Hybrid technology is now being integrated into cars to enable consumers, such as yourself, to save money on fuel. Hybrid cars are known to cut fuel consumption by more than half. With this kind of feature, people would really want to own a hybrid car. Although hybrid technology has been around for quite some time now, car manufacturers have only just began to perfect the hybrid technology to be integrated in cars.

Just imagine a car that can run for up to 60 miles to a gallon of fuel. This kind of car is definitely the car of the future. Not only will it enable you to save a lot of money on fuel consumption, but it can also help in the protection of the environment. This is because hybrid cars are known to emit far lower levels of toxic fumes than conventional cars.

Hybrid cars have been around for quite some time now. However, for maximum fuel efficiency, new hybrid car models are now available in the market today. 2006 hybrid car models are now available for purchase. These cars can let you effectively save money on fuel prices. Integrated with the latest in hybrid technology, these cars are far more efficient in fuel consumption and are far cleaner than the past hybrid cars existing in the market today.

However, there are already a lot of car manufacturers who are in the race to build the best hybrid car in the market. Consumers tend to be confused on which hybrid car they should purchase. For this reason, you should know all about the different hybrid cars of 2006 available in the market today.

First of all, you need to know the concept behind hybrid cars. The concept of combining electric energy and gasoline engine to power a car is what makes a hybrid car work. Although electric cars have existed in the market for quite some time now, you have to consider the fact that hybrid cars are far more effective than electric cars. With hybrid cars, you no longer have to plug it in your power outlet in order to recharge the batteries. This is possible because it is able to recapture the lost energy when braking and coasting.

Toyota and Honda are two of the leading hybrid car manufacturers existing today. Toyota developed the Toyota Prius that is able to operate in electric-mode only. This means that the car is able to operate even when the internal combustion engine is switched off. This will mean big fuel savings when you are driving locally. Think of the gas engine as a backup when you are going on a long drive.

Chevrolet Silverado also developed the mybrid or mild hybrid. This particular pickup only stores a minimal amount of energy to the battery and it doesn’t really provide much energy boost like the other hybrids existing in the market. However, Chevrolet’s so-called mybrid pickup is perfect for camping where it can serve as a mobile generator for work or for camping.

With the constant increase in fuel prices, you have to expect that hybrid cars will be much more popular in the near future. You can also expect that hybrid cars of the future will be much better in conserving fuel and maximizing efficiency. Nissan will soon enter the hybrid car market as well as other large car manufacturers, such as General Motors, BMW, and DaimlerChrysler. So, you better be prepared to get rid of your old gas guzzling conventional car and get the latest hybrid car in the market.

Many people are now getting frustrated with their usual gas-guzzling conventional car because of the constant increase in fuel prices. Because of this, more and more people are looking for alternative modes of travel. Some people with cars are now leaving it on the garage and walks from home to work almost everyday to conserve fuel and some are taking the subways, and other transportation services that exist in order to save money.

However, there are some people who simply just need their car for their work. Because of this, many of this people are now considering selling their old conventional gas-guzzling cars and purchase a new kind of car that can cut fuel consumption by half. These new line of cars are called hybrid cars. Just imagine, you can effectively go more than 60 miles per gallon with hybrid cars.

Also, hybrid cars produce fewer pollutants than conventional cars. This means that not only will you cut fuel consumption by more than half, but you will also decrease the level of pollution that is poisoning the environment and people. With hybrid cars, everyone can benefit from it.

Now that you know about hybrid cars and is now considering to get one for your own, you now want to know how it works. You also want to know how it can relatively cut fuel consumption by half and you also want to know why it emits fewer pollutants than conventional cars.

First of all, you have to consider that hybrid cars can be quite expensive. However, when you compute the overall cost that you will spend on gasoline during the lifetime of the hybrid car and the conventional car, you will see that you will spend more money on conventional cars of the same weight class as the hybrid car with a higher retail price included and taxes.

