What a wonderful weekend of stories and images of people all over the globe getting out of their cars and comfort zones and creating their own energy by walking, biking and by getting their family, friends and fellow citizens to join them. We need to have this happen everyday if we are to mitigate climate change; the greatest environmental challenge to our species ever. We need to push our policy makers to understand the seriousness of the situation; that we only have this one chance and limited time to stop this environmental destruction which could lead to the end of life on our planet as we know it.
Moving Planet 2011. This human sign from Melbourne...how cool is this?
As I read about the green initiatives being taken in some parts of the US and the world I must admit to some jealousy because although some of us in my area have been working to raise environmental awareness for most of our lives and considering that Florida is extremely vulnerable to increasing violent storms and rising water due to the warming oceans there is not much planning and activism on this crucial issue. Indeed, the governor of my state recently rejected a proposed high speed rail commuter line that had been 20 years in planning. My local area does not even have curb side recycling despite many years work by local citizens to have it implemented. There is some small effort being made to make biking and walking more attractive and safe but it is quite slow and for the most part this area remains an example of car culture run amok with heavy traffic and inefficient planning.
So how does a lifelong environmentalist reconcile living in an area now dominated by conservatives who have never seen property development they didn't love no matter how damaging to the environment? One way is to work continuously to change the political situation. More and better democrats indeed nationally and locally. Another way is to try to live your values despite the hostile environment.
Living deliberately in a sea of red is a challenge and I've been determined to make it work for me and to show others here that there is another more sustainable way to live. So I will show what moves me around my world in the most sustainable way given the lack of supporting infrastructure and political will to make necessary changes.
One of the most important actions I've taken to support a low carbon lifestyle is a move to a walkable neighborhood. That means that I can do most of my shopping including food purchases by either walking, riding my bike or public transport.
So yes, moving around my small part of the planet includes almost always wearing some practical shoes which can go from a long walk to being safe on a bicycle or jumping on a bus.
This is similar to my bike which is invaluable for errands. For you who do spend a good amount of time riding a bicycle I don't have to tell you that you have to dress for riding comfort and safety. Unless I am at work or out socially you will find me in shorts and t-shirt. Given our climate it is the way to dress flexibly for an active lifestyle. I even wear my hair long and straight because it makes for easier maintenance and I can pull it back under a baseball cap which I use to block the sun's glare as I don't like wearing sunglasses while walking or riding a bike.
The local bus system is what usually moves me to work and longer trips. It's not ideal
but I am making a point and I do have a generous colleague who lives nearby and often offers a ride to work when we have the same schedule. For payment I offer a homemade veggie lunch. I think that's why she's so generous.
It takes a long time to move around the planet using Greyhound but it's not as bad as it used to be as most of their buses include wi-fi and electrical connections for phone charging etc.
But, the most effective individual action I take to support a low carbon lifestyle and to help to mitigate climate change is my diet which is vegetarian/vegan.
A vegetarian in a Hummer produces fewer carbon emissions than a meat eater in a Prius. But, a vegetarian on a bike is much better
So that's me a vegetarian/vegan on a bike. It can be done even in our brutally hot weather. What are the challenges to living a low carbon lifestyle in your area?