tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87311491778708232802024-03-18T20:00:46.471-07:00Musings . . . by Karen Lynn Allenthoughts on writing and life by the author of Universal Time, Beaufort 1849, and Pearl City Control TheoryKaren Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-42830227139208712272023-12-30T09:26:00.000-08:002023-12-30T09:26:13.771-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XlhyWEzNao6JTdiUdJ2yleFcpONEYnkcGHkiyiwnLv7JTzYi1Uthz_D74JSics8cTBdl301npdkoEqXXnAApI5F_tluXfKwoJqDugq3QtoqOa-J_-LO5xtINsCt34OR7XxndbN9gFmLMyPx4YayoOMPaGJCqe1_JVOuum1WA-cSV5uJwT8WXr604cO4/s4000/9780967178448-RGB%20Color%203.0.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XlhyWEzNao6JTdiUdJ2yleFcpONEYnkcGHkiyiwnLv7JTzYi1Uthz_D74JSics8cTBdl301npdkoEqXXnAApI5F_tluXfKwoJqDugq3QtoqOa-J_-LO5xtINsCt34OR7XxndbN9gFmLMyPx4YayoOMPaGJCqe1_JVOuum1WA-cSV5uJwT8WXr604cO4/s320/9780967178448-RGB%20Color%203.0.jpg" /></a></div><p>
In the Land of Porcelain is out! It can be purchased in paperbook or ebook on-line, or it can ordered at any bookstore. Audiobook version coming soon!<br /></p><p>When Sara's husband, Mark, goes to law school on the East Coast, Sara moves in with her mercurial sister because she's just gotten promoted at her job and doesn't want to leave San Francisco. It's manageable. She and Mark will both focus on their careers and temporarily be BCDR, that's all-bi-coastal, dual rental. To keep busy Sara begins City Buddha-Mind walking and volunteers at a domestic violence shelter. But after Aaron, a high-powered consultant, offers to mentor her, Sara soon realizes her life isn't as under control as she thought it was. Set in the early 1990's, In the Land of Porcelain is a young woman's roller-coaster journey to self-discovery, deeper love, and breaking free. </p><p>"Karen Allen has written a story of a woman waking up to her life, and waking up, and waking up--with help and distractions from a host of three-dimensional, fascinating characters. It's a moving book, a funny one, and even an inspiring one."--Tonya Edwards</p>Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-48454603880471445882021-04-17T14:31:00.000-07:002021-04-17T14:31:27.551-07:00What We Encourage<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>After forty-one years of drinking
alcohol, I stopped six months ago. I’d done a couple dry Januaries and found
that during the other eleven months of the year I had trouble limiting myself
to five drinks a week. I figured it’d be easier to do zero than five, and I was
right, at least after I got through the initial eight weeks. And every month
since it’s gotten easier.</div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs842uZ73Pr0LdOEKQ51sc9cXsrKNTIE2ZUDS8jnmB4hntsuuPjS_cZowIDT6LtrGZ93b_ZSfDMC0JUrI5RZi1vCELUtpUnp_3itpe-fIJOBUkdtd_ZxWGaEJn1lYLFDxIA9eFBOVVnRg/s633/alcohol.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs842uZ73Pr0LdOEKQ51sc9cXsrKNTIE2ZUDS8jnmB4hntsuuPjS_cZowIDT6LtrGZ93b_ZSfDMC0JUrI5RZi1vCELUtpUnp_3itpe-fIJOBUkdtd_ZxWGaEJn1lYLFDxIA9eFBOVVnRg/s320/alcohol.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well supported and well supplied<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span> </span><span> </span>After forty-three years of driving,
my husband and I went car-free last summer in San Francisco. There are
parallels. Hang with me.</div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I started
drinking alcohol in college at age eighteen. This was relatively late for my
generation. As with most people, I saw alcohol as a mark of adulthood, good for
socializing, relaxing, and easing stress.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I knew alcohol
was prevalent in American culture, but once I went off it, how much
reinforcement there is for drinking really slapped me in the face. It is
inhospitable for a host/hostess not to offer their guests alcohol. Period. In
restaurants waiters are visibly disappointed that your dinner bill will not
include $25 for two glasses of wine. Friends suggest bars as a natural place to
meet up in the evening. Within half a mile of my house there are two grocery
stores, three corner stores, and four liquor stores that, combined, offer far more
shelving feet of alcohol for sale than nutritious food. (Don’t get me started
on the food deserts of impoverished neighborhoods.) Bottles of alcohol are on
maximum view in every bar and restaurant (are that evening’s vegetables so
elegantly displayed?) and pre-Covid, the quantity of alcohol consumed before,
during, and after plane flights was frankly astounding. Remember all the
chuckles and cute memes about quarantine drinking? Binge drinking went through
the roof this past year, especially among women.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">In TV and movies the characters
show they’re having a good time by drinking. Alcohol ads oriented towards women
paint pictures of intimacy, romance, and friendship. Alcohol ads promise men
status, friendship, and sex. In social media, friends and family take selfies
with their drinks to prove they’re having a good time. Our culture is saturated
in alcohol, and if you don’t believe it, go off alcohol for a month and see how
many times you are invited, encouraged, reminded, or pushed to have a drink.
Even more annoying, some people may assume you have a psychological disorder
since “normal” people choose to drink. And then you’ll hear at length why
drinking is fine for them since they have no problem with alcohol. (Since I’ve
done this to other people, it’s likely fitting that I’m now on the receiving
end.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">And our society is largely
unconscious of all of this.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">And yet. And yet alcohol is toxic
to the human body. Small doses are a little toxic; large doses are very toxic. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">And it’s possible to feel good
without alcohol. In fact, it’s possible to feel great without alcohol and to
feel so far more consistently. Indeed, some schools of thought view alcohol as
an impediment to one’s spiritual progression.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">One of the biggest reasons I went
off alcohol was middle-of-the-night insomnia. I was already meditating and
exercising daily but still I would wake up at 2 am. Six months later, my sleep
has vastly improved, but even better has been the benefits to my spiritual
journey. I feel more connected to nature; I feel more connected to grace. I’m
more conscious now of when I’m choosing between love and fear and I now more
often manage to opt for love. Maybe this self-acceptance and heart-opening
would’ve happened anyway, I can’t say for sure. I mention this knowing that
many will have no idea what I’m talking about. That’s okay. The path is a
breadcrumb trail, and those inclined to follow it will.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Still, I’m very conscious that by
not drinking I’ve put myself outside normal human experience. And I’m still
working to accept that people are puzzled and even disturbed by my choice, even
as I used to be when I ran across someone who didn’t drink.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Onward.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">I was thrilled to get my driver’s
license at age sixteen. It’s one of the most profound rites of passage we have
for teenagers. A license means independence, power, and status! A heady brew
indeed. Even though my family of six scraped along with just one car, and I had
to wheedle my parents for every minute of driving I got, since I lived in a
suburb with no public transit and no safe biking, that license significantly
changed my life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">And so over the years I drove and
drove and drove, even after moving to a city. Road trips, daily commute trips, and
transporting children trips. (Trips to the orthodontist were nearly endless.) I
saw cars as convenient, safe, and necessary because even though I lived in one
of the densest places in North America, my way of life was still designed around
a car. In fact, I chose my children’s schools partly based on how easily I
could drive there and park.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Before we went car-free, my husband
and I spent a few years seeing how little we could drive as a kind of hobby.
We’d long been bicyclists, but after we both <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2019/04/why-don.html" target="_blank">got electric bikes</a> it became
faster to get almost anywhere in the city by bike instead of car. When we
traveled, we tried not to rent a car but instead took rail or light rail, a
Lyft ride or two, and did a lot of walking. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwsCN5GITDX0CUOOkFaIypdaI6EaGtkf_lUy2wAavAt5q9YTGPO9rshgxHF8HIBzU7N131yISDwWpEWn_ZLet_bHJ2inofqUrrY-QfdpMmc0tGD5eBEAQl6N8xcoyLN3Y3e3RK-dbyR4/s814/plants+by+bike.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="814" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwsCN5GITDX0CUOOkFaIypdaI6EaGtkf_lUy2wAavAt5q9YTGPO9rshgxHF8HIBzU7N131yISDwWpEWn_ZLet_bHJ2inofqUrrY-QfdpMmc0tGD5eBEAQl6N8xcoyLN3Y3e3RK-dbyR4/s320/plants+by+bike.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plant shopping by bike<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span></span><span></span><span></span>I’ve found that not driving has
embedded more exercise in my daily life. It’s made me more connected to the
nature around me, even in my urban neighborhood. (There are trees! Birds!
Flowers! Stars! The Moon!) I’ve also discovered that not driving has improved
my character. I’m less impatient, less aggressive, and less hostile as I
travel. I’m more likely to see my fellow human beings on the street as equals
rather than obstacles. Whether on foot, public transit or my bicycle, I’m not
both powerful and anonymous like I am in a car. (Power and anonymity are not a
good combination for the human psyche.) There’s more mutuality, more sense of
sharing the street space rather than pushing through and dominating it. Though
San Francisco has considerable problems with drug addiction, homelessness and
encampments, when I walk or bike I generally only feel threatened by the actions
of drivers encased in thousands of pounds of metal. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2flErg3zZ-oAe42jV7kYyAraReQfA3w0ja4ZASkjZZEsCzNuN7EF8emWIWMQzP1PQCgCpGdTpBfkVPWpKmlu65jtum3SXMl4UgV6v4oKA_04Ij5nlcSQwuLiL5INnIFhmjQxomIemFpI/s822/local+garden.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="822" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2flErg3zZ-oAe42jV7kYyAraReQfA3w0ja4ZASkjZZEsCzNuN7EF8emWIWMQzP1PQCgCpGdTpBfkVPWpKmlu65jtum3SXMl4UgV6v4oKA_04Ij5nlcSQwuLiL5INnIFhmjQxomIemFpI/s320/local+garden.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New <a href="https://junglestairs.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">local garden</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Car driving is reinforced in our
society every which way we look. Literally. The basic design of our
neighborhoods, our streets, and our cities is created to accommodate cars. In
San Francisco a quarter of all land is dedicated to car driving or parking.
Just like alcohol, cars are constantly sold to us. Women are told a car means
safety, convenience, and status while men are promised sex, domination, and
status. I rarely watch commercial tv, but my husband is a fan of sports. When I
sit down with him in front of a football game I feel absolutely bombarded by
car and beer ads. These ads aren’t random: they work. Indeed, one fourth of the
cost of a new car is the cost of marketing and advertising. (Thought
experiment: if car and beer advertising went away tomorrow, would there be any
professional sports left?)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_rJ5O-SdJ1v19H-KVSqOZL91ZIhbJA1_PQjKs1yX_a1F_eaz6_HjdnErb87j80uh0wFBJg8zOkeC7D8oF0kz7kL_tU8zONtZSckncuNVvxFs81b0QdORtdBiyaypJ4PwB27wjiEhby0/s2048/car+parking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_rJ5O-SdJ1v19H-KVSqOZL91ZIhbJA1_PQjKs1yX_a1F_eaz6_HjdnErb87j80uh0wFBJg8zOkeC7D8oF0kz7kL_tU8zONtZSckncuNVvxFs81b0QdORtdBiyaypJ4PwB27wjiEhby0/s320/car+parking.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best use of space?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Our culture is saturated in cars.
Parking lots dominate our public spaces, and children spend more time strapped
into carseats than in active play. The only place you can get away from cars
are public parks/beaches/forests that offer good hikes. If you don’t believe me,
try going car-free for a month. Impossible, you say! You live miles from where
you work and shop. (Or, what I hear most often, you’d get killed by one of the
crazy drivers on the road.) Exactly, I say. Our entire way of life, from the
ground up, is designed to make Americans utterly dependent on their vehicles.
And our society is largely unconscious of this.
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Does drinking alcohol make you a
bad person? No. Does driving a car make you evil? Of course not. Everyone is on
their own path, has their own individual circumstances, and <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-importance-of-not-being-miserable.html" target="_blank">deserves to enjoy their life</a>. Not drinking won’t
automatically solve all your problems, and not driving won’t turn your
community into Shangri-La anytime soon. But I suggest that there are very good
reasons not to drink alcohol as well as not to drive a car before even taking
into account alcoholism, drunk driving, peak oil, and climate change. I’ll also
point out that while one set of choices is promoted, reinforced, and made as
convenient as possible, the other set is shamed, challenged, or made as
dangerous as possible. It would be nice if our society created a little more
physical and psychological space for those who choose the path less taken.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QWRT5pzLC31CEbfu78nqPfUkCX9i4PdGJEjIK-E_S9xcdNq-5s2K6alcaEohJ9yBzH0oAxQSgsM2v5t4xiSLktjYjyPHHghKiZskWIgYp09ZpVXVKGizCuN7xs5umDNRtBp26P5VE3k/s2048/lions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QWRT5pzLC31CEbfu78nqPfUkCX9i4PdGJEjIK-E_S9xcdNq-5s2K6alcaEohJ9yBzH0oAxQSgsM2v5t4xiSLktjYjyPHHghKiZskWIgYp09ZpVXVKGizCuN7xs5umDNRtBp26P5VE3k/s320/lions.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighborhood guardians that inspire love, not fear<br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">(Photo credits: all photos taken by Karen Allen)<br /></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-90366842305933678482020-11-30T11:11:00.005-08:002020-11-30T13:21:27.330-08:00Put Down Those Rocks You're Carrying<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"></p><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zFz4TfjH-KugsDZwPKIEwtRS_ty9JTqE1ZxDdcGl0ZQuVt2d2ryhYZ0YYSBQ_2L2bNni5uCMvQomRKFzRHJC0x3-157p0acgUCYVPS9tXa5JUhUeBMUoa-uf1HfQhIwSftuNrtIJB8g/s800/bag+of+rocks.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zFz4TfjH-KugsDZwPKIEwtRS_ty9JTqE1ZxDdcGl0ZQuVt2d2ryhYZ0YYSBQ_2L2bNni5uCMvQomRKFzRHJC0x3-157p0acgUCYVPS9tXa5JUhUeBMUoa-uf1HfQhIwSftuNrtIJB8g/s320/bag+of+rocks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span></span><span> Imagine</span><span></span></b> that as a child you were issued a large backpack to wear at
all times. At first you didn’t know what it was for, but then the adults around
you started putting rocks in it that you then obediently carried around. After a while you followed their example and began
to put rocks in there yourself. Over time, some of the rocks disappeared, but most
didn’t, and by now that pack’s really, really heavy.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>You often pull out
some of the rocks and look at them. They don’t make you happy. In fact they
make you miserable. Some at the bottom you never pull out—you might not even
remember you have them--but still you carry them. This seems inexplicable. Why
would anyone voluntarily bear such a burden?
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Unfortunately
these rocks are not chunks of shale or granite or sandstone. Those would be
easy to get rid of! Instead they are bits of residual resentment, hatred, anger,
guilt, and shame from injuries or injustices or mistakes you can’t or won’t or
haven’t tried to let go of. The backpack is your mind; the weight of the load
burdens not your back but your soul.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">What follows are
tips for cleaning out that backpack. If the pack’s stuffed full, it’ll take
some mental elbow grease to do a good spring cleaning, but trust me, it’s worth
it for the sunlight that will pour into your life. After that, there’ll be some
ongoing maintenance to keep your pack light and your steps jaunty. Yes,
there’ll be surprises. Rocks that you’ll swear you never picked up will somehow
get in that backpack, and a few rocks will keep reappearing even after you put
them down and down again. Still the effort’s worth it. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">So how to get rid
of these rocks? The first step is to realize that anger, hatred, resentment,
guilt, and shame are not just weight, they’re toxic, poisonous to a healthy
life. They cloud your judgement; they sap your attention and energy. They
lead to bitterness, depression and despair. If you feed these toxic emotions,
the rocks will grow until they’re all you have left. At its most basic, carrying around these rocks is a form of self-harm.<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Instead when these
emotions arise, acknowledge them, learn from them. Take action if appropriate.
And then let them go. This doesn’t mean you should allow people who’ve injured
you to do so again. But caution, wisdom, and courage prevent injury better than
anger and resentment.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Back to spring
cleaning. All of us have childhoods that involved rocks. Some of us had really
bad childhoods with backpacks that are overflowing. I’m so sorry. Our families
and our society should treat children so much better. But if you’re
reading this, you’re likely an adult with a lot more control over your life now.
Carrying a heavy psychic backpack helps nothing. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">The first rocks to
get rid of are those pertaining to parents. You can forgive or not forgive, but
either way the weight’s killing you. You have to let go. One way to do this is
to imagine your five-year-old self. What do you need? What do you wish you’d
gotten? More love? What would that look like—more hugs, more safety, someone to
read to you at bedtime, someone to tell you you’re wonderful? Whatever it is,
imagine your adult self taking your child self by the hand and giving them
whatever they didn’t get. Yes, this doesn’t seem rational, but the inner child
in you isn’t rational, just needy. Re-parent yourself. Take five minutes here,
five minutes there and imagine giving that five-year-old what he or she needs.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip1ZpjwnVyV4VNlFCi2Orcs9XQon4yT17M456Sf0UuMQw0DWec2iXzDufHhsY_bCLE0MdlmmgzfnvvfxUPq4p97sSXZrZZ4QeVZW38D4XfrTnODl22D7VLZCZsOzRoSUgVsKMMIz-rKk/s960/Grand+Canyon.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip1ZpjwnVyV4VNlFCi2Orcs9XQon4yT17M456Sf0UuMQw0DWec2iXzDufHhsY_bCLE0MdlmmgzfnvvfxUPq4p97sSXZrZZ4QeVZW38D4XfrTnODl22D7VLZCZsOzRoSUgVsKMMIz-rKk/s320/Grand+Canyon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's big. It can take it.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />When that five year
old is calm and happy, slip him or her gently into your heart for safekeeping. (If there was another
time in your life when you were especially needy, say as a teenager, then do
the same for that self.) With your child selves safely tucked away, imagine
standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s so vast, so deep, it
can absorb and neutralize all the negativity you have to give it. Then imagine dumping out your
whole backpack over the edge. Not all the rocks will fall out. Many will stick.
Over the course of the next month, take these stuck ones out one by one as they
arise in your mind. Say, “What did I learn from this?” The answer
may not come right away. Be patient. Once you hear it say, “Okay,
thanks. I don’t need you any longer.” And throw that rock as far as you can. See it dissolve as it falls towards the earth. You may have to take out nasty rocks you didn’t
ever want to touch again. Get the learning and toss. And if these rocks show up
again, know there’s a little more learning to squeeze from them and then toss once more. If there’s abuse trauma that you don’t want to examine incident by
incident, mentally put all those rocks in one bag, decide what the life
lesson was from the cumulative experience. Sit with it, grieve, and then heave
ho the entire sack. That there might be a life lesson doesn't imply that the abuse was in any way your fault. Far from it! The lesson may be that damaged people damage, or that you have a ferocity to survive. Whatever it is, you'll know it when it the weight lifts.<br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">When you’ve got
most of your parent rocks cleaned out, try to find one memory from each parent when they showed love, or at least kindness, towards you. Let that memory gleam, and
put it in your heart. And from now on, when you think of your parents, don’t
trot out all the garbage from your childhood--pull out the gleaming memories
because that is what’s going to let you be at peace. It doesn’t mean rewriting
history. All the crapola happened, but you let it be. Maybe you feel some
sadness, but you <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-habits-of-unhappy-people-and-what.html" target="_blank">don’t carry the toxicity</a> around with you anymore. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWADREbStssZ_qBQF6hkk5Y5es2U0kq2erRa57bW1CEYxOsMe6YU9CKxMjnVLQAGVoRT9GItK6RpLMmT81yPh2AW1fMO8IbaTjd6r3k32g56B96AP7OxNdF-eJYd_5cNKHk4GalR0OCc/s1000/pumice+stones.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWADREbStssZ_qBQF6hkk5Y5es2U0kq2erRa57bW1CEYxOsMe6YU9CKxMjnVLQAGVoRT9GItK6RpLMmT81yPh2AW1fMO8IbaTjd6r3k32g56B96AP7OxNdF-eJYd_5cNKHk4GalR0OCc/w200-h200/pumice+stones.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are these yours?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />When that’s done,
you can start with your siblings, peers, and teachers. Or you can just say,
“I’m going to let go of all rocks formed before 1990.” (Pick a year appropriate to your age.) I’m fifty-nine. Sometimes I’ll find a
rock in my pack I didn’t realize was there. I’ll examine the date and then say, “Holy
hell—am I really still carrying around something that happened forty-five years
ago?” Once you hit fifty, you can let go of everything that happened before you
were thirty. You were young, they were young, and you were all stupid and
didn’t know better, or they were old and now likely dead. Let it go. You’ll be
so glad you did.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">So let’s get to
guilt and shame. Those are not so much rocks as sticks that you beat yourself
up with. And some of this is so deep in your subconscious you might not know
what memory is triggering your suffering, only that you are bad, unworthy, don’t
deserve to live, etc. This is not pleasant, but you have to pull out the
mistakes you feel worst about--the ones you're most ashamed of--and say, “What should I
learn from this?” Sit with the transgression and genuinely absorb what needs to
be integrated. Because that’s why you still carry it with you. If you really
dig into your subconscious (be warned--shame pushes things deep), you’ll likely
be amazed at the fairly trivial stuff you use to convince yourself during your
low moments that you’re a horrible human being. The thing is, you don’t need
shame and guilt to control your behavior. Once
you’ve absorbed the lesson, wisdom will keep you from repeating the mistake. No
more punishment needed. You, yes you, <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-importance-of-not-being-miserable.html" target="_blank">deserve to enjoy your life.</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Given how much
work it is to get rid of rocks, it’s a good idea not to load up with new ones. One way to prevent new rocks is to see someone currently
pushing your buttons not as your enemy but a lesson knocking at your door. This
is admittedly not easy to do in the heat of the moment. But with some
reflection you may realize that what you’re annoyed with in another person is a
characteristic you don’t want to recognize in yourself. This applies to
current political figures or even entire groups of people
that have different views from you. You don’t have to stop caring about the
issues important to you, you don’t have to agree with those you’re
ideologically opposed to, but you have to not turn them into rocks. Which means
not hating them. Which means letting go of the anger and resentment. Which
means wrestling with what is the larger lesson being presented--to you
personally, to your country, to humanity. What are we human beings struggling to
learn? Harm is harm, so of course try to prevent or mitigate it, but hatred and
anger (not to mention contempt and loathing) are not the tools.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">If you can manage to get in dialogue with those you're opposed to, even better. It's true that some people are so engulfed by negativity that there's no way to communicate through it, but this not the case for the vast majority of people despite what the media might tell you. You may find some of them believe you are the source of harm. Dialogue and recognition of our common humanity is the only way to work through this. We absolutely have to start laying down our rocks and dealing with others as human beings, not as members of a group. There is much to learn from all this. Will we do it? If you're reading this article, this means you have to take the first step and put down your rocks, not wait for others to go first.<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8Q1WFlhZhyfEM4R4hlLZE_6to8dTRwrhK8Eki2UpAvzmTpgQxzaLFACZQ8ZF3qUOtg8igCdxelN3F5lRJ3pMbA6LSur7SGo-YEN11t2nq6Zv4qyOc1pMs3k0Frsp3E0WDs5l0tEjaKo/s1102/peace+in+outer+world.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8Q1WFlhZhyfEM4R4hlLZE_6to8dTRwrhK8Eki2UpAvzmTpgQxzaLFACZQ8ZF3qUOtg8igCdxelN3F5lRJ3pMbA6LSur7SGo-YEN11t2nq6Zv4qyOc1pMs3k0Frsp3E0WDs5l0tEjaKo/s320/peace+in+outer+world.jpg" /></a></div><br />When I struggle
with this advice (and I do), I think of the Dalai Lama’s response to whether he
hated the Chinese for what they’d done to the Tibetan people. He responded to the
effect that when you’re angry or unforgiving your mental suffering is constant.
If he developed bad feelings towards the Chinese it wouldn’t solve anything, it
would only destroy his own peace of mind, which would make him less capable of serving his people and humanity. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Another way to
think about this is that the negative actions of any person/group are almost
always symptoms of underlying problems, usually structural ones. The problems humanity faces are not due to too little anger and hatred. Indeed, our
negative emotions are used to divide and exploit us, to confuse us from seeing who
(or what) is behind the curtain pulling the levers. You can stop that cycle, at
least with your own life and your own consciousness. If you can manage to feel
compassion, empathy or even love towards those who have caused harm, more
power to you. It’s a spiritual achievement that will ripple outward to benefit us all. But for now at least get rid
of the negative emotions that are poisoning your soul.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Even after you get
good at rock tossing and rock avoiding, now and then rocks will still get into
your pack. You will get annoyed, irritated, perhaps even irate. That’s okay.
Catch yourself, laugh, examine the lesson, and chuck the darn rock away. A
light backpack is a joyful thing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You cannot solve a problem
from the same consciousness that created it. You must learn to see the world
anew.”—Albert Einstein</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Note: If your
rocks are really stubborn, a counselor or other mental health professional can
assist with tossing the worst ones.</p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-70049570614699367472020-06-01T14:36:00.000-07:002020-06-01T15:11:24.030-07:00Social Cohesion and Public Health<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSudgcG-IoSPAxFos3h_NkNk7atrFsN3m1P-yxDzEgpTzPYCYysZNXqf9FuLDPVp03WV90cmcaE6-QU3byAEluTZJdwAXk4AoylmYynCCkGihlPNbSvbcQFixK1wzc_JqhvccOm6uXmE/s1600/Kla+mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSudgcG-IoSPAxFos3h_NkNk7atrFsN3m1P-yxDzEgpTzPYCYysZNXqf9FuLDPVp03WV90cmcaE6-QU3byAEluTZJdwAXk4AoylmYynCCkGihlPNbSvbcQFixK1wzc_JqhvccOm6uXmE/s320/Kla+mask.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mask: a device worn to disguise, amuse, or terrify</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Social cohesion makes societies work, and once squandered,
it’s difficult to rebuild. It requires trust, goodwill, and shared values, but
also fairness and agreed-upon social norms.
Without some level of social cohesion, groups and even society itself cannot
function. Most well run countries (ones with low wealth inequality, low corruption,
and high life satisfaction) have social cohesion born of a sense of trust
that society works for the well-being of all its members. Though this is perhaps more difficult
to achieve in racially and culturally diverse societies, Sweden and Canada have high levels
of social cohesion even with 20% of Sweden's population being foreign-born and 27% of Canada's population of non-European/white background. Smart societies
foster social cohesion and build social capital constantly; foolish ones fritter both away as if they have no consequence.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There's a dark side to social cohesion, especially if it devolves
into rigid conformity. The Nazis created social cohesion by vilifying Jews and
promulgating their thesis that Germans were the master race. But let’s look at
the flip side. In societies with little or no social cohesion, fear,
distrust, corruption, and animosity rule. For decades now, American social
cohesion has been falling, directly correlated, in my view, to <a href="https://inequality.org/facts/wealth-inequality/" target="_blank">our burgeoning wealth inequality</a>. As a result, we don’t have a lot to fall back on now when
we need it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Right now much of the world faces a public health crisis
with COVID-19. So far this disease has killed over 100,000 people in the United
States and will likely kill another 100,000 in the next 100 days. This disease
is largely fatal only to people who already have an underlying illness. Looking
at the <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-age-sex-demographics/" target="_blank">NYC data</a>, it’s worth noting that even for those over sixty-five, most of
those that died had one or more co-morbidity factors. The most common
co-morbidities are heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, chronic respiratory
disease, cancer, and obesity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmoVNYXlm0Ph8avnIcGzeuBMUdxSD1oqolelWtfVPGv-WM9iL3MHC25c90eNgUfR1yK3rvZVbTSxc4zfJEQjpnyzIaZjrGhrMUlAAoltjP9qZl9Iy1y7-jeuVF-49V921jUszmnNkgvQ/s1600/Spanish-Flu_bw.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="905" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmoVNYXlm0Ph8avnIcGzeuBMUdxSD1oqolelWtfVPGv-WM9iL3MHC25c90eNgUfR1yK3rvZVbTSxc4zfJEQjpnyzIaZjrGhrMUlAAoltjP9qZl9Iy1y7-jeuVF-49V921jUszmnNkgvQ/s200/Spanish-Flu_bw.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flu Experts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The US hasn’t had a pandemic this deadly since 1918. We are
unprepared, inexperienced, and learning how to deal with it on the fly. In
order to combat this pandemic, local officials have resorted to the blunt tools
of physical distancing, voluntary quarantining, mass stay-at-home orders, the
closing of all but essential services, and mandatory use of masks. (There’s
finally widespread testing available, and talk of contact tracing, although
from what I can tell, very little of this has happened.) I live in San Francisco, the
first city to impose many of these restrictions before a single case of
COVID-19 was discovered. Because of the initial promptness and a high level of
compliance, both the case and death count here has been remarkably low. Now,
although much of the country has opened up with far higher continued case and
death rates, pandemic measures continue here and mask use has gotten even
stricter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I would posit that these public health measures prevent
deaths but also cause them. I also believe we should be talking about loss of
life-years. As painful as it may be to consider, the death by COVID-19 of
someone 95 years old with kidney and heart disease might mean the loss of one
life-year. The death by suicide of a 35 year old with depression worsened by
social isolation might mean the loss of 50 life-years. There is a difference in
magnitude that ought to be taken into account.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For public health measures to be effective, officials had to
get the public’s compliance. In some countries this was literally done with
soldiers challenging anyone who walked the streets. In United States, the
approach was to 1) appeal to people’s compassion to prevent the disease from
spreading to the vulnerable population (i.e. those with co-morbidities) and 2)
make people believe they were personally at risk. As a result, the ultimate
tools for fighting this epidemic have been fear and social isolation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMOCIOo2xGY2lmnC2W-hmC-1PiSbpXOD756bMj6FCGeoNqq7C47ku1I2ht5jRekfSLQnu7ZOWS4ipvETJKMlyrckIZ8egaM07WwRuWLMvBmbz4xLml-cIwETBgsQOsBGHSdgqnO6jhaQ/s1600/fear+brain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="338" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMOCIOo2xGY2lmnC2W-hmC-1PiSbpXOD756bMj6FCGeoNqq7C47ku1I2ht5jRekfSLQnu7ZOWS4ipvETJKMlyrckIZ8egaM07WwRuWLMvBmbz4xLml-cIwETBgsQOsBGHSdgqnO6jhaQ/s200/fear+brain.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your stressed brain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Fear creates stress. Stress creates emotional, psychological
and physical problems, including <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-disease-overview/uncovering-the-link-between-emotional-stress-and-heart-disease" target="_blank">heart disease</a>, the number one killer in the US
(648K deaths/year.)Fear also makes people do stupid things like drink
bleach. Social isolation creates stress and strongly increases the risk of
heart disease and stroke, the number five killer (146K deaths/year.) In fact
social isolation is known to increase the <a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/05/ce-corner-isolation" target="_blank">risk of early death by two-thirds</a>. It
increases the <a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/05/ce-corner-isolation" target="_blank">risk of dementia by 40%</a>. In a study of 20,000 Americans in 2018,
40% of adults reported being lonely. Just imagine what the number is now. And
then there’s all the <a href="https://www.prevention.com/health/a32250547/quarantine-drinking-alcoholism/" target="_blank">quarantine drinking</a>. Cirrohsis/liver disease, the result
of copious alcohol use, is US killer # 11 (42K deaths/year.) And that’s when
people <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">weren’t</i> locked down. So while
our stringent public health measures have prevented COVID deaths, we’ve also
undoubtedly increased the number of future deaths due to heart disease, stroke
and alcohol addiction. And let’s also remember that social isolation is
profoundly bad for anyone suicidal (killer #10, 47K deaths/year.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This is not to say that physical distancing and the closing
of all but essential services weren’t necessary. But we need to realize that
each week of doing so comes with a cost of lives just as real as the COVID
deaths. Opening back up too soon (or never really shutting down at all, like some
states) guarantees more deaths, yes, but continuing lockdowns past the point of
benefit harms rather than helps the public good. There are also only so many
weeks of lockdown that most Americans (even San Franciscans) can stand, so they
should be used when they have the most benefit (i.e. in the fall, when we’re
bound to see cases increase again.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Continued lockdowns also harm the public good in terms of
social cohesion. Fear of an enemy might create social cohesion, but in this
case, public health measures have made us afraid of each other. This is
absolutely terrible for social cohesion. Every person walking down the street
becomes a supposed assassin likely to breathe inappropriately. Neighbors scream
at each other for not wearing masks. People post death threats on Facebook
against outsiders coming into their neighborhood bringing disease. People who
used to get along become cranky, suspicious, and unforgiving. Add to this
people who are irritable from not getting enough exercise or sunlight or being
able to go anywhere or see anyone, and trust and goodwill pretty much go out
the window. Add to this rage over social injustice, a divisive President, and bored
(or paid) numbskulls itching for mayhem, you can see we’ve got a difficult
summer ahead. (As I write, San Francisco is under mandatory curfew to prevent
looting.) And every week of lockdown makes it worse.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now let’s consider masks. Indoors, especially in <a href="https://passivehouseplus.ie/news/health/evidence-of-covid-19-infections-in-poorly-ventilated-spaces" target="_blank">poorly ventilated</a> areas, it’s indisputable that COVID-19 is highly contagious by
people just breathing on each other and that masks prevent dispersal of vapor
droplets containing active viruses. Outdoors, there is so much immediate
dispersal in the air that <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/6906508/coronavirus-outdoors-parks-closed/" target="_blank">the risk is negligible</a>. Indeed, there has been only
<a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.04.20053058v1.full.pdf" target="_blank">one documented instance in the entire world</a> where the virus was transmitted outside. Experts agree that
because of low viral load exposure there is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/30/health/running-exercising-masks-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">little risk of outdoor contagion</a>
even when a jogger exhales within a few feet of you. Indoors, yes, masks are
still a good idea, and indoor events with singing (choirs) or cheering fans
(basketball games) might need to be prohibited for a while longer. (Okay, jam-packed
outdoor pools and concerts might not be good ideas either.) But in general as
long as people aren’t crammed together, the social cost of mask-wearing
outdoors is high and the benefit low.</div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the reasons wearing masks outdoors does social harm is
because masks make the wearer anonymous, and anonymity in daily life destroys social
cohesion. Because basic social cues such as smiles or at least an agreeable
expression cannot be read, every passerby seems more threatening. People don’t
make eye contact. Sometimes even friends and well-known neighbors cannot be
identified, and the casual positive interactions that are the social glue of
our society become impossible. Fear and loneliness are reinforced. And every
week this continues makes it worse. Quarantine exhaustion is real.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3ybNURBk32Iufbhp32SaNEpOSl_JVhX5u4SOMlZL8oJQaJ2TiMrMXwiZf6N_YmhB5UTIJDLTM9wyDa-4yD4ShEH79VwhryOqVQM7f1TKQM6aLLcr8EZ_Gdl6v0J1iRpbu0skng5QJxE/s1600/AdultObesityMap-300x226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3ybNURBk32Iufbhp32SaNEpOSl_JVhX5u4SOMlZL8oJQaJ2TiMrMXwiZf6N_YmhB5UTIJDLTM9wyDa-4yD4ShEH79VwhryOqVQM7f1TKQM6aLLcr8EZ_Gdl6v0J1iRpbu0skng5QJxE/s1600/AdultObesityMap-300x226.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potential Covid Deaths</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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What would actually improve public health is reducing the
number of people at risk of dying by COVID-19. That means reducing the
number of people suffering from heart disease, hypertension, cancer, chronic
respiratory disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, obesity, and diabetes. How can we do
that? A third of the country is obese! Half of US adults have heart disease! Half
are pre-diabetic! Wouldn’t it be ridiculously expensive to make people healthy
enough that COVID-19 is no longer a threat to them? (Of course, hasn’t shutting
down our entire economy for two months been a tiny bit expensive?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Luckily there’s a way to make the entire population of the
United States healthier in a few short months. And it will cost almost no
money. And it will improve mental and emotional health. And it will improve
social cohesion. However, no corporation will profit, and no politician will
gain campaign donations because of it, so no public official will suggest it. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The magic answer? Simply have every American adult <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-brilliance-of-walking.html" target="_blank">walk for 30 minutes</a> a day. <a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20190611/forest-bathing-nature-time-hot-health-advice" target="_blank">Among trees</a>, if possible. Every day. Without masks. Without
fail. No matter how old you are, how sick you are, how much you weigh, your
health will improve. (<a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-ways-sugary-soda-is-bad-for-you#section1" target="_blank">Cutting out all soda</a> and <a href="https://www.healthyeating.org/Healthy-Eating/All-Star-Foods/Vegetables" target="_blank">eating some vegetables</a> will help,
too. Just saying.) Walking moderately briskly 30 minutes a day reverses <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180108090132.htm" target="_blank">heart disease</a>, reverses
<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes-reversible#diet" target="_blank">Type II diabetes</a>, reverses <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045206" target="_blank">hypertension</a>. It reduces <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/national-walking-day-stress-relief-tips_n_2992972" target="_blank">stress</a> and <a href="https://www.medicaldaily.com/chronic-pain-treatment-brisk-walking-can-help-reduce-pain-researchers-say-443120" target="_blank">chronic pain</a>. It
prevents <a href="https://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20100406/brisk-walking-reduces-stroke-risk" target="_blank">strokes</a> and <a href="https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20101128/walking-may-cut-alzheimers-risk#1" target="_blank">Alzheimer’s</a>; it reduces the risk of dying from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/29/walking-mile-day-cut-risk-dying-breast-prostate-cancer-40pc" target="_blank">breast</a>,
<a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/physical-activity-fact-sheet" target="_blank">colon</a>, and <a href="https://www.wikihow.health/Prevent-Uterine-Cancer" target="_blank">uterine</a> cancer and can <a href="https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20110524/brisk-walking-may-help-keep-prostate-cancer-in-check#1" target="_blank">stop prostate cancer</a> in its tracks. It
reduces <a href="https://www.livescience.com/57498-exercise-reduces-inflammation.html" target="_blank">inflammation</a> in the body. It boosts <a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/8-ways-walking-changes-your-brain-for-the-better-according-to-science-10077769" target="_blank">brain health</a>. It reduces <a href="https://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/treatment/walking-works" target="_blank">anxiety</a> and increases
<a href="https://psychcentral.com/lib/15-ways-to-increase-your-happiness/" target="_blank">happiness</a>. Plus it relieves moderate and major depression better than
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3674785/" target="_blank">pharmaceuticals</a> or <a href="https://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/treatment/walking-works" target="_blank">psychotherapy</a>. Walking in your neighborhood creates local social cohesion
better than just about anything. (Even more so if you smile, nod and give
little waves.) Plus, it stimulates your <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system" target="_blank">immune system</a> so you'll be less likely to come
down with COVID-19 even if directly exposed to it. (The exception is those
front line workers getting a heavy viral load, like health and transit workers.
