Ithaca, New York, is looking into the development of podcars—computer-guided cars that transport two to ten passengers, typically run on elevated rails, and have stations located every block to half-mile. A rider would enter a destination on a computerized pad and a car would take the person nonstop to their location. The stations would have slanted pull-in bays so that some cars could stop for passengers, while others could continue unimpeded on the main course. Heathrow Airport, outside London, will unveil a pilot podcar system to ferry air travelers on the ground next year; and, companies in Sweden, Poland, and Korea are already operating full-scale test tracks to demonstrate the feasibility.

State and local governments are responding to the plight of renters, who are often unknowing victims of foreclosure until they receive an eviction notice. For example, in California, the legislature has passed a law that gives renters 60 days notice prior to eviction due to foreclosure. In Chicago, tenants have the right to be informed within seven days of the beginning of foreclosure proceedings; the process can take months and gives renters time to look for a new place to live.

Governor Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that ties local planning decisions to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, creating strong incentives for regions to meet newly created targets for reducing vehicle emissions. Under SB 375, the California Air Resources Board will set those targets and planning agencies in cities and counties will develop their own strategies to meet them. Localities that are successful will be first in line for the roughly $5 billion in annual state funding for transportation. Those areas that do not achieve satisfactory targets will see their funding limited.

Washington, DC, has introduced Fleet Share, a unique pilot motor pool operation that saves gas, lowers costs, and reduces emissions. Based on the Zipcar model, Fleet Share enables government employees to reserve a car via the Internet. Fleet Share will also allow the District to eliminate over 300 vehicles from their fleet, with an expected savings of more than $6 million over five years.

California's East Palo Alto Police Department is teaming up with a nonprofit arts organization to encourage graffiti "taggers" to use their talent to paint positive images instead of vandalizing public and private buildings. The county probation department will help select the participants, who will be trained in mural painting before completing a 20-by-20-foot canvas. The project is funded by a grant from the US Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

A growing number of school districts are hiring teachers from other countries to fill vacancies in math, science, and special education. Teacher retention is difficult in poor areas, due to lack of teaching materials and books, and disruptive students. Teachers hired from overseas are often more willing to adapt to these challenging conditions. Advocates suggest that besides ensuring that there are people staffed to teach students, foreign teachers can enrich students' education by exposing them to other cultures.

Bicycle racks that combine security as well as aesthetic interest are sprouting up around the nation. In New York City, bicyclists can chain their bikes to a stylized dollar sign; in Portland, Oregon, to a pair of giant toothbrushes connected by floss; and, in Louisville and Mount Clemens, Michigan, to sea creatures. Supporters note that, for a relatively small investment, these clever bike racks can improve a city's civic atmosphere and can motivate people to get out of their cars and onto bicycles.

In Minnesota, a Twin Cities car-sharing program will use solar power to charge its plug-in hybrid vehicles. It is the nation's first car-sharing program to use solar-powered cars. The initiative comes from HourCar, a nonprofit that rents out cars by the hour or day. The effort is being sponsored in part by the Minnesota Office of Energy Security, which provided the $18,000 grant to pay for the solar panels.

Technology has allowed a new form of political expression, along with traditional buttons and bumper stickers, to take place during the recent campaign: posting a ballot online. With "myBallot," Facebook users in Colorado were able to cast a virtual vote, displaying their choice for all elections and ballot measures within their zip code. The tool, designed by a nonprofit organization, may have contributed to higher turnout among youth by allowing them to see their friends' opinions—research shows that peers' opinions influence young voters more than parents or teachers—and by familiarizing them with all the issues on the ballot.

The US Environmental Protection Agency is partnering with the nonprofit, World Resources Institute, to increase awareness about the importance of ecosystems and their "services"—the multiple economic and health benefits that they produce. The collaboration will combine the scientific research and best practices from these two organizations to improve the efforts of businesses, local and state governments, researchers, and international organizations to protect the environment and address climate change.