Automobile Retailers

In our final instalment of Know the Dangers, we’ll be taking a look at how global warming and climate change has an effect on the fragile ecosystems found right here in North America. A number of industries are focusing in on climate change as being their top obstacle to turning significant profit, like the ski industry that we looked at last time. Another industry that requires its fragile ecosystem to be pitch-perfect is the wine industry.

The quality and taste of the wine depend directly on the soil and on climate conditions in which the grapes are grown. This concept is known as terroir. With climate change altering conditions significantly, the wine industry is experiencing a myriad of issues with the grapes. By bringing higher temperatures, the effect had on the terroir is impossible to predict. As such, California’s $15-billion wine industry sits in the balance.

Pinot noir is a type of wine that requires a very particular temperature to grow the grapes. The grapes benefit from ocean breezes and other climate conditions. With climate change, many worry that the conditions required to grow the pinot grapes will no longer exist.

Another issue that impacts the wine is water. With potential for a water shortage and issues impacting the volatility of the water supply, it’s enough to make many wine producers nervous. There have been periods of drought in California that have impacted the grape crops significantly, such as the drought in the Grain Belt from a few years ago. If these drought conditions don’t improve, wine makers will need to rely on other measures to achieve a halfway decent crop.

By now, many readers are likely panicking. “Not the wine! Anything but the wine!”

If you’re wondering what you can do to save the wine and the wineries we all love so much, some changes are in order. Driver smarter and drive a more fuel-efficient car. Stop by your Scion dealer today, tell them you want to save the wineries in California, and get yourself a test drive!

How often do you see cars with bumper stickers? I see one at least once a day, sometimes more. Some of them are pretty clever. Others are fairly lame. But regardless of what the bumper sticker says, those drivers have one thing in common: They tend to be more aggressive.

A social psychologist at Colorado State University conducted a study involving drivers with bumper stickers and drivers without bumper stickers. The study also included drivers who have vanity plates, decals and other markers on their car.

The researcher found that drivers with any type of marking on their car showed more aggressive driving behaviors than drivers without markers. They exhibited several types of road rage, including tailgating, honking and "flipping the bird." One surprising finding was that it didn’t matter what type of marking the driver had because they all showed these types of behaviors. A person with a "My son was an honor student" bumper sticker showed just as aggressive driving behaviors as a truck driver with a Confederate flag sticker.

The social psychologist concluded that these behaviors are linked to evolutionary reactions. We tend to look at cars as our private space within a public territory. People who have aggressive tendencies are more likely to "mark their territory" with stickers and decals, explaining the reason why these drivers tend to be meaner behind the wheel.

Do you want to be viewed as an aggressive driver or do you want to hide those tendencies from other drivers? Either way, you can do whatever you want when you purchase a new or used car from your local Pontiac dealer . Cover your car in political stickers or keep it sticker-less. The choice is yours. Just keep your anger under control so we can all enjoy the streets and highways together.

Along with obvious environmental dangers to global warming, there are a number of tangible financial dangers as well. Ski hills, coastal regions, and the lobster industry are just a few of the industries that have felt an economic pinch as a direct result of climate change. Because of the changes in temperature, many of the economies that depend on industries with a reliance on the weather are starting to experience problems.

The ski industry is one of the obvious ones, naturally. To put it bluntly, without snow there is no ski season. In America, the ski industry is worth around $4.5 billion a year. States like Colorado are largely reliant on snow in certain parts of the year in order to fuel many of its local economies. Without that snow, the local economies die off.

Between 1950 and 1997, springtime mountain snow cover in the Rockies was down 16 percent, the Cascades lost an average of 29 percent, and many sites in Washington, Oregon and Northern California saw springtime snow down more than 50 percent. This type of snow loss is increasing each year, meaning that companies have to create their own snow. That is an expensive process, to say the least.

Man-made snow is prepared by replicating the same conditions needed for natural snow. While the immediate temperatures don’t have to be freezing, they do have to be close. The warmer it is, the more expensive it is to make snow.

With local ski hills suffering because of a lack of snow and more of an emphasis put on manmade snow, it can be tough to imagine how the economy can possibly get any worse for areas that depend on snow to make a living.

Despite claims to the contrary, changing our driving habits now actually CAN make a difference as to how the world operates and how much of an impact climate change has on our world. Stop by your local Scion dealer today and check out some of what they have to offer by way of fuel-efficient cars. You might save a ski bunny or two!

Everybody thinks the "big bad oil companies" are benefiting from rising gas prices. The only problem with that theory is that they only make about four cents per gallon right now instead of the 10 cents per gallon they made when gas was cheaper. Most of these companies have cut their profits just to cut down on the price the consumers need to pay at the pumps. The federal and state governments actually make four or five times the amount of the oil companies for each gallon sold.

But did you know your auto insurance company is also benefitting from rising gas prices?

