To replace our ten-year-old minivan, we decided to go for a diesel Jetta sportwagon instead of the newest model of the Grand Caravan minivan the kids assumed we were getting.  It’s a family crisis!  We were all excited about the roominess of the minivan — until we faced the direct relation between cubic size, gas mileage, and emissions, and realized it was time to make a change.  

I was asked to mention some of my favorites among the videos in the X Prize “My Crazy Green Idea” contest that can be seen on You Tube at www.youtube.com/groups_videos?name=crazygreenidea. One kind of exciting idea discusses a process that appears so possible to implement that I wonder why more people aren’t working with it. Examples are: “Building Topsoil Rapidly,” by justuscarbonfarmers, pg 4, row 2, #1; and “Bamboo X Prize,” by pannellw147, pg 3, row 4, #2.

Hello. I shop at farmers markets (and occasionally Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market) and try to buy locally (and organic if possible), compost fruits and vegetables (their skins, seeds, and other leftovers), walk or take public transportation, borrow books from the public library often (instead of buying them), drink tap water with my own water bottle (from klean kanteen) use a mug or themos for hot drinks, perform household tasks with natural cleaners (i.e.

A couple years ago I learned how to ride a motorcycle so that I could ride 20 miles to work each way.  I average three riding days per week and get nearly four times the gas mileage.  I initially made the switch because I was bothered by all of the emissions I was putting into the air, but now I fill up for less than $10 and I take a route along the river on a scenic stretch of roadway.  The downside is that it takes a bit longer to get there and I do feel more exhausted.  Plus, there are daily close calls from automobile drivers with less than optimum attention or consi

At first it seems climate change is one of those thousand natural shocks to which flesh is heir.  This, in the largest  possible view, must surely be the truth.  The discoveries of all the Earth sciences point out that, over time, conditions on our planet have drastically changes many times.  The speed at which these changes occur is at the center of the discussion.  More and more it is beginning to look like human activity is accelerating the current rise in the Earth's  ambient average temperature; everybody say, "Well duh!" 

There is a group page on You Tube containing the 133 video entries, each limited to 2 minutes, for the recent X Prize contest, "My Crazy Green Idea," to come up with an idea for the next X Prize alternate energy competition--ideas addressing climate change and lowering carbon emissions.  I'm going through these a few at a time and think they form an addition to the Climate Change exhibit and are all worth looking at.  The web address is: www.youtube.com/groups_videos?name=crazygreenidea

 Plastic grocery bags aren't the only things reused in the kitchen.

When you open a box of cereal cut across the top of the wax bag, then reseal with a pinch clothespin.

After you finish the cereal shake out the large wax bag and reuse to carry food.

I really believe that if most of us can live sustainably on planet Earth; the bottom line is that we can leave a more equitable, just and sustainable world for us and our children. And all nthe other living creatures here on our world, the plants and the animals can benefit enormously too. We should consume less and be more eco friendly to the environment and our only home world. When we eventually colonize other planets and solar systems and galaxies, we should consume less and live more sustainable out there too.   A. T.  New York City 

It seems much warmer overall here in Beckley, WV. With gas prices so high and the weather staying warmer much later in the winter, I splurged for a scooter. Gas mileage is unbelievable. One wheel on front, two in back, enclosed, cherry red- who could ask for more! The warmer weather brought an awesome growing season this year and for the first time in many I planted a garden. Food and fresh vegetables are so expensive. If you think about it, everything is so much higher except my pay. "A Great Depression" on the horizon??????

As our bulbs have blown, we replace them with fluorescents, which are subsidized by our electric company. Also, the clotheslines in my yard (or basement, depending on the weather) are in constant use. There is nothing like yard-dried sheets and t-shirts! My family focuses more and more on reducing our consumerism and when we do need to replace something, we start by shopping for gently-used or Earth-friendly products.