Buying a new car?

Gasoline prices are soaring to nearly $4 per gallon in the United States. It is summertime, so you know you will want to be travelling and blasting the A/C. All this means that gasoline will be getting gurgled by the bucket. What is one to do?

Of course you want to be concerned with saving money, but you also want to reduce your carbon footprint. The goal is to waste as few resources as possible, right?

One solution might be to trade in the old crude-sipper and buy yourself a new hybrid or electric car. But this proposal will be very costly in the short run--especially in terms of sentimental value! And all jokes aside, there is proof that in most cases, it will be better for the environment to keep an old car rather than to purchase a new one. (Check that article out, it was quite elucidating).

So if you find yourself still furious and grumbling about your gas cow on wheels, don't worry too much--try and make the best of the status quo. The future is looking bright. In fact, some believe that by 2010, China will be producing quality hybrid and electric cars for $10,000 or less.

-N. Tarpey, guest contributor