Indoor greenhouses are the perfect solutions for gardeners who want to grow plants and vegetations that are not in season and even those that are supposed to grow only in some parts of the world, at a limited space.
This is because indoor greenhouses allow you to control the conditions inside the room and even mimic weathers and temperatures that are different from actual conditions.
So for all you green thumbs out there, here are some of the most basic things that you need to know about constructing an indoor greenhouse today.
First off, you actually have two choices for indoor greenhouse construction.

1. One, you can opt to buy a kit where all the necessary materials and instructions are already found inside.
2. All you need to do here is follow the steps as your construct.
3. For the more adventurous ones, you can make the structure from scratch on your own.
4. Not to worry because do-it-yourself indoor greenhouse projects are very doable and a lot of people have tried them and succeeded.

The next concern would be the location.

1. Greenhouses will require space but for the indoor types, a few square feet will do.
2. What is most important is that your plants get sufficient sunlight.
3. You can put your indoor greenhouse in your patio or in your balcony.

Indoor greenhouses can be made out of various kinds of materials – from glass, fiberglass and even polyurethane.

• The advantage of using glass is that they are very transparent and can give your plants the sufficient amount of sunlight that they need.
• The downside to this is that they are very easy to heat up during hot days. But then again, this can be easily remedied with a good ventilation system.
• Glass is most popularly used for short growing seasons such as planting during late winter or early spring.

For the polyurethane, they are preferred by some gardeners because they are very cheap and accessible.

• The downside to this is that they are not very transparent to light and thus, are not very good for planting early in the season where light intensity is not that high.
• Fiberglass on the other hand, is more stable than polyurethane but still, transparency is less, just like the latter.

For those who do not have a patio or a balcony, then do not worry because you can always set up the greenhouse elsewhere inside the house.

What you need here is an artificial source of light to make up for the loss of natural light. But be very careful and monitor the light intensity as much as you can. This will depend on the kind of plant that you are growing. Too much light intensity can stunt the growth of certain plant species so try to follow light requirements as strictly as possible.

Another technique that you can use for growing plants in indoor greenhouses is hydroponics.

• Hydroponics makes use of water infused with essential nutrients and minerals in place of soil.

So never limit your dreams of owning a greenhouse to large open spaces.

• With indoor greenhouses, it is possible to grow your favorite plants and exotic vegetations the whole year through and inside your own homes.

Whitney is an expert in hobby greenhouse construction plans and at giving advice for those looking to get into indoor greenhouse gardening and other garden activities.

We could all stand to be a little bit more eco-friendly in our daily lives. I have always been environmentally conscious, but that doesn't mean I always do everything right. On the contrary, I have slipped up in ways that I am sure have had a huge impact on the environment. Because I am a writer by trade, much of my time is spent in front of a computer. This should make it obvious that I use a lot of energy and do less than magnificent things to the planet.

What I wanted to do was get together a list of things that could be done to be more green using your computer, or just where your computer was concerned. It might not be enough to undo any damage, but it is enough to offset the effect your computer has in general.

1. Turn It Off

This should be completely obvious but many people ignore it. Letting your computer idle or even go on sleep mode will still use energy, albeit less than when actively in use. GreenIt.org has some great information on this, giving comparisons of energy use and how much power could be saved by showing you what it could power. You can also get further tips and data on saving energy through more responsible electronics use.

In another practical example, my husband and I ended up with a real one just a few years ago. He had a habit of leaving his computer on at all times. I eventually convinced him to stop it, if only for my own sanity; it was in our bedroom and I hated the hum of the fans and the light from the tower power button. So he gave in and shut it off at night, and that month we got our electricity bill. It was $20 less than usual….quite a difference for such a small change!

2. Energy Management Settings

I use a laptop and one of the things I love about it is that it has an Energy Saver option. I can customize my6 own energy plan or use on of theirs, which is meant to both save battery life and help the planet by using less energy. These types of programs are usually on most computers in the Control Panel, and can be customized to fit your needs. They might dim the screen a bit, put it in automatic sleep mode if you haven't used it for a certain amount of time, or turn on deep hibernation with the click of a button. Mine is set to go into sleep when I close the screen, and it makes a huge difference on the battery, so I don't have to charge as often or plug in.