It’s criminal that they didn’t get serious personal protection at work from the
very beginning.)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMSadfalIxxMoOPGBHS0Mk7cXc27xkLHxRz1m3m2M2aMt0Z7ZizquA7kP1ynuYynFMuXOxKSojikviGQaY6siGt6qsxzXnUXZRvSUFikR6NJeCyBST4KNRLQTc2ANH74Y_KFg0zuYEfo/s1600/EspanolaWayslow+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1600" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMSadfalIxxMoOPGBHS0Mk7cXc27xkLHxRz1m3m2M2aMt0Z7ZizquA7kP1ynuYynFMuXOxKSojikviGQaY6siGt6qsxzXnUXZRvSUFikR6NJeCyBST4KNRLQTc2ANH74Y_KFg0zuYEfo/s320/EspanolaWayslow+street.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In cities, as many streets as necessary should be closed to
cars to allow comfortable walking by large numbers of people. (They are not all
going to fit on the sidewalk!) News media should remind people daily to go
walk; social media should be full of encouragement as well. Instead of fear,
fear, fear, the message should be walk, walk, walk. Walk our way out of this
pandemic. Walk our way to health.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If we did this, the overall US death rate would drop by half,
US health care costs would plummet, US life expectancy would increase, and people
would be remarkably calmer and happier. Pharmaceutical companies and health
care providers might be less than thrilled, but you can’t please everyone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So let’s walk our way out of this pandemic. Walk
our way to mental, emotional and physical health. Walk our way back to social
cohesion. Walk our way back to a functional society where anger and suspicion
aren’t the normal ways we interact with each other. Yes, it’s actually that
simple. It won’t solve wealth inequality and social injustice, but if we don’t
do it, given our running-on-fumes social cohesion and the deep unhealthiness of
the American population, casualties are going to be high.</span></div>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style>Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-6721590496284477072020-03-07T06:55:00.000-08:002020-03-07T17:06:10.774-08:00Fourteen Low-Tech Ways to Stay Healthy (Besides Handwashing) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWbe2psfDgDu3mFJvIYDZ2AWF71BnIXIMliha6mS1cpE9KbwW4NcK03lUB3LfovLsLaxB9WeNndS-IP8tp5UVX1fPn3EmL2k-51CRrbhnFAzyv6cZHJ9vmV2ODIjDp-7kFtdTNHtl_50/s1600/479px-Potthast_Walking_in_the_hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWbe2psfDgDu3mFJvIYDZ2AWF71BnIXIMliha6mS1cpE9KbwW4NcK03lUB3LfovLsLaxB9WeNndS-IP8tp5UVX1fPn3EmL2k-51CRrbhnFAzyv6cZHJ9vmV2ODIjDp-7kFtdTNHtl_50/s1600/479px-Potthast_Walking_in_the_hills.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Health is not just an absence of illness. At the very least
health includes a <a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/how-use-your-immune-system-stay-healthy#1" target="_blank">well-functioning immune system</a>, our bodies’ first defense
against pathogens that cause disease. This includes COVID-19, the coronavirus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We are all constantly exposed to bacteria, viruses, and
parasites even if we wash our hands twenty times a day. If our immune system is working well, it creates a barrier that stops the antigens from entering the body altogether. This is the first line of defense. If this fails, the second line is for the immune system to produce white blood cells, chemicals and proteins that find, attack and destroy the antigens before they can reproduce. If that fails, the immune system destroys the antigens as they multiply. If the antigens are able to multiply a lot you will feel lousy as your body fights the disease in earnest. You will have unpleasant symptoms. A large part of your energy will go towards your immune system's battle. You will be sick.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I don’t know about you, but I want to stay at defense levels
one and two. And this is more than possible, even with the coronavirus. Don’t
get me wrong—handwashing and not touching your face does reduce the amount of pathogens that make it to your immunity barrier, but it doesn’t
eliminate them entirely unless you live in a special isolation bubble. To be
healthy, you also need your immune system functioning robustly. The following
suggestions (to do <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">before</i></b> you become sick) may strike you as common sense, but, to
paraphrase Voltaire, in the middle of a pandemic common sense is sometimes not
so common. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Walk</b>. <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-brilliance-of-walking.html" target="_blank">Walking is a miracle</a> remedy that, among its many wonders, <a href="https://time.com/5482827/how-to-boost-your-immune-system/" target="_blank">boosts the immune system</a> in a dramatic way. Other physical activities
are also good, but if you’re reluctant to go the gym or yoga class due to
exposure concerns, a brisk 30-minute walk won’t require you to get close to
others or touch anything. To keep the immune system on high function you need
30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. Not three hours on a weekend. 30
minutes every day. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cut out
sugar.</b> Yes, this includes donuts. Sugar is
addictive and hidden in every nook and cranny of <a href="https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/healthscience/2015/February/Hidden-Poison-The-Unexpected-Places-Sugar-Lurks" target="_blank">the standard American diet</a>. High blood sugar <a href="https://www.progressivehealth.com/does-eating-sugar-increase-your-risk-of-influenza.htm" target="_blank">suppresses your immune system</a>. Even food items that say "healthy" often have added sugars. Read labels and don’t buy
anything with more than 2 grams of added sugars per serving. Don’t drink anything with
added sugar or high fructose corn syrup. If this seems like agony, give
yourself permission to have one <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tiny</i>
sweet thing a day. But really, once you cut added sugars out of your diet, <a href="https://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/how-reset-your-taste-buds-less-sugar" target="_blank">your taste buds will recalibrate</a> and you’ll find many things in a healthy diet are
naturally sweet and satisfying.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don't
binge drink alcohol</b>. Remember that alcohol is <a href="https://www.quitalcohol.com/information/why-is-alcohol-addictive.html" target="_blank">addictive</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3959903/" target="_blank">toxic</a> to the human body. I’m not
saying don’t drink at all—I like my wine, too—but treat it with the caution it
deserves. <a href="https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-eating/family-nutrition/foods-to-boost-immunity/4-habits-weaken-immune-system" target="_blank">Three drinks</a> in an evening impact the immune system. <a href="https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/binge-drinking-effects-your-immune-system-immediately/" target="_blank">Five drinks in an evening</a> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really </i>mess up
the immune system. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cut out
junk/fast food</b>. An unhealthy diet generates a cascade of <a href="https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/junk-food-genes-immune/2018/01/12/id/836837/" target="_blank">negative biological effects</a> that extend over a surprising period of time. One of those
effects is a messed up immune system. If you want to be healthy, you have to
eat for nutrition, not for convenience, not for emotional comfort, and not to
satisfy cravings for salt/fat/sugar. But this doesn’t have to be a sacrifice.
Healthy foods cooked with healthy fats can be delicious, truly. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stop
smoking.</b> Smoking <a href="https://healthfully.com/how-does-cigarette-smoking-affect-your-immune-system-3539549.html" target="_blank">damages immune response</a> and especially increases
susceptibility to pneumonia. This is one of the reasons that COVID-19 is
killing so many more men than women in China—men are fifty times heavier
smokers there. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sleep
enough</b>, at least 7 hours a night. Any less and <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-sleep-bolsters-your-immune-system#Why-people-dont-get-enough-sleep" target="_blank">your T-cells are affected</a>.
T-cells are especially important for your immune system to effectively fight
viruses. Ways to get more sleep—go to bed 30 minutes earlier, cut out caffeine
and alcohol, exercise during the day, sleep in a cool, dark room without
electronics, don’t have cats that wake you up in the middle of the night like I
do.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sweat/steam</b>—Isak
Dinesen said the cure for anything is salt water—sweat, tears or the sea. <a href="https://www.prevention.com/health/a28701780/benefits-of-using-a-sauna/" target="_blank">Fifteen minutes in a sauna</a> will increase white blood cell count and stimulate your
immune system. If you feel chilled or a little off, it really can head a virus
off at the pass.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Avoid
wood fires</b> except in high efficiency wood stoves or fireplace inserts.
Breathing wood smoke <a href="https://woodsmokepollution.org/toxins.html" target="_blank">is surprisingly bad for you</a>, and wood-burning fireplaces
tend to create a lot of smoke, both indoors and out. Among other things, the chemicals
in wood smoke impede pulmonary immune response and increase susceptibility to
respiratory infections. Also a good idea to avoid car and diesel exhaust.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don’t get
chilled</b>. Don’t go outside with wet hair. Don’t allow your feet to remain
wet. This is different than don’t go out in the cold or don’t walk in the
rain. Proper clothing will keep you warm and dry. But if your body temperature
drops, <a href="https://news.yale.edu/2016/07/11/warmer-body-temp-puts-heat-common-cold" target="_blank">key immune system proteins are impaired</a>, making it more likely for
viruses to replicate. Dry your hair! Change out of wet shoes/wet socks as soon
as you can! (Yes, I know I sound like your mom. I still say these things to my
adult children.)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Listen to your body</b>. Sometimes, if you
feel a bit off--on the verge of coming down with something—if you give your
immune system a boost right then you can kick whatever’s looming. A nice walk
might work, or a hot bath, or an early bed. Or some form of tonic or pick-me-up
might appeal. Some things I’ve found that work for me (your mileage may vary): chicken
<a href="https://beatcancer.org/blog-posts/5-ways-bone-broth-boosts-your-immune-system-and-fights-cancer/" target="_blank">bone broth</a> with lemon and cayenne, cherry bark syrup, <a href="https://www.diynatural.com/fire-cider/" target="_blank">fire cider vinegar</a>, three
roots tea (<a href="https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/13-benefits-licorice-root/" target="_blank">licorice</a>/<a href="https://plantmedicines.org/ginger-antiviral/" target="_blank">ginger</a>/<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/turmeric-tea-benefits#boosts-the-immune-system" target="_blank">turmeric</a>). What works for you? Put it in the
comments!</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Healthy food. </b>Brightly-colored veggies,
berries, mushrooms, and garlic <a href="https://www.verywellfamily.com/best-foods-boost-immune-system-4020423" target="_blank">all have immune boosting properties</a>. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reduce stress. </b>Chronic stress <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-the-mind-heals-the-body/201411/how-stress-affects-the-immune-system" target="_blank">hammers the immune system</a>. Reduce the
impact through <a href="https://eocinstitute.org/meditation/boosting-your-immune-system-with-meditation/" target="_blank">meditation</a>, exercise, counseling and/or social support. Just to
note: chronic fear creates chronic stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wigging out about the corona virus is not what you want to spend your
day doing.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Increase
happiness/kindness. </b><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200311/depression-hurts-the-immune-system" target="_blank">Depression</a> and <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/303084" target="_blank">loneliness</a> suppress the immune system, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-happiness-doctor/201706/happiness-and-your-immune-system" target="_blank">happiness</a>
and <a href="https://drdavidhamilton.com/can-kindness-boost-the-immune-system/" target="_blank">kindness</a> boost it. For ways to decrease your unhappiness and increase your
happiness read <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-habits-of-unhappy-people-and-what.html" target="_blank">this</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Get out in sunlight/nature.
</b>Huddling inside obsessing on the internet is not good for your health.
Being outside in <a href="https://qz.com/804022/health-benefits-japanese-forest-bathing/" target="_blank">nature</a> and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/srep39479" target="_blank">sunlight</a> is.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Your health is not random, nor is it predetermined. You have immense influence over
it. Don’t just stock up on toilet paper and hand sanitizer—take active steps to
bolster your body's built-in, sophisticated disease-conquering mechanism. Most healthy people under 70 who are exposed to the
coronavirus either don’t get sick or are ill just a few days. If the horse is
already out of the barn in your area (i.e. the virus has already been
circulating for weeks,) for your family’s sake and for your community’s sake,
you want the virus to bounce right off you if you’re exposed to it. In this way you
won’t fill a hospital bed or need a ventilator or require drugs that might be in short supply. In this way, you can take
care of family members who fall ill. In this way, you can go shopping or
prepare meals or mow the lawn for a neighbor in need. Plus, being healthy,
you’ll feel great! Taking time for your health is not selfish, it’s how you can
actively contribute to the greater good. If schools end up closed in your
region, feed your kids healthy food and let them be active. If playgrounds seem
a risk, take them on bike rides and hikes in nature. It will be good for you
all!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Note: This is not medical advice. If you are ill, consult your health care provider.</div>
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ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}</style>Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-5731875797487877352020-02-08T06:06:00.000-08:002020-02-08T07:05:02.963-08:00The Habits of Unhappy People (and What You Can Do About Them)<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiO3ibRENRyT_CDfB9QsPR0lU4q8FKuvOxYw-aYWixA7nLDlM9Le-BPLRw4PIFWItykDno1dXWq9pD29GH_uFaJXHYVoWF9Lf6vu4pUmXYHYzIJeLxEN-E_3FUG6KhYbVT4BpUfuww3U/s1600/dryden+habits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiO3ibRENRyT_CDfB9QsPR0lU4q8FKuvOxYw-aYWixA7nLDlM9Le-BPLRw4PIFWItykDno1dXWq9pD29GH_uFaJXHYVoWF9Lf6vu4pUmXYHYzIJeLxEN-E_3FUG6KhYbVT4BpUfuww3U/s320/dryden+habits.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Some habits make us unhappy. Others reveal unhappiness. Some
do both. A healthy society strives to nurture the well-being of its members,
because secure, stable people who find satisfaction in life can work together,
innovate, adapt to change, and problem-solve effectively. A country full of miserable,
angry people who spend their time blotting out their pain or lashing out at
others can cope with almost nothing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Because unhappiness is stigmatized, it’s very possible for
someone to be in denial of their unhappiness even when evidence abounds.
Indeed, we are all likely in denial of at least a few habits that actively increase our unhappiness. </div>
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<br /></div>
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There's lots of research on what makes people happy and unhappy. Lots and lots. (Click on the links below if you're interested.) What follows is a partial list of the habits of unhappy people and what instigates them.
To be sure, these behaviors don't affect everyone in identical fashion. Whether these habits contribute to your unhappiness is entirely
for you to decide.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Habits</b></div>
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--<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201511/4-signs-someone-is-probably-insecure" target="_blank">Name dropping, bragging, exaggerating </a>your achievements
and talents (Evidence of insecurity.)</div>
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--Holding <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inviting-monkey-tea/201503/why-we-hold-grudges-and-how-let-them-go" target="_blank">grudges</a>, obsessively hating. (Evidence of anger
and also fans its flames.)</div>
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--<a href="https://www.yourtango.com/experts/dr-margaret-paul/relationships-why-do-you-attack-and-blame" target="_blank">Blaming</a> others, <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/general/what-is-denial-psychology-how-to-address-it/" target="_blank">denying responsibility</a>, <a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-29943/5-signs-you-complain-too-much-and-how-to-stop.html" target="_blank">complaining</a>, being
helpless or <a href="https://whywesuffer.com/the-hidden-cause-of-clinical-depression/" target="_blank">passive</a>, always framing oneself as a victim (Evidence of fear/anxiety/insecurity/shame/guilt.)</div>
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--Insulting/<a href="https://www.ditchthelabel.org/why-do-people-bully/" target="_blank">bullying</a>/mocking/<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-big-questions/201306/why-are-people-mean-part-1" target="_blank">demeaning</a> others others.
(Evidence of insecurity/shame.)</div>
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--<a href="https://www.inc.com/wanda-thibodeaux/why-people-are-lying-to-you-and-how-to-stop-them.html" target="_blank">Lying</a>, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/what-makes-people-cheat#1" target="_blank">cheating</a>. (Evidence of insecurity/fear/shame/anxiety.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j1DpRQH8cfByfp9ViUg9wJbWA2fAbnfoFzHA1acJcS-aMl2GP4d94VZlZAmEI2ak5HaDMzZCAHusuwoQA9Hbkts_4sO5xkLrOualUFPU-F-cpjO3buOLk9G-CHn_6-O2OhUvciESalU/s1600/stressed+driver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="400" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j1DpRQH8cfByfp9ViUg9wJbWA2fAbnfoFzHA1acJcS-aMl2GP4d94VZlZAmEI2ak5HaDMzZCAHusuwoQA9Hbkts_4sO5xkLrOualUFPU-F-cpjO3buOLk9G-CHn_6-O2OhUvciESalU/s200/stressed+driver.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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--Being <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322910.php#mental-health-issues" target="_blank">sedentary</a>, <a href="https://slate.com/business/2011/05/long-commutes-cause-obesity-neck-pain-loneliness-divorce-stress-and-insomnia.html" target="_blank">long commutes</a>, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/women/features/root-cause-of-road-rage#1" target="_blank">driving in traffic</a>. (Cause
of stress, depression, anger, anxiety, poor health.)</div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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--Watching <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/depression-loneliness-linked-to-binge-watching-television/" target="_blank">a lot of TV</a>/<a href="https://www.becomingminimalist.com/escaping-excessive-consumerism/" target="_blank">commercials</a> (Cause of poor health/insecurity/frustration/
passivity, sometimes evidence of anxiety, grief, depression.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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--Stewing in <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/coping-with-existential-anxiety-4163485" target="_blank">existential angst</a>, including climate change angst. (Evidence of anxiety/fear/despair,
can reinforce all three.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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--Spending hours each day watching or reading <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/20/health/how-to-deal-with-traumatic-news-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">news</a> (Evidence
of anxiety, cause of anxiety/anger/frustration/hopelessness.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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--<a href="https://www.bustle.com/articles/177777-why-your-partner-is-so-argumentative-and-how-to-work-on-it" target="_blank">Arguing</a> a lot, angry tweets, going off in rages, horn
honking, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/women/features/root-cause-of-road-rage#1" target="_blank">driving recklessly or with hostility</a>. (Evidence of low self-worth/anger.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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--Enjoying the pain of others, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-couch/201010/how-do-you-explain-human-cruelty" target="_blank">inflicting pain</a> on others,
fantasizing about inflicting pain on others, <a href="http://jaapl.org/content/jaapl/30/2/257.full.pdf" target="_blank">cruelty to animals</a>. (Evidence of
anger/self-hatred/perhaps shame/inability to empathize, cause of anger/guilt.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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--Prone to <a href="https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/aggression-violence" target="_blank">aggression</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3330535/" target="_blank">domestic violence</a>.(Evidence of anger/insecurity/low self-esteem.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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--Frequent impatience, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/anxiety-zen/201711/frazzled-high-anxiety-and-low-frustration-tolerance" target="_blank">frustration</a>, feeling stressed (Evidence
of anger/unhappiness from lack of control.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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--Ruminating on the negative, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/201701/10-ways-you-are-causing-your-own-unhappiness" target="_blank">negative self-talk</a>, <a href="https://www.happierhuman.com/optimism-happiness/" target="_blank">being pessimistic</a>. (Evidence of
fear/grief/low self-esteem, cause of fear/depression/low self-esteem.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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----Eating <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fast-food-effects-on-body" target="_blank">junk food</a>/<a href="https://firstwefeast.com/eat/2014/06/science-of-food-and-happiness" target="_blank">processed food</a>/<a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11425/can-caffeine-worsen-depression-and-anxiety.html" target="_blank">too much caffeine</a>. (Cause
of poor health/irritability./depression.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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--Garden-variety selfishness. Being inconsiderate, rude, not
taking one’s turn, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-the-self/201608/self-absorption-the-root-all-psychological-evil" target="_blank">not taking into account needs of others</a>. (Can be evidence of
fear/insecurity/anxiety/depression. Can also be evidence of bad upbringing that didn’t cultivate
empathy.)</div>
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--Artificial mood lifters--<a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/binge-eating-disorder/features/binge-eating-disorder-mental-health#1" target="_blank">binge eating</a>/<a href="https://psychcentral.com/blog/why-sugar-is-dangerous-to-depression/" target="_blank">sugar</a>/<a href="https://firstwefeast.com/eat/2014/06/science-of-food-and-happiness" target="_blank">carbs</a>/<a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/smoking-and-depression.aspx" target="_blank">smoking</a>/<a href="https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-mental-health/" target="_blank">alcohol</a>/<a href="https://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/drug-addiction/effects-of-drug-addiction-physical-and-psychological" target="_blank">drug use</a>/<a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/shopping-addiction-4157288" target="_blank">compulsive shopping</a>. (Evidence of anxiety/anger/depression/psychic pain, cause of shame/anger/addiction/poor
health.)</div>
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--<a href="http://bodylanguageproject.com/articles/body-and-facial-expressions-influence-mood/" target="_blank">Frowning</a>, <a href="https://www.uprightpose.com/blog/bad-posture-how-it-hurts-and-how-you-can-fix-it/" target="_blank">slumping</a> when sitting or walking (Evidence of anger/stress/sadness, cause of/amplifies depression, stress, sadness)</div>
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--Chasing status, <a href="https://www.learning-mind.com/consumerism-and-materialism-unhappy/" target="_blank">material goods</a>, spending lots of time on <a href="https://www.healthista.com/reasons-social-media-making-you-unhappy/" target="_blank">social media</a>. (Evidence of insecurity/fear/low self-esteem/loneliness, cause of resentment/fear/insecurity/low self-esteem/anger/anxiety/depression/loneliness.)</div>
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--<a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/hoarding-disorder/what-is-hoarding-disorder" target="_blank">Hoarding</a>, living in chaos/<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201203/why-mess-causes-stress-8-reasons-8-remedies" target="_blank">mess</a> (Evidence of anxiety, cause
of shame/stress/anxiety)</div>
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--<a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/05/ce-corner-isolation" target="_blank">Social isolation</a>, prolonged <a href="https://www.gethealthystayhealthy.com/articles/5-ways-grief-may-affect-your-health" target="_blank">grief</a>. (Evidence of
fear/depression/anxiety, cause of depression/poor health.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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--Little time spent <a href="https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing" target="_blank">in nature</a>, too little exposure to <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/benefits-sunlight" target="_blank">sunlight</a>.
(Cause of depression/poor health)</div>
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--Carrying around big bags of emotional rocks/not <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201411/let-it-go" target="_blank">letting stuff go</a>. (Cause of depression/frustration/low self-esteem/anger.)</div>
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--<a href="https://www.talkspace.com/blog/black-white-thinking-ways-poisons-your-perspective/" target="_blank">Black/white thinking</a>—us/them, winners/losers, good/evil,
etc. (“If only <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they </i>(insert group of
choice) didn’t exist, everything would be fine.) (Evidence and cause of
anger/fear/resentment)</div>
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Hey, we’ve all done some of the above. I’m guilty of many myself
at one time or another. The point is not to be perfect or eliminate every
possible negative action from our lives. Nor is the point to excuse these
behaviors, which can often be quite hurtful to others. The point is to
recognize and reduce the ways <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/where-science-meets-the-steps/201403/are-you-addicted-unhappiness" target="_blank">we contribute</a> to our own unhappiness and increase
the ways we boost our well-being.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNK9BOycBpWvnAH2TugVKyJitRpPExLHF-OpwI8Sa2gjQdqry4yz3O_chHdFQVzePXgCYS-i4Kkn2IB7y8tDwb-betcEGZzEh2V4JyMjQe4jdR5-7hrkrBsC8XVRmZWemmx9T5jTK6LaM/s1600/eeyore-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="303" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNK9BOycBpWvnAH2TugVKyJitRpPExLHF-OpwI8Sa2gjQdqry4yz3O_chHdFQVzePXgCYS-i4Kkn2IB7y8tDwb-betcEGZzEh2V4JyMjQe4jdR5-7hrkrBsC8XVRmZWemmx9T5jTK6LaM/s200/eeyore-1.gif" width="120" /></a></div>
Our level of well-being is a byproduct of how we live our lives. It's the result of
the big decisions we make but also the cumulative behaviors that fill our days.
You can think of your mood as your emotional weather, and your level of contentment/discontent
as your emotional climate. There are two important ways in which this
metaphor fails. You can’t change the weather but you can change your mood. And unhappiness
tends to beget more unhappiness. (There’s a reason
Eeyore walks under a perpetual rain cloud.) So breaking the cycle helps. Regardless of anything else, you <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-importance-of-not-being-miserable.html" target="_blank">deserve to enjoy your life</a>. Being miserable will not solve your problems, it won't solve the world's problems, but it will sap your energy and your health. Sure you won't always walk around in perpetual bliss, and chasing sheer hedonistic gratification can be a great way to ruin your life. Still, eliminating habits that make you unhappy really does help.</div>
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Unhappiness is usually a byproduct of stress, anger,
insecurity, unhealed trauma, frustration, low self-esteem, poor health, hunger
not under your control, lack of belonging/connection, or lack of life purpose/meaning. Sometimes tackling an unhappiness habit requires addressing the underlying emotion/cause, but sometimes just changing an external habit brings about remarkable internal change. Of course there are many factors
outside of one’s personal control that cause unhappiness. They include wealth
inequality, being abused as a child, sexual abuse, death of a loved one, a dangerous environment that
prevents walking/exercising outdoors, living in a food desert, no access to or money for food, no access to
nature, being the victim of violence, loud noise, lack of control at work, unloving
parents, physical pain, toxic people you can’t escape, being harassed, shamed,
demeaned, threatened or intimidated, incarceration, grief, pollution, litter, and ugliness. (Partial
list! What would you add?) There are good reasons for our society to prevent or
reduce the above factors as much as possible, and it’s true that sometimes
getting oneself away from a toxic situation or person can reduce unhappiness
dramatically. But people tend to vastly underrate the power of personal habits
that are within our direct control.</div>
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Habits that boost well-being: <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-brilliance-of-walking.html" target="_blank">walking</a>, <a href="https://www.oopsmark.ca/blogs/oopsmark/13153421-the-science-behind-why-cycling-makes-us-happier" target="_blank">biking</a>, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/12/health/yoga-happiness/index.html" target="_blank">yoga</a>, <a href="https://tchh.co.uk/health-benefits-of-tai-chi/" target="_blank">tai chi</a>, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-benefits-sports" target="_blank">sports</a> (if emphasis is on fun and camaraderie), <a href="https://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015/" target="_blank">time in nature</a>, <a href="https://www.good.is/articles/scientific-proof-that-trees-make-us-happier" target="_blank">tree canopies</a>, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-neurochemical-self/201706/why-flowers-make-us-happy" target="_blank">flowers</a>, being <a href="https://www.prevention.com/life/a20487942/being-grateful-leads-to-happiness/" target="_blank">grateful</a>, keeping a <a href="https://www.happyfeed.co/research/what-is-a-gratitude-journal" target="_blank">gratitude journal</a>, being <a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/kindness_makes_you_happy_and_happiness_makes_you_kind/" target="_blank">kind</a>, being <a href="https://www.happierhuman.com/optimism-happiness/" target="_blank">optimistic</a>,
limiting time on <a href="https://bigthink.com/ideafeed/for-greater-happiness-limit-social-media-time-studies-suggest" target="_blank">social media</a>, not eating <a href="https://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/10-reasons-why-processed-foods-are-so-bad-for-you/slide-10" target="_blank">processed food</a>, eating enough <a href="https://www.newhealthadvisor.org/Why-Is-Protein-Good-for-You.html" target="_blank">healthy protein</a>
and <a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20121011/fruits-vegetables-happiness#1" target="_blank">vegetables</a>, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeenacho/2016/03/05/increase-happiness-and-sense-of-well-being-through-meditation/#208c0cac2adb" target="_blank">meditation</a>, <a href="https://www.psychologies.co.uk/dance-your-way-happiness" target="_blank">dancing</a>, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/worry-and-panic/201505/petal-power-why-is-gardening-so-good-our-mental-health" target="_blank">gardening</a>, being <a href="https://www.happierhuman.com/optimism-happiness/" target="_blank">optimistic</a>, <a href="https://www.livescience.com/38483-mood-alcohol-effects-men-women.html" target="_blank">limiting alcohol</a>, limiting <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20045678" target="_blank">caffeine</a>, positive
<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ulterior-motives/201407/why-other-people-are-the-key-our-happiness" target="_blank">connection with others</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120730150113.htm" target="_blank">smiling</a>, sitting and standing with <a href="https://buffer.com/resources/improve-posture-good-posture-science-happiness" target="_blank">good posture</a>, acknowledging but <a href="https://www.success.com/how-to-break-the-pattern-of-dwelling-on-past-mistakes/" target="_blank">not dwelling</a> on negative emotions, <a href="http://feelhappiness.com/reframing-your-thoughts-make-yourself-happier/" target="_blank">reframing</a> problems, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-calm-down#1" target="_blank">calming </a>techniques, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201504/3-simple-steps-control-anger-and-frustration-others" target="_blank">frustration reduction</a> techniques, <a href="https://www.leaf.tv/4710212/how-does-massage-therapy-reduce-stress/" target="_blank">massage</a>, <a href="https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/sun-happiness.htm" target="_blank">sunlight</a>, <a href="https://healthypsych.com/the-link-between-creativity-and-happiness/" target="_blank">creating art</a>, <a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_four_keys_to_happiness_at_work" target="_blank">meaningful work</a>, finding <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/08/meaning-is-healthier-than-happiness/278250/" target="_blank">meaning in life</a>, cutting out
<a href="https://maxliving.com/healthy-articles/how-sugar-affects-moods" target="_blank">sugar</a>, <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/volunteering-may-be-good-for-body-and-mind-201306266428" target="_blank">community service</a>, <a href="https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/pets-happiness.htm" target="_blank">pets</a>, and <a href="https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/music-and-happiness2.htm" target="_blank">music</a> that you like. What
happiness boosters work for you? Making a list like this for you in particular
and holding it close to your heart (metaphorically) is a very good idea. For
unresolved trauma, counseling or deep internal work can help you heal. It's important to notice what's not on this list: money. That's because beyond a certain level of income, money doesn't make people any happier. (It depends on family size and cost of living, but in the US <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/happiness/" target="_blank">happiness starts plateauing</a> around $75K.) People who <a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/how-winning-the-lottery-affects-happiness-according-to-psychology-research" target="_blank">win the lottery</a> two years later are no more or less happy than random people selected from the phone book.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUniAje5g0_zYFhAaHqko-ORkSE9gf-VscQX3m3vIALozZA9YEVy0-J3ZT5hjb0sMVCFeT3CZt_ITX3VHqqn6WeeaQpo52BrVc1td5Twa44wIRY0WBsYejnl2GoIERVx-QrWdAVK1TW0/s1600/president-abraham-lincoln.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUniAje5g0_zYFhAaHqko-ORkSE9gf-VscQX3m3vIALozZA9YEVy0-J3ZT5hjb0sMVCFeT3CZt_ITX3VHqqn6WeeaQpo52BrVc1td5Twa44wIRY0WBsYejnl2GoIERVx-QrWdAVK1TW0/s200/president-abraham-lincoln.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
We unconsciously perceive unhappiness as <a href="https://www.notsalmon.com/2013/12/13/happiness-contagious/" target="_blank">contagious</a> (in some
ways it is) and avoid those who are obviously unhappy. This is one of the
reasons people deny, ignore, or conceal their unhappiness. But not everyone who is unhappy is
toxic. Indeed, some go on to live admirable
lives despite their unhappiness, a good example being Abraham Lincoln who had a
raft of private and public sorrows but still managed to be an exemplary human
being. (Maybe because, remarkably, he had very few unhappiness habits.)</div>
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I’m writing about unhappiness for two reasons.
The first is because I want to live in a world full of functional
people that aren’t committing slow suicide in misery. We are all connected,
every single living thing on this planet, so even if we never meet, your well-being affects my own.</div>
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The second reason is that if you can recognize the habits of
unhappy people for what they are, you can step out of the drama and be far less
affected by them. Often the behavior that drives you the most crazy is the one
that resonates with you unconsciously. The one you’re in denial about. Yep,
you’ve got to look at it. Becoming conscious of a habit is both a necessary and powerful first step towards addressing it.</div>
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When you interact with people who are unhappy, you don’t have to
solve their problems for them. You probably can’t anyway. But you can be kind.
And the first principle of being kind is to not take their negative energy,
wad it into a ball, and throw it back in their face to teach them a
lesson. If the person is harming you or others, you may have to intervene, but most unhappy people hurt themselves more than others. If you can manage not to participate in the drama, you can defuse it. You de-escalate. You
make it possible for the other person to make a shift. Maybe they will, maybe
they won’t, but not reinforcing their negative spiral has more power than you might think. And once you understand that their
behavior comes from unhappiness, it will make you less frustrated and
crazy, which means your happiness will increase. Benefits all around.</div>
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Bonus tip #1: If alcohol is adding to your unhappiness, a
powerful book is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-Naked-Mind-Discover-Happiness/dp/0525537236/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1581130213&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This Naked Mind</i></a>.
</div>
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Bonus tip #2: If you want a surefire way to increase your happiness,
<a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2019/04/why-don.html" target="_blank">get an electric bike</a>. I’m not kidding. Try it.</div>
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<br />
<i>Karen Lynn Allen is an author working on a new set of novels, a trilogy called </i>The Radiant Engineer <i>about a society that goes into a descent and then climbs out of it.</i></div>
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}</style>Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-5800964248088634932019-04-12T17:00:00.003-07:002019-04-16T08:34:21.927-07:00Why Don't You Have an Electric Bike Already?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxJRn-kO4Z3GA4T9dTm_zJEOODiEPnmlnG3q9Rbrb8UJK-tfLaeeERIwkQgZlbagBr5hQI4YgH4nTqNzoyN7y00nWjj6Q8PUZBLJrgO5QyWxN6Bgjc0lPVdaHwn0RcjytlSenN0qMLg0/s1600/xtracycle-hill-top-e-assist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxJRn-kO4Z3GA4T9dTm_zJEOODiEPnmlnG3q9Rbrb8UJK-tfLaeeERIwkQgZlbagBr5hQI4YgH4nTqNzoyN7y00nWjj6Q8PUZBLJrgO5QyWxN6Bgjc0lPVdaHwn0RcjytlSenN0qMLg0/s400/xtracycle-hill-top-e-assist.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of the World!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you’re already making most of your daily trips by
bike or on foot, you don’t need to read further. An electric bike is unlikely
to improve your life. For everyone else, read on!</div>
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Would you like to be stronger and <a href="https://www.bicycling.com/training/a20029339/how-cycling-makes-you-smarter-and-happier/" target="_blank">smarter</a>? Would you like to
be <a href="https://www.oopsmark.ca/blogs/oopsmark/13153421-the-science-behind-why-cycling-makes-us-happier" target="_blank">happier</a> and healthier? Would you like to keep depression at bay without
medication? Would you like to <a href="https://www.icebike.org/cycling-stress-medication/" target="_blank">reduce your stress by 40%</a> and sleep better? Would
you like to do all this in everyday clothes, without sweating, and have fun
while you’re at it?</div>
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It’s time to get an electric bike. It will change your life.
Seriously. I’m not kidding.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile3bYNLD8Hyxx6Cq4jTMmKRgKKxRKZouwQcJTUIxVHZRIMrPO8s-3lASl78v36mxFxbC1hED3lQVGqtiqrkih0b8Y70MYAnAcEgVeDWasIIvGEPKwMI74Tag993AmZHmggwKL-gkZ8vA/s1600/toonb_eBikes_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="420" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile3bYNLD8Hyxx6Cq4jTMmKRgKKxRKZouwQcJTUIxVHZRIMrPO8s-3lASl78v36mxFxbC1hED3lQVGqtiqrkih0b8Y70MYAnAcEgVeDWasIIvGEPKwMI74Tag993AmZHmggwKL-gkZ8vA/s200/toonb_eBikes_sm.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Mark Markovich, BikePortland.org)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you don’t bike now because you live in a hilly area,
electric bikes make hills flat. If you don’t bike now because you don’t like to
get sweaty, an electric bike means you don’t have to get sweaty at all if you
choose. (If you can walk without sweating, you can e-bike without sweating. If
you can’t walk without sweating, you have a health emergency you need to deal
with pronto.) If you don’t bike now because you have to cart around children or
groceries, an electric cargo bike will do both for you in a snap. If you don’t
bike now because you don’t have time, you will find an electric bike is as fast as a
car for distances under five miles, and in heavy traffic for distances under
ten miles. If you don’t bike now because you always have to drive more than
five miles for your daily trips, you’re probably overestimating how far away
your daily errands really take you. If you don’t bike now because the drivers
in your town are freaking maniacs, well, we’ll talk about that.</div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The benefits to cycling are legion. If a pill or a gadget
could make you happy, improve your immune function, make you less likely to
take sick days, make you less likely to get depressed, cure your depression
better than current medications, give you more energy throughout the day, help
you sleep, improve your skin, promote your brain health, prevent heart disease
and type 2 diabetes, prevent dementia, reverse heart disease and diabetes, prevent
multiple kinds of cancer, help you age well, and help you stay mobile and
active until a few short years before your death, you would see people standing
in line for days to purchase it. But the fact is <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-brilliance-of-walking.html" target="_blank">exercise can accomplish all of the above</a> for you. Indeed, 30 minutes of exercise a day is basically a wonder
drug that is cheap, available to all, and has few side effects. Since you
already have errands and commutes to do, walking or biking these trips is an
easy way to ensure you get your vital 30 minutes a day. I’m a big fan of
walking, but due to how our poorly US suburbs are designed (as opposed to <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2018/06/10-minute-neighborhoods-low-tech.html" target="_blank">The Ten Minute Neighborhood</a>) most people can do few of their daily trips on foot. However,
daily trips on an e-bike are very doable because e-bikes are just that great.
Even better, they’re fun. Really fun. And they’re the <a href="https://www.ebikes.ca/documents/Ebike_Energy.pdf" target="_blank">most energy efficient mode of travel</a> on the planet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8wNUQpa6QW7qs5shL1eEGA9SfVfHXqiAld7aOAkZsxf8kw4nH8ohgxjRR9Q_EknjU_kpAhW7_bITLjusaoM3TWbujBiDaTzXS3Hti28CBtFgQnGgbcpmEYB7diGTv65AQqe3_olM9fw/s1600/Grocery-getter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8wNUQpa6QW7qs5shL1eEGA9SfVfHXqiAld7aOAkZsxf8kw4nH8ohgxjRR9Q_EknjU_kpAhW7_bITLjusaoM3TWbujBiDaTzXS3Hti28CBtFgQnGgbcpmEYB7diGTv65AQqe3_olM9fw/s200/Grocery-getter.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My awesome E-bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hard-core bicyclists are quick to object to e-bikes as
hardly counting as exercise, but <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/today/2016/07/07/electric-assist-bikes-provide-meaningful-exercise-cardiovascular-benefits" target="_blank">this isn’t true</a>. With a pedal-assist e-bike
(that only kicks in if you pedal) you expend 70-80% of the calories you’d
expend on a regular bike over the same time period, depending on terrain, of
course. I live in San Francisco, land of big hills. On flat pavement, I am most
comfortable biking at about 12 mph on my regular bike, and about 15 on my
e-bike, not counting waiting for lights. I cover distances faster on my e-bike,
especially returning home since I live up a big hill, so I burn fewer calories
on my e-bike because of the shorter rides. However, once I got my electric
bike, I replaced many, many car trips with e-bike trips, so net I have a lot
more calorie expenditure. I still use my regular bike when I want to get more serious
exercise, but to zip down to the store? To go to the symphony? To go to my
evening tai chi class? It’s electric bike all the way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’ve been a driver for over forty years. Our household used
to own two cars, and I used to personally drive more than 10,000 miles a year,
most of it on complex San Francisco city streets. I totally get that cars are
convenient and that it can be enraging in a very primal way to share street
space with cyclists. My husband and I now own just a 2004 Prius that we drive less
than 4000 miles a year total, most of that on trips out of town. If you’ve never
ridden an electric bike, you may not believe this, but the switch from car
driving to biking is liberating. What most people don’t realize is that riding
an e-bike is just about as fast, and often faster, than driving a car or taking Lyft or Uber. What people
also don’t realize is that driving or sitting in a car makes you sedentary just as much as
watching TV does. It’s possible to be a little overweight and healthy. It is
not possible to be sedentary and healthy. Our bodies need movement to function
properly. It’s as simple as that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Let’s take a 150 lb person and examine their average calorie
burn per 30 minutes of activity, the exercise being on the moderate side.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Watching TV—28</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Car driving—34</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reading, sitting—42</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Computer work—51</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sitting in meetings—60</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walking 3.5 mph (17 min/mi)—149</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
E-biking 12 – 14 mph--223</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Regular bicycling 12 – 14 mph—298</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As you can see, regular biking is more exercise than
e-biking, but both are much, much better than sitting on your butt driving.
Time squandered sitting on your butt trapped in your car is time you could’ve
put towards health, happiness, and having fun. I know you’re still not convinced. Read on!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupzVouM_X6QaVV-yffyxF2XP3xk5KkhRXdlBkqykTDPxuZ0KgosbNQjOeB7fJ5jlpaXSxfpu6rildtKzyeV-WlDGBibhL_EzI0qFq5fbtH1SlzWxKCu52ed0ln-v2aR5IbU2Fc2_lDZU/s1600/3+miles+from+house.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="560" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupzVouM_X6QaVV-yffyxF2XP3xk5KkhRXdlBkqykTDPxuZ0KgosbNQjOeB7fJ5jlpaXSxfpu6rildtKzyeV-WlDGBibhL_EzI0qFq5fbtH1SlzWxKCu52ed0ln-v2aR5IbU2Fc2_lDZU/s320/3+miles+from+house.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circles of Daily Life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Your daily errands are closer than you think. <a href="https://jopf.re/osmaps-radius/" target="_blank">Here’s a great mapping tool</a>. Use it to draw three circles centered on your home with radii one, two and
three miles. To left are my three circles. I live in a congested
part of the city where there is a light or stop sign every single block. Which
means I am stopping every 15 - 30 seconds. On my e-bike I can
pretty much get to every destination in the inner circle in 6 - 7 minutes. The
second circle 10 – 12 minutes. The outside edge of the third circle I’m
confident I can get to in 18 - 20 minutes, faster if I hit the lights right. As you can see, most of San Francisco is within a 20 minute e-bike ride. And this is with constant stops in the second densest city in North America.
