Most people have a certain vehicle in mind, or at least an idea of what they are looking for, before they go car shopping. In fact, many people already have the make and model picked out before they even step foot on the lot. But who is to say that particular vehicle is going to be what they really need and want? Who is to say that vehicle was made with their particular needs in mind? Does it have eco-friendly features and technology designed to assist them on the road to fuel efficiency? Well, that’s where four moms from GM come in with the Malibu Eco.

Never before has a vehicle like the Malibu Eco been designed from the get-go, not only based on what the company feels the consumer is looking for, but with direct insight, input and hands-on engineering expertise from real-life moms. With safety, comfort, eAssist technology, fuel-efficiency and the peaceful quietness that all moms long for, the Malibu Eco is a truly joint effort on behalf of moms (and dads) everywhere.

First let me cover just a few of the features of the new eco-friendly Malibu Eco:

• eAssist technology which aids in increasing fuel efficiency by cutting off fuel to the engine during deceleration,
• a regenerative lithium-oin battery pack recharges when the vehicle brakes and powers the vehicle during stops,
• the battery then starts the vehicle’s engine when accelerating from a stop,
• the energy from the battery also provides a boost to the engine in order to increase fuel economy,
• the entire exterior of the vehicle is designed to deflect the wind and thus increase the vehicle aerodynamic capabilities,
• there is an eco-efficiency gauge so you can tell how well you are doing on staying “green”,
• an electric auto stop indicator lets you know when the vehicle is running on the battery during the stop/start mode and more.

Although the Malibu Eco is not 100% electric, with the technologies it incorporates, it allows owners to travel approximately 580 highway miles between fill-ups, despite having only a 15.8-gallon fuel tank. That’s close to 37 mpg, not too shabby for a combustion engine. I’d even add a little Green Plus® to further assist in decreasing my harmful emissions and increasing my fuel economy.

Now let’s get to the four moms, in particular, who have had a direct hand in bringing the new Malibu Eco to life:

First we’ll start with rocket scientist, Aerodynamic Development Lead Engineer, and roller derby skater Suzanne Cody. Suzanne is one of GM’s aerodynamic engineers and, just as importantly, she is a mother of two. While Suzanne has worked on a number of GM vehicles, she had an intrinsic role in directly shaping and forming the Malibu Eco in order to reduce wind drag and increase fuel efficiency. Her chosen field and desire to make sure the Malibu Eco is exactly what moms (and dads) alike are looking for is what drove her to combine her passions to bring the Eco to a whole new level.

Next comes Kara Gordon, mother of two and Noise and Vibration Performance Development Engineer. Kara brought a unique feature to the Malibu Eco in the fact that she brought the gift of silence. Although having two young sons doesn’t necessarily bode quiet, Kara did a tremendous job of incorporating the calmness of her daily yoga routine and the peacefulness of her organic garden into the Malibu Eco. She went to extremes to identify then eliminate the wind, tire, road and other vehicle noises in order to make the Malibu Eco one of the quietest vehicles ever.

Now we come to Julie Kleinert, mother of four, grandmother of two and the North American Child Safety Technical Lead for the new Malibu Eco. As you can imagine, Julie has one of the most important roles at GM, and in particular with the Eco. She is in charge of integrating key vehicle safety technology into the vehicle in order to make it safer for children. As a parent, I value her work tremendously, because I know there is nothing more important to me than the health and happiness of my two kids. That is why I’m glad Julie is on the job. She has authored three technical papers and has an industry-first patent for a safety technology currently under review. She has also co-authored two technical papers comparing real-world crash conditions with those in manufacturer crash tests. Needless to say, she has really made a difference in the industry and specifically with the Malibu Eco.

Last but definitely not least is Tracy Mack-Askew, international traveler, mother of two and the Vehicle Line Manager on the global platform for the Malibu Eco. Tracy has worked at GM for 13+ years and has played a role as a design engineer, mechanical engineer and harmony engineer for a number of GM vehicles. On the Malibu Eco she was fully responsible for bringing engineering and manufacturing together to see to the end product available today.

With their combined skills, hard work, dedication and commitment these four women have truly shaped the future of GM and the Malibu Eco.

Image by biofriendly 

When it comes to lowering your carbon footprint and doing something about climate change there are many actions each of us can take.  Now, you may ask yourself, “I’m just one person, what can I really do?”.  As far as I’m concerned, it’s going to be people just like you and me who are going to be the driving force that can really make a difference. 

