Green Living: a series in which we provide tips to help you implement practices, habits, and products into your life which respect and work towards the redemption of God’s creation.

 

In the wake of the Gulf Coast Oil we want to spend some time providing you with tips to reduce your consumption of oil. Why? Because there is a sense in which we are all complicit in the oil spill (more on this later). In order to help prevent future disasters we must begin to reduce our own consumption. Lower demand = lesser drilling = fewer spills. At least that’s the theory. So, we begin in the most obvious of places: transportation.

Oil spill seen from space

The first alternative to traditional gas-guzzling transportation is walking. I know, I know. It’s totally obvious. And yet, it seems that it is very much ignored in many communities. Yes, people walk their dogs. Yes, they walk to the park. Yes, some kids walk to school. But not many walk for transportation to work, church, or errands.
 
Of course, not all of us live in a place like New York City which seems to be built for foot traffic. That said many do live in cities where some things are accessible by foot. When was the last time you walked to the grocery store? The pharmacy? Church? Many of these places are located within a mile or two of us. It is doable.
 
The great thing about walking for transportation is not only that it comes at zero-cost to God’s creation, but that it helps you live a healthy lifestyle as well. Now, when you think of this in terms of overall miles saved, perhaps its not too much – 50-100 a year if you replace one driving trip a week with walking. It is not a lot of money saved either. But just think of the effect when multiplied across your city. Or the nation. Now the numbers are enormous. Oil production is adjusted somewhat. God’s creation is better cared for.

 

So, what is holding you back? Why not try to replace some car trips with walking this week?

 

Keep in mind that this is part of broader strategy to cut consumption. Stay tuned for the next part in our alternative transportation strategy next week.

 

  

*Image of oil spill – http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/ / CC BY 2.0

*Image of pedestrian – http://www.flickr.com/photos/myahyaorg/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

 

Also consider:

Green Living: #6 Public Fruit

A Prayer for the Gulf Coast Oil Spill

 

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