I’m sure you can do much better. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
While looking at your three circles, think about all the
trips you made in the last week. How many fit in the first circle? If you don’t
live in a city, maybe not many. How many fit in the second circle? Probably
quite a few. How many in the third? All these trips you can easily bike to, and
it probably won’t take much longer than driving and parking (maybe a minute or
two more?) If you go during heavy congestion times, e-biking is likely faster than
driving, plus it’s lots of fun zipping past cars stuck in traffic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’ll give a case of going to my acupuncturist. Her office is
2.2 miles away, on a bus line that stops half a block from my house. There are
two substantial hills on the way if I bike.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walk—50 min</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Muni bus—30 min (includes 3 min walking and 8 minutes
waiting)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Regular bike—24 min there, 27 min home (worse hill on way
home)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drive—24 min (20 min drive + park/feed meter)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
E-bike—15 min each way</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
E-bike wins hands down. It even substantially beats Lyft/Uber because while you don't have to park with rideshare, you do have to wait 1 - 5 minutes for them to pick you up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s another case. My sister lives in the suburbs of Seattle.
Her closest grocery store is 2.2 miles from her house, up a big hill every time
she leaves her home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walk—44 min</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bus—not an option, none exists</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Regular bike—17 min (Google map estimate)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drive—8 – 11 min, depending on time of day (6 – 9 min drive
+ 2 min park/walk)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
E-bike—11 min</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
E-bike wins because it’s as fast or nearly as driving, less
frustrating if there’s traffic, and better exercise. And more fun!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last case. My sister works 8 miles from her home in an
industrial part of a small city.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walk—2 hrs 43 min</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bus—not an option, none exists (completely ridiculous, but
so it goes.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Regular bike—50 min</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drive—20 minutes without traffic, 40 min with traffic + 5
min walk from parking lot </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
E-bike—35 minutes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It may seem like driving is quicker, but the fact is my
sister commutes when everyone else does, when traffic is at its worst. Though
50 minutes of regular biking might leave you a bit tired and sweaty, some people
might like such a workout if they’re able to shower at work. However, 35
minutes of e-biking will leave you energized, non-sweaty and perfectly ready to
start your day. E bike wins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKahAwtDC96RzRTr0TRGT_ttrfixPE79mfFgMzCcbOs0yMZRq_SHiO3av1_ZZj_S_oWYM2YhJZ6dGxLfSvKnh_TprVZDR-YsD2g1N-PfPTIYrZPuF2-lAPdxrfJuM5eteIycKkWKSy7o/s1600/ups+e+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="585" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKahAwtDC96RzRTr0TRGT_ttrfixPE79mfFgMzCcbOs0yMZRq_SHiO3av1_ZZj_S_oWYM2YhJZ6dGxLfSvKnh_TprVZDR-YsD2g1N-PfPTIYrZPuF2-lAPdxrfJuM5eteIycKkWKSy7o/s200/ups+e+bike.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serious cargo e-bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some of the benefits of e-bike versus regular bikes: easier
on the knees, you can get built-in lights to make you very visible to
motorists, they’re usually more upright, which also makes you more visible to
motorists, easier to carry heavy things home, can get out of
intersections faster (most dangerous places on roads with turning drivers not
looking out for you like they should.) Riding into the wind or uphill is no
longer a miserable experience. Cons: more expensive than a regular bike, have to worry more about it
getting stolen, not as good exercise, heavier, hard to carry upstairs, harder
to bring onto public transportation. The mining of elements in e-bike batteries
has a negative environmental impact.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Compared to cars e-bikes require a tiny fraction of the cost to own and operate. No need for
insurance or gas, little maintenance, uses a very tiny amount of electricity
(1/2 cents worth per mile.) You will never have to hunt for parking or get
parking tickets. You don’t have to uselessly carry around 3000 pounds of metal
with you wherever you go. No fumes, no emissions, no vibrations, no noise. All
bicycles are on a human scale that is good for neighborhoods and
neighborliness. Because of their far lighter weight, both bikes and e-bikes do very
little damage to roads, creating in and of themselves almost no need for costly
road maintenance. And all bicycles require far less land use, both when in use and when
parked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47EnvjagHP4sI-gSSUQwHLJyRzTeebnbMVb1umfmgh-wdMQO9Io1lvMs_OlBNWLQbCl6P7PSXcDZP-pXqAlmWvUOfpUfCKPizu2G5FNqcbMbbuXNyGvPmtmb0z2hVmFLBYBU_ApdCo0A/s1600/bike+parking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="878" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47EnvjagHP4sI-gSSUQwHLJyRzTeebnbMVb1umfmgh-wdMQO9Io1lvMs_OlBNWLQbCl6P7PSXcDZP-pXqAlmWvUOfpUfCKPizu2G5FNqcbMbbuXNyGvPmtmb0z2hVmFLBYBU_ApdCo0A/s320/bike+parking.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can fit a lot of bikes in a couple car parking spots.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Land use is an important point. Think of a terrible traffic jam.
You’re inching along and it takes five minutes to go half a mile. Your stress
builds as you realize you’re going to be late. You think not only could you
bike faster, you could walk faster than your car is moving. Look around at all
the cars in front and behind you. How many can you count? Forty? Fifty? If a
traffic fairy waved her wand and all the cars you just counted magically turned
into people on bikes, the traffic would disappear instantly. The
bikes would hardly fill one lane of the road. There would be plenty of room for
everyone; in fact there would be room for ten times the number. That’s how much
less space bicycles take, both on the road and parked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Carrying children is easy with an e-cargo bike. In fact
children vastly prefer it to being strapped motionless to a car seat seeing the
world vaguely from behind a window. There are all sorts of kid-oriented models
these days, many with rain canopies to keep your little ones dry. An added
bonus to ebiking is passing the long line of cars dropping children off at
school while you pull right up to the front door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Carrying groceries or other heavy stuff is easy on an
e-bike. You can use panniers, baskets, bike buckets or straps. On my Xtracycle e-bike
I can carry five bags of groceries plus a twelve-pack of toilet paper. Up hill.
Into the wind. And it's fun!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbaqFDROeLzQt5J7oVJYmyEhkQ_kAniN0lK5EL-0fXldXube-_FfW-qyE9J7vNSeHZJv-sJeDFp45A2luM-tJV0-c3LL29KIpk8zuNmNFjGpWK63D6kfnixSETKvZF4Jj_7OwK0uUivk/s1600/space+to+transport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="538" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbaqFDROeLzQt5J7oVJYmyEhkQ_kAniN0lK5EL-0fXldXube-_FfW-qyE9J7vNSeHZJv-sJeDFp45A2luM-tJV0-c3LL29KIpk8zuNmNFjGpWK63D6kfnixSETKvZF4Jj_7OwK0uUivk/s320/space+to+transport.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, to have a traffic fairy wave her magic wand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
E-bikes do require batteries that have negative environmental
impact, but because the batteries are so much smaller than those of electric
cars, the impact is an order of magnitude smaller. While not zero, if an ebike
will allow you to downsize a car, this would be would be far, far better for
the world than buying an electric car or continuing to drive your current
vehicle. An e-bike battery runs 4 – 8 lbs. The Nissan Leaf battery is 403 lbs.
The Tesla Model S battery is 1600 lbs. Right now there are more cars than drivers in the United States. This is insane. Replacing all of these current cars
with electric cars would be insane. If two-thirds of American cars were
replaced with e-bikes, the health and happiness of the US population would not
only improve, people would actually get where they were going faster. And they would have more fun.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’m not going to recommend any particular brand of e-bike, but
I will say that the technology has advanced substantially since I pieced my
bike together with a kit I got online. (Not easily. I finally got it going
well with the help of an electric bike guy in town.) Now you can get e-bikes
that are entirely waterproof, with the batteries integrated into the frame, or
at least encased in a goodly amount of firm plastic. My advice is not to get
the cheapest e-bike you can find (it’ll just fall apart), but there are good
ones to be found starting around $800, and great ones for more. Depending how
often you use it, you may have to get a new battery every 3 – 5 years, so
factor that into your calculations. The good news is electric brushless motors
have very few moving parts and need very little maintenance. What’s more likely
to go bad is the controller for the electrical system. I’ve had my bike (which
was really a kluged together job) for nine years now. I’ve replaced the battery
twice and the controller once. I have a 300W motor that does a great job moving
me, groceries, and my 80 lb bike up very big hills. I can’t see why anyone
would get a 500 Watt motor or, worse, a 750 Watt. If you have to pedal to get
it going and it has a top speed of 20 mph, you don’t need that much power
unless you live at the top of a volcano. Don’t get a bike with a throttle
unless you know yourself well and know you’ll always pedal. Just sitting on
your butt on your bike doesn’t count as exercise, plus it’ll cut your range
significantly. Last piece of advice on bike choice: get a bike with an electric
motor, not an electric scooter with pedals. If it doesn’t really look like a
bike or a trike, you will get few exercise benefits from it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last few issues: weather, seniors, and bad drivers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17-k8i-T4x6FJvi673loVyHmyQ3zy1OvnXnAF__QAcpqtG7BWS3WWMbfa2ttsYqXrMaigZzWH5sEMLkcGarXMDGsarHqL9NpQQF5boMUjBg7FzmD3X39GeWjA_oHITQIBlFPigaK-CqE/s1600/bike+canopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="520" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17-k8i-T4x6FJvi673loVyHmyQ3zy1OvnXnAF__QAcpqtG7BWS3WWMbfa2ttsYqXrMaigZzWH5sEMLkcGarXMDGsarHqL9NpQQF5boMUjBg7FzmD3X39GeWjA_oHITQIBlFPigaK-CqE/s320/bike+canopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Do-It-Yourself Snow Canopy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rain. I can’t say I’m fond of biking in it, but with proper
gear (poncho, rain paints, etc) it’s not so bad. Fenders are essential. Rain canopies on cargo bikes
can be had for children. When it rains I also sometimes take the bus, walk (I
like walking in the rain) or postpone an errand for another day. If I get wet
coming home, it’s no big deal, I just change my clothes. Getting wet on the way
to a destination is the biggest issue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Snow. I have a friend in Minneapolis who bikes year round,
even in sub-zero temperatures. He gets studded snow tires and says proper
clothing is essential. Again, he bikes year around. In Minneapolis. It is more
than possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Wind. San Francisco is often windy, with wind blowing in
from the ocean. My electric bike has increased my happiness level when having
to bike into the wind considerably.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwugqq-6xIpLPDIB4KQZOemGgz02Qi4eLrxegcmK0wuFxMFcxNgZ2YU6aihpB-ciO7SwnJR6OufIGB5J_r7vR75HXRPo4Vpcts7Y9pLgzhYv8NB2rNSqTml4t72AwPzGUNHHH903E6sM4/s1600/ebk-trike-wpt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="650" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwugqq-6xIpLPDIB4KQZOemGgz02Qi4eLrxegcmK0wuFxMFcxNgZ2YU6aihpB-ciO7SwnJR6OufIGB5J_r7vR75HXRPo4Vpcts7Y9pLgzhYv8NB2rNSqTml4t72AwPzGUNHHH903E6sM4/s200/ebk-trike-wpt.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy senior mobility</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Seniors! Let’s not forget them. They need to exercise for
health as much as anyone. E-bikes are wildly popular among those over 65 in the
Netherlands, a land where people ride bikes daily from childhood on. Seniors
there say e-bikes keeps them on bikes an additional ten years. If you don’t
feel comfortable on a two-wheeler, there are always senior electric trikes, very
fun, great for shopping and getting around town.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Freaking terrible dangerous drivers. In my estimation,
two-thirds of drivers are decent, courteous, responsible human beings. The
other third are devil's spawn. They speed. They text. They run lights. They turn without
looking. Many have no idea where they’re going or lack the mental
capacity to negotiate any kind of complex street environment. Some are deeply
angry, alienated, unhappy people, and their driving reflects it. Even worse, their
vehicles give them a sense of anonymity, power and entitlement, a dangerous
combination. Some drivers feel hostile (consciously or subconsciously) towards
bicyclists because <a href="https://trec.pdx.edu/research/project/989" target="_blank">they perceive bicyclists to have a different social identity</a>
that they view as inferior in status, power and legitimacy. In an effort to enforce and
preserve social and personal dominance, they
express disdain and aggression towards bicyclists that can be unpleasant if not
harrowing. In San Francisco aggressive, reckless drivers hit three people a day
on average, often elderly pedestrians in crosswalks, but sometimes cyclists as
well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
What about those lawless bicyclists! you might say.
<a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2015/11/best-tool-for-job-suv-bicycle-or-nfl_27.html" target="_blank">Bicyclists aren’t nearly as dangerous</a>. They don’t have the speed or the mass to
injure anyone in a car, or even anyone on foot unless they’re going very fast
and get a direct hit. It happens, but rarely, mostly because if a cyclist hits
a pedestrian with any speed, both are going to end up in the hospital. There
are huge consequences to the cyclist. Car drivers hit people every single day.
There are almost no consequences to the car drivers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So with all these crazy, irresponsible drivers, is it just
too dangerous to bicycle you might wonder? I’ve been cycling in San Francisco for ten
years, and have also during that time bicycled in Seattle, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Washington DC, Charleston, Boston, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Berlin, Vienna and Paris. In that time I’ve had two low-speed crashes, both the result of getting
my front tire caught in light rail tracks. (I now have sufficient fear of God
of light rail tracks.) Here are some techniques I’ve used:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--Use bicycle infrastructure when it exists. (Check bike
routes on Google maps.) Good bicycle infrastructure protects bicyclists and
substantially reduces conflict between motorists and cyclists. Many communities
are slowly putting in bike lanes here and there. Few are protected like they
should be and sometimes they just disappear mysteriously, but having a wide
enough shoulder to ride on makes a big difference. If you have a completely off
road bicycle path that takes you at least close to where you want to go, kick
your heels for joy and use it! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--Advocate for bicycle infrastructure. The reason you don’t
have enough in your community is that not enough people have asked for it with enough
urgency.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--Advocate for speed humps to slow cars down. Speed kills.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--Ride a bike with plenty of lights. I love my <a href="https://www.monkeylectric.com/" target="_blank">Monkey Light</a>. Use lots of lights at night.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc_7eImcjT0anqqLeSbWPi-Y0vxKzLYQOFli2zlB4ha1h8LUS5yMp33TG3jWeLVmxsKgT3CqF4yZ2KZcUYFS2jhAWyj8lCi5dRpWbZ_OiMl-yZFF2VnlDRRg-t3i6w555lCsRNiWCLIc/s1600/monkey+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="474" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc_7eImcjT0anqqLeSbWPi-Y0vxKzLYQOFli2zlB4ha1h8LUS5yMp33TG3jWeLVmxsKgT3CqF4yZ2KZcUYFS2jhAWyj8lCi5dRpWbZ_OiMl-yZFF2VnlDRRg-t3i6w555lCsRNiWCLIc/s200/monkey+light.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light up the night!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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--Wear bright clothing. At night wear reflective clothing. (I
break this rule when my husband and I take our e-bikes to the symphony.) Never
ride at night without a light front and back. (This rule I don’t break.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--Take residential streets that are calmer with less
traffic. The route you would take in a car may very well <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> be the best route to take by bike.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--Don’t be afraid to bike to the right of congested car
traffic. Again, it’s speed that kills. Cars going under 20 miles an hour are
much less likely to hurt you than cars doing 30 or 40 mph. Even better if
they’re crawling along at 5 mph.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--Don’t get all duded up in Lycra like you’re training to be
Lance Armstrong. Especially if you’re on an electric bike, it just looks silly.
Dress like an ordinary human being, doing an ordinary daily task that’s just as
important as what anybody in a car is doing. Because it is. Riding an upright bike
in regular clothes makes you more visible, but it also makes you less of an
alien species to drivers, increasing their empathy and willingness to take
adequate safety precautions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--If a car driver pulls some stunt that threatens you, don’t
be shy. Yell loudly. Even “Hey, hey, hey!” will do. It’s faster and louder than
a bike bell and gets better results.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--When stopped at intersections, I do my best to get myself
in front of traffic (in the crosswalk if need be, once pedestrians have passed)
before the light changes. Better to be in front of cars where drivers can see
you than to the right where they might right-hook you as they turn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--At four way stops I signal turns with my hands and make
eye contact to make sure the other drivers see me. Often drivers will wave me
through before them so it helps to really look at them behind their windshield.
If someone is nice to you, give them a friendly wave as acknowledgement.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--Watch out for car doors. Take the lane if necessary to get
far enough from them so you don’t have to veer suddenly into traffic. If
someone opens a car door right as you’re passing it probably won’t kill you but
it will likely send you flying and it might break bones. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--Watch out especially for people making unprotected left
turns. They’re crazed, looking for gaps in traffic, not for you. Wave if you
must to make sure they see you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--Safety in numbers. If there are routes popular with other
cyclists, then cars drivers are more likely to expect cyclists there and look
out for them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi8oc57Q5Jht3uohzk40zJA6jKiaZhKLoOjoy6XLF7Y9cKsDJ2GnhojlvbciyM3OLqe8O46NaCWGAxXssBE8jP6_In2fDL3u8XSysNhQstbkFCMhJwpWEoBfUFRZSu8Inft9o2QhANJc/s1600/cart+wash+machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTi8oc57Q5Jht3uohzk40zJA6jKiaZhKLoOjoy6XLF7Y9cKsDJ2GnhojlvbciyM3OLqe8O46NaCWGAxXssBE8jP6_In2fDL3u8XSysNhQstbkFCMhJwpWEoBfUFRZSu8Inft9o2QhANJc/s200/cart+wash+machine.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You could do this, too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
--Don’t bike too fast. This is key. I rarely bike over 15 mph. I know
many cyclists love going faster, but the faster you go, the less time you have
to react to cars or other obstacles, and your speed increases the force impact
of any spill or collision you might have. Low speed spill onto pavement=skinned
knee. Medium speed collision=broken bone. High speed collision=death.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--I don’t bike next to 50 mph highways. It just makes me too
unhappy. If that’s your only option, I’m really sorry.<br />
--If you're going to try out e-biking to work, I suggest trying out the route during non-peak hours first, when there's little traffic and no time pressure. There will inevitably be things you don't expect, and perhaps ways to optimize your route or make it safer or more pleasant that you can't tell just by looking at a map. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
--Smile. Put out good vibes. Enjoy the trees, the flowers,
the sunlight, perhaps a pale moon rising in the east. I find being a
middle-aged woman with flowers on her wicker basket also helps. Did I mention riding an electric bike is fun?</div>
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</style>Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-39337169822367253042019-03-31T18:56:00.000-07:002019-03-31T20:14:59.563-07:00A Good Problem to Have<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfsq-gq73Gnr3B-LDntKJw6R9ltY0Tcj33k5G_fX9xRQkYV0nbFOzT_rywIE241koCQVqTF8gd5PbuKx6hsogdnpL5RG_GTTS3NXWGTZ5aYegh2U7gtgMAsAeSzgKLPuYn41_9gIAkUo/s1600/March+23+renewables.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="829" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfsq-gq73Gnr3B-LDntKJw6R9ltY0Tcj33k5G_fX9xRQkYV0nbFOzT_rywIE241koCQVqTF8gd5PbuKx6hsogdnpL5RG_GTTS3NXWGTZ5aYegh2U7gtgMAsAeSzgKLPuYn41_9gIAkUo/s400/March+23+renewables.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Electricity Production March 23, 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Saturday, March 23, 2019, was a windy, sunny day in
California. It was so windy and sunny that at 3pm renewables supplied 68% of
the electrical load. As you can see in the chart above, not only did the California
ISO, the entity responsible for managing California’s energy grid, throttle
back electricity imported from other states, it pulled way back on the
electricity it took from natural gas (thermal) power plants. Ramping down California’s
lone nuclear power plant wasn’t an option—nuclear power plants are pretty much
on or off and take a long time to change from either state. Hydroelectricity
can usually be throttled back somewhat, but after a wet, snowy winter in
California the reservoirs behind the dams are full. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is not the first time California has had
such a bounty of renewable power. In April and May of last year, renewables at
times made up over 70% of the electrical load. For the last three months, December
2018 -- February 2019, renewables contributed more than 60% of California’s electricity
at some point in each month. So far, the all time high for renewables contribution
to the California grid for any five minute period is 74%. </span></div>
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California has four basic challenges to resolve on its
journey to using solely renewables + large hydro to power its electric grid. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBgL2JOTpazUCYNep8VbOtAfLc4dDRqryQoo-yrJN6nTFmEQKiQmqDHWkHotWfo76N5T1kKvMLExdyr7u_IQOXxwVDxV3HY1xTRtHEc1Ecp6b5RNucgm19jIQz0xRHZqrfRIjycPaTSU/s1600/calif+dam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="520" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBgL2JOTpazUCYNep8VbOtAfLc4dDRqryQoo-yrJN6nTFmEQKiQmqDHWkHotWfo76N5T1kKvMLExdyr7u_IQOXxwVDxV3HY1xTRtHEc1Ecp6b5RNucgm19jIQz0xRHZqrfRIjycPaTSU/s200/calif+dam.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the baseload</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The state needs baseload power that can supply
around 20,000 MW delivered around the clock and around the year.
Hydroelectricity, on non-drought years, can provide about 4,000 MW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nuclear provides another 2,000 MW; however, California’s
aging lone nuclear plant is scheduled to shut down in 2025. Other renewables,
such as biogas, small hydro, geothermal and biomass are together reliably
supplying 2,000 MW around the clock. This leaves a gap of 12,000 MW that is
currently being met by burning natural gas or importing electricity from other
states. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>California’s second challenge is that summer
demand, higher than any other season, generally peaks around 6pm when solar
panels have lost most productivity. This demand needs to be reduced, shifted to
other times of day, or both. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Challenge three is that in order to meet winter
demand, the state needs to figure out ways to produce electricity on cloudy,
low wind days in December and January, when both solar panels and on-shore wind
turbines may produce only a third of the electricity that they do in other
seasons. Sometimes this low sun/wind combination might last for days at a time,
so shifting demand to other times of day won’t help.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>The last challenge is what to do with the excess
electricity that will inevitably be produced on windy, sunny days after solar
and wind are built out enough to deal with challenges one through three. With
just the amount of wind and solar being added to California 2019, it is likely
that renewables + large hydro + nuclear will surpass 100% of demand often on
sunny, windy days in 2020. It is likely that renewables alone will surpass 100%
of demand on sunny, windy days after 2022. But this is a good problem to have! Read
on!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to Provide
Renewable Baseload Power</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqHRsrvqk-c5XbkDY1FfE0Ur95Sc-V8jrzDpD3sT9duZ6jLxbRqGwnlegZ1oIG_4_qNTxyaXH4r5OG_NmB9yRVM_Qi1P4pH0sPf5XzYdlsOajFxO8hPS_mMXmaN_JUfG6H2ad4rxMPSA/s1600/Natural_gas_pipelines_map.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="800" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqHRsrvqk-c5XbkDY1FfE0Ur95Sc-V8jrzDpD3sT9duZ6jLxbRqGwnlegZ1oIG_4_qNTxyaXH4r5OG_NmB9yRVM_Qi1P4pH0sPf5XzYdlsOajFxO8hPS_mMXmaN_JUfG6H2ad4rxMPSA/s200/Natural_gas_pipelines_map.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaky, leaky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
First let’s discuss why burning natural gas and importing
electricity from other states is not a climate-friendly answer for meeting
baseload or peak power requirements. Though we’ve been led to believe that
natural gas is a “clean” fuel, because the national natural gas distribution
system is so leaky, it turns out that burning natural gas to produce
electricity, while better for our lungs, <a href="https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/natural-gas-is-not-a-clean-fuel/" target="_blank">is almost as bad for the climate as burning coal</a>. We need to transition natural gas out of our homes and out of our
electricity supply in relatively short order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But why not just buy electricity from other Western states
that have excess to sell? There are a few problems with this. 1.) These states
have peak summer demand right around the time California does, which means
they’re least likely to have excess electricity when we need it most,
especially any produced from hydro, solar or wind. 2) Right now all these
states burn coal. Some of them burn a lot. In fact, most would have no
electricity to sell at all if they didn’t burn coal. The coal burners even
include Washington State, despite its prodigious amount of hydroelectricity.
Even if “officially” California is buying electricity produced by hydro, wind
turbines or solar panels, if these states weren’t shipping electricity to
California, they would burn less coal or none at all. Eventually these states
will build out renewables enough to meet their own internal demand. Until then
they have no business shipping electricity to anyone else. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfRHc0-yda4_VqLps9DoaWPQMFCawA4CQqeHVtBoaltfex39bJREMSGCstTqLvBNQUcaHz_A3dgGLAH2IqPED2OFZnxC-PkaDlEfuwWWRCFshQuEWp-71cLZmBhBkNQZRlAsPwqAzfQY/s1600/onshore+wind+potential.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="708" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfRHc0-yda4_VqLps9DoaWPQMFCawA4CQqeHVtBoaltfex39bJREMSGCstTqLvBNQUcaHz_A3dgGLAH2IqPED2OFZnxC-PkaDlEfuwWWRCFshQuEWp-71cLZmBhBkNQZRlAsPwqAzfQY/s320/onshore+wind+potential.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wyoming is the state furthest west with the most purple.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3) Even if all these
states installed renewables like crazy, few have much in the way of potential
wind resources. Many have great solar potential but their solar would produce
daytime peaks very close to California’s solar generation peaks, when
California needs to import electricity the least. The exception, as you can see
in the wind map adjacent, is Wyoming. Wyoming has both amazing wind and a small
population. It could easily build out enough wind farms to sell electricity
24/7 all summer to California. Too bad the state is completely in servitude to
coal and perversely unwilling to take advantage of the great renewable,
non-destructive source of energy it is so richly endowed with. Since California
cannot force Wyoming to become sensible, the Golden State will have to make use
of its own great untapped resource to produce baseload energy: off shore wind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHayoaKxJVXpu-l2EkQ-5uLpsexQlU-sADJeju7NxrqNZASV7sgBnkVZZWvA1uUnjX6p0jIMUna_KAeeuB6SHdDd12oO9R6fPGF2U24F5O3zNcq5BYILeY4jJ_IDo98HwIvjanIJuaY-o/s1600/offshore+wind+potential.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="429" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHayoaKxJVXpu-l2EkQ-5uLpsexQlU-sADJeju7NxrqNZASV7sgBnkVZZWvA1uUnjX6p0jIMUna_KAeeuB6SHdDd12oO9R6fPGF2U24F5O3zNcq5BYILeY4jJ_IDo98HwIvjanIJuaY-o/s320/offshore+wind+potential.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">Off shore wind beats on shore with a stick.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On shore wind in California comes and goes. Some days are
blustery; some days are still. In contrast, the wind off the coast of
California is strong and steady all day, all night, and all four seasons. Perfect
for baseload. The wind off the north part of the state is better than the wind south, but even the wind off LA isn't bad.Though the US has been slow to adopt off-shore wind technology,
Europeans have not. Europe now has 18,499 MW of off shore wind turbines
installed, with 4,543 grid-connected turbines. Of turbines installed last year,
the average size was 6.8 MW. Because of deep waters in windy areas, California
will likely need to install floating turbines, although there are some locations
with shallow water where conventional turbines could be used. But Europeans are
ahead of us there, too. There is already a 30 MW floating wind turbine farm off
the coast of Scotland, and a <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">€</span>31 million euro floating wind project
approved off the west coast of Ireland. Since off shore wind farms take several
years to build and install, California should get started now. Building out a
reliable baseload power supply is purely a matter of money and political will.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to Meet Peak
Summer Demand</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXwV1r7pwQuU8Nsk3nx5N-6VbnyaN9GWAf6PomnCqC5AtrxPLXHAzdkl8nqM0U0JvzVO_RJG3VQZBKICl7Wh2nhlK2TP7ZE8JKsLbtYiyU77souKKW9lwJs-ux3gJgEdaZu8UwLSv-Qo/s1600/ca+sum+temps.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="489" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXwV1r7pwQuU8Nsk3nx5N-6VbnyaN9GWAf6PomnCqC5AtrxPLXHAzdkl8nqM0U0JvzVO_RJG3VQZBKICl7Wh2nhlK2TP7ZE8JKsLbtYiyU77souKKW9lwJs-ux3gJgEdaZu8UwLSv-Qo/s200/ca+sum+temps.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up, up, up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Renewables contribution as a percent of peak load in
California falls in summer months, not because renewable generation falls, but
because demand goes way up with the state’s summer air conditioning load.
It is then that California turns to burning natural gas and importing
electricity in spades.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The main problem is that utility-scale renewables production
is strongest from 9am to 6pm, while summer demand peaks from 3 pm to 9 pm. This
mismatch is partly due to residential solar dampening daytime demand, but also
because heat builds during the day, peaking between 3:30 and 5pm, depending on
how far one is from the coast. (The demand curve during other seasons looks
quite a bit different but it never exactly matches renewable production.) To
meet summer demand without burning fossil fuels or causing other states to burn
them, California would have to build out renewables to the point there would
often be large oversupplies of electricity fall through spring as well as many
summer days until 3pm. Or the state would have to figure out a way to reduce
summer peak demand. Or it would have to do a combination of both.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So what are the options? Waste electricity? Have blackouts
every summer afternoon? Neither! Excess electricity can be used in productive
ways, excess electricity can be stored to be used other times, and peak demand
can be shifted or reduced, all with technology that currently exists. Let’s
explore.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Store Peak Supply Electricity for Peak Demand Hours</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5evic4kKocuKVG6YuoYKJ029GekvAieO2NIuOuuZr6U-gy-byrpnTrEtMK-ZXZb38h21PlQVS91tXVPQgfbbzz_JVlnv16DcjqOSh7AKZN4HRxu_OKQYk7AahA5jZxkY26dnKerG_kI8/s1600/pump+hydro+storage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="622" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5evic4kKocuKVG6YuoYKJ029GekvAieO2NIuOuuZr6U-gy-byrpnTrEtMK-ZXZb38h21PlQVS91tXVPQgfbbzz_JVlnv16DcjqOSh7AKZN4HRxu_OKQYk7AahA5jZxkY26dnKerG_kI8/s320/pump+hydro+storage.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
Pumped hydro storage. During sunny/windy hours, the
state can use electricity to pump water up behind a dam, creating a giant
battery of potential energy. Let the water fall to provide baseload grid
capacity in late afternoon/evenings. The site can be closed-loop, with
reservoirs that don’t impact existing river systems. California currently has
3,000 MW of pumped hydro storage. Doubling its pumped hydro storage capacity would
go a long ways towards ensuring grid reliability during peak demand hours. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxPpj-tMm3iLOlrpwP1MNopo0So2N3xsN_NYuFK2BHxHtGoqU4jf3fOvCS8FxvQ5CR-D699cY-QrgcRgGFo4WrTx6WEO5fbdyo46vbfiDn_nPzeQ_2mhFwMt7DeLwQ2RwSJRqVWqOJKo/s1600/ice+battery.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="1195" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxPpj-tMm3iLOlrpwP1MNopo0So2N3xsN_NYuFK2BHxHtGoqU4jf3fOvCS8FxvQ5CR-D699cY-QrgcRgGFo4WrTx6WEO5fbdyo46vbfiDn_nPzeQ_2mhFwMt7DeLwQ2RwSJRqVWqOJKo/s320/ice+battery.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Ice batteries. This is a twofer—ice batteries
essentially both store electricity and reduce peak demand. They can be
programmed to charge themselves by making ice when renewable supply exceeds
demand, say 10 am – 2pm, then use the ice to coast through the hottest six
hours with cooling that requires very little electricity. This can be done on
an industrial, commercial, institutional and residential level. The technology
is relatively low tech and already exists. For homeowners, the cost of an ice
battery is equivalent to a conventional AC system.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Encourage home batteries via time-of-use charges.
Charge low rates during peak supply hours and very high rates during peak
demand hours. This will both make use of excess electricity and shift demand.
It would also encourage households to install solar on west-facing roofs, which
will provide more electricity late afternoon when it’s most needed.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Utility Scale battery storage—lithium ion, redox
flow, zinc hybrid, etc. Charge during peak generation, use during peak demand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reduce or shift demand away from peak hours 3pm – 9pm</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Ice batteries (discussed above.)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Implement steep cost for electricity during peak
demand for residential and commercial users (discussed above.)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Reduce amount of sewage treatment, water pumping
and water treatment during peak demand hours. Some obviously needs to happen
continually, but some can be delayed to off peak times.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKL3q5so7pectJWvAyJoSmnb9I8AE933m0uUZJsFJ0Q0WXFzKaO38ybL85hCFSdvxXMpAQt7LAw9FAsLni2SPvMTiFU-1xUaOs2F5Y2ULHilfOr5aAB9amiE3WVV_Dk_3Xhbh7B6FnItU/s1600/drought+yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="584" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKL3q5so7pectJWvAyJoSmnb9I8AE933m0uUZJsFJ0Q0WXFzKaO38ybL85hCFSdvxXMpAQt7LAw9FAsLni2SPvMTiFU-1xUaOs2F5Y2ULHilfOr5aAB9amiE3WVV_Dk_3Xhbh7B6FnItU/s200/drought+yard.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go no lawn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Conserve water/use greywater in Southern
California. The State Water Project is the largest single user of energy in
California. Getting water from Sacramento-San Joaquin delta to Southern
California requires pumping it 700 miles and then up 2000 feet over the
Tehachapi Mountains. Summer is exactly the time lawns and poorly landscaped
yards need the most irrigation. Use permaculture techniques to replace lawns
and other water-guzzling landscaping with lush, beautiful gardens that require
a third the water. Use permaculture water capture techniques plus grey water to
keep landscaping going all summer with minimal watering.<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-family: "cambria";"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwioJICaf3uPZgFoi9Zi2UMXnxwW-psXO5BwngiD99e2AnWApPiRaFI84cPhDOpFE5Vx08CVEVe9XixohECV4PuPXCf6PXd5pwquOpQOqmsRDoZmDNqcqBmvr8QhZ0F_BLBmOEu5GUQM/s1600/singing+frog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="865" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwioJICaf3uPZgFoi9Zi2UMXnxwW-psXO5BwngiD99e2AnWApPiRaFI84cPhDOpFE5Vx08CVEVe9XixohECV4PuPXCf6PXd5pwquOpQOqmsRDoZmDNqcqBmvr8QhZ0F_BLBmOEu5GUQM/s320/singing+frog.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing Frogs Farm--no-till, low water, high biodiversity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></span>Stop water-crazy agriculture in California that
requires crazy water pumping electrical use. Cotton, rice, and alfalfa are
water-intensive crops that can all be grown in places where water falls from
the sky all summer. Beef fed with irrigated forage, and cheese from cows that
are fed alfalfa require huge amounts of water. These animals can also be raised
in places where water doesn’t have to be pumped hundreds of miles. (Wisconsin!
Iowa!) Almonds can’t be grown in many other parts of the US, but if the
crop is largely being exported to China, then California is just foolishly
exporting cheap water to China. Raising prices to, say, a 1/5<sup>th</sup> to a
1/4<sup>th</sup> of residential costs instead of the present 1/100<sup>th</sup>
to 1/50<sup>th</sup> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>would send rice,
cotton, alfalfa and cheese production off to the states they belong in and
would encourage <a href="https://www.wired.com/2015/06/farming-and-drought/" target="_blank">dry farming</a>, drip irrigation, mulching, compost use, and bio-intensive
farming, all of which regenerate the soil and draw down carbon from the atmosphere.
Yes, the cost of food will rise. If we want a planet habitable for the human
race this is inevitable. Better to directly subsidize healthy fruits and
vegetables for low-income households than to waste water and energy as
extravagantly as we do.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Implement a steep time-of-use rate structure to
move industrial demand off peak demand hours. Demand response programs already
exist but they could be much stronger, on the order of triple for
kilowatt-hours used summer months between 3pm and 9pm. Industrial customers
will either put their own west-facing solar panels on their rooftops, install their
own batteries, or run their operations when electricity is cheaper.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIsZ0Dhx7b0UfwTi2YyNSIkRdgPTeBD6EeLF_cVxvb_JyTRthHE7MpKevoscmbNl4mVdICImusAZbC6cxBpq4anT4opbPLPbwXxEFC5prhu7WUDMQuDECf7pjMOLn1XHvCaeHtxlXL0U/s1600/tree+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIsZ0Dhx7b0UfwTi2YyNSIkRdgPTeBD6EeLF_cVxvb_JyTRthHE7MpKevoscmbNl4mVdICImusAZbC6cxBpq4anT4opbPLPbwXxEFC5prhu7WUDMQuDECf7pjMOLn1XHvCaeHtxlXL0U/s200/tree+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In LA, trees=cool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Reduce need for cooling throughout California.
Plant trees, trees and more trees, especially to the west of buildings. Add green roofs, add living walls. Water
them all with greywater. Add awnings to all west-facing windows. Make all roofs
that are not green into white roofs that reflect heat. Reduce urban heat island
effect by ripping up asphalt and concrete and turning it into low-water (but
lovely) green spaces or replace with cool pavements, including vegetated
permeable pavers irrigated with grey water. Add solar canopies to shade
walkways and parking lots. (Better yet, get rid of parking lots.) Increase the
albedo of asphalt by adding light color aggregates or seal existing asphalt
with reflective coating. Discourage housing in high summer heat areas. Create
gentle density and walkable communities in areas with reliable cooling ocean breezes
(within 5 miles of coast) by replacing parking lots with townhouses, duplexes
and apartments. (See <a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2018/06/10-minute-neighborhoods-low-tech.html" target="_blank">Ten Minute Neighborhoods</a>.)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBdD2QjW2QNp9EA5QVCBXcSK5ivTMFeGhQGOCK_j0F6_YEufBfBvzumnI7tmp79wjlcn-2f20-9ACpJ0t9p3n4OdA8yZUQXHBm20_X8MgklUDNWsonbMEpz8vdIGrcX4cFn-QhicAmRc/s1600/july+24th+renew.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="823" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBdD2QjW2QNp9EA5QVCBXcSK5ivTMFeGhQGOCK_j0F6_YEufBfBvzumnI7tmp79wjlcn-2f20-9ACpJ0t9p3n4OdA8yZUQXHBm20_X8MgklUDNWsonbMEpz8vdIGrcX4cFn-QhicAmRc/s400/july+24th+renew.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">Monster Demand Day--July 24th, 2018</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Peak electricity demand for all of 2018 in California was 46,284 MW, which occurred at 5:35pm on
Tuesday, July 24th. Wind plus solar provided roughly 11,000 MW of that. Total
daytime demand that hot day was a behemoth 876,174 MW-hours. If California had
developed a renewable base load of 20,000 MW, it would’ve been able to cover
480,000 MW-hours of that 24-hour demand. To produce the other necessary 400,000
MW-hours with solar and on-shore wind, solar and on-shore wind production would’ve
roughly needed to have been 2.5 times what it is now. (This is assuming a fair
amount of demand shifting and battery storage to better match time of
generation.) This much wind and solar would mean a significant amount of excess
electricity would be produced fall through spring. Let's look at the winter situation, which is slightly worse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to Produce Enough
Renewable Electricity on Cloudy Windless Days</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GABPRVRSsywBnW0c7qeTbW17hqcDwuj4-IeShpvGvgUcoxn1eD04H5nYRxtu8ZH6ZV4JaWMylVb2ou3L4yPmC5er5H8bhck7zRMsTRpUBQC6z4eeNtAnHkyZzi02HXSSxG6WpW4xuGs/s1600/Jan+15+renew.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="829" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GABPRVRSsywBnW0c7qeTbW17hqcDwuj4-IeShpvGvgUcoxn1eD04H5nYRxtu8ZH6ZV4JaWMylVb2ou3L4yPmC5er5H8bhck7zRMsTRpUBQC6z4eeNtAnHkyZzi02HXSSxG6WpW4xuGs/s400/Jan+15+renew.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">Cloudy, windless day, Jan 14, 2019</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
While the sun shines reliably in California in the summer, it
doesn’t in the winter, nor does on-shore wind blow reliably. While demand is
lower in the winter, on some days renewable production is much lower than in
summer. On Tuesday, January 15<sup>th</sup>, 2019, for example, total system
demand was 600,000 MW-hours. A baseload of 20,000 MW would have covered 480,000 MW-hours
of that, leaving only 120,000 MW-hours for solar and wind to cover. Unfortunately,
on January 15th solar plus on-shore wind only produced 42,000 MW-hours. To meet
demand on this particular day, solar plus on-shore wind would have had to be
built out at nearly three times the level it is now. Since these cloudy, low
wind days can occur for days at a time, shifting demand five or six hours
wouldn’t fix the problem. The good news is the cost of both solar and wind has
dropped and is dropping further! More good news is that there are more than
enough rooftops in California where solar could be installed to meet this
demand without sacrificing agricultural or natural areas. Tripling the number of solar panels in California is
doable. Tripling the number of wind turbines may be less so due to the lack of good wind sites. Maybe quadrupling solar will be a better bet, or maybe adding more floating off-shore wind turbines. It all depends on how expensive floating
wind farms turn out to be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Either way, building out enough renewables to meet
December/January cloudy, windless days will result in substantial over-generation
of electricity in the spring and fall, summer mid-days, and very often in the
winter. Won’t it all go to waste?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No! Or at least, not necessarily. Now we’re getting to the
good problem to have.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to Use Excess Electricity
in Productive Ways </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 55pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -19pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Schedule sewage treatment, water pumping and
water treatment when excess electricity is available. Some obviously will have
to happen continuously, but there is some ability to ramp and slow down based
on electrical supply. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 55pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -19pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Use excess electricity for electrolysis.
