Aboard SMART Train during preview ride

At Santa Rosa North Station

“Easy to use,” was the pronouncement by one cyclist, securing his bicycle during a preview ride aboard SMART Train. As a cyclist I’d wanted to observe these conditions for myself after reading a review by another SMART Train rider. ​

Paris Agreement: Sonoma County and city governments ‘are still in’

Sonoma County and local city governments are part of a national movement, declaring that they “will continue to support climate action to meet the Paris Agreement.” (“We Are Still In,” http://wearestillin.com/).

California ‘forges ahead’ toward 100-percent clean energy

California is one of dozens of state and local governments committed to fighting climate change, in spite of an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that the United States will put out of the Paris climate agreement.

Carbon-emission premium offsets impact of driving

In the majority of instances, we travel on-foot, by bus or bicycle to get where we need to go — but from time to time, there are occasions when, yes, we decide we need a car.

Dakota Access Pipeline: Not-driving as political protest

On Sunday, Jonathan and I took a wagonload of books — donations for Friends of the Library — with us on a two-mile walk from our apartment to Ashland downtown.

Thin Bins, collapsible food containers that fit in a pocket

Compact storage is important when you a) travel by bicycle or on-foot and b) want to bring your own take-out containers to combat wasteful restaurant practices of too-large, disposable boxes.

Multi-modal emphasis for road-performance rules

Photo credit: League of American Bicyclists Action Center

For an inspiring example of positive change through people’s actions productively directed: In mid-January, the U.S. Department of Transportation released system-performance rules for major U.S. roads. The rules set “multi-modal” performance measures for for air quality and ease of congestion, and require states to establish targets to increase bicycling, walking and public transit.

Too much box for these left-overs

Seriously?

Among wasteful and ridiculous practices associated with dining out: was it really necessary for three tiny slices of pizza to be packed in such an enormous box? This is why we’ve placed an order for reusable, collapsible, easy-to-carry containers. No more depending-in-vain upon restaurant wait-staff to responsibly select our containers (which are still, ultimately, disposable).

Also posted to The Autistic Gourmand

Political protest? Start thinking ‘eight moves ahead’!

by guest author Jonathan L. Donihue

O.K. folks, let’s get serious now. So far all the “fighting” that’s been done has been on the level of protests. For all intents and purposes, this is about as effective as throwing a tantrum.

There are many other ways to apply pressure. Here are a few.

North Bay offers many transportation options

SMART Train travels through Santa Rosa rail crossing

If there was a “theme” to our Thanksgiving-weekend visit back to California’s North Bay, it was the ease with which we were able to get around via “active” and public transportation.

Dakota Access Pipeline: If you drive, you support it

Groups I subscribe to, urge “bearing witness” and solidarity for Standing Rock Sioux activists who oppose construction of a new Dakota Access Pipeline to deliver fossil fuels.

Driving isn’t inevitable

With one day left in the Oregon Drive Less Challenge, it’s great to see the growing count of vehicle miles saved: 614,041 as of Friday, Oct. 14.

Oregon Drive Less Challenge, Oct. 1 to 15

Whenever people talk to me about traveling to downtown Ashland, the hassle of finding a parking space invariably comes up. With the “Oregon Drive Less Challenge,” I’d like to propose a less-stressful scenario.

Rogue Commute Challenge update

One workplace down: the Ashland School District has formed a Rogue Commute Challenge team. I am now promoting formation of a team at the church where I work.

Take back the tap for ‘environmental justice’

Ashland Food Co-op in Ashland, Ore. has eliminated the
sale of single-serving bottled water.
Photo from the Ashland Food Co-op website, www.ashlandfood.coop 

Continuing with my suggestion that a nonprofit organization focus on individual impacts as part of an “Environmental Justice” campaign, “taking back the tap” could be another essential plank in an “Environmental Justice” platform.

‘Environmental Justice’ campaign must emphasize personal choices

In correspondence to an organization planning an “Environmental Justice” campaign, I urged that it consider the role of individual choices made by organization members.

Jackson County SMARTWorks: Mobile water station

“Water on Wheels”: That fresh, clean and mobile drinking water station viewed Friday during Fourth of July in Ashland, Oregon is a service of Jackson County SMARTWorks.

Consumer choices carry environmental weight

The message of two videos viewed this week for my women’s health class is that consumer decisions carry weight. The resulting impacts are entirely up to us.