You can add solar panels to your home, you can add a wind turbine in your yard, you can grow your own vegetables and herbs, you can unplug your appliances/computers when not in use, you can use a fuel additive to lower harmful emissions coming from your vehicle or get a hybrid/electric vehicle, you can use public transportation, bike or walk to your destinations, you can cut down on your meat consumption, you can volunteer and help clean up your local beaches/parks, you can educate your children on water and energy conservation and the list goes on and on.

Of course there are also big steps that companies and governments can take, but without individual people changing their own actions and demanding that change in others, it’s going to be a much longer road.  Here are a few more steps you, as an individual, can take to do something positive about climate change while educating others to do the same:

1) The No Impact Project starts this Sunday (Oct 18th).  The No Impact Project is a basically a one-week carbon cleanse.  Whether you want to create as little impact on the environment as possible or you just want to save some money or you want to see how no impact living would affect your life, this is for you!  It’s a day-by-day project that lays out simple ways for you to impact your own life and habits, your community and the environment.  And remember, this project isn’t designed to preach about all the things we are doing wrong, it’s designed to give each of us tips and suggestions to help live a better life and have less impact on the environment.  Check it out!

2) You can get your child’s school to join the I count for my Earth Campaign. I count for my Earth is a program created to get our children educated and more environmentally aware of the world around them.  It also helps empower them to be able to do something to make a difference.  My daughter always makes sure lights that don’t need to be on, get turned off and reminds us that leaving them on “wastes power”.  Get your child(ren) more environmentally aware and knowing ”I count for my Earth”. 

3)  Last week I wrote about carbon dioxide and International Climate Action Day.  On October 24, 2009 people around the world are being asked to take one day – one moment of their life – to help get the word out….actually, get the number out.  You can organize your own activity or attend an already planned activity in your area, that helps draw attention and awareness to the number 350 and what it means to all of us.

4) You can go to the Seal The Deal! website and sign the petition for a fair climate agreement at the upcoming Climate Change Conference.

5) From December 7th-18th, 2009 world leaders are gathering in Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Conference 2009.  Their goal is to negotiate and come to an agreement on a new climate treaty.  You can do your part by requesting your leader takes the bold actions needed to reduce greenhouse gases.  You can even submit your own video with your views, opinions and questions on climate change.  (The best ones will be aired on December 15th during the COP15 CNN/YouTube TV debate.)

6) And last, but not least, blog about it.  Today is Blog Action Day ’09.  It’s a day uniting bloggers from around the world to write about climate change all on the same day.  Bringing awareness to the issue is the first step.  Hopefully this action will not only bring about more awareness to the issue of climate change, but will result in global discussions and actions.

Hopefully these tips will help you answer the question “What Can I Do About Climate Change?”.  Let me know….I’d love to hear your ideas and find out more about what you are doing about climate change.  

Image by ^riza^ 

Now that we are going to be heading into the holidays, I figured I’d give you a few tricks and treats you can use to make the most out of your vehicle’s gasoline consumption.  These tips can be used anytime actually whether gasoline prices are up or down or whether you are driving to work or heading out for that holiday vacation.  Just keep them in mind as they can help you lower your emissions, speed up your travel and of course put more of your money back in your wallet.

1. If you have a vehicle that uses alternative fuels, take the time before you leave to find out where the alternative fueling stations can be found.  It will save you time and speed up your arrival time if you know exactly where you can/can’t stop along the way.  GreenCar.com has a great tool that shows you all kinds of alternative fuel filling stations within a 1-10 mile radius of the location you enter. 

2. Know before you go.  Entering your destination on your GPS or mapping your route via a service like Mapquest will help you save time and fuel.  Studies have even shown that use of a GPS can reduce emissions by up to 21%.  Mapquest also has a cool gas price programwhere you can see what the price of gas (or diesel or alternative fuel) is along your route and/or at your destination.  This way you know whether its smarter to fill up now or just put in 1/2 a tank as there is cheaper fuel further along.  This is particularly valuable when going on long trips as we all have probably experienced filling up and then seeing a sign for cheaper fuel only 5 miles down the highway.

3. Get your vehicle fully tuned up regularly.  Changing your vehicles’ fluids, rotating your tires and/or checking to ensure they have the correct air pressure in them, getting your brakes checked, etc are all regular maintenance activities that when done properly will help keep your vehicle running properly.  A proven fuel additive will also help reduce build-up in your engine and provide a more complete burn, thus helping fuel efficiency.  Keeping your vehicle running well improves gasoline consumption and lessens harmful exhaust.