Hybrid car buyers also enjoy tax incentives imposed by the government. So, when you purchase hybrid cars, you will enjoy tax breaks. Therefore, you will save more money.

The concept of the hybrid car is quite simple. Hybrid cars combine electricity, which is the cleanest energy source available, and internal combustion gasoline engine to run the car.

In simple words, hybrid cars utilize both electricity and gasoline energy to power the car. First of all, the hybrid car works when once you start the car and is in idle mode or not running, the gasoline engine is automatically shut off. This means that the car is purely running on electricity. This will explain why hybrid cars are very quiet. This will also explain why it can effectively conserve fuel consumption. Once you step on the accelerator, the internal combustion engine will automatically start up again. There are also hybrid cars that can run purely on electric mode. This is very useful if you are only using the car for local travels. You virtually don’t even need to put gasoline in the car.

However, in this type of hybrid car, you have to consider putting gasoline for long travels. You can even say that the gasoline will be used for back up power in case the battery is discharged. Most hybrid cars developed today don’t need to be plugged in like the electric car. The used kinetic energy when you are braking will be the one to recharge the battery.

This is how simple a hybrid car works. It will be comprised of a battery for energy storage, a generator, an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank, and an electric motor.

Now that you know how hybrid cars work, you now see how beneficial it can be if you are driving one. You will not only save a lot of money from fuel consumption, but you will also help save the environment by emitting far lower toxic fumes than conventional cars.

Reducing the amount of electricity you use does not have to be expensive, as in going out and replacing your appliances, or inconvenient, as in trying to convert your home to solar or wind power. Those steps are great, for those in a position to accomplish them, but not everyone is in such a position. But there are simple, common-sense steps that anyone can do, and if everyone made a little effort the cumulative effect would be enormous. 

Here are two easy, inexpensive ways to reduce  electricity usage:

Many people have a terrible habit of leaving lights on when leaving a room.  Most modern Americans seem to be people who, when doing any kind of work, whether it’s writing or stripping wallpaper,  need a lot of light around to do it.  The first of these two ways to conserve energy is to simply turn off lights as you leave a room.  Sounds easy, right?  Well, that’s because it is easy.  The only thing most people need to do is remind themselves periodically that there is no reason to waste energy by leaving lights on in a room that no one is occupying.

Mind you, many people have had a lifetime of doing things the way they’ve always done them, without even thinking about it, and change in such habits won’t happen overnight, but with a little effort it will happen.  Get yourself into a new habit. Wall switches are typically located near doorways. So make an effort to give a quick inventory before passing through the threshold and thinking, “Did I leave any lights on?”  Is this a difficult change?  Not really, but until old habits are broken and new habits established it is something you will need to make an effort to consider on a daily basis.

The second easy way to inexpensively reduce your energy consumption is to change your lightbulbs.  The simple act of replacing a burned-out bulb with one of the new, energy saving kind can really be a big help.  The newer compact flourescent lightbulbs (CFL’s) use up to 75% less energy when lighting a room and they will last up to ten times longer, too.  There isn’t any major effort or expense required on your part; there is no need to go to the expense of buying enough CFL’s to replace all your lights. Simply buy a multi-pack of the new bulbs and replace lights as they burn out. When you run out of CFL’s, pick up another package. Eventually you will have replaced most or all of the bulbs in your home. Not only will you make an impact on the environment, but you will likely find that you have made quite an impact on your electric bill. 

Generally speaking, a 15-watt CFL replaces a 60-watt incandescent bulb. If you replace ten bulbs throughout your house, you will cut your consumption of electricity for those lights from 600 watts to 150 watts, a 75% reduction. If you replace your 75-watt incandescent bulbs with 15 or 20-watt CFL’s, the savings can be even more dramatic.

The point is this:  there are easy, inexpensive ways to adjust yourself to a more eco-friendly lifestyle, and you don’t have to look very far to find them.

