Chef Jamie Oliver is a TED Prize winner, and he’s made a great wish: “I wish for your help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity.” The plan is to create an organization that pushes forward a movement inspiring people to improve how they eat. We TreeHuggers are no strangers to the idea that we need a big change in how we raise and consume food - not only will the change improve our health, but it’s a primary way of improving the health of the planet. Luckily, Graham Hill is at TED 2010, and gave a three minute talk on his concept for weekday vegetarianism - just such a concept that can go far in granting Oliver’s wish.
The weekday vegetarian plan is simple: go vegetarian during the week, and reserve your meat intake for the weekends. BBQ, grill, broil and saute organic, sustainable meats all you want on Saturday and Sunday, but during the week, stick to meatless meals. This drastically cuts down your meat intake, and therefore drastically cuts down the amount of meat we as a country raise, the amount of pollution generated by factory farming, the amount of fossil fuel going into raising corn which goes into raising meat.
Benefits:
It’s easy to follow.
It’s non-binary.
It’s significant (reduces impact by 70%).
It’s not too restrictive.
It’ll save you money.
It’s good for your health.
You can start today.
Oliver’s plan calls for, “The grassroots movement must also challenge corporate America to support meaningful programs that will change the culture of junk food.” The weekday vegetarian concept helps to accomplish this very thing.
Over the last few weeks I’ve had three conversations with readers regarding different sources of traffic.
In each case I had a number of email exchanges with each blogger (all on the same day) and ended up laughing to myself at the common theme but extremely different opinions being expressed by each of the bloggers.
In each case the bloggers had strong opinions (and experiences to back those opinions up) on what type of traffic was ‘best’ and how to get it.
In one case the conversation started with a blogger telling me that I focus too much upon social media traffic and not enough on traffic from search engines. Their niche didn’t work with social traffic but with search traffic they did best.
In another case the blogger told me that they’d been told to forget about search traffic in their niche and work more on building traffic from other sites and to convert it into ongoing traffic with newsletters.
In the last case a blogger told me that in their opinion the best type of traffic was social media traffic and they didn’t see the point in newsletters.
I was reminded through these conversations just how many different valid approaches there are to blogging. I also came away with a few thoughts that I thought I’d jot down here on the topic of driving traffic to blogs.
1. There are Many Valid Sources of Traffic
The above chart shows just 8 of many sources of traffic to a blog. As I write this others are already springing to mind (for example some bloggers run paid advertising to drive traffic to their blog – others get it from banner exchange programs). The reality is that there are many potential sources of traffic.
2. The ‘Best’ Source of Traffic Varies from Niche to Niche
As I thought about the 3 bloggers I was chatting to above it struck me that each had found great sources of traffic but that they were each operating in very different niches.
The first blogger who had written off social media was in a niche that people were simply not using social media for (I won’t reveal the niche as I don’t have their permission but it was a very very niche focused blog). Perhaps they could have driven a tiny bit of traffic with social media but for them Search was a much better place for them to invest their time.
3. Different Sources of Traffic Will monetize differently
Another important factor to consider is that some sources of traffic will monetize ALOT better than others. I’ve found that search traffic can work very well with AdSense for example (it depends upon the niche and intent of the reader). People arrive on your site searching for specific information, read your content, see an ad that relates to their search term and click on it.
RSS readers on the other hand don’t tend to convert for AdSense as they tend to be loyal readers and many don’t even click through to your site to read your content. RSS readers (and social media traffic) however can convert really well for affiliate promotions or selling your own products to.
4. Traffic Patterns Change over the life cycle of a blog
As a blog matures its sources of traffic often quite naturally change.
There’s no typical one size fits all pattern to this but at first the traffic might mainly come from other blogs or forums where you comment – or blogs where you guest post – or articles that you write. In time you might start to see more traffic from RSS or newsletters as a few people subscribe. Perhaps then some traffic will come from other sites who link to you (people who subscribe via RSS might have their own blogs) and from social media. After a while your search engine ranking might kick in as a result of the links from other sites and your guest posting and article writing and you might start seeing Google traffic. Once your blog is more established you might start seeing social bookmarking viral events that spike your traffic.
Again – this is not going to be the pattern for all blogs but in time traffic will naturally start to come from different places – the key is to try to leverage it for ongoing good (trying to get your blog to be sticky rather than just having one time visitors) and to work out how to convert that traffic for the goals you have.
