The economy's in a slump, the environment's in the dumps. What to do? Former vice chairman of the Federal Reserve Alan S. Blinder has a modest proposal: Pay Cash for Clunkers. How it works: "government buys up some of the oldest, most polluting vehicles and scraps them. If done successfully, it holds the promise of performing a remarkable public policy trifecta — stimulating the economy, improving the environment and reducing income inequality all at the same time." Now we just need elected officials to get behind the policy...

Perhaps it's not one of THE most polluting vehicles, but two self-described green girls are driving across the country in a gas-guzzling Volvo. Why? They want to see exactly how green a road trip can be if you're stuck behind the wheel of a "regular" car. Mary Logan Barmeyer — National Geographic Green Guide research specialist — and her cousin, Trish Harris, are recording their adventures on their blog, Two Green Girls on the Road. Follow them on their return journey from San Francisco to Atlanta.

Even with a "regular" car, driving's still generally more eco than flying. In fact, Umbra of Grist illustrates exactly why that's so even if that plane's gonna be in the air anyway. For one, there's the weight issue: "Have you heard that airlines are starting to charge fees for luggage... to keep down fuel costs?" Umbra asks. "From a fuel perspective, each additional passenger is like a giant walk-on suitcase."

So carpool -- or even better, take the bus or train. There is always the staycation option too. You can travel vicariously via Mary Logan and Trish's blog posts!

^{Top photo courtesy of blmurch.}