Low-Level Pesticide Exposure In Utero Linked to Impacts on Behavior and Hormones

Low-Level Pesticide Exposure In Utero Linked to Impacts on Behavior and Hormones

Find your car’s gas mileage and green scores on new EPA website

Find your car’s gas mileage and green scores on new EPA website

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October 15th, 2009 · No Comments

Green Right Now Reports

The EPA has issued a new fuel economy guide for consumers that goes beyond the already standing website, fueleconomy.gov.
The new guide singles out the best-in-class for fuel efficiency in various categories, such as Fuel Economy Leaders: 2010 Model Year (yup, the Prius number 1, but hey luxury lovers, did you know there are two Lexus’s on the top 10 list?)
There’s also a list of the Lowest Fuel Economy Models: 2010 Model Year. Sorry Bentley, Lamborghini and Mercedes lovers, this is where the buck stops. You want to be green, you’ll have to build a new engine to go with those calfskin seats.
The EPA website also points people to the Green Vehicle Guide. This guide looks at both a car’s fuel efficiency and its tail pipe emissions, helping consumers to understand that the greenest, most eco-friendly cars both save on fuel consumption and have cleaner emissions.
The Green Vehicle Guide allows you to plug in a vehicle (pun unintended) and a state to pop up the air pollution and greenhouse gas scores for virtually any new model car you’re considering buying.
We checked out the Honda Insight, in Texas, and found that the new hybrid sedan is rated either an 8 or 9 (on a 10-point scale, with 10 being the best) depending on the engine  for air pollution, and a 10 for greenhouse gas emissions.
Switch your selection to a Chevy Suburban 1500 and the scores dip, to 6 for air pollution and 4 for greenhouse gases for the ethanol 5.3L engine but only 1 for the gasoline-powered 8 cylinder.
So depending on whether you plan on attending environmental rallies or having a family of 8, you can use this guide to decide if the Suburban, the Insight or any other car is right for you.

Use less water to green your lawn

Use less water to green your lawn

By Ashley Phillips
Green Right Now

Most cities have water restrictions, that not only limit the amount you can water your lawn, but even when you can water it. This can lead to one of two things, a brown, dry yard or a beautiful yard that results in community fines.

But there are irrigation systems that can give you the green landscape you desire, while actually saving water.

One new system on the market is the WaterOptimizer, which uses “smart irrigation technology” that controls system water pressure and disperses the water only where it is needed. The system uses soil moisture sensors which allow for your yard to get the exact amount of water it needs, and not any more. The WaterOptimizer saves up to 70% of water when compared to a regular sprinkler system, its makers say.

This sort of technology, in fact, gets special considerations under some watering laws.

Florida, for instance, , just passed a new irrigation law, Chapter 373.62, that exempts homeowners associations, community development districts and large properties using water sensor irrigation systems from mandated water restrictions. The law recognizes that moisture-detection systems must be allowed to operate on their own schedule, and will save water if left to work as designed.

The WaterOptimizer, available online and in US retail stores, connects to current residential irrigation systems, replacing existing controllers.

“Installation costs vary, depending upon the irrigation system and how much the irrigation company charges for the installation. Typically an average installation costs approximately $420-$900 per home. This cost includes equipment, installation and miscellaneous hardware,” stated Thomas O’Connor, spokesman for WaterOptimizer.

Some cities also give rebates to homeowners that install this eco-friendly technology.

Copyright © 2009 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

Slacker

Well, I started this blog quite some time ago...and really have not done anything with it yet! As the season winds down a little, I will start posting more useful tips, facts about proper/environmentally safe practices for your lawn and gardens...and just neat stuff!!!

New Natives this Saturday!!

We have a new shipment of Natives coming in Thursday, and will be sellig them this Saturday June 20th from 8 a.m. to Noon at the C-Street Market on Commercial Street.

Here is the link to a preview of what we will have to offer:

www.smilingsunlawns.com/plants

If you want to reserve a certain plant or plants, let us know ahead of time, and we will put them aside for you.

Hope to see you all there =)