does anyone here remember that book about being green that lubemaster posted about once? It was a long time ago but the author was hot.

Well, I may not be as ideologically driven as you think.

that's just it. ...you're not so ideological about it, yet you support the chant of "for the environment." --that is sooo played out ...shark-jumped, whatever. I'm mean really, who is anti-environment? ...who wants chit where they live?

Everybody 'considers their environment.' Yet some want brownie-points, or some such, for having extra consideration ...for "caring" more than the next guy. ...always seeking to prove, or note, their environmental worthiness.

That stupidity has got to stop. ...but apparently not until the politicians are able to tax it.

I built 9 'green' homes last year.

Always thought it was a ploy.
People honestly think my H1 is bad for the environment :eek:

Al Gore? :D

Well, Los Angeles is determined to absolutely be the greenest city in the world. And that starts with the L.A. Convention Center, which if you know it, is a massive structure.

Supposedly it's LEED certified on a platinum level, which is unheard of for a structure that's 80,000 square feet. Everything served (well, except for the concession food) is organically grown, and now the LACC has started a program where it recycles its cooking oil into bio-fuel.

L.A. City will never again buy purely gasoline-powered cars - it's all hybrid, clean diesel, hydrogen or electric from here on.

L.A. Port is about to turn in all their old diesel short and long haulers into battery operated vehicles.

L.A. has mandated that any new City construction must comply to LEED standards of at least a gold level. That includes environmentally-friendly deconstruction as well as construction. The City's first big project in accordance with that is the new police headquarters.

Sure, it's political. But what isn't? At least there can be some benefit from going Green on such a massive scale. Attractive buildings with a lot of thought put into them. And I'd rather see the politico operators drive around in fuel-friendly cars than some big hoggish V8. It makes me feel a wee bit better about the municipal taxes I pay out.

When I was younger, like 15-20 years ago, I was really green. I even use biodegradeable soap when out backpacking. Not that I wouldn't do that now, but just don't go anymore. I just don't like all the fad and hype BS. I just don't recycle or be green, or even build green unless people want to pay extra to do it. My wife recycles, thats good for her. I drive a pig rich modded 930, 2 seater sports car, 10-12 mpg land cruiser and a bunch of trucks (some diesels). On all my jobs, I try to spec out low voltage recess lights. We are known to put up flor. cans and after inspection, we rip it out and install low voltage hologen spot or floods. Sue me.

It aint just this topic either.

Looks at Jyl accusingly...

Leech, Leech! ;)

I have a friend who is installing solar hot water panels. There is a tax credit, and he is getting people to buy based on the break even on costs at about three years out.

I'm not real green, but this seems easy.

The whole "green thing" is a load of BS. The only way I even come close, is I'm a big recycling nut. But thats basically because I hate seeing garbage all over the place. Litter and dumping is one of my biggest pet peeves.

Plus I am vehemently against the whole bottled water craze. What a huge scam that everyone has got suckered into. The largest amount of trash I see is water bottles all over the place.

I've read some articles about this nonsensical craze too.

Total idiocy, and just shows how utterly freakin' stupid people are.

Any "movement" being pushed by Hollywood and Washington is not destined to end well. Are there any two stupider or more unrealistic places on Earth?

Bottled water is not "green," it's just the opposite. The only reason for its popularity is that public water tastes like the sewage that it is. We now pay for it by filling landfills with lots of non-recycled bottles.

There is lots to ridicule with the "green" craze; however, the intention is generally well meaning and there are opporunities for forward-looking people (technology, services, investment) to make some money. Also, whining about the inefficency of some of the currently proposed technologies all you want. Rome wasn't built in a day. Look how long it took from the time the automobile was first envisioned until we finally had these. :D

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/cro...rsr_460x0w.jpg

We don't buy bottled water. Expensive and wasteful. My wife insists on using a PUR filter (correction - Brita), I'm perfectly happy to drink tap water.

On the solar hot water panels - I've heard those have a better/shorter payback than solar PV panels.

My issue with solar PV is my climate (few really sunny months in Western Oregon), the steeply falling PV prices (why pay $X/watt for panels today when you can pay $0.5X in 2 years), and the need to coordinate with roof work (preferable to install PVs at same time as replacing roof, rather than having to remove the PVs to replace the roof later).


I'm also interested in instant hot water heaters, but my hot water heater is new so not going to rip it out. We'll probably finish replacing the old windows this year, to further reduce our heating bill.

Oh, more "green" - we are expanding our vegetable garden and thinking about some chickens. But those are mostly for the kids, to teach them about growing things. Gonna be some real expensive lettuce there. And some untouchable chickens.

John, if you let our tap water sit in a glass for a few days, it starts to turn some unnatural colors. :eek:

We use a Brita filter, not bottled water.

I work from home and drink tap water all day. However, I do take bottled water with me whenever I leave the house. You pretty much have to in AZ. I think tap water tastes horrible after it's been in a plastic bottle a while. So I buy cases in the store and keep them in a cool, dark room. I've heard it's not good to drink from plastic bottles that have been in sunlight or heat for several weeks.

Yeah, I've lived places (New jersey) where the tap water is awful. Portland's is very good.

I hope to confirm that later this week. :)