Kristin Eberhard, Legal Director, Western Energy and Climate Projects, Santa Monica

In case you are caught, as I am, between the desire to get the new iPhone 5 as soon as it comes out, and the need to get around in ways that don't involve carrying 2 tons of metal, an internal combustion engine, and 4 empty seats with you, I have good news. OpenPlans.org is developing Open TripPlanner Mobile, an open source application that will put transit, walking, and biking directions back on the iPhone. And not just the same old directions, but multi-modal trip planning with personalized travel preferences. And the promise of continuing evolution because it is (get this, Apple!) open source.

But they need your help! As I post this, they are 24 hours and $3,000 away from their funding goal on kick starter. Go now and make a $5 tax-deductible donation to make sure they are able to build the app, and that you get your own copy once it comes out. (Or you can give more and get a t-shirt and transit poster and stuff.  Personally, I donated $150 because I think they are awesome, and because I wanted to be ...

Link to original article / Continue Reading...

On Switchboard, NRDC experts respond to the day's news and share their views, insights and expertise on energy conservation, global warming science, and many other environmental topics.