Or not going green is too expensive, depending on your perspective. I agree that it takes awhile for new technologies to become mainstream - it will be some years before "economies of scale" bring prices down. Solar is a great example - prices have come down dramatically (and continue to do so) while fossil fuel prices rise. It will meet in the middle sometime soon . . .
You actually consider 22.5 mpg low? My Dodge Ram 1500 crewcab pickup, with 390-hp 5.7-liter Hemi engine, achieves 20 mpg and provides more hauling & towing capacity (over 10,000-lbs). The Multi-Displacement System (MDS) in this truck cuts 4 of the 8 cylinders (a 4-cylinder) to save additional fuel when extra power is not needed. Emissions are reduced as well.
You're right - we're pushing and prodding car companies to make diesel hybrids that will pull up to 3500lbs. That would work well for our travels, of course, but also would be enough of a work horse on our small farm, in our construction work, and for my wife's recycled glass & steel artwork business (bluemoonbottles). Here's hoping somebody at the car companies is paying attention!
carbon credits are a "voluntary guilt tax" that you pay. it only makes you feel better about yourself for driving a tahoe. how does giving money away offset your carbon footprint? it doesn't. you got suckered. some soulless bastard on the other end of a website is fleecing you and laughing all the way to the bank. the only true way to offset a carbon footprint is to not do anything at all.
Pure cynicism won't get us anywhere on climate change.
I use trusted, third-party audited carbon offsets from reliable companies like TerraPass while I wait for technology to improve. I'm also restoring a 60 acre farm into native woodland, which nets 3 tons of CO2 per acre per year compared to farming.
By "not doing anything," we can be assured that we'll heat up the planet. Climate change needs action, including carbon taxes and credits for now, and better technology into the future.
I wish the answer was that simple. Your heart is in the right place, but when 400,000,000 more people join the middle class in the next 50 years, we'll have to re-think things a bit. Even your compact car will be too much.
Since I offset my carbon and energy use with credits, I might actually beat you now. In the future, that will change even more.
There will come a day when my travel is "greener" than yours -- when my flex-fuel, plug-in SUV, getting 150 mpg beats your old Honda Civic.
i agree that we should live with common sense in the ONLY world we have (that i know of :D) but it has been proven that the whole global warming thing is a farse. if you REALLY look back in history, you'll find warming and cooling cycles even before mankind made it's debut. in reality there is no way the average joe could do this. whats more if you look backwards to our grandparents & even earlier, recycled. it's common sense. i'm happy that you can do this though.
I would argue that no matter what you think about global warming, weaning ourselves from fossil fuels makes sense in an Economic & National Security sense, too. Also, environmentally speaking, tackling climate change actually solves so many other problems in the world, that whether you believe in it or not, it makes sense to cut down the carbon.
I'm arguing that average families should be able to do what we did -- we need better choices in vehicles and products.
Don't be too myopic on this topic - are you so sure you're right that you'd bet your childrens' future on it? Even if you don't "believe" in global warming (despite the scientific evidence), there are many other great reasons to be more efficient. By using less fuel, we're helping to fix problems of National Security, other Environmental problems caused by fossil fuels, and also saving your pocketbook. Those are good reasons, too . . .
Personally I think this is a huge waste of money! My favorite camping experience, is the Truck Camper way. I have owned them all, Toyota Rvs, DOdge Rvs, then finally got to the right set up/ Think about it, a Truck Camper when not in use, REQUIRES NOTHING! Thetruck you choose can be an effient one, and can serve any homeowner on many levels. Truck Camper IS set up and ready to go always!, put some fresh water in it and strap it on your truck! You are up off the ground , are safer, cost less
I understand your misgivings about spending money like that . . . but you'll find that your truck camper gets you, at best, somewhere in the range of 10-12mpgs (truck camper folks complained of 6-8mpgs on the road). Now, while gas is cheap, that may not make a difference, but when gas hits $8 . . .
Besides, is it really only about the money? And when carbon is properly taxed/accounted for?
Our solution is aimed at people who may, like us, live on the road for a portion of the year.
Actually, this set-up is far cheaper than a "big rig" camper, and we save so much in energy that it makes sense fairly quickly.
Also, we own a farm and run a small reclaimed material art business that requires a truck -- another use, and another savings from a standard vehicle.
Also, I like the idea that I'm solving problems in our Economy, Climate Change, and National Security by making these choices.
Here's hoping we have more choices for a lower-fossil fuel life in the future.
I don't argue that it's not costly to do it this way, but consider the many thousands of dollars people spend on RVs to begin with. Usually that means a motorhome or bus, which sits most of the time.
Here's the problem with only doing the simple math part -- we'll never get past the "sticker shock" and move into the New Energy Economy. What if gasoline was ten bucks a gallon? $20? It's worth considering the costs which are not accounted for as well -- climate change and national security.