Studies now show that drivers throughout the nation have changed their driving habits. They’re not only driving fewer miles, but they are also driving slower to increase their fuel economy. This means fewer accidents on the roads. And, as a result, the insurance companies have fewer payouts to policyholders.

Auto insurers closely monitor accident claims. In the last few months, they’ve noticed fewer accidents. As a result, they hold on to more of your money. Instead of being mad at the oil companies, how about being a bit miffed at the insurance companies, too? I don’t see any of them giving back any money to policyholders simply because they have fewer payouts.

One way to get the most for your dollar is to get a new or used fuel-efficient vehicle from your local Pontiac dealer . Since you’re paying the same premiums for your insurance anyways, why not get a vehicle where you can still drive as much as you want to without breaking your budget at the gas pumps? Just be sure to drive safe and responsibly. We all want to get home to our families at night.

Along with health issues, there are of course a number of environmental issues that are directly related to global warming. We all know of the number of weather calamities that have occurred over recent months and years as the environment has changed drastically. The evidence linking global warming and these weather calamities is increasing, too, and the dangers of drastic weather conditions are a part of our daily news.

With hurricanes in particular, the warming of our ocean waters through the warming of our overall climate has impacted the frequency of hurricanes in recent years. Scientists have long predicted that warmer weather would increase the occurrence of weather incidents like hurricanes or tsunamis. There were still questions regarding where and when the stronger hurricanes would occur and how much stronger the hurricanes would be.

Recent storm events have produced some answers to those questions, as we have come to learn that the storm levels have already risen significantly. Recent research covered in the 2007 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that, in the North Atlantic, fiercer hurricanes are “correlated with increases of tropical sea surface temperatures.”

A 2005 MIT study found that the harsh potential of tropical storms has doubled over the past 30 years. It correlates this increasing fierceness with warmer sea surface temperatures. Research at the Georgia Institute of Technology found that the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has doubled since the 1970′s.

With all of these changes regarding hurricanes upon us and fiercer storms likely on the way, it is important to realize the dangers of global warming at a practical level. People are losing their homes and their lives as the result of these horrific storms.

It may seem that our world is on a path to destruction that none of us can avoid. In truth, however, even the smallest lifestyle changes can help make major impacts. Driving a smaller car that produces fewer pollutants is a good start, naturally. Drop by your local Scion dealer today and check out what they have to offer.

Everything is going "green" these days. But did you ever think that the air conditioner in your car would ever go green?

For years, people have complained that a car’s air conditioning system is horrible for the environment. At one time, the system used an ozone-depleting product. Later, manufacturers replaced it with something safer. Now, automakers are looking for even better ways to make you cool in your car when you’re driving on the highways.

The latest creation was presented by DuPont and Honeywell. It’s a chemical refrigerant called HFO-1234yf. While it seems more sustainable in the short run, analysts are uncertain about its future because it could be toxic. Analysts are also concerned about how the new chemical is going to decompose in the atmosphere. The biggest concern, however, is that the new refrigerant is flammable. That means a front-end collision could lead to a fire in the vehicle’s cabin if it has HFO-1234yf refrigerant in the A/C system.

Many chemical companies are asking automakers to put this new substance in their new vehicles, though. They say the current substances are too detrimental to the environment. So my question is this: Since when does the detriment to the ozone layer take precedence over an actual human being’s safety? If the new substance causes fires in accidents, how is that better than the current situation?

It could be a couple years before automakers start using this new refrigerant if they even start using it at all. That’s why you should get to your local Pontiac dealer today and get a new or used vehicle with the safer, less flammable refrigerant used in the air conditioning system. After all, if global warming is actually true, you’ll need a way to stay cool when temperatures get unbearable.

There are a number of health issues that can be related to global warming and climate change. Yesterday we discussed a case study in which Hantavirus resulted as the climate changed severely. Today we shall discuss how the sudden and intense warming of the air can lead to a host of respiratory problems.

With global warming expected to increase the number of very hot days over the United States and the world, people that suffer from respiratory issues will experience more symptoms than ever. Because warmer air is a haven for pollutants, smog levels are expected to reach all-time highs with hotter air. For the elderly and those with respiratory issues, this is a dangerous situation to endure. It also compounds the problem of air pollution.

Smog forms when sunlight, heat, and stagnant air meet up with nitrates and various volatile organic compounds in the air. The more heat and stagnant air, the more smog in the air. That’s why cities are hotbeds for smog.

Exposure to smog can do serious harm to lungs and respiratory systems, leading to problems like shortness of breath, throat irritation, chest pains, coughing, and a host of other symptoms. These symptoms lead to hospital visits for asthma attacks and other issues, which can present a serious problem to the most vulnerable among us. The worse the quality of the air gets, the harder it is for people with weaker systems to simply go outside and take a walk or get some fresh air.

