The global Make Cars Green campaign is an ambitious 10-point plan to steer drivers towards more environmentally-friendly habits, including checking tyre pressure regularly and reduce loads. The campaign builds on the principles by the FIA Make Cars Green declaration, together with Bridgestone, and outlines how policy makers, industry and consumers can all play a constructive role in the future.

But with the current economic downturn, isn’t it too little too late? Many of the concepts are obvious to anyone reading Treehugger, but hopefully, they will use clever PR strategies to quickly get everyone else onboard as well.

Here’s the deal. Automakers aren’t doing so well. They’re doing pretty terribly in fact. But as far as I can tell, the green movement is almost strengthened by the economy. Green is also a way to save money.

And like I said last week, any effort is somewhat worthwhile, I think the burden on big companies is heavier than the everyday person.

On one hand, anyone that has seen Who Killed the Electric Car knows about the failure of automakers in being green, but on the other hand, I’m happy they try at all.

My question is: Can green save carmakers? With the New Green Deal from President-elect Obama, do we all believe that eco-friendly can save the economy?

Post from: Pretty by Nature

I caught Supper Club on Planet Green for the first time tonight. It’s a pretty interesting show. You have some celebs and green gurus show up and some chef. Have the chef make dinner and talk about green topics in between.

During the episode I saw, the conversation turned to something interesting. They were talking about being perfectly green and how that is impossible. Al Gore was given as an example. He preaches green, yet flies on a private jet. Not so green. Is it fair for him to preach sacrifice?

On top of that, they argued about what really makes a difference. Yes, it’s great to buy an organic sweater or a reusable grocery bag, but our bigger problem is energy and figuring out how to switch to green power. The larger sacrifice must be made in order for the smaller things — CFLs and organic clothing — to make a difference. Essentially, changing one small thing in your lifestyle isn’t going to cut it.

Do you agree? Are small changes not enough to get us out of this mess?

Post from: Pretty by Nature