Electrolysis is used in the production of aluminum, lithium, sodium, potassium,
magnesium, calcium, chlorine, sodium hydroxide, sodium chlorate, potassium
chlorate, electrolytic copper, oxygen, and electroplating. Offer plants nearly
free electricity in spring and fall but expect them not to run summer months
from 3pm to 9 pm, or on cloudy winter days. Same can be done for hydrogen and ammonia
production. (See below.)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 55pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -19pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Produce ammonia for fertilizer. Permaculture is
the future of farming, but there will probably still be a place for chemical
fertilizer. Producing it from a simple combination of water, air and
electricity is the way to go. Use electrolysis to crack water molecules
into hydrogen and oxygen. Ramp up ammonia production fall – spring; expect
plants not to operate summers from 3 pm to 9 pm or on cloudy winter days.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 55pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -19pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Same for hydrogen. Though there are high levels
of losses using hydrogen as a fuel, hydrogen may very well come in handy soon
for long-distance shipping. Taking advantage of excess electricity to produce
hydrogen may soon make economic sense even in the Midwest on windy nights.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Oh my gosh, how can these plants possibly make a profit if
they don’t operate on cloudy days or summer late afternoons and evenings? Well,
if one of your primary inputs is electricity, running when electricity is dirt
cheap will make the economics pan out nicely. To extend their operations to, say,
5 pm in the summer, these plants could install arrays of west-facing solar panels so they don’t have to draw from the grid during peak demand
hours. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCX4i_j5PYemSlGd7QJZpVW1Ot8BRYg3ZEBZX6qsOLz6Sv4H4MsqVm5DJdmUyuUU5yJlWQndY8LkZMMmEzU9s3_NLHpxBs9yLY16OtqSk3KdK64ZYMrK0l1QBo25lmnlV8qt6QqVcRQQ/s1600/floating+wind.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="697" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCX4i_j5PYemSlGd7QJZpVW1Ot8BRYg3ZEBZX6qsOLz6Sv4H4MsqVm5DJdmUyuUU5yJlWQndY8LkZMMmEzU9s3_NLHpxBs9yLY16OtqSk3KdK64ZYMrK0l1QBo25lmnlV8qt6QqVcRQQ/s320/floating+wind.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floating wind--California's future?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
California is an interesting case study, but every single
state and region will have similar challenges (though different particulars) as
they work towards powering themselves 100% by renewables. Up until now, as a
society we’ve built our electrical supply to meet demand, whatever the
environmental cost. But there are many clever, creative ways we can encourage
demand to better meet a renewable supply curve. It requires different thinking
and a willingness to work around a different set of constraints, but it is by
no means technologically or even economically infeasible. If we think preventing
massive die-off in the 22<sup>nd</sup> century of both humans and most other
species is maybe, just maybe something we owe the both the planet and the
future of humanity, then as we enter the third decade of the 21<sup>st</sup>
century, we need to stop saying, “It costs too much! It’s not possible! It’s
inconvenient! We’re too poor!” Instead, we need to roll up our sleeves and
start saying, “How do we get this done?”</div>
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</style>Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-335105519557652522018-11-02T16:57:00.000-07:002018-11-02T16:57:40.630-07:00The Lessons of the Great Beaufort Skedaddle<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMA61SJsKMvLZPpmCvdlW4ddFH846WRU9HnpPhBnF7VaKWYsRrFULHEhdcWfc8AHbXxPTPLTSzAc6X9jVHY92Ex6gdnJxnoW1NMq4UY8KS7LSiOzOOrXXcUyUxGBr7bBnDcqXldyFKPw/s1600/View+of+Beaufort+Dec+1861.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMA61SJsKMvLZPpmCvdlW4ddFH846WRU9HnpPhBnF7VaKWYsRrFULHEhdcWfc8AHbXxPTPLTSzAc6X9jVHY92Ex6gdnJxnoW1NMq4UY8KS7LSiOzOOrXXcUyUxGBr7bBnDcqXldyFKPw/s320/View+of+Beaufort+Dec+1861.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Beaufort, SC, Dec 1861</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>The American Civil War can be viewed through many lenses, but a perspective rarely employed is that of the South's refusal to make what was essentially an energy transition--from slave labor to nascent fossil fuels. A small, moneyed elite, who made most of the economic and political decisions for the region, feared loss of wealth. If an orderly transition away from slavery, say over twenty years, had been negotiated between the North and the South, with a gradual introduction of Constitutional rights for former slaves, the great wealth of the antebellum South would undoubtedly have diminished, but much would have remained. Instead, half a million Americans died in war, and the entire South, black and white alike, experienced violence, hunger, and massive destruction of property and infrastructure, to be followed by a hundred years of grinding poverty, during which many of the worst abuses of slavery--racism, segregation, confinement of blacks to the lowest economic strata, black disqualification from voting, and white control of the black population through violence--remained intact. (The decade of Reconstruction was only a partial respite.) Even today, seven of the ten poorest states in the nation are former Confederate states.</i><i><i> </i></i><br />
<br />
<i><i>Sometimes history plods along slowly. Sometimes it turns on a
dime. On the 157th anniversary of the Great Beaufort Skedaddle, it's worth remembering that sometimes doubling down on one's way of life brings about catastrophe from which there is no recovery.</i></i><br />
<br />
They were at church when the word
came. In the pews of Saint Helena’s in Beaufort, South Carolina, master and
slave alike heard that an enormous Yankee fleet was massing off Point Royal Sound
a mere ten miles away. If Confederate defenses didn’t hold, the town would have
to evacuate in a matter of hours. It was time to pack and to pray.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMGR7xY2NE2v39mynMKOj9ttauGWJZakoxnR0w4wnzmWHJK8w4UcB4VohTi2DK5_c5qCht7kO0GppzikrHYFgLNunD1VcH-owvPhC71X9Rbp535UHZM6B_CUsotQ4Bj6L9waSowXoDtw/s1600/cut-out-woman-on-street-light-blue.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMGR7xY2NE2v39mynMKOj9ttauGWJZakoxnR0w4wnzmWHJK8w4UcB4VohTi2DK5_c5qCht7kO0GppzikrHYFgLNunD1VcH-owvPhC71X9Rbp535UHZM6B_CUsotQ4Bj6L9waSowXoDtw/s200/cut-out-woman-on-street-light-blue.gif" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaufort antebellum charm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In 1861, Beaufort was one of the
wealthiest, most cultured cities in America. The town boasted not only a
library of three thousand volumes but also some of the most erudite, educated
men in the South. Having built their elegant Greek Revival mansions with
ballrooms, chandeliers and two-story piazzas, planter families gathered here
each summer to escape the heat and ague of their Sea Island plantations, as
well as socialize and talk politics. Secession politics. For more than a dozen years cries for
secession had risen from Beaufort, much of them led by its native son,
rabble-rousing, fire-eater Robert Barnwell Rhett, remembered as the “Father of
Secession.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Confederacy knew full well
that Port Royal might be a target for a Northern base, but they couldn’t be
sure other sites weren’t also in the running and so were somewhat lackadaisical
in establishing defenses for Port Royal Sound. During the summer of 1861, local
plantations reluctantly provided slaves to begin construction of two forts to
guard the Sound’s entrance: Fort Walker on Hilton Head Island and Fort
Beauregard on Phillips Island. But not only were the forts still incomplete by November,
the artillery installed fell far short of what was originally proposed and even
farther short of what was needed when the Yankees came calling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMOKoc6aRHfZVQiW5oMnXxFRvqO0qM6l-bvMbq5loDbm0MsZ2Zejsz_2BzpHb4Vpe-_mHHtm707n-7exY9wsZG4C_Yyz2DR9FyrQ_h2IL4pFuw1wHCWrCUIQyYSdZEnIHwf3Z29JpCp0/s1600/793px-Scott-anaconda.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMOKoc6aRHfZVQiW5oMnXxFRvqO0qM6l-bvMbq5loDbm0MsZ2Zejsz_2BzpHb4Vpe-_mHHtm707n-7exY9wsZG4C_Yyz2DR9FyrQ_h2IL4pFuw1wHCWrCUIQyYSdZEnIHwf3Z29JpCp0/s320/793px-Scott-anaconda.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Plans had been underway in the
North to take a Southern port since early summer, with Lincoln himself involved
in the selection. After all, to implement the “Anaconda Plan”—a tight blockade
of the Southern coastline intended to cripple the Confederate economy—U.S. Navy
warships needed a place to refuel with the coal that gave them power. Port
Royal was one of the choicest deepwater ports on the Southern coast. That a
massive Northern fleet was poised to sail was common knowledge to anyone who could
read a newspaper once <i>The</i> <i>New York Times </i>published the details in
the article, “The Great Naval Expedition,” on October 26<sup>th</sup>. The only
unknown was the destination, a secret that, remarkably, was successfully kept. It wasn’t until they were at sea that
the captain of each vessel opened a sealed envelope telling him where his ship
was headed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSrL5bYQNBjT5PE2hATofwjXmSIkDTE6x0hAeu7qsEpEehge9vTy6v_GVh4PNU3BfELimc35KPtz9UkGFjTWQyh6790hjqRgtahjF1zbmvhRjUx7uAhf5mSYdBnihDf7Cjtx3uToYCg8/s1600/Harper%2527s+Weekly+Portion+of+Naval+exp.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSrL5bYQNBjT5PE2hATofwjXmSIkDTE6x0hAeu7qsEpEehge9vTy6v_GVh4PNU3BfELimc35KPtz9UkGFjTWQyh6790hjqRgtahjF1zbmvhRjUx7uAhf5mSYdBnihDf7Cjtx3uToYCg8/s200/Harper%2527s+Weekly+Portion+of+Naval+exp.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Naval Expedition en route</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The fleet that set out on Oct 29<sup>th</sup>
would prove to be the largest U.S. naval and amphibious expedition in the
entire nineteenth century. It
included 17 warships, 25 colliers, 33 transports, 12,000 infantry, 600 marines,
and 157 big guns. Port Royal, with its two cobbled-together forts supplied with
only 2500 men, 4 gunboats, and 39 guns between them, didn’t stand a chance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89_qssG4IH4aPGOKOOG7LRsFtOME_QHyh39TGRYuXv_7DktIGcxr8d0dtHE5GhoNbxZA2CB5ggHdmX5-SapMuXJoQQgTwhjRtoiMq1lF1IpL_4DTWjiAkPjaqoPoStEog0DskEbbps9M/s1600/Bombardment+of+Port+Royal.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89_qssG4IH4aPGOKOOG7LRsFtOME_QHyh39TGRYuXv_7DktIGcxr8d0dtHE5GhoNbxZA2CB5ggHdmX5-SapMuXJoQQgTwhjRtoiMq1lF1IpL_4DTWjiAkPjaqoPoStEog0DskEbbps9M/s200/Bombardment+of+Port+Royal.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bombardment of Port Royal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Nature came to the South’s aid in
the form of a storm that sank some of the Northern fleet along the way, and then
rough water delayed the day of the final attack. But when November 7<sup>th</sup>
dawned clear and calm, the water so still it was glassy, enough of the North’s
warships were available to commence battle. Union ships concentrated their
enfilade on Fort Walker. To the soldiers inside, the sound of artillery was
deafening. By noon, only three of Fort Walker’s water battery guns were still
operational; by 2:30 p.m., all powder was gone. The time had come to abandon
the fort. The command at Fort Beauregard, concerned about being trapped on
Phillips Island with no line of retreat, quickly followed suit. Thankfully,
casualties on both sides were light. Accounts vary, but the Confederates
finished the day with between 11 and 59 killed and an equivalent number wounded
or missing, while the Union fleet saw 8 dead and 23 wounded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Even with the enormous attacking
naval force, Sea Island planters had been so confident in the defending forts
manned with recruits from their very own Beaufort Volunteer Artillery that many
watched the battle from shore on nearby Saint Helena Island. But when
Confederate cannons grew silent and cheers reverberated from the Northern ships,
they knew something had gone dreadfully wrong. They hurried home to evacuate,
no doubt pained to leave bolls of valuable Sea Island cotton still unpicked in
the fields.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When news of the battle’s outcome
reached Beaufort, a kind of panic ensued. Facing an invading army of Yankees
was too dreadful to contemplate; flight was of the essence. But what to take,
what to leave behind? The daguerreotypes? The silver? Of course the family
bible must be packed. Some loaded up carriages, hoping to stay ahead of the Yankees
on the long overland route to safety. But Beaufort was lucky that day—there was
a steamer anchored in the river that could take hundreds swiftly to Charleston.
However, it had only so much room. Furniture, clothing, horses, and the vast
majority of their most valuable property—slaves—would have to be left behind.
In the tumult, even food and dinner dishes were abandoned on dining room tables,
testament to the haste involved. That evening the steamer departed overflowing
with Beaufort’s white citizenry along with every jewel and sentimental item
they could squeeze on board. Legend has it that when Yankee forces arrived two
days later to occupy the town, they found just one white man remaining in
Beaufort, and he was dead drunk. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
What must the deserted slaves,
who spoke Gullah, their own Sea Island patois, have thought as the laden
steamer chugged away from Beaufort’s dock? Did they realize that history had
unexpectedly turned a corner right in front of them, and that now, after
centuries of captivity as a people, they were suddenly free? Perhaps the
political ramifications didn’t sink in that night, but before the first Yankees
arrived, clothing and other finery had been looted (liberated?) from the grand
homes, and food and liquor thoroughly consumed in an understandable celebration
of events. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPs9Ahlvh4bQbuGAfNH52Sav2VBhK14GMi3L8b3sv375Fmd2gm3xknDyGgzuXBH07DdjHfALluafzyeLQDyIHr04xiPiM_jiO998qgG9iEQliZiGhtfpMsoZnvRt0kqXxpY-eKpL5k1c/s1600/Beaufort-area+freed+slaves+1862.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPs9Ahlvh4bQbuGAfNH52Sav2VBhK14GMi3L8b3sv375Fmd2gm3xknDyGgzuXBH07DdjHfALluafzyeLQDyIHr04xiPiM_jiO998qgG9iEQliZiGhtfpMsoZnvRt0kqXxpY-eKpL5k1c/s320/Beaufort-area+freed+slaves+1862.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five generations now free (1862)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It is estimated 8-10,000 slaves
were left behind in the Sea Islands when the white population fled. They were
soon joined by thousands of others who escaped to the region once they realized
that Northern occupation meant freedom.
They all needed food and shelter, and since the Emancipation
Proclamation had yet to happen, their legal status, beyond being “contraband,” was
unclear. The Army asked for help and received it in the form of the Port Royal
Experiment. Financed and organized by Northern abolitionist charities, the
Experiment worked as a test case to create self-sufficiency among the former
slaves. Its success points to what Reconstruction might have been if less corruption
and more competence had been at its helm.
Northern missionaries and teachers flocked to the Sea Islands to create
schools and aid societies. Former slaves were allowed to farm the confiscated
plantations and were paid $1 per 400 lbs of cotton they were able to harvest. The Penn School on St. Helena Island
was one of the earliest schools established for freed slaves and can be visited
as part of <a href="https://www.penncenter.com/" target="_blank">the Penn Center</a> today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN35Y32i5F_MrjVCW05IhfmZKGap7rh8P5RK2DOdbgTdPmx5wzP3GSyJEHvrjKaLMb8PONiMKCoZfoyMtO-a2-9BrmdsmI5MB_Bkd75TbVbNVp8hrl874AUiknC8T1_ZjHb6jWL_gOAc8/s1600/Fed+Navy+officers+3_1862.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN35Y32i5F_MrjVCW05IhfmZKGap7rh8P5RK2DOdbgTdPmx5wzP3GSyJEHvrjKaLMb8PONiMKCoZfoyMtO-a2-9BrmdsmI5MB_Bkd75TbVbNVp8hrl874AUiknC8T1_ZjHb6jWL_gOAc8/s200/Fed+Navy+officers+3_1862.jpg" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yankees at home on a Beaufort piazza (1862)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Union Army found Beaufort a
pleasant setting for officer’s quarters, administrative offices and
hospitals. Because the Army
occupied Beaufort until the end of the war, the fine mansions, while suffering
damage, were not burned to the ground like so many other Southern towns and surrounding
Sea Island plantations. To this day Beaufort’s centuries-old live oaks and antebellum
charm remain. Port Royal turned out to be as advantageous a harbor as the Union
had hoped and did much to strengthen the potency of the blockade. After the
war, most planter families—their sons dead, their plantations burnt, their
Beaufort homes sold in government auctions for back taxes (often without their
knowledge)—never returned. The civilization that was antebellum Beaufort
vanished into the night with that last steamer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It is rare that the wheel of
fortune spins as violently as it did on November 7, 1861. The town that had
advocated so fiercely for secession was the first to feel the brunt of an
occupying army. A people remarkable for their wealth lost almost everything in
a matter of hours. A region that so defiantly insisted that its way of
life—slavery—was non-negotiable ended up being the first to have a colony of
former slaves experiment with what it meant to be free. The Great Skedaddle
indeed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2011/07/publishers-weekly-review-of-beaufort.html" target="_blank">Beaufort 1849</a><i> is a novel by Karen Lynn Allen set in Beaufort, South Carolina, at a point when the Civil War might still have been avoided.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-38000206120470993062018-07-30T18:10:00.000-07:002018-07-30T19:21:12.787-07:00Come Plog With Me. (Yes, Litter Matters. A Lot.)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmXc9Qy_yeCp7Fd-yn44h4_QfKpExuS7BHxXk7SRWj7Ff8h-9IL_AD6k3AeFiuhxvNSwzRrJNYxIdMZqdatP3ylM_m5i5EuL4jhUPR4L1bf0OsSCi-bm0nNzpAFNBR_yN-HwMLKqF9tQ/s1600/island+trash+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmXc9Qy_yeCp7Fd-yn44h4_QfKpExuS7BHxXk7SRWj7Ff8h-9IL_AD6k3AeFiuhxvNSwzRrJNYxIdMZqdatP3ylM_m5i5EuL4jhUPR4L1bf0OsSCi-bm0nNzpAFNBR_yN-HwMLKqF9tQ/s320/island+trash+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Results of island plogging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Plogging,
or picking up litter while jogging, is a new fad created by the Swedes. One
might think the Swedes are a tidy enough lot that litter wouldn’t be a concern,
but after watching videos of bags of trash collected by enthusiastic Swedish
joggers, I guess the craze has utilitarian benefits even there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I started
plogging a few months back on my morning runs in San Francisco. I’d been
sweeping the sidewalk and picking up all litter in front of my house (and three
of my neighbors’ houses) for some time. Devoting one morning run a week to
plogging meant I extended my caretaking to five kilometers. And boy have I
collected trash. It was so bad at first that I ignored the gutters and just
focused on the sidewalk. Even then I filled up five bags each run, emptying
them at public trashcans as I went along. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
As time has
gone on, I’ve noticed that due to prevailing winds, trash tends to collect on
the western side of north-south streets. I’ve also noticed that some people
keep their sidewalks tidy and others are slobs. There is one particular apartment building
that is invariably the worst spot on my entire route. I’ve noticed that if the
winds are bad after recycling bins are set out, wind whips the tops of the bins
open and all sorts of recycling blows far and wide. (Bad design!) Though eliminating plastic straws might be a good idea, I have to say I haven’t encountered
all that many while plogging. What I do pick up is an endless number of candy wrappers,
convenience/junk food wrappers and cigarette butts. In the weeks preceding
California’s primary election I also picked up an absolutely ridiculous amount of
campaign material, inclining me to despise the glossy faces smiling up at me
from the sidewalk. I’ve also noticed that since our trash collection fees in
San Francisco rose significantly, the public trash cans are now often very,
very full.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jLl7aIcZrameAk5Cz7LjIeoxrYsdK-iO4g4YV9XkV7My85pIYGnMySdW8d3r9_s8_oUnFTMEbuAgJSuHemxRee-YDZBzrUc_Hlj-_Rd79AafmGm7CxTeHDbvCiCs-x3LGB3xaIyWMOQ/s1600/candy+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jLl7aIcZrameAk5Cz7LjIeoxrYsdK-iO4g4YV9XkV7My85pIYGnMySdW8d3r9_s8_oUnFTMEbuAgJSuHemxRee-YDZBzrUc_Hlj-_Rd79AafmGm7CxTeHDbvCiCs-x3LGB3xaIyWMOQ/s200/candy+close+up.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When candy is not dandy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I write this, I am currently on
an island where my family has spent the last twenty-five Julys. This largely
rural community with vacation homes along the water is a very crunchy-granola,
environmentally-conscious haven where many citizens participate in an all-island clean up twice a year. But even here when I plog, I am picking up candy
and junk food wrappers galore from the ditches, and an extraordinary number of
cigarette butts from the roadsides. The cigarette butts are especially
mystifying since no one here appears to smoke. In terms of litter, this is no
San Francisco: during a 5K run, I collect only half a bag of trash instead of
five. Still the level of litter surprises me. While the disposal fee for household trash is pricey (after all, it has to be carted off-island on a boat) collected street trash is free.<br />
<br />
I encourage
you to join me in plogging or plalking. First off, plogging and plalking is
good for you! I’ve written many times before about the benefits of <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-brilliance-of-walking.html" target="_blank">walking</a> and <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2018/06/10-minute-neighborhoods-low-tech.html" target="_blank">walkable neighborhoods</a>. We
all need thirty minutes of exercise a day for just basic health, so plogging
(or plalking) is a great way to get outdoors and accomplish two positive things
at once. Plogging burns more calories per hour than straight running and can offer as
good cardio if your route is not so crazy bad as to slow you to a crawl. (If it
does slow you to a crawl the first time you do it, I promise it will get better.) Squatting and leaning over when plogging nicely trims your waist, and the stopping and starting can be a form of interval training. Secondly, plogging is good for the environment. Thirdly, plogging is good for
humanity on a physical, social and even spiritual level. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s examine why.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaAw6SnV99AzgMpnVMPQRT88eqUBTE3LNCcv_YMRulVVEzc_X6rzBZ25B7CUN19bi1AaNN64H90hBrVAzzNDR5cNpVVu70oxNwW0TvyDIsYCoyBQ5kvH90V0HI8NNBSaH7uRG7iPAv4o/s1600/great-pacific-garbage-patch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="750" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaAw6SnV99AzgMpnVMPQRT88eqUBTE3LNCcv_YMRulVVEzc_X6rzBZ25B7CUN19bi1AaNN64H90hBrVAzzNDR5cNpVVu70oxNwW0TvyDIsYCoyBQ5kvH90V0HI8NNBSaH7uRG7iPAv4o/s320/great-pacific-garbage-patch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unplogged litter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plogging and the Environment</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely everyone has heard by now that there is
an entire continent of plastic floating in the ocean, and marine animals are
dying en masse from ingesting human detritus. If you live anywhere near water,
be assured that plastic on your streets gets blown and washed out to sea.
However, know that human litter is also toxic and hazardous for your local
fauna, from insects to birds to mammals. Cigarette butts in particular contain
toxic chemicals like arsenic that contaminate soil and water. Yes, we should
reduce or even eliminate single use plastics, but we should never use our streets,
roads, parks and beaches as trashcans and ashtrays. The only species that
really benefits from litter is rats. If your city or town has <a href="https://patch.com/new-york/harlem/new-trash-cans-debut-harlem-help-litter-rat-problems" target="_blank">a rat problem</a>,
litter is a serious business.<br />
<br />
When I
plog, I pick up everything except needles and dog poop, even the tiny bits of
plastic that are on their way to becoming microplastic. I also even pick up paper
that, in theory, is biodegradable. The problem is that a
lot of “paper” is coated with plastic that won’t break down. Beyond that,
studies have shown that <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/08/littering-and-following-the-crowd/374913/" target="_blank">litter begets litter</a>. When people see litter, consciously
or unconsciously, they absorb the message that no one cares, that this place
doesn’t matter. That throwing a wrapper, can or bottle on the ground is no big
deal. Paper litter sends this signal just as much as plastic or metal litter.
If you want to reduce litter on your route long term, all of it has to go short
term.<br />
<br />
This brings
up another prime benefit of plogging. You are showing that you disapprove of
litter. Again, because we humans are such imitative, peer-driven creatures,
studies have shown that <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/08/littering-and-following-the-crowd/374913/" target="_blank">this disapproval actually creates social norms that make people feel constrained not to litter</a>. You don’t have to howl and shake a fist
at the sky. The fact that you are spending time picking it up speaks loudly
enough.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieP921eYIXi5HSsa7g46k9ppuctfTO4xqYRmNvnPYgJpsrCK4FnMGN6QreBfi4GcKfRVima-A92O0Gn31GtyL_dz5sgumDTqnr8ZMN0Qa6BIEq179OVorNMV02ESs_Dg3MpkWPXz9nT34/s1600/cigarette+detritus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieP921eYIXi5HSsa7g46k9ppuctfTO4xqYRmNvnPYgJpsrCK4FnMGN6QreBfi4GcKfRVima-A92O0Gn31GtyL_dz5sgumDTqnr8ZMN0Qa6BIEq179OVorNMV02ESs_Dg3MpkWPXz9nT34/s200/cigarette+detritus.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plogging and Cigarette Butts</b>. Before I
address why plogging is good for humanity, I want to specifically address the
issue of cigarette butts. First off, they’re toxic to wildlife. Secondly, the
butts contain plastic that doesn’t break down. Thirdly, they’re ugly and
smelly. Fourthly, they’re a fire hazard. After picking up a good thousand or so
butts, noticing along the way that many have clearly been thrown out car
windows, I began to give this particular form of litter some thought. Now, I
don’t smoke, nor do my parents, children or siblings. My grandfather smoked and
died at age 89, although, tough old bird, he probably would’ve lived to 109 if
he hadn’t. I don’t like the way cigarettes smell, and I detest breathing in secondhand
smoke. In fact, I think one of the few genuine advancements of the last forty
years is how much less I have to deal with cigarette smoke in my
daily life.<br />
<br />
Smoking
cigarettes takes an average of <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6054-smoking-wipes-10-years-off-a-life/" target="_blank">ten years off your life</a>. Plus it will likely
make the five years leading to your death unpleasant. But there are reasons not
to smoke besides an early death: it’s an expensive habit, you are profiting nasty
corporations, it ages your skin terribly, it makes your clothes smell bad, etc.
I bet every smoker has heard all these a million times. Still they smoke. It’s
addictive. It meets a need.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA7Hd5E3ag0sNOJW7ZGuHPpAGC0vS1yzUHSoLkgHmFdjSFvXPUo3_ZpjJlzDsXwnLTelmUOoKeHxT1dtKo1QAdA5-GVZQ8DTVLzsBrWanxRWGRvq9mwdXfSw0vWihRyQFx0Gwl-pGQ2c/s1600/cuphold+ashtray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA7Hd5E3ag0sNOJW7ZGuHPpAGC0vS1yzUHSoLkgHmFdjSFvXPUo3_ZpjJlzDsXwnLTelmUOoKeHxT1dtKo1QAdA5-GVZQ8DTVLzsBrWanxRWGRvq9mwdXfSw0vWihRyQFx0Gwl-pGQ2c/s200/cuphold+ashtray.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cup-holder ashtrays (self-extinguishing!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In
society’s push to condemn smoking we have ostracized and condemned smokers. We
have pushed them to the margins to do the deed: parking lots and cars. Beyond
this we have tried to make smoking inconvenient (i.e. not “enabling” smokers)
by taking away ashtrays. I have to admit that during my crazy
sixties/seventies childhood, one year in elementary school my class made
ashtrays as Christmas gifts for our parents. Mindboggling. I am not suggesting
we go back to this. But by taking away every single freaking ashtray in
existence, we have forced smokers (or at least made it extremely convenient) to
use the world as their ashtray. To the planet’s dismay. If we provide ashtrays,
cigarette <a href="https://www.kab.org/sites/default/files/2018_CLPP_Infographic.pdf" target="_blank">butt littering decreases</a>. It’s a fact.<br />
<br />
Two-thirds of all cigarette butts end up as litter, making them the most littered item in the world. Trillions find their way
to the ground every year. If there is litter already on the ground, smokers toss and flick their butts at an even higher rate. A significant proportion of littered butts find their way to the ocean
where they are ingested by unsuspecting animals, or they join the mass of
plastic that lurks like a giant Portuguese man-of-war of retribution that will
swallow us someday.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC4CF9Cxng9A7qNsC2GzZpCw_m7ITF9Qmz_g0L2kJV9YCkM7ZNesSSJiSHsDji817gYTedBHfveUwbcBm8oLzB5HEbIFz33J98-agvwU38w_Wi2wxfpFgDbSb8nYuLmp40t_pRdHptCo/s1600/butt+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC4CF9Cxng9A7qNsC2GzZpCw_m7ITF9Qmz_g0L2kJV9YCkM7ZNesSSJiSHsDji817gYTedBHfveUwbcBm8oLzB5HEbIFz33J98-agvwU38w_Wi2wxfpFgDbSb8nYuLmp40t_pRdHptCo/s200/butt+close+up.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recyclable plastic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Surprisingly
(at least to me) cigarette butts contain high quality plastic, the kind that
can be turned into pellets that can be turned into benches and plastic lumber.
<a href="https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/cigarette-waste-recycling" target="_blank">One company is doing this</a>. They even offer free shipping to send collected
cigarette butts to them. However, the resulting pellets don’t quite pay for the recycling and mailing costs, and so this enterprising company organized a subsidy from <a href="https://www.sfntc.com/welcome" target="_blank">a tobacco company</a>. Now <a href="https://www.sfntc.com/article/cigarette-waste" target="_blank">this particular tobacco company</a> is one of the least evil ones out there. Still cigarettes
kill, so at first I suspected this subsidy to be bogus greenwashing. Now I’m
not so sure. Now I’m wondering if this is a valid attempt to move towards a
circular economy, where the entire lifecycle of a product is designed to create
zero waste.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINuT9jzJ-Pefx7eWP68PoMOjR0WTwtK3xP43wNgGuu4DrEK7u-Tkl86kHrjC6W7npRht2va-BzGqCBrijmIlYAgK3La6t9oecnmo0S4p7GjWhXOd1KvTQ5mYR8r42iPw0d558sp0JYPM/s1600/pocket+ashtray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="945" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINuT9jzJ-Pefx7eWP68PoMOjR0WTwtK3xP43wNgGuu4DrEK7u-Tkl86kHrjC6W7npRht2va-BzGqCBrijmIlYAgK3La6t9oecnmo0S4p7GjWhXOd1KvTQ5mYR8r42iPw0d558sp0JYPM/s200/pocket+ashtray.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portable butt collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Perhaps by
shaming and vilifying smokers we have done some social good. But the fact is, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-get-up-20140731-story.html" target="_blank">sitting on your human butt all day is flat out as bad for you as smoking</a>. Do we shame
and vilify that? Or does our society aid and abet it at every turn by making
driving super convenient and walking and biking dangerous and unpleasant? By
not accommodating smokers in the most basic way (with a few measly outdoor
smoking areas with ashtrays) what the heck are smokers supposed to do with
their detritus? These days many cars don’t even have ashtrays. Yes, non-smokers should not be exposed to second-hand smoke. Yes, smokers can
and should use personal ashtray pouches and receptacles. I totally support this
and I encourage you to buy them and gift them to all your smoking friends
and relatives. But a few strategic self-extinguishing ashtrays here and there would go a long ways
towards reducing our toxic litter problem. Collecting and recycling cigarette
butts would 1) tell smokers that throwing their butts on the ground is not the
natural, most acceptable way to dispose of their cigarette even if it is
convenient, 2) acknowledge that smokers are part of our society and their actions
matter, and 3) give smokers an avenue to participate in a different, more
conscious approach to human waste. It’s time to reintegrate smokers back into civic
life.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N3VMDkeyia2n1SQFOocwUAcBfeypLOumSy3MV4RI83CxCCTfFj_yXnKy8SkFWZBlon7sLRC_dCCmapw10hOiKgEAsG2nL6HY8n6mocWEhElbp8NwF7Dlt4kqBafjZi05HATgiq_76ks/s1600/litter+civic+trust.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="656" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N3VMDkeyia2n1SQFOocwUAcBfeypLOumSy3MV4RI83CxCCTfFj_yXnKy8SkFWZBlon7sLRC_dCCmapw10hOiKgEAsG2nL6HY8n6mocWEhElbp8NwF7Dlt4kqBafjZi05HATgiq_76ks/s400/litter+civic+trust.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Litter has impact. (Center for Active Design)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plogging and Humanit</b>y. Humanity
benefits if our planet is not destroyed. I hope that’s obvious. But there’s
more. Litter is expensive to clean up. Indeed businesses and government in the
US spend tens of billions of dollars each year trying to keep up with litter
and still fail. There is strong evidence that litter diminishes community
pride, creates the belief that community members don’t care about one another, erodes
civic trust in general, and in particular erodes trust that both local
government and even the police will do what’s right. It also reduces the
likelihood of citizen participation in public life. People loathe litter. In
one survey of over five thousand respondents across the United States, <a href="https://citiesspeak.org/2017/07/27/foundations-of-civic-health-neighborhood-order-and-disorder/" target="_blank">23% listed litter</a> as the one thing they most wanted to change about their
community. Wow. They chose litter over crime, noise, and traffic. (Personally,
I would choose noise, another form of pollution, but that’s
because I can plog and pick litter up myself. Can’t clean up noise myself.) Litter
in a neighborhood or community significantly decreases property values. Litter
can injure, from slipping on it or stepping on broken glass, etc. Litter is a
fire hazard, especially half-extinguished cigarette butts. Litter can bring
both rats and disease. Parks and beaches strewn with litter are <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/07/08/why-clean-beaches-are-so-important-if-you-want-a-relaxing-vacation/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a21548db7ecc" target="_blank">less psychologically restorative</a> to the human psyche than litter-free ones. But far
more importantly, litter is both a symptom and a cause of not right relation
with oneself, with one’s community, with nature, and with the planet as a whole.<br />
<br />
Not right
relation. Let’s explore it.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJdfL6gjxO1CMOARYlzHpMdErczMU1a7VJ8j4RRvSx76okE6R4kdl-eEZMaVZsebTfu7j0v5QdJg6Xzq_Yvx8GT8joVTKGNYF97p5bSYEyczUcIkFgu4HJXS2j459CcghX8jpe5RoH2o/s1600/ditch+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJdfL6gjxO1CMOARYlzHpMdErczMU1a7VJ8j4RRvSx76okE6R4kdl-eEZMaVZsebTfu7j0v5QdJg6Xzq_Yvx8GT8joVTKGNYF97p5bSYEyczUcIkFgu4HJXS2j459CcghX8jpe5RoH2o/s200/ditch+before.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ditch before plogging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the
most necessary tasks for human beings over the next two decades is for us
individually and collectively to become conscious of and responsible for our
waste. At the macro level, nations must take responsibility for greenhouse gas
emissions (among other waste) and drive the net amount to zero. At the micro
level, individuals must become aware of their personal waste stream, reduce the
amount, and dispose of the remainder in a manner that does not harm others or
the planet. It is possible to design the potential for litter out of many of
the products we consume, but remember, even if we were to replace all plastic packaging
with paper or glass, when tossed on the ground, even paper and glass harm the
environment (just less so than plastic), decrease civic trust, encourage more
litter, create safety, health, and fire hazards, etc. To truly address litter we have to
make littering unacceptable.<br />
<br />
Either we
change human consciousness so that no one litters because they understand the
impact, or we change behavioral norms so that no one litters because it is
socially unacceptable. I posit if someone is unconcerned or unconscious about
their micro-waste, it’s nearly impossible to get them to become conscious and
concerned about their country’s macro waste. I also posit if we can change the
behavior of micro actions, larger consciousness has a chance to follow.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzkD0JIbE7bSGIYrk8Of3WTHjExTxfCuoC5v_NS28Hhq9R1oYOeIfHrkpYZVkkI0JKP41uaHkodkFT5CsUjUHUJyzNaKYbuQmeyEj0prrTu86uU40u8HjWfaXQqf5d4Ds5330GMKA22o/s1600/ditch+after.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzkD0JIbE7bSGIYrk8Of3WTHjExTxfCuoC5v_NS28Hhq9R1oYOeIfHrkpYZVkkI0JKP41uaHkodkFT5CsUjUHUJyzNaKYbuQmeyEj0prrTu86uU40u8HjWfaXQqf5d4Ds5330GMKA22o/s200/ditch+after.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ditch after plogging</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Littering
is a small crime, a small act of aggression against society, the planet and the
future. The litterer consciously or unconsciously expects “someone else,”
whether it be the government or nature, to deal with the paper, metal, or
plastic that they find convenient to toss to the ground. Maybe they were taught
dilution is the answer to pollution (seriously, people used to say this) and
that nature can take care of any trash they care to throw. Maybe they feel
society doesn’t treat them well, so dealing their trash is the least
society can do for them. If they believe powerful and important people don’t
have to worry about their waste, maybe strewing their waste makes them feel
powerful and important. Maybe they are children who are imitating their
parents. Maybe they are smokers who mistakenly believe their butts are made of
paper or feel society has given them no other choice for their butts.<br />
<br />
The thing
is, these small crimes make it impossible to live in right relation to nature
and to society. All but the very youngest of us know we do a wrong when we
litter. We may tell ourselves it’s no big deal, but consciously or
subconsciously we carry guilt for the mini-transgression. This is why <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/08/littering-and-following-the-crowd/374913/" target="_blank">people litter much more frequently</a> when they think no one is looking. It is also why in <a href="https://www.kab.org/sites/default/files/News%26Info_Research_LitterinAmerica_ExecutiveSummary_Final.pdf" target="_blank">interviews with observed litterers</a>, 35% denied having littered in the past month even though the interviewers had just seen them do so. <br />
<br />
But it’s just litter I hear you say!
