Goal For The Green

More of us around the country are opting to use trains, buses, and subways to make our daily commute. With high gas prices, we have been forced to cut back on our personal driving and consider other alternatives. So, while saving on gas and exploring other options, some are finding that their commute takes less time, and is even somewhat enjoyable.

In the Seattle area, ridership on the Sounder (commuter rail system) has increased by 28% in the last three weeks.  In several large cities, transit systems are begging their riders to shift their travel to non-peak hours. This may give new meaning to flex-time in the workplace.  In San Francisco, seats have been removed from their subway cars, to allow more people to crowd in. In many places it is standing room only.

This should be the best of times for most transit agencies. Instead, many are struggling to accommodate the influx of new riders. Local and state governments, across the nation, are operating on very tight budgets.  Especially for busses.  Many transits systems can’t afford to expand.  After all, their costs are going up for the very same reasons we are leaving our cars at home- high gas prices. Some transit systems will be cutting back on service, even though ridership is up. They will be forced to raise fares just to cover operating costs.

Public transit has become the wisest economic choice in these hard times.  Ridership has increased by 3% across the nation for the first quarter of this year. For the first time since 1980, there has been a drop in the number of miles driven on American roads.

Any form of public transportation has always been a great community resource. For many it was an overlooked and last choice. Now, it is the most practical and viable choice.  High gas prices have given us the opportunity to consider public transit as an option to explore other alternative forms of transportation.

Everyday we hear it-gas went up again while we slept. For most of us, our wages don’t increase and our wallets don’t get fatter to accommodate the financial strain.

Can’t afford a hybrid? Maybe you love your vehicle,but you don’t get good gas mileage. What if I told you there was a way to change all of this nonsense and fight back.  You don’t have to put up with high gas prices anymore. You can double, and in some cases even triple your gas mileage. Wouldn’t you love to fight global warming while you drive and do it safely?  You can convert your car to a water hybrid easily,safely, and economically.

This clean burning fuel will add only water and oxygen into the atmosphere instead of harmful pollutants. It will remove carbon deposits and build-up from your engine, allowing it to run at a cooler temperature.  Due to the effect that water has on the combustion cycle inside your engine, you will notice a calmer, quieter and much smoother engine performance. Another benefit is no more smelly gas fumes.  Still another big benefit to making this change, is that you increase your engines life expectancy. The improved running performance will save you from the costly repairs of valves,pistons, rings and bearings later on. Find out more about how you can run your car on water here:

https://goalforthegreen.com/public_html/recommends/run_your_car_on_water/

Here are a few tips you can put into practice right away that take little effort and your wallet will thank-you.

Did you know that Americans idle away approximately 2.9 billion gallons of gas a year?  With the prices going up almost daily, that is almost $80 billion a year in wasted gas. Obviously, the less you have to stop and go the better. It also helps to maintain a steady, rather than fluctuating speed. Also, be sure your tires have the correct amount of air in them.  Just little things, but they make a difference in the air we breathe and in your wallet.

Just by turning off your computer when not in use, you can save about $90 a year. You can also save more by unplugging small appliances when not in use.  Every little bit helps, because even though it doesn’t seem like it, everything that is left plugged in still uses energy.

By signing up for Green Power, you are supporting the future development of renewable resources. Green Power, is electricity from renewable non- polluting resources like wind and solar power, that can be used over and over. Green Power usage does less harm to the environment.  Turning down your thermostat a couple of degrees can save you between 1-3% on your power bill. It might not seem like much, but it can add up considering 50-70% of your electric bill is calculated based on your heating and cooling consumption.  Wash your clothes in cold water.  This also makes a difference in your power bill.

Paying your bills online saves you time, money gas, and stamps.  It also saves on the amount of paper used to send you that bill.  To get rid of junk mail you can sign up ($1.00 fee ) at Mail Preference Service on Direct Market Assistance website. Most junk mail will stop within about 90 days. To stop opt-in offers from cluttering your mailbox, you can call 1-888-5-OPTOUT.  Follow the instructions, and you can opt out for 5 years or for life.  Next, it takes a little work with our at home printers but it can save a lot of paper if you print on both sides of the copy paper.  Here in the U.S. we use approximately 4 million tons of copy paper per year, most of which is copied on one side only.  That averages out to about 27-30 lbs. per person per year.

You can keep a lot of dirt, pesticides, and germs from entering your home and causing allergies or illness, just by taking your shoes off outside your door.  Something else to consider is to drink hormone free milk. It’s a healthier alternative. Thank goodness it’s the time of the year to start enjoying the wholesome freshness of the farmers markets for fresh fruits and veggies.  Here’s to your health and your wallet.