3. Print Less

One of the most damaging things we do with our computers both at home and work is over printing. It is easy to press a button and waste the paper and create garbage and you might do it for something as small as a coupon, using an entire piece for a single one. This is completely unnecessary, and you can do a lot for the planet by cutting back on how much you print out.

Here are two essential tips for your eco-friendly printing:

• Use less paper: here's a solid tip from MUO on
  how to print multiple pages on one sheet of paper and be eco-friendly
• Use green printing companies and services: even the huge and established priniting company like All Posters have an "eco-friendly" section for each of their posters. If you want to be both green and frugal, here's most recent All Posters coupons from Rather Be Shopping, my favorite coupon directory.

Luckily, we live in a world where this is becoming less and less of an issue. You can share information at work using email or through document sharing programs like Google Docs. You can text or call, or leave memos on cellphones. You can pass lists through apps on smartphones…there are any number of alternatives.

As for printing at home, the same technology can be used in many cases. When it comes to making shopping lists you can access online ones through your hand held device, or even type them into the memo feature. You can load coupons from stores onto loyalty and rewards cards. You can shop online to take advantage of savings codes.

Before you print, take some time to stop and think if you really need to. You will be amazed at the difference it makes.

Any other green tips for heavy computer users? Please let me know!

Annie is eco-friendly blogger who collects DIY ideas on her personal blog and writes for Home Loan Finder, an online free eco-friendly loan comparison tool. Check out our green guide on choosing solar panels while saving money.

cc licensed ( BY SD ) flickr photo shared by barnoid

In 2006, director Chris Paine released the documentary film “Who Killed the Electric Car?” The film was about the creation, limited commercialization and eventual downfall of battery powered electric vehicles in the United States. In order to answer the titular question of the film, Paine explored the roles of the automobile manufacturers, oil industry, US and California governments, batteries, hydrogen vehicles and consumers. The film claims that the oil and car industry are primarily responsible for the lack of commercial success with electric cars.

By the end of the film, Paine concludes that the electric car is dead. But is the electric car really dead? Just five years after the release of “Who Killed the Electric Car,” Paine seems to be revising his opinion. Paine has announced he is working on a new film called “Revenge of the Electric Car.” This documentary will be about several large car makers that are working to change the auto industry and begin offering electric cars on a larger scale than before.

Looking at the attitude of the United States government today, it’s easy to see why electric cars are slowly yet surely trying to stage a comeback. In his 2011 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama made a point of addressing electric cars. Obama hopes that “with more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil with biofuels.” He went on to say that the US could become the first country to have one million electric cars on the road by the year 2015. He also states that he will be asking Congress to reduce the amount of taxpayer funded assistance the government provides to oil companies to free up more money for electric cars.

Obama’s comments are nothing new, considering the Cash for Clunkers program he authorized in 2009. The goal of Cash for Clunkers was to help boost the economy through car sales while at the same time putting safer, cleaner and more fuel efficient cars on the road. Cash for Clunkers provided special incentives for those buying electric cars, offering anywhere from $4,200 to $5,500 in federal tax credits to those who qualified. His State of the Union comments are just another step in favor of electric cars.

Electric cars are looking especially promising these days due to serious pressing concerns about pollution, global warming, dependence on foreign oil and the price of gasoline. In fact, the CEO of Nissan thinks that by 2020, one in ten cars in the world will run on battery power alone. However, for the electric car market to truly take off, there are several problems that must be overcome. The most notable problem is that electric cars are still expensive and inconvenient, which makes them unattractive to mainstream consumers. Why buy an electric car if you can get a regular car for less? It’s not like the average person is willing to stick out their neck to save the environment. Electric cars are far from dead, but a lot of work needs to be done before they can emerge as the preferred car of choice for the average driver.

