West End Markets
At the West end markets today, I noticed how many people were driving, walking, cycling to actually reach the markets. The markets have created yet another parking problem with cars in Brisbane - Brisbane is laid out so that it is tough to get around using public transport, most people own at least one car. And the majority of cars we see these days are big people movers, vans, huge 4wds, petrol guzzling tanks on the road.
But I digress.
So what is my point? Reading an article yesterday on Grist.org, one of the biggest things we can do as individuals for the environment is not to drive a car. To walk, cycle, skip, swim whatever. Anything is better than driving a car to go places and do things.
Yet most people drive to the markets, then spend ages trying to find a damn park, then shuffle off to the markets, green bags in tow, to buy some locally produced, organic veges or hemp clothing feeling in some way that they are helping the environment. Or not feeling as the case may be.
It is the bigger things that will make the most difference.
So I ponder on this as I walk back to my huge beast of car with its leather upholstery and wood panelling.
February 14th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Agree with the car sentiment.
Except cars wont go away while there is oil to burn and developers to pressure cities to build roads to shopping malls. We need to be wacked by climate change before we act. Look at the remnants of other civilizations. Its gonna be quick when it comes.
Hopefully it will only be a few years before most cars have an electric assist motor, like the Civic I think it is, so that all low speed driving (traffic lights/jams, parking station exit crawling, etc) will be all electric powered.
You can help by not buying a new car, well not just yet anyway. See how fast manufacturers respond. Not betting they will be in time tho.