Feng Shui is about achieving balance in the world. Going “green” can be an important part of that balance. But, are we being duped into buying things that are only carrying the “green” label? Have you ever wondered how companies can make something overseas, ship it here, sell it cheaper than we could make it, and still make money? After reading this, you’ll wonder how Toyota and others can call themselves “green” companies.
Todd Lipscomb, President of Made In USA Forever, has saved us some trouble and done the math. I’m hoping his post will open some eyes to what is happening in this world, and more specifically, this country. Lets all “do the math” before falling for what we’re told is “green“. Maybe the green ones have been us.
This week, I’m turning over my blog to Todd, and promoting USA products while I’m at it!
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Made In USA Forever
I have always wondered about the math on how it can be profitable to ship items halfway across the globe and still charge low prices compared to our domestically produced items.
I have known that unregulated cargo container ship pollution was a significant cost advantage and environmental factor, but was shocked to learn the astounding extent of their pollution. As our loyal trucker customers will tell you, pollution emissions for their trucks are highly regulated both in the diesel fuel they use and from the engines themselves. The fuel cost alone is a huge factor.
This is not only terrible for the environment, but is a huge, unfair cost advantage. For example, the truckers that bring the pallets of jeans we buy from Asheville, North Carolina are delivered to us by trucks that must meet or exceed regulated standards. However, the cargo container ships pulling into ports on both our coasts near key markets are at a huge cost advantage. Just last year regulations were introduced for these ships to burn cleaner fuel when they get within 230 miles of the coast for air quality sake. Yet, I do not see any evidence that even these rules are being enforced.
It gets much worse, while these ships burn through tons of dirty fuel to move they are spewing out pollutants at huge rates. The Guardian claims secret shipping sources show that due to the dirty fuel used and energy required the pollution from the 15 largest ships equates to the pollution created annually by all the cars in the world. There are 760 million cars in the world today. Even if they are off by a 100 times the real rate, that is still a shocking figure considering there are 90,000 of these big cargo ships in operation today. It turns out these ships are the real source of pollution today and a completely unfair advantage for foreign manufacturers.
That got me thinking last night, is a “green” cars like the Honda Prius or Hyundai Accent really green when we take into account the pollution spewed out by the ships that bring them here? The big PCTC ships that carry cars in operation currently carry about 6500 cars per trip. This is an estimate on my part, but if a ship from Yokohama or Pusan to Long Beach is moving at full steam for seven days, assuming a very quick unloading process, it could make the round trip (returning to Japan or Korea nearly empty) 25 times per year. The biggest ships produce the pollution rate equivalent in a year to 50 million cars according to The Guardian, but let’s use half that rate at 25 million cars. That means one round trip to Asia and back creates the pollution equivalent of 1 million cars. Since there are 6500 cars on that ship, dividing 1 million by 6500 equates to 153 cars pollution per year per car in pollution created just to get it here.
Meaning transportation across the Pacific alone creates the equivalent of 153 cars polluting for a year just to get just ONE Prius or Accent here to the USA! That is not green at all, and does not even include getting the raw materials to Japan or Korea! How can Toyota or Hyundai claim they are green?
New Items:
We are proud to introduce American-made CD-R and DVD-R discs by MAM-A, Inc. The distinguishing feature of MAM-A resides in the fact that they have mastered all the manufacturing stages of CD-R media and are the last recordable optical disc manufacturer with CD-R & DVD-R lines in the United States. Products are made in their Colorado facility. Let’s support the only maker left in the USA!
We are pleased to introduce American Discovery Outdoors. Now available are a variety of sleeping bags for all of your outdoor adventures. Made in Missouri.
Tazi has created the Ultimate Hydration Bottle, 20 ounce. It has a patented ergonomic and aero-dynamically angled design for comfort and safety. Especially made for those involved in walking, running, cycling, skating or any activity where hydration is desired. Enables full eye contact with the path/road while hydrating. Made in Illinois.
On Sale: Hunting gear on sale through Sunday the 26th.
Here is a link: http://madeinusaforever.com/todayonlysale.html
Sincerely,
Todd
Todd Lipscomb
Founder
MadeinUSAForever.com
