They say the human species’ great natural advantage is the ability to adapt. I’ve decided to adapt and tell Big Oil where it can go.
I’ve committed to implementing a seven-year plan toward independence from single occupancy of gasoline-fueled vehicles. It’s very simple: I will start this year by arranging my life so that one day a week, I do not drive a conventional car by myself. Next year, it will be two days a week. The following year, three days a week, and so on.
I’ve experimented with “green” lifestyle for decades. But the car thing has been difficult as I haven’t had the bucks to buy a hybrid car. And relying solely on public transportation is only realistically possible in a few select cities in the
Part of my motivation in implementing this plan is to do my part to slow global warming. But a much larger part is because I am so angry at Congress,
And now the public is whining about high gas prices. I am sympathetic to all the unfortunate homeowners who bought the American Dream in the form of big houses in the ‘burbs, and SUVs for commuting. I’m sympathetic because their leaders should have provided more leadership. Political leadership has again proven to be an oxymoron.
Europeans have been paying a great deal more for gas for decades. They don’t subsidize oil companies. Instead they subsidize health care, education and public transportation. Do I think the American public could endorse similar policies? Only if it gets over its sense of entitlement that because we’ve long squandered a disproportionate share of the world’s resources, we should be able to continue to do so indefinitely. World population has doubled in the past fifty years. It seems like the smart thing to do is share resources, not fight over them.
But without a practical plan, my anger is only hard on me. This simple plan provides a manageable way to harness that energy. In year one, all I have to do is rearrange my schedule so that one day a week, I don’t drive. (By my rules, it doesn’t have to be the same day each week.) That gives me a whole year to figure out how I’m going to manage to stay out of the car two days a week next year. In the meantime, I’ll start testing the bus system.
A year is also long enough to build the strength and confidence to ride my bike more often. Bike riding requires a different wardrobe and carrying less stuff around. But in a year, I should be able to eliminate stashes of makeup, pens and excessive paperwork. I’ll find a lightweight notebook computer. I can learn to coordinate the bike and bus routines. It looks cool to see people ride to a bus stop, plunk the bike on the rack in front and then climb in the bus. Soon I’ll be one of them.
Another thing that can happen in a year is to figure out what errands to eliminate. Maybe I’ll buy a little photocopy machine ending trips to the copy shop. Maybe I’ll start buying postage online and have the post man pick up packages, as the post office now advertises. I could plan two weeks of meals at a time and go food shopping half as often and coordinate with a friend to shop together, or carpool to meetings.
If need be, seven years is long enough to plan and implement major life changes—such as a change in occupation or residence—to become less reliant on cars. It’s also long enough to save money to purchase a different kind of vehicle. If I can’t afford a new hybrid or electric within seven years, there should be more used ones available.
They say that within a seven year period, every cell in the body has been renewed and we each are, essentially, a totally new person. Since, in the end, I am the only person I can change, I commit to becoming a different transportation consumer in that time. Habits may be difficult to change. But changing them is not impossible. I’ll be blogging about this personal evolution here and welcome your input on how to plop that bike smoothly on the bus bike rack.
> COMMENT ON THIS POST
25 comments:
We all have to start somewhere. I appreciate all the tips that people are posting on the web that can help free us from fossil fuel dependency.
Question: How many miles a year are you doing now (write it down and make a note of it.)
I drive less than 6 days a week now. It helped to move downtown. Last Saturday I didn't drive; instead I walked to the museum for the Science Cafe.
Are you only going to look at cars as a way of cutting down on the carbon footprint or are you looking at other lifestyle changes as well?
My personal evolution to-date includes being a vegetarian for more than 25 years, not only being a compulsive recycler but helping establish recycling programs in the phone book industry, composting, buying used, eschewing materialism, moving toward an edible landscape in my backyard, and being involved as an activist in campaigns to save wetlands, marine mammals, coastal resources, broad dissemination of environmental information over 27 years (see www.earthalert.org), and an ill-fated attempt to sell recycled products.
I don't know how many miles I drive a year. That would be a good thing to start keeping track of and I think I could backtrack and find mileage figures from car maintenance records.
What my plan has done for me so far is to start getting me away from the knee-jerk reaction of jumping in the car to run to the store to buy some ingredient I forgot to buy, or some other little errand...
