June 2008 | On Our Radar
Don’t just get mad...Get active
By Summer Bowen
Is your wallet on empty from filling up at the pump? The bad news is we’re competing with rapidly industrializing countries for a nonrenewable resource, so it’s not likely to go down. The good news? There are plenty of things we can do to save cash and curb our environmental impact.
» If you can’t afford that cute new Prius just yet, try saving pennies by cutting mpg. According to the Car Care Council at CarCare.org, drivers can save up to $1,200 a year in gas by driving a well-maintained car. Properly inflate tires, switch out spark plugs and air filters and use a lower viscosity oil.
» Don’t be a drag. Make your car more aerodynamic by taking off roof racks and rolling up your windows when going over 35 mph. Oh, and take that rock collection out of your trunk... according to DailyFuelEconomyTip.com, for every 100 extra pounds in your car, you reduce gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent.
» Play hooky. Try working from home once a week, or rearranging your work schedule into four days. Imagine the effect of 20 percent reduction in commuter traffic and greenhouse gas emissions. Pitch it to your bosses while reminding them the company can save money and increase productivity by letting you work at home!
» Ditch the car altogether. Public transportation is getting savvier. Check with your local station for trip planners, or plug your destination into Google Transit Maps for the perfect route — it even shows cost savings from taking public transportation vs. driving.
» Graduate to a two-wheeler. Save on gas and join a growing community of people with smokin’ legs. Seattle-based Cascade Bicycle Club, (cascade.org), the largest bicycle club in the US, has more than 9,000 members and a monthly rides calendar. Build or pimp your ride at Bike Works (bikeworks.org), Seattle’s only non-profit community bike shop or roll with a crowd (last Friday of every month) with Seattle’s Critical Mass (seattlecriticalmass.org).
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