've got your conversation covered for that entire night. If you need to get out of that conversation, all you have to do is suddenly remember that you forgot to plug in your EV and you're off the hook.
Green Guilt (5/20)
People like to read about EV and the newest models that are coming out, but deep down, they know that they probably won't own one of those any time soon. The guilt would be a lot higher, except that everyone has an amazing way to overcome that guilt without making too much of a sacrifice. And I'll mention that amazing way in just one minute.
Reader Comments (0/10)
I couldn't decide either. Maybe next time!
Hybrid Vehicles
Green Pride (12/20)
That amazing way is for people to buy a Hybrid Vehicle. HVs are marginally better for the environment than regular cars and marginally more expensive. They're a great way for people who are eco-lazy to be eco-friendly without changing their lifestyles in a single tangible way. Even though they didn't do anything other than write a slightly bigger check when they were paying for their cars, they're really proud of their slightly smaller carbon footprint.
Green Guilt (12/20)
I'd say that out of every 20 people, at least 12 realize that they should spend the extra money upfront and do what's right for the environment. If they don't they'll be plagued with some eco-guilt every time their friends are bragging about their EVs.
Reader Comments (0/10)
They're worth double now, so make sure you comment!
Time to tally the scores!
Electric Vehicles: 23
Hybrid Vehicles: 24
I promise you that I don't know the scores ahead of time until I tally them at the end. I don't modify things so that they come out really close. I really am unbiased (except for some really rare cases) so these really close results are genuine. I hope you didn't have Electric Vehicles and forgot to comment, because that would have made all the difference!
Next time is (1) Wind Power vs. (5) Offshore Wind Power. What's up with all these really similar concepts going head to head?
Electric Vehicles
I just want to remind everyone of the differences between Hybrids and Electric Vehicles. Hybrids run primarily on gasoline or diesel internal combustion engines but they also have electric motors that are charged while the car is running, typically while the car is breaking. Electric Vehicles are the cars that you plug in at night and can run for a certain number of miles before they need to switch over to a gas motor or just die on the side of the road. Get the difference? Sounds great, let's move on to the good stuff! First up is Electric Vehicles (EV).
Green Pride (18/20)
People looooooooove EVs. Most of the time, they're ridiculously expensive and gas would need to be something like $10 a gallon or you have to drive a couple hundred miles a day (beyond the range of the EV) for it to be financially worth it. So the people that buy these cars are usually very proud of how good they are for the environment. When you meet someone that has one of these cars and don't know what to talk about, bring up their car and you've got your conversation covered for that entire night. If you need to get out of that conversation, all you have to do is suddenly remember that you forgot to plug in your EV and you're off the hook.
Green Guilt (5/20)
People like to read about EV and the newest models that are coming out, but deep down, they know that they probably won't own one of those any time soon. The guilt would be a lot higher, except that everyone has an amazing way to overcome that guilt without making too much of a sacrifice. And I'll mention that amazing way in just one minute.
Reader Comments (0/10)
I couldn't decide either. Maybe next time!
Hybrid Vehicles
Green Pride (12/20)
That amazing way is for people to buy a Hybrid Vehicle. HVs are marginally better for the environment than regular cars and marginally more expensive. They're a great way for people who are eco-lazy to be eco-friendly without changing their lifestyles in a single tangible way. Even though they didn't do anything other than write a slightly bigger check when they were paying for their cars, they're really proud of their slightly smaller carbon footprint.
Green Guilt (12/20)
I'd say that out of every 20 people, at least 12 realize that they should spend the extra money upfront and do what's right for the environment. If they don't they'll be plagued with some eco-guilt every time their friends are bragging about their EVs.
Reader Comments (0/10)
They're worth double now, so make sure you comment!
Time to tally the scores!
Electric Vehicles: 23
Hybrid Vehicles: 24
I promise you that I don't know the scores ahead of time until I tally them at the end. I don't modify things so that they come out really close. I really am unbiased (except for some really rare cases) so these really close results are genuine. I hope you didn't have Electric Vehicles and forgot to comment, because that would have made all the difference!
Next time is (1) Wind Power vs. (5) Offshore Wind Power. What's up with all these really similar concepts going head to head?
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Tournament Round 2, Match 3 - (1) Bikes vs. (5) Trains
Sorry about the whole being late thing... You know, holidays! What are you going to do about 'em? Anyway, here's the long awaited Bikes vs. Trains!