Some thoughts:
* I agree that 'political leadership' has become an oxymoron, so we must act personally and locally to create change, and I commend you for doing so much in that area, Janet!
* While we are taking personal responsibility to reduce fuel consumption, we would be wise to simultaneously work to take our country back from the corporatists controlling congress. We need publicly funded elections in order to return the power back to the people. It's being done in some places already. See more at www.publicampaign.org
* Certainly if even half the commuters in the US adopted your exact 7-yr personal plan, we'd significantly reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions... even in the first year... all the while saving lots of $$$ on gas.
*It seems like a simple and doable plan for most people living in areas with good mass trans or in moderate climates. Individuals, of course, should feel free to start out with as bold a plan as she or he can manage :0)
*While bike shopping one day, I met several individuals who have been totally car-less for some time, which is very encouraging.
*Some of us planning to start using a bike for running errands live on a steep hill (think foothills of Albuquerque) and can't manage the bike ride back up the steep hill - especially with groceries. Moving to a flatter area isn't currently an option for me, but a drive/bike combination would be one temporary solution: drive down steep hill (1/2 mile) with bike, park car and use bike for errands, drive the groceries and the bike back up the hill.
* I'd personally prefer a bike that is fitted with a rechargeable electric motor for getting back up that hill, so if anyone knows where to get one, please post it here!
Thank you for your time and energy that you spend for the greater good. I try to adapt: by buying in bulk; eating food grown locally; walking more; riding my bike; gave up bottled water; gave up plastic bags and plastic clothes. But most importantly, I try to pay attention. I find when I get stuck in autopilot, I fall into the least productive habits.
Your are an inspiration. Keep up the great work!
I live in LA, where it's nearly impossible to get around with any level of efficiency without a car. However, I have been restructuring my life to drive less by buying more things locally, avoiding wearing dry-cleanable clothes, and walking to restaurants and movies.
I haven't driven for 3 months now. I've spent the summer in Damascus, Syria, working with Iraqi refugees (blogging at www.PeacePATHFoundation.org)....and walking or sharing cabs everywhere. I'm thinner, stronger, and can't wait to continue a more walker-friendly lifestyle at home!
Janet's piece inspires me to continue finding alternatives to my car, for a healthier planet and a healthier me.
Kelly Hayes-Raitt
www.PeacePATHFoundation.org
I live in LA, where it's nearly impossible to get around with any level of efficiency without a car. However, I have been restructuring my life to drive less by buying more things locally, avoiding wearing dry-cleanable clothes, and walking to restaurants and movies.
I haven't driven for 3 months now. I've spent the summer in Damascus, Syria, working with Iraqi refugees (blogging at www.PeacePATHFoundation.org)....and walking or sharing cabs everywhere. I'm thinner, stronger, and can't wait to continue a more walker-friendly lifestyle at home!
Janet's piece inspires me to continue finding alternatives to my car, for a healthier planet and a healthier me.
Kelly Hayes-Raitt
www.PeacePATHFoundation.org
I know that my city has motivated individuals to help with saving energy. Carpools are encouraged, biking and public transpotation. However, I am like many people, who has too much going on to use these methods, so other than 2% solution, does anyone have recommendations? Thanks, TLT
I thought I was doing pretty good on being "green" before I took those two quizzes, especially the Eco-footprint one. I can see that there's a lot more i could be doing, and I'm going to start as soon as I can. I can definitely do things like using a canvas bag for for groceries.I've been a vegan for 8 years, which is something that means alot to me. I think I might be posting this in the wrong section...oops
What makes environmental issues social?
