We don’t endorse one electric car over another, but we’re thrilled that alternative vehicles are becoming a reality!
Jun
29
29
Welcome to the future! California-based Tesla Motors goes public today
A Tesla Roadster prototype.
What’s the big deal? Tesla Motors, the young manufacturer of electric sports cars is going public? So what. Most of us can’t afford one.
And yet, this is the first initial public offering (IPO) of an American car company since the Ford family took Ford public in 1956.
This is history and we are watching with great interest from San Diego.
Tesla is well in to the process, of creating from scratch, cars that represents a revolution in vehicular transportation. The breakthroughs that Tesla are pioneering are vital to transforming the fleet of cars on American roads. At STAND FOR LESS we spend a lot of time discussing issues related to America’s addiction to petroleum. In fact, that addiction, and its consequences, has been a key part of our nation’s policies and conversations since at least 1973.
Tesla, with its electric cars, represents an important part of the solution regarding America’s affinity for petroleum.
This video, by Motortrend, compares the Tesla Roadster to a Porshe Boxter Spyder. It’s 14 minutes long and begins with a short ad from Google. It’s well worth the time to enhance your understanding of why Tesla is indeed a big deal:
May
3
3
Susan Williams wins STAND FOR LESS contest!
Mother and librarian Susan Williams will be spending a night in La Jolla as a reward for what she does to STAND FOR LESS. Susan discussed recycling and water conservation in her entry in the STAND FOR LESS contest.
All of the entries were inspiring. The winner was chosen by random drawing. Here are some things people had to say:
“Standing for less is standing for better.”
“My electronics are all on power strips so they can all be turned off when not in use—no vampires!”
“I try not to drive at least one day a week.”
“Bicycling is key.”
There were many many more inspiring entries. It’s great to hear what people are doing to take a stand. Read more at http://standforless.com/metro
Feb
22
22
Bill Gates, “We need energy miracles”
Speaking at the TED Conference earlier this month Bill Gates spoke about why “we need energy miracles.”
Feb
8
8
Why STAND FOR LESS? Take a hike
Get out. Take a deep breath of fresh air. Stretch your legs. Leave behind your cell phone. Take your dog, your best friend or simply yourself. Go to the coast or find a mountain trail.
This is California. Your hiking choices are practically endless. It’s easy to find a spectacular place to go, to step outside of your civilized life.
When we are out of our cars, our offices, and our homes we can take in the feeling nature with all of our senses. In those moments especially, it’s easy to remember why it is important to STAND FOR LESS use of natural resources.
We STAND FOR LESS for a healthier world today and a sustainable world tomorrow.
Go take a hike.
Jan
13
13
The Surfrider Foundation promotes surfing, conservation and fun
There are many inspiring people and organizations here in San Diego. One of these is the San Diego chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
Surfrider takes a STAND FOR LESS trash on our beaches through its regular beach cleanups. At least three times a month Surfrider is cleaning up a beach somewhere in the county. Last year Dave Matthews and members of his band pitched in to help with one of the cleanups. Surfrider doesn’t need cool celebrities to have fun though. We encourage you to become a Surfrider cleanup regular.
Surfrider’s “No B.S.” campaign is working to deal with the problems that are unique to the border with Mexico, including border sewage. The Tijuana River Citizens’ Council and Wildcoast have signed up to promote this campaign as well. Visit the campaign’s blog for many excellent posts on the problematic issues unique to our region because of the international border.
Surfrider is one of the more robust and active conservation groups in the area. Surfing is a signature sport here in San Diego County. Surfers have literally received some horrifying baptisms in the necessity of being responsible stewards of our oceans and our planet and many of our region’s top conservationists are also surfers. Every year many surfers get sick due to our sometimes toxic waters, mostly a result of raw sewage being dumped in the ocean from Mexico.
Surfrider is an effective advocate for cleaner oceans and beaches as well as good surfing.
Enjoy this amusing video from Surfrider with an important message:
Dec
18
18
Californians, led by our governor, are making waves in Copenhagen
The climate talks in Copenhagen are coming to a climax and winding down this week. Copenhagen has been “Disneyland for policy wonks,” said Gary Gero of Los Angeles in an L.A. Times article by Margot Roosevelt that offered a summary of the broad array of Californians who were drawn to Denmark. Roosevelt points out that California boasts the “first-in-the-nation economy-wide climate legislation, its first-in-the-world low-carbon fuel standard, and its highest-in-the nation renewable-energy requirements.”
Governor Schwarzenegger has an opinion about climate change. He’s been in Denmark to spread his message globally. Appearing on Good Morning America, Schwarzenegger communicated his key message: “It is nonsense to say we must talk about the economy, before discussing climate change.” Schwarzenegger believes that both are important and that dealing with climate change is a key to building a stronger economy. We encourage you to read the speech he gave this week in Copenhagen where he was representing our state.
