Always good to hear from former PI blogger Lisa Stiffler.
I agree with her on some of this, but being a national marketing consultant for the auto industy, I will also add that this 'promotion' pulled heavily from future demand - meaning that at some point, these car purchases would have happened anyway. So when you look at it from that perspective, selling cars that get good gas mileage is ALWAYS more beneficial than selling cars that don't. And I'll add that at least with THIS bailout, the economy and consumers got some trackable immediate bang for their buck. Proof that small business and free enterprise get things done. I'm still trying to figure out when I'm going to see the benefit of all those billions we gave to the financial sector....
Anyway, here is her report:
"The stats from the Cash-for-Clunkers program sound so promising: more than 690,000 gas guzzlers taken off the road in exchange for more fuel-efficient models. About 84 percent of the trade-ins were trucks, while 59 percent of the new purchases were cars, according to Consumer Reports.
The top three vehicles scrapped:
1.Ford Explorer 4WD
2.Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
3.Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
In exchange for:
1.Toyota Corolla
2.Honda Civic
3.Ford Focus
This had to be a big win for the environment, no? Well...not really, especially if you were hoping for a cost-effective win. University of California Davis transportation economist Christopher Knittel ran the numbers:
•Miles per gallon for the vehicles being scrapped: 16.3 (Consumer Reports put the latest numbers at 15.8, but it's still close)
•MPG for the new cars: 24.8
•Assumed miles driven per year for each: 12,000
•Gallons of gas saved per year: 270
•Tons of carbon dioxide saved per year: 2.7
Assuming that the clunker would have been on the road for five more years, and given that the average rebate was $4,200, plus giving some value to the non-CO2 pollutants that are removed by the more efficient new cars, the price per ton of CO2 not released to the environment: $237.
By comparison, the price of CO2 on the European trading market is about $22 a ton right now.
And that's Knittel's best case scenario (see more on how he calculated these figures in this paper, published by the University of California Energy Institute). In reality, many of the clunkers likely weren't being driven that much before they were scrapped, the new cars could be driven even farther given their better mileage and delightful newness, and the life of the trade-ins is more likely three or four years, not five. The actual price per ton could be closer to $500. That could buy a lot of saved trees or weather-proofed windows.
Which isn't to say that swapping 16 mpg vehicles for 25 mpg ones isn't a good thing. As one of my colleagues pointed out in an early blog post, you do get some real bang for those bucks. And of course the prime purpose of the $2.88 billion Cash-for-Clunkers program was to sell cars, and it sure did that."
Note: The original blog post appeared in Sightline Daily was updated at 3 p.m. on Aug. 26 with final Cash-for-Clunkers sales totals.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Veggies Delivered Weekly to Your Door: CSA’s
Nice article on Community Share Agriculture from mostly water
What is a CSA? A CSA is a program where consumers buy “shares” in a local farm and they are given, in return, deliveries of assorted seasonal produce grown on said farm, in timely increments, most commonly weekly. Instead of large commercial farms which use chemical pesticides, or farms far away that truck in produce, thereby reducing its freshness, CSA’s give one access to eco-friendly, “green” alternatives, fresh from the farmer to the consumer. It is a wonderful system whose simplicity perhaps seems impossible in this day and age, but no, it is possible to live that simply, still!
One of the things about being in a CSA is that you get exposed to new types of produce you might not would normally buy. All your produce is in season now too.
There is a shared risk in being in a CSA program. If the farm crops fail, your CSA investment is gone. Which is why, really, to be successful, I think CSA’s require a prepayment of several months in advance. Be willing to accept smaller CSA baskets if, indeed, the farmer meets with unfortunate circumstances. With this type of community support, we can sustain local organic farmers, while sustaining our families with the highest quality food.
Local CSA programs include:
Full Circle Farm Located in Carnation in the Snoqualmie Valley. Features week-by-week subscriptions, modifiable box content. Flexible subscription sizes, frequencies. Delivers to central drop off points.
Willie Green's Organic Farm Located in Monroe. Features full or half shares and fixed box content. Delivers to central drop off points.
Nature's Last Stand Located in Carnation in the Snoqualmie Valley. Features week-by-week subscriptions, flexible box content, sizes, frequencies. Delivers to your door.
More information here.
What is a CSA? A CSA is a program where consumers buy “shares” in a local farm and they are given, in return, deliveries of assorted seasonal produce grown on said farm, in timely increments, most commonly weekly. Instead of large commercial farms which use chemical pesticides, or farms far away that truck in produce, thereby reducing its freshness, CSA’s give one access to eco-friendly, “green” alternatives, fresh from the farmer to the consumer. It is a wonderful system whose simplicity perhaps seems impossible in this day and age, but no, it is possible to live that simply, still!
One of the things about being in a CSA is that you get exposed to new types of produce you might not would normally buy. All your produce is in season now too.
