Solar Bus in 4th of July Parade

After watching the Richmond (VT) parade from the sidelines for the last couple years, I decided it was time for the Solar Bus to participate. Certainly it would be fun, and I was sure I could find a busload of kids interested in riding along and throwing candy out the windows. But even moreso, how about the exposure — the streets are lined Richmond residents. Think how many might see a lightbulb go off in their heads, thinking, “hey if that big bus can move without petroleum, maybe I can do something too.”

So we signed up and invited kids and the next thing we knew, we were waiting in line right behind the fire trucks.

I hooked up the PA system we use for bands to play on solar, so we had the ability to blast some music as we drove through town. I picked Jack Johnson’s “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” song from the Curious George movie. As I drove through town, people danced to the music, sang along, and nearly everyone gave us a BIG smile, almost as big as the bus!

After the parade, I parked the bus in the park for the day, where there were some food vendors and some small rides for kids. Lots of fun. Many people stopped by the bus to learn about what we’re doing and ask questions. Only one person left me wondering. As he and his wife just walked by the bus he muttered under his breath… “I hate solar energy.” Looking back it still makes me laugh. I never heard that one before. I’ve talked with folks who think it’s too expensive, not worth the investement, even one who was convinced that it was a scam and solar panels don’t really work. But never heard someone say “I hate solar energy.” Didn’t get a chance to discuss it with him, as he just continued on his way. I guess it just shows there’s work to do.

Click here for a slideshow of the parade.

New report on oil subsidies - $150 Billion !

The Cato Institute, a libertarian think-thank, did a study on the subject. What they found is simply mind-boggling. They calculated that the US spent between $30 to $60 billion (with a ‘b’) a year safeguarding oil supplies in the Middle East during the 1990s, even though its imports from that region totaled only about $10 billion a year during that period. A more comprehensive study that includes the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and other oil protection services (the coast guard is clearing shipping lanes and doing navigational support to oil tankers, etc) shows that actual subsidies to Big Oil are between $78 to $158 billion (again, with a ‘b’) per year.

Click for reference

No Ice At North Pole

Polar scientists reveal dramatic new evidence of climate change

By Steve Connor, Science Editor
Friday, 27 June 2008

It seems unthinkable, but for the first time in human history, ice is on course to disappear entirely from the North Pole this year.

The disappearance of the Arctic sea ice, making it possible to reach the Pole sailing in a boat through open water, would be one of the most dramatic – and worrying – examples of the impact of global warming on the planet. Scientists say the ice at 90 degrees north may well have melted away by the summer.

“From the viewpoint of science, the North Pole is just another point on the globe, but symbolically it is hugely important. There is supposed to be ice at the North Pole, not open water,” said Mark Serreze of the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre in Colorado.

more….

NASA scientist: ‘This is the last chance’

WASHINGTON - Exactly 20 years after warning America about global warming, a top NASA scientist said the situation has gotten so bad that the world’s only hope is drastic action.

NASA Scientist: Put CEOs On Trial for Global Warming Lies

The heads of major fossil-fuel companies who spread disinformation about global warming should be “tried for high crimes against humanity and nature,” according to a leading climate scientist.

Dr. James Hansen, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, sounded the alarm about global warming in testimony before a Senate subcommittee exactly 20 years ago.

He returned to the topic Monday with a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., given to the Worldwatch Institute.

“Special interests have blocked the transition to our renewable energy future,” Hansen writes in an opinion piece posted on the institute’s Web site. “Instead of moving heavily into renewable energies, fossil fuel companies choose to spread doubt about global warming, just as tobacco companies discredited the link between smoking and cancer. Methods are sophisticated, including funding to help shape school textbook discussions of global warming.”

more…

Returning home from Bonnaroo…

Now it’s time to return home to Vermont.  We are hot, tired, hungry, and we all need showers very badly. 

If you’ve been reading about our trip to Bonnaroo, you are probably wondering exactly what is Carbon Shredding by now….  Well here it is.  The Carbon Shredding idea is to make a commitment to reduce your carbon footprint by 10% in the next 1 year.  Not that hard.  In fact, most people could do it overnight, if they just turn off their appliances more diligently.  Now you can go to the the Carbon Shredders website where you can make the commitment, measure your current footprint, and get tips to carry out your promise.

At Bonnaroo, the people that drove down on the Solar Bus had a mission - to sign up as many Carbon Shredders as possible.  In fact they got several thousand signatures.  What a success!

The Solar Bus helped facilitate by moving the Carbon Shredder gang from Vermont all the way down to the festival in Tennessee.  It was well worth the trip.

Now, there’s another 1,200 miles ahead of us, but I think most of us are looking forward to it.  It’s a little cramped on the bus but there’s something special about being on the road. It’s a calming experience, and it forces you to contemplate.   Who knows what lies ahead on the road…

Live from Bonnaroo….!

I was interviewed at the Carbon Shredder’s booth. Here is the video:

We made it!

Never doubt the power of the sun.  We just drove 1200 miles in 24 hours, all on waste vegetable oil and biodiesel.  Miracles do happen!    We had no problems on the way down.  In fact we had quite a bit of fun!  There was adequate room for everyone and all the gear too.  The bus seemed to be happy to be on the road again.  She just hummed along, and we did 70 most of the way.  Kenny took over twice when I was ready to pass out and he did great.  Even the time we hit a detour and he had to drive through downtown Knoxville while I was sleeping in the back.       We pulled in to the Bonnaroo site at precisely noon, our target time of arrival.   After a little mixup at the gate, we drove in and found our camping spot, just a few steps off the main vending drag (referred to as Shakedown Street) so we have plenty of exposure. As well the Carbon Shredder booth inside where the music stages will get a lot of attention.  I plan to bring the solar oven over there so the shredders can bake solar cookies as they give the carbon shredder gospel.  They tell me there will be 100,000 people here come tomorrow morning.  I better rest.   Peaceout.

On the road….

Well we hit the road within an hour of the scheduled departure time.  Here’s a photo of the launch site.

Looking out the side window of the bus, as I lay down after about 12 hours of straight driving.  As the lights from traffic drift by, I contemplate the universe… It’s not very often i get to be a passenger.  But this time, I need a break.  We are driving about 1,200 miles, with 15 people, and without stopping (except for bathroom stops of course).  Kenny just took over at the wheel and I’m supposed to rest now.  I’m not a very good passenger.  I worry that something will go wrong if I fall asleep.  But I must rest….    We have some video and photos of the trip so far and I’ll try to post them as they become available.

on the road…

more soon…

Heading to Bonnaroo!

The Solar Bus is heading to Bonnaroo music festival!  We have just recently been invited to set up our educational solar display there, as part of the Carbon Shredders campaign.  This is an effort to get everyone to reduce their carbon footprint.

We’ll be driving down on vegetable oil and biodiesel, virtually NO petroleum, on the nearly 2,400 mile round trip and taking some Carbon Shredders with us to enjoy the ride (and help educate people at the festival).

We plan to have live blogging and videos on the way down there. So even if you’ve never been on the Solar Bus, here’s a chance to virtually hop on board!  Check the blog for updates.