The Continuing Adventures of Jud

Since Katrina hit, and the price of gas went to $3.00 per gallon- remember how outraged everyone was- and gee, thank goodness that was taken care of- but I digress...

Since Katrina, I have kept my gas-guzzling van to 50-55 mph strictly as a matter of economics: I can't afford it.

This has increased my gas milage from roughly 17 miles per gallon to a bit over 21 mpg, a better than 20% increase in fuel economy, and reduction in cost.

But as I head down the turnpike or the interstate, I am often a bit nervous as other vehicles race by me as if I were parked, or assault my rear bumper before either swerving out to pass, or suddenly slowing at the last moment. It is the big rigs that are most intimidating- and irritating: if any vehicle or driver should be concerned with fuel efficiency, surely it is the 18-wheeler? The most irritating are the many 18 wheeled "dump trucks" loaded with tons of dirt racing by me at speeds I can only estimate to be exceeding 80 mpg, if not 90- and I just picture the fuel being sucked into their engines. I think at best these behemouths get 7 miles per gallon? I have heard as little as 3...

There was an article in the news today about the acceleration of global warming- for despite Bush's denials, the universe marches on according to the laws of nature. The opening paragraphs:

"The Earth is hurtling toward a warmer climate at a quickening pace, a Nobel-winning U.N. scientific panel said in a landmark report released Saturday, warning of inevitable human suffering and the threat of extinction for some species.

As early as 2020, 75 million to 250 million people in Africa will suffer water shortages, residents of Asia's megacities will be at great risk of river and coastal flooding, Europeans can expect extensive species loss, and North Americans will experience longer and hotter heat waves and greater competition for water, the report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said climate change imperils "the most precious treasures of our planet."

The complete story is at:

There is a lot of talk about saving the environment, reducing pollution, the price of gas, reducing dependence on imported oil, alternative energy sources- even supporting our troops- and yet there is something that every person in this country can do this instant to make an immediate and effective improvement in all these things.

And save money.

50 mph.

That simple.

There is a second step that every person can take this instant that will also have a huge impact, though this one will cost a bit in the begining, and only save you money in the long run: change every light bulb in your house to compact flourescent.

Simple.

Two steps to save money... er, I mean, the world.

Save the world- 50 mph

Fight pollution- 50 mph

Fight global warming- 50 mph

Fight Big Oil- 50 mph

Save money- 50 mph

Save the whales- 50 mph

Support out troops- 50 mph

Relax- 50 mph

Do the right thing- 50 mph

Simple- 50 mph

Do the right thing- 50 mph