Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
Biodiesel is all around us — in our ferries, buses, garbage trucks, passenger cars, tractors, Army trucks, sailboats and more — yet surveys show that only one in four people knows about this alternative, non-toxic fuel made from vegetable oil.
But biodiesel is poised for liftoff…
So far, of the five major U.S. airlines that had reported earnings as of yesterday–American Airlines, Delta, Continental, Northwest Airlines and Southwest Airlines, –only Southwest posted a profit.
[Retooling Detroit for fuel-efficient vehicles] would be a good thing, since time is running out — whether it’s measured in terms of climate change, our dependence on foreign oil, or the national security risks inherent in that dependence. Meanwhile, the benefits of such a solution — cleaner air, lower fuel prices, energy independence — are immeasurable.
Two private U.S. companies have designs on building the first luxury recreational vehicle that could withstand nuclear radiation.
An excellent practical guide to the techniques of using vegetable oil as a transportation fuel which acknowledges also some of this approach’s large scale limitations.
For all our technical advances, says the noted thinker, we’re forgetting a lot of crucial stuff.
Scania, the Swedish truck manufacturer, recently made a presentation at the Tokyo Motor Show. It includes the Peak Oil prediction from ASPO, and talks about the need to reduce fuel consumption and look at biofuels.
If the fuel cell is to become the modern steam engine, basic research must provide breakthroughs in understanding, materials, and design to make a hydrogen−based energy system a vibrant and competitive force.
The fleet of hybrid buses that General Motors
promised would save Seattle more than 750,000 gallons of fuel a year
will actually save less than half that amount, according to the
fleet operator, and although G.M. said the hybrid buses would show a
fuel economy improvement of up to 60 percent, the savings around the
country appear to be in the range of 10 percent to 20 percent,
transit managers say.
Hundreds of flights by subsidized airlines in Europe are endangering the global climate and the ozone layer. For now, they fly free of environmental regulations.
The world’s airline industry is set to rack up losses of almost $5bn (£2.6bn, 3.6bn euros) this year, global airline body IATA has forecast.
To the owner of the 7,770-pound Ford Excursion who implores us to “Support Our Troops” I say this: At this moment, American troops are risking their lives to protect your inalienable right to live your life in an impenetrable fog of selfishness and stupidity.
