Global Warming quiz

Here's an educational quiz that only takes 5 minutes. Give it a shot, I got 7/10 correct. Click here for the Global Warming Quiz.

On a related note in the 109th congress drilling advocates have made several attempts to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska to drilling. Luckily they were not yet successful. Proponents of drilling in the ANWR say we cannot rely on unstable international energy sources. I agree with them but this is not a good reason to open up the ANWR to drilling. We should reduce our dependancy on fossil fuels by looking at renewable energy sources and conservation. Furthermore, studies have shown that if the ANWR is opened for drilling that it will take 10 years before the gas hits the pumps.

It's ridiculous that in a time of energy crisis that congress is not pushing for legislation to reduce our dependance on petroleum. The Energy Policy Act of July 2005 did little to help with this effort. Instead it gave tax breaks to nuclear and fossil fuel companies. Last year petroleum companies made more money than ever before and we're still giving them tax write-offs!?! Why doesn't congress pass an act that will actually make a difference? We should enact strict limits on the energy efficiency of vehicles. Start with the light-trucks and passenger vehicles. Why does someone need a Ford Excursion to drive to work? From Wikipedia:

Overall fuel economy for cars and light trucks in the U.S. market reached its highest level in 1987, when manufacturers managed 22.1 mpg (10.6 L/100 km). The average in 2004 was 20.8mpg.

And here's another interesting quote from Patty Murray, US senator:

Meeting a corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard of 39 miles per gallon over the next decade, for example, would save 51 billion barrels of oil over the next 50 years - more than 15 times the likely yield from ANWR over the same period.

The push to drill in Alaska is yet another example of how Bush and his Texan buddies in congress are in bed with the oil companies. If you're interested in helping to support the conservation of the ANWR and the use of renewable energy sources then there are plenty of sites online which will help you send our congress emails. Here are my favorite links:
http://www.nrdc.org/action/
http://www.environmentaldefense.org