Drive Less, Save Green

SierraScape February - March 2009
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Websites Help Locate CO2 Saving Options

by Jill C. Miller
Contributing Member

Is cheap gasoline here to stay? Don't bet on it, say analysts.

When gasoline prices spiked past $4 per gallon in 2008, millions of Americans were caught between a rock and a hard place—accustomed to inexpensive gas, but saddled with long commutes and thirsty vehicles.

In response to sharply higher fuel costs in 2008, Americans drove 78 billion fewer miles over a 10-month period, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Thanks in part to lower demand, gas prices have fallen recently. Most energy analysts, however, warn that the reprieve is temporary.

No matter what we pay at the pump, fossil fuels cost our planet much more. Every gallon of gasoline burned dumps 20 pounds of heat-trapping CO2 into the atmosphere, according to fueleconomy.gov, making transportation a major contributor to global warming.

So plan for a leaner, greener 2009 by using one or more of the following options.

  1. Telecommute to work. More employers than ever will allow employees to work from home at least one day a week, but it may be up to you to ask.
  2. Hop on the bus or MetroLink—and hope the failure of Prop. M doesn't mean service cutbacks. Plan your route at tripfinder.metrostlouis.org.
  3. Create a carpool. Find partners through a site such as www.eRideShare.com/carpool.php?city=St. Louis. Created in 1999, eRideShare.com has grown into the leading online carpooling site in North America, and was featured in Al Gore's book "An Inconvenient Truth". Search local ride offers, post one of your own, then contact potential partners. It's free. Organizations can also set up public or password-protected groups for employees and members.
  4. Share a car. WeCar™ is a service that lets you "borrow" a hybrid car whenever you need one, for a low hourly fee. Visit www.wecar.com/stl.
  5. Bike to work on mild days. Designated bike lanes and improved signage all over St. Louis makes getting around on two wheels easier than it used to be. For a route map and tips on safe bicycle commuting, visit www.bikestlouis.org/map.htm.

Whichever options you choose, you'll save money, reduce traffic and parking congestion, improve air quality, and help the planet all year long.

Last but not least, please continue to support policy initiatives that will put our planet—and our economy—on the road to recovery. Check out the Sierra Club's Smart Energy Solutions online at sierraclub.org/energy/.