I found this post on a local website a few days ago, and liked the Christmas-themed site so much I put their display ad in the sidebar. Definitely worth checking out, it looks like they add new content regularly.

So it’s the day after Thanksgiving, and most people now have their attention set firmly on Christmas.

Many are out shopping today, hunting for “the bargain of a lifetime”. Most will now stop complaining that “it’s too early for Christmas” every time they see the store decorations that have been up since Halloween (which is, in our opinion, “too early”). Many will soon be hauling out the plastic tubs and cardboard boxes and plastic bags that store the family Christmas decorations from year to year.

Artificial trees will go up, Christmas tree lots will get busy, and cars going down the road with a tree tied on top will become a common sight. Soon the annual holiday cursing will be heard as folks try to get the lights up and working.

If you’re ready to get ready for Christmas, one of our contributors has a website you will want to visit. Called “Christmas Magic“, the site is loaded with ideas, hints and tips, information, and links to tons of unique websites you might never otherwise find. Whether you’re looking for new decorating ideas, Christmas Trivia and Traditions, unique online shopping spots, or just an accurate list of the reindeer’s names, the site is worth a visit.

Due to the demand of having a car wherein everyone can consume less fuel and will not contribute to the air pollution, the hybrid car was finally created to meet this end. And due to the rapid advancements in the gasoline engine, the hybrid car has become extremely popular.

A hybrid car is a means of transportation using two power sources; it uses a rechargeable energy storage system found on board and a fuelled power source as the vehicle’s driving force. The hybrid car pollutes less and uses less fuel.

Back in 1899, Ferdinand Porsche developed and led the way to the very first working hybrid-electric vehicle. Other people followed suit in Ferdinand Porsche’s invention. Many people who became interested in the hybrid-vehicle concept have been continually making hybrid cars.  However, there was no major car manufacturer who invested in the hybrid concept and mass produced hybrid cars until the late twentieth century. The hybrid technology was mainly utilized in developing diesel-electric submarines during that interim period.

The diesel-electric submarines mainly operate very much the same as a hybrid car. However, the submarines main goal was to conserve oxygen rather than spend less fuel. During the later years, submarines have evolved and have begun using the nuclear power as a substitute for diesel.

During the 1990’s, the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight were the first successful hybrid cars available in the market. It was two of the pioneers in the hybrid car concept which virtually changed the way the world thinks about cars.

An idealistic inventor, Victor Wouk, manufactured a hybrid electric and gas motor vehicle that siphoned fuel at half the amount as practically all the other cars being built then. He built the hybrid car thirty years before the Toyota Prius got the attention of the U.S. as an energy-anxious nation.

The account about the hybrid car and its inventor, who died in May, 2005, at age 86, is unfamiliar among even the most avid fans of the growing hybrid car association. In terms of hybrid car knowledge, it is in fact America that should have led all other countries. Wouk said that the government program that he developed about hybrids was unknown to everyone.

Victor Wouk founded and sold two successful electric industrialized companies in the late 1940s and 50s and in 1962 he was approach by Russell Feldman, one of the founders of Motorola, who recognized the pollution from the automobile as one of the biggest problem of the environment and he wanted to discover the possible solutions with regards to this problem. But his experiment did not work much for the possible solution.

Having an idea, Wouk pondered the problem throughout the 60s and ultimately reached a clever solution. He combined the low-emission benefits of an electric car with the power of a gasoline engine to produce a hybrid vehicle. But Wouk did not get any response to his ideas for creating a hybrid car; in fact he was heavily criticized for not believing in a full-electric system.

With the help of his colleague, Charlie Rosen, who shared his belief about hybrid cars, gave him the chance to prove his ideas of creating the hybrid car as one of the solution to the rapid health cost of auto-pollution. And now the impressive capabilities of the invention of Wouk, the hybrid cars, can now be a very great help in terms of less fuel consumption and less air pollution. 

