hucky is being nice to hucky
I usually avoid the news like the plague because I believe mass media are pretty close to useless and are no longer able to remain objective or agents of positive change in the world. That being said, I saw a report this week on China and how Beijing is preparing for the olympics. One way they are doing this is to restrict vehicles based on license plate digits – odd plates alternate with even plates on the days they can drive. In essence, this cuts the number of cars on the road by approximately half. Not a cure, but still pretty freakin’ creative. It got me thinking. What if we all did something like that? What if I carpooled with my brother and on even dates we took my car and on odd dates we took his car? If everyone made this sort of effort, we could reduce fuel consumption and emissions, as well as traffic and driving stress. I for one plan to drive on only even days and bike on odd days once I am in a position to do so (I currently have a practicum 20 miles away and I am terribly out of shape). My brother already rides his bike to the same place and so I know it can be done – I also need a bike (hmmm…see saving money goal).
So my commitment beginning September 1st – ride or walk on odd numbered days and drive on even days if I want. Chances are that I will probably eliminate driving altogether once I gat a practicum that is closer to town and home.
Other things I am doing: composting food scraps for healthier soil, carrying water to the garden instead of using a sprinkler to save water, avoiding overpackaged foods and containers, using cloth bags for shopping and reusing any plastic bags we may have stored up, buying local products and services including choosing local produce and choosing not to buy foreign produce, and avoiding corporations like Walmart and Target (these corporations force local businesses out and then do not reinvest their profits in the community, thus starving the local communities and denying them the economic stimulus they need to thrive).