Each one of us is faced with environmental issues daily. The issues arise while we purchase food commodities, pay our bills, address health concerns for ourselves or loved ones or acquire durable goods. For some the bottom line in these issues is monetary while others consider the long term effects on themselves and others. Regardless of the point of view, environmental issues impact us on a personal level. The environmental issues are social in nature because they affect how we perceive ourselves and interact with others when going about our daily tasks. Developing a greater understanding of the lasting effects of our Eco-footprints, making strides to reduce it and passing these concepts through enculturation to our children will make a greater impact on environmental issues than merely addressing them at a local, national or global level. When a child is taught from an early age to turn off a light when it is not in use, recycle or simply put on a sweater when cold these concepts will be part of who they are and how they leave their Eco-footprint. When the media and governing policies echo the same messages the most change will occur. After viewing both presidential candidates energy policies, I believe that John McCain's Lexington Project has the potential to have a greater impact on environmental issues. Barack Obama's plan to provide immediate short term relief to American families in the form of a $1,000 will be little more than another economic stimulus check. Historically, without environmental stresses effective adaptive change will not occur. In a nutshell, if it doesn't hurt there won't be change. The Obama short term relief plan will interfere with this process unless guidelines are in place to insure that the monies go to increase individual's personal commitments to reduce their Eco-footprint. Perhaps individuals receiving the monies would need to provide proof that it went to weatherizing their home, purchasing a more eco-friendly mode of transportation or energy saving devices used in the home and therefore, make a greater personal commitment to doing their part to implement positive changes for our environmental issues. My personal commitment plan is to continue to hang my laundry out to dry, purchase food commodities in bulk when possible, combine tasks involving driving a vehicle and raising children who are thoughtful and purposeful in reducing their Eco-footprint.
I agree that we should all be telling "Big Oil" where to go.
The fact of the matter is we can only change ourselves and hope that someone will follow our lead. My mom is very "green." She inspires me to follow her carbon footsteps :) She lives close to work and before she retired would ride her bike to work, unless it was snowing. I have not gone that far yet. I do carpool whenever possible. I have also toyed with the idea of starting to ride my bike to school.
I think we all need to make a concious effort to become more eco-friendly. It will catch on and become more mainstream. It won't happen overnight. We all have to keep making better choices for our future and the futue of this precious planet.
I believe that environmental problems are societal problems. In the U.S. people spend too much money on luxuries, consume too much food, pollute the environment with gas from their SUVs, accessive waste, hobbies (e.g. 4wheeling, video games, etc.) waste energy and natural resources. The Disney Pixar animated film, WALL-E, is a pretty good story that shows us how much we waste and the path we are going due to our waste,over consumption and just plain laziness. I did not learn too much from friends and family, I learned more from classes I have taken; and, have promoted protecting our environment to them.
On the Eco footprint quiz I got a 66. I do as much as I can for the environment, with the exception of drinving, I live too far and have limited time to use public transportation. Otherwise, I would use public transportation all the time; I do use it for work activities. I also knew most of the information on the food quiz. I wish that organic food was less expensive, with a tight budget I buy as often as I can to reduce waste, and to eat healthy. I learned that you can never know too much and that it is very important to conserve our environment; and, to continue to recyle every little bit counts. (If you do not think you can help,the 2% solution is a great way to start.)
My energy use can make a difference by just turning things off when not used or unplugging items when not in use. Small things can bring large impacts if everyone does there part. I never use to understand second-hand stores and refused to go into them. Now, I love them! I buy mostly books, and sometimes I find other items that can use, especially clothes for my children. Most items are in very good condition, they are cheap and buying them saves on excess waste.
As far as the two presentidential canditates' energy policies, they both have strong opinions and goals to reach. The one I will focus on is fossil fuel. They both find it necessary to cap emissions and the importance to drill off-shore. I really pray the one who becomes President will follow through on the promises. I look forward to seeing more alternative resources and some funding going towards the alternative. For example, money towards recycling the millions of gallons of vegetable oil at fast food restaurants to convert to automobile fuel. TLT
I think that the best way to be energy efficient is to start with ourselves. We cannot control what the government or our neighbors do, but we can drive less or turn lights off that we are not using. We can all recycle, buy a reusable water bottle or wash our clothing less. If every person did one small thing that was healthy for the environment we would make a huge difference. And that is something that people can start today, we do not need to wait for the government to try new energy idea or enforce new laws we all just need to make a simple change. It takes every single person to act on their own and together so that things can change.
Are environmental issuse social issuse?
Why yes they are. Society as a whole has to become aware of their roles and responsiblities in perserving our environment. We have one planet and we need to make sure that it is liveable for future generations.
I learned through the Eco footprint quiz and the food quiz that I need to become more aware of my resposibility to the earth. Although, i consider myself andmy family to be energy considerate i learned that I could do more.
My energy use decision may seem minumal from a wolrd view but it could make a huge change. The more I become energy considerate the more my children will learn. Since children learn by example my example should be profound.
