Walk more + meeting by Web cam = smaller carbon footprint
Local prof, assistant suggest ways to live green
Want to leave a fainter "carbon footprint" on the planet?
If you do, the University of New Mexico's Sustainability Department says it has the answer with its "Sustainability Coaching Kit."
The kit's authors, department head Bruce Milne and former sustainability student Mariel Tribby, suggest teaming up with a friend to keep on track and to "take baby steps at first and notice how your own perceptions change, making it easier to take the next steps."
In fact, the kit is broken into three categories in terms of cost ["really cheap", "affordable" and "expensive"] and in terms of effort ["baby steps", "even more effective" and "green hero"]. The activities range from walking more, to being wise about paper use to the really ambitious "develop an ecovillage."
While many of the suggestions seem obvious, there are quite a few that step outside the box a bit, such as reducing the amount you fly, as airplanes emit more carbon dioxide than any other form of transportation. (It suggests taking trips closer to home; going by car, bus or train; and conducting meetings by Web cam instead of in person.)
And the kit offers a bit of insight into added benefits one might not have factored into one's decision to, for example, ride the bus ("riding a bus is 91 percent safer than driving a car").
It's also chock-full of useful information, like links to Albuquerque's bus routes, the Rail Runner Express, carpooling sites and where to find New Mexico Park and Ride Shuttles.
The kit comes with instructions and a handy planner to keep track of one's progress.
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