4. Empty your vehicle of all unneeded items.  A heavy, loaded-down vehicle tends to use more gas to get where you need to go.  On trips, I know this isn’t necessarily an easy thing to do as you are usually packed full for your trip.  One simple tip to lessen the weight of your vehicle is to only fill up half-way.  It will mean stopping more for gas, but may get you better mileage.  However in your regular week to week, day to day commutes, keeping your vehicle cleaned out is definitely a smart move.

5. Car-pool or take public transportation whenever you can.  Not only does car-pooling help save gasoline, but if your car-pool members each take turns driving their vehicle at least once a week then you save big on maintenance costs as well.  Driving as part of a car-pool or taking public transportation whenever you can is one of the simplest tricks for saving gas. 

6. Drive smart.  Aggressive drivers who rapidly accelerate or brake while driving are wasting gas.  Did you know that driving that way can actually lower your gas mileage by up to 33%?   There is no reason to rapidly accelerate only to have to slam on your brakes a little further ahead.  Just be smart when driving.  It will not only give you better gas mileage, it is also safer for you and those around you. 

These are simple tricks but some of the treats are better mileage, less harmful emissions, less gasoline used and more money saved.  Even for those who drive a hybrid or electric vehicle, many of the tricks I mentioned can be used by you as well. 

Image by Chewonki Semester School 

Global climate change is something that concerns everyone.  Scientists and climate experts alike have said that our planet already has more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere should safely contain and that we need to get carbon dioxide levels down from almost 390 parts per million to 350 ppm.  And while that may sound like a big task there are things each of us can do to help. 

You can start by signing the petition for a fair climate agreement on SealtheDeal.org.   Then on October 24th, 2009 people all over the world will be celebrating “International Climate Action Day”.  It’s a day where you too can join in and take a stand toward a safe climate future.  International Climate Action Day is a day where everyone is being asked to take one day – one moment of their life – to help get the word out….actually, get the number out.  More than 100 nations have already pledged to take part. 

The plan is simple, organize or attend an activity that brings awareness to the number 350 and what it means to all of us.  For example, school children in Bangledesh are planting 350 trees, 350 divers will be diving at the Great Barrier Reef, scientists hanging banners saying 350 on the Easter Island statues, farmers making crop designs to display the number 350, etc.  Even places like the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA are planning events, like their ”Climate Change is Scary Too” on October 24th as part of their Scarium of the Pacific Halloween celebration.  Prizes will be awarded to the best costumes using recycled materials or the best portrayal of climate change.  You will even be able to sign up to pledge to lower your carbon footprint.

All of these are being done because on December 7-18, 2009 The Copenhagen Climate Conference (aka COP15) takes place where world leaders will meet in an attempt to reach an agreement on a new climate treaty.  We need them to look at the science and research and come up with a workable and viable treaty that will effectively limit and thus lower the human-induced emissions from greenhouse gases.  

Changes are happening in the world all around us, every day.  Changes in sea levels, in the weather, changes in the earth we stand on….but one key thing we need to change is how we relate to and affect the earth we live on.   Driving a hybrid car or using a proven fuel additive may cut down on your car’s harmful emissions and adding solar panels to your roof or putting a wind turbine in your yard may help lower your electricity costs.  But we need broad and far reaching actions to be taken as well, actions that will help make “going green” the norm, not the exception.   

So take a minute and go to 350.org, they have some great ideas for actions/activities you can do in your area.  Then once you figure out how you are going to get the word out on International Climate Action Day that we need to lower our global carbon dioxide output, let your friends and family know too…this is something that concerns us all.  

Images from Zipcar.com 

When it comes to the form of transportation you use, would you consider yourself biofriendly?  Do you own a hybrid or electric vehicle? Do you bike to work, car-pool or take public transportation? Do you use proven fuel additives or biofuels? Do you walk whenever you can?  Well, no matter what you’ve done in the past, there’s a relatively new form of public transportation you should know about for your future…car-sharing.