Each candidate has promised to investigate alternative fuel sources and create US jobs in doing so; however their time application is unrealistic to complete during their term.I prefer John McCains energy plan beacuse it is more realistic exploring a variety of fuel sources now.
The problems with the environment affect all of us, and they are linked to all of us. We learn living habits from those around us whether they are good or bad. And the way we were raised, and the areas we were raised have a huge impact on how we live in this world. Everyone has different ideas about what is happening to our world, some people think that it is not a big deal, and others see that it is an actual problem and can look to the next few years to see how we will be affected by letting this continue. It is important that we talk about what is going on with the environment with others so that we can collaborate and reach an answer that works for everyone. In the eco-footprint quiz I was not too surprised that I scored a 45. I know that I do a few things that make a difference such as recycling and turning lights I am not using off, but I could also be doing much, much more. As far as the problems with the food industry and its effects on our environment I knew about all issues the 'food-quiz' raised. Until it started to poorly affect my health I was a vegetarian for 3 1/2 years and I learned a lot about the benefits of a vegetarian diet to the environment. If everyone person did something small to change the way they live and conserve a little more energy it would create a huge effect on the amount of energy that we use. If every person did one thing to conserve energy on a daily basis we could change the world. As far as the presidential election coming up, I think that Obama has a better plan for the long term. It may cost more but it will pave a more energy efficient road for the future. McCain's ideas will work for right now but they will not help the future. Eventually we will have to spend a lot of time and money so that we can become energy independent and we might as well start now. Obama will put into action what we need to do now, what we need to get started so that future generations can have an energy efficient lifestyle and a clean environment.
Environmental problems are definitely social...what we do alone, as a family, etc. directly begin to impact society as soon as we take our opinions, actions and habits outside of our home. I took both the Eco fooprint quiz and the food quiz. I wasn't surprized that I am a novice person when it comes to my being "green". I had learned a lot of the information in the food quiz in a few of my CNM courses. The energy use decisions that I make definitely make a difference. It is probably a good think that there are a lot of people who are a lot more "green" than I am...and I know my kids are learning to do a better job than I have. Unfortunately I have had such a busy life lately that I let convenience get in the way of making better energy decisions. I don't want to discuss Obama vs. McCain because I don't think either one of them will really be able to solve such a huge problem. I am not saying that to be ignorant, I just personally feel that one man is not going to have THE answers.
Heidi M. CNM student
Heres a few thoughts of my own on the subject of environmentalism as a society. First, environmental problems are made social due to two main processes. The first of these is, because we are all inhabitants of this planet, we are all neighbors, to a degree. What we do in one part of the world will affect another, either environmentally, financially, or otherwise. Secondly, the processes of our actions, in regards to the environment, always start out through and idividuals choices, that snowball into a nations choices, and then invariably, the worlds. The planet contains many finite resources that we are using at a rate that is not sustainable. I learned in the eco footprint quiz that if i had the money to afford energy star appliances and efficient housing insulation it would reduce my footprint. In the food quiz, it claimed that there are other ways to feed us other than overpopulated farms. But, even today with a proliferation of these CAFO's farms every 3.6 seconds someone dies from hunger, including people in our own country. The "facts" that were presented on that .com website, do not account for the hundreds of millions who do not have enough to eat when they make claims that we should invest in lower efficiency farms. Not to mention the fact that land on which to develop these lower density farms cost's money and with 3 billion people a day trying to get by on 2 dollars a day, i doubt they could afford the increase in cost that is sure to come along with these lower density/efficiency farms. Everyday, i live a life that is moderately in line with these quiz's not only because of the environmental aspect, which is important, because i do realize that this earth has only finite resources, and consumption must change, but shearly out of cost. I dont have the luxury, or the mentality, to pay for things i simply do not need. Whether its a light being un-used, a massive suv or truck to, 95% of the time, transport only myself, and needlessly put others in harms way with my false illusion of safety in a larger vehicle. My friends and roomates have nicknames me the "energy nazi" due to my habits of consumption. Conversly i believe that many of the ideas that hardcore environmentalist have are pipe dreams or only solve part of the picture. For example, both canidates plans call for plug in vehicles, but they fail to mention that the majority of the energy needed to fuel those vehicle has to come from somwhere, and right now that somwhere, is the mostly dirty, relatively inefficient coal power. I know that only a combination of re-newable energy sources can help us with this situation, but i also believe that the fastest and best way of creating better energy is through the proliferation