How do we sustain ourselves as we work on sustainability? There is so much work to do, how do we keep from being just another group of American workaholics, set apart only by a bigger vision and slightly different consumption patterns?
It’s 3:49 a.m. as I’m writing (I have insomnia). My upcoming day, my recent days, [...]
Getting Consumed By Sustainability
May 29th, 2008 · 1 Comment
Tags: culture · life · sustainability
Carpooling Is Cool
April 28th, 2008 · 2 Comments
The financial benefits of carpooling, featured in a front page story of the Oregonian today, are only one reason that carpooling is cool. I’d say its coolness is embodied in four C’s: cash, congestion reduction, carbon footprint and community.
The carpool I’m in makes my commute between Portland and Salem a joy instead of a grind. [...]
Tags: 97215 · carbon footprint · carpooling · global warming · sustainability
Our Next Car: Prius Or Honda Hybrid?
March 2nd, 2008 · 6 Comments
With my new, longer commute we’re going to finally replace our single car, a 1993 Nissan Sentra, with a newer car. The question is: what car makes the most sense, given both that we’re thrifty and that carbon emissions are prime drivers of global warming (no pun intended)?
We sized it up last night, now that we’ve finished doing our taxes (we’re early this year). The Prius can get 50ish
Tags: carbon footprint · climate change · economics · environment · global warming · sustainability · transportation
The Real Cost Of Gas: $15/gallon
February 27th, 2008 · 1 Comment
Last night my friend Jean gave me the first chapter of Lester Brown’s book Plan B to read. Whoa.
I learned that when the International Center For Technology Assessment studied the entire cost of the gas in our cars, including the military costs of protecting access to Mideast oil and the health care costs of treating illnesses created by air pollution, what our country is really paying for gas is not
Tags: Uncategorized · carbon footprint · climate change · culture · economics · environment · global warming
I Won the Program of the Year Award for my work
October 21st, 2007 · No Comments
Happy day here in Portland, Oregon: I just got the good news that my trip-reduction program — the Carefree Commuter Challenge — won the Program of the Year Award from Transportation Options Group of Oregon.
I’m receiving the award this Wednesday October 24th at the conference in Seaside
Tags: carbon footprint · simplicity · sustainability · transportation
Secret Lover, Secret Watchdog
October 19th, 2007 · 3 Comments
The casual observer takes me for a mainstream professional in my 40’s. My secret identity as a passionate lover of public transit is revealed below for the first time.
My household’s single car is a well-worn, two-door 1993 Nissan Sentra. Paid for many years ago, our investment fund is now as plump as its floor-mats are thin. It sits humbly unused most days as we gallivant around on TriMet
Tags: carbon footprint · simplicity · sustainability · transportation