“The number of people with asthma in this country has more than doubled over the past 25 years, led by soaring rates in children” says Dr. John Balbus, head of Environmental Defense’s health program. “With climate change worsening smog in some areas and altering pollen levels, future air quality may pose a greater threat to our health, especially those of us with asthma and other lung diseases.”

With these potential issues, it makes more sense than ever to drop by your local Scion dealer and look into a car with greater fuel efficiency. Don’t wait for pollution levels to reach all-time highs. Check out a fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly Scion today.

Measuring your gas mileage isn’t easy. Who has time for calculating how many miles you’re getting per gallon nowadays? That’s what the new Fuel Mizer is for.

The Fuel Mizer is a handy gadget that you can put in your car to help you monitor your driving habits and fuel usage. When you’re doing something like accelerate too fast, it gives you a real-time alert so you know you have just wasted gas. It’s almost like the Pavlov’s dog of the automotive world. When you hear the beep, you adjust your habits accordingly.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that many drivers can improve their gas mileage by 20 percent if they use this gadget. And since it costs less than $70, you’ll be saving money within only a few weeks after buying one! The best part about the device is that there isn’t a complicated installation procedure. Simply put it on your dashboard or somewhere convenient and off you go.

If you want to view a video of this handy device in use, click here . If you want to purchase one, you can do so from this website .

Many new vehicles at your local Pontiac dealer have similar technologies already installed. They have displays that can tell you how many miles per gallon you’re getting at any given time. Visit a dealer today and see what I mean!

In discussing the dangers, I aim to spread information and not fear. The claims posted here are scientific in nature, however, they are open to dispute by anyone willing to discuss the issues. The reality behind global warming and the issues of environmental destruction plaguing our world needs to be approached with sound philosophy and conversation. This blog attempts to do just that, utilizing this small avenue as a starting point to a broader dialogue.

In 1994, an outbreak of Hantavirus began. It started with a man in New Mexico who was rushed to the hospital with trouble breathing. He died of acute respiratory failure a few hours later. The oddness of the situation was compounded by the fact that the man had been on the way to his fiancé’s funeral. She had died of similar symptoms a few days earlier. As medical experts looked into the problem, they discovered that the disease had spread in the Southwest.

By February 2006, 416 cases of Hantavirus had been found in a number of states as distant as Florida and New York. People contract the disease by breathing in the virus that has gotten into the air through rodent droppings and urine. Scientists researched the disease and now suspect a link between the spread of Hantavirus and climate change. The spread of this disease was possibly pushed along through the added changes to the environment.

The link between climate change and the Hantavirus outbreak came after six years of drought and a sudden season of heavy spring rains in 1993. The 1993 rains produced a burst of plant growth, as would be expected. This led to a tenfold production of deer mice, the spreaders of the virus. The deer mice were produced by an extreme change in the climate, which is a commonality of global warming. With such rapid temperature and climate changes, the opportunity for similar situations and similar outcroppings of sudden ecosystems becomes greater.

So what can be done about it and how does driving a Scion relate to preventing the spread of the Hantavirus? Let’s be honest here: it doesn’t. But driving a Scion and stopping by a Scion dealer to learn more about climate-friendly cars does impact the environment in changing the driver’s attitude about it. And changing the outlook is half the battle.

Are you thinking about buying a new Pontiac G8? If so, here are some things to expect .

Safety Features
With the new Pontiac G8, you’ll enjoy some of the best standard features in the industry today. Dual front and side airbags protect you and your passenger from nearly every angle in the event of a crash. The side curtain airbags help protect your backseat passengers and they even help keep the shattering glass out of their eyes. The four-wheel ABS makes sure you maintain control of the vehicle even in emergencies and three-point safety belts are included for everybody. A tire pressure monitoring system helps ensure they maintain the proper inflation at all times as well.

Performance
The Pontiac G8 has a 6.0-liter V8 that gives you more than 360 horsepower. That’s almost unheard of in today’s culture of hybrids and smaller engines, so get one while you still can. A six-speed transmission comes in either sport, manual or normal-shift modes. The car also has a multi-link MacPherson strut system for the front and an independent suspension system in the back.

Appearance
Once you see the new G8 on the lot at your local Pontiac dealer , you’ll fall in love. It stands bold with a dual port mesh grill and twin hood scoops. Side fender vets and polished stainless-steel exhausts are perfect accents to the chrome-colored door handles. If you prefer, you can get the door handles to match the color of the car instead.

Interior
When you’re on the inside, the 11 speakers pump out about 230 watts of power with a state-of-the-art Blaupunkt sound system. Even the glove box is unique with a two-tier compartment. Don’t forget about the overhead sunglass holder. You simply can’t drive this type of car without a pair of shades.

Price
You can get the new Pontiac G8 for as low as $29,300. If you prefer, you can add the $1,250 premium package that includes heated leather seats, a leather shifter knob and six-way power seats for the driver and passenger.