Bikes
Before I get started, I just have to say that learning how to ride about a bike is just about mandatory for children in this country. It's almost like a rite of passage or a coming of age event in people's lives.
Green Pride (14/20)
I know for a fact that you know, or at least know of, someone in your life that is a total jerk about riding their bike. These are the people with the spandex pants and the people that always talk about how Lance Armstrong is their personal hero. These people rub it in your faces that their carbon footprint is smaller than the parking space that they need to park their bike at work every day. Never mind that they have an hour and a half commute each way. That's not the point. The point is that they're better than you.
Green Guilt (3/20)
The hard thing about biking is that it doesn't work in the winter. Everyone in the northern part of the country (world, really), wakes up on January 1st and says "I should ride my bike more to reduce my carbon footprint and get into shape." Haha, then they rationalize it that it's snowing out and they'll wait until April to start that New Year's Resolution. But by April, most people have forgotten that they made that promise to themselves and feel really no guilt about it.
Reader Comments (0/10)
I couldn't decide either. Maybe next time!
Trains
Trains pulled off an upset last round, can they do it again?
Green Pride (10/20)
Sorry, Trains, I don't have any really great anecdotes or witty remarks about how people love riding trains and how people herald them as the saviors of the environment. Yes, there is a lot of push for high speed rail to be installed in this country, but I don't see that as an environmental issue first and foremost. It's mostly an economic issue that people want to see cities connected by things other than roads and airports.
Green Guilt (0/20)
When was the last time that you rode a train? One of two things just happened. You either didn't have to think much about it because you do it every day and it's a necessity and not an environmental choice. The other is that you had to think for quite a while and couldn't really remember the last time. That's because it doesn't bother you that you're not riding trains. If you're concerned about your environmental footprint, you're going to do other things (like ride bikes) and not choose to ride the train more.
Reader Comments (0/10)
They're worth double now, so make sure you comment!
Time to tally the scores!
Bikes: 17
Trains: 10
Wow, lowest scores we've ever had here. Bikes are lucky that Trains were such an uninspiring competitor.
Next up: (2) Electric Vehicles vs. (3) Hybrid Vehicles. That should be interesting!
Bikes
Before I get started, I just have to say that learning how to ride about a bike is just about mandatory for children in this country. It's almost like a rite of passage or a coming of age event in people's lives.
Green Pride (14/20)
I know for a fact that you know, or at least know of, someone in your life that is a total jerk about riding their bike. These are the people with the spandex pants and the people that always talk about how Lance Armstrong is their personal hero. These people rub it in your faces that their carbon footprint is smaller than the parking space that they need to park their bike at work every day. Never mind that they have an hour and a half commute each way. That's not the point. The point is that they're better than you.
Green Guilt (3/20)
The hard thing about biking is that it doesn't work in the winter. Everyone in the northern part of the country (world, really), wakes up on January 1st and says "I should ride my bike more to reduce my carbon footprint and get into shape." Haha, then they rationalize it that it's snowing out and they'll wait until April to start that New Year's Resolution. But by April, most people have forgotten that they made that promise to themselves and feel really no guilt about it.
Reader Comments (0/10)
I couldn't decide either. Maybe next time!
Trains
Trains pulled off an upset last round, can they do it again?
Green Pride (10/20)
Sorry, Trains, I don't have any really great anecdotes or witty remarks about how people love riding trains and how people herald them as the saviors of the environment. Yes, there is a lot of push for high speed rail to be installed in this country, but I don't see that as an environmental issue first and foremost. It's mostly an economic issue that people want to see cities connected by things other than roads and airports.
Green Guilt (0/20)
When was the last time that you rode a train? One of two things just happened. You either didn't have to think much about it because you do it every day and it's a necessity and not an environmental choice. The other is that you had to think for quite a while and couldn't really remember the last time. That's because it doesn't bother you that you're not riding trains. If you're concerned about your environmental footprint, you're going to do other things (like ride bikes) and not choose to ride the train more.
Reader Comments (0/10)
They're worth double now, so make sure you comment!
Time to tally the scores!
Bikes: 17
Trains: 10
Wow, lowest scores we've ever had here. Bikes are lucky that Trains were such an uninspiring competitor.
Next up: (2) Electric Vehicles vs. (3) Hybrid Vehicles. That should be interesting!
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