Consumer products will not solve the problem. Consumer products ARE the problem

Solar Panels Could Pose Dangers to the Environment | Pays to Live Green: "Solar Energy is one of the top emerging renewable energy sources that could relieve us of our dependency on dirty energy sources like coal and dangerous energy sources like nuclear. Even with it’s many positives, solar energy has a major drawback that could cause some harm to our environment. Solar energy itself is not dangerous nor is the process of solar panels converting the sun’s light into energy. The biggest problem is in the production and disposal of the solar panels."

Ready for holiday drivers? Take the train.

Johanna James Allstate Insurance Company: "Do you still think you can dodge the drunk driving bullet? Drunk driving facts do not lie. Do what you can to avoid becoming a statistic."

Cliff Lee's family leaving Arlington so they can go places | Bud Kennedy | Fort Worth, Arling...

Cliff Lee's family leaving Arlington so they can go places | Bud Kennedy | Fort Worth, Arling...: "We finally found the hero to deliver public transit to Arlington.

Unfortunately, Kristen Lee and her husband, Cliff, gave up and moved to Philadelphia.

Of all the words written after the Texas Rangers' playoff ace turned down a new contract, the most jarring might have come from his wife, like Lee a native of Benton, Ark.

She prefers Philadelphia for the cultural opportunities and the dining, she said.

But mostly -- she really likes the trains."

SEPTA misses another Silverliner V deadline | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

SEPTA misses another Silverliner V deadline | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future: "Separately, SEPTA CFO and treasurer Richard Burnfield told a SEPTA Board meeting on Thursday that ridership was up 4 percent last month from the previous year"

PennDOT: Older driver deaths on rise - timesherald.com

PennDOT: Older driver deaths on rise - timesherald.com: "UPPER MERION – Though traffic fatality reports often focus on teenagers, the number of crash deaths involving older drivers is on the rise in Pennsylvania, and PennDOT believes it’s essential aging drivers and their families talk frankly about the right time to turn over the car keys for good for safety’s sake.

About 16 percent of Pennsylvania’s 8.7 million licensed drivers are 65 and older, and state statistics predict that number will increase to 21 percent by 2020, according to PennDOT.

In 2009, there were more than 16,700 crashes involving a driver 65 and up, resulting in 276 fatalities. This represents 14 percent of the total crashes in the state and 22 percent of the fatalities, an increase from previous years."

Anti-tax foolishness is nonsensical

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - myspace.com/unicycleintransit: "I am tired of Republican intransigence on taxes. They vote as a block, and will not even consider any discussion of a new tax or a hike in a tax, no matter how small, and no matter what good it might do. In particular, if Governor Rendell suggests it, they respond as one with a resounding rejection of the proposal. They will fight you to the death to prove to you that 2+2=5. This is lunacy. We are talking about solutions to both the highway and bridge problem, and the transit problem. Permanent solutions. Remember what I said at the top? This argument goes on year after year? This is why. A proper fix to the problem comes along, and no matter how much sense it might make, since it's a tax, the answer is no.

The highway fix involves a fuel tax of maybe four cents a gallon. C'mon, four cents a gallon isn't even chickenfeed. Gasoline flips up and down 40 cents a gallon in any given month and you accept that. You spend four cents in gasoline driving around a parking lot to find a good space. Objections to that tax are groundless. They need to stop."

More from this author

Carfree Times: September 2010 - Carfree neighborhood proposed for Philadelphia

Carfree Times: September 2010: "Gaslight Village is a proposed mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented, urban village on the site of a former gas works on the east bank of Philadelphia's Schuylkill River. When completed, it will be home to some 4,000 families."

Mann: A Changing Climate Doesn’t Have a Political Agenda | Universe Today

Mann: A Changing Climate Doesn’t Have a Political Agenda | Universe Today: "“We have to make it clear that the ice sheets are not Republicans or Democrats – they don’t have a political agenda as they disappear,” said Michael Mann, a physicist at Pennsylvania State University, who has been at the recent forefront of climate research. “Certain facts cannot be denied. We have to find a way to steer the conversation to a good faith debate about what we can do about the problem, not this bad faith debate about the reality of it.”"

Transit cuts loom in Pittsburgh - thegabber.org

Transit cuts loom in Pittsburgh - thegabber.org: "the interests of poor and working people were prioritized, the local and state government would tax the rich, banks, and corporations. If the federal government wanted to meet human needs, it would help cities and states fund socially useful programs rather than spending money on wars and bailouts.

