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| posted Jul 13, 2007 11:12:03 AM | To All |
I try to do my part to reduce my impact on the earth. I recycle. I've switch to CFLs. I'm conscious to buy in bulk. I turn the lights off in my home as much as possible and turn off my computer when I'm not using it. I still need to remember to unplug appliances when I'm not using them. I know I need to do more and I will.
But, I can't give up driving to work. And every time I do, I feel guilty as I drive. I could look for a carpool situation or try the bus route. But that would take up time, which is something that I don't have enough of. In my defense, I do have a 7 month old baby at home which is a major reason why I don't like to leave for work much earlier than I have to, and there is no conveniant bus.
Do any of you suffer from car guilt? Or any other type of eco-guilt?
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Green is the new red, white and blue. |
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| posted Jul 16, 2007 11:29:15 AM | To All |
I feel your pain. I only drive about 6 miles to work, but it's not like I made that choice for the eco benefit, so I am not really going to take credit for that ;-)
I'd like to carpool. But it's definitely a challenge schedule-wise when you have kids with nannies or in daycare.
Seems like in this situation, the way to take a positive step on the transportation front is to get a car that gets awesome gas mileage, or get a diesel and use biodiesel. |
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| posted Jul 16, 2007 11:57:21 AM | To All |
On Jul 13, 2007 11:12:03 AM Jomamma wrote:
I try to do my part to reduce my impact on the earth. I recycle. I've switch to CFLs. I'm conscious to buy in bulk. I turn the lights off in my home as much as possible and turn off my computer when I'm not using it. I still need to remember to unplug appliances when I'm not using them. I know I need to do more and I will.
But, I can't give up driving to work. And every time I do, I feel guilty as I drive. I could look for a carpool situation or try the bus route. But that would take up time, which is something that I don't have enough of. In my defense, I do have a 7 month old baby at home which is a major reason why I don't like to leave for work much earlier than I have to, and there is no conveniant bus.
Do any of you suffer from car guilt? Or any other type of eco-guilt?
I definitely feel guilty because though I have a car and enjoy driving at times, I'm not as fond of it as I used to be. I really like public transportation and love the hustle & bustle of the city in the morning to get to work, and relaxing rides on the way back in the evening.
Unfortunately though, I'm really busy at work and outside of it, so it's difficult for me to give up 3 hours (1.5 each way) each day and ride three buses, since that's what it takes for me to commute 20 miles to my job.
Also, work can be unpredictable - sometimes I get out after 8 hours, and other days I may get out later depending on my workload, so I end up getting home very late if I don't drive.
I'm by no means attached to driving...but with public transportation taking so much time and my work schedule varying, it's more convenient for me to drive.
It's the reason I've began thinking of buying a hybrid vehicle in the future. |
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"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." -Aldo Leopold
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| posted Jul 18, 2007 9:33:01 AM | To All |
I totally feel guilty. I cringe when I see all the solo drivers on my way to work. At my last job I carpooled, and I loved it. We became friends, and both saved a lot of money and wear-and-tear on our cars.
My sometimes carpool buddy has been promoted (and has new job responsibilities) and doesn't want to be tied down to a schedule. Plus she's moving to a different area soon.
I've tried to figure out who else at work lives near me, but so far my one prospect has an unpredictable work schedule.
Lately, I've been working 12-13 hour days so I haven't renewed my search for a new carpool buddy.
I've looked into the bus, but it would take twice as long. And I'm not ready to do the bike-and-bus thing. I'm a newlywed and have a dog so I just am not willing to spend that much more time away from my family to take the bus.
Thankfully my husband lives two miles from his job so he bikes. I do drive a fuel-efficient car.
I've thought about getting a TerraPass. Has anyone done that?
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| posted Jul 19, 2007 9:50:17 PM | To All |
Maybe if you try to use a transportation diet you can minimize guilt. Try this. 25% driving car, 25% biking and walking, 25% mass transit, 25% anything else carpooling/airplanes/trains, etc.
Life is all about choosing a lifestyle. Choose wisely. |
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| posted Jul 22, 2007 7:01:37 AM | To All |
Yes, I have car guilt. I only work about 2 to 3 miles from my house. I have every intention of walking, but something always comes up and I can't because I have to go to the bank, post office, another store location that day or I have slept too long and can't make it to work on time. Also, I tend to work long hours on certain days and I am not comfortable walking home at night, even though it is only a few miles.
What I have done to help with the guilt is to make sure when I have to run errands for my job, I wait until I can do them all at once or right before I leave for the day and do them on my way home. Also, if there is a meeting out of town, me and my co-workers will carpool.
I guess that doesn't sound like much, but it is a start. |
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| posted Jul 23, 2007 11:19:22 AM | To All |
Hey vlilac - welcome to the forums!
It sounds like you're finding ways to keep your impact down, and taking steps to do it.
By the way - is that a Russian Dwarf hamster in your hands there? It looks like one! I love small hamsters  |
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"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." -Aldo Leopold
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