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The trend toward homes that are powered by alternative energy sources, ranging from wind turbines and solar collection cells to hydrogen fuel cells and biomass gases, is one that needs to continue into the 21st century and beyond. We have great need of becoming more energy independent, and not having to rely on the supplying of fossil fuels from unstable nations who are often hostile to us and our interests.

But even beyond this factor, we as individuals need to get “off the grid” and also stop having to be so reliant on government-lobbying giant oil corporations who, while they are not really involved in any covert conspiracy, nevertheless have a stranglehold on people when it comes to heating their  homes (and if not through oil, then heat usually supplied by grid-driven electricity, another stranglehold).

As Remi Wilkinson, Senior Analyst with Carbon Free, puts it, inevitably, the growth of distributed generation will lead to the restructuring of the retail electricity market and the generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. The power providers may have to diversify their business to make up for revenues lost through household energy microgeneration. She is referring to the conclusions by a group of UK analysts, herself included among them, who call themselves Carbon Free. Carbon Free has been studying the ever-growing trend toward alternative energy-using homes in England and the West. This trend is being driven by ever-more government recommendation and sometimes backing of alternative energy research and development, the rising cost of oil and other fossil fuels, concern about environmental degradation, and desires to be energy independent.

Carbon Free concludes that, assuming traditional energy prices remain at their current level or rise, microgeneration (meeting all of one’s home’s energy needs by installing alternative energy technology such as solar panels or wind turbines) will become to home energy supply what the Internet became to home communications and data gathering, and eventually this will have deep effects on the businesses of the existing energy supply companies.

Carbon Free’s analyses also show that energy companies themselves have jumped in on the game  and seek to leverage microgeneration to their own advantage for opening up new markets for themselves. Carbon Free cites the example of electricity companies (in the UK) reporting that they are seriously researching and developing ideas for new geothermal energy facilities, as these companies see geothermal energy production as a highly profitable wave of the future. Another conclusion of Carbon Free is that solar energy hot water heating technology is an efficient technology for reducing home water heating costs in the long run, although it is initially quite expensive to install. 

However, solar power is not yet cost-effective for corporations, as they require too much in the way of specialized plumbing to implement solar energy hot water heating. Lastly, Carbon Free tells us that installing wind turbines is an efficient way of reducing home electricity costs, while also being more independent. However, again this is initially a very expensive thing to have installed, and companies would do well to begin slashing their prices on these devices or they could find themselves losing market share.

Many nonvegetarians and some vegetarians alike question whether being a vegetarian really makes any difference at all. Some bring up blurry ethical situations to make it impossible to see a vegetarian lifestyle as ethical.

If you are a prospective vegetarian for ethical or ecological reasons, but aren’t sure whether or not a vegetarian lifestyle is truly a more ethical choice, or has any real ecological ramifications, here are some statistics from EarthSave to help you make your choice (for or against):

1. Over 1.3 billion human beings could be fed each year from the grain and soybeans that go to livestock in the United States. This means that the entire population of the United States could be fed (without losing any nutritional value) and there would still be enough food left over to feed one billion people. In a world where millions of people die each year of starvation, that type of food excess and inefficiency could be considered unethical and environmentally dubious.

2. Livestock in the US produces roughly 30 times more excrement than human beings. While humans in the US have complex sewage systems to collect and treat human waste, there are no such systems on feedlots. As a result, most of this waste leeches into water.This means that large-scale, massive production and slaughter of animals is not only unethical, but it also causes serious environmental degradation. In many other parts of the world, modern or even basic sanitation for humans is lacking, and livestock waste compounds the problem many times over.

3. It takes 7.5 pounds of protein feed to create 1 pound of consumable hog protein; and it takes 5 pounds of protein feed to create 1 pound of consumable chicken protein. Close to 90% of protein from wheat and beans is lost to feed cycling. This means that an enormous amount of resources are dedicated to producing wheat and soy just for the purpose of feeding it to animals, which will be slaughtered as “a source of protein”–even though they only provide about 1/5 of the amount they consume.