Julie Rukavina is from the cheap car rentals website Car Rental Express.

It may seem counterintuitive to rely on an electronic device to maintain a green lifestyle, but believe it or not, there’s an app for that too. Actually, there are several options covering most of our activities. If you know what to look for, a portfolio of eco-friendly apps is only a few clicks away on the App Store. Some of the best options measure fuel efficiency, find information regarding local goods and services, and even keep track of air quality. Use the following programs to turn your smartphone into a lean green machine.

Pollution: Despite the title, Pollution is a green app to its core. This small program provides a pollution monitoring service that tracks local pollution and air quality levels for nearly 1,400 cities around the globe. As the iPhone updates the user’s location, Pollution cross-references its database of nearly 100,000 monitoring stations for the most relevant local information. The app tracks overall conditions along with specific factors for residents who may be more susceptible to one particular pollutant.

Yowza: Yowza is a coupon app designed for shoppers who want their bargains on the go. While at first this app seems like it would only be green for those customers buying eco-friendly products, there’s a bit more to it. Due to the iPhone’s high-resolution display, merchants can actually scan the coupon’s bar code directly from the smartphone’s screen. Not only does this app encourage you to shop locally, saving energy and reducing emissions from cross-country shipping, but also it reduces demand for coupons printed on physical media. It’s a one-two combo: green living and discounts to boot!

GreenMeter: Of all the apps on this list, GreenMeter may be one of the most technical. This app can help users tailor their driving habits to their vehicle’s optimal conditions, increasing efficiency and reducing harmful greenhouse gas output. GreenMeter computes the car’s overall power and fuel consumption, and then uses the iPhone’s accelerometer to determine the optimal driving technique. This app can help drivers pick out the ideal cruise speed, understand the principles of drag and rolling resistance, and maximize fuel efficiency. Yet again, going green is the economical choice to make.

Shopgreen: Sometimes it’s difficult to measure exactly how much of an impact the green lifestyle really has. Shopgreen, a new app from ViralMesh, aims to provide a morale boost for everyone out there fighting the good fight for the planet. This program tracks a variety of factors including CO2 output, behavioral effects on the environment, and the user’s overall balance of green actions. For anyone who is concerned that they could do more to make a difference, shopgreen is a great place to start. Programming the app to track a daily routine is simple, and may be the first step towards a more ecologically responsible lifestyle.

iLocavore: Choosing the right kinds of food and other consumables helps in and of itself, but sometimes there’s more to be done. One major trend in the green movement is local purchasing, and that’s where iLocavore comes in. Thanks to globalization, it’s easier than ever to order products from all over the globe. Unfortunately, doing so contributes to global warming, as a lot of extra energy must be used to transport consumer goods far across the planet. iLocavore helps users to find great local deals and information about events in their area. By eating and shopping close to home, consumers can save the planet and support their local retailers.

Whether you’re saving the Earth by reducing your car’s emissions through efficient driving or saving your wallet by finding great local deals, there’s an app out there to make it easy. Today’s best eco-friendly apps help customers to shop, drive, eat, and live without any doubt that they’re doing as little damage to our planet as possible. Now that you’re well equipped, get out that iPhone and start downloading…the environment could use your help!

Allison Snowden regularly covers topics related to business and technology. She has also written about online shopping tips and deals. Some of her online shopping tips have been featured on www.savoo.co.uk, a discount code website and blog.

Printing is Out. Document Management is In.

The days of printing out a memo for every employee in the office are over.  Think of all the obscene amounts of paper that have been used over the years.  It boggles the mind we have any trees left at all.  Thank God for the internet, e-mail, and document management systems.  These inventions are allowing us to manage our documents electronically and save, literally, tons of paper.  Now, if we can only stop companies from sending us junk mail we’ll be good.

