Carbon Fast for Lent, Day 2: "Tread Lightly"

The First Monday in Lent:
“Tread lightly — whether that’s by foot, by bike, on to a bus, or on the gas as you drive. Find a way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions when you travel today.”

In August I will celebrate 20 years of non-car ownership. After adjusting to the shock that more than two decades had passed since I sold the beloved Jane Honda for a move to NYC, I was pleased to realize all these years without a car have been, well, pretty painless. When I moved to the Midwest a few years ago for grad school, I was greeted by an excellent local public transit system, and not long afterward a terrific member-based car sharing service. Grad school living has been more affordable without car payments, insurance, gas, and repairs — plus I actually enjoy taking the bus (less stress, more reading time). Sometimes it’s inconvenient in bad weather when I don’t want to wait outside. And I do love to drive! (It takes very little incentive to convince me to rent a car on vacation.) But overall it’s been an easy and happy choice.

My challenge for today’s Carbon Fast for Lent action will be to reduce further. I have a doctor’s appointment for which I had planned to use the Community Car (it’s cold today!). But to keep with the Carbon Fast, I’m going to take the bus instead.

Today’s mitzvah: Be kind to the earth. Check out all 40 activities in Tearfund’s Carbon Fast for Lent PDF.

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