5. Bloggers should be open to different approaches
While each of the three bloggers had discovered great lessons and good sources of traffic for their niches and the life cycles of their blogs – I was left wondering in each case whether the bloggers were being a little too closed off to different sources of traffic that perhaps could have added to the overall mix of traffic.
I see a lot of SEO type bloggers write about the worthlessness of social traffic for instance. One common comment that I get from some SEOs (definitely not all) is that social media traffic can’t be monetized. The reality could not be further from the truth. It won’t always convert but it certainly can. For example I know in each of the E-book launches that I’ve done in two niches that I’ve seen significant conversions from Twitter traffic.
On the flip side of things I hear some social media focused bloggers write off SEO and say that it works itself out and you don’t need to optimise your blog for search if you just produce good content. While there is some truth in that (good content does tend to generate natural incoming links to some extent) with a basic understanding of principles of SEO and a few minor tweaks a blog can rank much better in search engines without compromising the integrity of the content.
I guess what I’m getting at is that if you get exclusive about the type of traffic you are after you could actually be limiting the potential of your blog’s incoming traffic.
6. Too many Eggs in One Basket Can Be Dangerous
I used to be very focused upon search traffic in my early days of blogging. I worked hard to optimise my first blogs for search and got to a point where I was making a full time living from the ad revenue I was getting almost exclusively from Google. As a result I got a little lazy in some of the other areas – I didn’t work to convert readers to be loyal with newsletters or with prominent calls to subscribe to RSS, I didn’t build too many relationships with other bloggers to generate referral traffic and I was very inactive in social media (although it was much more limited back then).
As a result when Google decided to adjust their algorithm one day and my rankings dropped (and almost completely disappeared) in their results I lost almost all of my traffic – and as a result almost all of my income.
I was lucky in that Google readjusted their algorithm a couple of months later and I regained a lot of (but not all) of that traffic but in the mean time I looked for and found a ‘real job’ – and more importantly learned an important lesson about the power of having more than one source of traffic.
That experience was the beginning of me doing a few things that included working harder on capturing readers as subscribers (email and RSS), networking more with other bloggers in my niche and getting more involved in promoting my blog in other places (mainstream media, social media etc). My hope in doing all of this was to build up other sources of traffic so that if Google ever switched off my traffic again (temporarily or permanently) I’d at least have enough traffic to survive.
Google still does send me around 40-50% of my traffic (it varies a little from blog to blog) but I’m in a position now where I could survive for an extended period if it all disappeared (not that I’d like for that to happen).
7. The Importance of Personality and Being Yourself
I’m sure there are other factors that are at play that might be worth considering when looking at traffic. One of these (that I’m yet to fully think through) is personality type.
For example a lot of my my technically thinking friends seem to enjoy the challenge of SEO a little more. They love experimenting with and testing what happens when they make small tweaks to different aspects of their blogs. They’re constantly testing different setups and do quite well from it. I am not technically minded and find their attention to detail very very unusual (and so far from where that I’m at that I feel like I’m from another planet).
Other friends are perhaps a little more social by nature and as a result seem to do well on Twitter.
Others seem to do better by applying their freakish ability to write blog posts that get tonnes of links from other sites and which do brilliantly on social bookmarking sites..
Others are networkers and spend a lot of time interacting with other bloggers and site owners and tend to get links and traffic that way.
Others just seem to be brilliant at building community on their blog and as a result retain almost everyone who ever comments and build new readers from those people telling their friends.
I guess the lesson here is to be yourself and work with your strengths. Of course you don’t want to let your strengths dominate so much that you ignore or become lazy in areas that you’re not as strong in – but do follow your natural abilities and leverage them as much as you can.
Remember that there is no wrong or right way to generate traffic for a blog. If you were analyze the sources of traffic on many top blogs you’d find quite different factors at play!
If you thought 2009 was a year that green took over, then think again. Over the next 10 years, the green industry is predicted to experience growth in the neighborhood of 1.5 trillion dollars. Green will continue to shape the foods we eat, the products we buy, and the way we get around — and increasingly the jobs we have.
According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, by 2007, more than 68,200 businesses across the country accounted for more than 770,000 jobs in clean energy, “despite a lack of sustained government support in the past decade.” This is expected to increase with fresh help from the Obama administration. In 2008 alone, private investors directed $5.9 billion into American businesses in this sector, a 48% increase over 2007. This rate should continue to accelerate.
