Environmental Calendar 2010

January
February
February 2-World Wetlands Day
March
March 21-World Forestry Day
March 22nd-World Water Day
March 23-World Meteorological Day
March 27-Earth Hour
April
April 2-April World Health Day
May
May 8 – International Migratory Bird Day
May 18 – Plant Conservation Day
May 21 – Endangered Species Day
May 22 – International Biodiversity Day
May 31 – No Tobacco Day
June
June 5 – World Environment Day
June 8 – World Ocean Day
June 15 – Global Wind Day
June 17 – World Day to Combat Desertification
July
August
August 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
September
September 4 – National Wildlife Day
September 16 – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
September 25 – International Coastal Cleanup Day
September 28 – Green Consumer Day
October
October 1 – World Vegetarian Day
October 1 to 7 – World Wildlife Week
October 4 – World Animal Welfare Day
November
November 6 – International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict

The World’s Cheapest Car, Tata Nano: Boon or Bust for Environment?

The astoundingly cheap Nano is priced to sell at around $2,500 US, a price most of the middle-class in India can afford. Head of Tatan Motors, Ratan Tata, predicts the car will revolutionize travel in India, getting millions of Indian middle-class off dangerous motorcycles and into cars.

The Nano's Interior

Keep in mind, however, for only $2,500 you don’t get too many features: no power steering, no ABS, only one side mirror, and it tops out at about 65 mph. On the other hand, there is a feature those of us concerned about global warming might like. The car averages 45 mpg in the city and 75 mpg on the highway. Those aren’t bad numbers.

Yet, the possibly huge influx of cars this price tag represents around the world makes the environmental impact of the Nano look a little less positive. We are talking about MILLIONS of new cars. No matter how low the mpg’s, that will definitely add to already treacherous CO2 levels. Aren’t we supposed to be discouraging car purchases?



But then again, what can we say when the US is recklessly irresponsible in its gasoline consumption and automobile driving. Not to mention, the Nano presents the possibility of literally millions of people previously unable to afford cars getting behind the wheel at a relatively friendly mpg and GHG level. And this alone could beneficially stimulate the Indian economy in countless ways, resulting in the financial stability necessary to support more responsible environmental practices in a notoriously dirty country. Better small, green cars than SUVs, right?

What do you think? World’s cheapest care, boon or bust for environment?

Toyota Highlander FCHV-adv: Travel 431 Miles On A Single Tank of H2.

It’s going be hard for Ford, Cadillac and other SUV manufacturers to tout their 18mpg “Green” vehicles in commercials and in print ads once the Toyota Highlander FCHV-adv hits the roadways. A vehicle that can handle 431 miles on a single 6 kilogram tank of H2. A number equal to 68.3 miles/kg when compared to miles per gallon.

According to AutoblogGreen, “Toyota representatives and others drove two FCHV-advs from Torrance to San Diego and back, a 331.5 mile trip, and then calculated how much H2 was left in the 10,000 psi tank.”



It was also announced by a Toyota representative that the company plans on bringing a durable fuel cell vehicle to market by 2015. That’s not even the best news, there are claims that the vehicle will be priced “shockingly low” for consumers.

Currently tests are still underway in California, which means fuel economy may increase at an even greater rate before Toyota releases their first H2 capable automobiles.

So just remember, when commercials are touting 18 miles per gallon SUV’s their about 4 times behind the fold, not to mention the government calls 18mpg vehicles “Clunkers” in their new “CARS” program.