TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION GUIDE TO GREEN LIVING

In our car-obsessed culture, getting from point A to point B can be hard on the environment., but it doesn’t have to be. Check out these easy steps you can take to help – both in your travels and once you reach your destination:

Ø  Consider alternative modes of getting to work, the gym, the grocery store, or to an event. Some ideas, ranging from "light green" to "forest green:"

o   Walk. Get some fresh air and exercise, and find out how quickly you can get across town on your own two feet.

o   Ride your bike. You’ll get there even faster and can easily make the most of your commuting and errands if you need to travel only a few miles.

o   Telecommute. Working from home, even one day a week, can make a significant difference in your productivity. You won’t be sitting in traffic and will have fewer distractions.

o   Take the bus. Bring along a good book, your favorite hobby or your laptop.

o   Carpool or vanpool. Share the gas, gain access to the carpool lane and let someone else do the driving for once.

Ø  Idling causes lots of air pollution and wastes gas. Besides, your car does not typically need to be warmed up for more than 15 seconds before driving and—contrary to popular belief—it doesn't wear down the starter to turn the car on and off when you're waiting for longer than a minute or so. Think of all the air pollution that’s created by parents and buses waiting for kids to get out of school, and save those little lungs and a little gas at the same time.

Ø  Less weight means better mileage. Every pound counts, so get rid of that case of water you've been toting around with you.

Ø  When you're traveling, let the hotel's housekeeping staff know that it's not necessary to change your towels and sheets daily. You wouldn’t change the sheets every day at home, would you? Re-using sheets and towels while traveling can save a tremendous amount of water, energy and detergent.

Ø  Remember all the good habits you have at home when you go on vacation: When you leave the hotel room, turn off the air conditioning, heat, lights and TV. Just because you’re not charged extra for the electricity doesn’t mean you should waste it.

Ø  Save valuable time and gas money by having your kids take the school bus, or letting them ride bikes to school if it’s close enough (and they're old enough). If your kids just can't bear the thought of taking the bus, organize a car pool with other families in your neighborhood.

Ø  To get better gas mileage and create less pollution, take these steps:

o   Properly inflate your tires. Ask your mechanic or check your owner’s manual to find out what your tire pressure should be, and buy an accurate gauge to check your tire pressure every two weeks. If your tires are even a few pounds off, they can cause drag that eats up gas and creates more pollution.

o   Change your air filter every six months. A dirty air filter can cause your engine to work harder and use more gas.

o   Change your oil filter every time you change your oil. This should typically be done every 5,000 miles.

o   Have your spark plugs checked and replaced as needed. When spark plugs begin misfiring, they no longer burn gas efficiently and cause pollution and poor gas mileage.

o   Have your air conditioning tuned up on a regular basis.

Ø  The most popular roadside assistance service (and we’re not naming names) is also one of the strongest lobbying groups against public transit projects, fuel economy standards and bike paths throughout the United States. However, there is an alternative, Better World Club, that provides the same level of service—and also supports consumer rights, alternative transportation and a cleaner environment. Check out BetterWorldClub.com for more information.

Ø  It's easier than ever to stay under a "green roof" even when you're on the road for fun or for business. Increasing numbers of hotels around the world are making an effort to be eco-conscious by using less water and energy, creating less waste, supporting the local community and workforce, offering organic foods, and providing a healthy environment that considers the types of cleaning products they use, the beauty and bath products they provide, and the access to fresh air. Some places to research a green place to stay: GreenHotels.com, GlobalExchange.org, EcoTravel.com and EcoClub.com.

Ø  Processing regular film requires a lot of water, chemicals and paper. Digital cameras, on the other hand, allow you to take unlimited pictures with the same memory stick, keep only the ones you like, and share them online with friends and family—all without using material resources.