No one is dropping atomic bombs. Stay with me here. Because littering disrupts our
right relations with nature, it closes our heart to it and causes us to lose our ability to be rejuvenated by nature. We
can’t hear its whispers, we can’t feel its inspiration, we can’t absorb its
solace. Maybe you think this is craziness, but if you have a right relation
with nature, you know what I mean, and you know what a terrible thing it is to
miss out on this. Once you have a right relation with nature, you can no longer
endorse its destruction. This is huge. Yes, something as insignificant as littering
gets in the way of this.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2xY73Tt3-sC5uo56pPkoeendAVwYx43OCNA7m9Xl1Mii-zl6tdwYEAoEG96YhryA-SRHyUpl42B7JFoka9qyxXqOye2f8TxJZkR8S_PCoN_zISmGX-pyVdFTJwvwP2CAdkGumVpC3pQ/s1600/plogging+bag+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2xY73Tt3-sC5uo56pPkoeendAVwYx43OCNA7m9Xl1Mii-zl6tdwYEAoEG96YhryA-SRHyUpl42B7JFoka9qyxXqOye2f8TxJZkR8S_PCoN_zISmGX-pyVdFTJwvwP2CAdkGumVpC3pQ/s320/plogging+bag+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bag of not-right relations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we
litter, we shift the burden of our waste from ourselves to some other entity.
We know we are making a mess. (Studies have shown <a href="https://www.kab.org/sites/default/files/News%26Info_Research_LitterinAmerica_ExecutiveSummary_Final.pdf" target="_blank">80% of litter is intentional</a>, not accidental.) We know we are diminishing our community, making
it more unpleasant for everyone. Knowing that litter harms those around us
produces guilt and gets in the way of our relationship with others. Can you say
hello cheerfully to someone in whose garden you’ve just thrown a chips bag? Can
you smile at a child after you’ve just let your dog poop in her playground?
Even if you can, I suggest your actions do get in the way of genuine human
interaction, that they prevent you from receiving the gifts of community. We
share our parks, our streets, our planet. Even if our laws don’t reflect this
the way they should, shirking your duty for your waste violates a basic
contract between human beings.<br />
<br />
Think of all this little guilt
building up like plaque in the arteries of our soul. Slowly, invisibly,
inexorably, it clogs things up until you’re not in right relation with anybody
or anything. Believe it or not, most people fundamentally want to believe they
are a good person. This desire to do good, to be good, is what makes redemption
possible and is why we don’t need to be absolutely hopeless about the human
race just yet. Does one piece of litter make you a bad person? Of course not.
But I would say littering gets in the way of being a good person. Good people
have integrity. They take responsibility for their actions, and they try not to
harm others. Refraining from littering is a small thing, but it’s easy to do.
Sure a napkin or a scrap of plastic might get away from you once in a while,
but on the whole, carrying an empty bottle to a recycling bin (or, better yet,
bringing your own water bottle) is just not that hard. So failing to do it is a
transgression.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUn5mdfrjuLtilXKvLsrsrpDfDRooFFSdqZAADEKqbJ1THnEvM2a-XckBtRfb6XUHWkV_D6SezT8jYNU-cG0i2XYF3EChYTzegbwZ6SC_05f8-My0p5RI9JqivDShdUGePdbHN3vk8lqM/s1600/circular+economy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUn5mdfrjuLtilXKvLsrsrpDfDRooFFSdqZAADEKqbJ1THnEvM2a-XckBtRfb6XUHWkV_D6SezT8jYNU-cG0i2XYF3EChYTzegbwZ6SC_05f8-My0p5RI9JqivDShdUGePdbHN3vk8lqM/s320/circular+economy.jpeg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventual circle of life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since we
know litter begets litter, the best way to keep people from littering is not to
scold and guilt trip them, but rather to provide them with a litter-free
environment and plenty of receptacles so <i>not</i> littering
is reinforced and easy. Yes, eliminating plastic bags and plastic straws help, but they are a small part of the litter I currently pick up. Yes, designing consumer products to be litter-resistant is a step-level advance that we should
advocate for. Yes, we must head towards a circular economy where waste is avoided entirely or productively reintegrated by design back into raw material for future products. But that's going to take a while. By plogging and plalking you not
only keep toxic crap out of nature <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">today</i>
and make your community more pleasant<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
today</i>, you also gently nudge people along a path of right relations that will
hugely benefit them.<br />
<br />
But why
should you plog in particular? Why not instead pressure your local government
to do a better job keeping your parks and streets picked up? After all, the
result is the same, a litter-free park or street.<br />
<br />
Yes, the
end result is the same. But how it is achieved makes a hugely different psychological
impact. If a person prone to litter observes a local government maintenance
crew picking up a park, that person will think, yeah, that’s what my tax money
is for. To clean up after me. And so that person will continue to litter. The
litter-free park will discourage littering in general (good!), but the
fundamental social norm won’t change. If that same person observes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you </i>picking up litter with slight moue
of distaste, the person will read from your body language that you think
littering is bad. He/she might not agree with you, might think you’re some kind
of environmental lunatic, but his/her littering habit has been challenged, not
reinforced. That person will get the message that some other human being thinks
less of them for their action. You’ve just given them a gentle nudge to
life-affirming right relations that may transform their life.<br />
<br />
By now you
think I’m nuts or you’re intrigued. So let’s get down to the basics of
plogging, how I do it anyway. I use a lightweight nylon bag that is both strong
and washable. I pick up everything I see that is both man-made and obviously not
supposed to be there. Literally every single thing, including small bits of glass and
plastic. You should be able to eat off
the sidewalk after I’m done. I’ve never seen a needle on my plogs, but if I
did, I wouldn’t pick it up, nor do I pick up dog poop. (I have a friend who
does pick up dog poop left by irresponsible dog owners in his neighborhood. He
is a saint. If you are also that generous, I applaud you.) I also don’t pick up
hubcaps (seriously, I see more than a few) or
other items that are too heavy to jog with. But aluminum cans and plastic bottles find their way into my bag, as does the odd pizza box, clothes hangers, or even, once, a full box of cereal. In San Francisco, I put most of the trash I
collect in public garbage bins. Sometimes, if it’s garbage day and lots of
recycling is on the ground, I’ll pick up the recycling and randomly put it into
people’s bins. Trash near my house goes into my own compost/recycling/garbage
bins.<br />
<br />
I don’t
wear gloves, but you can if you choose. I pick up things gingerly, I’m very
careful with glass, and I consciously don’t touch my face until after I get
home and can wash my hands. I don’t
confront people who are littering, and I advise you not to either. Guilt can make
people defensive and nasty. Just pick up the item and move on. They’ll get the
message. When you get to a park where people are around, you can say brightly
to an accompanying friend (or the world in general) “What a nasty mess!” before
you cheerfully go about picking it all up.<br />
<br />
The first
time you plog a route, it may take you a while, but don’t despair. It will get
better and eventually you’ll get some good stretches of running in. If your
route is really bad, just plog the last two blocks the first time, the last
four blocks the second time, the last six blocks the third time, etc. until you
get your route into shape.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once you
start plogging, beware. You will now always need to bring a plogging bag with
you as you walk to the store or other errands because the litter you see will
annoy you. When I’m walking with others, I don’t pick up every single thing
because it would try their patience, just the stuff that bugs me the most. But
once you start plogging, you’ll discover the rewarding secret. Even though clearing litter from a block or a park is not permanent, even
though no one may thank you, even though it will seem as if people throw down
cigarette butts and fast food wrappers just to spite you, once you’ve got it
all picked up and that block or park looks great, even if just for a moment,
the result is satisfying. You’ve done one small but mighty act to get human
beings in right relation with the planet. <style>
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Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-91017937932521200372018-06-04T20:56:00.000-07:002018-06-05T17:29:30.794-07:0010-Minute Neighborhoods: The Low-Tech Solution to Almost* Everything<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Health. Energy.
Climate. Crime. Education. Happiness. Water. Housing. What if it were possible
to make headway on all these issues with simple changes to our neighborhoods?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnWUzScjVBS5TbVvXkUz7HNPhqe77fXw34W2yUJ7y__I9hUdq-NbGnevCJT-x4gFlzQPPyTXxxpI2p-dAPkiwSxh-2iQg42WHM3NOE4-kgg2EBHHgdG44OQoSAN6KvEC1NTXM9Leb4o8/s1600/missing+middle+transition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="500" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnWUzScjVBS5TbVvXkUz7HNPhqe77fXw34W2yUJ7y__I9hUdq-NbGnevCJT-x4gFlzQPPyTXxxpI2p-dAPkiwSxh-2iQg42WHM3NOE4-kgg2EBHHgdG44OQoSAN6KvEC1NTXM9Leb4o8/s320/missing+middle+transition.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10-minute magic. (<i>missingmiddlehousing.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>What if we
could cut our medical costs in half? What if we could give the average American
an added five years of healthy life? What if we could cut our energy use, our
water use, and our greenhouse gas emissions by more than half while improving
our happiness and prosperity? What if we could provide affordable housing for
millennials staggering under student loan debt? What if we could help elders
age gracefully in a connected community, with their mobility and cognition
intact? What if we could create communities where children can experience both
safety and independence? What if we could cut in half the cost of essential
services provided by cities and towns? What if we could prevent prime farmland
from becoming suburbs and McMansions? What if we could create biodiverse
greenbelts and wildlife corridors around our towns and cities? What if inside
our cities we could create calming tree canopies, community vegetable gardens
and open spaces for all to benefit from?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MVcEi5E4kU9FfF_JqqbPnI3LQLVcdHlDV1IXihWbP8UynHjVPLtSVXmNhSQYP5SEJ_vNdR-JITRLlDq51rvklO1CUHMErHdT7BX238jaKySx1csuF2p4AMr3mrTCwPOv9dDe6UKuJfI/s1600/Missing+middle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="1253" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MVcEi5E4kU9FfF_JqqbPnI3LQLVcdHlDV1IXihWbP8UynHjVPLtSVXmNhSQYP5SEJ_vNdR-JITRLlDq51rvklO1CUHMErHdT7BX238jaKySx1csuF2p4AMr3mrTCwPOv9dDe6UKuJfI/s400/Missing+middle.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The missing housing we used to build. <i>(opticosdesign.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>All this
can be achieved with 10-minute walkable neighborhoods, neighborhoods where
everyone can step out their front door and reach a wide array of goods and
services within ten minutes by foot. All it takes is enough density within a
half-mile radius of a commercial shopping street to allow the businesses and
services there to prosper. We’re not talking Hong Kong or Manhattan density, just 16 or so
housing units per acre, which can be easily achieved by allowing again the “Missing Middle”
of housing that was so common before World War II. What is the Missing Middle?
Duplexes, townhouses, courtyard apartments, small multiplexes, and accessory
dwellings units. Sprinkle this Missing Middle on the corners or edges of
single-family neighborhoods where they can form transitions between single
family and commercial districts. Allow homeowners to create accessory dwelling
units by converting garages, basements and carriage houses to small apartments.
Replace parking lots with townhouses, community gardens, and communal green spaces.
On commercial streets, add a couple stories of residential apartments over
ground floor shops and services. Suddenly you have enough density to support a
thriving commercial district. Suddenly you have housing in a range of sizes and
affordability that can host people of different incomes and at different stages
of life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoC0YkkJL9tAIOgdLq-p0TzuMzgLv1_HmnjYT_XWGNdNAW26-5fnnbl5DBT-dqMhWcFkEN1Xpd-S-nZBGsD-cHRtSrs7n7K8lc-FjWu7MEM1d8blxjaB58hb93tN18uTujI6xxKbZ7ri8/s1600/benefits+of+good+posture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoC0YkkJL9tAIOgdLq-p0TzuMzgLv1_HmnjYT_XWGNdNAW26-5fnnbl5DBT-dqMhWcFkEN1Xpd-S-nZBGsD-cHRtSrs7n7K8lc-FjWu7MEM1d8blxjaB58hb93tN18uTujI6xxKbZ7ri8/s200/benefits+of+good+posture.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
The prime
benefit of a 10-minute neighborhood is that it motivates walking. This is vital
because we are born to walk. Indeed, the result of millions of years of evolution
has not only made us excel at getting around on two legs, our body actually
needs to walk in order to be healthy. This may come as a surprise to most
Americans, given that the last seventy years we’ve treated walking like polio
or malaria, a scourge to be eliminated at all costs. Happy motoring was the
answer, but car dependency has turned out to be disastrous for American health
and happiness. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOggHf1g3wqOI9XV6A70uqL7daPcn9q7M8P_EahXxJW53YR9HemOOQ5GwbM4cGcWF1sp1dNSmjYyxoSYI0kYDLmwytfx0yTs_6_WiySfXvU07OE7cjdVeVi1_kAppXNl0hPel58VEoU8/s1600/lymph+system.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="691" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOggHf1g3wqOI9XV6A70uqL7daPcn9q7M8P_EahXxJW53YR9HemOOQ5GwbM4cGcWF1sp1dNSmjYyxoSYI0kYDLmwytfx0yTs_6_WiySfXvU07OE7cjdVeVi1_kAppXNl0hPel58VEoU8/s320/lymph+system.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Unlike the circulatory system, the
human lymphatic system has no pump and so requires muscular movement to push
lymph around. You likely never learned about lymph at school, but it does
<a href="http://positivemed.com/2013/08/19/the-importance-of-the-lymphatic-system/" target="_blank">critical double duty</a> in our bodies distributing nutrients and removing cellular
waste. This means we must incorporate substantial movement into our daily lives
or pay a high price. You can be a little <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/10/get-rid-of-your-belly-theres-no.html" target="_blank">overweight</a> and be healthy. You cannot
be sedentary and be healthy.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If walking
were a drug, it would be so potent you could sell it for $1000 a pill. Walking
30 minutes a day not only prevents but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>reverses</u></i>
the following conditions and diseases: <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes-reversible#exercise" target="_blank">type-2 diabetes</a>, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/to-reverse-pre-diabetes-lifestyle-changes-can-make-a-big-difference/2018/02/05/977d1bba-eb40-11e7-9f92-10a2203f6c8d_story.html?utm_term=.4944e78989da" target="_blank">pre-diabetes</a>, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/can-you-reverse-heart-disease#1" target="_blank">heart disease</a>, <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045206" target="_blank">high blood pressure</a>, <a href="https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/exercise/benefits/osteoarthritis-exercise.php" target="_blank">osteoarthritis</a>, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/features/knee-pain-walk#1" target="_blank">knee pain</a>, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-alzheimer-aerobic-activity-20150723-story.html" target="_blank">Alzheimer’s in its early stages</a>, <a href="https://bridgetownnutrition.com/can-exercise-improve-motility-constipation/" target="_blank">chronic constipation</a>, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/exercise-seems-to-be-beneficial-to-children/380844/" target="_blank">attention deficit hyperactivity disorder</a>,
edema caused by being sedentary, and fatty liver disease. It can slow down the
progression of <a href="https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-04-2011/parkinsons-disease-and-walking.html" target="_blank">Parkinson’s disease</a>. It prevents <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/11/walk-to-prevent-strokes/index.htm" target="_blank">strokes</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219202948.htm" target="_blank">vascular dementia</a>, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/exercise-for-osteoporosis#1" target="_blank">osteoporosis</a>, <a href="https://health.onehowto.com/article/the-4-best-exercises-to-prevent-and-reduce-varicose-veins-5454.html" target="_blank">varicose veins</a>, <a href="https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/how-walking-may-lower-breast-cancer-risk/" target="_blank">breast cancer</a>, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/8233508/Walking-for-30-minutes-a-day-lowers-colon-cancer-risk.html" target="_blank">colon cancer</a>, and <a href="http://pwpotential.org/current-medical-research/exercise-can-prevent-cognitive-decline" target="_blank">cognitive impairment</a>. It <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/national-walking-day-stress-relief-tips_n_2992972.html" target="_blank">reduces stress</a>
and all the health problems that go with that. It boosts your immune system. People who walk at least 20 minutes a day have <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking" target="_blank">43% fewer sick days</a>. It helps you <a href="https://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/how-does-exercise-help-those-chronic-insomnia" target="_blank">sleep</a>. It <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/improve-your-balance-by-walking" target="_blank">enhances balance</a>, making it less likely you’ll
fall once you hit old age. A short walk fifteen minutes after a meal evens out
your <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/aging-walking-after-meals-to-control-blood-sugar-spikes-061213#1" target="_blank">blood sugar</a> and <a href="https://www.healthyfoodhouse.com/the-6-benefits-of-walking-right-after-a-meal/" target="_blank">improves your digestion</a>. Heart disease, stroke, cancer,
type 2 diabetes, and <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/10/get-rid-of-your-belly-theres-no.html" target="_blank">obesity</a> are among the most common and costly of
all health problems. These diseases not only kill people, they make them
miserable along the way. And they are preventable. By walking. For free. (It
also helps not to smoke and to eat more vegetables and less crap food. Also
free.)</div>
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The free part is important. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/index.htm#ref17" target="_blank">86% of annual health care expenditures</a> in the US are spent on people with chronic
physical and mental health conditions. Much of this expenditure is avoidable simply by people walking
30 minutes a day. On top of that, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/chronic-illnesses-depression#1" target="_blank">chronic diseases make people unhappy</a>.
By making people healthier, you make them happier. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplltV_4uzamP68BuLxRZs_N7AoB_cD4MnSTmJZ5XAZpHD-5EdUGfzGCzG1ekh3LLW4RvJKgQr1cjO4-jtUOk_iJvB9VQjck6XHqE_jeOpru20kcgOyh8IOe9yWpZYhh9poX1XA-UZXLw/s1600/12+benefits+of+walking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplltV_4uzamP68BuLxRZs_N7AoB_cD4MnSTmJZ5XAZpHD-5EdUGfzGCzG1ekh3LLW4RvJKgQr1cjO4-jtUOk_iJvB9VQjck6XHqE_jeOpru20kcgOyh8IOe9yWpZYhh9poX1XA-UZXLw/s320/12+benefits+of+walking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
But there’s
more! Apart from inducing chronic disease, a sedentary lifestyle increases <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-depression-sedentary/sedentary-lifestyle-linked-to-depression-idUSKBN0HD2K120140918" target="_blank">odds of depression by 25%</a>. Walking, on the other hand, is proven to <a href="https://www.utoronto.ca/news/prevent-depression-walk-20-minutes-day" target="_blank">prevent depression</a>. If you’re already depressed (it’s estimated that 1 in 11 Americans
share your condition), walking is as effective <a href="http://extrahappiness.com/happiness/?p=4218" target="_blank">as anti-depressants</a> in treating depression in the short
term and more effective in the long term. And it has no <a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/drug-side-effects.aspx" target="_blank">nasty side effects</a>. People
who walk or bike to work consistently have <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/health-29175088" target="_blank">higher well-being scores</a> than those
who drive. The more time you spend in your car, the more <a href="https://lifehacker.com/ditching-your-commute-is-the-happiness-equivalent-of-a-1679698849" target="_blank">miserable,</a> <a href="https://www.news-medical.net/news/2004/05/31/2020.aspx" target="_blank">fat, and unhealthy</a> you are. Moderate exercise such as walking reduces both <a href="https://psychcentral.com/blog/3-tips-for-using-exercise-to-shrink-anxiety/" target="_blank">anxiety</a> and
<a href="https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/exercise/benefits-of-walking5.htm" target="_blank">stress</a> better than medications, but it should surprise no one that walking in
nature, or along a tranquil tree-lined street, <a href="https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/07/22/how-nature-changes-the-brain/" target="_blank">is more effective</a> than walking
next to a six-lane traffic sewer. The combination of nature and walking is so
powerful that even <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/happiness-is-a-walk-in-the-park-10-05-05/" target="_blank">a five-minute walk in a park</a> will substantially elevate your
mood. Walking <a href="https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/6589/exercise-as-a-cure-for-fatigue-and-to-boost-energy-levels" target="_blank">boosts energy and reduces fatigue</a>. It reduces <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/633672/daily-walk-gentle-exercise-reduce-back-pain-survey-cure-Daniel-Steffens-research" target="_blank">chronic back</a> and <a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment-management/joint-pain-relief-exercise-pictures/" target="_blank">joint </a>pain. It <a href="https://news.stanford.edu/2014/04/24/walking-vs-sitting-042414/" target="_blank">increases creative thinking and cognitive function</a>. It
improves <a href="https://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/info-02-2011/keep_your_memory_strong_by_walking.html" target="_blank">memory</a> and <a href="https://www.bakadesuyo.com/2018/03/attention-span/" target="_blank">attention span</a>, especially valuable for the elderly and
school-age children. Moderate exercise such as walking is the number one way
seniors can <a href="https://www.alzheimers.net/2013-12-09/physical-activity-prevents-alzheimers-disease/" target="_blank">retain their health, mobility and cognitive function</a> as they age. Staying
connected to friends, family and neighbors of all ages is number two. If you
want a happy old age, a 10-minute intergenerational neighborhood will do far
more for you than an expensive, car-dependent retirement community.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO3JSXh0MCjnRAlQK-1kK9mquhbLT-j1U-h6q1MrQwqwrxg132vWK38Dgb6JgyLAgqGAOktWYY4CqF_u7a5RNKM_550yKqsfLJxSnGCRLgLM_DncY4kdsBdjECNT1T_Ews7hhplCG_T4/s1600/healthy+life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO3JSXh0MCjnRAlQK-1kK9mquhbLT-j1U-h6q1MrQwqwrxg132vWK38Dgb6JgyLAgqGAOktWYY4CqF_u7a5RNKM_550yKqsfLJxSnGCRLgLM_DncY4kdsBdjECNT1T_Ews7hhplCG_T4/s320/healthy+life.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Of course, will you even get to old age? No doubt you’ve
read that American life expectancy <a href="https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/12/21/obesity-opioid-role-american-declining-lifespan.aspx" target="_blank">has been declining</a> the last few years,
causing us to trail even further behind a substantial portion of the modern
world. This is not good news, but even more troubling are our years of <a href="http://www.who.int/gho/mortality_burden_disease/life_tables/hale/en/" target="_blank">healthy life expectancy</a>. On this measure, France and Spain leave us in the dust. Their
citizens can expect five more healthy, active, happy years than we can.
And this is after we spend nearly double the money on health care than they do.
And this occurs even though they smoke at far higher rates, which should be
killing them off younger. (Smoking generally <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/23/smoking-cessation-life-expectancy/1858913/" target="_blank">reduces one’s lifespan</a> by ten
years.) The French and the Spanish don’t eat crap food in the quantities that
Americans do, to be sure, but they also walk way more. The average European
<a href="http://www.collectivewizdom.com/EuropeansWalk3TimesMoreThanAmericans.html" target="_blank">walks 237 miles per year</a>, while the average American walks just 87 miles. If
you walked 30 minutes a day, (1.5 miles) that would put you at 548 miles a
year. You would be on track to be healthy and active well past age 74, instead
of your body failing you at 68.5, as the average American experiences currently.
And you would feel good in all the intervening years, not to mention need many
fewer meds, uncomfortable medical procedures and time-consuming visits to the
doctor. Daily walking does not mean you will never get ill and die. It means
you will postpone and <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/people-who-are-more-fit-during-middle-age-have-less-chronic-illness-in-later-years-study-shows/" target="_blank">reduce the number of years of debilitating illness</a> at the end of
your life. And it means you will drastically reduce your lifetime medical
expenditures, whether it’s paid by you or by society at large.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvBsKJbR9Ym8WeDSm_ojtGSAVz7_BieDhgg47DqmWHMZMHyG-EMSj7ff_-nixozSeABbCC1Sn5-sFqS-a4Lg0x3GNpZwzT3V_dYyS7uUCRx2zh3a7vCwFFH4YpHVOP98JwXfo-kHMv7s/s1600/walkable+neighborhood..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvBsKJbR9Ym8WeDSm_ojtGSAVz7_BieDhgg47DqmWHMZMHyG-EMSj7ff_-nixozSeABbCC1Sn5-sFqS-a4Lg0x3GNpZwzT3V_dYyS7uUCRx2zh3a7vCwFFH4YpHVOP98JwXfo-kHMv7s/s1600/walkable+neighborhood..jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A reason to walk. <i>(missingmiddlehousing.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It’s been proven that the best way,
hands down, to get people to walk is to give them something to walk <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to</i>, or <a href="https://opticosdesign.com/blog/why-walkability-matters-to-us/" target="_blank">destinational walking</a>. This means our built environment is
enormously important. And this is where 10-minute neighborhoods come in. We can make walking a normal, useful, enjoyable part of everyday
life again.
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What’s
needed to produce a thriving 10-minute neighborhood are 20,000 to 22,000 people, all
living within half a mile radius of a commercial shopping district. A ten-minute
walk is long enough to give people exercise and short enough not to tire anyone in reasonably good health. Three-fourths of all trips made in the US are for
purposes other than commutes—mostly errands and socializing. A commercial
shopping district, if designed correctly, acts as the hearth of the neighborhood,
a place where people gather, hangout, and connect. Where they get an
opportunity to feel a part of something larger than themselves. A 10-minute
neighborhood should not only include shops, it should include cafes, mom and
pop restaurants, dental offices, medical clinics, a library, a post office, a
couple of K-8 public schools, a few child care centers, a community garden, a
park with a children’s playground and sports field, a once-a-week farmer’s
market, a dog park, a senior center, a public plaza gathering space, an indoor community
meeting space, therapists, alternative medicine practitioners, and, very
important, at least one grocery store. A hardware store, a pharmacy, a bakery,
a shoe repair shop, a bike shop, a barber, a few hair salons, a used clothing
store, and some offerings for kids (art classes, tae kwon do, dance, etc.) will
round out a 10-minute neighborhood nicely. Even with the trend towards internet
shopping, 22,000 people can support this much commercial activity if they all
live within walking distance. People on foot tend to buy more locally than
people in cars, and a “sticky” attractive commercial street, the kind people
want to hang out on, guarantees foot traffic. If you’re going to be passing by
the hardware store anyway, you might as well pop in and pick up an LED bulb
there rather than order it on-line.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvJgs9bLPZdi_9K3KadKQ3XA2HWpS4kgQMznHBAM0e4lt6tlf5OiTzJsuTOqH8h7yZ_NY2Vk7XWUfLYbJc5gTyKgDLJRkFINcpHtd8LR39T1Hg6PjNc-R8m0cWdzJBPLuJ9SrLuXtgqU/s1600/duplex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvJgs9bLPZdi_9K3KadKQ3XA2HWpS4kgQMznHBAM0e4lt6tlf5OiTzJsuTOqH8h7yZ_NY2Vk7XWUfLYbJc5gTyKgDLJRkFINcpHtd8LR39T1Hg6PjNc-R8m0cWdzJBPLuJ9SrLuXtgqU/s320/duplex.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duplex density <i>(missingmiddlehousing.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A 10-minute neighborhood should
include all kinds of housing—housing for different income levels, different
ages, different phases of life. The Missing Middle of housing not only
increases the price points and range of affordability, it provides for greater social
equity and intergenerational living in a community. Young people just out of
college might be very happy in an affordable apartment created out of a garage,
basement or carriage house in the back. Young families might appreciate
starting out in a duplex with a small back yard. Downsizing babyboomers or recent
widows/widowers might be quite content in a townhouse with just a patio and a flower/vegetable
bed to take care of.<br />
<br />
When we talk about affordability of
housing, we really need to talk about the affordability of one’s living
arrangement. This should include housing + utilities + transportation. And if
we care about the actual health and happiness of our population, the hours of
life sacrificed to commuting should also be considered. Say you are a family of
four, both parents working. A 3000 sq. ft. house on a large lot on the suburban
fringe might <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seem</i> cheaper than a 2000
sq. ft. house on a small lot in a 10-minute neighborhood. Indeed, the 10-minute
neighborhood house might cost 20% more. Your mortgage company will likely
approve your suburban fringe home loan with alacrity, and it might <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seem</i> like you’re getting a lot more
house for your money. But the calculations change when you factor in utilities
(1/3 higher heating bills, 2 times the water bill), and the cost of owning an
additional car, including maintenance and repairs, gas, registration fees,
insurance, tolls, parking, carwashes, traffic tickets, and parking tickets. In
a 10-minute neighborhood at least one spouse can likely walk, bike or take
transit to work, so you can get by with just one vehicle (or none!) Public
transit is far more likely to be available in a 10-minute neighborhood because
its density makes public transit cost-effective.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_FUeOlBz6D0KfLVrs6MB7uYrtfc3m_WDGxseZDKNr7RKAQzr6Zbs21hQzfbX9SDCDC5bIDCpDA_dLdBJD8ms8_rVyfYuAjG1HSseWS0KeSTvbPQs7xzGeh8yqK1jj9py9WomG0cpiNk/s1600/suburban+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_FUeOlBz6D0KfLVrs6MB7uYrtfc3m_WDGxseZDKNr7RKAQzr6Zbs21hQzfbX9SDCDC5bIDCpDA_dLdBJD8ms8_rVyfYuAjG1HSseWS0KeSTvbPQs7xzGeh8yqK1jj9py9WomG0cpiNk/s320/suburban+house.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big but distant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But there’s more! Add on ten
additional hours a week spent commuting between the two parents, additional
childcare or afterschool care costs while the parents are commuting, maintenance
on a yard you and your kids are never in except to mow the grass, the cost of
fast food dinners because you’re too tired to shop and cook due to your
stressful commutes, higher healthcare bills and hours spent visiting the doctor
due your family’s lack of exercise and questionable diet. Since your neighborhood
is strictly zoned for single-family use, most of your neighbors are families in
the same boat, but you don’t know many of them because all of you are so rarely
home. Because your neighborhood is often empty, it’s targeted by thieves for
break-ins, and even though everyone has an alarm system that blares when set
off, the police don’t seem to be able to get there fast enough because they’re
stretched thin due to budget cuts. Your kids are overweight, taking ADD meds,
and struggling in school, but you haven’t been able to meet with their teachers
because you never get home from work in time. You don’t know what to do about
it anyway, since doing better in school was what the ADD meds were supposed to
be for. This evening traffic is more terrible than usual due to a rear-end
collision ahead. As you creep past you see angry people yelling and
gesticulating. You wish everyone would just get out of the way since your wife
is on a business trip, and it’s up to you to pick up the kids at the aftercare
program. (Your fifth and seventh graders can’t be trusted to hang out at home
alone, especially not with all the break-ins.) You honk and pound the steering
wheel, but still you don’t get to the school until 6:10pm, which means you
incur a $20 late pick-up fee. The kids are tired and grumpy, and getting burgers,
fries and sodas for dinner doesn’t seem to cheer them up. When you get home and
ask about homework, your daughter melts down in tears; your son says his school
is a prison, and all the teachers and kids are jerks. When you yell that school
is important, the kids flee to their rooms, banging doors on the way. You sit
down with your bills, frustrated that your mortgage plus utilities plus
transportation eats up almost two-thirds of your household income. And although
you have health insurance, paying for all the deductibles and copayments is
killing you. It seems like the kids are always sick, and you and your wife have
had a couple visits to the urgent care clinic lately as well. Exhausted, you
plop down in front of the TV. Tomorrow you have an early start (5:30 am!) so
you can pick the kids up early and take your son to the orthodontist. It’s a
never-ending treadmill. You look forward to your business trip the next week
when it’ll be your wife’s turn to deal with this mess.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0Lbcd8YbUdY-nh28igsjXWXIKxr7POO-x03oYRX8Waaq3IHGYGs1hKCDzCmWBBSLhr_UUlDnaSN65NYUqM7Zp2kVJQRqEL8qMFaryRsu_ZrDE_TJbUedmk5BSibhfoaRXwsrQHcK3uY/s1600/urban+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0Lbcd8YbUdY-nh28igsjXWXIKxr7POO-x03oYRX8Waaq3IHGYGs1hKCDzCmWBBSLhr_UUlDnaSN65NYUqM7Zp2kVJQRqEL8qMFaryRsu_ZrDE_TJbUedmk5BSibhfoaRXwsrQHcK3uY/s320/urban+house.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smaller, but within the magic radius.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the 10-minute neighborhood, your
kids can safely bike to and from school and to afterschool activities. (You can
keep track of where they are with an app.) On leaving work you hop on a light rail line for 15 minutes and then walk to the store to get fresh
vegetables and tortillas for tacos tonight. After that you swing by a games
cafe to pick up your son where he’s been playing board games with friends. He
tells you yes, he remembered his orthodontist appointment and gives you a grin
to show you his tightened braces. Next is a short walk to the park to pick your
daughter up from soccer practice. As you walk home with the kids under a leafy
canopy of trees, (they push their bikes the short distance so they can
accompany you) the three of you joke and laugh as they tell you about their day.
Because you’ve met most of your neighbors, you say hi to quite a few on the way.
Jack Boodle, a widower who rents out his basement to pay for his kids’ college
tuition, tells you there’s been a break-in and theft one street over. You and
the kids are alarmed but then reassured upon hearing that a neighborhood watch
group was formed at last night’s neighborhood community meeting. (You apologize
for not attending. Whoops! Your wife is on a business trip and it slipped your
mind.) Myrna Roodle, an artist who lives with her son in one of the new
duplexes built on the site of the old strip mall, asks your kids if they’d like
to help paint an outdoor mural this coming Saturday. (The son would; the daughter
has a soccer game.) Sally Coodle, a new teacher just out of college who lives
in Ms. Noodle’s converted garage, hands you a flyer for her babysitting/tutoring
service that you read with interest because your son could use a little help
with algebra. Once home, your kids start on their homework at the kitchen table
while you make dinner. After dinner your son’s classmate who lives down the
block comes over and the two of them finish a diorama of Machu Picchu while you
work on bills. You note with satisfaction that your mortgage plus utilities
plus transportation costs come to well under half your income now that your
wife is riding her electric bike to work and you’ve sold your second car. You’re
thinking of lowering the total even further by putting solar panels on the
roof. A week later, Mrs. Toodle, a retired school librarian who lives in Mr.
Boodle’s basement flat, calls a suspicious van into the police, a tip that ends
in an arrest. At the next neighborhood community meeting (that you do remember
to attend), Sam Voodle, a dedicated activist who lives frugally in a studio
apartment in the multiplex on the corner, lets everyone know that your
neighborhood’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions last year were one-third of
the US average, right around Sweden’s. The Swedish grandmother knitting calmly
in the front row next to the Somalian grandmother, both of whom live in courtyard apartments just down the street from their grown children, says
Sweden has just added dozens more miles of pedestrian-only streets, and that
their emissions will fall further, just wait and see. You reflect that you
haven’t driven your car in two weeks and wonder if you should sell that one,
too? If it weren’t for visiting the kids’ grandparents in the suburbs you could
just rent a car the few times a year you need one. Hmm. Maybe the grandparents
could move into one of those new townhomes going up six blocks away . . .<br />
<br />
In the end, which house is more
affordable? Which is the better value?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ed3OHtuiUAXIhQFnIwjcEHUiF4Z8PkBP_YuIXKWtH1nni3MULfWo05GiqL_Y90lXMxAdxaeR8jzmaEaBJ2SP-q3qmLvN5DLG5bajyOAC_PRTShAtTskJ6QX5lohNWKeHZDLVQUZk-JA/s1600/missing+middle+footprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ed3OHtuiUAXIhQFnIwjcEHUiF4Z8PkBP_YuIXKWtH1nni3MULfWo05GiqL_Y90lXMxAdxaeR8jzmaEaBJ2SP-q3qmLvN5DLG5bajyOAC_PRTShAtTskJ6QX5lohNWKeHZDLVQUZk-JA/s1600/missing+middle+footprint.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Missing Middle need not be huge. <i>(missingmiddlehousing.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These days, it seems everyone wants
a walkable neighborhood—millennials, young families, retirees. In fact, these
neighborhoods are in such demand that they’ve become quite expensive. If the
number of 10-minute neighborhoods quintupled overnight, it still wouldn’t meet all
demand but it would make millions of people healthier and happier before the
year was out. Again, skyscraper density is not required. Missing Middle housing
need be no taller than three stories, with no greater footprint than a large
house. Sartre famously said, “Hell is other people,” but living in fewer square
feet near neighbors need not be hellish. Good fences may make good neighbors in
the countryside, but in a 10-minute neighborhood, good design and good
soundproofing will do the job.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCr53wRJEGPh9wk3I21t4md3BDYob3jr6N33x226TaVaqbyIB2aP9ifggNhnuLqRfPaGQA7Vn-ZU6JiW5a2dEH3f-kcCw4IMg2Q7GPM3kZFW-4qf-AC65RXd8VbTObYJyQdgqv9DN3GE/s1600/dangerous_road-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="648" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCr53wRJEGPh9wk3I21t4md3BDYob3jr6N33x226TaVaqbyIB2aP9ifggNhnuLqRfPaGQA7Vn-ZU6JiW5a2dEH3f-kcCw4IMg2Q7GPM3kZFW-4qf-AC65RXd8VbTObYJyQdgqv9DN3GE/s320/dangerous_road-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Words fail. (<i>urbanmilwaukee.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we’ve seen, walking is so important
for human health that it should be considered a fundamental human right.
Instead, in almost all American communities driving is what is encouraged and optimized
for. Walking is an afterthought or, worse, made completely impossible by
streets designed solely for cars. A proper 10-minute neighborhood puts walking
first, biking and transit second, shared cars third, and private cars last.
This is because cars are huge beasts, and making room for them pushes
everything so far apart that the density needed for a 10-minute neighborhood
becomes impossible. 10-minute neighborhoods instead repurpose car storage and
car infrastructure into more socially useful space. Parking lots become townhouses
and green spaces; street parking becomes trees and bike lanes; garages become
apartments; car dealerships and auto repairs shops turn into mixed use
residential over ground floor retail. But what about people who still really
need their cars, you ask? One, 95% of everyone under 80 in a 10-minute
neighborhood can get around very well by walking, biking, electric biking or electric
triking. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuF1jfrNahjrxOR6rDqjPQTUVwmUBKV8WJURwaw6iBnv4f_hCWEpOSl_vmuvmsNnjyCxj-MUpJfhLNBWJNs9UMQAGeaqKPGfIm7TB_NWMeBRWutV_z1rhd19T7OoOnLAuY-3kiMtarrc/s1600/electrictricycle8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuF1jfrNahjrxOR6rDqjPQTUVwmUBKV8WJURwaw6iBnv4f_hCWEpOSl_vmuvmsNnjyCxj-MUpJfhLNBWJNs9UMQAGeaqKPGfIm7TB_NWMeBRWutV_z1rhd19T7OoOnLAuY-3kiMtarrc/s200/electrictricycle8.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun! <i>(cozytrikes.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you don’t think so, then you’ve never ridden an electric bike or
trike. An electric cargo bike can carry two kids and four bags of groceries
uphill, no sweat required. They are true game changers. Two, ridesharing and
taxis are great options for those over 80 who probably should be weaning
themselves from driving anyhow. Three, drivers could be provided with a parking
lot—one!—on the edge of the neighborhood commercial district that encourages
them to park once and then become pedestrians for the rest of their visit. Four,
if you’ve got true 10-minute neighborhood density, then the shops and services will
flourish without the need for any car-driving customers. Those who insist on car-dependency
can drive to the malls that want to cater to them. Yes, this might cause a few extra
miles worth of greenhouse gas emissions, but making a walking lifestyle
possible for tens of millions will reduce emissions far, far more than this
small amount of extra driving will produce.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv5szmxSsSRrVvEggR6HvOKVhbVbQdMc_s4a8PCEiNPrpiZSZ6cib-d-acYe6LL03nu9YV1rJ-5VJe_Xt3qFw9VvMG_XhbX7U0_aOlpPIGOndmE6rUhm2Kk-0Y61LTWJ7cFpND-CihhM/s1600/your-brain-after-exercising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1050" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv5szmxSsSRrVvEggR6HvOKVhbVbQdMc_s4a8PCEiNPrpiZSZ6cib-d-acYe6LL03nu9YV1rJ-5VJe_Xt3qFw9VvMG_XhbX7U0_aOlpPIGOndmE6rUhm2Kk-0Y61LTWJ7cFpND-CihhM/s200/your-brain-after-exercising.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
There are other benefits to
10-minute neighborhoods. They put more eyes on the street, reducing crime.