Here are five green careers that are not entirely new, but are now being completely reinvented. If you want to keep a competitive advantage in the workforce, one must learn how these top-growing jobs are “going green.” These fields, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), are expected to see a growth from 6% to nearly 30%.
Mechanical Engineer
$59,000 to $94,000 median salary range, according to the BLS. Mechanical engineering will have many opportunities in the future. However, you don’t have to wait to start in green areas of this field. Nearly all energy areas, including wind and solar, need these engineers.
$56,000 to $94,000 median salary range (BLS). One of the hardest hit fields in the recent recession has been engineering, due to contractions in the auto industry and infrastructure spending. Fortunately, this profession has numerous applications in the green field.
Environmental engineers are expected to see a 30% increase in jobs over the next ten years. They will be vital in the wind and solar fields. In addition, environmental engineer technicians and civil engineers should see a 25% growth.
$47,000 to $50,000 median salary range (BLS). The teaching field is expected to expand by almost 20% in the coming years. What’s exciting is that weaving green practices into the classroom is becoming much more commonplace. Many schools are on the forefront of using clean energy. And science teachers are in the most demand.
Beyond the basics like environmental science, many community colleges have expanded offerings in courses like solar panel installation and energy efficient building; universities have expanded environmental policy and politics offerings, often developing entirely new departments and curricula; and graduate programs are routinely offering advanced courses in a range of subjects, like corporate sustainability. There are even green MBA programs. All of these new positions need teachers to fill them.
Becoming a teacher involves a college diploma and generally a teaching certificate. If you are an out-of-work professional you may want to consider getting a teaching certificate. While the full degree may cost you around $8 to $20 thousand a year, a teaching certificate may cost around half.
In order to really save money, you might want to consider community college first. This will allow you to take general education classes at a much more affordable price. Don’t forget that there are plenty of student loans available through the federal government. A guidance counselor will be able to point you in the right direction.
Heating and Cooling Installer
$15 to $25/hour (BLS). If you are looking for a great green job and are not interested in the college route, then heating and cooling could be the field for you. It is expected to see more than 28% growth in the coming years. Being able to install an extremely efficient solar water heater can not only put more money in your pocket, it will save the customer money in the long term and help them go green. Installers are able to put some of the most cutting edge energy-saving products to use right away.
Another reason for the strong growth is the increasing emphasis on green building, supported by the United States Green Building Council and the federal and state and local governments. Heating and cooling play a big role in energy saving.
For a more specialized training, look into geothermal. One particular training provider in this area is the GeoExchange, which can help you find the programs to get started today!
Arborist
$9 to $14/hour (BLS). If you want to get a green job outdoors then this may be the career for you. There are many variations of this job. Tree trimmers, pruners, and landscapers are expected to see more than 26% growth. Green arborists help protect plants from disease and pests with less-toxic, environmentally friendly techniques. They can also work to minimize harmful runoff, protect watersheds, and shade property, which leads to less energy demands for cooling.
Freiburg, Germany’s Vauban development is the most well-known example of a city area that has successfully turned away from car-centric culture. It’s a big step that can be fraught with difficulties and also with a huge reward: more people-friendly, livable streets. Suprisingly, there are scores of car-free zones around the globe, but very few cities (we’re talking populations of 50,000 or more citizens) seriously and consistently are pursuing the necessary planning measures to move to car free, or even car lite. However, here are five cities and one bonus entry that could begin the transition.
1. Geneva, Switzerland is Rich and Ready.
Earlier in January 2010, Geneva’s City Council members voted 2 to 1 to close 200 of the city’s streets to car traffic. That’s a huge first move put forth by the Green Party but supported by Social Democrats and even the center Radical Party. However, the measure is in no way guaranteed, as it may face stiff opposition from the city’s business leaders. They should take note of Copenhagen’s move to make some streets car free - business hasn’t suffered and in some cases has improved!
2. Davis, Calif. U.S.A. Does Biking Best (Some Say).
O.K., maybe Davis is just a big college town rather than a bona fide “big city” but it’s got a few advantages as far as car free is concerned: a relatively good climate, not too many hills, a great bike infrastructure (the city is getting ready to build a 1.7 million bike-only thoroughfare under a major road and considers itself Bike City, U.S.A.). It also has a fairly well-functioning bus system and a sort of stealth car-free culture. Innovations in Davis include a car “lockdown” during the University’s enrollment period due to the great mass of bikes on the campus, plans for a cycling museum and a month-long celebration of cycling each year in May called Cyclebration.
