Here's some things I need help with. If anyone has got any suggestions, whether practical, or philospohical, as to how we wean ourselves off these bad habits, I'd love to hear them.
We have two cars. My partner works from numerous sites all over town, and arguably, really does need his. I'd love to carshare eg http://www.goget.com.au/ and get rid of the second car, but we don't live near anything like that. Our public transport (though not bad for Sydney standards) also doesn't make the grade eg on mornings that require a kindy drop off and from there get to the city. Or groceries on the way home from work. I did get bike voucher (as requested) for Christmas, but my commute involves the infamous Heartbreak Hill(s); the Sydney region known for the worst drivers in Sydney, 50% 4WDs and no alternative backstreet routes. Since giving me his handwritten voucher, my partner has witnessed two serious bike-car incidents and is understandably concerned about safety. (I say him, but I mean me too).
I have lapses in vegetarianism (the boys and DH do not lapse, never having known anything else). These lapses have been occurring for almost 10 years. Environmental thinking is more likely to stay my fork than humanitarian thinking on the issue, when I'm faced with a tempting menu, so I try to focus on this. But still, my last screwup was only last week.
I know I should give up my New Yorker subscription, involving dead trees, significant advertising and a flight all around the globe. The articles are in any case online. But I can't bear to, not yet anyway.
2 comments:
I'm wondering about the car issue too. We are lucky enough to live close to school, local shops and friends, but the after school activity rush requires the use of a car, and I can't see a way around it. I am able to avoid some trips by alternating with friends but there is so much I can't change.
I have decided to switch to a dentist and a hairdresser I can walk to, and try to give trips a double purpose- ie squeeze in shopping during softball practise, and string two or three errands together in one journey. I have cancelled my gym membership because I thought driving somewhere finding a park then exercising was a whole lot of energy expended when I could get as much exercise walking the same distance and back and doing a bit of pilates at home. (actually, I never was a gym person anyway but I forced myself... maybe this was just my way of quitting gracefully...)
I love the idea of a bike, but its not practical around here either.
Hi Mandarina, I love your blog, I just found my way here from Enough :-) I have no useful suggestions for you I'm afraid, I just wanted you to know that you aren't alone: I too, struggle with similar issues... My feeling is that my journey is a life-long committment, so why beat myself up because I haven't "fixed" every un-environmentally-friendly aspect of my life yet? There time will come. Meanwhile, I will keep plugging along. Cheers!
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