Saturday, January 2, 2010
Climate Pilots
Today's Post contains an article about a group of four N. Va. families who are Climate Pilots, going Beyond recycling and light bulbs.They are Climate Pilots, guinea pigs in a Swedish experiment aimed at helping U.S. citizens understand that a lifestyle that curbs greenhouse-gas emissions is not necessarily oppressive, just different.
Many Americans have adopted small eco-friendly measures, such as recycling and installing compact fluorescent light bulbs. A number of Washington area residents have made more significant lifestyle shifts, commuting by public transportation or bicycle and adopting high-efficiency or renewable-energy systems for their homes.
At times, there has been a culture gap. Angela Ulsh, a Climate Pilot who teaches second grade at the school, remembered a video conference call with her Swedish coach in Kalmar, who mentioned he had used his car only three times during the past month. "You've got to be kidding me," Ulsh replied. "I've used it three times in one day."
Bicyclists in the U.S. are already leading the way by driving less and using bicycles for many of their trips. We're proving that is is possible to have a future in which people rely less on fossil-fuel vehicles and use more active transportation modes.Many Americans have adopted small eco-friendly measures, such as recycling and installing compact fluorescent light bulbs. A number of Washington area residents have made more significant lifestyle shifts, commuting by public transportation or bicycle and adopting high-efficiency or renewable-energy systems for their homes.
At times, there has been a culture gap. Angela Ulsh, a Climate Pilot who teaches second grade at the school, remembered a video conference call with her Swedish coach in Kalmar, who mentioned he had used his car only three times during the past month. "You've got to be kidding me," Ulsh replied. "I've used it three times in one day."
The Climate Pilots program has partnered with four families connected with the The Congressional School here in Fairfax County, on Sleepy Hollor Rd (a Preferred bike route by the way).
Learn more about the Climate Pilot program. In looking at the Traveling Challenge, we notice that there is little emphasis on alternative modes and more on saving fuel while driving smarter. Could be because the online tool used for tracking trips, Commute Greener, is produced by Volvo.
Labels: climate change, climate pilots
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