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Drive Responsibly

On your next morning drive to work, look over at the cars next to you. How many people are in each vehicle? One? Maybe two? Is anyone in the seat right next to you?

As hundreds of thousands of people in this city alone make their way to work each morning – and take the same trip back in the evening – we are rapidly depleting our earth's fuel supplies and adding to our declining air quality. Carbon dioxide emissions from the consumption of gasoline, diesel and other fossil fuels are the principal cause of global warming, which brings health and economic risks from climate change. The United States is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide.

Bicycle, bus and train are all cleaner ways to go. Of course, walking is the greenest form of transportation. Another option is ride sharing (also called car pooling). Car pooling saves more than just precious resources; it limits the wear and tear of our roads, and by alternating drivers, it limits the wear and tear of your vehicle. Plus you get the added advantage of making new friends.

If sharing a ride is not an option, think hybrid vehicles. The hybrid market is ever increasing as more manufacturers jump on the band wagon, giving consumers several options for fuel-efficient vehicles. Have a large family? There are now hybrid SUVs, mini vans and station wagons. With fuel prices rising faster than we can catch our breath, hybrids offer between 34-56 miles per gallon, giving you even more reason to protect the environment and switch to a hybrid when buying or leasing a car.

Less fuel, less air pollution, less dependency on oil, less oil spills, cleaner air and water… and more money in your pocket. Sounds like a really good deal!

For information on how to reduce your dependency on fuel and your vehicle, check out the website for the local organization EcoCity Cleveland. Visit www.EcoCityCleveland.org and click on the “Transportation” link to view car-free options in Cleveland. Another website resource is www.greenercars.com.

Save Soil and Rain

Although many people have heard of composting, few actually have compost piles or tumblers. This simple yet beneficial process can help enrich your gardens while also reducing garbage. To learn how to get started, look up the plethora of available books, videos and web sites to help guide you in the process. Once you set up your own compost system, you can turn vegetable and fruit scraps, eggs shells, coffee grounds and yard waste into rich, productive humus for your gardens and shrubs.

Harvesting rain will reduce your water usage. It is easy to set up a simple system with rain barrels. Collecting rainwater in barrels is an ancient practice that first was done to protect people in times of drought. While drought continues to be a concern during summer months, rain barrels also help with rising water costs and overtaxed sewage systems.

Website resources: www.howtocompost.org, www.rainbarrelguide.com.

Rebecca Reynolds is a mother of three, an environmentalist and the creator and president of Green Clean, Inc., a socially conscious, all-natural, professional cleaning company. She can be reached at (440) 899-9295 or www.green-clean-inc.com.