Of The 10 Most Polluted Cities In The U.S. Houston Ranks 6th

[timtemtym]

I did not know TRUE pollution until I moved to Los Angeles. People here talk about how much better it has gotten, but we get some truly nasty sunny hazy days out here. If it weren't for the better pay and better weather out here, I'd move back to Houston in a heartbeat.

[Dopo]

Call me conspiracy theorist....
but I have serious concerns about UV rays in Houston (Texas)
When I go out and it's 80F it feels like the sun is cooking you like a McDonalds heat lamp

[analogkid84]

Originally Posted by Dopo

Call me conspiracy theorist....
but I have serious concerns about UV rays in Houston (Texas)
When I go out and it's 80F it feels like the sun is cooking you like a McDonalds heat lamp

Living at 30 N latitude will have that effect. In Seattle, we only really had to worry about sunburns in the late June through August timeframe. Then, it was really only between about 10-11 a.m. and 5 p.m. or so. The rest of the year, not such a problem.

[NickelsTX]

Originally Posted by trekbiker

What an individual can do:

1. Drive less (consolidate trips while doing errands) and avoid idling
2. Keep tires properly inflated
3. Whenever possible, stay at 55 mph or under, as speeds well over 55 reduces fuel efficiency (I know its hard to do on a freeway with a speed limit of 65)
4. Get a more fuel efficient vehicle
5. Keep car well maintained and well tuned to keep emissions down
6. Instead of driving, go biking or walking or take the bus whenever/wherever possible
7. Maintain an efficient home by weatherizing it, use efficient appliances and light bulbs, and use electricity only as needed
8. When using a BBQ grill, avoid using lighter fluid or aerosol sprays (use newspaper instead)
9. Set home thermostat at 72 degrees or higher in warm weather

What the government can do (at all local and municipal levels):

1. Expand public transportation (more commuter/light rail, bike trails/lanes, expanded bus system with better schedules, etc)
2. Set fuel efficiency standards for auto industry to follow, and increase them over time
3. Add trees and parks
4. Compost or recycle trash instead of burning it

I'm sure there's more, but that's what I could think of off the top of my head.

You forgot the most effective. Don't have children.

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/...carbon-impact/
The Best Way You Can Go Green: Have Fewer Children : TreeHugger

^ Even tree huggers agree.

I will drive everywhere I please in a gas guzzling machine, leave my AC on 60 all summer and not plant a single tree and live far more "green" than anyone with a child(ren).

Don't listen to recycling nuts. It has more negative effects than positive. It's an industry like anything else. It's main marketing tool is guilt.

Is Recycling Actually Bad For the Environment? - PolicyMic

[lipbalm]

Originally Posted by NickelsTX

You forgot the most effective. Don't have children.

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/...carbon-impact/
The Best Way You Can Go Green: Have Fewer Children : TreeHugger

^ Even tree huggers agree.

I will drive everywhere I please in a gas guzzling machine, leave my AC on 60 all summer and not plant a single tree and live far more "green" than anyone with a child(ren). Don't listen to recycling nuts. It has more negative effects than positive. It's an industry like anything else. It's main marketing tool is guilt.

Is Recycling Actually Bad For the Environment? - PolicyMic

Wrap it up people, you raw dawg guys are destroying the planet.....Sorry, I did not get the memo about 15 years ago. Can I make up for it by strangling my 15 year old? (I kid, I kid)