Not only can the production of meat be considered an injustice against animals, but it can also be considered an injustice against human beings, as well as the environment in general.

The socially conscious investor will find a wide range of  Eco-friendly stocks and mutual funds to choose from, both small and large.  Due to the influence of world-wide concern over global pollution and carbon dioxide, the investor will find many large corporations are snapping up green companies to add to their list of products. 

A recent acquisition by Royal Philips Electronics (headquartered in the Netherlands) of Color Kinetics, trading on the NASDAQ as CLRK is a great example.  Color Kinetics was a ten-year-old company that produced environmentally friendly lighting through its enhancement of the LED (light-emitting-diode) technology to create a new type of illumination.

Color Kinetics utilized digitalized technology to create a new source of controllable illumination.  The merger between the giant Philips and Color Kinetics will enhance its Philips Lighting Solutions market in the LED technology.  Color Kinetic has existing installations world wide and a huge customer list, with relationships in China and the UK. Philips, in turn will, provide its 60-country-presence to the Eco-friendly technology of Color Kinetics. Investors should not rule large conglomerates in their search for Eco-friendly stock.

Small Cap Companies:

For investors that enjoy investing directly in small cap companies there are numerous opportunities for investors in AMEX.  These stocks are very reasonable in price and may provide future gains as going green becomes an integral part of business and not just a slogan.  I have watched some Eco-friendly companies grow over the past several years and the following is a highlight of some interesting stocks.

Environmental Power Corp. trades under the ticker EPG on the AMEX exchange.  This stock currently sells in the $5 range.  The company and its subsidiaries engage in the ownership, development and operation of renewable energy facilities in the United States.  EPG owns 83 leasehold of land. It has plants that utilize animal and food industry waste to produce bio-mass and other forms of alternative fuel that utilize their renewable energy biogas.  A good reason to give this company a good look is that it filed a notice with the SEC that it has a firm commitment from an underwriter to make and offering of over four million shares of his stock. If the offering goes forward the company could realize a gain in the price as well as an infusion of over 22 million dollars.

There is another stock that has great promise in the fuel cell area.  This area has room to grow.  I particularly like Fuel Cell Energy. It trades under the stock ticker FCEL.  The company has a market cap of approximately 650 million.  The company is in the development, manufacturing and sale of fuel cells power plants for use in electrical power plants.  Its pipeline products are geared for use in health care facilities, hotels, hospitals, universities, governmental offices and water treatment centers.  The company is located in Connecticut with office in Korea, Japan, Canada and Europe. This $9 stock has no where to go but up in the long term.  Another reason to think twice about this company is the major holders of stock in the company.  Wells Fargo Bank, Barclays, Deutsche Bank and other prominent funds are invested in FCEL.

A stock that is a good value, but lacks appreciation is Calgon Carbon Corp. in Pennsylvania.  The company trades under the ticker CCC. The company is in the business of providing means to clean the air and water.  The company has been around for a good period of time and it appears that 2007 may be its year to take a solid place in Eco-friendly stocks. It currently sells in the $13 range and deserves a good review.

There are numerous ways to get into the green, Eco-friendly stocks.  There are mutual funds and indexes available. In addition there are segments in wind, health foods and solar energy that have opportunities for investment.          

Have you been bombarded with advertisements and news stories about the desperate shape our planet is in and thought to yourself, “I’m only one person, I can’t even put a dent in what needs to be done to make things better?”  With all of the media coverage on issues like, acid rain, loss of rain forests, endangered animals, the depleting ozone layer and even former Vice President Al Gore’s pet project, global warming, it’s an easy thing to feel over-whelmed and small on this great space.  But the reality is this; if not you, then who?