There is a shared risk in being in a CSA program. If the farm crops fail, your CSA investment is gone. Which is why, really, to be successful, I think CSA’s require a prepayment of several months in advance. Be willing to accept smaller CSA baskets if, indeed, the farmer meets with unfortunate circumstances. With this type of community support, we can sustain local organic farmers, while sustaining our families with the highest quality food.
Local CSA programs include:
Full Circle Farm Located in Carnation in the Snoqualmie Valley. Features week-by-week subscriptions, modifiable box content. Flexible subscription sizes, frequencies. Delivers to central drop off points.
Willie Green's Organic Farm Located in Monroe. Features full or half shares and fixed box content. Delivers to central drop off points.
Nature's Last Stand Located in Carnation in the Snoqualmie Valley. Features week-by-week subscriptions, flexible box content, sizes, frequencies. Delivers to your door.
More information here.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Green Human to sponsor 'Go Green Showcase''. Non profit grants and opportunities for green speakers available.
The 'Go Green Showcase' happens Oct 2-4 at the Comcast Arena in Everett, Washington. Now in it’s second year, The event takes place as part of the Everett Fall Home Show. It promises products and solutions specifically designed to be ecofriendly, many from local merchants within the Snohomish County area. It will also features the 'Go Green Seminar Stage' featuring local experts on sustainability.
Green Human is proud to help sponsor this event. As part of our sponsorship we've been given a limited number of 'grants' in the form of discounted or free booth space to local non-profits that wish to participate in the show. If you're a non-profit in the greater Seattle area and wish to take advantage of one of these grants, please contact us at greenhuman@comcast.net. Please contact us too, if you are interested in being considered as one of the speakers for the seminar stage.
More specific details on the 'Go Green Showcase' as they become available.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Why the bag ban will fail.
GH predicts the bag ban tax is headed for the dumpster.
It's sad, in a way, because I honestly would like to see the use of disposable plastic bags curtailed. But I find myself in the same camp as the huge petrochemical companies that have reportedly spent over $1.5 million dollars in advertising to defeat this initiative.
Why? Because the city got greedy again.
It wasn't enough to actually put a program in place to stop or curtail the use of plastic bags. Once again, it had to be all about the money.
While other cities simply banned the use of plastic bags, the Seattle City Council figured maybe they could do some public good and make some money off the deal at the same time. An reported $3.5 million annually. Where would they spend it? As I understand it - enforcement and education. Really, plastic bag cops and ads telling us the evils of using plastic bags?
A way smarter approach in my view would have been to provide POSITIVE financial incentives to businesses that worked with their customers to reduce the use of ANY kind of disposable bag (paper or plastic). This might have been a tax break, or some other kind of incentive for the store to put a program in place. Then let the individual businesses that it from there. Trust me, if Cash for Clunkers is any indication, business owners are pretty darn resourceful when there is a positive financial incentive to do something.
I support sustainability and hate the idea that I have to be in bed with the Plastics industry on this one. But every time the Mayor and City Council gets greedy trying to figure out how to make money on environmentalism, they end up scratching their heads wondering why the good citizens of Seattle didn't bend over and buy it.
It's sad, in a way, because I honestly would like to see the use of disposable plastic bags curtailed. But I find myself in the same camp as the huge petrochemical companies that have reportedly spent over $1.5 million dollars in advertising to defeat this initiative.
Why? Because the city got greedy again.
It wasn't enough to actually put a program in place to stop or curtail the use of plastic bags. Once again, it had to be all about the money.
While other cities simply banned the use of plastic bags, the Seattle City Council figured maybe they could do some public good and make some money off the deal at the same time. An reported $3.5 million annually. Where would they spend it? As I understand it - enforcement and education. Really, plastic bag cops and ads telling us the evils of using plastic bags?
A way smarter approach in my view would have been to provide POSITIVE financial incentives to businesses that worked with their customers to reduce the use of ANY kind of disposable bag (paper or plastic). This might have been a tax break, or some other kind of incentive for the store to put a program in place. Then let the individual businesses that it from there. Trust me, if Cash for Clunkers is any indication, business owners are pretty darn resourceful when there is a positive financial incentive to do something.
I support sustainability and hate the idea that I have to be in bed with the Plastics industry on this one. But every time the Mayor and City Council gets greedy trying to figure out how to make money on environmentalism, they end up scratching their heads wondering why the good citizens of Seattle didn't bend over and buy it.
Starwood Unveils Green Guest Opt-In Program
Sheraton Seattle announces that Starwood Hotels & Resorts is unveiling the "Make A Green Choice" program nationwide across its Sheraton and Westin brands. Starwood decided to expand the environmentally friendly program, formerly known as "You Tidy, We Treat," due to the success that it received at pilot hotel Sheraton Seattle.
"Many of our guests are environmentally conscious in their day-to-day lives and decide to stay at the Sheraton Seattle because of our green efforts" says General Manager Matthieu Van Der Peet. "'Make A Green Choice' is a great way to give our guests a choice to continue their green practices while at the Sheraton Seattle. We look forward to seeing the success we've experienced reflected throughout all of the Starwood locations,"
"Make A Green Choice" allows guests to opt out of linen and towel replacement as well as daily housekeeping, giving guests the choice to actively maintain environmental sustainability. Guests can choose to participate in the program for one night or up to three nights at a time during their stay. Guests are rewarded for each night they opt out of housekeeping services with a US$5 gift card to any of the hotel's restaurants or 500 Starpoints.