Seriously, the new copiers on the market play a major part of delivering a solution for our paper consumption problem.  These new devices are the all-in-one printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, and document management systems.  Let’s talk about the last and most important feature, document management.  These new copiers integrate with document management systems.  This allows them to store PDFs, documents, and large word data files in virtual space.  The virtual space comes cheap when compared to the priceless value of the environment.  If you consider the issue in those terms, leasing a copier costs a lot less than one real tree.

With New Document Management Systems Comes a New Attitude

Perhaps the biggest benefit of these new copiers is that they are getting people to think differently.  Instead of printing something out to the printer/copier it is made into a virtual document and stored in a portal.  This portal is securely encrypted with a 64 bit encryption that will keep all of the information safe.  That information can then be backed up to ensure there will be a safety net for that data.

New copiers are all equipped with some kind of document management system, or at least a way to connect to that if you choose.  The copier/scanner/printer is tied into a company’s file storage system.  With this, a company can stay more organized, be more efficient, and kinder to the environment!  It’s a win-win for businesses and the earth.

The greatest thing about the new age of technology is a document may be created, seen by thousands of people, used on a daily basis by everyone in the company, and store indefinitely.  All of this can happen without the use of ink and paper.  It’s a beautiful thing.

This advance didn’t come one moment too soon.  The world’s paper use was running ramped.  Now, it’s subsiding.  Hopefully, that trend will continue.  As we continue to do business in a smarter way it will continue to be a help to preserving the environment.

By Patrick Torres is a an environmental current events writer.

The world Fair trade day has rolled out again and it is on May 14^th, 2011. A lot of people are often confused about environmentally-friendly products and fair trade products. Fair trade means a market-based approach which brings equity to the economy by helping small and medium producers in developing, under developed countries and to sell in big developed nations. The main motive of the Fair trade is to make sure that the producers get a higher, fairer price for their products. These products are then need to be certified and meet environmental and social standards of practice. Of course, fair trade products are a bit more expensive than the conventional products because of their quality. The demand for the fair trade products has seen a major drop during the recession and the industry was in turmoil. Many people believe that the Fair trade day will see a surge in the demand for the products. People should not ignore the fact that these products are produced by individuals who live in under developed countries and are sourced from farms. Under the fair trade policy, the products are manufactured in less labour intensive areas and also assure that the manufacturer is paid fairly for the products. From the consumer point of view, this will make them guilt free of buying products which are made under labour abuses.

Many countries are encouraging fair trade products and this has led to huge demand for the products until last year. However, there was a slight decline in the demand for the products. Developed economies like United States have increased their import of fair trade certified items and the consumers are receiving it with high acceptance. According to a report from Fair Trade USA (a leading third-party certifier of Fair trade products in US), the growth of fair trade products have seen a huge demand and increased brand recognition for the products. Some experts believe that even though the world economy is affected by the recession, there was a continued increase and Fairtrade USA has certified 62 percent of the coffee as organic. On the other side, the fair-trade farming communities has earned more than US$220 million as against US$56 million in 1998. This has also helped them to invest in community development programs like establishing high schools and providing access to education for their children, proper sanitary and medical care.

Witnessing this huge demand, Fairtrade USA has decided to increase the product expansion into both new and existing categories and include vodka, green peppers, apparel, spices, herbs and other extracts. Currently, there are nearly 9,500 Fairtrade-certified consumer products which are offered by more than 700 industry partners available in 60,000 retail locations in US. More than 92 new producers have joined the Fair trade system in 2010 which represents 140,000 farmers. According to recent estimates from SPINS (a natural products market research firm), sales of Fair Trade certified-products rose by 15.2% in the health food retail stores and 17% in conventional supermarkets.  Coffee and its substitutes, tea, cocoa, snacks and soap are the top categories.

This article is written by Susan, an Environmentalist by profession and prefers to wear ethically made silver and gemstone jewellery.

In many areas of the States, water use for irrigation exceeds indoor consumption, averaging more than 50% of total residential consumption in the U.S. So, while installing water-efficient fixtures inside a home is an important step toward water efficiency, addressing outside use should be at the top of your list, especially if your projects are in drought-prone locations.

