Ed Begley, Jr.
Credit: AP Photo/Ric Francis
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Living with Ed follows Ed Begley, Jr., and his wife, Rachelle, as they green their home, family, and celebrity friends. But if you've ever wondered what kind of advice they'd give the rest of us, then the Ask Ed forum is your chance to find out. Readers submit questions and comments about the show, green living, etc., and Ed chimes in with his green answers; here, we've rounded up some highlights of the past week.
Q. Soon I will be in the market to replace my 1995 Buick Century with a more economical and greener vehicle. I like the idea of buying a hybrid but don't want a vehicle that you have to keep plugging into an AC outlet. I commute a total of 30 miles a day. Which would you prefer, Hybrid or Smart Car? Bear in mind that I also own a 2004 Chevy Cavalier that my wife would be driving since she only commutes 2 miles per day to work. It gets about 32 MPG highway.
A. For a 2 mile or 30 mile total daily commute, here would be my choices in order of preference (for me):
1) Walk - for the 2 mile, not for the 30 mile.
2) Bicycle - always for the 2 mile, sometimes for the 15 mile each way, weather permitting
3) Public transportation (if available)
4) Electric car - even at 30 miles, you are well within range of even many NEVs. plugging in the car at night in the garage is easy, clean and cheap
5) Hybrid car—I have owned several Prius and they are fine cars
Ed
Q. Ed, I love watching your show. My question is: which is the green way to heat my house, burning wood or using my electric heat pump?
A. I have no problem with using downed wood for heat—particularly if it is wood that can be used for no other constructive purpose. I would prefer a solar powered heat pump though, for the elimination of emissions.
Ed
Q. Can you offer suggestions for the best places to post my resume that will allow companies involved with the "green" industry to see it and learn of my sincere interest in this very important and interesting field?
A. There's lots of websites out there now that people keep sending me. 5milliongreenjobs.org, greenfootjobs.com, The Evergreen Institute. Also, lots of green groups for jobs on LinkedIn and Plaxo as well.
Ed
Q. I was dismayed to see a plastic water bottle on the episode where you and then Rachelle visited the "off the grid" community in Oregon.
A. I blame Rachelle!
Ed
More about Ed Begley, Jr.
Living with Ed: Inside the Show
The TreeHugger Interview: Ed Begley, Jr.
Ed Begley, Jr., on Going Off the Grid, Greening Traffic, and More