Since sprawl is costly, they’re good for the bottom line of cities and towns,
especially those teetering on the edge of insolvency. Indeed, it costs less
than half as much per capita to provide public services such as police, fire,
public transit, roads, sidewalks, clean water, sewer and waste water services
to 10-minute neighborhoods than it does to suburban neighborhoods. And studies
show that <a href="https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2013/02/kids-who-walk-or-bike-school-concentrate-better-study-shows/4585/" target="_blank">children who walk or bike to school</a> are able to concentrate the first
four hours of the school day far better than children who are driven. Not only
do they have <a href="http://www.eduinreview.com/blog/2011/01/walk-to-school-for-better-test-scores/" target="_blank">better test scores</a>, they have improved cognitive performance all
around.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOac6DKfUv2kspX89-SLzC7YY_XY-UGY2SKnRqmTFzyigyofBpWlLD87qXib_1FG-r9UJWIZ5T6n3Q2V2WbV0hP3zf0VpoJCM9gH-UDrisfeaOJKNjb_0yGSlSTwJgj5ca3Y0-4fZ1gE/s1600/sprawlurban.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1200" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOac6DKfUv2kspX89-SLzC7YY_XY-UGY2SKnRqmTFzyigyofBpWlLD87qXib_1FG-r9UJWIZ5T6n3Q2V2WbV0hP3zf0VpoJCM9gH-UDrisfeaOJKNjb_0yGSlSTwJgj5ca3Y0-4fZ1gE/s320/sprawlurban.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
* As the title of this post
indicates, 10-minute neighborhoods don’t solve everything. They don’t address
the widespread corruption that is strangling our democracy. They don’t address the
burgeoning wealth inequality that is burning through the fabric of our society
like a slow-fuse time bomb. They don’t address the need, worldwide, for young
women to have access to birth control and education through high school so that
the world’s <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-population-problem-not-as-bad-as.html" target="_blank">population can peak and then gently decline</a> 1% a year to a level
the planet can reasonably support. They don’t address the changes needed to
create sustainable, or better yet, restorative agriculture. They don’t
necessarily make the awful American diet, full of sugar and junk carbs, any
better. But they can make us healthier, happier and more connected. They can
cut crime and create social cohesion. They can improve our quality of life
while reducing our cost of living. They can help children become more
independent and do better in school. They can cut healthcare spending, energy
use and greenhouse gas emissions by more than half. All it takes is getting rid
of parking lots and other car infrastructure, and adding the Missing Middle
forms of housing, something that human beings have known how to do for
hundreds, if not thousands of years. This is not rocket science. Mostly what
needs to be changed are little lines of writing in your town’s planning and
zoning codes. Low tech, indeed.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS6egeAw2StET5Xivfp0VeZZc96zMRZGJOsW5ncB3WYzYR_0QyPN4PAPI_ElciU0jcZM0QE1gutkTbBYOTQFayGNH_dzumYhlgUi-VDbrcOxaJGvL1JxHJKr_W5tg_Ujx8a_TUmOeDlg/s1600/riding-position-neck-pain-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS6egeAw2StET5Xivfp0VeZZc96zMRZGJOsW5ncB3WYzYR_0QyPN4PAPI_ElciU0jcZM0QE1gutkTbBYOTQFayGNH_dzumYhlgUi-VDbrcOxaJGvL1JxHJKr_W5tg_Ujx8a_TUmOeDlg/s200/riding-position-neck-pain-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a hunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
note about biking versus walking:</i> You may wonder why this article
emphasizes walking rather than biking. I am an urban bike rider and use my bikes
(one regular, <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-pluses-and-minuses-of-electric-bikes.html" target="_blank">one electric</a>) extensively for trips over half a mile. It should
be more widely known that electric bikes are the most energy-efficient form of
transportation known to humankind. Regular biking is second. But when it comes
to bone health, walking beats out biking because it's a full weight-bearing exercise,
while biking is only partially weight-bearing. Walking creates gentle motion in
your arms and shoulders, areas that tend to be immobile during bike riding. In
contrast, riding hunched over can develop considerable tension in the neck and
shoulders and strain the lower back. Since
the whole body movement of walking promotes more optimal circulation of lymph
and blood, it has the stronger claim for overall health, especially as you age.
Your quads and abdomen will no doubt be more impressive with intense biking,
but you'll probably live longer if you incorporate a good amount of walking
in your daily life. The good news is that the people I know who bicycle for
transportation (as opposed to pure recreation) tend to get plenty of daily
walking in. So it doesn’t have to be a choice. Do both!</div>
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</style>Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-3948201056945603292018-01-31T18:51:00.000-08:002018-01-31T19:10:36.061-08:00Gasoline--Such a Big Bang for the Buck<style>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mOTmgNNCibTmWpI_4yK2CtBiGC35x5WTieCoAVPoRW1kZ9FqSNgXhyX7yZy3kEpAG3L4GZMGhx3MHL31wsHWP1ZNOzDahZrz8sUb-bIOmJFUaZfY9Cggl0ok9YrLDmnSaWPG2vvlhDw/s1600/simple+as+123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="755" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mOTmgNNCibTmWpI_4yK2CtBiGC35x5WTieCoAVPoRW1kZ9FqSNgXhyX7yZy3kEpAG3L4GZMGhx3MHL31wsHWP1ZNOzDahZrz8sUb-bIOmJFUaZfY9Cggl0ok9YrLDmnSaWPG2vvlhDw/s320/simple+as+123.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Are you a fan of beheadings? Are you fond of autocratic
regimes? Do you want to help those kooky, lovable Koch brothers purchase another
member of Congress? Do you yearn to support Saudi Arabia, Iran, Donald Trump,
and Vladimir Putin, but it seems so difficult to give them direct, individual
donations? Lucky for you, there’s an easy answer! Just buy gasoline!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, it’s that simple. Oil is a worldwide commodity. Any
gallon you purchase props up the price as a whole, enriching international oil
companies and oil-exporting nations, with a handsome portion trickling to the
politicians they’ve bought. (Oops, “support.”) Your money is guaranteed to
enable stonings of adulterous women and beheadings of political prisoners, not
to mention facilitate juicy environmental damage from oil spills and toxic
fracking waste. In fact, you can rest easy knowing that every dollar you spend on
gasoline works hard to attack human rights, cripple the environment and enable
political corruption. A three-fer!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But there’s more! On a local level, the gasoline you burn
has the happy side benefit of inflicting asthma and cancer on the poorest
in your region since it’s the poorest who live along freeways and traffic
sewers where tailpipe emissions are highest and the rent is cheapest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTodIwg-j7DMyvagKYKIZ1ieFFQ9B2aSmOedRdcof9gKblZHAF8hHWRF04UHUr6OAumKYDPf0fePSRIKVapdW3YqMvIbQwERJhu-etUFKJ5H7txWs1_vutNP9Dgx4YbeAtNfcoR2bV_c/s1600/trump+saudi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1067" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTodIwg-j7DMyvagKYKIZ1ieFFQ9B2aSmOedRdcof9gKblZHAF8hHWRF04UHUr6OAumKYDPf0fePSRIKVapdW3YqMvIbQwERJhu-etUFKJ5H7txWs1_vutNP9Dgx4YbeAtNfcoR2bV_c/s320/trump+saudi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make them richer and more powerful! It's easy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a bonus, it’s easy to double the impact of your gasoline
purchase by doing your best to make miserable the lives of anyone traveling
without a car. With a little persistence, you can force them to get their own
car and buy gasoline just like you. So honk at bicyclists as you pass them. Rev
your motor loudly to show them who’s boss. Don’t stop for pedestrians in
crosswalks. Yell rude things at them instead. From time to time even come close to
hitting them. (If you actually do hit them, no problem. As long as you aren’t
inebriated and you cooperate with the police, there will likely be no consequences
to you.) Complain loudly and frequently at public meetings about how bike lanes
and pedestrian safety projects take away parking. Refuse to fund public transit
because you don’t take it. Turn purple with rage at any bicyclist who delays
you by half a second. Lament the unfairness of pedestrians jaywalking and
bicyclists rolling through stop signs while ignoring that
car drivers routinely disregard stop signs, run stoplights, speed, kill people, and occupy
ninety percent of the street space. And be sure to belittle and jeer at anyone who attempts to <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/12/make-your-life-less-oily-in-2017-part-i.html" target="_blank">make their life less oily</a>. After all, taking trains and drinking from personal water bottles won't buy anyone's seventeenth or eighteenth house.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ8dlAJa0RmS8mkZ-6_dOn8Hg5WQhqUavwXgCOZTwk9ppfIVykQBRQHfiufAiCMDoSZH1uRcukEykw1u1LuEAqxgGEY9Sgzy-uXK-TtX8jqeorxRY5Sb6__BFZ0HTb9jwamrL-rf7n5A/s1600/koch_brothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ8dlAJa0RmS8mkZ-6_dOn8Hg5WQhqUavwXgCOZTwk9ppfIVykQBRQHfiufAiCMDoSZH1uRcukEykw1u1LuEAqxgGEY9Sgzy-uXK-TtX8jqeorxRY5Sb6__BFZ0HTb9jwamrL-rf7n5A/s200/koch_brothers.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun guys! They'll do great things with your money!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If democracies annoy you, rest assured your gasoline money
will go to some of the least democratic countries in the world. Let’s look at
the top oil exporters and where they
fall on the <a href="https://www.eiu.com/topic/democracy-index" target="_blank">Democracy Index</a>. For comparison’s sake, the United States (which is
the #2 oil <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">importer</i> in the world, not
exporter) is 21<sup>st</sup> out of 167 countries on the Democracy Index.
(Don’t worry, we’re doing our best to become more autocratic and drop!) As you
can see below, most of the top exporters are in the bottom third of the Index,
if not the bottom tenth, Yes, Canada, at number 6, is an anomaly, but don’t let
that distract you. Most of the rest are either totalitarian autocracies or
nearly so. They totally deserve your money.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableLightShadingAccent1" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: -1;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 5;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Oil Exporter</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">2016 Oil Income (Billion US $)</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Democracy Index Ranking (out of
167 nations)</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">1. Saudi Arabia</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">$136.2</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">159</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">2. Russia</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">$73.7</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">134</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">3. Iraq</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">$46.3</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">114</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">4. Canada</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">$39.5</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">6</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">5. United Arab Emirates</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">$38.9</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">147</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">6. Kuwait</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">$30.7</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">121</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">7 Iran</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">$29.1</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="color: #365f91; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">154</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLO5UDMDh0XIQy6yk99_hJ8JH9c9nFefN1fztj_oQ8uM3TlT4nGWm5EoMHAGA2udxSIg8dhj9ItJLrOlRxPoMx7BMKHf5eYdYWKgfZKZKVRxsqw5WzYhvZu-UKeQqCrXxV0a_LoVTAJ00/s1600/packspunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLO5UDMDh0XIQy6yk99_hJ8JH9c9nFefN1fztj_oQ8uM3TlT4nGWm5EoMHAGA2udxSIg8dhj9ItJLrOlRxPoMx7BMKHf5eYdYWKgfZKZKVRxsqw5WzYhvZu-UKeQqCrXxV0a_LoVTAJ00/s320/packspunch.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And one last benefit you get from your gasoline purchase. No,
not an Esso tiger tail or an Arco Noah’s Ark animal, like the gas station
giveaways of yesteryear. This is the big kahuna. Climate change! Every gallon
of gasoline you burn is another nail in the coffin of humanity! Though you’ll
likely not be around to witness it, you can go to your grave knowing that you
personally helped billions of people die from famine, drought and disease.
Another billion refugees bobbing up and down in their little boats across great
seas will have you to thank. There will likely be wars and social chaos. If we
get really lucky, there’ll be total extinction of the human race. So fill up
those tanks! Every dollar you spend on gasoline packs a punch. As bargains go,
it doesn’t get much better.</div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-33395931574837488152017-10-26T16:59:00.000-07:002017-10-27T08:54:38.199-07:00Get Rid of Your Belly! (There's No Resilience Without Good Health)<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKhVNYEti8w3GvIvgBaAzQMDxPiXb_hVfjCQqnZSVhu4gwsq7VvVfHLC8Znvi6KZj3M4s9a6S_H4wwUkPt7VeFKYgJLJ8TLmRHuCq8-mVd-HCKeBA9DSIAUOYuKoYGaZ0MZazhn2GCvg/s1600/cartoon+man+belly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKhVNYEti8w3GvIvgBaAzQMDxPiXb_hVfjCQqnZSVhu4gwsq7VvVfHLC8Znvi6KZj3M4s9a6S_H4wwUkPt7VeFKYgJLJ8TLmRHuCq8-mVd-HCKeBA9DSIAUOYuKoYGaZ0MZazhn2GCvg/s1600/cartoon+man+belly.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How do you envision yourself at age eighty? Do you want to be active, mobile, and of sound mind and body? Or do you think you'll be lucky just to be alive?<br />
<br />
Good health is not luck. Yes, luck plays a role, as do
genetics and the presence or absence of toxic pollution. But the vast majority
of Americans have the health that we ourselves create. What kills us,
immobilizes us, and makes us dependent on medication is largely within our control.
Indeed, the <a href="https://www.fightchronicdisease.org/sites/default/files/docs/GrowingCrisisofChronicDiseaseintheUSfactsheet_81009.pdf" target="_blank">Center for Disease Control estimates</a> that 80% of heart disease, 80% of strokes, 80% of type II diabetes, and 40% of all cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes. Researchers at UCSF estimate over <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/07/10278/over-half-alzheimers-cases-may-be-preventable-say-researchers" target="_blank">half of Alzheimer's</a> cases are likely preventable. This is good news! It means we have a good chance of steering clear of them. Even better, it is completely possible to reverse a host of the most common debilitating and/or fatal diseases with just a change of
personal habits. Without drugs, medical procedures or much money, you can
lessen/eliminate chronic pain, reverse diabetes and heart disease, avoid
dementia, steer clear of most cancers, improve your digestion, beat depression,
and generally increase your happiness and life satisfaction.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKKSkTHmwK-rUGy-BBh4BpyeyGHIz2vF_qNsX2V4iUBFgDCPIaqr6Z7kapYKi7VRCtPAGUE3tMXmU2fPKbJMfvbIl_ZOwcG-lujWkt2Sb1luJX3MRTMcCRbaknEtHeaYdKpppziICpT8/s1600/nursing-home-hurricane-harvey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="992" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKKSkTHmwK-rUGy-BBh4BpyeyGHIz2vF_qNsX2V4iUBFgDCPIaqr6Z7kapYKi7VRCtPAGUE3tMXmU2fPKbJMfvbIl_ZOwcG-lujWkt2Sb1luJX3MRTMcCRbaknEtHeaYdKpppziICpT8/s320/nursing-home-hurricane-harvey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awaiting rescue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I don’t know if you noticed during the plethora of natural disasters this last summer, but people with poor health and/or
poor mobility tend not to fare well when fires/floods/hurricanes strike. This doesn’t mean we
shouldn’t have compassion and evacuate people with poor health/mobility <i>before</i> Mother Nature slaps us around. But it cannot escape the attentive that being dependent on
electrically-powered medical equipment or drugs that come via a lengthy,
fragile supply chain make one extremely vulnerable should the power go out or the
drugs not be delivered. Plus, not being mobile may mean you simply can’t escape quickly enough from fires or floods. (The majority of the victims of northern California's recent fires <a href="http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/North-Bay-Fires-Victims-451678753.html" target="_blank">were senior citizens</a>.) If you anticipate there may be food or energy
insecurity in our future, you can bet that medical services will hiccup long
before that. Solar panels, orchards, and canned food are all well and good, but
good health is absolutely <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/pamela-yellen/health-investment_b_909015.html" target="_blank">the best investment</a> you can make to prepare for
whatever lies ahead. Plus it will make you feel great in the meantime. I mean
really great. And if disaster strikes, it will put you in the position of being
able to help friends, family and community members instead of being the one who needs
help.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My health <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> good,
you may be thinking. Or at least good enough. Well, maybe it is, maybe it
isn’t. We could examine whether you’re able to walk a couple miles without exhaustion.
We could inventory how many medications you’re taking and whether you’d die in
short order if you ran out. But let’s look instead at an even better
prognosticator of your immediate and long-term health. Let’s look at your
waist. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFKbLhVED07B-lGCaEHcWF1CIttr3poHTWF9zTDChhafM8nsQj54ZojoCJVSJQYbHQ2fYEze_Oquxbu3uI6ESLhlDJztM_b9-e05t3PayK7UQmacgXk_nxSlvqc1sKqsSny1DmCRAR94/s1600/malegirdle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="550" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFKbLhVED07B-lGCaEHcWF1CIttr3poHTWF9zTDChhafM8nsQj54ZojoCJVSJQYbHQ2fYEze_Oquxbu3uI6ESLhlDJztM_b9-e05t3PayK7UQmacgXk_nxSlvqc1sKqsSny1DmCRAR94/s320/malegirdle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">Squeezing the fat doesn't actually eliminate it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The ratio of waistline to height has been found to
be <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170606090942.htm" target="_blank">an accurate predictor</a> of current and future health, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/10054519/Waist-to-height-ratio-more-accurate-than-BMI.html" target="_blank">much better than BMI</a>
(Body Mass Index). Go find a tape measure and measure it right now. If you're unsure where it is, measure one inch above your navel. If your
waist is more than half of your height, you’ve got visceral abdominal fat
wrapped around your organs that is slowly (or not so slowly) working to kill
you. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This is true even if in terms of
pounds you are not considered overweight or obese.</i> Unless you're pregnant,
a big belly is bad.</div>
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Visceral abdominal fat <a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/features/the-risks-of-belly-fat#1" target="_blank">is much worse than any other fat</a> in
your body because this kind of fat functions almost like a gland, secreting
hormones, cancer-contributing proteins, and inflammatory biochemicals that will
cause you lots of problems. As a result, visceral fat is directly linked to
heart disease and type-2 diabetes, and, for women, breast cancer. Because visceral
fat influences the production of blood lipids, it's also directly linked to higher
levels of bad cholesterol, lower levels of good cholesterol and insulin
resistance. It also increases risk of stroke, dementia,
depression, arthritis, sleep disorders and cancers of the colon, liver,
pancreas, intestines, uterus, gall bladder and kidneys. Don't worry about other body fat. This is the fat you want to go after.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90ivMIo4xETO6Fvb_wl-CJsIAxf3cl1Kklc07ok4lxnEouT2QS9w9uMwS37GDh2-U4xzuRvv8Q571ck-VsAap2b5d7Bo4OTPGaGHT8odP3Tnif62urzkUyq-4AKZQ6hjEUW6ttidXhRo/s1600/lucky+strike+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="505" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90ivMIo4xETO6Fvb_wl-CJsIAxf3cl1Kklc07ok4lxnEouT2QS9w9uMwS37GDh2-U4xzuRvv8Q571ck-VsAap2b5d7Bo4OTPGaGHT8odP3Tnif62urzkUyq-4AKZQ6hjEUW6ttidXhRo/s320/lucky+strike+ad.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reach for a Lucky and you'll be toast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The good news is that reducing your abdominal fat will
dramatically decrease your chances of the diseases listed above, especially
heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, and diabetes. Heart disease is the number one way
Americans die. Cancer is number two. Stroke is number five, Alzheimer's is six, diabetes is seven. One in three US seniors die with
Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. Forty percent of American adults are diabetic or prediabetic, most of them unaware of their condition. It is far, far easier to prevent these diseases than to cure them. (Many cannot be cured, only managed.) If you can deal with your belly--deal
with it now—you will likely avoid much future suffering, not to mention an
early death. You’ll also feel way better now. It’s win-win all around.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnPPLKaXZBVWvcqqSzt4ta3RD2TjFjhbOlMrbfZWriXfM2aPCV9k5Z406rAuERSRJDIcGJ1UqN2yhALDLe7KsjluSHYljZD176Q1CkyZQcibFeb1Q-RIWovvDL4S1K3WILjdhRItYkF4/s1600/lardbgone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnPPLKaXZBVWvcqqSzt4ta3RD2TjFjhbOlMrbfZWriXfM2aPCV9k5Z406rAuERSRJDIcGJ1UqN2yhALDLe7KsjluSHYljZD176Q1CkyZQcibFeb1Q-RIWovvDL4S1K3WILjdhRItYkF4/s1600/lardbgone.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">Tapeworms are not your friend</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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But how to get rid of visceral fat that causes a big belly?
The human body <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/expphysiol.2014.081976/full" target="_blank">tends toward homeostasis</a>. It has a set point weight it tries to
maintain, and it will fight change to the downside. (Unfortunately, it will let you add fat without much resistance.) It will even send you hormonal signals that tell you you’re
hungry when you obviously have plenty of fat to burn. What can you
change about your life that will not only improve your energy levels, make your
immune system more effective, but also jumpstart you body into losing those
visceral fat inches?</div>
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<br /></div>
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As you likely know, the United States spends way <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/11/14/24-7-wall-st-countries-spend-most-health-care/75771044/" target="_blank">more per capita on health care</a> than any other country in the world. Sadly, such ruinous
spending doesn’t actually give us good health or long life. The US average
lifespan is 31<sup>st</sup> among nations and <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/12/08/504667607/life-expectancy-in-u-s-drops-for-first-time-in-decades-report-finds" target="_blank">dropping</a>. Even worse, our years of healthy
life expectancy is 36<sup>th</sup> among nations. Growing old doesn't have to entail ill health or disability. The citizens of
Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Italy, Israel, Iceland, France,
Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Austria on average enjoy
good health well into their seventies. Most of these countries also report
higher levels of general happiness than the US does. They certainly consume a
fraction of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/countries-largest-antidepressant-drug-users-2016-2" target="_blank">anti-depressants </a>,<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/08/americans-are-getting-worse-at-taking-sleeping-pills/375935/" target="_blank"> sleeping pills</a> and opiods. And they spend a
fraction of the money that Americans do to produce these superior results.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5atBLd2qNdEnALTFN0tjF_X11y0hTAGgAR0OXcyTvHG9xZoUmQaAzwUAnlu4HLhDDRpkWX5sJI961LrXVlVhN5QURhXvB40aXBDr52DOX-IQ8sPfQZ1y2pxyjof7DZ-w2Jl7xOcq3c2o/s1600/amphetamine+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="378" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5atBLd2qNdEnALTFN0tjF_X11y0hTAGgAR0OXcyTvHG9xZoUmQaAzwUAnlu4HLhDDRpkWX5sJI961LrXVlVhN5QURhXvB40aXBDr52DOX-IQ8sPfQZ1y2pxyjof7DZ-w2Jl7xOcq3c2o/s200/amphetamine+ad.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">Old-fashioned pill-popping</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I’m going to suggest three lifestyle changes that will
<a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170720113710.htm" target="_blank">significantly increase your odds</a> of making it to the age of 80 not only alive,
but with good mobility, of sound mind, and generally feeling good. All three are
within your control; none of the three cost much. Even better, the three
together will improve your life right now. They'll drop your needs for most
drugs; they’ll increase your energy and stamina; they’ll help you sleep better
and make you look great. But you’re going to have all sorts of arguments why
you can’t do them. You may even think you’d rather live with a decade of
debilitating illness and then die before you're old enough to collect social security than do
what I’m proposing. Wow, how bad can they be? Read on.</div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1)<b> </b></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Walk thirty
minutes a day.</b> Your lymphatic system is the Rodney Dangerfield of the body.
It gets no respect. Most people are unaware it even exists. However, it’s
<a href="https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/detoxification/the-lymphatic-system-and-your-health.aspx" target="_blank">essential to health</a> because it rids the body of toxins and wastes and
transports infection-fighting white blood cells around the body. But this is
key: unlike your vascular (blood) system, it has no pump. It requires your
body’s movement to operate. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There is
absolutely no way you can be healthy without some form of moderate daily
exercise to get this lymph moving around.</i> It doesn’t have to be walking,
however <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-brilliance-of-walking.html" target="_blank">brilliant walking is</a>. Bicycling counts. Yoga and tai chi count. So does
gardening. So does sweeping, snow shoveling and hanging the laundry to dry. Do more vigorous exercise if
you wish on some days, but every day do at least thirty minutes of moderate exercise without fail. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw3dxHwKfcuMqbLl5-f7UthWWUvYOa6vz07mHoAq0na3WeFHsGFbe3n7tIkFe-tW9KDQ8qtUePhC_y1kmkH-mpSkg9VYkIojFJ1_bCpL-ju1nbNai22SIVmDjFWp3PUfL7SK7GWzzr9w/s1600/Bilebeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw3dxHwKfcuMqbLl5-f7UthWWUvYOa6vz07mHoAq0na3WeFHsGFbe3n7tIkFe-tW9KDQ8qtUePhC_y1kmkH-mpSkg9VYkIojFJ1_bCpL-ju1nbNai22SIVmDjFWp3PUfL7SK7GWzzr9w/s320/Bilebeans.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laxative abuse does not create health.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This may sound simple, but you’d
think I was asking people to jump over the moon given the raft of excuses they
come up with. If you live in a neighborhood that is dangerous for walking and
biking, you live in a neighborhood designed for poor health. Consider moving.
(I’m serious. The average American changes residences 11.4 times in his/her lifetime. Next time, make your health a factor in choosing where to live.) Ladies, if you wear shoes that hurt to walk in, get some
comfortable ones. Save the high heels for special occasions. (High heels cause
an <a href="https://www.today.com/health/are-high-heels-bad-your-feed-t106163" target="_blank">abundance of health problems</a> that will eventually cripple you anyway. Better to be sexy via a slim waist than by permanently damaging your feet, ankles, knees and spine.) If
you can’t walk thirty minutes in a row right now, start out at ten and add five
minutes each week. You’ll get there. Walking alone will likely not drop all
your belly fat, but it will strengthen your bones and leg muscles, prevent
varicose veins, improve your lung and oxygen capacity, lift your mood, prevent
countless chronic diseases, improve your digestion, and improve your balance
and coordination. And it will help you <a href="https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/study-physical-activity-impacts-overall-quality-sleep" target="_blank">sleep better</a>. It will make a huge impact on how you feel and your general
health. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlvqL34Keen2rSRzR-lD7nlz1cG7LlADwHNZOeGlcZZqCHFPIEnh17bFqBZaVAu-VvbjwhVFsmqLqcXUs5Ej5Xzp9t5aRm0Ea_EWPcJ1RfzFoBBaK9lhLvjlYi6GxbJfqfvexJOGB5VU/s1600/black+girls+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="380" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlvqL34Keen2rSRzR-lD7nlz1cG7LlADwHNZOeGlcZZqCHFPIEnh17bFqBZaVAu-VvbjwhVFsmqLqcXUs5Ej5Xzp9t5aRm0Ea_EWPcJ1RfzFoBBaK9lhLvjlYi6GxbJfqfvexJOGB5VU/s320/black+girls+run.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empowerment! (<a href="http://blackgirlsrun.com/">blackgirlsrun.com</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The easiest way to fit thirty minutes of walking or biking into your
day is to make it a natural part of how you commute or do errands. This is why
the very design of America’s car-based society (that ensures nothing is close
by and renders walking and biking dangerous) <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-healthcare-driving/car-driven-society-poses-health-risk-for-americans-idUSTRE54S00220090529" target="_blank">is terrible for American health</a>.
But here’s some good news: if you are fit in your fifties, <a href="https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/05/the-benefits-of-middle-age-fitness/" target="_blank">you significantly delay infirmity</a>. This is true even if you weren’t particularly fit earlier. You
may eventually get the same chronic conditions as those who were unfit in their
fifties, but you’ll get them in the final five years of your life instead of
the final 10, 15, or 20 years. You will live much better—happier! active!
mobile!--the last 20% of your life. And you don’t have to be super fit, just
the regular fitness level that comes from walking thirty minutes a day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thirty minutes of daily, moderate exercise cuts your chance of Alzheimer's <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/10964854/One-hour-of-exercise-a-week-can-halve-dementia-risk.html" target="_blank">in half</a>. It is the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3635912/How-walking-dog-prevent-dementia-Exercise-middle-age-prevents-Alzheimer-s-disease.html" target="_blank">number one tool</a> to protect your memory and your mind that you have at your disposal. (Here are <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/alzheimers-dementia-aging/preventing-alzheimers-disease.htm" target="_blank">some others</a>.) You don't want Alzheimer's. Your family doesn't want you to develop Alzheimer's. Trust me on this. </div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sit less
than six hours a day.</b> Yes, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/11/health/sitting-increases-risk-of-death-study/index.html" target="_blank">sitting is the new smoking</a>. Our bodies were
built for movement. Is it any surprise that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3477898/" target="_blank">sitting all day in a chair is bad for you</a>? Too much sitting causes your <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/04/25/135575490/sitting-all-day-worse-for-you-than-you-might-think" target="_blank">metabolism to slow</a>, your blood <a href="https://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2015/10/16/excessive-sitting-damages-blood-vessels.aspx" target="_blank">circulation to stagnate</a>, <a href="https://www.livestrong.com/article/221726-how-to-improve-circulation-of-oxygen-to-brain/" target="_blank">less oxygen to be delivered to your brain</a>, and it significantly <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/much-sitting-linked-heart-disease-diabetes-premature-death-201501227618" target="_blank">increases your risk</a> of heart disease, cancer
(colon, endometrial, and lung), obesity, type 2 diabetes, muscular infirmity,
and depression. It also impedes the functioning of the <a href="https://www.naturalnews.com/023602_sitting_fat_muscles.html" target="_blank">key enzyme that breaks down fat</a>. Thirty minutes a day of exercise, while imperative for your lymph and
circulatory systems, <a href="https://qz.com/223160/why-not-even-exercise-will-undo-the-harm-of-sitting-all-day-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/" target="_blank">does not counteract the badness</a> of twelve hours of
sitting. No matter your age, the combined ill effects of extensive sitting
basically <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/desk-jobs-premature-death-risk-increase-double-office-columbia-university-a7942041.html" target="_blank">double your risk of premature death</a>. If you’re already on your
feet all day with your job, you’re probably fine, unless it’s a job that
requires you to stand still. (Standing still can give you back aches and varicose
veins. We’ll talk about how to solve this in a second.)</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsOFBhPZfT4DdXEFGFCCT_7qsRUXLioZQgm2lXatcAnszT7TXJvm2yoz2ZCPaDN5XZWR36wdcBj7jgt60qE8C24fKTjO6D-3FhO79VUB0T0C_SsVGlzyTZsTwz28kVUNI4BCPBaiWM4E/s1600/standing+desk+posture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="720" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsOFBhPZfT4DdXEFGFCCT_7qsRUXLioZQgm2lXatcAnszT7TXJvm2yoz2ZCPaDN5XZWR36wdcBj7jgt60qE8C24fKTjO6D-3FhO79VUB0T0C_SsVGlzyTZsTwz28kVUNI4BCPBaiWM4E/s200/standing+desk+posture.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ergonomics!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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If you have a desk job, I strongly encourage you to get a
standing desk. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. I spent $40 on a stand
to put my laptop screen at eye level, another $140 for a keyboard and trackpad
separate from my laptop so I can keep my arms perpendicular to my body, and $80
for an <a href="https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-standing-desk-mat/" target="_blank">anti-fatigue mat that is contoured</a> and keeps my calves activated.
(Explanation to follow.) There are also inexpensive <a href="https://www.cnet.com/how-to/diy-ways-to-convert-any-desk-into-a-standing-desk/" target="_blank">standing desk hacks</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn0tZknvrGhgS07SAx3vrX72qJ7i_yN4wwqBMYsDYoWKkZzkVcGJNmPNOFkV8Zq0tnJTZLvjbYdueCjDKNf4rsncoKMKOvU0Dn2BjM7wYnbLSCo_ftlYLx7DtnN5aIPTP_Uq9XNc4f-I/s1600/calf+muscle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmn0tZknvrGhgS07SAx3vrX72qJ7i_yN4wwqBMYsDYoWKkZzkVcGJNmPNOFkV8Zq0tnJTZLvjbYdueCjDKNf4rsncoKMKOvU0Dn2BjM7wYnbLSCo_ftlYLx7DtnN5aIPTP_Uq9XNc4f-I/s1600/calf+muscle.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unappreciated</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It may seem an oxymoron, but you don’t want to just stand at
a standing desk. The key to great health with a standing desk or a standing job
is to activate the calf muscles. We all know that our heart pumps blood away
from the center of our bodies. However, gravity fights the return of that blood
from our legs. That’s why calves are sometimes called the second heart. The
activation of our calf muscles is what gets that blood back up to our hearts.
When we sit, those calf muscles do next to nothing. When we stand motionless,
it’s not much better. However, when we stand it’s not so hard to dance, wiggle,
lift up our heels, or walk in place, all of which activates those calves. I
find an anti-fatigue mat with bumps and contours promotes calf activation as
well. If you want to try a walking treadmill desk ($), go for it. There are
many studies that show (and I can verify from personal experience) that
standing desks improve <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2016/01/18/using-a-standing-desk-could-give-your-brain-a-boost/#27d371424c40" target="_blank">neurocognitive function</a>, including memory, focus and alertness. I can attest that I’ve
never felt sleepy at my standing desk. And it is far, far easier to keep good
posture standing than while sitting if you pay attention to
ergonomics when creating your standing desk. If you have <a href="https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/how-poor-posture-causes-neck-pain" target="_blank">neck</a>, <a href="http://abbottcenter.com/bostonpaintherapy/?p=2671" target="_blank">arm,</a> <a href="https://www.bodyzone.com/upper-extremities-arm-elbow-pain/" target="_blank">hand</a>, <a href="http://buffalorehab.com/blog/3-ways-bad-posture-hurting-shoulder/" target="_blank">shoulder</a>, <a href="https://www.spine-health.com/blog/poor-posture-causing-your-back-pain" target="_blank">back</a> or <a href="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/carpal-tunnel/tc/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-safe-posture-and-movements-topic-overview" target="_blank">carpal tunnel</a> problems, it’s very possible that poor posture and/or poor ergonomics created them and good
posture/ergonomics will help them disappear (as will dropping weight and strengthening your muscles.) Better to eliminate the source of pain than to rely on opioids to get you through the day.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3m-fUx25oUZ91ql2ZjDkN1SpyB9skzsX0-ctUGOJIIy1nmqs-J2RcttE7TysZKls-1cAL7yL0LfjZGtYdhXvzJRrOScufmq0YsxMORKXTrkIXmxJlrfD24sfZVFkKup8LcClSPSFArc/s1600/good-standing-posture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="155" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3m-fUx25oUZ91ql2ZjDkN1SpyB9skzsX0-ctUGOJIIy1nmqs-J2RcttE7TysZKls-1cAL7yL0LfjZGtYdhXvzJRrOScufmq0YsxMORKXTrkIXmxJlrfD24sfZVFkKup8LcClSPSFArc/s200/good-standing-posture.jpg" width="100" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posture check</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In tai chi, there’s a concept called suspended headtop.
Think of the top of your head rising up, as if suspended from a string. Relax your shoulders down; don't stick your chest out military style. Bend your knees slightly and keep your weight towards the balls of your feet. Don’t slump,
don’t lock out your knees and put all your weight on your heels. (Rocking back
on your heels from time to time is fine.) Your butt muscles should be relaxed, not clenched. Your chest should be relaxed enough that you can breathe deep into your belly. Remember not to stand motionless. Shift your weight from foot to foot, lift up your heels, rise up onto your toes, wiggle, and wobble
around. Swing your arms from time to time, even walk in place. Sitting down ten minutes here and
there is okay, just remember to get back up. (It’s easy to get caught up in
something and, before you know it, ninety minutes have passed and you haven’t
moved.) If your job absolutely requires you to sit on your butt eight hours a
day, I’m sorry to say you have a job that will lead to your infirmity and early
death. Do they pay you enough for that? Truly consider a different job or a different line of
work. If you can’t quit immediately, then getting up every 30 minutes to stretch and walk around for a minute will help a whole lot. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW3aaNSbdh1wGvOmiVhxy9mlaaUBCqYJEk1ZgrRDyMRT1UxVUMQStcWxdG5w5-4EcROViqDVQLOR99sGLp-5zILkMRW4N2-2IiFI6bpvhWJePq-ftFpd9Uh6YHvt-2rj9f7krP6RZ-9Y/s1600/softstar+shoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfW3aaNSbdh1wGvOmiVhxy9mlaaUBCqYJEk1ZgrRDyMRT1UxVUMQStcWxdG5w5-4EcROViqDVQLOR99sGLp-5zILkMRW4N2-2IiFI6bpvhWJePq-ftFpd9Uh6YHvt-2rj9f7krP6RZ-9Y/s200/softstar+shoes.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorites</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ladies, standing desks require flat shoes. (Socks and bare
feet also work.) I recommend <a href="https://www.softstarshoes.com/" target="_blank">Softstar</a> shoes because I love mine so much, not to mention that Softstar is a great small business that is environmentally conscious and
treats their workers well. <a href="http://www.softstarshoes.com/minimal-footwear" target="_blank">Wearing “barefoot”</a> style shoes such as these will
strengthen your feet, improve your balance and can even reverse a host of foot problems. I buy one pair a year and wear them for
everything except running on hard pavement, walking over three miles on concrete, and fancy
occasions. At work keep formal shoes in a desk drawer for when you need them. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As for other ways to refrain from sitting: walking meetings
work well when you’re meeting with just one other person. If you can talk your
employer into it, standing meeting tables are proven to increase productivity
and reduce meeting times. At the very least, make a concerted effort to make
your screen time standing time.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6yC45MN-JUKENBJE8IowzOWSkt9L88NBG8BH4mai0OJlvNJp0si5Jykw5y9Z7QjeKIMerrHx8uR7JVMZUgCEUwd8erAWj3mUfMdb8qn_sYEMpkgL3hhCCTIQAqCmS9P8syHKa1bXPVM/s1600/computer+stand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6yC45MN-JUKENBJE8IowzOWSkt9L88NBG8BH4mai0OJlvNJp0si5Jykw5y9Z7QjeKIMerrHx8uR7JVMZUgCEUwd8erAWj3mUfMdb8qn_sYEMpkgL3hhCCTIQAqCmS9P8syHKa1bXPVM/s200/computer+stand.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen at eye level</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Now don’t try to go from sitting twelve hours a day
(American average) to six overnight! Try standing for ten minutes an hour and
then adding five minutes a week until you can do 45 minutes at a stretch. The
hardest thing is travel. Either in a car or airplane, you’ve got forced butt
time. (This is part of the reason truck and <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/city/archives/1149-health-problems-plague-city-cab-drivers" target="_blank">cab drivers</a> have some of the <a href="http://www.overdriveonline.com/study-of-truck-driver-health-shows-cluster-of-high-risk-factors-for-chronic-diseases/" target="_blank">worst health</a> in the country.) On public transit <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3741553/Why-stand-subway-Briefly-standing-key-cutting-risk-heart-attack-diabetes.html" target="_blank">you can stand</a>; on a train you can get up and walk.
