It's expensive. I rarely use it. It's bad for the environment. It's $4,000 that could pay off my credit cards that's sitting in my parking lot. But here's the thing ... it's my car.
OK, so it's not Kitt from Knight Rider. It's a '99 Saturn. But it's carried me to Boston and back at least a dozen times. The driver's seat fits me more comfortably than Linus fit his blanket.
Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment has just launched the Green Living Challenge in partnership with Arlington County, and as ACE Board Chair and an environmental blogger, it's time to put up or shut up. One of the key criteria is joining a car-sharing program like FlexCar or ZipCar, and there's never been a better time for me to stop putting it off and sell my car.
And that's really what Fresh AIRE and the Green Living Challenge are all about: Stepping out of your personal comfort zone for the good of yourself and your neighborhood. Giving up the convenience of a paper coffee cup can save dozens of pounds of trash a year. Installing a rain barrel can ease the burden on our runoff-damaged streams.
Like you've always heard -- think globally, act locally. Because if we don't act, who will?
Miles Grant
Chair, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment
You could save 4000 bucks by getting rid of your car?
How much would you get if you sold your car? You could also donate the proceeds to your local enviro charity!
I've never owned a car, driven one and barely got my license so I don't know what it would feel like to part with a car. But just for the extra 4k a year, I would it! To top it off it's good for the cause? Do it!
Posted by: Debbie | February 02, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Ditto! My husband and I moved to Clarendon about a year and a half ago and promptly sold 2 cars. We sold the cars shortly before gas hit $3/gallon, and are very pleased with our decision. I blogged about my "3-2-1" experience on the commuterpage.com blog: http://commuter.typepad.com/commuterpageblog/2006/10/three_two_one.html
Posted by: Diana Sun | January 30, 2007 at 05:41 PM
Good for you Miles. I am duly impressed. That's a big step.
Posted by: Eric | January 30, 2007 at 09:43 AM
This is a really admirable program. As a person fresh out of the midwest, where I had to drive everywhere due to a lack of public transportation, I commend anybody who can part with their vehicle. It's true, it would be financially beneficial to the individual, but also so beneficial to the environment. What a great program!!
Posted by: Lacey | January 29, 2007 at 04:59 PM