The Green Community week in review: Gulf oil spill is "largest marine oil accident ever", why high speed rail is needed and more

By Katie Machol Simon on Sun, Sep 26, 2010 at 1:59 pm

[image-1] - Instead of splitting it up evenly, they're asking the public to vote to decide how the money should be divvied up.

EarthTalk: What would it take to produce “green” tires? - While greener tires are already available, tire makers have been re-doubling efforts to recycle old tires into new ones to further reduce the industry’s environmental impact.

Numbers game: Rough transition hampers new FDA-mandated calorie count listings - Would your decision to buy that double-stacked, all-toppings galore burger really be affected by the added calorie count? And studies show that some restaurants weren't very truthful in their calorie counts.

BMW unveils new retro-inspired electric scooters - The retro-looking, plug-in scooters come with a lithium ion-power source and were inspired by classic Vespas and the Mini Cooper.

Report: Gulf oil well leaked 56,000 to 68,000 barrels daily -- Largest marine oil accident ever - After studying the data and watching video footage of the leaking well, researchers have published the first independent, peer-reviewed report detailing the most accurate amounts we've seen so far.

Why high speed rail is needed - A response to WMNF's 9/12 online debate.

Open house to brainstorm ways to improve Clearwater’s sustainability, Sept. 28 - The City of Clearwater invites residents, businesses, and interested stakeholders to generate ideas and provide input on ways to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases citywide.

Don’t forget to check out our Green Community Calendar for green events and workshops in the Bay Area!

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What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed last week:

Green DIY: Using the sun and hula hoops to naturally heat your pool (video) - These "lily pad pool warmers" float on the surface of the water and attract heat from the sun, thus heating the water in the pool in the process.

EarthTalk: How long does it take a plastic grocery bag to decompose? - Setting the record straight.

Say goodbye to batteries: Talk-powered cell phones in development - Cell phones in the near future could be powered by the spoken word — literally.

Photos from a whimsical holiday: National Park(ing) Day - On Friday, Sept. 17, city dwellers across the country converted the an everyday slab of asphalt into the serene and magical on National Park(ing) Day.

Could Florida actually be a leader in banning sugar drinks from public schools? - The Orlando Sentinel reports that the state's Board of Education on Tuesday agreed to move forward on a plan to eliminate "sugary" beverages and the state the first in the country to ban chocolate milk in public schools.