Choose those options when you can. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvFoTOXQs8ENf1nXyJL5ou_OIW9KYu58rWp1B5MXRktLtwAjaigrB3RE8TyUcEtNkFPwe0Q2QOYBSqlvx3reGy_zzhWf48MJPDBjE3aGxqlj0wPhSFox9fbJGBMVH-StSDur28qNDpf4/s1600/muscle+vs+fat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="638" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvFoTOXQs8ENf1nXyJL5ou_OIW9KYu58rWp1B5MXRktLtwAjaigrB3RE8TyUcEtNkFPwe0Q2QOYBSqlvx3reGy_zzhWf48MJPDBjE3aGxqlj0wPhSFox9fbJGBMVH-StSDur28qNDpf4/s200/muscle+vs+fat.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Okay. Let’s talk about waistline reduction again. As you
walk, exercise, and stand, you’re going to be strengthening your legs. Adding muscle. This
is good! However, since muscle is heavier than fat, even if your abdominal fat
is vaporizing, your weight may not drop immediately. That’s okay. Weight is not
nearly as important as your waist. If you’re replacing visceral fat with leg
muscle, you’re doing amazing things for your health. Don’t even step on a scale. Get a tape measure and focus on your belly.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we move on to lifestyle change number three. This is the
one that people say they’d rather die than do. Oh my gosh. Seriously?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cut out
wheat and sugar for six months. (Noooo! I hear you all screaming.) </b>Wheat and
sugar are the king and queen of obesity, inflammation and diabetes. Combined with
a sedentary lifestyle, they’re almost guaranteed to make you sick, weak and
immobile before your time. If you've got problems with belly fat, eliminate all wheat, <a href="https://www.princeton.edu/news/2010/03/22/sweet-problem-princeton-researchers-find-high-fructose-corn-syrup-prompts" target="_blank">high fructose corn syrup</a>, and
desserts from your diet. Also all <a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Nutrition/Added-Sugars_UCM_305858_Article.jsp#.WfCgvoZrx8c" target="_blank">added sugars</a>. For six months. I must point
out this includes bread. Even whole wheat bread. It includes pasta. Beer. It certainly includes doughnuts. Freaking
A, it includes most crackers.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh. My. God. The world is going to end. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If you want a detailed explanation of the <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/wheat-gluten_b_1274872.html" target="_blank">problems with wheat</a>, read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wheat-Belly-Lose-Weight-Health/dp/1609611543/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386943599&sr=8-1&keywords=wheat+belly" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wheat Belly</i></a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Grain-Brain-Surprising-Sugar-Your-Killers-ebook/dp/B00BAXFCPO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1508942153&sr=1-1&keywords=grain+brain" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grain Brain</i></a>. Suffice it to say that
wheat has been massively hybridized the last fifty years into a form very
different than what has been consumed by human beings the previous ten thousand. But I’m not telling you to give up wheat forever. Get your belly gone,
and you can reintroduce wheat and see how it affects you, perhaps trying ancient
and heirloom strains that haven’t been so manipulated to produce higher yields, pesticide accommodation, perkier baking properties, etc. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There are all sorts of <a href="https://www.rodalewellness.com/health/surprising-reasons-to-give-up-wheat" target="_blank">good reasons to clear wheat</a> and
sugars from your diet, including the nasty way they spike your blood sugar,
make you insulin resistant, age your skin, make you fat, weaken your bones, and
diminish your mental acuity. But let’s put those aside for the moment. I propose you totally clear wheat and added sugars from your
diet for the next six months because of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4191848/" target="_blank">homeostasis</a>. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_4bb2TqjiVZ4idIuuBfdHCFEy6p5vLqjhn5fenLU_xKRRp-FoYiv64TQJYFoc2d0oS1IWnXzsOvYlWulzRIkpplemyqXR5zgu1bY_2lu6J2Ipz_CWAP8brkg52YomXCFdU0C6dQDPZA/s1600/Visceral+fat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="600" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_4bb2TqjiVZ4idIuuBfdHCFEy6p5vLqjhn5fenLU_xKRRp-FoYiv64TQJYFoc2d0oS1IWnXzsOvYlWulzRIkpplemyqXR5zgu1bY_2lu6J2Ipz_CWAP8brkg52YomXCFdU0C6dQDPZA/s320/Visceral+fat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Your body doesn’t like change. Your body doesn’t want to lose
its belly. Even with your new regimen of walking thirty minutes a day and
sitting less than six hours, it will not say, “Sure, no problem, this belly has
got to go.” No sirree. It will fight losing those inches. Cutting wheat and
sugar from your food supply will jumpstart the process. It will reduce your high blood sugar levels that directly lead to visceral abdominal fat, not to mention diabetes, cataracts, arthritis, dementia and heart disease. Dropping wheat and sugar will make those fat
cells say, “Whoa, what’s going on?” It will tell your body you mean business. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I can tell you that when I hit 50, I was not obese or overweight, but my weight was creeping up. I was running 5K three times a week,
I was walking 30 minutes a day, I ate little in the way of sweets or desserts.
Still my weight was creeping. Then I cut out wheat. My body made a marked
shift; I dropped ten pounds without otherwise changing my diet. My waist dropped
two inches. Yes, dropping wheat is that powerful.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtfYkPm3-JFNiYc4-xqXQRjLET1PBG5rW7cqDfjN7TkdCX7hIRQQTIYDez_EnDD5grmMDh95jRA37jXNRCtwyNuKfnrmVPHnfWINP4Z8_gooOsL5lcIBms8IImxOTduWYWDUz8aNFbKY/s1600/heart+w+with+v+fat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtfYkPm3-JFNiYc4-xqXQRjLET1PBG5rW7cqDfjN7TkdCX7hIRQQTIYDez_EnDD5grmMDh95jRA37jXNRCtwyNuKfnrmVPHnfWINP4Z8_gooOsL5lcIBms8IImxOTduWYWDUz8aNFbKY/s200/heart+w+with+v+fat.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But you have to cut the sugar, too, because it’s also nasty
bad for you and can fill in for wheat at the drop of a hat. Yes, cutting out
wheat means no more office cupcakes. Yes, it means avoiding the center of the
grocery store and every beautiful bakery that wants to lure you in with its
luscious scents and its big-eyed whole-grained muffins that can’t possibly be
bad for you (can they?) Yes, it means forgoing most fast and prepared foods.
(This is a feature, not a bug.) If you don't cook, you may have to start. Don’t replace wheat with “gluten free”
processed corporate crapola products. They’re mostly made from rice starch,
tapioca starch or other starch that is largely nutrition-free. You want the
food you put in your mouth to both fill you up and actually have nutrition. (Ahem, this means not gorging yourself on potato chips or tortilla chips either, even if they don't contain wheat.)</div>
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Wheat <a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9484/why-wheat-is-ruining-your-life-the-author-of-wheat-belly-explains.html" target="_blank">stimulates the appetite</a>. Getting it out of your diet
will help you to not be constantly ravenous. Satiate your appetite with good
fats—avocados, avocado oil, olives, olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, and seeds. (<a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/06/fda-decision-aims-to-eliminate-trans-fat-from-your-food/" target="_blank">Trans fats</a> are so awful for you that I'm assuming you cut them out of your diet years ago?) You need protein, so throw in modest amounts of pasture-raised dairy and meat. (If you're vegan, you should already well know <a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4771/10-Vegan-Sources-of-Protein.html" target="_blank">healthy vegan sources of protein</a>.) And throw in lots
and lots of vegetables that will give you the nutrition and micro-nutrients
that your body needs and probably hasn’t gotten in years. Go easy on the rice,
potatoes and non-wheat grains. Instead of snacking on pretzels and cookies, try carrots, pumpkin seeds or raw cashews. For a quick breakfast, grab
a hard-boiled egg rather than a bagel. Trade your lunchtime sandwich for a
salad sprinkled with cheese and sunflower seeds. Ever have grated sweet
potato sautéed in coconut oil? Delicious!</div>
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Oh. My. God. You’re saying no pizza and beer. Ever.</div>
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First off, there are some <a href="https://www.wheat-free.org/where-can-I-get-gluten-free-beer-in-the-US.html" target="_blank">wheat-free beers</a>, and there are ways to make <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/deenashanker/gluten-free-pizza-is-a-right?utm_term=.idepP488RK#.awwy3d66Rl" target="_blank">wheat-free pizza</a>. And we're just talking six months. Wheat and sugar are
addictive; both have properties that cause you to crave them. After a month or so
the cravings will die down. I walk by bakeries now and I don’t even want a muffin. But that wasn’t true at first. Once you get your waist to a healthy
circumference, then, if you really want, you can reintroduce wheat and see how your body reacts.
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If you would rather die early than give up bread for six months, so be it. I’ll
just suggest the one bite rule. Sometimes, if you’re craving something--if something
looks so good, you might die if you don’t have it--one bite will get
you far. Perhaps it’s a beautiful cake that everyone is raving about, ice cream
that's magical, or the best biscuit in the history of the universe. Take exactly one bite. Your tastebuds will get <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2270643/Just-couple-BITES-chocolate-satisfy-taste-buds.html" target="_blank">most of their gratification</a>
(sweetness, texture, flavor.) Same with ice cream. Seriously,
one bite gets you 80% of the joy. (Note: this works better for sweet/floury things than salty/oily things.)</div>
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This should be obvious, but <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/sugary-drinks-fact-sheet/" target="_blank">cut out the soda</a> and the<a href="http://thescholarship.ecu.edu/handle/10342/4746" target="_blank"> sweet tea</a>. This includes diet soda. (Very nasty for your poor brain, increasing <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2017/04/27/why-is-diet-soda-so-bad-for-your-brain/#5ab8105c5fad" target="_blank">risk of both stroke and dementia</a>.) Hydrate mostly with water from your personal stainless steel water bottle. (Please, oh, please, don't buy bottled water. It's <a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11193/7-reasons-to-never-drink-bottled-water-again.html" target="_blank">bad for you and bad for the planet</a>.) Once you get
rid of added sugars, food with natural sugars will start tasting quite sweet to
you. Foods with nutrition, like milk, carrots, snap peas. Some fruit is okay,
but don’t gorge on it. Get creative with vegetables instead. If your body is really stubborn about homeostasis and that belly fat won't budge, try switching to zero starch dinners (just protein and vegetables) or even <a href="https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/2017-07-20/can-skipping-dinner-help-you-lose-weight" target="_blank">skipping dinner</a> a couple times a week to get over your body's set point inertia. </div>
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Let me also point out the foolishness of smoking and/or destroying your liver by drinking too much. It's simply bonkers to work hard on improving your health on the one hand while simultaneously monkey hammering it with drink and cigarettes on the other.</div>
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Don't say you don't have the time. It's all about priorities. Many people postpone prioritizing their health until their first heart attack or stroke. Or until they're diagnosed with cancer. Or they need a limb amputated. Then they must focus on nothing but their health for quite a while, with medical interventions that are stressful and unpleasant. How about preventing the heart attack, the stroke, the cancer, the amputation? How about taking action right now so that you can live actively and joyfully from age 60 to age 80? (Possibly even beyond.)</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5qpgpJJdW1ygFKblkjT_FziVo86X8LjoKfkIAFuU_V0gGuU0HZA3Qbnfmwa68eF8PvSVMd6JnSxXDeSOPIoJD04fTQp-ipwr6RJRz8zNddWODLeIBf_BnxX2DwNU2mT1zJ1maa-NGak/s1600/oldyoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="416" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5qpgpJJdW1ygFKblkjT_FziVo86X8LjoKfkIAFuU_V0gGuU0HZA3Qbnfmwa68eF8PvSVMd6JnSxXDeSOPIoJD04fTQp-ipwr6RJRz8zNddWODLeIBf_BnxX2DwNU2mT1zJ1maa-NGak/s200/oldyoga.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Yes, whatever you do, you might still get unlucky and get clobbered by a texting driver or contract a debilitating disease there was no way to prevent. But why not give yourself the best odds possible?<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Follow these three steps (that might seem impossible but
really aren’t) and you will ignite your immune system and increase your
strength and stamina. You’ll fire up your metabolism, reduce your current and
future need for medications, get rid of your belly, and save both you and the nation <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/pamela-yellen/health-investment_b_909015.html" target="_blank">oodles in future health care expense</a>. You will feel
energized, creative, and powerful not only when your belly’s gone, but as it’s
going. Don’t choose death, disease and suffering due to the siren calls of
sugar, wheat and your easy chair. However old you are, whatever shape you’re in, turn your
health around. You can do it.
</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: this is not
medical advice. I’m not a doctor! I just read the research and studies and tell
you what I’ve experienced myself. I receive no remuneration for any products I
recommend. I share things that have worked for me and that I like. Indeed this
entire article benefits me in almost no way whatsoever except for the fact that
if you’re a sane, non-evil person, and you improve your health, the world I
inhabit gets a little better.</i></div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-13239536452797990472017-06-15T10:25:00.000-07:002017-06-27T20:25:08.778-07:00The Importance of Not Being Miserable (About the Fate of the Planet or Anything Else)<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdsog1uZUw66okHZXf_xd89nygjDw2S2FMSlGYSJuevGT7q_qC_j2YeM77FerU5t2OSguQQdalG2ocgaRsvY53EZ0DBHcwzeuORA0uI04jeNYvUOFt22H7sTv3pDYrjoyB7x-j3sg_Cg/s1600/E43AF436-E8ED-4DF8-ABB8-A85010B22D04%255B2%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdsog1uZUw66okHZXf_xd89nygjDw2S2FMSlGYSJuevGT7q_qC_j2YeM77FerU5t2OSguQQdalG2ocgaRsvY53EZ0DBHcwzeuORA0uI04jeNYvUOFt22H7sTv3pDYrjoyB7x-j3sg_Cg/s320/E43AF436-E8ED-4DF8-ABB8-A85010B22D04%255B2%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antidote? Vaccine?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If
you’re reading this article it’s likely there’s much going on in the world to
make you feel anxious, depressed, angry, frustrated, even downright
miserable. Climate change is serious; the Paris accord is only a small step in
the right direction even if the US government didn’t want to pull out of it.
Depending on how much of a doomer you are, you may perceive that one to seven billion people are on deck to die an early, unpleasant death over the next
hundred years due to human fecklessness now. Wealth inequality has skyrocketed
in the United States; our federal government grows ever more corrupted by big
money; and people of all stripes are conditioned into a simultaneous state of
passivity and anxiety through television, social media, drugs, poor diet, poor health, and a
culture that defines human worth through status and consumption. Nearly half of
all animal species are at <a href="http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/" target="_blank">risk of extinction by mid-century</a>; the entire
biosphere of Earth, the lovely planet that is our home, is being threatened by
unnecessary laziness, selfishness, stupidity, and greed. On top of all this,
you may feel the current US political system is in such a shambles that it no
longer has the ability to address problems, only a perverse faculty to create
more.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If
you stew on all this, the outlook is bleak indeed. (Please consider the
possibility that the current political circus is <i>designed</i> to make us feel anxious and impotent.) I’m not
going to tell you none of the above is untrue, that the dire predictions now
floating in the blogosphere won’t come to pass. I can only say we can’t know at
this point how it will all play out, that life is full of surprises, that history
is rife with unexpected twists and turns. But I will tell you that even if
depression, anger and anxiety are understandable responses to the predicaments
at hand, you should give such emotional states a wide berth. <b>**You are too important to squander your
energy being miserable.** </b>Indeed, even if you don’t have hope, you owe it to
yourself to lead a contented, useful life. Let me explain.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdV4QwAAapD29LIAUFygecltLwF8eiTOi4S_FcIHnPoYCWc_H54_JyVWpzHElhDkq6zV4Fz4mLialOKRCqs8eu9eA48lmOpzyWHQ-qkm0OIQXsmp49Gc81GztjRfiJW-TcxJPKq-8iUn8/s1600/miserable.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="124" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdV4QwAAapD29LIAUFygecltLwF8eiTOi4S_FcIHnPoYCWc_H54_JyVWpzHElhDkq6zV4Fz4mLialOKRCqs8eu9eA48lmOpzyWHQ-qkm0OIQXsmp49Gc81GztjRfiJW-TcxJPKq-8iUn8/s1600/miserable.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worth a read</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stress
kills. Depression kills. Despair kills. Sometimes quickly through suicide or a
drug overdose, but more often slowly, as <a href="http://www.healthline.com/health/stress/effects-on-body" target="_blank">the hormones these emotional states trigger</a> hammer at your kidneys, your liver, your heart, your immune system, and
your digestive system as well as make you more sensitive to pain and prone to
insomnia. It may feel as if despair drains your energy, leaving you sapped, but
that’s because you’re directing your life force down a black sinkhole that is
an appalling repository for your vitality. That sinkhole will never return lost
hours and days back to you. It will never do anyone (or any biosphere) one lick
of good.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On
an airplane, you’re told in case of emergency to put on your own oxygen mask
before assisting others. Why? Because if you pass out, not only will you be of
no use to anyone, others will have to freak out assisting <i>you</i>. This
is not to say ignoring reality is a good idea. It’s not to say that your
emotions and your reason are not picking up good data on the current state
of affairs, and that these affairs aren’t worthy of your attention. A certain
level of worry and alarm are useful if your house is burning down.But
no one can live long under the stress of constantly escaping a fire. Problems unlikely
to be resolved in a short period of time must be approached with a degree of
equanimity that will allow you to still thrive and enjoy your life.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qrt-KxjKfwj22g9GILff2sk76ohZBSfS3ednIo7O1Q9nNeIjvvdEN_DH8ZOPqCEwTG1y1BnWYylf28O51sKoay1PSbYsrt-5V5c4803T4lc7luYSw7Cl1aL6N28AapGtxQChS44dO5U/s1600/zipline.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="401" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qrt-KxjKfwj22g9GILff2sk76ohZBSfS3ednIo7O1Q9nNeIjvvdEN_DH8ZOPqCEwTG1y1BnWYylf28O51sKoay1PSbYsrt-5V5c4803T4lc7luYSw7Cl1aL6N28AapGtxQChS44dO5U/s320/zipline.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early zippiness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes,
enjoy. No matter what the circumstances, you deserve to enjoy your life. Okay, if
you’re a murderer, sadist, or swindler, maybe you deserve to enjoy life a whole
lot less, but my guess is those aren’t your sins. In any event, we are all on a
hero’s/heroine’s journey; we all get to be the central character as we write
the book of our lives. Between our birth and our death are a chain of moments.
These moments are all we get. We owe it to no one, not even the unborn future
generations who are counting on us, to squander them in misery, rage,
depression, and frustration.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Misery,
rage, depression and frustration not only make us sick, they often spiral into
self-hatred. They might prompt us to turn to alcohol or drugs (or porn or
mindless TV or shopping or gambling) <a href="http://americanaddictioncenters.org/adult-addiction-treatment-programs/self-medicating/" target="_blank">to blot the pain they cause</a>. And (except,
perhaps, in tiny, tiny amounts) they don’t help us constructively address the
predicaments we face.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4x39t4gsdCvXK2i4dqK1UJ2m7FqW-Cr30VxF0BHpwYsN7XKtC5W79fUKqqrXQ810hAonm1WQu_FUlD5YDexu33KC6dsQHRJDVb4LfT0CSZy5dWluf0nlyX0ftwxCNJFxp4hJwWLBjkg/s1600/Slim-Pickens-riding-the-Bomb.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4x39t4gsdCvXK2i4dqK1UJ2m7FqW-Cr30VxF0BHpwYsN7XKtC5W79fUKqqrXQ810hAonm1WQu_FUlD5YDexu33KC6dsQHRJDVb4LfT0CSZy5dWluf0nlyX0ftwxCNJFxp4hJwWLBjkg/s320/Slim-Pickens-riding-the-Bomb.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This
doesn’t mean we should all stop caring about others and the fate of our planet.
It doesn’t mean we should stop worrying and learn to love the bomb. It means
each of us has to get to a mental/emotional place where we can focus our
attention without relying on a constant lash of anxiety for motivation. It
means nurturing and strengthening our spirits so we can encompass the sad and
the difficult and yet still see the joy and the beauty. The Chinese, from the
ancients to modern-day, speak of cultivating their chi, their life force. To do
the work ahead, each of us will need patience, clarity and strength. Each of us
will need to tap into the deep well of our life force that we have zero
access to if thunderstorms of misery always rage around us.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHh_k2uYsu9D-J5wCSSfnWVFc3ylSzrHqJz2asPY-W2nm_5vX817VhVpU3kSFYosqvHzTRz8BMk9SL-881QlXMB0u7a-IxS8h0wh2C_jhyphenhyphen8aLHH0RknT8EI_AlFeSmtAvrsR0uw5OoKw/s1600/can%2527t+buy+happiness.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHh_k2uYsu9D-J5wCSSfnWVFc3ylSzrHqJz2asPY-W2nm_5vX817VhVpU3kSFYosqvHzTRz8BMk9SL-881QlXMB0u7a-IxS8h0wh2C_jhyphenhyphen8aLHH0RknT8EI_AlFeSmtAvrsR0uw5OoKw/s320/can%2527t+buy+happiness.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There
are a multitude of ways to nurture spirit. The most important is the one Americans
neglect the most: body movement. <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-brilliance-of-walking.html" target="_blank">Simple walking</a> is an extremely effective
method of countering depression, anxiety and stress, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/03/for-depression-prescribing-exercise-before-medication/284587/" target="_blank">as good or better than any drug</a>, even better if it’s done
out in nature. If you find yourself angry, anxious, or hopeless you simply must
carve out thirty minutes a day to walk somewhere you enjoy. Do it before or
after work, during lunch, maybe even as part of your commute. (Bicycle
commuters report high levels of happiness and well-being, if that’s an option
for you. You might think not, but <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2017/06/08/bike-to-work-houston/" target="_blank">it probably is</a>.) If you enjoy more vigorous exercise, do that. Our bodies, especially
<a href="https://branchbasics.com/blog/2015/09/16-ways-to-activate-your-lymphatic-system/" target="_blank">our lymphatic systems</a>, require movement in order to function properly. You simply
cannot be healthy and be sedentary. Exercise also releases <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/13/health/endorphins-exercise-cause-happiness/index.html" target="_blank">endorphins and other brain chemicals</a> that give a fundamental, natural (!) sense of well-being.
Maybe a few saints here and there are able to rise above physical discomfort to
achieve spiritual heights but most of us must attend to our bodies in order to
attend to our spirit. Walk or bike or get some other form of exercise every day. Do it. It works.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAChho_3o0tkt8-1DUJ8Bznh7dNWQzCdBMNKzupYw7D9UPln7e57RW-GOOQ8P7alhmo5O7hyMwf-d-84iL4Vk6hjzhBfK_LTw7biMTyBDUwbwnO2DfFLb_7XACAjBYyiYENyzbtUd5g0/s1600/sugarbad.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="310" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAChho_3o0tkt8-1DUJ8Bznh7dNWQzCdBMNKzupYw7D9UPln7e57RW-GOOQ8P7alhmo5O7hyMwf-d-84iL4Vk6hjzhBfK_LTw7biMTyBDUwbwnO2DfFLb_7XACAjBYyiYENyzbtUd5g0/s640/sugarbad.jpeg" width="273" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Next,
cut out the sugar. Seriously. Sugar is addictive, wigs you out, and makes
equanimity elusive. And it’s everywhere, in all sorts of food products you
might not realize. (Read ingredient labels!) The average American eats 130
pounds of added sugars a year. This is nuts. Sugar makes your organs fat, it
primes your body for diabetes, it makes heart attacks and strokes more likely,
it creates tense blood vessels that lead to high blood pressure, it overloads
and damages your liver, it increases your hunger level that leads to
overeating, it ages your skin, it feeds cancer cells, it increases your risk of
Alzheimer’s and dementia, it can make you anxious and irritable, and it gives you a 40% higher risk of developing
depression. However, sugar can reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in
the blood, which may be why some people drown their sorrows in quarts of ice cream.
(This is why you need to come up with healthy ways to manage stress.) Don’t
replace sugar with artificial sweeteners; they’re also terrible for your body.
Recalibrate your palate and body instead. After a few days without added
sugars, natural sugars will suddenly register on your tongue again. <a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12786/how-to-completely-eliminate-sugar-from-your-life-in-2-months.html" target="_blank">This article</a> outlines a pretty good plan over a course of two months that will clean up your diet. Or you could <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/09/health/sugar-detox-food-drayer/index.html" target="_blank">go cold turkey with no sugar for three days</a>, reset your taste buds, then add some foods back in. If you want to feel really good and lose weight, cut wheat
out of your diet, too, especially in highly-processed crapola foods, but start
with sugar first, especially sugar/corn syrup in beverages. (Please consider
the possibility, whether intentionally designed this way or not, that a food
supply that leaves you sickly and obese is a food supply that renders you
passive, dependent and impotent.)</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SGQ8PVZNT4DAbVhThmuYUtmSuyt9Xu7cGOlbJSzvw2kMty8KmsWumpXSw63qR8QkmtRkQFpwYkXy8MHrky_ddt7EKHWPygGW7vOw5YVhV4yX8wHpBlsC63sno88LLpjR-YUiZhoF8vE/s1600/Backbend.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="504" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SGQ8PVZNT4DAbVhThmuYUtmSuyt9Xu7cGOlbJSzvw2kMty8KmsWumpXSw63qR8QkmtRkQFpwYkXy8MHrky_ddt7EKHWPygGW7vOw5YVhV4yX8wHpBlsC63sno88LLpjR-YUiZhoF8vE/s320/Backbend.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many ways to be merry . . .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Next,
be careful with alcohol and drugs. I’m not saying zero, but no using either for
pain relief or self-medication. Without moderation, both can affect your health; both can get in the way of finding the
deep equanimity that is in you. In particular, heavy alcohol use makes you fat, messes up your liver, <a href="https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/how-alcohol-affects-sleep" target="_blank">messes with your sleep</a>, and if you're depressed, leads to more depression. For those
of you who are young, remember, what you do to your body before you’re thirty
you’ll feel after you’re thirty.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Curb your news addiction. News reporting wants to attract your attention via tragedies, problems and threats of problems. Much of it is repetitive, voyeuristic and manipulative, not to mention mostly noise, not signal, designed to distract you and make you feel anxious. The time you spend pouring over the details of mass shootings, Senate subcommittee hearings, and special prosecutors is time not spent on your health, your family, your friends, your work, your real life. It's time not spent on the <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/12/make-your-life-less-oily-in-2017-part-i.html" target="_blank">real things you can actually do</a> to solve the problems we face. I'm not suggesting burying your head in the sand, but view news as a toxic substance you must ingest in small doses--say no more than half an hour a day. Note the info but don't stew or obsess about things you can't or won't change. (It's useless and makes you useless.) Conserve your attention and energy for what you actually can and want to impact. I personally read my news rather than see or hear it. It's faster, less repetitive, and it's easier that way for me to check multiple sources to note multiple viewpoints.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Get
enough sleep, however much your body needs in order to feel alert and healthy.
Sleep is more important than Facebook, it’s more important than TV. Turn media
minutes into sleep minutes until you’re routinely getting enough rest.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LoE-2O7xQ8cNLKBfnPwdoFlgHQtU1HaSx9C2Sz303UBzETAfF3Go3Sx5UofOkR6BPGHK3lPH4GzUCQNxLBBN0iGDAErlgy1GDEb6n4s04EyNHnPLBdozRP6_09Zuf-O7pwkpD1Gh3L4/s1600/arcadia+poster.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LoE-2O7xQ8cNLKBfnPwdoFlgHQtU1HaSx9C2Sz303UBzETAfF3Go3Sx5UofOkR6BPGHK3lPH4GzUCQNxLBBN0iGDAErlgy1GDEb6n4s04EyNHnPLBdozRP6_09Zuf-O7pwkpD1Gh3L4/s320/arcadia+poster.jpeg" width="218" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Consider
trying meditation, tai chi, yoga, dance, and/or immersion in the natural world.
All these are helpful for some people. A simple walk among trees (“tree
bathing”) is a proven stress reliever for many. Acupuncture can also address
anxiety and depression. I strongly encourage you to check and see if any of
these tried and true techniques (that are inexpensive, with no nasty side
effects) work for you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of
course you may have your own path to equanimity. What lifts your spirit?
Brainstorm a list. Singing in a choir? Creating art? Gardening? Fishing? Brunch
with friends? Woodworking? Listening to opera? Going to church? Staring at the
ocean? Gazing at the stars? Reading a story to your grandchild? This list is
not a frivolous exercise. What nourishes you, what replenishes you? What you
come up with is part of the essential task you are put on this world to do. I
know it’s especially hard for parents of young children to find time, but not
nurturing your spirit is like not putting on your oxygen mask. You will dry out
into a husk of a human being who is no good to anyone. Pay attention to your
spirit. Feed it. That’s an order.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So
why am I writing this? What is it to me if you spend your day raging at
corporations or shaking your head glumly at inane tweets?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PL3CUBHGNLU8xCIwDV3vlI797Y5tUWo95oMdfwQtYQ7iZHTtKm1ckApg6ruRQMH41B1DGt-HMJgY8BA_wfLFuWT5HNZqDREMXfIdb2Ci3ZrD_9xhsyu23D0ZovaikIq4f-XGNUxB9eY/s1600/bedford+falls.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="340" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PL3CUBHGNLU8xCIwDV3vlI797Y5tUWo95oMdfwQtYQ7iZHTtKm1ckApg6ruRQMH41B1DGt-HMJgY8BA_wfLFuWT5HNZqDREMXfIdb2Ci3ZrD_9xhsyu23D0ZovaikIq4f-XGNUxB9eY/s200/bedford+falls.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No man is an island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The
answer is we are all connected. On a planetary biosphere level, obviously.
(Pollution and carbon travel.) On an economic level. (Goods and services
travel.) On a political level. (Refugees and terrorism travel.) Even, Jung
would say, on a subconscious level. However tempting it is to think otherwise,
how we treat the planet, other people and other nations boomerangs back on us in a very
basic way. Others’ suffering not only diminishes us, it destabilizes the
country and the world. Though America loves to see itself as a collection of
rugged individualists, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s a Wonderful
Life</i>, with its interconnected small town of Bedford Falls that George
Bailey’s modest life is able to impact for the better, is a much more accurate
model.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LSTD467MxHu5W7gJnxqRS2yVGUyPOjkrWGIL3qBwV_QKoMWFqAON31KpWGohgzg0oQERrqThNy7gKnLnRAy-vt9j4afx4Xchhq1jrjA3SYC9HCK8xUChIhCcTttRwJJ_vtVsPXbQe6I/s1600/see+stars.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LSTD467MxHu5W7gJnxqRS2yVGUyPOjkrWGIL3qBwV_QKoMWFqAON31KpWGohgzg0oQERrqThNy7gKnLnRAy-vt9j4afx4Xchhq1jrjA3SYC9HCK8xUChIhCcTttRwJJ_vtVsPXbQe6I/s320/see+stars.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This
basic interconnection means I benefit if I live among healthy, vibrant, creative,
energetic, ethical people, so I deeply want that state of being for you. Beyond
that, if you’re a person who gets that the human race needs to live in
balance with the biosphere of its host planet, it’s even more essential that
you don’t squander your life in gloom and doom. That you have the equanimity
and energy to do what you can to alleviate future suffering, to preserve what
still can be preserved, to repair what can be repaired, leading an enjoyable, contented
life all the while. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19gyPJf3YuhsiMcrukvoePflMep-ilpS9DXBQS4cBwcsQAI0UWazw0C5BliFaPL_s9_SQM_uBuzHPakrSPQ0x9lrJuY9u7ESXZZRjBzDUxUWb463UFuXcceRlNiinN2ISaCNExAN-bTE/s1600/zion+park.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19gyPJf3YuhsiMcrukvoePflMep-ilpS9DXBQS4cBwcsQAI0UWazw0C5BliFaPL_s9_SQM_uBuzHPakrSPQ0x9lrJuY9u7ESXZZRjBzDUxUWb463UFuXcceRlNiinN2ISaCNExAN-bTE/s320/zion+park.jpeg" width="241" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pick a problem, any problem, to work on. There are plenty
to choose from. Don’t fret, don’t endlessly rant about it; instead, give it a
portion of your productive energy, your steadfast attention, your commitment. Yes,
the future might play out badly just the same, but not trying due to despair or
pessimism is the greater error. If the worst ends up happening, that’s even
more reason to live the moments you have left as well as you can. Not
deliriously happy, perhaps, but at peace. Not in an alcohol or chemical-induced
stupor that makes you forget the clouds above, but with a wider vision that
helps you see the storms as they travel, the seasons as they pass. Find a way
of being that makes you whole, makes you strong. Then use that strength with as
much compassion, integrity and fortitude as you know how. That’s my wish for
you. That’s my wish for us all.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Note: If you have severe depression, severe anxiety, or frequent suicidal thoughts, humanity and the planet still need you. Try the suggestions above, but also <a href="https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/" target="_blank">get help</a> from someone with the skills to address your level of problem.</i> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-85128529097353176542017-03-16T23:00:00.000-07:002017-03-17T09:54:18.463-07:00Helping Others Eschew Oil (How to Make Your Life Less Oily in 2017, Part IV)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDfwNko1zNPRF3qD4HzLTW9caaa9qB2VAXO4s5YhmTBhbrzTiScXUSkYRFB_jbrggVZouO47KZEVIBVZZNaLbvIvYtwiiFpBMoKjgJCi9Kp6KmNiftxn61c5a1X9uZmbpqgkkRUEnrsE/s1600/boys+riding.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDfwNko1zNPRF3qD4HzLTW9caaa9qB2VAXO4s5YhmTBhbrzTiScXUSkYRFB_jbrggVZouO47KZEVIBVZZNaLbvIvYtwiiFpBMoKjgJCi9Kp6KmNiftxn61c5a1X9uZmbpqgkkRUEnrsE/s320/boys+riding.jpeg" width="234" /></a></div>
<a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/12/make-your-life-less-oily-in-2017-part-i.html" target="_blank">Part I:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking Stock</a>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/01/squeezing-oil-out-of-your-travel-make.html" target="_blank">Part II: Squeezing Oil Out of Your Travel</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/02/wringing-oil-from-your-beverages-food.html" target="_blank">Part III: Wringing Oil from Your Beverages, Food, Stuff, andHeat</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part IV: Helping Others Eschew Oil<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="st">“You never change things by fighting
the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that </span>makes<span class="st"> the </span>existing model obsolete</i><span class="st"><i>.”</i> - </span>Buckminster Fuller</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So you’re working on reducing your own oil use but maybe
you’re downhearted. Maybe you figure, why bother? I’m just an oily drop in an
oily nation. What does it matter if I cut my own oil use if everyone around me
wallows in the stuff?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
First off I would argue that each of us has to do what’s right
because it’s right. If I don’t want to support fracking, polluting, stonings,
and beheadings, I have to stop abetting ExxonMobil and Saudi Arabia through my
oil use.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But never fear, there are many ways to also influence
others to reduce their oil use. You won’t impact everyone, but you can do your
part to nudge/cajole/enjoin American society towards a less oily future.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUlaaLCIKAQ1ONPV_fMcSrJhs64RGFOFnbDIyEgxAOrdFzIM2PHhz0GcQqoGoYiawDKrZxTi4SAWurlyKXQOFdSMj9aZfQGfh0CM0UGqAyTIJ7_YLwqlMAsC8FwFujRp7nMBj5YUtpuA/s1600/good+off.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUlaaLCIKAQ1ONPV_fMcSrJhs64RGFOFnbDIyEgxAOrdFzIM2PHhz0GcQqoGoYiawDKrZxTi4SAWurlyKXQOFdSMj9aZfQGfh0CM0UGqAyTIJ7_YLwqlMAsC8FwFujRp7nMBj5YUtpuA/s200/good+off.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swat those pesky facts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Americans are
curiously fact-resistant, especially when it comes to anything concerning the environment,
the climate or the economy. We might lament the current state of human
intellect, but it’s always been the case that most people don’t find data and
factoids nearly as persuasive as emotion. Trial lawyers know this, preachers
know this, con men know it, and though it frustrates the engineer in me to no
end, the novelist in me is not surprised. It’s part of the business of being
human. Now, I know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> are persuaded
by facts. You love a good fact for breakfast and dine on three more
at lunch. After all, here you are reading a post about energy, sustainability
and climate, proof that facts have already reached you. I have no doubt you
were one of the three kids paying attention in your eighth grade science class,
too. But we have the other twenty-seven to consider.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Emotions! Bah, you say! You want to read how to help others
eschew oil, not some namby-pamby squishiness about feelings. Wait! Don’t click
away! If we can’t reach someone through facts, emotions may very well be the ticket,
but in a different way than you might think. In order to convert to an
oil-light life, most people will need to believe that such a
life will bring them status and pleasure. You
might think that health and happiness would be
enough, but remarkably neither are as psychologically powerful. Below we'll look at sixteen ways to help others eschew oil, some aiming at status and pleasure, others political or practical. Let's begin.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqb7m7fbmLhyphenhyphen-2mA_Lr2u2E_r1s9yvY282rFGlv-g75Ap2SUy2lGVDF7YzpAiYo3gzqHm4VvqM7YqG8xdeIRsGdMfw2AtJ3RFeS5nRm1WBNF9ChHZCDef582SqB9yHXYx86GTHOezsi8/s1600/walk%252Clive+simple+life.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqb7m7fbmLhyphenhyphen-2mA_Lr2u2E_r1s9yvY282rFGlv-g75Ap2SUy2lGVDF7YzpAiYo3gzqHm4VvqM7YqG8xdeIRsGdMfw2AtJ3RFeS5nRm1WBNF9ChHZCDef582SqB9yHXYx86GTHOezsi8/s320/walk%252Clive+simple+life.png" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(Credit: Josef Beery)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1.) Walk the talk</b>.
You cannot expect others to do what you won’t do yourself. Model oil use
reduction. In Gandhian fashion, exemplify the change you wish to see in the
world. And let it transform you. Yes, initially people may see your new habits as
crazy, pointless, etc., but as your life gets better and better—you gain
health, you save money, your personal life satisfaction grows, you become
pleasantly grounded in your neighborhood and community, slowly your friends and
family will take notice. So walk, bike or take transit to places others think
impossible. (This isn’t hard: most Americans think walking half a mile
impossible.) Arrive invigorated with your trusty stainless steel water bottle,
full of amusing stories of your adventures along the way. Sate your hungry
ghost. Clear out your excess stuff. Replace the plastic in your house with
fewer but more beautiful things. Celebrate local goods and foods. Give them as
gifts, and when you have guests to dinner or when you bring food to other
homes, point out the tasty, high quality local food the meal contains. (Bonus
points for food you grow in your yard.) Through your vitality and obvious
satisfaction, you’ll show rather than tell how a life with less oil can be
better than one saturated in it.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5KR_0B1VIgcTMrX6kwsx7tQzOD236kPH02cbbrCOjRS_T2ca1nYOpABndbL4C4RdbrubCsewiVWQrt6F5sv1zN1wPANkGKmmWrtcxyd0OA2REacf2UhbOIR-cth1_6V_w6Cws8rjvug/s1600/vintage_woman_and_dogs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5KR_0B1VIgcTMrX6kwsx7tQzOD236kPH02cbbrCOjRS_T2ca1nYOpABndbL4C4RdbrubCsewiVWQrt6F5sv1zN1wPANkGKmmWrtcxyd0OA2REacf2UhbOIR-cth1_6V_w6Cws8rjvug/s200/vintage_woman_and_dogs.jpeg" width="148" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2.) Become a roving
ambassador for walking</b>. Thirty years ago I read that the best way to
improve your neighborhood is to walk around the block. I think this still holds
as good advice. Walking not only puts eyes on the street and creates social
cohesion through interactions between neighbors, it’s the best way to encourage
others to walk. So walk. Don’t be afraid to be noticed. Being seen is the point.
Realize that everyone likes to be approved of and admired, even by complete
strangers, so approve and admire away. Smile and say hello to the people you
pass. Chortle about what a fine day it is. Make eye contact and nod at other
pedestrians like you’re both members of the Grand Secret Walking Club. Offer
praise, simple encouragement (you don’t have to go overboard) or just beaming glances of approval. Do yourself a
favor and get a pair of attractive yet highly comfortable walking shoes. And
dress well! Athletic gear is okay for a morning power walk, but we’ll never
raise the cachet of walking if it only looks appropriate for people in t-shirts
and sweatpants. You could wear a hat and carry a natty walking stick, but that’s
not required. If you’re up for it, you could do a <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/06/30/stepping-out-3" target="_blank">David Sedaris</a> and pick up
litter. (You might even get a garbage truck named after you.) Use a wire
handcart to walk groceries or other goods home to show it can be done. Lead
community walks if that happens where you live. Tell store owners you walked to
get there. (They’ll assume you drove.) Your job is to raise the status of
walking, to encourage those who don’t walk to try it, and to help those who do
walk to find it so enjoyable they’ll do more of it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHzlSeHKUeC-xAEfzR_t_YzLbbdenoZuW2AEOMEyUNMfpYayG5QKptEpk5QQxa__T2bbICfmadCDltWMWt8J0XSs5ys-EY3ei_oBHkylyDvbBYtqaMADXUZd4W_1y2rn7h9RAcdeVCDQ/s1600/sidewalk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHzlSeHKUeC-xAEfzR_t_YzLbbdenoZuW2AEOMEyUNMfpYayG5QKptEpk5QQxa__T2bbICfmadCDltWMWt8J0XSs5ys-EY3ei_oBHkylyDvbBYtqaMADXUZd4W_1y2rn7h9RAcdeVCDQ/s200/sidewalk.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3.) Pamper your local
pedestrians.</b> Adopt a stretch of sidewalk and make it a place pedestrians
feel happier walking through. As I described in <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/06/building-community-one-bench-at-time.html" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Building Community One Bench at a Time</i></a>, we put a decorated bench in
front of our house. We also strung up solar-powered light strings to make our
stretch of sidewalk friendlier at night. Since then I’ve also started sweeping
75 feet of sidewalk belonging to three sets of neighbors. Why, you ask? My neighbors
live up a whole bunch of stairs and can’t keep their compost bins at street
level. I have a garage at street level and so can more easily discard
sweepings. For years I was annoyed that they didn’t keep their sidewalk clear
and pedestrians had to trudge through leaves, branches and litter to get by.
