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Ed Begley Jr and 'the Science Guy' Go Head-to-Head in Eco-Rivalry

by Christine Whitney on July 18, 2008 at 01:07 PM


Back when we were kids, we always wanted what the neighbors had. Namely, Yodels, MTV, and a swimming pool. Now, we've outgrown our transfat envy, and don't really know who our neighbors are. But another throwback from our youth, Bill Nye the Science Guy, carries on the tradition of neighborly one-upmanship with his neighbor, actor Ed Begley, Jr.

This beef has nothing to do with who drives a faster car or has a bigger walk-in closet. The Science Guy and Begley are in fact locked in competition over who can make their home and its environs more environmentally sustainable.

The endearingly nerdy competition began almost as soon as Bill Nye moved into the neighborhood two years ago. A cute 83-year-old neighbor recounts "Bill announced it: 'I'm going to best Ed Begley at his own game. I'm going to get him.'"

Nye claims that Begley started it by coveting Nye's new solar panels while filming a segment of Begley's green living show 'Living with Ed.' The sought-after panels include a system which tells Nye when he's making more power than he's using.

Begley's comeback was a series of gnarly rain barrels which he uses to water the plants. Other features of his estate are an Astro Tuft lawn to cut down on water use, an outdoor solar oven, and a picket fence made from recycled plastic milk containers squished into boards. But Begley's still jealous of Nye's copper rain gutters and the solar-powered electric fence around his vegetable garden. Begley keeps snails away from his crops with a tray of beer. They flock to the beer like frat boys to a keg, and then drink themselves to death before touching the vegetables.

Nye admits that Begley's winning the friendly competish, having a 20-year head start and all. He also credits Begley for inspiring some of the changes he's made around his house. But Nye is miles ahead of EB in the aesthetics department. "Ed claims ...that he doesn't care how things look as long as they function well," Nye said. "I'm not in that camp. Things have to look good or don't bother."

We like this dorky eco-competition. So do many other neighbors, who now approach the duo for sustainability tips and info on how to make their own homes greener. We guess sometimes coveting your neighbors goods is really pretty ok. [Source: USA Today]

Tags: bill nye, BillNye, science, sustainability

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