Every day you provide valuable, actionable, straightforward information. I would like to add that idling is a big issue. Turning off your engine is a simple act, saves you money, is better for your engine and keeps greenhouse gases from spewing into the atmosphere. (It’s also illegal in some states.) Please, turn off your engine.
I live in Washington, DC, a very walkable city with beautiful trees and parks to enjoy en route. For many, many years I've walked for nearly all my errands and I work from home so no commute. I made the necessary choices on behalf of the environment. Gotta walk the talk! It's a really lovely way to live. And...I feel you about your mom! I haven't seen my son and daughter-in-law in LA for 3 years. I'm reluctant to fly...and wonder if taking a train would be a better eco-option? Any thoughts on that? Thank you for this series!
That is a lovely way to live. I hope you can see your son and daughter-in-law again soon. A couple of years ago, I looked into taking that Zephyr train to Chicago, then transfer a bunch to get to Toronto. I will have to look into that again. I think I read that the emissions were pretty bad from that also but don't quote me on it.
Thank you for all the useful tips. I live in northern Canada so transportation is an issue on so many levels. I bike or walk as much as I can even when (especially when) the temperature drops below -40! I’d be curious to get your take on books and documentaries along the lines of « Bright green lies ». They suggest that while electronic vehicles do produce less carbon emissions than gasoline while on the road, their making produces a lot more (especially with the battery) than making a gasoline car, including the cars lifetime on the road. There are a lot of conflicting information and I’m not sure what source is reliable. Any thoughts or pointers?
My pleasure! I'm glad you find them useful. That is really cold. My sister used to live in Northern Ontario where the temperature would sometimes drop to -30s and I would go into shock every time I visited her. I haven't heard of Bright Green Lies but I will look it up. I do have a good source on electric cars vs combustion! How to Save a Planet did an episode on this topic. You can listen to that here: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/howtosaveaplanet/94hblz9
This is fantastic! So wise and I appreciate all the helpful suggestions, it's something I think about a lot too. Thank you for being wonderful! Rebecca
Another thing I'd like to tag on to the idling comment is the excessive idling that happens at DRIVE THRU coffee and fast food chains. There is a place for them - when you have a sleeping baby or toddler in the back seat, or your dog on a hot day, or during air-borne pandemics - but by and large, it's mere laziness that has folks sitting in their cars waiting for their order to be delivered through a window. If there are more than two cars in the line, walking in is a much faster, and cleaner, option.
The only hard part about not flying is ripping the band-aid off and facing that you are going to live sustainably. Nobody flew before 1903. Everyone can adjust, then life becomes much easier. Check out Flight Free USA and Flight Free UK. https://flightfree.org and https://flightfree.co.uk.
I challenged myself to a year without flying, expecting the worst year of my life, that I'd lose my income, and my family would disown me. Instead, within a few months I found not flying improved my life in ways I could never have imagined without personal experience. I challenged myself to a second year. That was 2016. I haven't flown since and expect never to again.
Every reason someone has for flying applied to me or someone else in those growing communities. Anyone who hasn't genuine tried doesn't have experience living how all humans did for 300,000 years. Over 90 percent of people alive today haven't flown. Only the very elite get to.
I love my Nissan Leaf! It is so quiet to drive, and where I live, I can find chargers easily. Surprisingly roomy, too, as I schlep the grandsons and their instruments (including a cello) to school.
Every day you provide valuable, actionable, straightforward information. I would like to add that idling is a big issue. Turning off your engine is a simple act, saves you money, is better for your engine and keeps greenhouse gases from spewing into the atmosphere. (It’s also illegal in some states.) Please, turn off your engine.
Thank you very much for the kind words and for bringing up idling. Turning off the engine is such and easy thing to do.
I live in Washington, DC, a very walkable city with beautiful trees and parks to enjoy en route. For many, many years I've walked for nearly all my errands and I work from home so no commute. I made the necessary choices on behalf of the environment. Gotta walk the talk! It's a really lovely way to live. And...I feel you about your mom! I haven't seen my son and daughter-in-law in LA for 3 years. I'm reluctant to fly...and wonder if taking a train would be a better eco-option? Any thoughts on that? Thank you for this series!
That is a lovely way to live. I hope you can see your son and daughter-in-law again soon. A couple of years ago, I looked into taking that Zephyr train to Chicago, then transfer a bunch to get to Toronto. I will have to look into that again. I think I read that the emissions were pretty bad from that also but don't quote me on it.
Thank you for all the useful tips. I live in northern Canada so transportation is an issue on so many levels. I bike or walk as much as I can even when (especially when) the temperature drops below -40! I’d be curious to get your take on books and documentaries along the lines of « Bright green lies ». They suggest that while electronic vehicles do produce less carbon emissions than gasoline while on the road, their making produces a lot more (especially with the battery) than making a gasoline car, including the cars lifetime on the road. There are a lot of conflicting information and I’m not sure what source is reliable. Any thoughts or pointers?
My pleasure! I'm glad you find them useful. That is really cold. My sister used to live in Northern Ontario where the temperature would sometimes drop to -30s and I would go into shock every time I visited her. I haven't heard of Bright Green Lies but I will look it up. I do have a good source on electric cars vs combustion! How to Save a Planet did an episode on this topic. You can listen to that here: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/howtosaveaplanet/94hblz9
Thank you so much, I’ll check it out!
This is fantastic! So wise and I appreciate all the helpful suggestions, it's something I think about a lot too. Thank you for being wonderful! Rebecca
Thank you very much, Rebecca. I'm glad you find the suggestions helpful :)
Aw yay Anne :) <3
Another thing I'd like to tag on to the idling comment is the excessive idling that happens at DRIVE THRU coffee and fast food chains. There is a place for them - when you have a sleeping baby or toddler in the back seat, or your dog on a hot day, or during air-borne pandemics - but by and large, it's mere laziness that has folks sitting in their cars waiting for their order to be delivered through a window. If there are more than two cars in the line, walking in is a much faster, and cleaner, option.
Oh it's so true. Drive thrus are terrible for the environment. And they can't be great for the workers either. Some cities have banned the construction of new ones: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/10/fast-food-cities-ban-drive-throughs-restaurants-climate-change-air-pollution/
utilize David Suzuki‘s mantra”if its less than 5 km, dont use the car”
That is a great mantra!
The only hard part about not flying is ripping the band-aid off and facing that you are going to live sustainably. Nobody flew before 1903. Everyone can adjust, then life becomes much easier. Check out Flight Free USA and Flight Free UK. https://flightfree.org and https://flightfree.co.uk.
I challenged myself to a year without flying, expecting the worst year of my life, that I'd lose my income, and my family would disown me. Instead, within a few months I found not flying improved my life in ways I could never have imagined without personal experience. I challenged myself to a second year. That was 2016. I haven't flown since and expect never to again.
Every reason someone has for flying applied to me or someone else in those growing communities. Anyone who hasn't genuine tried doesn't have experience living how all humans did for 300,000 years. Over 90 percent of people alive today haven't flown. Only the very elite get to.
I love my Nissan Leaf! It is so quiet to drive, and where I live, I can find chargers easily. Surprisingly roomy, too, as I schlep the grandsons and their instruments (including a cello) to school.