...Everyone deserves access to efficient, free public transportation, but as long as the state serves the capitalists, poor and working people need to organize to win and defend this right.

More Transit = More Jobs

Transportation For America � TEN’s “More Transit = More Jobs” report reveals transit’s job-creation potential: "TEN outlined how a significant shift in federal transportation funds from highways to public transit — without spending more money overall — would impact 20 metropolitan areas in the United States. Each city surveyed would gain thousands of jobs from such a shift, an important indicator when nearly 1 out of every ten Americans is out of work. TEN’s proposal would not add a penny to deficit because it simply shifts existing revenues into broader transportation options."

Free summer trolley in Wildwood

Wildwood Attractions, The Wildwoods, NJ: "The Wildwood Business Improvement District is offering a FREE trolley service for the downtown area every Thursday through Sunday all summer long. 'Dolly the Trolley' will run from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. on Atlantic and Pacific Avenues. Clearly marked 'Dolly' stops will be located along the route which extends the entire length of Wildwood from 26th to Cresse Avenues. For additional information, please call 609-523-1602."

Greenland glacier calves island 4 times the size of Manhattan, UD scientist reports

Greenland glacier calves island 4 times the size of Manhattan, UD scientist reports: "“In the early morning hours of August 5, 2010, an ice island four times the size of Manhattan was born in northern Greenland,” said Andreas Muenchow, associate professor of physical ocean science and engineering at the University of Delaware's College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment. Muenchow's research in Nares Strait, between Greenland and Canada, is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF)."

Mainstream media propagating lies about science

http://renegadeconservatoryguy.co.uk/global-warming-the-debate/
read more here...

Different cars are still cars

A different type of car is not the answer, cars are not the answer. We need to fully fund public transportation and eliminate user fees to get people to use it widely.
Fully funding public transportation is the ONLY way we can give every single person the means to get to work, to school, to fun, to appointments, to recreation.
As I’ve said before, we should invest in excellent public transportation that is:

 

1. Fast
2. Free (to the user)
3. Predictable (schedules available at all stops and on phones)
4. Attractive / Beautiful
5. Clean
6. Frequent (always less than a ten minute wait)
7. Everywhere (less than a ten minute walk from most locations)
8. Efficient (Local and Express)
9. Resourceful (should maximize options of local terrain. Pittsburgh for example could use streetcars, along side ferries and the incline to take advantage of our rivers and hills)
10. and has the right of way against all other modes of travel.

Read more at Reimagine and Urban Paradise

Sixth heat wave - 11 dead - It is time to do something about climate

The Philadelphia area is now in the midst of its sixth heat wave of the season.
The National Weather Service recorded a temperature of 91 degrees before noon at the Philadelphia International Airport.
A heat wave is three days in a row of temperatures of 90 and above. Philly.com

Rendell makes case for action on transportation | AP | 07/21/2010

Rendell makes case for action on transportation | AP | 07/21/2010: "HARRISBURG - Gov. Rendell is trying to drive home the dire condition of Pennsylvania's highways, bridges and mass transit systems.

Rendell testified before the state Senate Transportation Committee today, and blitzed committee members with photos of deteriorating bridges and highways in their districts.

He warned them that those problems will not get fixed without new money, and said that failure to act in the next couple months would mean missing next summer's construction season, too.

The governor is presenting lawmakers with a variety of ideas about how to raise more money, including an increase in the gas tax.

He also says he will undertake a cross-state bus trip in August to illustrate the problem."

Ok. Now let us hear from the anti-tax whiners: "Oh no - you are going to the burden the poor working people -- dependent on their family car --- with taxes." Yes, we ARE burdened. But where are the anti-tax people when tax money is being splurged on their pet sprawl projects and endless road-building. We ARE dependent on the family car. You might even say enslaved by it. But it is time for everyone to stop and ask themselves. Why is that?

The hidden cost of living in the suburbs: Transportation - by Christina Pomoni - Helium

The hidden cost of living in the suburbs: Transportation - by Christina Pomoni - Helium: "Many people consider that living in the suburbs is cheaper than living in the city. This is because the high costs of housing put in the shadow the accessibility to public transportation or other benefits of living in the city. However, when transportation costs are taken into consideration, living in the suburbs is more expensive. In fact, the hidden costs of transportation may increase the cost of living in the suburbs even by 33%."