Eric Britton of Worldstreets.org says Paris, France has everything it takes to have a carfree inner city. He lists the city’s purposeful gradual removal of parking spaces, and the high cost of inner-city parking as two disincentives for car owners to drive their cars directly into the city, and also the high level of noncar households (60% or more) as another sign that Paris can easily go carfree. Forward momentum? Of course, that plum that is Vélib bike-sharing is great, and Paris’ plans to keep expanding the system are enouraging. Paris also has great car sharing and plans to implement electric car sharing with its Autolib program. And then there’s Paris Plages, that month of summer when the city turns a portion of the Expressway on the banks of the Seine into an inland beach, with sunbathing, kayaking on the river, people watching…and no cars.
Make no mistake about it. Guadalara, with 1.6 million residents and Mexico’s second largest city, is still steered by the motorized trifecta of car, bus,and truck. In fact, some people think crossing the street is southern-style Russian roulette. Yet Guadalajara has some factors that nevertheless make it a good candidate for a car lite or car free place. Guadalajara has won awards for its quick (2 year) implementation of a full BRT (bus rapid transit system) called Macrobús as part of its “Movilidad Urbana” project. In addition, Guadalajara didn’t originate the idea but has taken to heart the Ciclovia approach to improving city streets - every Sunday there’s a six-hour stretch when 15 kilometers of the city’s streets are turned over to pedestrian and all other non´motorized bike-style traffic. That 170,000 city residents enjoy this Via RecreActiva every weekend says a lot about the city’s possibilities as an oasis of inner city car lite or car free living in spite of its current urban bustle. Promising initiatives? A plan to make the Centro Histórico in the inner city a completely pedestrian zone.
Sure, it may only be radical groups like Klimax that are willing to come out and say “car free inner city” is their goal for this southern Swedish city. However, Malmö’s city government is taking baby steps that may one day end up in the very same place. The city’s premier sustainable housing development Bo01, is dense, walkable, and virtually car free. Your first impression of Malmö if you step off the train at the Central station, is not of a car-oriented inner city but of a bike- and pedestrian-accomodating small town. Steps taken include Bo01, Western Harbor’s car free streets, and over 400 kilometers of bike paths for this city’s 285,000 residents.
And the bonus burg? Well, this is a 3D stylized map of Guangzhou, China, but it could be any of a number of China’s rapidly developing big cities. As car culture has swept the cities so swiftly, there’s still a chance for many of them to fairly easily change direction, and decide to go car lite. According to Carbusters, Guangzhou’s Xiguan region of the city still sports very low car usage (less than 1 percent of trips). Pedestrian alleyways predominate. Guangzhou, with 13 million inhabitants, has its own 14-mile-long BRT system, which when it formally opens next month is expected to transport 23,000 passengers an hour!’
Call us crazy, but it seems we can’t have enough reusable totes. A few for the car, two for the purse, a couple hanging by the door…it seems we always use them no matter how many we have. If you’re like us, you might want to take advantage of today’s TreeHugger Deal$ from Green Eyed Monster, a company that offers a unique and socially responsible alternative to disposable paper and plastic bags. Images for the bags are created through online design competitions (yes, you can participate too!) and each tote that is printed is a limited edition. So this is your chance to grab a wearable, reusable piece of art!
The bags are made out of 100% post-consumer material made from recycled cotton fabric and recycled plastic bottles, are manufactured in the U.S.A., and are larger than your average disposable or reusable tote. In honor of the New Year, Green Eyed Monster is clearing out its 2009 designs.
From now through March 1, 2010, TreeHugger readers will have an opportunity to purchase these fun, unique totes at 50% off to help spread the word to friends, family and other disposable bag using culprits about the benefits of “BYOB.” Green Eyed Monster is also a member of 1% For the Planet. Coupon code: 2010.
Green Eyed Monster also sells designer handbags and sneakers created by up-and-coming artists who take Mama Earth into consideration with their work. For a limited time, grab one of these handmade, unique designer goodies at 10% off the retail price. Coupon code: newyear. Green Eyed Monster
TreeHugger Deals offers discounts and specials exclusively for TreeHugger readers. TreeHugger never receives any monetary compensation or proceeds through these promotions.
I found the article below and thought they were interesting tips to apply to our lives, enjoy!
