Ending Fossil Fuels Is Not Enough to Save the Planet!

 











I really liked the article in the Baltimore Sun Feb 6 titled, "Forecast calls for pain", by Mike Tidwell. I truly believe in phasing out the carbon fuels and relying more on renewable energy. Putting a price on carbon is a great way to force out fossil fuels; an idea I had heard about first from as a Green Economy or Green Tax idea. A Green Economy is based upon taxing the "sin" companies and giving benefits to the green companies.

Having lived and traveled extensively in Germany I know that the US is way behind in truly living green and sustainably. In Germany renewable energy is booming, many people commute via mass transit, trains are a viable option to go anywhere in Europe, bicycling is very popular, organic stores are everywhere, extensive pedestrian walking zones in their cities, public parks make cities beautiful, recycling everything is very common, and people don't consume as much. Us Americans drive our cars way too much, we consume way too much, we waste way too much, we eat too much fast food, we don't exercise enough, all leading to an unhealthy population and a failing planet. However, as a whole, western societies are way too consuming and wasteful.

However, I think while most people in the US believe that humans are causing global warming, and that our abundant consumption of fossil fuels is largely to blame for this, most people don't know how to change and may be afraid of change, especially if it means a lower standard of living. Perhaps, environmentalists need to talk more about what life will really be like living without fossil fuels, since I think few people can imagine what this really means.

Also, I believe I had read an article Mike Tidwell had written a few years ago, extolling the virtues of becoming vegetarian or vegan, since these diets lower a person's carbon footprint tremendously. There was no mention of this idea in this recent article.

And, what about the massive consumerist lifestyle that many people live here in the US, whose psychology of all consuming without thinking about the repercussions is also a major contributor to the planet's demise?

It would be great if environmental thinkers would write more about the other issues affecting the health of our world than just the evils of fossil fuels.

I really appreciate Mike Tidwell's and his group's, the Chespeake Climate Action Network, efforts to make positive changes for our planet. Keep up the great work!

Create a National Bicycling Trail Over Pipelines

I have an idea of creating bicycling and walking trails mostly located within the right of ways of pipelines that travel throughout the US. Utility companies have installed many pipelines across the US that are maintained as tree free right of ways of various widths. Some are gas pipelines, some are for telecommunications, or a combination of various uses. 

These treeless landscapes are ideal for using as transport venues. All it takes is just adding an asphalt or gravel pathway and that is it. 

Of course, there are issues to deal with. Deals would have to be made with all of the utility companies. It would have to be determined if each right of way is safe to have pedestrians. The pipelines do cross highways and roads, so ways around these obstructions will have to be found. And, these projects would need to be funded and maintained by someone. Otherwise utility pipelines are a great resource that could be used for creating a national trail system.

If this idea is put into practice somewhere, please feel free to give me credit for the idea. Thank you!

Maryland Bicycle Symposium: Greening Our Cities

Blog post by Roland Oehme

ANNAPOLIS, MD — I attended the annual Maryland State Bicycle Symposium in the beautiful capitol of Annapolis on February 22. This annual event is open to everyone, and encourages the public to learn the latest in bicycle advocacy issues statewide.

During the symposium, I sensed an appreciation for past accomplishments as well as a strong desire to increase bicycle safety and awareness, and improve bicycle facilities and infrastructure.

In the United States (with the exception of a few regional examples like Portland, Oregon) most people cannot use bicycling as a safe and convenient commuting method. Bicycling is still rather an anomaly, used by only a few strong souls to commute and by suburbanites who recreate by first driving to bicycle trails– and they frequently have to drive many miles, since trails are not always located where people live.

This despite the fact that bicycle-friendly communities in any setting, whether urban, suburban, or rural, promote a stronger connection to local places and people, a healthier lifestyle, and cleaner air. ...

To read the entire article on SCGH's website, click here:

http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/green-news/maryland-bicycle-symposium-bike-friendly-cities-are-livable-cities/