Sure, but carbon offsets are a way to mitigate the carbon you produce right now, not solve the ongoing problem. Folks who have the resources can help the industry along by supporting the best hybrid technology today, so that tomorrow will bring even better stuff.
Basically, do the best you can with your resources now, use carbon offsets to get you to carbon-neutral, and support the new technology as you can. We'll all get there together.
I agree, buying a hybrid truck, new trailer, solar/wind power setup, & carbon offsets can get a *bit* pricey. We opted for a used trailer ($2000 cash) and traded our '84 F350 in for a MUCH better mpg suburban. It's not the the perfect solution, but we're on our way to a "greener" living.
I tow an Aliner LXE with a tow modified 2.4l 4cyl Chevy Cobalt SS. My LXE is a little smaller than the Ease but has all the amenities (king bed, microwave, refrig/freezer, cassette toilet/shower, a/c, tv, etc.) and suits the 2 of us just fine. I get 23-25 mpg towing through the mountains too! It's not just eco friendly, it's wallet friendly (for those of us who don't put much stock in man made global warming.)
That's some great mileage . . . I was hoping for the Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid (hard to say what will happen with that) which would have gotten us close to 30mpg, but would also work for us as a farm vehicle and for my wife's art business (towing a small utility trailer). Once that becomes a plug-in, we'd really be in business.
Whether or not you believe in man-made global warming, there are so many other reasons (national security, too) to get away from fossil fuels.
The only flip negative side of going green is having a lot of green i mean a lottttttttt
MrBartolo423 1 month ago
wanna be economic? buy a modern wagon and use tents.
Noi5ee 1 month ago
going green is too expensive
dherring256 1 year ago
Or not going green is too expensive, depending on your perspective. I agree that it takes awhile for new technologies to become mainstream - it will be some years before "economies of scale" bring prices down. Solar is a great example - prices have come down dramatically (and continue to do so) while fossil fuel prices rise. It will meet in the middle sometime soon . . .
greenfamilysummer 10 months ago
You actually consider 22.5 mpg low? My Dodge Ram 1500 crewcab pickup, with 390-hp 5.7-liter Hemi engine, achieves 20 mpg and provides more hauling & towing capacity (over 10,000-lbs). The Multi-Displacement System (MDS) in this truck cuts 4 of the 8 cylinders (a 4-cylinder) to save additional fuel when extra power is not needed. Emissions are reduced as well.
stewartx5 1 year ago
22mpg? that can be had with a good modern v6 suv. If it were a diesel, it can achieve a way better number.
lrd95 1 year ago
You're right - we're pushing and prodding car companies to make diesel hybrids that will pull up to 3500lbs. That would work well for our travels, of course, but also would be enough of a work horse on our small farm, in our construction work, and for my wife's recycled glass & steel artwork business (bluemoonbottles). Here's hoping somebody at the car companies is paying attention!
greenfamilysummer 10 months ago
I search for pop-up car too :-)
Beatles5 1 year ago
Hi. where do you go to purchase an aliner? I'm in northern virginia. Just looking for a simple one for 2 (empty-nesters)
Joanneswim 1 year ago
carbon credits are a "voluntary guilt tax" that you pay. it only makes you feel better about yourself for driving a tahoe. how does giving money away offset your carbon footprint? it doesn't. you got suckered. some soulless bastard on the other end of a website is fleecing you and laughing all the way to the bank. the only true way to offset a carbon footprint is to not do anything at all.
jakebrenner 1 year ago 2
Pure cynicism won't get us anywhere on climate change.
I use trusted, third-party audited carbon offsets from reliable companies like TerraPass while I wait for technology to improve. I'm also restoring a 60 acre farm into native woodland, which nets 3 tons of CO2 per acre per year compared to farming.
By "not doing anything," we can be assured that we'll heat up the planet. Climate change needs action, including carbon taxes and credits for now, and better technology into the future.
greenfamilysummer 1 year ago 2
Let's see...my "green camping" consists of a compact car and a tent...much more "green" than your version.
burggirl69 1 year ago
I wish the answer was that simple. Your heart is in the right place, but when 400,000,000 more people join the middle class in the next 50 years, we'll have to re-think things a bit. Even your compact car will be too much.
Since I offset my carbon and energy use with credits, I might actually beat you now. In the future, that will change even more.
There will come a day when my travel is "greener" than yours -- when my flex-fuel, plug-in SUV, getting 150 mpg beats your old Honda Civic.
greenfamilysummer 1 year ago
i agree that we should live with common sense in the ONLY world we have (that i know of :D) but it has been proven that the whole global warming thing is a farse. if you REALLY look back in history, you'll find warming and cooling cycles even before mankind made it's debut. in reality there is no way the average joe could do this. whats more if you look backwards to our grandparents & even earlier, recycled. it's common sense. i'm happy that you can do this though.
