After reading this post, don’t forget to enter our contest – you could win a new dishwasher. Plus, do you have your own story to tell? Send it to greenchallenge@canadianliving.com (no more than 300 words, please), and you could win one of 30 daily prizes.
Today’s winner is Carla Ehrenreich.
When I lived in the city I always rode my bike or took transit but now that I live in a small town and have kids I find myself driving all the time. We often end up driving the 20 km to a slightly larger town to do our shopping or go to playschool or gymnastics… you get the idea. I was feeling so guilty about all the fuel I was consuming until I heard a report on how slowing down can conserve gas. So I’ve broken my bad habit of speeding by putting the car on cruise control at the speed limit as soon as I’m on the highway. Then I started feeling guilty about all the speeders trapped behind me, until I decided that it just meant that I was being even more environmentally conscious by causing them to conserve fuel too. Keeping your tires well inflated and aligned also helps to decrease fuel consumption as does regular engine maintenance. Now if only I could figure out how to compost my guilt.
Thanks to Carla for sending in her story – and don’t forget, if you still haven’t entered, there’s still time to send your own story to greenchallenge@canadianliving.com.
Carla wins a gift basket of Bio-life green cleaning products, courtesy of Shoppers Drug Mart, including the following:
• bio-life 3X cold water laundry detergent
• bio-life liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets
• bio-life tub & tile soap scum remover and all-purpose spray
• bio-life glass cleaner and paper towels
• bio-life kitchen compost bags
• bio-life dish detergent in 2 wonderful fragrances
• dish rack, cleaning/drying cloths and scouring pads
• dust pan and brush
• luxurious bath towel and attractive laundry basket
Today’s code word: mileage
Read more:
• Cut your gas usage by up to 30 per cent
• Make your grocery shopping greener
• 5 ways to be eco-friendly at the office
Here’s my “one-day-a-week” solution to high gasoline costs. Just cut out using your car/SUV/truck (I drive a pickup) once a week, and use alternative means. In my case, I can easily use public transit. If only 25% of North American drivers did this, I am sure it would have an effect on oil demand (and be good for the environment)
Comment by Raymond Gork — April 25, 2008 @ 11:14 am