Why drive when you can walk?
I've been trying to compile ways to help teach my son to join me in being GREEN. One of the things I've been doing is to walk.... a lot! Not as a health program, but as a way to cut down our Co2 emissions. I live about a mile from the library in town, and since my son loves going there we have designated one of his older backpacks as our "Library Bag". Once a week he and I walk to the library, spend time picking out our books for the week, and walk back. This is obviously keeps us a "Greener" family (excuse the pun!) It also keeps us closer too. He and I have had great talks during that walk. Discussions about his friends, his school, what his feelings are about so many subjects... it's great, really. I thought it may be interesting to buy a pedometer for each of us, spend a week monitoring how many miles we walk, then checking out one of the Co2 calculators that are online now to figure out the emissions we're NOT using by walking as much as we do. Maybe I'll make a race out of it! Whomever saves a set number of emissions first using our pedometers will get a prize! Of course, my prize will be a new pair of shoes. I know his will be a new skateboard. I was wondering if anyone else out there has any tips to share about helping our kids lead greener lives. Any tricks? Ideas?
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Well, I am the kid in the family and I've encouraged everyone to stay green in my family.
One idea, if you have younger kids is to make their old things into new ones.
For example: If they have a an old shirt they don't wear, you can spend time with them to make something like a name tag or a new shirt.
I know...not the best example but, it can help you get closer to your kid in the process.
Step It Up!
you know iam first one come here .their is no matter of teaching
it is all about your learning about nature.iam green because my city is small as well as having beautiful green long hills.in india mainly in your villages full of long trees ,grass,flowers and pleasent climate so,iam just saying you will green automatically
as your attracted to nature
My new house is within walking distance of everything I need...5 minutes to walk to work...20 minutes to walk to my father's who lives on the other side of town and about 3 minutes to walk to the shops.
I have never learnt to drive and have no desire to do so. Walking is not only my main means of exercise and transportation, but is also so much better for our world. A true win/win all around!!
"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear"--Buddha
I have to say that walking/biking and taking the bus is sooo much easier when you live in a planned city. I once lived in a community that had wide sidewalks, bike lanes and clean frequent busses. I regularly ditched my car for these alternatives. However, now, I live in a rural community where it is really dangerous to be out on the road.
Perhaps we need to take an initiative to local towns about installing sidewalks...
Think Globally, Act Locally. ~Michelle
I agree about rural living and the danger of walking without sidewalks or even a good shoulder.
I do plan trips to town, mostly in my hybrid, and when I have done days with errands I stay home and play in the garden on other days to try to balance things out.
I do have the advantage of no real neighbors so I can do my eccentric "green or natural" gardening without peer pressure to copy the rest of the neighborhood.
I can relate to your location with no sidewalks. I grew up in a small town where downtown was a 3 block radius, and everybody lived in the boondocks (country). There was no choice but to drive, especially during a Michigan winter. But there were a couple ways we made a change, just simple things. Carpooling. Consolidating trips. When you have errands, try going out once a day, and completing all your errands in one trip. If you must drive, try parking in a place where you can then walk to all your locations.
I believe that for green initiatives to really catch on with everyone, even the people who don't feel so strongly about going green yet, we need to teach people that it isn't all or nothing. Even the smallest steps can lead to big change.
I agree with you Michelle, without sidewalks and cars flying down the road - it is quite dangerous, especially in winter when the snowbanks make the road even more narrow. When I go for walks, I actaully drive to an area that has sidewalks - not the most green way to do it, but safefy first
Hi
i also believe in safety first. Where i live your chances of being mugged is quite high - then again you have the same chance of being hi-jacked (car stolen) so its a lose lose. quite sad.
I was stuck in heavy traffic on my way to
Boston this morning- when I saw a sign for the commuter rail. What an idea! I pulled off, got on the next train, and am writing this comment as I roll into Boston- cheaper than Boston parking, less stress and less carbon in the atmosphere. I've got to plan for this in order to get places on time- but I make up for the slightly longer commute by doing work or catching up on reading or calls from the train. Much better use of my time than behind a steering wheel, and better for the planet (and us)!
Joe
That's great! Get some work done... not having to deal with traffic... save some money... Perfect!
I live where I have public transportation readily available. But in the past I've lived in a public transportation-less area.
I did some car pooling, biked a few times to work, but I must say having trains and such is far easier to schedule around!