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Environment headlines with the most buzz

By Sam Silverstein, Yahoo! Green editor

Posted Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:20am PDT

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Before there was an Internet, "buzz" was the word that journalists attached to an intangible, immeasurable stir that surrounds some stories.

Now it's a button.

At Yahoo, we measure the buzz surrounding each headline down to the click. At Yahoo! Green, we don't always know what's coming next. But data that tells us how the audience reacted to what we publish is literally at our fingertips.

Here then, are some of the buzziest stories of 2008 according to the foremost authority on the subject: you.

Help!
Yahoo! Green's mission is to provide a trustworthy place for people to learn about climate change, and steps they can take to curb it. Several of 2008's buzziest articles featured simple, concrete tips that anybody can take.

For example:

Say no to antibacterial soaps
This article explained why antibacterial soaps may do more harm than good -- and suggested alternatives.

You don't still use a screen saver do you?
Images of flying toasters and such were a necessity in the days of tube monitors. Now there are better alternatives for what to do with your computer when you're not using it.

What's wasting energy in your home right now
A short list of common appliances we should unplug when we're not using.

Surprise! 5 things you shouldn't recycle
It was a bit controversial judging by your comments at the bottom of the article, but our list of items that we should steer clear of recycling (or using too much of in the first place) for fear of contaminating the batch clearly struck a chord.

Junk your junk mail
The buzziest articles often are the broadest, which is to say, something we all can relate to. Exhibit A: This list of tips for cutting down on the junk mail that clogs our mailboxes.

Saving gas isn't just for treehuggers anymore
One of the major stories of the year was the cost of gas - and how to get the most out of each gallon we buy.

I read the news today oh boy
News clicks, is a fact of life on the Internet. But what flavor of news? When it comes to the environment, dire developments, and oddities, caught our eye in 2008.

[Links are to sources outside of Yahoo! Green, where these articles no longer appear]

'Earth Hour' to plunge millions into darkness
The annual campaign to encourage people around the world to turn off their lights for an hour - plus a clever headline - made you look.

NASA warming scientist: 'This is the last chance'
The godfather of global warming science, NASA scientist James Hansen, was looking to create a stir with his visit to Congress this past June. Mission accomplished.

Energy fears looming, new survivalists prepare
"Broad" and quirky can add up to buzz; when a story about seemingly unusual behavior taps into a widely-held idea or belief, kaboom. This account of people taking extreme measures in response to our dwindling global oil supply resonated with others who feel the shift happening under their feet.

EcoGeeks get all the girls
Another odd angle that tapped into a broader desire: How being green helps with the ladies.

'Optimistic innovations'
On the flip side, new technology that could help curb climate change generates consistent buzz. Especially when the so-called "optimistic innovation" in question has that new car smell...

Honda rolls out new zero-emission car
The FCX Clarity's appeal is obvious. It is powered by hydrogen and electricity, and produces only water. But there's a catch...

It's official: Chevy unveils the Volt
General Motors' household plug-in electric vehicle (more or less) has been buzzy every step along the way, from concept to the unveiling of its final design.

Peapod EV (Courtesy of GreenEcoMobility.com)

New air-powered car looks WEIRD
Though air-powered cars have been right around the corner for a long time now, the technology seems to be getting closer to reality. As for how they look, well, thank you EcoGeek for a headline that tells it like it is.

Our overall impression of 2008, in hindsight, based on buzz? A few bright spots among a larger pile of bad environmental news - and a growing sense of urgency among people who wish to do something about it. A good start.

Sam Silverstein is the editor of Yahoo! Green. Share your ideas for the site here.

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Posted by kamrul_alm Wed Dec 3, 2008 10:02pm PST
I really want to own this car for me and my family.
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Posted by ajay j Thu Dec 4, 2008 5:46pm PST
its a very good idea to own this wonderful car and being a part in saving our mother planet
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Posted by Gunnman Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:38pm PST
ya its cool and all that it saves the planet. They should make a pick up truck or SUV like that
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Posted by single_againmkm Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:09pm PST
they have soooooo many cars like this but they just need to release them and make all the car companies merge into 1 and mass produce them
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Posted by iBall Wed Dec 24, 2008 11:06pm PST
one earth, one chance.. please treasure =)
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Posted by BAIL3Y Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:26pm PST
this car is really cool, and while i was reading it said these cars look wierd, i actuelly think they're awesome! :)
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Posted by Galgo Sun Apr 12, 2009 4:22pm PDT
You greenies are clueless. The 'green' vehicles use batteries that need replacing every 3 yrs, jackup the grid load when recharging, are an enviro disaster in an accident, and are not cost competitive. Dreaming about feeling good based on a subsidy is the definition of insanity. I'm all for efficiency, clean technology, etc, but this religious attitude has to stop. What do you all do when the wind don't blow, the sun don't shine, and your battery dies?? Blame somebody??
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