GREEN CHIP COMPANY

COCKTAIL FACT

SAVE TO MY BITES

RATE THIS TIP:

How useful is this tip to you?
(5 is the highest)

1	2	3	4	5

home ›   tip library ›   Sep 17,2008

Wanna kung fu kick pollutants off the planet?

The Bite:

Help Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) get 'em in a headlock. EDF hooks up its scientists and economists with businesses, the government, and communities to create lasting solutions for the most serious eco issues: global warming, sustainable seafood, protecting critters, clean air and water, and transportation. Click here to stay informed, donate, take action, and get tips and tools. Judo(n't) wanna miss out.

Company Background

Even a generation ago, EDF was a key player in the modern environmental scene, suing polluters, and lobbying for strong environmental regulations. It successfully fought for a national ban on DDT in 1972, helped take lead out of gasoline in 1985, and created effective market-based incentives for the Clean Air Act in 1990. These days, it still goes to court when necessary, but it's more likely to sit down with companies, landowners, and fishermen - anyone with a stake in solving environmental problems - to find solutions that protect us all. Hi-ya!

Why Care?

• EDF is currently working to promote a congestion pricing plan in NYC that would help reduce congestion during rush hour in Manhattan by charging commuters more on tolls to drive into the city, sending revenues to the public transportation system.

• EDF now offers up handy conservation tips and tricks galore. Example: Five ways to save on your commute:

 
1) Take public transportation.
Driving produces about three times more pollution than taking public transportation, and it also wastes money - the average two-worker household can save up to $6,251 every year by jumping on the bus or subway instead.
 
2) If you do drive, get your car in good shape.
Keeping your engine properly tuned can save up to 165 gallons of gas (more than $600) per year; make sure your tires are correctly inflated and aligned, and you'll increase your gas mileage by about 3.3%.
 
3) Telecommute when possible.
If all commuters worked from home just one day a week, we could save 5.85 billion gallons of oil and cut roughly 143 billion pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
 
4) Drive slower and less aggressively.
Aggressive drivers use an extra 125 gallons of gas and spend about $500 more than the average driver each year.
 
5) Promote Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD) auto insurance.
PAYD is an innovative concept that links insurance polices to an odometer - the less you drive, the lower your premiums.

Keeping It Real

Not all of EDF's projects succeed the first time out. For example, it's on round two of promoting the NYC congestion pricing plan; despite widespread support, an important funding bill failed, effectively killing the plan. But EDF is rallying again for 2009.