It's been the summer of limited transportation. The new to us used Subaru Outback we bought last November has been subject to an overheating problem our mechanic has not been able to fix, and we've had it in the shop or virtually disabled in our garage more than we've been able to drive it since sometime in June. This has left us begging rides, borrowing cars, riding the bus, walking, and more often than not, staying home.
It's while on those walks I think of Greta's admonishment to us all: We can fix this -- by stopping our use of fossil fuel. That translates to "not driving" for most of us. Unless you are fortunate enough to afford an electric car, and can assure yourself that the electricity required to charge it comes from wind, solar, or hydro generating plants, your options are staying home, walking, or bicycling. Public transportation helps reduce the use of fossil fuel, but is still dependent on it.
Our enforced reduction of fuel consumption makes me contemplate the voluntary steps we all should be taking, and makes me wonder how we can. But perhaps starting with small steps could be the catalyst to a richer, better, and more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. Here are some examples:
Making a trip to the grocery store into a community event: asking the next door neighbor to take you with them when they go to the store, or offering to take them with you. You may find they are lonely enough to enjoy even your company.
Finding closer sources for supplies: buying local has been recommended for years as the way to community prosperity.
Making do with what you have: rather than making an extra trip to the grocery for ingredients needed in a recipe, find another recipe or something that works as a substitute.
Choosing entertainment that is close by, or better yet, at home with friends and family. Instead of driving hundreds of miles to visit a national park, visit a local park.
Stop mowing so much lawn. This year I cut my mowing by more than half. Some of the area I used to mow is growing into woods faster than I could imagine, primarily with sassafras and paw paw, providing habitat for all kinds of critters. This year countless bugs, reptiles, amphibians, and possibly small mammals have not been blended into green black muck by my mower. The habitat nature is developing where I once mowed is infinitely more interesting than the blank expanse of grass.
This is just a starting place.
