2007 - T minus 10

10 days until 2007 is here. Instead of concrete goals like "sell 84 million books," I am going to  focus on my daily approach to work and life.

In each action we take or situation, we can ADD, SUBTRACT, or have a minimal impact. For ourselves and for others. I think it would be useful to think about moving the overall life needle further into the ADD column. This can apply to anything.

Today I will focus on writing about transportation. In 2007, I would like to make more daily transportation choices that either ADD to preserving the planet or have a minimal impact. This means adopting the method of transport that has the lowest emissions. Walking or biking more, then public transport (tough one for me, I hate the bus) or my motorcycle, then the car. It also means batching car trips to reduce time on the road - doing coffee shop meetings on one day of the week instead of three. And doing business over the internet when possible versus hopping on a plane. And our next car will definitely be a hybrid (honestly, for the vast majority of people, buying an SUV or heavy gas guzzling car is simply irresponsible). Anything less than 40 MPH is not good enough (higher is even better). I am also keeping an eye out for a decent electric or hybrid motorcycle - several companies are working on them.

I will also be cognizant of the trips I cause others to make and reduce those when possible.

And I will not be afraid to encourage others to do the same. I intend to write my congresswoman to suggest they get rid of the business tax write off for vehicles over 6000 pounds (except for farmers or businesses that legitimately need trucks). Most of the people I know who have bought big SUVs to get the tax cut don't need an SUV at all.

Bill and I have a 2000 Kia Sportage - a small SUV - right now. We like to have it for big Costco runs and the odd adventure into the woods. We talked about what it would feel like to be without it and decided that's the right thing to do. We can rent an SUV a couple times a year when we need one.  So the Kia will eventually be traded in on a Prius. I'm selling my Saab Convertible, too. We think we can  get by with one car and one motorcycle, 4 feet, 2 bikes, 2 kayaks, 1 row boat, and 4 pulling dogs. This is not about money - we think it's just the right thing to do.

I want to feel good about my approach to greenhouse gas production from transportation.

ADD
SUBTRACT
Neutral

T minus 10 days to 2007. I will share other topics of approach over the next 9 days.

Goal - ADD more and in more ways.

Comments

[D'gou]

Renting a specialty vehicle is an excellent idea. I have had my 2005 Prius for just over a year now. If you fold down the back seat, you can hold a decent haul from Costco. There is a decent tax break for the Prius, or was, I haven't tracked that for 2006/2007.

We've even seen (in Western PA) signs for Prius rentals, which given the purchaser demand locally is suprising. Perhaps you could rent one in your neck of the woods, for a week, and see if you'd really like driving it. I love my Prius, but I don't expect everyone will be as zealous about the car as I. :-)

[Lisa Haneberg]

Yes, the Prius is comfortable. My only complaint is that it does not come in a convertible :-)

[neelakantan]

A very nice way of looking at transportation. The gradation, Walking or biking more, then public transport (tough one for me, I hate the bus) or my motorcycle, then the car - was good.