By Terra Wellington
One of the myths of being eco-friendly is that it takes a lot of money. While some large-scale changes may require a chunk of change, such as buying a tankless water heater or adding solar panels to your roof, the majority of going green choices don’t have to cost a fortune. Here are 7 ways to go green on the cheap.
Be a Friend to Farmers
The best prices on organic produce are usually close to home at your local farmers’ market. Organic is best for your body and the planet. By shopping more directly with the organic producers you can not only save money but also put more cash in the farmers’ pockets and support local food production. Find out more about living and eating organically.
Clean for Under a Buck
Did you know that you can clean most of your house with a non-toxic cleaner that usually costs less than a dollar? That magic bullet is baking soda. A little water and baking soda makes a terrific cleaning paste for tubs, sinks, stoves, and other surfaces. Its whitening effect is great for cleaning grout. Add a handful to your whites in the wash for brighter clothes. Baking soda is also a great deodorizer, and it won’t irritate your lungs.
Fertilize with Garbage
One of the great benefits of eating is that there’s waste. Seriously. Put your food scraps to work in an at-home compost and voila! You’ll have a free supply of soil amendment and mulch from the compost that can also be used as fertilizer for your lawn and garden. Compost is organic and non-toxic, extremely healthy for plants and the soil, and gives back to the planet with minimal effort from you.
Super Sun Savings
Open those blinds and curtains and turn off the lights. Sunlight is free … and completely renewable. You’ll save on electricity. And sunshine is better for your body. The sun’s rays are just the right brightness and spectrum to give you more energy, better regulate your sleep patterns, and improve your mood. Sun equals smiles.
Well-Contained Lunches
Opt for reusable containers for lunches whenever possible. You have a one-time investment on the containers that can save you a boatload – throwaway baggies and individually packaged lunch items (like juice boxes and applesauce cups) are much more expensive than if you filled up reusable containers at home with juice, fruit, and a sandwich. And that means less goes to the landfill too.
Old News is Good News
Have a package to send? Avoid the expense and waste of bubble wrap. Instead, reach for yesterday’s newspaper as packing material. It might seem old fashioned, but what was good for grandma is still good for you.
Save Money and Miles
Put on your thinking cap next time you plan errands and schedule them together on a miles-saving route. By strategically combining errands and avoiding unplanned trips to the store, you’ll save gas and make your wallet a little fatter. Plus, you’ll be spewing less pollution into the air from your car.
Terra Wellington is the author ofThe Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home.She figures that anytime she can save a few cents while being green her wallet gets a little fatter and that brings her one step closer to spending money on what really counts – fun-filled family outings.
Research leaders from eight Ohio universities joined Gov. Ted Strickland at a news conference today to launch a coordinated effort to make Ohio an international leader in advanced energy research and development.
The “Centers of Excellence” at the eight universities will have distinct missions to provide the innovation that will help strengthen “Ohio’s position as a market leader in supplying the world’s advanced energy economies,” Strickland said. “That is important for a simple reason: when we grow these industries, we create jobs.”
Among the aims of the centers will be to capitalize on existing areas of expertise in advance energy technologies at each university, to coordinate compatible academic and research efforts, and to avoid duplication of effort.
Eric Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, said targeting areas of research in a coordinated approach will give the universities more ability to leverage grants from the federal and state governments and private entities.
“Ohio’s universities are committed to driving economic growth in this state,” Fingerhut said. “The Centers of Excellence in Advanced Energy announced today will create the technologies and innovations needed to make Ohio a global leader in an economy that requires a modern, cheap, and clean energy infrastructure.”
The eight universities housing a center and the goals of each center:
*Bowling Green State University — Become the leading center for Ohio in organic photovoltaics and other photonic materials.
*Case Western Reserve University — Position the university’s Great Lakes Energy Institute as a worldwide leader in renewable energy research, energy storage and energy efficiency.
*Central State University — Continue research and instruction in improving water quality and environmental technology to help Ohio businesses grow.
*University of Cincinnati — Improve the health and wealth of urban dwellers through the study of energy efficiency and sustainability.
*University of Dayton — Developing alternative and more efficient conventional fuels for the aerospace industry.
*Ohio State University — Bring a wide range of expertise to bear on developing advanced energy technologies, particularly in the study of climate change.
*Ohio University — Develop existing strengths focusing on the delivery of energy and fuels, and in clean coal research and technology.