What is car-sharing? Simply put, it’s an innovative way to provide people a temporary vehicle to use when the need arises.  Let’s say for example you use public transportation most of the time, but need a car every now and again, then car-sharing could work for you.  What if you just don’t want to add more monthly payments to your budget, cover maintenance costs, etc, then car-sharing could work for you.  What if your family could really use a second car sometimes, but you don’t need one fulltime?  What if your company wants to provide “company vehicles” without having to purchase or maintain their own fleet?  What if you’d just rather find a greener form of transportation…again, car-sharing could be right for you.

Enter Zipcar®…”The best new idea in business” (Fortune Magazine).  Zipcar boasts car-sharing locations in cities across the United States, as well as London, England and Toronto or Vancouver, Canada.  Zipcar locations are also conveniently located on over 100 university campuses across the United States.  Perfect for when it comes time to send your kid off to college.  Now there’s no need to buy them that new car, just enroll them in Zipcar and they are ready to go. 

So, how does it work?  Simple…you enroll on the Zipcar website and once approved you will get your Zipcard in the mail.  You pay a yearly fee for the service and then pay the hourly/daily fees associated with each time you use a Zipcar.  You can make your reservation online, but then get this…once you arrive at the Zipcar location all it takes is a wave of your Zipcard and you have immediate access to the vehicle.  Another amazing convenience is that each car comes with a gas card, insurance and 180 free miles at no additional cost.  

Needless to say, car-sharing is the smart solution when you need to travel as their cars can be rented by the hour or by the day.  Why pay for a full-day rental if you only need the car for an hour or two?  Even if you have a last minute trip, you can use your mobile phone to find the closest Zipcar location, make a reservation and your car will be ready to go when you arrive.  What are you waiting for?  Time to try out the latest biofriendly mode of transportation!

Image by biofriendly

No matter what form of transportation you use, one of the key things you should factor in is cost to you and the environment.  How much does it cost to run that vehicle?  How much is your car polluting the air?  How much will a proven fuel additive help lower emissions and improve fuel economy? Is it better for the environment and less costly to you to use public transportation?  Is time a factor in whether or not you are using public transportation?  How easy is it for you to get to the bus or train station?  Is there a station near your work?  All of those questions are a factor when it comes to deciding what form of transporation is best for you.

We’ve been doing that in our family and continue to find new ways to cut down.  First of all, out of necessity, we became a one-car family.  Even though we have two kids and a 70-lb dog (who goes with us a lot of the time), we just didn’t want to continue to make 2 car payments or pay twice as much insurance, especially since I work from home.  We also recently moved and there are a lot of stores and activities in close proximity to us, so walking is a great way for us to get around (when it isn’t 103 degrees outside).  Getting rid of one car saved us about $500+ per month on just car payments/insurance, not to mention gas, maintenance, repairs, etc.  It also saved about 9 tons of greenhouse gases from being emitted into the environment every year.

Shortly after that we started driving my husband to work one day a week so that we could use the car.  We use it to go visit the kids’ grandparents.  We manage to see two sets of grandparents every time we do it, so it saves us time, gas money and emissions.  To further save gas/mileage, my husband car-pools home from work those days.

Then our most recent step was actually started due to a new program his work set up.  They now pick up employees from Union Station in downtown L.A., if they ride train to work.  His office is about a 10-minute drive from Union Station, so prior to the new program, it didn’t really work for him to take the train to downtown then try and catch other lines/buses to get closer to work.  It took too much time and he would arrive at work late.  But since his company set up this new shuttle service, it has been working great.  He takes the train once or twice a week, when he needs to go to his downtown office, and the company picks him (and others) up.  He likes it because it is a lot less stressful, he gets to relax or work on the train, it doesn’t cost us as much and is less wear & tear on the car.  Oh…and did I mention, when he buys a 10-trip pass and uses it, his company reimburses him for 50% of the cost.

So, no matter who you are or what actions you are currently taking to curb your transporation costs and pollution, take some time to research what else you can do.  You may be pleasantly surprised as your city may have just the right program for you.  For example, in New York there is a group call Transportation Alternatives and their mission is “to reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile, and to advocate for bicycling, walking and public transit as the best transportation alternatives”.  In the San Francisco and Boston areas, there is a car service called PlanetTran which provides “the Nation’s first public auto service to utilize ultra fuel efficient hybrid vehicles exclusively”.  In Portland, in addition to being a bike/pedestrian-friendly city, they have Tri-Met which includes buses, the Max light rail, WES commuter rail and the Portland streetcars, one of which can pretty much get you anywhere you want to go in Portland.