Another excellent account of Schwarzenegger’s efforts in Denmark is available from Christopher Gavigan of Los Angeles who writes about a “very promising and exciting accord [that] has already been made in Denmark, and [how] its impacts will hopefully resonate throughout the country.”
Governor Schwarzenegger speaks on a panel in Copenhagen.
The headlines from Copenhagen have emphasized the discord, however, with public and private sector leaders from around the world gathering to discuss one of the most important issues of our day, you can be sure that something productive is happening as well. We encourage you to follow some of these links to educate yourself about Copenhagen beyond the top headlines of the week.
Dec
10
10
Copenhagen
We choose to STAND FOR LESS because we believe a sustainable world is possible. The United Nations Climate Change Conference is under way right now in Copenhagen. The goal of the conference is to establish a framework for climate change mitigation.
In October Governor Schwarzenegger held an important conference as a precursor to the Copenhagen meeting. Of all American states, California is arguably the leader when it comes to discussing and dealing with issues related to climate change. On December 2, 2009, the governor released a report on California’s climate adaption strategy. Schwarzenegger calls this a first of its kind approach. The report and recommendations can be found on the state’s climate change portal at www.climatechange.ca.gov.
Residents of San Diego County can take important steps at home to learn about and address this issue, but state, national and international policy approaches to climate change are necessary as well. This is why Copenhagen is so important. It is one step in an ongoing process to address global climate change.
An outstanding campaign STAND FOR LESS has been following is called Hopenhagen. The mission of Hopenhagen is “To connect every person, every city, and every nation to Copenhagen. To give everyone hope, and a platform from which to act. To create a grassroots movement that’s powerful enough to influence change.”
STAND FOR LESS supports this mission and encourages you to learn more about Hopenhagen and sign the campaign’s petition:
Oct
27
27
Governor Schwarzenegger’s Global Climate Summit
Governor Schwarzenegger hosted an extraordinary gathering in Los Angeles a few weeks ago.
From September 30 to October 2 an extraordinary gathering took place in Los Angeles: The Governors’ Global Climate Summit. STAND FOR LESS “attended” this event as virtual guests. Our team crowded around our computers as leaders spoke. Because of the webcast we were able to participate in the event at no cost.
What good are gatherings of this type where national and international leaders come together, give speeches and share ideas? We assert that such meetings can be very good and in fact are vital to our future. When people discuss climate change they tap into issues that directly affect all species on this planet—from the continued ability of our ecosystems to survive to daily issues that affect our economy.
STAND FOR LESS reported live on the event through our Facebook and twitter accounts. Here is a small sampling of some of the words that were spoken in Los Angeles:
“America has lost our groove as a country . . . I am focused on how we get our groove back. We need to take on the world’s biggest problems, the problems of the world becoming Hot, Flat, and Crowded.” –Author and reporter Thomas Friedman
“While people around the world may have different governments we all share one ecosystem.” –Actor Rob Lowe
“What sort of economy do we want in the future? A sustainable one and a low-carbon one.” Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair
“California has shown that the fastest growing job sector is in the green economy, growing ten times faster than any other sector.” –Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
“Green is the new red, white and blue.” –Thomas Friedman
At STAND FOR LESS we believe that words matter. Actions follow words.
What does Friedman mean when he says that green is the new red, white and blue? Why is it important that in the toughest economy since the Depression, California’s governor recognizes green jobs are one of the few bright spots? What do you think of Prime Minister Blair’s point that our economy must become sustainable? What are the consequences of it not becoming sustainable? Have we lost our groove as a country?
If you’re a regular reader you can guess how we would answer these questions, but what do you think? We encourage you to watch video from the event which is available online.
Oct
16
16
October is energy awareness month
Our addiction to foreign oil is draining us financially and doing long-term damage to the environment. Last month alone we imported 357 million barrels of oil at a cost of $25 billion. This represents 63 percent of the oil Americans used last month. Driving fewer miles and driving energy efficient vehicles are important changes each of us can make in our lives.
Working to make our homes more energy efficient is just as important. STAND FOR LESS partner SDG&E offers many ways for you to use less energy in your home. One of the first steps toward conservation is simple awareness. Schedule some time to take advantage of the interactive tools that SDG&E provides online. They will help you find ways to conserve and save money.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy created the Energy Star program to encourage Americans to take a STAND FOR LESS energy use. Visit their Web site to find out more about what you can do to conserve.
By taking a stand for less energy wasted, less American money being spent on foreign oil and more clean energy our environment wins and our economy benefits. Remind your friends that this is energy awareness month and encourage them to take a STAND FOR LESS.
Harnessing the power of the wind is a great way for us to take a STAND FOR LESS. Even more important though may be actions that you take to raise your energy awareness and to use less energy through conservation at home and on the road.