Living Car Free - Cities trying to go green thread.

Leave your car in the garage and walk, jump on a bike or hop on a bus or trolley. That’s the message Scottsdale wants to convey as part of its solution to keep the city’s traffic in check over the next two decades.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/103760

My aunt lives in Phoenix, and I've visited her in July and August. Cycling then would be a good way to get heatstroke.

Burlington Vermont is usually touted as the greenest city in the US. http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/travel/11327006.html

But there are quite a few other cities in the game (http://www.citymayors.com/environment/us_greencities.html)

I've been reading a book by Jane Jacobs who says that smaller, more localized governments are better able to respond to changing times and better able to adapt. Larger governments, both state and federal, take much longer to figure out a reasonable response to a situtation.

That's probably why right now the US States are way ahead of the federal government in responding to climate change.

Long story short: the old adage "think globally, act locally".

^^ great article looking at moving somewhere in the next couple of years.

I ride all year round. Not fun but not as bad as snow and ice.

In mexico, you wont imagine the miles some cyclist do per day. (the really poor people use their bicycle for transportation) yet, you wont imagine how many end up injured by cars.

That's probably why right now the US States are way ahead of the federal government in responding to climate change.

It could also have something to do with the fact that we have an administration in Washington that is beholden to special interests like big oil and big coal and doesn't give a damn about the environment. Instead of leading the way, they have stood in the way. Look at how they are trying to keep California and seventeen other states from establishing higher mileage standards for cars. For shame!

seattle's giving green a go, but the traffic is still insane.. and getting worse.

I think most cities are talking it up. That's good and I support it. But there need to be some economic changes to really make the world greener. (I mean things like tax policies, subsidies and encouraging green investment.) That would seem to require a nationwide effort. And for warming, we need nothing short of a worldwide effort.

In mexico, you wont imagine the miles some cyclist do per day. (the really poor people use their bicycle for transportation) yet, you wont imagine how many end up injured by cars.


Your logic is astounding. Have you considered a career in tabloid journalism?

Your logic is astounding. Have you considered a career in tabloid journalism? Hey, what's that all about? I got his point.

Your logic is astounding. Have you considered a career in tabloid journalism?

How rude!

Hey, what's that all about? I got his point.

Yeah that is true, because it was really relative to cities going green:rolleyes:

I already knew about Burlington and Portland. Seattle, from what I hear, is very bike friendly. Houston's claim to fame: number 5 on the air pollution list (smog).

I like Seattle. Don't like the surrounding cities as much, 'cuz they seem more car-centric, based on my experiences. If I could, I'd try to move into an apartment Downtown. Oh well, one of these days...

I agree about the traffic getting worse. Sometimes I wonder if I'm better off pedaling to my destination instead of driving. But then, I don't have a bike right now.

According to a New York Times article, “Only 1 percent of China's 560 million city dwellers breathe air considered safe by the European Union, according to a World Bank study of Chinese pollution published in 2007”. :eek:

Even more bad news for you GW folks, China will overwhelm any CO2 reduction in the west by huge margins. Read it and weep: http://www.321energy.com/editorials/dubyne/dubyne011208.html

Sigh :(

According to a New York Times article, “Only 1 percent of China's 560 million city dwellers breathe air considered safe by the European Union, according to a World Bank study of Chinese pollution published in 2007”. :eek:

Even more bad news for you GW folks, China will overwhelm any CO2 reduction in the west by huge margins. Read it and weep: http://www.321energy.com/editorials/dubyne/dubyne011208.html

Sigh :(

Do you have access to the per capita rates for China and the US?

Even more bad news for you GW folks...

Aren't we all "GW folks"?

^^ great article looking at moving somewhere in the next couple of years.

I ride all year round. Not fun but not as bad as snow and ice.

Hey! Riding in snow and ice can be fun! OK, it can also be a pain, ( Literally ) It's usually a damn good workout though.