But no matter where you live, big city or small, you can always check the websites of your local Metro trains, buses and even the EPA has a great “Green Vehicle Guide” to help you cut costs and environmental pollution.  What are you waiting for?

Image from PathtoFreedom.com 

When it comes to sustainable-living, not many people can say they are living a sustainable life, much less a green one.  Don’t get me wrong, many people have parts of their life where they are trying to be green or trying to act more responsible when it comes to the environment, but aside from maybe using biodiesels, driving a hybrid, recycling or trying to conserve water, how much are we really doing?

Well the DerVaes family in Pasadena, CA decided they wanted to do more.  Over the past 20+ years, they have transformed their early 1900′s Craftsman bungalow home and run-down yard into a whole new level of urban living.  Determined to live a self-sufficient, low-impact life right in the middle of a big Southern California city, the Dervaes set out along their “Path to Freedom”.

Here are just some of their accomplishments on their Urban Homestead:

To start off, they try to do four days every week without using their car.  That’s four days where they walk, ride their bikes or take public transportation.  The other days when they do drive, they use their own homemade biodiesel.  Since they average less than 4000 miles a year on their car, every month or so they just brew up a 30-gallon batch of biodiesel made from used vegetable oil provided by one of their restaurant clients.  (NOTE: For those of you who don’t have vehicle that runs on diesel or don’t have a hybrid/electric vehicle, using a reliable fuel additive is another good alternative to help reduce emissions and increase fuel economy.) 

They have organic vege-fed ducks and chickens which provide eggs and goats which are used for milk.  None of the animals are grown for meat purposes, but the manure from those animals (and their rabbits) is another re-usable product and great for gardens and future growth.   

They have about 4350 sq ft of gardens where year-round they grow fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and even edible flowers.  Any excess the family doesn’t use is usually sold to local restaurants and caterers, however individuals can also get on the mailing list to be notified when excess produce is available.  They grow over 350 varieties of edible and useful plants (seasonal, of course) totaling about 6,000 lbs per year.

They have cut their energy use in half with 2/3rds of their energy coming from their 12 solar panels.  They also follow key energy saving tips such as using rechargable batteries, line-drying their clothes, using energy-efficient appliances, using olive oil lamps and homemade candles.  They use people-power to run many of their small applicances including a hand-powered toaster, bike-blender and radio.  They even have a solar powered oven.  They have no A/C and no central heating, but have solar attic fans and a wood-burning stove which uses up their scrap wood.

They have dramatically cut down on their water-waste, even with the large volume of produce they grow throughout the year.  They have incorporated low flush toilets and solar outdoor showers into the household.  They also do hand watering, mulching, re-use laundry water, etc.

I, for one, am very impressed not only with their dedication but with their accomplishments.  They aren’t living on a 12-acre farm somewhere, instead they have turned their city home into a profitable and viable way of sustainable living.  Incorporating everything from biodiesel to water waste, the DerVaes family has set the pace for urban homesteaders everywhere!

Biodiesel Home Brewing Guide photo from Peddlerswagon.com. Garden photo from DerVaesGardens.com.

Image courtesy of Samson Motorworks 

Earlier this year I wrote about Samson Motorworks and their SkyBike™.  It looks like they have now come out with something even better – The Switchblade™!  And let me tell you, not only does the name make it sound cool, but the bike is top of the line.  It drives, it flies and it takes traveling green to all new heights.

What’s different about the Switchblade™?  Well, to start with the scissor wing design shaves about 200 lbs off the weight of the “bike” yet allows it to have a much better range and ability to maneuver.  When you want to drive it, the wings quickly swing closed into a case under the belly of the plane.  The case is designed to protect the wings from rocks, bumps, etc. that would otherwise damage the wings.

The Switchblade also is described as having a “Ferrari-inspired” shape with clean lines and smooth surfaces, which not only boost its appeal but allow for a more aero-dynamic drive/flight.  Other key features include: side-by-side seating, better range, slower handling speed and a wide cabin.  Also, since the Switchblade is a motorcycle, you should have no problem driving in the car-pool lane.