of nuclear power. But, we also need to affect the other side of the equation and bring down our consuption as Americans signifigantly. When people were complaining of 4 dollar a gallon gas, i almost welcomed it. It got those horrific inventions of suv's, and non work trucks, off the road, at least temporarily. Yes it hurt my wallet, but because i only drive light, efficient, 4 cylinders, i was not nearly as affected. As far as the governments role though, lets discuss how i view the presidential canidates policies. Well start with Obama. Like McCains, many of his policies are vague, making statement without solutions, with a lot of fluff and buzz words that people want to hear but, lets focus on the ones that i consider to have merit. Incentives for green energy sources are good. Both canidates focus on a cap and trade program, but i think that will only make the huge corporations that we already have even bigger, as they will eventually monopolize the cap programs, thereby putting smaller competitors out of the market. I think a better policy would be a cap on total emissions period, one much like the un-ratified kyoto treaty. Increased fuel standards are also great, but even better would be even higher fuel standards than CAFE, that put unnecessary vehicles in the recycling yard. Ethanol is nice, but people often neglect that it is one of the major causes of the worlds rising food prices, and if you think you have it hard, try feeding your family on 2 bucks a day. Cellulosic ethanol is the answer to that problem. The biggest negative aspects of his plan are, the swap of oil from the strategic reserve, the windfall "carrot", and, the "use it or lose it approach to leases". Because that will simply encourage lower fuel prices and therfore increase consumption, which is not what we need. The clean coal program is nice but it is still years away from deployment and we need solutions now. McCains plan is similar, and as such we will focus on the major differences between the two. Until we perfect cellulosic ethanol i disagree with the focus of mccains FFV program, we should never put a choice between our full gas tank, and anothers full food plate. Increased oil production through offshore prodution, is another aspect i disagree with. I like my beaches clean, and lowering the price of oil, in my opinion is not in this nations longterm interest, but lowering dependance on foreign oil is definately. The best way to do that though, is conservation. They both mention conservation, but neither seemed to have a effective and sweeping plan to enact it. I prefer McCains plan based solely on the merit of it having mildly less government internvetion, and a focus and willingness to use the great tool of nuclear power. The simple fact of the matter in all this, though, is as i stated earlier. It is not governments that have the greatest power to change, but all of us as individuals. Imagine if everyone was an "energy nazi" how much we could save. Through what we as a society determine is prudent, neccessary, and sustainable in our own day to day lives, we have the greatest power.
I was captivated by the video "Story of Stuff" it was so interesting, very one sided, but I do believe it to be very accurate. I wish videos like this reached more of the public, it's very eye opening. It's not like all of us haven't heard of the damages we and huge corporations are doing to the earth, but its very rare that people would take the time to research and see what is going on. The author of this video is trying to make us aware, and stop us from being just mindless consumers. I went shopping yesterday, I did not think of one single point the author made while I was buying jewelry and clothes and cute presents for my boyfriend. Today I feel a little embarrassed of how much I fall into a category. I am the average American who gives into the media. Next time I’m about to make a purchase you can bet I’ll ask myself some more questions like, “Do I really need this?” “Will this be one of the 99% of the materials I purchase that I wont even use in 6 months?”.
When environmental problems become social it is because these problems have been ignored for so long, and become so big, that it has the potential to effect all of society if left unsolved. Global warming, is one such issue, and its come directly from our over consumption of the world. This issue will only be solved when all of us, individuals and huge corporations, change our way of thinking and adapt healthier, less harmful habits. As individuals we can all do our part by car pooling, taking the bus, walking, or riding a bike to cut back the use of oil. We can also recycle, which helps cut back some of our wastes. This next one is a far fetched idea, because I don’t have faith a lot of people would participate in this, but lets trade the stores and the shopping for reusing and changing what we already have. Or even get the urge to shop out of you by going to garage sales, you’d be surprised at what you can find and its just another form of recycling. This way, instead of someone throwing something out, someone else can take what they don’t want and find use for it themselves. This way nothing is going to waste. On a larger scale, what our government could do, is come up with guidelines that corporations have to abide by, ones that limit the toxins used to produce materials, limits the poisonous exhaust the factory produces, and so forth. This would never have happened when Bush was the president, because his closest “buddies” were in fact those in charge of major corporations, but now with Obama in the White House there is a potential for beneficial change. I also think that we should have strict laws regarding how much a person wastes. Yes this is America, land of the free, but apparently we’re not responsible enough to make decisions concerning the earth and it’s resources. We need to limit ourselves and I don’t think we will do it until its too late, or until its forced by law.