But where outfitting a home with efficient bath fixtures is pretty straight forward, designing and installing water-efficient landscaping and irrigation can be complex. And while such a landscape need not be brown or austere, it should combine a mix of plantings and irrigation components that will minimize the amount of water needed to maintain an inviting environment.

Designing a landscape to conserve water—xeriscaping—requires choosing plants that will thrive in your region and your project’s particular microclimate; limiting the turf areas; making sure the soil on site will promote water absorption and deep root growth; and, if irrigation is installed, using an efficient system.

You don’t want to grade and clear the whole site; instead, cordon off and preserve areas that have value in terms of drainage and plants.” Also in the early stages, commit to losing some lawn. Some local and regional governments offer financial incentives to reduce the size of irrigated lawns, and in some places maximum allowable turf areas are regulated.

The EPA’s WaterSense program for single-family homes recommends limiting turf area to a maximum of 40% of the site, balancing the rest of the landscaping with drought-resistant plantings and permeable surfaces. WaterSense also recommends treating slopes in excess of 4:1 with vegetation that will help keep stormwater from running off the site, and covering exposed soil areas in planting b eds with a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch.

WATER WISELY

Irrigation systems should include separate zones to accommodate different watering requirements, drip irrigation for plant beds, and rotating sprinkler heads for turf areas that should be laid out to avoid duplicate coverage and watering paved areas and buildings. Surface runoff can be reduced by keeping the precipitation rate from sprinklers below the soil’s infiltration rate, and establishing different zones for the tops and toes of slopes.

Overwatering is a major problem, according to results of a new EPA water-use study. In fact, 62% of the homes in the national study exceeded the theoretical irrigation requirements (TIR) for their sites by as much as 187%—mostly due to owner error in setting and maintaining timer based controllers. The Irrigation Association’s (IA) Smart Water Application Technologies (SWAT) program, a partnership between water utilities and industry representatives, promotes the use of “smart” irrigation control technology that uses climate, site, horticultural, and/or soil moisture information to adjust irrigation to conditions on the site.  Case studies carried out by the IA suggest that systems that use smart controllers can reduce water use by 20% to 40% compared to more tradition methods.

The Irrigation Association’s (IA) Smart Water Application Technologies (SWAT) program, a partnership between water utilities and industry representatives, promotes the use of “smart” irrigation control technology that uses climate, site, horticultural, and/or soil moisture information to adjust irrigation to conditions on the site.  Case studies carried out by the IA suggest that systems that use smart controllers can reduce water use by 20% to 40% compared partners

LET IT RAIN

In areas where rainwater is available and local regulations allow, rainwater harvesting is gaining attention as an alternative source of irrigation water. These systems can be as simple as a rain barrel connected to a soaker hose or as sophisticated as a large under- ground cistern connected to a pressurized irrigation distribution system.

The more complex systems require components that might be new to irrigation contractors, including debris excluders; first-flush diverters; quiescent inlets; floating inlets; and the controls, filters, and disinfection systems designed specifically for the catchment system volume.

The amount of water that can be harvested is determined by calculating the size of the roof area and the typical amount of rainfall. In some places, due to water rights issues and health and safety concerns, water harvesting is closely regulated, but already is gaining attention as an alternative source of irrigation water.

These systems can be as simple as a rain barrel connected to a soaker hose or as sophisticated as a large under- ground cistern connected to a pressurized irrigation distribution system. The more complex systems require components that might be new to irrigation contractors, including debris excluders; first-flush diverters; quiescent inlets; floating inlets; and the controls, filters, and disinfection systems designed specifically for the catchment system volume.

The amount of water that can be harvested is determined by calculating the size of the roof area and the typical amount of rainfall. In some places, due to water rights issues and health and safety concerns, water harvesting is closely regulated. But as more and more people realize the possible water shortages we could face over the coming years the idea of water harvesting may be seen as a key component in how we use our water reserves more efficiently.

