Los Angeles Air Quality Fail

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People that live in Los Angeles, already know this.  What might surprise you, is that a lot of metropolitan cities have failing grades as well.

Check out stateofair.org to get a rating for your city.

Source - stateoftheair.orgWhile you can't do too much about the outdoors short of wearing some sort of mask, you can try to control air polution indoors with an air filter.

 

Go-Ped Factory Tour

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I'm a fan of alternative transportation (vs regular gasoline powered cars).  Personal transportation in particular is one that I feel more people can improve upon in their lives.  Does it really make sense to drive a 2 ton vehicle out for a local trip to the grocery store or rent movies?  What a waste!

Sadly, at least in most of California, I see few people using alternative transportation for such short local trips.  I've seen one segway, a few bicycles used by some staff, a motorcycle every now and then, and a handful of people who walk from across the street here in So. Cal.

Go-ped goes a long way into making personal transportation fun and practical.  They recently released a line of bulletproof kick scooters that I think everyone should consider in an urban / city / metropolitan environment.

Enjoy the factory tour!

UnbeatableSale.com

Sells Go-Peds.

How I try to be green every day

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Happy Earth Day!

Here's a random list of ways that I try to be green every day.

 

  • I telecommute.  A lot of work I do is done 'remotely' or online as much as I can.
  • I carpool as much as possible.
  • I drive an old car. There are significant environmental costs to both manufacturing a new automobile and adding your old car to the ever-growing collective junk heap.
     
  • I do a lot of walking.
  • I recycle.  Cans, paper, bottles, computers, electronics, water, etc.
  • I use solar energy (directly from sunlight) to charge my every day batteries that power my portable electronics, cell phone, laptop, and lights in my computer room.
  • I turn off lights when the room isn't being occupied.
  • I switched to high efficiency fluorescent tubes and LED lights.
  • My servers are on a timed schedule and power down when unused for a long period of time.
  • I vote for energy star rated efficiency products when I make my purchases.
  • My web-server is completely powered by solar and wind energy.
  • I use the dark google.
  • I use rechargeable batteries instead of disposables for almost everything except a watch or two, and those last for years before they need to be replaced.
  • I take short showers.
  • I eat home grown vegetables and fruits.
  • I unplug AC adapters when the electronics won't be used for a while.
  • I put on an extra layer when it gets cold at home vs using a heater.
  • I try to pass out virtual contact/business cards vs paper cards.
  • I don't ask for a receipt at starbucks.
  • I mulch my grass clippings to use as fertilizer.
  • I pay with e-bills and use virtual statements.
  • I use re-usable water bottles made of aluminum, which itself is completely recyclable.
  • I refurbish old computers.
  • I re-use my plastic bags.