My focus while reading the top 10 stories of 2008 was redirected when I noticed that I had not heard of any of these stories. I mean there was one or two obvious ones like the gas crunch and how many drivers parked their cars and stayed home or rode the bus, but other than that I was completely unaware of these so-called “Top Stories”. This made me wonder if I was a prime example for most of my generation and I believe I am. We are so unconcerned with anything but ourselves and are immediate lives that is pathetic. Our mind focus needs to be redirected to a more global mind set instead of just me me me me me. I am not the most important thing in this world, the world itself is the most important thing and most of us our treating it like a piece of trash. And even when important news stories like these come to our attention and pop up in the media, our modern day bible, we STILL pay them no attention or give them any thought. Its sad. And something needs to change. I sincerely wish that all classes required attention to such important matters.
Story of Stuff: Very interesting. Some of this info I subconsciously knew, we all do, but had never presented in this way. It makes you think. This video is very informative. The main points I’d like to point out is first the U.S. consumer, this is fascinating and as the video presents it, is very true. Products designed to be obsolete and unusable in mere months. Why not make a computer that is forever upgradable, if you want to upgrade? Second is the point about toxins, which seems like a vicious circle in my eyes. We designed newer homes to be safer because that is truly important, but the substances that allow this safety (or better grant this safety) contain toxins harmful to us. How do you get around that? Live in a toxin-free more easily combustible home? Doesn’t really sound like an option. I’m having a had time thinking of a any conclusions the video made that I am against. Face it, when you look at this section of the U.S. we don’t have less and less to be proud about.
Top Ten Stories: #6 plays a big part in the points made in the ‘Story of Stuff’ video. Congress lifts the ban and allows 600 million acres to be drilled as close to three miles from the coast. Anne Leonard comments about the consumption of the environment to supply our ‘needs’ for consumer goods. #6 is a prime example of how we have further the consumption of the planet to sustain our consumer lifestyles.
1) What makes ‘environmental problems’ social? When the climax of a certain environmental state starts to influence our culture and way of life. Petrol fuels are a good example: Gasoline has changed our way of life over and over again (and this planet’s). Imagine if Henry Ford didn’t invent the ‘internal combustible fuel engine’? What would our world/social world be like?
2) The Eco-footprint quiz showed further how deep and wide that footprint is. I can sum it up in two words: “My god!”
3) For an individual to make an environmental difference falls on the same attitude during the Presidential Election where every vote counts. Some believe it, some don’t. Same with the election, we all have to contribute to make the difference needed. At some point this will happen, but it will be enforced by the Government because we’ll need to to sustain life. Hopefully we can turn it around before it gets to that point.
4) What can Congress/President do to address environmental problems? Hate to say it, but further regulating vehicles fuel consumption and emissions would help. The problem with these issues is that the Government steps in (in cases where it truly would help) and people will still protest because they dislike change in their lifestyle (or cannot afford a new car.
Post above left by H. Wyatt
Environmental problems affect everyone in society; because we dump our waste in another country doesn't mean it's gone, it's just out of site, out of mind. The eco-footprint quiz was veryenlightening, I didn't know how big of a footprint I was making, or the things I was doing that were making a big positive impact, either. I have been a vegetarian since I was 12; so for almost 20 years. My old roommate used to give me a hard time because anytime I would go to a friend's house, I would always come home with at leatst one bag of recyclables. lol
Changes come in the form of both individual contributions, like taking recyclables from your friend's, and in the form of local and national legislation. One example of a local environmental policy change that could, and should, b pushed for in my home city of Albuquerque, NM, is trying to get more ofa focus on mass transit. For a city as large as Albuquerque to only have a bus system in place for local commuters, is a crime! While I think that Obama will push very hard towards getting the ntion greener, it is important for individuals to push their local governments and state governments, as well as continue to push the federal government, to work on programs such as mass transit, recycling, HOV(high occupany vehicle) lnes on their highways, and many more issues; whatever is important to you as an individual. Well, together we can become the change we want to see.