This is a guest post by Neil from My Garden Hammock. A site dedicated to making the most of your outdoor space and taking the time to enjoy it to the fullest. The site also provides a wealth of information on garden hammocks and his favourite type the mexican hammocks

There are probably a hundred and one different accessories and brands that you can get for your greenhouses today.

• And with all the choices, you may end up not knowing what you really need exactly and how to pick the right ones.

So if you need a hand, here are a few smart and helpful tips on how to buy greenhouse accessories.

Always do your homework before buying a greenhouse accessory.

Greenhouse is more than just planting and looking for the right accessories is more than just shopping.

• You need to know what each accessory does, if you really need to have one and what kind exactly should you be getting for your sort of greenhouse.
• Luckily for you, there are tons of resources that you can get from online sources so you do not have to shell out money just to get a hold of a book or article related to greenhouses.

Good Greenhouse Heater

If you wish to do gardening for the rest of the year, then invest in a good heater to give your plants the right warmth during the cold winter months.

• If you are willing to invest more, then there are products that can automatically adjust the temperature inside your greenhouse as the temperature outside shifts.
• If you are living in tropical climates with sunny weather all year round, then you can probably skip out in this accessory and make use of the ideal temperature available.

Circulation fans and exhaust greenhouse fans

Always pair circulation fans with exhaust vents.

• Proper air circulation is very important in greenhouses for pest control and pollination.
• Circulation fans are helpful in creating air movement within the greenhouse but this may not be enough.
• Make sure that fresh air can also come in and old air can get out through exhaust fans.
• Always buy both for optimal greenhouse conditions.

Grow lights

If you are located in areas with limited amounts of sunlight, then invest in grow lights for artificial lighting.

• There are a variety of grow lights that you can choose from in the market – from LED, metal halide and sodium fluorescent.
• Choose grow lights according to the length of time that you need to use them.
• Apart from that, different plants also require different intensities of light so make sure that you know your plant’s requirements as well.

Ventilation systems

Temperature control is not done by thermostats alone but they involve fine tuning the heating and ventilation systems as well.

• Although they are separate accessories, all three must compliment each other to create the right temperature conducive for growth.
• Again, different plant species have different optimal temperature requirements so make sure you know what they are before anything else.

Tie-down Straps

Never forget the tie-down straps.

• These are one of the most left out accessories so make sure you put them on that list.
• Tie-down straps secure vulnerable areas of your greenhouse to the ground to make sure that they do not get blown away by strong winds.

So if you plan on making or redoing your greenhouse, keep these accessories in mind to give your plants the most conducive environment possible for growth.

Whitney is part owner of Our Crazy Deals, one of the largest suppliers of high quality and low cost greenhouse supplies and accessories, in the United States. Including a full line of greenhouse fans, automic greenhouse vent opener systems, misting systems, greenhouse heater kits, hydroponics systems, composters and much more.

There are many obvious tips you can find online to reduce your monthly power and gas bills, but there are also a range of clever tricks that you may not have heard of to reduce your monthly power bills while also doing your part to save the environment. This article will discuss five tricks that will not only slash your monthly power bills, but will also reduce your household’s pressure on the environment.

Tip #1 – Unplug, Unplug and Unplug!

Studies have shown that many household appliances and electronics continue to pull a small current from the power outlet even when turned off. Electronic appliances such as microwaves draw a small current to power LCD displays, pilot lights and clocks which are unnecessary when the appliance is not in use. By getting into the habit of unplugging your electrical devices after turning them off, you can reduce your power bill significantly over the course of the year.

Tip #2 – Insulation

Did you know that insulating your home can not only keep it warmer in the winter but also help keep it cool during hot summer months? Insulation effectively works by preventing the temperature outside your home from causing rapid fluctuations in the temperate inside your home. Insulation also keeps your home warm in cold winter months by preventing hot air from rising and escaping through your home’s ceiling or gaps in the walls, and similarly keeps your home cooler in the summer by keeping cooled air inside your home by forming a barrier between hot air outside and cool air inside your home.