SpikesScarletWitch 2 years ago 3
Proven? Where?
I would argue that no matter what you think about global warming, weaning ourselves from fossil fuels makes sense in an Economic & National Security sense, too. Also, environmentally speaking, tackling climate change actually solves so many other problems in the world, that whether you believe in it or not, it makes sense to cut down the carbon.
I'm arguing that average families should be able to do what we did -- we need better choices in vehicles and products.
greenfamilysummer 2 years ago
Don't be too myopic on this topic - are you so sure you're right that you'd bet your childrens' future on it? Even if you don't "believe" in global warming (despite the scientific evidence), there are many other great reasons to be more efficient. By using less fuel, we're helping to fix problems of National Security, other Environmental problems caused by fossil fuels, and also saving your pocketbook. Those are good reasons, too . . .
greenfamilysummer 10 months ago
Personally I think this is a huge waste of money! My favorite camping experience, is the Truck Camper way. I have owned them all, Toyota Rvs, DOdge Rvs, then finally got to the right set up/ Think about it, a Truck Camper when not in use, REQUIRES NOTHING! Thetruck you choose can be an effient one, and can serve any homeowner on many levels. Truck Camper IS set up and ready to go always!, put some fresh water in it and strap it on your truck! You are up off the ground , are safer, cost less
Vstar4me 2 years ago
I understand your misgivings about spending money like that . . . but you'll find that your truck camper gets you, at best, somewhere in the range of 10-12mpgs (truck camper folks complained of 6-8mpgs on the road). Now, while gas is cheap, that may not make a difference, but when gas hits $8 . . .
Besides, is it really only about the money? And when carbon is properly taxed/accounted for?
Our solution is aimed at people who may, like us, live on the road for a portion of the year.
greenfamilysummer 2 years ago
now pay the million dollar bill
hanghoodiescum 2 years ago
Actually, this set-up is far cheaper than a "big rig" camper, and we save so much in energy that it makes sense fairly quickly.
Also, we own a farm and run a small reclaimed material art business that requires a truck -- another use, and another savings from a standard vehicle.
Also, I like the idea that I'm solving problems in our Economy, Climate Change, and National Security by making these choices.
Here's hoping we have more choices for a lower-fossil fuel life in the future.
greenfamilysummer 2 years ago
I don't argue that it's not costly to do it this way, but consider the many thousands of dollars people spend on RVs to begin with. Usually that means a motorhome or bus, which sits most of the time.
Here's the problem with only doing the simple math part -- we'll never get past the "sticker shock" and move into the New Energy Economy. What if gasoline was ten bucks a gallon? $20? It's worth considering the costs which are not accounted for as well -- climate change and national security.
greenfamilysummer 2 years ago
Sure, but carbon offsets are a way to mitigate the carbon you produce right now, not solve the ongoing problem. Folks who have the resources can help the industry along by supporting the best hybrid technology today, so that tomorrow will bring even better stuff.
Basically, do the best you can with your resources now, use carbon offsets to get you to carbon-neutral, and support the new technology as you can. We'll all get there together.
greenfamilysummer 2 years ago
I agree, buying a hybrid truck, new trailer, solar/wind power setup, & carbon offsets can get a *bit* pricey. We opted for a used trailer ($2000 cash) and traded our '84 F350 in for a MUCH better mpg suburban. It's not the the perfect solution, but we're on our way to a "greener" living.
travelingoutskirts 2 years ago
Wow thats kecksburg PA I live there
dman090951 2 years ago
Cool vid. I look forward to future installments.
I tow an Aliner LXE with a tow modified 2.4l 4cyl Chevy Cobalt SS. My LXE is a little smaller than the Ease but has all the amenities (king bed, microwave, refrig/freezer, cassette toilet/shower, a/c, tv, etc.) and suits the 2 of us just fine. I get 23-25 mpg towing through the mountains too! It's not just eco friendly, it's wallet friendly (for those of us who don't put much stock in man made global warming.)
See ya down the road!
sushidogchip 2 years ago
That's some great mileage . . . I was hoping for the Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid (hard to say what will happen with that) which would have gotten us close to 30mpg, but would also work for us as a farm vehicle and for my wife's art business (towing a small utility trailer). Once that becomes a plug-in, we'd really be in business.
Whether or not you believe in man-made global warming, there are so many other reasons (national security, too) to get away from fossil fuels.
Thanks!
greenfamilysummer 2 years ago
does anyone rent these things? would love to rent one, but dont have anywhere to store it if i bought one....
Wyrehedd242 3 years ago
Ned, you are a movie star.
liotrop 3 years ago 3