As an individual you can’t control factories pouring toxins into water ways or prevent oil leaks that endanger some species, but you can make an impact, none the less.  How?  First, by not adding to the madness and wasteful ways others are handling items and materials that can be recycled and secondly, and maybe more importantly, you can make an impact by being a leader in the crusade to save the planet by doing the right things.

It’s a well-known fact that when we are parents we are the top role-models for our children and that they will imitate what they see us do.  Even if you are not a parent, you can still lead the way for others by taking on the awesome responsibility of being the leader.  Imagine the people you come in contact with in your neighborhood who see that you don’t just talk about recycling but every week your trash collection is separated and ready for the recycle truck.  What if the people you work with come to notice that instead of having your coffee every morning in a throw-away cup from the local coffee chain, you are drinking from a mug you brought from home that you rinse out and reuse?  Can you just imagine the impact you would have for someone who is maybe not quite recycling like they should but decides that, after seeing that you take this responsibility seriously, decides to change the way they do things and follow suit? 

Most people don’t recognize the impact they have everyday on people in their lives that they may or may not have a connection with.  As a leader you “walk the talk” by abiding by the causes that mean the most to you and not just by saying the words.  We are all aware of people around us and never know what we may do that will make a difference for another person.  Don’t misuse this opportunity to make an impact for recycling. 

When you recycle yourself, believe that there are people who are watching and making decisions everyday, by watching how you handle yourself.  Big issues are often started with a few concerned, aware people, well before the word gets out to big corporations and law makers that there is a change that needs to be made.

Make every step you take count for something.  Do your part in the efforts to keep our planet healthy; reduce, reuse, recycle.

Reducing the hazardous waste in America’s landfills starts at home. Millions of households are producing billions of pounds of solid waste. Products used every day in our homes leach hazardous chemicals after entering landfills. There are a number of simple steps that average consumer can take to limit the damage that many of these toxic materials are doing to the environment.

The garbage situation has become a big concern in cities all around the country and not only is this a political issue, but it is also a problem that has caught the attention of the
general population. We all realize there is a growing problem but nobody likes to admit that their garbage is contributing to the problem.

Many municipalities have already started a recycling program to deal with the growing mountains of paper, plastic, glass, etc. Although it takes a bit of effort on the part of the public to sort and separate their garbage, people are now beginning to realize that the future of our environment is at stake.

One household product that is causing a problem these days is throwaway batteries. Each year, Americans throw away 84.000 tons of alkaline batteries. These AA, C and D cells that power electronic toys and games, portable audio equipment and a wide
range of other gadgets comprise 20% of the household hazardous materials present around the country in America’s landfills.

When a battery in one of the products we use fails, we simply run out and buy a replacement. The dead battery ends up in the garbage and no one thinks about where it goes and what happens to it after the garbage is picked up.

Sealed inside these alkaline cells are harmful materials which are not encountered by consumers during normal use. However, when the batteries enter a landfill, the casings can be crushed, or can easily degrade, which causes mercury and other toxins to leach into the environment.

The problem of batteries in landfills is one of the easiest to solve. Using rechargeable power can significantly reduce the number of batteries which end up in landfills. Rechargeable batteries can be used again and again, up to 1,000 times. One rechargeable cell can replace up to 300 throwaway batteries, keeping the landfill free
not only from the batteries themselves, but also from the paper and plastic materials that are used to package them.

There are a number of manufacturers in the country today who deal in rechargeable products and some of them have a number of programs already in place to ensure that rechargeable batteries never enter a landfill at all. For example, one of the largest manufacturers of rechargeable products is now offering a lifetime replacement guarantee on all round cells. If the product ever fails to accept or hold a charge, the company will promptly replace it and recycle the used cell.

If you have an environmental agency in your area, you might like to work on this issue with them, or perhaps they already have a program set up to dispose of used batteries. As a concerned citizen, your suggestions and input will be invaluable to them as they attempt to come up with some solutions.