Are Americans Ready for Nimble Cities? � Reimagine an Urban Paradise

Are Americans Ready for Nimble Cities? � Reimagine an Urban Paradise: "I think the most effective method to change consumption patterns in the U.S. would be to fully fund public transportation with public money. If taking public transportation was free for the user, ridership would grow astronomically. It’s been demonstrated again and again.

Level the mobility playing field. Give everyone the right and the means to get to work, to school, to fun, to appointments, to recreation.

We should invest in excellent public transportation that is:

Fast
Free (to the user)
Predictable (schedules available at all stops and on phones)
Attractive / Beautiful
Clean
Frequent (always less than a ten minute wait)
Everywhere (less than a ten minute walk from most locations)
Efficient (Local and Express)
Resourceful (should maximize options of local terrain. Pittsburgh for example could use streetcars, along side ferries and the incline to take advantage of our rivers and hills)
and has the right of way against all other modes of travel."

Top Ten reasons to hate cars

Cars are destroying our mental health Worsening road noise causes an unknown epidemic of stress, sleep deprivation- even heart disease and depression. (3) more at onthelevel

The uncounted costs of the private auto system

Lowonoil 7:06 a.m. June 16, 2010

If you think buses and trains are expensive, have a look at the costs of overseas wars and military bases to keep our cars fueled. Look at the costs of adapting nearly all the public space between anywhere and anywhere else in a city to be used for the driving and parking of cars. Look at the costs of compelling nearly every adult to own and operate a car. Look at the difficulties that those who cannot drive for whatever reason must suffer in places where the car is the transportation option of only resort. And don't get me started on the ecological and resource depletion consequences.

The cheap hydrocarbon rug is about to be pulled out from under us. The landing will hurt less for cities that have a robust transit infrastructure to fall back on. Comment on article in Deseret News

Cars are unnecessary

Cars are unnecessary:

The simple reason people can't imagine doing without their car is that there are currently no viable alternatives (for many). But consider for a moment just how expensive your car is. A fraction of that cost, paid by car-owners and non-car owners alike could easily pay for a robust public transit system. It could also pay for a delivery service, freeing people of the need to own cars to haul groceries and heavy purchases.

A fraction of the money it costs to buy and maintain cars (and roads and police and, the big one, health costs associated with car accidents) wouldn't just by public transit, it would by NICE public transit. And not just in urban areas -- suburban and semi-rural areas as well.

Where public transit is simply too impractical, car share systems like Zipcar or rental car agencies could pick up the slack. In rural areas people would of course still need cars, but cars in rural areas aren't nearly the nuisance they are in densely populated areas. DailyKos

US President, shill for oil barons

Billions urged for Pa. transit

....The problem, as portrayed by the committee report, is immense: Of the state's 25,000 bridges, more than 5,600, or about 22 percent, are structurally deficient. Travel delays caused by congestion have doubled in the last 25 years and are projected to increase 50 to 60 percent by 2035. Most roads were constructed in the 1960s or earlier and need to be rebuilt. Mass-transit agencies, such as SEPTA, are saddled with decrepit stations, outdated fare systems, and worn-out power networks.

Additional funding of $3.5 billion, including local funding, would allow the state to rebuild 500 bridges a year for the next 10 years and 300 bridges a year for 10 years after that, reducing the percentage of structurally deficient bridges to 5 percent.

It would also permit transit systems to add new bus routes and commuter rail service, and limit fare hikes.... philly.com

What will it take to make us see the private auto for what it really is?

Another victim of the auto

Want tourists? Arthur Frommer says give them free transit

...The effort would take the form of an announcement by the President that henceforth, foreign tourists visiting the U.S. would receive free-of-charge, in-city transportation on the subways and buses of our dozen-or-so most important touristic cities. They, their mayors and city councils, would be asked, as a matter of patriotic service, to create a system whereby hotels would be authorized to issue free transportation cards to overnight foreign guests, upon their presentation of passports identifying them as bona fide tourists.

Arthur Frommer http://frommers.com/blog

Pittsburgh blogger recommends free public transportation

...Things are looking up in Washington, DC where I was a pedestrian, cyclist, public transportation aficionado for nearly eight years. I’m excited to see what happens next.

My recommendation for Action Agenda 2014 is free public transportation.

