| The fact is the simplest solution to stop global | | | | numerous health benefits to boot. |
| warming involves you making a major change in your | | | | By altering your life in this way, you can be a beacon |
| relationship to your car. | | | | for others who have yet to take the plunge |
| It seems that each passing moment brings more | | | | themselves. Changing light bulbs is not an act that is |
| facts about what some scientists say is the greatest | | | | visible to the public at large. Walking, biking and using |
| challenge that humanity will face global warming. While | | | | public transit are public acts which make a strong |
| no experts can really predict what will happen to the | | | | statement that you are committed to help stop |
| earth's atmosphere, the basic science is fairly simple: | | | | global warming. If others can see that you have |
| several gases are responsible for altering the way | | | | made this change in your life, they will be inspired to |
| the earth's surface and atmosphere absorb heat | | | | do the same, creating a positive feedback loop that |
| from the sun. Carbon dioxide (CO 2) is thought to be | | | | will catalyze grassroots reform-the key to |
| the primary gas responsible for the current warming | | | | overcoming this potentially devastating catastrophe. |
| trend. Do you know what is responsible for the | | | | The Simple Fact Is You Can Be Happier Without |
| majority of carbon dioxide emissions? It's the burning | | | | Owning Your Own Car If You Make Car Free Living |
| of fossil fuels. While global warming is a complex issue | | | | A Major Focus In Your Life |
| that faces every inhabitant of planet earth, there is | | | | If you are still reading, you probably take issue with |
| one simple solution that everyone can make to help | | | | the the idea of being happier without a car. But many |
| stop global warming. And you don't have to do | | | | people have kicked their habit of owning a personal |
| anything. | | | | vehicle and have not looked back. Your car may |
| The Major Issue To Address Is Your Addiction To | | | | seem like an indispensable convenience, but it is very |
| Your Car | | | | likely that your quality of life will improve if you're |
| That's right, you can help stop global warming by | | | | able to let go of your addiction . Take a moment to |
| simply not driving! Do you struggle to imagine your | | | | ponder the possible benefits: less time behind the |
| life without owning a personal automobile? You're | | | | wheel in traffic; a healthier body; one less major |
| certainly not the only one. America's love affair with | | | | possession needing upkeep; more free time and |
| the personal automobile has a history so long that it | | | | more money. Now consider the fact that the |
| is deeply embedded in our culture. You may see the | | | | average household in the U.S. spends 17% of its |
| automobile as more than a piece of technology, but | | | | budget on owning and operating personal vehicles . |
| as a staple of our material culture for the freedom | | | | Picture yourself free from that financial responsibility! |
| that it ostensibly provides. Personal automobile use is | | | | You will be able to spend more money on what you |
| a major contributor to global warming. On the bright | | | | enjoy or perhaps spend less time working. |
| side, you can make a big contribution to solving global | | | | As with other addictions, though, going cold turkey is |
| warming by refraining from using your automobile. In | | | | not always the most effective method. Try first |
| the United States, the only sector responsible for | | | | committing to using alternative transportation on one |
| emitting more carbon dioxide than transportation is | | | | day a week when you would normally use your |
| electricity generation. While reforms to make | | | | automobile. Gradually increase this as it becomes |
| electricity generation could take years of bureaucratic | | | | easier and work towards making more and more |
| process and infrastructure development, you can | | | | trips this way. As you continue to enjoy the financial |
| take a major step to help stop global warming today | | | | benefits of making fewer car trips, consider getting |
| by reducing your automobile use. | | | | rid of your car completely to realize the full |
| The Solution That Can Help You Stop Global Warming | | | | money-saving potential. This may seem like a |
| - Walk, Bike, and Use Public Transportation | | | | treacherous transition, but for occasional use, many |
| The fossil fuels burned while driving are immense. If | | | | people make use of car sharing. Car co-ops provide |
| you drive 12,000 miles a year in a car that achieves | | | | access to car for people who have given up owning |
| an average of 20 miles per gallon, that activity is | | | | a vehicle, but still want occasional access to one. Car |
| responsible for producing six tons of carbon dioxide. | | | | sharing is available in hundreds of cities. If none exists |
| This number may seem meaningless, but consider | | | | in your city, consider starting a car sharing co-op or |
| that the average American home and car are | | | | relocating to an area where you are not so |
| responsible for 7.5 tons per capita each over the | | | | dependent on your own vehicle. |
| same year you can see what a tremendous impact | | | | Only earnest efforts to avert this possible tragedy |
| driving has on the atmosphere. The American Public | | | | will be effective. Giving up your car may seem like a |
| Transportation Association reports that using public | | | | tragic sacrifice, but it pales in comparison to the |
| transportation results in half the emissions that would | | | | sacrifices that humanity and the earth will face should |
| be created by the same trip in a car. By walking or | | | | we fail to face the "elephant in the room" that is |
| biking, you are choosing a method of transportation | | | | global climate change. |
| that is not responsible for any emissions and has | | | | |