Happy Earth Day!

Enjoy this episode of Penn & Teller's BullSh*t! on recycling.

Part 2 available here.
Part 3 available here.

A Sunday Thank You

Here's a short piece on CNN this morning about a fellow who converts engines using diesel fuel to ones that can use vegetable oil. Not that I have a particular interest in this process, nor can I believe it involves only snipping and reattaching a few hoses here and there, but I loved the quote at the end:

"If you're emitting half the carbon dioxide that our neighbor is, that means one of two things: Either your neighbor can drive twice as much, or you're having a significant positive impact on the environment."

And it is for this reason that I thank the alternative fuel movement, since any modicum of guilt I could possibly feel for driving is mitigated knowing that others are taking the effort to compensate for my transportation pollution. Thanks, environmentalists!

Choking on the Diesel Fumes of the Recycling Truck

Enjoy the irony.

These two trucks were blocking the front entrance of WVU's college of B&E this morning. The blue truck appears to be diesel. Both of them were running idle. I saw nobody around, the drivers were likely inside the various buildings collecting the recycling bins (we hope). Remember that it is a myth that it uses less gas to run idle for a few minutes than to turn-off and restart your engine. They were also covering a handicap parking space.

For more on the economics of recycling, I refer you to this EconTalk podcast with Mike Munger.