A recent survey from USA Travel Association found that 54 million adults are more likely to book travel with companies that attempt to protect and preserve the local environment. In the first two months of "Make A Green Choice" pilot program at the Sheraton Seattle, over 3,000 guests participated saving about 126,000 gallons of water, in addition to decreasing energy and chemical consumption. Sheraton Seattle also increased bookings specifically because of this program. Through this and other eco-friendly initiatives Sheraton Seattle has been able to reduce their energy index by more than 20% in 2008. It has also been able to recycle over 24,000 pounds, or 12 tons, of materials per month.
"Make A Green Choice" will be coming soon to all Sheraton and Westin's throughout North America. Vouchers are only valid during guest's current stay and can be used at the hotel's restaurants or in-room dining options. To participate guests must hang a "Make A Green Choice" card outside of their guest room door before 2 a.m. Guests are not eligible for the program the night before checking out of the room.
"Many of our guests are environmentally conscious in their day-to-day lives and decide to stay at the Sheraton Seattle because of our green efforts" says General Manager Matthieu Van Der Peet. "'Make A Green Choice' is a great way to give our guests a choice to continue their green practices while at the Sheraton Seattle. We look forward to seeing the success we've experienced reflected throughout all of the Starwood locations,"
"Make A Green Choice" allows guests to opt out of linen and towel replacement as well as daily housekeeping, giving guests the choice to actively maintain environmental sustainability. Guests can choose to participate in the program for one night or up to three nights at a time during their stay. Guests are rewarded for each night they opt out of housekeeping services with a US$5 gift card to any of the hotel's restaurants or 500 Starpoints.
A recent survey from USA Travel Association found that 54 million adults are more likely to book travel with companies that attempt to protect and preserve the local environment. In the first two months of "Make A Green Choice" pilot program at the Sheraton Seattle, over 3,000 guests participated saving about 126,000 gallons of water, in addition to decreasing energy and chemical consumption. Sheraton Seattle also increased bookings specifically because of this program. Through this and other eco-friendly initiatives Sheraton Seattle has been able to reduce their energy index by more than 20% in 2008. It has also been able to recycle over 24,000 pounds, or 12 tons, of materials per month.
"Make A Green Choice" will be coming soon to all Sheraton and Westin's throughout North America. Vouchers are only valid during guest's current stay and can be used at the hotel's restaurants or in-room dining options. To participate guests must hang a "Make A Green Choice" card outside of their guest room door before 2 a.m. Guests are not eligible for the program the night before checking out of the room.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Business study: Seattle bag tax wouldn't reduce garbage
This from the PI.
Seattle's proposed 20-cent fee on disposable shopping bags would reduce the city's yearly garbage output by just .0014 percent, according to an analysis by a business-friendly think tank.
Proponents of the bag tax, the fate of which will be decided by voters Aug. 18, say the study is "a complete farce."
The Washington Policy Center said in its review that bag fee supporters estimate the levy would reduce the amount of garbage Seattle sends to an Oregon landfill by 50 loaded railroad cars a year. However Seattle generates about 100 railroad cars of garbage per day, six days a week. According to the American Chemistry Council, the lobbying group for the plastics industry which is spending more than $1 million to defeat the Seattle bag tax, plastic grocery and retail bags make up less than .5 percent of solid municipal waste in the country.
"Assuming the bag tax policy performs as supporters promise, it would reduce the yearly amount of garbage produced by Seattle by .0014 percent," says the WPC analysis.
Rob Gala, spokesman for the Seattle Green Bag campaign, dismissed the WPC study.
"There's no substantive analysis behind their claims," he said.
Read more
Seattle's proposed 20-cent fee on disposable shopping bags would reduce the city's yearly garbage output by just .0014 percent, according to an analysis by a business-friendly think tank.
Proponents of the bag tax, the fate of which will be decided by voters Aug. 18, say the study is "a complete farce."
The Washington Policy Center said in its review that bag fee supporters estimate the levy would reduce the amount of garbage Seattle sends to an Oregon landfill by 50 loaded railroad cars a year. However Seattle generates about 100 railroad cars of garbage per day, six days a week. According to the American Chemistry Council, the lobbying group for the plastics industry which is spending more than $1 million to defeat the Seattle bag tax, plastic grocery and retail bags make up less than .5 percent of solid municipal waste in the country.
"Assuming the bag tax policy performs as supporters promise, it would reduce the yearly amount of garbage produced by Seattle by .0014 percent," says the WPC analysis.
Rob Gala, spokesman for the Seattle Green Bag campaign, dismissed the WPC study.
"There's no substantive analysis behind their claims," he said.
Read more
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