By David Finfrock, KXAS NBC5
I have personally been "Going Green" for decades. My parents taught me to have a healthy respect for the planet. They felt, and I agree, that it is incumbent upon each of us to do what we can to preserve our precious natural resources, and to leave this wonderful country intact, and pass it on to the next generation unimpaired. I have two wonderful granddaughters, and I want them to enjoy the same quality of life that I have been able to enjoy.
In my college days, I joined the Sierra Club, the Wilderness Society, the National Parks and Conservation Association, and the Nature Conservancy. And I have volunteered on a number of neighborhood clean-ups. Last year, I spent a week with a group repairing trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park in west Texas. So some people might call me a "tree-hugger". But I don't take that as an insult. It seems to me that the conservative position should be to conserve our resources, and not use them all up in one or two generations.
And I am not the only one to feel that way. Over the past few months, while doing my Going Green stories, I have been pleasantly surprised by the responses of businesses throughout our area. All across north Texas, businesses are recognizing the moral need for conservation. But they are also discovering that Going Green can result in financial success as well. Businesses and individuals alike are realizing that we can indeed go green, without hardship, and with great benefits for this and for future generations.
David Finfrock
Chief Meteorologist
KXAS-TV NBC5 Dallas/Fort Worth TX
http://www.nbc5i.com
One of the major problems in the US is the amount of traffic on the roads. I know that here in Portland, Oregon the traffic seems to get worse every day. I sometimes sit for an hour breathing in the toxins from the car in front of me, getting annoyed, sick, and not to mention late for work.
My company EcoShuttle is working on a commuter project taking people to and from work in our 99.9% biodiesel vans. Each van eliminates 9 single passenger cars from rush hour traffic, not to mention the carbon dioxide put out by those cars. This is something that our environment desperately needs. As sea levels rise and our air becomes more dangerous to breathe, do we really have a choice?
Many people think a van pool is inconvenient and too much of a lifestyle change. But the time spent in the van can be used productively and you arrive at the office ready to work. Whether or not people spend the time reading, completing emails, or networking with colleagues, vanpools are a great way to reduce people's carbon-footprints.
I miss watching this priceless man. I moved from his area after 8 years. I watched, listened, and learned many issues, that many fine people won't address. If they address just the vehicles that blow smoke, drip gas, trucks that are not safe, vehicles that are not supposed to be on the road. It would make DALLAS/FORTWORTH a cleaner place. Put those locked up to work, and less than five years it would 80 percent cleaner.
He's RIGHT:
"the conservative position should be to conserve our resources, and not use them all up in one or two generations."
I recently moved to Colorado 6 months ago and recently found out that this state ranks in the top 10 lowest recycling numbers in the nation! As an Executive Chef of a well known restaurant, I started a glass, cardboard, and oil recycling program. I'm trying to do my part by giving back! It hurts me to know that fact that Colorado Springs is ranked one of the lowest in the nation! It's such a great place, how could people not be doing their part? Who can I contact to start one of the biggest recycling movements in Colorado! We can do this people! It feels soooo good by doing your part, even if it is a little.
If you have any information to pass to me, please do. I'm very open minded and willing to try anything. Should we start contacting our local law-makers? Please HELP! It's sickening to know that we can do better! Thanks.
"Knowledge is the Key", we have all heard this expression. And we all have learned that there are literally hundreds of things we can do collectively to impact our environment.
This may seem like reading an advertisement, but I implore you to go on.
I have come upon something that is not the single long term strategy or answer to our environment and energy problems, but may well prove to be a top ten best interim action that could have an immediate impact regarding the world ecology crisis.
This is something that all Americans and for that matter people worldwide could easily partake, and enjoy the benefits of reducing harmful emissions from 35% - 56% from their existing vehicles and drive a minimum of 10% further with each tank full of fuel.
This includes vehicles with engines that burn gasoline and diesel, corn ethanol and soy diesel, we're talking automobiles, trucks, marine vessels, locomotives, powered aircraft, generator sets, small engines, literally anything that uses gasoline and diesel fuels for combustion.
Imagine reducing all of the world's harmful emissions by 35% - 56% from engines in use worldwide immediately. Imagine the impact on the supply/demand equation with a 10% reduction in demand. What affect would this have on the price of fuel?
Knowledge is the key.
Please log onto www.cleanworldfuels.com to learn more.
I have tested the products personally in my cars and tractors, they do perform to the expectations stated.
Again, this is not the "cure all", but until our future technology can replace all the existing vehicles out there, these fuel enhancement products can go a long way to reducing emissions these vehicles produce.
Please, we owe it to ourselves and future generations, let's take action America.
Sincerely,
Dan Snook
I have been working with kids through 4-H for many years and trying to introduce them to the 21st century and going Green. I feel that our government is walking the line between saving the planet and the destruction of it! Many times we see them changing their minds as to protection of the earth and how much big business pays them to look the other way so they can do what they want to make their bottom line much bigger.
I feel that if this keeps on the only thing that will be left is the big piles of money that makes their bottom line but there won't no place to spend it!