Environmental problems affect everyone in society; because we dump our waste in another country doesn't mean it's gone, it's just out of site, out of mind. The eco-footprint quiz was veryenlightening, I didn't know how big of a footprint I was making, or the things I was doing that were making a big positive impact, either. I have been a vegetarian since I was 12; so for almost 20 years. My old roommate used to give me a hard time because anytime I would go to a friend's house, I would always come home with at leatst one bag of recyclables. lol
Changes come in the form of both individual contributions, like taking recyclables from your friend's, and in the form of local and national legislation. One example of a local environmental policy change that could, and should, b pushed for in my home city of Albuquerque, NM, is trying to get more ofa focus on mass transit. For a city as large as Albuquerque to only have a bus system in place for local commuters, is a crime! While I think that Obama will push very hard towards getting the ntion greener, it is important for individuals to push their local governments and state governments, as well as continue to push the federal government, to work on programs such as mass transit, recycling, HOV(high occupany vehicle) lnes on their highways, and many more issues; whatever is important to you as an individual. Well, together we can become the change we want to see.
The Enviromental problems of today are very social, because our actions as the inhabitants of this planet affect our everday lives. We produce to much, we consume to much, and we waste to much. We are a very materialistic society, and they needs to change immediately. The Story of Stuff video brought out this point. We as a whole, have gone from a society that could live off the land to a society that lives off of the big corporations. We have become brain washed by the big corporations to consume products not needed for sustanial living. I personally can change by one not watching t.v., for its ads that say "I suck" compared to everyone else and their personal items. Also I can watch my spending on things that i don't need, and which will probably break within the next few months anyways.
From the eco-footprint and food quiz, I learned that I myself could make a huge differrence in my personal consumption and waste.
Our local state and government, along with the President could put stringent laws towards the production on toxin-full products along with consumer restrictions, and publisize certain media that gives a thorough yet positive message like the "Story of Stuff" video. I really liked this video, it broke down all of the negative effects that we as people have on this planet. We only have one shot to keep this planet alive! There is no restart button! The Green stories, were also very thorough in what the Bush administraion has done to our nation, but also how Obama is hopefully the big step in re-uniting this country.
We definitely need to wake up and start living healthier and greener lives. Education is the key, in my opinion. We need to teach the younger generations how to live green and eat healthier. I know that my future children will be raised differently from myself in that sense.
*Environmental problems are most definatly social problems. In our scoiety we have until recently put our earth to the back burner in comparison to other issues and we are now reaping the benefits. The ozone layer is depleting, global warming,our carbon footprint, other issues should have been thought about and brought into our everyday lives years ago and we wouldn't be as far into the situation we are in now.
*From the quizzes I learned there is a lot more to saving our environment and even the little things can help if everyone is doing them. Its not just about driving less there are a number of things to do that anyone with any lifestyle can do their part to change.
*Changes need to be made by individuals as well as by groups in our society. We individually can do a lot like walking when possible, using less water, unplugging appliances we are not using, ect... As a group police could check emissions on cars they pull over or see are releasing a lot of polution, government can offer rebates on buying energy efficient appliances, cars, ect...
*In our state they have done things like through PNM for people who have had goveners or something like that, put on their air conditioners and heaters to help save energy. As for the president there are programs for people who have bought hybrid cars to have a portion of the purchace or something as a deduction on their taxes.
Being “green” is not so difficult when it is how you live and when it is all you know.
Born and raised in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles, I am the eldest of an uneducated and non-English speaking single mother who never learned how to drive, so I grew up without a car.
Although I am college educated, and I speak English, I also do not drive. I have never had a driver's license and at this point, I don't expect I will ever need one. Next year, I turn 50.
Instead, I use mass transit, I walk, take cabs and carpool on occasion, but mostly I ride my bicycle to do most errands and to go to work, carrying groceries, laundry and anything else in a backpack. In spite of a couple of serious accidents in 2006, I am back riding.
My question...If “Cash for Clunkers” is available to environmentally conscious drivers, what type of credit is available to someone like me who is committed to the idea that another car on the road, especially an L.A. road, is of no benefit to the environment (pollution), to fellow drivers (possible danger) or to me (cost)?
For those that think it is an impossible feat, I am proof that it is not!
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