Tip #3 – Timers

Timers are another clever innovation that can reduce your annual power bills considerably when used on high-power electronics and appliances. Timers are installed between your electrical sockets and your power cable for your electronic device or appliance, and allow you to manage during what hours of the day the power should be allowed to pass through. For example, a good use of timers is to install them on heaters to heat the house only when you are home, such as between 6am and 9am when you are getting ready for work, and again between 7pm to 10pm before you hop into bed.

Tip #4 – Homemade Compost

Homemade compost for gardening and fertilising can be made by recycling household items that would otherwise be discarded into the trash. All you need to do is build a small receptacle around four cubic feet in size with several small holes drilled in the size to allow for oxygen flow and decomposition.  Your homemade compost will consist of household waste such as grass clippings and food scraps (eg. broccoli, leaves, apple cores, potato peelings, tomato stems, corn husks and grapefruits skins). Be sure to avoid using meat scraps sat they decompose slowly and will attract animals. Not only will this save you money by not having to purchase compost, it will also reduce the amount of waste your household is pouring into landfills every year.

Tip #5 – Car Wash Tips

To reduce your monthly water usage and to help the environment, purchase a water-saving garden hose nozzle and wash your car on the lawn. Washing your car with a limited-flow water nozzle will reduce the amount of water necessary to rinse your car without limiting water pressure. Washing your car on your lawn will not only water your lawn, it will also prevent chemicals from flowing into drains and eventually ending up ni waterways or the ocean.

It is always also important to shop around to find the cheapest electricity suppliers in your area, this tip could potentially save you hundreds off your annual electricity bill. By following the 5 tips discussed above, you can reduce your monthly power, gas and water bills while also helping to ease the burden on the environment.

Gas Incentive

Why do Americans consume so much gas? Well, there are a lot of culprits we can blame… poor fuel efficiency standards, underdeveloped public transit, low taxes on gas, bad politics, and the list goes on. Probably the last thing that comes to mind are credit cards. But the truth of the matter is that there are numerous gas credit cards on the market that give higher rebates on gas… they are actually rewarding consumers for using more gas. Does that make common sense? Is that something we really need to be incentivizing?!

As much as we hate paying an arm and a leg at the pump, the honest truth is that it seems to be one of the only surefire ways to reduce consumption. Do you remember a couple years ago, back in 2008, when gas prices hit $4 to $5 per gallon? What happened was that people started driving a lot less! It also spurred a slew of gas discount incentives from savvy retailers. Many stores would throw in a free gas card when you spent a certain amount of money on a big ticket item. Auto manufacturers had “guaranteed” gas price incentives on new vehicle purchases. Meanwhile the crafty credit card industry ramped up their own programs, by using gas rewards as an incentive to try and get consumers to spend more on their credit card.

Many feel that giving any kind of rebate or discount on gas is only going to encourage consumption. They argue that we will never be able to end our oil addiction as long as we have cheap gas. However Michael Davis of CreditCardForum.com believes differently, “Back in the summer of 2008 during the price spike, we saw applications for our gas credit cards surged. The Discover More card, Chase Freedom card, and ATT Universal card were the three most popular credit cards on our site, simply because they offered the highest rebate on gas. But if you read the comments on our credit card forum, you would see that the only reason people were applying for them was because they literally could barely afford the gas to simply drive to and from work, so it was a way for them to save a little money. Trust me, people weren’t applying for these credit cards so they could drive more. They were just doing it to get by.”

While Michael does have a couple valid points, the bottom line is that these credit cards with cashback on gas without a doubt did encourage at least some people to drive more, even if it was only a minority of users. Furthermore, he fails to mention the fact that the credit card processing costs that gas stations have to pay can be anywhere from 3 to 5%… so at the end of the day his belief that these credit cards save us money is just plain wrong. And last but not least, they will also encourage some people to run up debt, do balance transfers, etc… all just for a tank of gas! So if they’re not actually saving money (as I’ve demonstrated) that brings us back to the original question… are gas credit cards bad for the environment? Well, I don’t think it would be a total stretch to say that they are!