Telsa Motors has unveiled the prototype of the Model X, an all electric family car set to be released in early 2014.   Continuing the tradition of Tesla, the vehicle will focus on performance and sleekness.  It will go 0-60mph in under 5 seconds, have a couple different battery options, and have three drive-train options (rear, all & performance).  If that’s not enough, it will even have doors that open up like falcon wings!

The United States led the way towards a new record of $260 billion for global investment in the clean energy sector.  In 2011, the U.S. alone beat the 2004 global total, with investment increasing 35% to $55.9 billion.  Meanwhile, China’s investment leveled off at $47 billion for 2011, making U.S. the world leader again.

Lady Gaga is the first music artist to reach 1 billion views on YouTube.   Here is a remix of many of her videos.

WHERE DOES YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS STAND ON SOPA?  CLICK HERE

Photo Source:  Peak Oil Garage

From Chris Payne, the director of the 2006 cult classic of “Who Killed the Electric Car?” comes his latest project on the electric vehicle.  The documentary titled “Revenge of the Electric Car” is about the resurrection of the electric car to market amidst a global recession.  The film follows 4 characters vying to set the new standard in the electric car industry;  Bob Lutz of General Motors, Carlos Ghosn from Nissan, Elon Mush of Tesla Motors and Greg Abbot,  an independent electric car converter from California.  Each character’s automobile reflects the different approaches and concepts behind some of the most dynamic and eccentric corporate personas in the auto industry today.   While it will take years to crown the winner of this contest, by the looks of the trailer the real story resides in how each company overcame their own obstacles and fierce competition from others to bring their product to market.

To find a showing near you, click here.

Mexico and Iceland have the highest per capita consumption of Coca-Cola.

Photo Source: Babi_Santander

America’s egg farmers produce eggs from multiple production systems.  When it comes to eggs consumers have many choices and it can be confusing for some. Here is a brief explanation of the different labels found on eggs.

Conventional cage eggs- are produced from hens living in communal cage systems.  While the size of the cage will vary by bird size, the long and short of this process is that hens spend their entire lives caged.  The hens are provided food and their eggs are collected by an automatic egg collection system.  This is factory farming at its finest.

Cage free eggs- are laid by hens living on indoor floor operations sometimes called free-roaming hens.  The shelters that protect the hens are cage free and while still being fed a majority of their diet, are allowed to create their own nests and perch indoors.

Free-range eggs- are produced by hens raised outdoors or that have open access to the outdoors from shelter.  These hens may forage outdoors for wild plants and insects and are sometimes referred to as pasture-fed hens.

Organic eggs- are produced according to national USDA Organic standards.  Hens are fed rations having ingredients that were grown without conventional pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or commercial fertilizers.  All organic systems are cage free.

If the population of China walked past you, in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.

Photo Source: dame ags

Landscape up-lighting is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to emphasize the unique outdoor features of your property.  Watch any outdoor improvement show on television these days and they all reiterate a common theme; your curb appeal should also be featured at night.  Think about it, if you’re going to spend $5000 on landscaping, why wouldn’t you spend another $200 on lighting to accentuate it at night?

Up-lighting is a relatively simple process that highlights different outdoor features based on placement on the lights. DYILandscaping.com lists the 3 different techniques for up-lighting.

Front up-lighting

Here the lighting fixture is placed in front of an object.  This is great for your home, walls, trees, tall scrubs and fences.  This technique will emit more intense light on an object and cast no shadows.

Cross up-lighting

Creates a less intense light and will add shadows around what you are lighting.  This technique is good for lighting the canopies of large trees, large rocks and large fountains.

Back up-lighting

This technique is mainly used on trees.  It creates depth, produces very few shadows and will show a less intense light.

Today many home improvement stores offer eco-friendly alternatives for up-lighting.  From solar powered to high efficient LED lights, there’s a wide range of varieties that will meet your landscape lighting needs.  Just remember that while these lights might be more expensive, that increased investment up front will pay dividends on the back end through your utility bill.

June 2:   On this day in 1935, Babe Ruth, one of the greatest players in the history of baseball, ends his Major League playing career after 22 seasons, 10 World Series and 714 home runs.