*University of Toledo — Continue strong areas of research and technology development focused around solar, biomass energy, wind, and energy storage.
source: columbus dispatch Posted by Joe Hallett, senior editor on October 28, 2009 1:12 PM
By Team Planet Green
Silver Spring, MD, USA | Sun Oct 11 17:07:00 GMT 2009
The workplace offers a unique opportunity to spread the green gospel. From telecommuting to carpooling to recycling to energy efficiency, any job has the potential to become a little more earth friendly if we’re to do the work. Workers of the world, unite. You have nothing to lose but your eco-chains. To help green your gig, we’ve worked overtime at Planet Green’s “How to Go Green: At Work.”
Top Tips for Greening Your Work
Take the Lead at Lunch: Each day, you can bring your own healthy, plant-based lunch in a reusable container and—most importantly—let your colleagues know why you do so. Reducing consumption, waste, and unhealthy eating habits? Sounds delicious to us.
Co-Workers as Co-Commuters: Traffic, road rage, gas prices, and the resultant eco-damage of the car culture make this a no-brainer. Team up with your work pals to initiate greener methods of getting to and from your gig. Whether it be car pooling, public transportation, biking, or walking, it’s a great way to green your job and create a sense of community and collective action.
Eco-Fashion: Take “casual Fridays” to a new level. Encourage your staff to look into used clothes, clothing swaps, and an earth friendly wardrobe made from organic fibers, hemp, etc. No more dry cleaning, no more pinstriped pressure because what you wear is a walking advertisement for everyone you meet.
Did You Know?
If every UK office worker used one less staple a day, 120 tons of steel would be saved
Women comprised 46% of the total U.S. labor force in 2007
The U.S. economy has created more than 750,000 green jobs. Roughly 85% are located in metropolitan areas
Andy Pag, an environmental activist, has been travelling around the world in a bus powered by french-fry fat. He left London on September 19, 2009 and has covered 3,000 miles so far.
Part of the Biotruck Expedition, he is attempting to drive around the world emitting less than 2 tons of CO2. What’s it like driving in a bus powered by chip fat: “It smells like a bus driver’s armpit, but when you are using rubbish you can’t expect too much” he said today in Istanbul.
The G20 nations have agreed to reduce CO2 emissions to two tons per person per year by 2050. This is the amount of carbon emissions which scientists have concluded that every person on the planet will personally have to meet by 2050 if we are to stave off the worst impacts of man-made climate change. In the UK and US average levels are currently about 10-15 tons per person.
The Biotruck Expedition is attempting to drive around the world emitting less than 2 tons of CO2 in order to dramatize what 2 tons of carbons means. They will also investigate how people are using and generating energy, and their attitudes towards carbon emissions.
Since leaving London on the 19th of September, the bus has covered 3000 miles through France, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, the Balkans and Greece to reach Turkey. In that time Pag has collected over 500 litres of chip fat and biodiesel made from used cooking oil to put in his tank.
But what about the bus itself? It’s total rubbish: an old school bus salvaged from a scrapyard and refurbished using old tables, carpet offcuts and other waste materials The team has converted the engine to run on vegetable oil, and installed a filtering system to clean up the used oil found along the way so it can be used as fuel.
According to the crew:
“we can also convert the used oil to biodiesel to fuel our start up tank and other vehicles we travel in using an onboard reactor. It can now run on vegetable oil, biodiesel and still take fossil diesel in an emergency. We’ve got a massive 1500 litre fuel capacity which when full up, should allow us to travel at least 8500km between fuel supplies. In practice we’ll be topping up as we go.We’ve also installed a solar powered hydrogen generator which uses the sun to feed hydrogen gas into the engine so it burns the fuel more efficiently, and we can use less fuel. When the sun shines, the bus will do more miles to the gallon, and emit fewer pollutants.”
The inside sounds like a hippy bus combined with state of the art technology. They have a wood burning stove, low power LED lighting, and the electricity is powered by PV solar cells on the roof. The furnishings are reclaimed and recycled and there is a waterless, chemical free composting toilet.
Having reached Istanbul, the route ahead will be fraught with difficulty. He will have to continue to find fuel in less developed countries. Depending upon his route, he will have to contend with the political insecurity in Pakistan or the cold temperatures of the Kazakhstani winters which could solidify the fuel into a greasy mess. He will make that decision after reaching Iran.
Photo credit 
