Walk...Don't Ride!

How often do you jump in your car only to travel a couple of blocks to your local coffee house or bagel store for a quick 'to go cup'? Think about it. What if, next week, you make a concerted effort to ditch the car and hoof it instead? As spring approaches, and bathing suit season draws closer, this could be the perfect opportunity to get some exercise, and help protect our planet.

Did you know (complements of "True Green" by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin):

• the average family car travels about 15,000 miles/year, generating nearly 6 tons of greenhouse gas pollution AND costing more than $2,500 in gasoline alone



• vehicle exhaust contributes to smog, which is responsible for killing 30,000 Americans each year - more than those killed in automobile related accidents



• every gallon of gas you avoid using saves 1.3 pounds in greenhouse gas pollution

So let's do the math. Let's assume that your local coffee house or bagel bar is about 1/2 mile from home or office. Instead of driving it, walk it. If we committed to substituting driving for walking a measly three times a week, we could save about 8 gallons of gas a year, reducing our individual share of greenhouse gas pollution by about 10.5 pounds! Multiply that by the millions of Americans who can contribute in this way, and the impact can be profound.

Not to mention that each of us could log about 150 miles/year on our pedometers - think about all those calories burned and lean muscle gained! It's a win-win situation everybody! SO WALK, DON'T RIDE NEXTIME!