Now for some specs:

• Gross take-off weight – 1400 lbs
• Length 15’6″, Width 5’6″, Height 5’1″
• Seats: 2, side by side
• Speed: 90+ on the ground, 134 mph in the air
• Range: 880 miles ground, 340 miles air
• MPG: 60 mpg ground (estimate), 22 mpg air
• Wingspan: 23’5″ main
• Engine: 120 hp Freedom Motor twin rotor
• Fuel: regular unleaded gasoline (but it’s capable of using any fuel due to the freedom motor)
• NOTE: Having a freedom motor is like using a good fuel additive because both greatly reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
• Fuel capacity: 16 gallons including reserve

Essentially, you could take a road trip from Los Angeles almost all the way to San Francisco and back on one tank of gas (driving that is).  Or you could drive up and fly home if you needed to get back for that last minute meeting.  Either way the Switchblade is flexible.

Another thing to know is that they have already finished basic layouts for both a hybrid and electric version.  So when it comes to figuring out what your next green vehicle will be, remember to keep the Switchblade in mind.  Seriously…just think of the possibilities.  I mean, why settle for driving alone, when you can drive OR fly!

Image by Robert Brook

Some people may wonder what they can do to help the environment.  Maybe they recycle, maybe they have a hybrid car or use a fuel additive to lower their harmful emissions, maybe they grow their own vegetables…but they know they can do something more.  Did you know that with just one simple change in your daily routine, you can help the environment and save the rainforests?!  It’s true.

What can you do?  Drink Rainforest Alliance Certified™ tea or coffee!  It’s that simple.  What is Rainforest Alliance certification?  It’s a process that helps promote and guarantee certain improvements in agriculture/forestry.  Having the Rainforest Alliance seal of approval on a company’s product shows that company’s goods were produced in compliance with strict guidelines designed to protect the environment, rainforests, wildlife, workers and of course the local community.

Now, how do you know your tea or coffee are Rainforest Alliance Certified?  Look on the label or go to the Rainforest Alliance website.  I also figured I’d make it easy for you and list just a few tea/coffee brands that are taking that extra measure to be Rainforest Alliance Certified:

• Peet’s Coffee features Guatemala Santa Isabel coffee, which comes from a sustainable farm in Guatemala – the second ever to become Rainforest Alliance Certified.
• Lipton features their PureLeaf Iced Tea, which comes from the Rainforest Alliance Certified Lipton Tea Estate in Kericho, Kenya.  Lipton states their goal is “for all our tea suppliers to be Rainforest Alliance Certified by 2015″.
• Nestle’s Nespresso signed a pact with the Rainforest Alliance to “reduce the environmental impacts and increase the social benefits of coffee cultivation in enough tropical regions so that 80 percent of Nespresso’s coffee comes from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms by the year 2013.”

Now apparently Starbucks has received an award from Rainforest Alliance and have taken a number of “green” steps in their coffee production, but I couldn’t find any Rainforest Alliance Certified coffees listed on the Starbucks website. 

Maybe I just missed them.  Anyway…before you grab your morning tea or coffee, check and see if what you are drinking is Rainforest Alliance Certified.  It tastes good and is better for the environment.  I’d love to hear what your favorite Rainforest Alliance Certified products are.

Image by biofriendly  

When you’re looking for roadside assistance, I’m sure AAA comes to the front of your mind, possibly followed by the roadside assistance insurance you may/may not pay with your car insurance.  Then sometimes the good ‘ole Metro Freeway Service Patrol will come to the rescue.  But did you know there is another roadside assistance service…one that advocates FOR the environment!  There is!

Welcome to the Better World Club.  Better World Club (BWC) is a nationwide roadside assistance service, similar to AAA.  Main difference?  They promote themselves as the only environmentally-friendly auto club.  Just look at their services: they offer their members eco-travel services, discounts on hybrid car rental, insurance services, free maps, auto maintenance discounts and even bicycle roadside assistance.  They also donate 1% of annual revenues toward environmental cleanup and advocacy.

Based on their rates, I could get their basic auto (towing up to 5 miles) and bicycle membership for less than I pay for my AAA membership.  One thing to note, each member is entitled to only four service calls per year….luckily I haven’t needed roadside assistance in years.

They even include travel tips such as “Car Efficiency Tips”.  It lists 14 easy-to-follow tips…nice.  Also, don’t forget to get your car tuned up before you leave on a trip and use a proven fuel additive to ensure you get a complete fuel burn.  Doing this can reduce harmful emissions and increase your fuel efficiency during your trip.

So, if you’re looking for roadside assistance, eco-travel services, discounts on hybrid car rentals, etc. you need to check out Better World Club.  Even if you aren’t looking for these services, if you are interested in environmentally-friendly services, you need to take the time to check them out.  As BWC says, it just might…”Improve Your Car-ma!”