How about it, government? How about it, citizens? Reimagining An Urban Paradise

Home buyers don't factor in commuting

Buyers who move deep into the suburbs to find bigger, nicer houses often fail to consider added transportation expenses that might bust their budgets, a new national study has concluded.
Rising transportation costs are dramatically shrinking the amount of affordable housing in Pittsburgh and across the U.S., according to the report released today by the nonprofit Center for Neighborhood Technology, a group that promotes more environmentally conscious policies....
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10083/1045127-30.stm#ixzz0j7Ds69rY

Careful reading of science journals exposes deniers

Does Mobility Have a Future?

by hock http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

MONDAY, APRIL 19TH, 2010, 3-6PM, BEHRAKIS GRAND HALL IN THE CREESE STUDENT CENTER (33RD & CHESTNUT ST.), DREXEL UNIVERSITY

• Welcome from Professor Donna Murasko, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
• Introduction by Professor Mimi Sheller, Director of the Center for Mobilities Research and Policy
• Keynote Speaker: Professor John Urry (Lancaster University, UK)“Does Mobility Have a Future?”
• Plus Panelists:
• Prof. Ole B. Jensen, CMUS, Aalborg University, Denmark“ Mobility challenges: theoretical perspective on research into contemporary urban mobilities”
• Prof. Sven Kesselring, Technische Universität München, Germany“ New mobilities regimes: mobility, power and ambivalence in the risk society”
• Dr. Peter Adey, Keele University, UK“Mobility, security, life”

Reception will follow at 5:45pm.This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to Mimi Sheller if planning to attend: mimi.sheller@drexel.edu  More...

Compare Taipei subway with Philadelphia

Children relax in Taipei subway while school is out for New Year holiday.

Hey, America, what is with all the honking?

Your car horn is for emergencies, not to express your emotions. Grow up. Everybody in a 500 meter sphere does not want to know that someone cut you off. Besides, do you know absolutely and for sure that the person who cut you off is not racing to save a life? NO ... YOU DON'T. Chill already... the people in Taiwan have worse traffic and they hardly ever honk. You should be ASHAMED.

More than 33,000 students signed up for free NJ TRANSIT Rides

February 2, 2006
NJT-06-011
Contact: Dan Stessel (973) 491-7078

NEWARK, NJ — So far this week, more than 33,000 students have taken advantage of NJ TRANSIT’s free ride offer for college and post secondary students, the Corporation announced today.

From January 30 through February 5, 2006, NJ TRANSIT is giving students the week of free travel to show them how convenient and simple using New Jersey’s public transportation system can be.

"This successful weeklong promotion is taking cars off the road while building the next generation of NJ TRANSIT customers," said NJ TRANSIT Assistant Executive Director Lynn Bowersox.

Taking full advantage of the promotion, students at Seton Hall University have organized several outings on NJ TRANSIT this week, including an outdoor photography contest, a movie in Hoboken, a museum exhibit and a group historical tour of Central Park.

During the free week, college and post-secondary students can ride any NJ TRANSIT bus, rail or light rail line for free simply by presenting their student ID and a Free Ride coupon available at www.njtransit.com.

The trial also promotes the benefits of NJ TRANSIT’s online Student Pass program, which provides a 25-percent discount to fulltime students who attend participating colleges. With Student Pass, students simply log on to their university’s Intranet, click on the link to NJ TRANSIT’s monthly pass student discount and enter the requested information. After signing up, a new monthly pass is sent automatically each month as long as the account remains active. Universities that offer their students a discount through the online Student Pass program are Seton Hall University, Montclair State University, Rutgers University, William Paterson University, Kean University, Richard Stockton College, New Jersey City University, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Ramapo College.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 800,000 daily trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 162 rail stations, 53 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia

Pennies for transit -- millions for auto executives

..Auto-maker bailout star GM announced Friday that current CEO Ed Whitacre “will receive a salary of $1.7 million this year, plus stock awards that will bring his total pay package to $9 million.” Although his pay is beyond the limit set for executives of bailed out companies “an exemption was worked out with government pay czar Kenneth Feinberg”, according to a GM spokesman.

GM…? Isn’t that the failing company that asked for money from the government?

That borrowed money from the bankrupt, weary, unemployed American people to the tune of $52,000,000,000 last year? $52 billion dollars? Read post on onenightlemonadestand