Ugh. Those oil-soaked birds make me sad. Each time I see pictures, I cringe. All this because Americans -- including me -- are over dependent on plastics and prefer driving to greener alternatives?
"Horrible spills are on everyone's mind now, but they happen regularly around the world, less in plain view than off of Louisiana, but environmentally damaging just the same," said John DeCicco, an environmentalist at the University of Michigan.
So pump up your bike tires and pedal your way around Washington this summer. Or walk to the Metro. And when it comes to cars, consider eco-friendlier options, like these:
Diesel engine cars
If diesel makes you think of big dirty trucks blowing out black smoke, you can wipe away those images. "We've cleaned up the diesel, so the sound is different, and the exhaust is cleaner than gasoline exhaust," said Sascha Simon, Mercedes-Benz director of Advanced Product Planning. Mercedes-Benz produced the original diesel more than 100 years ago and currently has three diesel SUVs available in the U.S., including the 2010 BlueTEC ML 350.
Model: 2010 BlueTEC ML 350.
Cost: $49,700
Pros: Good for heavy commuters, drivers can travel up to 600 miles on a single 25-gallon tank of gas. The engine reduces emissions by 30 percent.
Cons: Diesel engine cars tend to be more expensive, and diesel fuel is not as readily available as regular gasoline.
Hybrid cars
If you find yourself in a lot of stop-and-go traffic, hybrids are a good choice because the electric motor kicks when the car is idling, eliminating the pollution that would normally be pumping into the atmosphere.
If you find yourself in a lot of stop-and-go traffic, hybrids are a good choice because the electric motor kicks when the car is idling, eliminating the pollution that would normally be pumping into the atmosphere.
Model: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Cost: Starting at $19,695
Pros: Its greater fuel efficiency (39 MPG) means lower emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.
Cons: Toxins in the batteries. "If drivers, automakers and the service industry are complacent, then too many batteries will end up in landfills or otherwise hazardously disposed," DeCicco said.
Used cars
"One doesn't need to buy a hybrid [or diesel] to make a fuel-efficient choice," DeCicco said. While these alternatives can be a good thing, if you need to replace your current car, the greenest option may be to buy a lightly used, more fuel-efficient car that's already sitting in one of the thousands of pre-owned car lots in the United States.
Regardless of what kind of car you drive, used or new, hybrid, diesel, or gasoline, there are tips to remember that will avoid wasting gas. "The things to keep in mind for eco-driving are not speeding, not driving aggressively, keeping tires inflated, and good maintenance," DeCicco said.
GET ONLINE
Scroll through these Web sites for more information:
» FuelEconomy.gov will help you track your current car's fuel efficiency, as well as offer further green driving tips.
» Autos.Yahoo.com allows you to comparison shop with its green car ratings.