Driving is what many people have to do to get around, and some have a passion for it! So how do you take care of the planet while getting around? Carbonfund.org, a nonprofit organization, lets you reduce your impact on climate change from auto emissions by supporting carbon emissions reduction projects in the US and abroad. An innovative truck stop electrification project, for example, lets long-haul truck drivers connect to electricity to heat and operate their cabs rather than burn fuel and emit exhaust. When you support these projects, which are third-party verified to reduce emissions, you are balancing out your own emissions. You can calculate and offset your auto and aspects of your carbon footprint at www.carbonfund.org/calculators. The organization also offers business programs for small and large businesses to reduce their climate impact and has a product certification program, featuring the CarbonFree® Certified label, the nation’s first carbon neutral product label.

The next-generation BMW 3 Series will again be offered in number of body styles, including a wagon, coupe, and cabriolet, which will keep the heavy and complex retractable hardtop. BMW will also offer a five-door hatchback dubbed the “Gran Turismo” which is based off of the concept of the 5-series GT but will be more car-like and less imposing on the road.

BMW’s diesel-engine lineup will largely carry over in Europe, but there are imminent changes for its current range of rewarding but thirsty gasoline engines. Variable valve timing, single- and twin-turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and stop/start systems are in the works for a new generation of modular, four-cylinder engines producing 140 to 230 hp. A 2.0-liter version with close to 300 hp is possible, but we are optimistic BMW will keep at least one of its 3.0-liter inline-sixes in the portfolio.

The 3-series will be equipped with a wide array of features such as lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and speed-limit recognition. BMW’s night-vision system is technically possible but unlikely to be offered in the 3. However, you will be able to tinker with the engine and chassis setup by means of a “driving dynamics” button.The styling of the next 3 will be a rather conservative evolution of the current model, with a protruding kidney grill similar to that of the 7-series and the 5-series GT. The interior will look decidedly richer and will lose the center hump that houses the current model’s optional navigation system.

Look for the next 3-series at the 2012 Geneva auto show. It should arrive at U.S. dealers later in 2012 for the 2013 model year.