Now I just sweep it. It takes about twenty extra minutes a week and the
sidewalk looks much, much better. I challenge you to choose a stretch of
sidewalk beyond your own to sweep or keep snow-free. You’ll be helping out not
only a neighbor but also our planet. If you have the space, plant flowers or
lovely shade trees along your sidewalk, put in garden gnomes, stone lions,
whatever might interest or amuse pedestrians as they pass. Walking naturally
feels good, but you can make it that much better.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDo09XEuAiIMI0OmKiCSaNMJBm77CF7BNg2xjppz_Abfu0RODrsmij0ceaSzBsJ7jE4yjR1IvbkWZhh-OJel9Hp7CwyJ06DGK9qZ1ENOMOMDi20ENUBF6H7297qqDuJFISWwqkfzBgVpI/s1600/nightsidewalk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDo09XEuAiIMI0OmKiCSaNMJBm77CF7BNg2xjppz_Abfu0RODrsmij0ceaSzBsJ7jE4yjR1IvbkWZhh-OJel9Hp7CwyJ06DGK9qZ1ENOMOMDi20ENUBF6H7297qqDuJFISWwqkfzBgVpI/s200/nightsidewalk.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4.) Become a roving
ambassador for bicycling. </b>First off, if you’re a serious bicyclist with an
awesome road bike you’ve spent major bucks on that is fantastic for hundred
mile rides, good for you. But you also need a town bike, one suitable for
leisurely, conspicuous, happy bicycling. For this assignment, being duded up in
Lycra hunched over your handlebars while barreling along at 30 mph just won’t
do. I recommend an upright bike because it shows your face, which, of course,
will be beaming due to just how much fun it is to casually bike around town.
People like to look at faces, so you’ll attract more attention, which is the
point. Make your bike festive! I have a wicker basket decorated with silk
flowers. I get lots of compliments; however, I didn’t put on the basket for
compliments but rather to make bicycling look as appealing as possible. Guys
might not be wild about flowers, but a <a href="http://thesource.metro.net/2013/01/17/cycling-adventures-in-l-a-tweed-ride-jan-19/" target="_blank">tweed-style approach</a> to bike riding is
always eye-catching. Women, don’t be afraid to wear fashionable clothes while cycling. <a href="http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/seersucker/archives/2009/05/01/bike-to-work-month-cycling-chic" target="_blank">Looking stylish while pedaling</a> very much raises the status of biking, and
it’s easier to ride a bike in heels than to walk in them. (My husband and I
ride our bikes to the ballet and the symphony.) Cargo bikes and box bikes can
be <a href="http://beafunmum.com/2017/03/a-day-in-the-suburbs-with-a-cargo-bike/" target="_blank">great fun to decorate</a> (involve the family!), and every single bicycle can
benefit from festive lights at night. (I love the <a href="http://www.monkeylectric.com/" target="_blank">Monkey Lights</a> on both my bikes
but there are many <a href="http://seminolemagazine.com/happy-casselberry-holidays/" target="_blank">sparkly, twinkly options</a>.) Festive lights are not only
safer, they attract attention in a positive way. On a bike it’s easy to strike
up conversations with other bicyclists and pedestrians at intersections. Be
cordial, be genial. Give out compliments; help the people
biking around you feel great about what they’re doing. If you have a kid-toting
cargo bike, be sure to regularly park it in a conspicuous place in front of your
kids’ school and chat up anyone who asks about it. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6dHNusCYQ_a59yih0KgeylJaFVebuNJ0OreUBoJ8KpRxDskvwkaUhAUrRJeRaLmuOvFjlGKI1jHUk7vOJdZa1iLWwfcMv-acT9cSkJgjULsx_5LTHIJMi-s5HvyJtiVS4JxH3O0aHok/s1600/bike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6dHNusCYQ_a59yih0KgeylJaFVebuNJ0OreUBoJ8KpRxDskvwkaUhAUrRJeRaLmuOvFjlGKI1jHUk7vOJdZa1iLWwfcMv-acT9cSkJgjULsx_5LTHIJMi-s5HvyJtiVS4JxH3O0aHok/s200/bike.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My about-town bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5.) Change the story.</b>
As we discussed in <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/02/wringing-oil-from-your-beverages-food.html" target="_blank">Part III</a>, the average American gets <a href="http://www.autonews.com/article/20160628/RETAIL03/160629852/automakers-rank-high-on-annual-ad-spending-list" target="_blank">a phenomenal amount</a> of
brainwashing (aka advertising) persuading them that cars make them powerful,
sexy, and free when actually most of their time in a car is spent in traffic
stressed, alone, and unhappy. The story most Americans have running in their
heads about bicyclists and pedestrians is that they must be poor and stupid (so
pity them) because anyone with money and sense has a car. It’s the American
way. So your job is to convey with every stride and pedal stroke that not only
do walking and bicycling save you money, not only do walking and bicycling
improve your health, walking and bicycling are highly pleasurable. It’s the
people in cars--getting more <a href="http://time.com/9912/10-things-your-commute-does-to-your-body/" target="_blank">stressed</a>, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3062-2004May30.html" target="_blank">obese</a> and diabetic by the hour--who
should be pitied. Now I know there are days when you think, “Walking and bicycling
would be bliss if it weren’t for all these crapola drivers trying to run me
over.” However true this may be, if you’re going to change the walking/biking
story, harassed fearfulness is not the sentiment to convey. You want your body
language to exude the joy of walking, the fun of bicycling. You want to express that this is one the best parts of your day. Beam, smile, emote. That’s
your focus, that’s your mission.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetu37n_i2bwXQ0QkDq_vsYRDs-zT3OZFFTeA1h8DFsNMGrxfW0YzqLHOC3PAdtZKNXL3eq5EVDhd5sg87EgmeWNrQPIzuSVzZVpp4i9cOt13l1QfEUVFJczHPM5WLm2h0QQNBjOXrhAY/s1600/raleigh+bike+ad.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetu37n_i2bwXQ0QkDq_vsYRDs-zT3OZFFTeA1h8DFsNMGrxfW0YzqLHOC3PAdtZKNXL3eq5EVDhd5sg87EgmeWNrQPIzuSVzZVpp4i9cOt13l1QfEUVFJczHPM5WLm2h0QQNBjOXrhAY/s320/raleigh+bike+ad.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storytelling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now don’t expect instant change--we’re trying to alter the
collective unconscious here. Most likely your joie de vivre will intrigue some
people and give those waffling on the edge permission to give walking or biking
a try. If you want to be a roving ambassador for transit, go for it, but
depending on how well your local transit system works, it may be harder to
convey great happiness about it. (Train buffs, on the other hand, have no
problem waxing euphoric about riding the rails.) At least don’t trash talk your
local transit. Instead, offer encouragement/admiration/ positive reinforcement
to those friends and family members who take transit. Always be respectful,
kind and polite to your fellow passengers on transit and act as if you approve
of and admire them. The psychological field you radiate can actually make
others around you feel calmer and more content.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNJMBhYPfH7Al5D4oX0Sx4XkzKYqDBBaKOeQOtrAAhajQd-Te9Om3_9S2iPUXwP-S9UEozAwSfSi-o5KohMCsD4EDEGL49z1VDQba_wtujDT2EGVWj5K37avOQhdt8jgosO998z62gKs/s1600/buried+in+car.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNJMBhYPfH7Al5D4oX0Sx4XkzKYqDBBaKOeQOtrAAhajQd-Te9Om3_9S2iPUXwP-S9UEozAwSfSi-o5KohMCsD4EDEGL49z1VDQba_wtujDT2EGVWj5K37avOQhdt8jgosO998z62gKs/s320/buried+in+car.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live, die and even be buried in your car.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6.) Combat American
car culture</b>. Car culture in the US has long been bonkers. Maybe our love
affair with the auto has dimmed a little since the fifties when we ate cheeseburgers
and saw movies in our cars, but we still congratulate people when they get a
new car almost as much as when they have a baby. And getting a driver’s license
is still a rite of passage almost as important as graduating high school. This
is nuts! To counter this, never admire a car and do not congratulate anyone on
buying a new car ever. You don’t have to say, “Gee, the value must have dropped
$4000 when you rolled it off the lot.” Just don’t say anything. Instead, compliment
people on their spiffy bikes, their awesome water bottles, or how nice their
sidewalk always looks. When teens you know get to driving age, chat with their
parents about how much safer it is for kids these days to take Uber/Lyft (or
transit or protected bike lanes if you have them), how it really cuts down on
teen traffic fatalities, the number one cause of teen deaths. Enough said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7.) Gifts</b>. If you
give gifts at holidays and birthdays make them count! Every dollar you spend
has influence. Certainly give non-oily/non-plastic presents, but if you can
also help your loved ones eschew oil, why not? At this point my family knows my
eccentricities (and hopefully forgives them), but I have been known to give LED
bulbs, low-flow showerheads, and stainless steel water bottles as Christmas
presents. I am absolutely not kidding. (With kids I’m less dogmatic and usually
give non-plastic things on their wishlists.) Next year, I swear, I’m going big
with wool dryer balls. If you can’t think of anything your friends and family
would appreciate, try consumables (preferably local food) that at least don’t
add to their pile of stuff. You could also give gift memberships to a local
CSA, bikeshare, or carshare. Strategically support with your gifts any
interests or inclinations your friends and family have already shown in
reducing their oil use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8.) Holiday
Gatherings.</b> Get there by non-automotive means if possible. Bring local food
in your non-plastic dish to share. After the meal go on a walk (so good for the
digestion) and invite/prod/cajole others into coming with you. Make it fun, a
great opportunity for pleasure and adventure. (See flowers! Birds! The sunset!
Stars!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Helpful hint: it’s quite possible to walk and bike at a
leisurely pace without sweating. But if you’re prone to sweat, bring a shirt to
change into or invest in some <a href="http://shop.ibex.com/the-art-of-wool/what-is-merino-wool" target="_blank">merino wool</a> t-shirts and wear them as a base
layer. They’re marvelous at absorbing both sweat and stink. Truly, you’ve got
to try it to believe it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxo618MtT4TcN0ucQaAOJxeugQ8iUt6Nwa2fnrs8uUPpSG-Z323NFMs0wMmIjiYC5Z5lDR28EZ8qWeH4UfjCSt7JYNr6LWE8T9Iu8naFGXLqZVUolk2loKTwDMaayUVxYgcpSRvDCBiU/s1600/mysterious+plungers.com.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxo618MtT4TcN0ucQaAOJxeugQ8iUt6Nwa2fnrs8uUPpSG-Z323NFMs0wMmIjiYC5Z5lDR28EZ8qWeH4UfjCSt7JYNr6LWE8T9Iu8naFGXLqZVUolk2loKTwDMaayUVxYgcpSRvDCBiU/s200/mysterious+plungers.com.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guerilla plumbers strike again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9.) Make
walking/biking safer</b>. Support <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/about-sfmta/blog/%E2%80%9Cdaylighting%E2%80%9D-makes-san-francisco-crosswalks-safer" target="_blank">daylighting</a>, the removal of one parking space
just before crosswalks. It makes pedestrians much more visible to car drivers,
and makes it easier for pedestrians to see if a car is really going to stop for
them. In addition, speed kills. Support lowering speed limits on residential
streets to 20 mph (<a href="http://www.20splenty.org/" target="_blank">"Twenty is plenty"</a>) and adding speed humps to enforce this speed. The main reason
people give for not riding bicycles is safety. The underlying emotional reasons
are the fear and stress that come from biking next to cars. Support protected
bike lanes that create a peaceful, stress-free biking experience even if it
requires giving up parking or a lane of traffic. If you really feel gung ho,
you could do some guerilla bike lane creation, using plungers to mark off protected
territory <a href="http://www.yellowbrickstreetteam.org/blog/2017/3/7/the-story-of-the-mysterious-plungers" target="_blank">like a group did in Wichita</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb3n1sq2tn9Z_2rXx3DO3oKO3JU6FbshqZr-Akum5Z_vhpjPc74B_mV10qVHXWZkuodxODuyKvxiXxgH6CcrJ2qLCGyXz4RgRcHYbcCMvYJtk6nki5WriEXwsmm3KKPkbftTlu8T9thg/s1600/Golden+Gate+church+parking+001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb3n1sq2tn9Z_2rXx3DO3oKO3JU6FbshqZr-Akum5Z_vhpjPc74B_mV10qVHXWZkuodxODuyKvxiXxgH6CcrJ2qLCGyXz4RgRcHYbcCMvYJtk6nki5WriEXwsmm3KKPkbftTlu8T9thg/s200/Golden+Gate+church+parking+001.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't be evil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10.) If you must drive,
drive peaceably. </b>I live in San Francisco where half the people drive
responsibly, another third are texting, and the rest are freaking maniacs. This
shows up in the <a href="http://sfgov.org/scorecards/traffic-fatalities" target="_blank">high number of pedestrian/bicyclist fatalities</a> we have caused
by inattentive, speeding drivers. Where you live, drivers may be calmer. (I
hope so!) Still, most people justify speeding and rolling through stops because
“everybody does it.” So don’t be that everybody. All cars have blind spots, and
pedestrians and bicyclists make mistakes. At every single stop sign and every
time you turn before you proceed make absolutely sure you’re not about to run somebody over. When
you get to intersections busy with pedestrians, slow down rather than blast
through. Follow the speed limit however much it pisses off the car behind you. Never
double-park in a bike lane. (So evil!) And never, ever honk at a bicyclist just
to tell them “you’re there.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y57mstZINvQqUUlCrjtNk_SFZeTi5nSCVSxELxc72i4AmqjMLgQEjKJzH2IxBikSlfwXCFRdKFzrbbUu7VNWRJXz9WmA5nH29gfTYzuQJ6F5v8rPdSXiElChT5A2o7rhGfDFwyjZdeM/s1600/Proterra_MaintenanceCosts_RGB-1024x501.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y57mstZINvQqUUlCrjtNk_SFZeTi5nSCVSxELxc72i4AmqjMLgQEjKJzH2IxBikSlfwXCFRdKFzrbbUu7VNWRJXz9WmA5nH29gfTYzuQJ6F5v8rPdSXiElChT5A2o7rhGfDFwyjZdeM/s400/Proterra_MaintenanceCosts_RGB-1024x501.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">11.) Advocate for
electric buses, electric shuttles, and electric trains</b>. Now that electric
bus technology has advanced to the point where range is not a problem, write to
corporations like Google, EBay, Genetech and Apple that use corporate internal
combustion buses and ask them to use electric ones instead. These companies are
rich and can easily afford it. If you ride to work on a corporate bus, you
should especially make your voice heard. If company buses routinely pass
down your street (like they do mine) politely request of those companies to switch to
electric models made by American companies such as <a href="https://www.proterra.com/products/catalyst-40ft/" target="_blank">Proterra</a> so as to reduce the
noise, vibrations and particulate matter that internal combustion buses inflict
on your neighborhood. If your employer uses any kind of shuttle, these too
could easily be replaced with electric ones. Though the initial cost of an
electric bus or shuttle is higher than an internal combustion equivalent,
because of reduced maintenance and fuel costs, they are actually cheaper to
operate over the life of the vehicle. Many cities are now using electric
transit buses, reducing the toxic levels of pollution they are dousing their
citizens with. Yours could too. And vigorously support electrified trains
everywhere. In a few years we’ll all be extremely grateful for every single
mile of electrified rail we have in this country. (Oil glut or not, <a href="http://peakoilbarrel.com/what-is-peak-oil/" target="_blank">peak oil</a>
and <a href="https://srsroccoreport.com/eroi-factor/" target="_blank">falling oil EROEI</a> are still with us, folks.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">12.) Ask for drinking
fountains and water bottle refill stations in public areas. </b>Drinking
fountains used to be a common public amenity, and they can save each taxpayer hundreds
of dollars a year in oily bottled water costs. Public access to drinking water
is not an unreasonable request. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwKblETVglNZrqzIDepbl1oh0jzQqnaJuX6Ad-giKfR-9cNvELZMuYKn0lmuU6-VlUKaAYTC5rue0YKXqWbFIYLFaFgmNfseD4-K5hyphenhyphenMJjeyQ2NsQqlJWq470U41UFOicGPtuwpqPaiw/s1600/lead+parade.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwKblETVglNZrqzIDepbl1oh0jzQqnaJuX6Ad-giKfR-9cNvELZMuYKn0lmuU6-VlUKaAYTC5rue0YKXqWbFIYLFaFgmNfseD4-K5hyphenhyphenMJjeyQ2NsQqlJWq470U41UFOicGPtuwpqPaiw/s320/lead+parade.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">13.) Support biking/walking/street
safety programs, weekend street closures, as well as congestion charges/HOV
lanes, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>This is the traditional
approach to helping others eschew oil, and all of it is certainly worth doing. Participate
in or otherwise support bike to work days, walk to work days, walk/bike to
school days, safe routes to school, Vision Zero, Summer Streets, Sunday
Streets, etc. Get upset whenever a bicyclist or pedestrian dies in a traffic
crash. These are not accidents. They are almost always the result of poor
driver behavior or poor street design. Street design that properly protects
pedestrians and bicyclists saves lives and encourages non-automotive
transportation. The Netherlands has the most bicycling per capita in the world,
no one wears helmets, and yet they have almost no bicyclist fatalities and very
few injuries. What they do have are careful drivers and excellent bicycle
infrastructure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">14.) Be a YIMBY</b>.
Say Yes in My Backyard. Support accessory dwelling units, such as granny flats,
in your neighborhood. Support infill development of multistory residential over
office space or ground floor retail, especially if it will replace car
infrastructure such as parking lots, parking garages, automotive repair shops,
gas stations and car dealerships. Support adding density especially when it
allows new residents to live in ten-minute neighborhoods (see <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/01/squeezing-oil-out-of-your-travel-make.html" target="_blank">Part II</a>).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic84RiILDVlDMFWQ0Z8ibIZIr2fTDpvCcK1wx0Ev1IQWuX7X_3jwvZNXYObHWGRRW3cvoct2sPBsg_sZau_3DwSyMkKu-en7OyKtUM4mYvjwx83qG2XugjydkxPMfJ2Y5rLqf6ZiDg2hk/s1600/20120125_yuba_0021.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic84RiILDVlDMFWQ0Z8ibIZIr2fTDpvCcK1wx0Ev1IQWuX7X_3jwvZNXYObHWGRRW3cvoct2sPBsg_sZau_3DwSyMkKu-en7OyKtUM4mYvjwx83qG2XugjydkxPMfJ2Y5rLqf6ZiDg2hk/s320/20120125_yuba_0021.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ditch the SUV</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">15.) Be an early
adopter. </b>If/when bikeshare, carshare or <a href="https://scoot.co/" target="_blank">scootershare</a> programs start up in
your town, sign up even if you’re unlikely to use them extensively. They usually
don’t cost much and could use extra support the first year to get them off the
ground. If new light rail starts up near you, make a point of at least trying
it out. And if you can afford it, get one of <a href="https://momentummag.com/cargo-bikes-guide-usa-canada/" target="_blank">an explosion of new models</a> of electrified
cargo bikes available these days. They’re a blast to ride and really can
replace your car for the lion’s share of errands. The more of these on your streets, the more likely others are to get one too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">16.) Advocate for
sidewalks.</b> Sidewalks are the most basic way to make our lives less oily.
Unless you live extremely rural, your neighborhood should have them. If it doesn’t,
petition or advocate for them. Your town/community might feel they’re
expensive, but if paid for over ten to thirty years (completely valid for
capital improvements) they’re not all that much. The <a href="http://www.healthbydesignonline.org/documents/HbDFSSidewalks.pdf" target="_blank">cost of not having them</a> is
far higher.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Okay, at this point you may be saying this woman is batshit
crazy. We’re never going to get the world off oil in these tiny, incremental
ways. We need big action, on a federal level, and that is completely not going
to happen anytime in the next four years. All is doomed, the arctic permafrost
is going to melt releasing a methane climate bomb, and human extinction (as
well as extinction of a large portion of the animal world) is next up on the
agenda.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8Oh_AURHwjiwRHOjRFE_TW4PUPjJPcXqeAbpmgKk5CTaaeVA087ZJOY7LJotPUJZK8PeYmnCOqpnzx_OMQgl2aJ_XzGN-s0G9BUcHLkVOjYci8OzrZX3HasdbvTT7mHsFnQXDyyDvtI/s1600/wetland.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8Oh_AURHwjiwRHOjRFE_TW4PUPjJPcXqeAbpmgKk5CTaaeVA087ZJOY7LJotPUJZK8PeYmnCOqpnzx_OMQgl2aJ_XzGN-s0G9BUcHLkVOjYci8OzrZX3HasdbvTT7mHsFnQXDyyDvtI/s1600/wetland.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive carbon absorber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’m sorry but this line of thought is both untrue and will
freeze you into passivity like a deer in existential headlights. We human
beings haven’t even tried to truly deal with climate change yet, not in any
kind of concerted way. There’s still time; there’s still hope. There’s still
time to cut our energy use in half, largely through <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2015/12/obey-law-of-exergy-time-to-go-all.html" target="_blank">electrification</a> and
<a href="http://efficiency./">efficiency.</a> There’s still time to prudently use natural gas as a bridge fuel
while we build out renewables. Massive amounts of carbon can be still
sequestered through biochar, reforestation, wetland restoration, regenerated grasslands,
and regenerative agriculture. World <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-population-problem-not-as-bad-as.html" target="_blank">population can slowly ebb</a> by educating
girls and giving women access to contraception. Yes, all this must be done on a
scale we humans are nowhere near to approaching, but what’s necessary is not
beyond our reach, have we but the will. The issue at hand is entirely human
culture, which in turn is entirely a creation of our collective minds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisb18eXxBWHMo2gDYbYVBX76kmtZXBbnJIyBqh6IfGpJWHTABEzthucrP7EtqJYLJfwMwHLCrkng3sRwJdFF6AadownJYk-0yBhfcWd7wrX1E_MbZR3_0SQPHmpmOBFxQ9d7XfpabV2ko/s1600/thelma+louise.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisb18eXxBWHMo2gDYbYVBX76kmtZXBbnJIyBqh6IfGpJWHTABEzthucrP7EtqJYLJfwMwHLCrkng3sRwJdFF6AadownJYk-0yBhfcWd7wrX1E_MbZR3_0SQPHmpmOBFxQ9d7XfpabV2ko/s200/thelma+louise.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best choice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But (you might say) we don’t have a functioning collective mind!
Our politics are insane and brainless! We are Thelma and Louise, driving off
the cliff!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Seriously, if the human race drives off a cliff without
making any real effort to deal with the problems that we ourselves have
created, then we deserve extinction. Take comfort in that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBftVpzsqBnmNQEOJ4hlYq2xPu-6fiV0dBGXwkx8EILNEbk1nS5qByUWmTt27KuT6BWaUDHB7qv_7Mf9OpGEoWwtaDU-Us5hHSCXwwhs4tSMajTguaoczshbSZzkwU_Oe0wYogTY5sk4/s1600/resonant_pendulum.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBftVpzsqBnmNQEOJ4hlYq2xPu-6fiV0dBGXwkx8EILNEbk1nS5qByUWmTt27KuT6BWaUDHB7qv_7Mf9OpGEoWwtaDU-Us5hHSCXwwhs4tSMajTguaoczshbSZzkwU_Oe0wYogTY5sk4/s1600/resonant_pendulum.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Physics lesson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I am not so hopeless. Let me leave you with an image. At the
<a href="https://www.exploratorium.edu/" target="_blank">Exploratorium</a> in San Francisco, a museum about art, science and human perception,
before it moved to the Embarcadero (let me complain about the loss of the old
museum and how, like all good San Franciscans, I hate change in my venerable
institutions like cats hate rain) there was an exhibit called the Resonant
Pendulum. It featured a massive hunk of concrete and metal weighing in at 350
lbs as it hung from the rafters of the Palace of Fine Arts. Imagine its bulk in
front of you. You are given the challenge to get the pendulum moving, but you
can’t touch it. Your only tools are a bunch of pathetic little wires with puny magnets
at the end of them. You throw the magnet at the metal on the pendulum and it
sticks, but when you pull with any force, it pops right off. Schoolchildren
flitting by are indignant. Moving this colossal pendulum with such teensy
implements is impossible. A complete waste of time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But. But. If you throw your puny little wire with its puny
little magnet at the pendulum and five or ten others do also, and if you pull
just a little bit, not enough for the magnet to detach, and if those on the
other side pull just a little bit on their puny magnet when the pendulum shifts
almost imperceptibly in their direction, then slowly, slowly, the massive
weight begins to move. Slowly, slowly, if tenacious children and inquisitive
adults pull in time to reinforce the pendulum’s natural frequency, the
humongous object begins to swing. Slowly, slowly it really begins to swing. And
all of the sudden it’s making a huge arc across the floor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Though there are all sorts of physics lessons here, there
are many more about what is possible, how it is possible, and when it is
possible. Timing, weight, cooperation. Magnificent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Perhaps the moment will come when it’s appropriate to
despair, but that time is not yet. The enormous pendulum of human culture can
still be moved if we are but wise enough to coax it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Be the puny magnet. Change the emotion, change the story,
change our culture. It’s a worthy endeavor.</div>
</div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-44761277976842229272017-02-27T13:36:00.000-08:002017-02-28T11:37:50.517-08:00Renewables Make Middling Headway in 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCTGUdAr3UIs-1EXPozHbmTaiqJJCVQk4uSy3V9g9fCDV97ZeUSgpuCYIaJwXIzfbP1Eq_EUVIM0KWhBVstAUbSqDGH-Gr2zSVYVP_4VGXn0wS6T3M58w6gA2CI72I-YsKdC_TfTRZLk/s1600/adventures+in+electricity.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCTGUdAr3UIs-1EXPozHbmTaiqJJCVQk4uSy3V9g9fCDV97ZeUSgpuCYIaJwXIzfbP1Eq_EUVIM0KWhBVstAUbSqDGH-Gr2zSVYVP_4VGXn0wS6T3M58w6gA2CI72I-YsKdC_TfTRZLk/s320/adventures+in+electricity.jpeg" width="221" /></a>The EIA Electric Power Monthly report came out Friday. Being
an energy nut, I read this report each month the day it appears, but the
report in February is special because it has December year-to-date data, closing
out the year. As I perused the monthly reports over the course of 2016, I noted
renewable capacity increased only in dribs and drabs, causing me to doubt that
the US would even reach 2015’s renewable capacity additions. Lo and behold a
prodigious amount of solar panels and wind turbines were brought on-line in
December. Indeed, 56% of all 2016’s wind turbines came on-line that cold, dark
month, as did 36% of all utility-scale solar arrays for the year. Those
installers must’ve been working around the clock. In any event, 2016 solar and
wind capacity additions squeaked by 2015 numbers, but not by much. Utility
scale solar installations were 8% higher than in 2015, and wind installations
were only 2% higher. In 2015 China’s solar and wind capacity installations were
double and triple ours, respectively. I expect we’ll find that in 2016 they outpaced
us even further. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSO-MkBQs3HpTBPiFkh0s3C_o7MrJ13nXI23o6sdE0iXl05JlIQF1DRVSe0xLa81BkB1f-IJGant3FcztTtvCz1jNIN0O7pkaarf3nRTd1y-Q2iGun0KOQEnDYo138JHsplLzQ21Xcno/s1600/012_electricityjuice-640.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSO-MkBQs3HpTBPiFkh0s3C_o7MrJ13nXI23o6sdE0iXl05JlIQF1DRVSe0xLa81BkB1f-IJGant3FcztTtvCz1jNIN0O7pkaarf3nRTd1y-Q2iGun0KOQEnDYo138JHsplLzQ21Xcno/s200/012_electricityjuice-640.jpeg" width="200" /></a>The good news is that there were significant renewable
capacity additions in states that have largely been renewable sluggards up
until now. Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri, and even West Virginia put in wind farms.
Both Georgia and Florida installed significant amounts of utility scale solar.
Even South Carolina and Mississippi installed a tiny bit of solar to start
taking advantage of their prodigious sunshine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s move on to the states that are the big guns for
renewables.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Total Utility-Scale Non-Hydro Renewables (Gigawatt-hrs) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2016 2015</div>
<table align="left" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: 6.0pt; margin-right: 6.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-table-anchor-vertical: page; mso-table-left: 167.4pt; mso-table-lspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-rspace: 9.0pt; mso-table-top: 468.05pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly; text-align: center;">
1</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Texas</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 44.05pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
60037</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.6pt;" valign="top" width="73"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Texas
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
46674</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
2</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
California</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 44.05pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
51263</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.6pt;" valign="top" width="73"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
California</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
45395</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
3</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Iowa</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 44.05pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
20305</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.6pt;" valign="top" width="73"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Iowa</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
18131</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
4</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Oklahoma</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 44.05pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
19844</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.6pt;" valign="top" width="73"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Oklahoma</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
14369</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
5</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Kansas</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 44.05pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
14187</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.6pt;" valign="top" width="73"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Minnesota</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
11588</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
6</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Minnesota</div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 44.05pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
12464</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.6pt;" valign="top" width="73"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Illinois</div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
11323</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
7</div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Illinois</div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 44.05pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
11259</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.6pt;" valign="top" width="73"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Kansas</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
11062</div>
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<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
8</div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Colorado</div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 44.05pt;" valign="top" width="44"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
10063</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.6pt;" valign="top" width="73"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Washington</div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: page; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 167.45pt; mso-element-top: 468.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>9067</div>
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As you can see above, though California and Texas have been
duking it out for top dog status, the four states in the lead on renewable
energy have maintained their race order between 2015 and 2016. However, there
have been some surprising changes in the other states. Oklahoma really poured on the steam and is
now giving Iowa a run for its money for 3rd place. Kansas leap frogged over
Illinois and Minnesota in impressive fashion to take 5<sup>th</sup> place. And
Colorado pushed poor Washington right off the chart!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9DGweJ9mmOmwKes2o3VdlnSmbYE0fZHgW5q7Hsah-TBeV3Rxd7Dn-oFbPsnlUzR1ZDFUYUFmVggT8Vz_iqlI3V7VqrnAWUsVT3RA_6h3rMaoWEUNG4ZHWv3OXqUi1Nz6Dw98TrthE8w/s1600/Electricity+for+you.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9DGweJ9mmOmwKes2o3VdlnSmbYE0fZHgW5q7Hsah-TBeV3Rxd7Dn-oFbPsnlUzR1ZDFUYUFmVggT8Vz_iqlI3V7VqrnAWUsVT3RA_6h3rMaoWEUNG4ZHWv3OXqUi1Nz6Dw98TrthE8w/s200/Electricity+for+you.jpeg" width="158" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Before we crown Texas as Renewables King, let’s remember we
haven’t included distributed solar, the kind homes and
businesses have on their rooftops. In this area California is not only king,
it’s King Kong. At 8402 gigawatt-hrs in 2016, no other state comes close. In
2015, adding in distributed solar gave California the edge over Texas. However,
in 2016 when we add in distributed solar, though California comes valiantly
close, it still doesn’t quite reach Texas’s total. Texas retains its Total
Renewable Electricity Generated crown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next let’s look at renewables as a percentage of electric
sales, the best measure we have of electricity consumed in a state. We now see a
different set of states come to fore.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Utility-Scale Renewables as a Percent
of Electricity Sales</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2016<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2015</div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: .65in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
1</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
North Dakota</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
45.0%</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Iowa</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
38.8%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
2</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Iowa</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
42.5%</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
North Dakota</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
37.2%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
3</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Maine</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
38.9%</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Maine</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
37.2%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
4</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Kansas</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
35.6%</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Kansas</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
27.7%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
5</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Oklahoma</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
32.8%</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Oklahoma</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
24.0%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
6</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Wyoming</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
26.4%</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Wyoming</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
22.3%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
7</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
South Dakota</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
26.0%</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
South Dakota</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
20.7%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
8</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
California</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
20.0%</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
New Hampshire</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
18.8%</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Though Iowa was no slouch in 2016, North Dakota blew past it
with ease. In fact, being a state with a small population and a prodigious
amount of wind, it could probably achieve 100% renewables with a snap of its
fingers and have excess renewable electricity to export. The real news is that
Kansas and Oklahoma are on Maine’s tail, looking to overtake it if Maine
doesn’t watch out. And California showed its mettle by getting itself on the
chart at all, not an easy feat with such a large population, pushing New
Hampshire down a notch. More good news: in addition to the states above,
another eight achieved above 15% renewables as a percent of sales in 2016,
including Minnesota, New Mexico, Vermont, Texas, Colorado, Montana, Nevada and
Oregon. That makes 16 states above 15% renewables, whereas in 2015 there were
only 11. Nearly a third of the population of the United States lives in these
16 states. This means nearly a third of the country is seeing the economic and
environmental benefits of renewable energy and has no reason to turn back the
tide on renewable power.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PJ8zORfgylhhPYE9Or9J2c58lIk3VFTHOJyhDCzcM-D9r-tOrpZ3g5r1gmueEe9O1kFRaiuVXY4U9Il6qIudid7Z9UFNCjTJiNnqE3_WbTxmCHr4pI5VfIlqu-nFdf0_rgW18uiCquM/s1600/billboard-ads-eskom.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PJ8zORfgylhhPYE9Or9J2c58lIk3VFTHOJyhDCzcM-D9r-tOrpZ3g5r1gmueEe9O1kFRaiuVXY4U9Il6qIudid7Z9UFNCjTJiNnqE3_WbTxmCHr4pI5VfIlqu-nFdf0_rgW18uiCquM/s320/billboard-ads-eskom.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For the United States as a whole, renewables (utility scale
+ distributed solar) made up 8.3% of sales in 2015 and 9.7% in 2016. Looking at
total electricity generated in the US (approximately 9% is lost in the
transmission process) renewables made up 8.9% in 2016, up from 7.6% in 2015. This
is a significant increase, but not nearly as fast as the planet needs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now for some darker news. Coal. Ever wonder which states
burn the most? Unfortunately Texas is king in this category, too, and shows no
sign of slacking.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Electricity produced by
Coal (Gigawatt-hrs)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2016<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2015</div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: .65in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
1</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Texas</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
121231</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal">
Texas</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="51"><div class="MsoNormal">
121554</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
2</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Indiana</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
72582</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal">
Indiana</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="51"><div class="MsoNormal">
78213</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
3</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
West Virginia</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
71412</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal">
Illinois</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="51"><div class="MsoNormal">
73744</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
4</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Ohio</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
68944</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal">
Kentucky</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="51"><div class="MsoNormal">
72620</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
5</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Kentucky</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
66889</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal">
Ohio</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="51"><div class="MsoNormal">
71710</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
6</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Missouri</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
60580</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal">
West Virginia</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="51"><div class="MsoNormal">
68056</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
7</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Illinois</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
59315</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal">
Missouri</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="51"><div class="MsoNormal">
65326</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
8</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Pennsylvania</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
54453</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 79.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNormal">
Pennsylvania</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 50.7pt;" valign="top" width="51"><div class="MsoNormal">
64637</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY26uZtWLlRupE1zYj4CbJ8Jt1yEm1z9Mtnqgjdkx_Zf91RhhKJScWzVj8ilIJOlsp6JnUXplQmv3AmwwQ4w7_a1AYpjqggyBtqIIQVDZjAfeXGHuemj7zdyQtgA4_PKwIw4T7IPTfKo/s1600/Radio-Promo_Shadow-BlueCoal.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY26uZtWLlRupE1zYj4CbJ8Jt1yEm1z9Mtnqgjdkx_Zf91RhhKJScWzVj8ilIJOlsp6JnUXplQmv3AmwwQ4w7_a1AYpjqggyBtqIIQVDZjAfeXGHuemj7zdyQtgA4_PKwIw4T7IPTfKo/s320/Radio-Promo_Shadow-BlueCoal.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Seven of the eight states dropped their coal burning in 2016,
Texas not by much, Illinois by a huge amount. West Virginia was the odd one
out, actually increasing its coal burning. West Virginia generates twice as
much electricity as it uses, almost all of it with coal, exporting the excess
to nearby states and the District of Columbia. Its attempt to fight the trend
is pretty clearly a losing battle, however. Total US coal use dropped by
another 8.5% in 2016, for a total of 40% over the last ten years. In December coal-burning
power plants were shuttered in Florida, Colorado and Indiana, which means totals
for 2017 are guaranteed to be lower yet. Moreover, in 2017 large coal-burning
plants are scheduled to shut in Kentucky, Virginia, North Dakota,
Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, Tennessee, and even, yes, West Virginia,
while no new coal plants are scheduled to come on line in the entire country. No
matter what any politician promises, coal-producing and coal-burning states
would be wise to read the writing on the wall. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For more on US and state energy consumption, check out <i><a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/03/an-energy-diet-for-healthy-planet-part-i.html" target="_blank">An Energy Diet for a Healthy Planet</a>.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i> </i> </div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-28740371797324537972017-02-09T16:18:00.000-08:002017-03-23T10:20:37.072-07:00Wringing Oil From Your Beverages, Food, Stuff and Heat (How to Make Your Life Less Oily in 2017, Part III)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroaYNvxxDJKXKVsoBZkSmjFCgRJNDYQlxDoOPL-OSBaUE9FVu0PxvJjWD7_qhWQSL1yaL66yQkJXi9L9VacAGtrRswKzMHHpi6JDXgjBqO92QrBAjXuO6ogsBTzt-avLw84WBY3EqQJo/s1600/fight+little+war+own.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroaYNvxxDJKXKVsoBZkSmjFCgRJNDYQlxDoOPL-OSBaUE9FVu0PxvJjWD7_qhWQSL1yaL66yQkJXi9L9VacAGtrRswKzMHHpi6JDXgjBqO92QrBAjXuO6ogsBTzt-avLw84WBY3EqQJo/s200/fight+little+war+own.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What war are you fighting?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/12/make-your-life-less-oily-in-2017-part-i.html" target="_blank">Part I:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking Stock</a>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/01/squeezing-oil-out-of-your-travel-make.html" target="_blank">Part II: Squeezing Oil Out of Your Travel</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part III: Wringing Oil from Your Beverages, Food, Stuff, and
Heat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/03/helping-others-eschew-oil-how-to-make.html" target="_blank">Part IV: Helping Others Eschew Oil</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The American way of life is saturated with oil. Part I of
this series had a <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/12/make-your-life-less-oily-in-2017-part-i.html" target="_blank">nifty calculator</a> to sum up your yearly oil use. If you
haven’t done it yet, give it a try. In <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/01/squeezing-oil-out-of-your-travel-make.html" target="_blank">Part II</a>, we looked at how to reduce
oil in our travel. Now we’ll examine how to lower the oil that directly and
indirectly permeates the other parts of our lives. For some, day-to-day
mobility may account for the lion’s share of their oil use; for others, food,
beverages, and stuff may be the biggest culprits. For those of you who heat
with fuel oil or propane, that’s probably the biggest oil slurper in your life.
In this part we’ll often talk in terms of weight. Roughly
6000 pounds of beverages, food, and stuff pass through our lives each year, most
of it requiring oil for transport, and some of it requiring oil in its
manufacture. Those 6000 pounds represent a remarkable number of choices that
can render our individual oil consumption high or low.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As we noted in <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/12/make-your-life-less-oily-in-2017-part-i.html" target="_blank">Part I</a>, if you don’t mind supporting
ExxonMobil and Saudi Arabia, and if you’re perfectly OK with wreaking havoc on
the planet via pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, there’s no sense reading
on. If, however, you don’t like aiding and abetting fracking, tar sands,
beheadings, stonings, terrorism and environmental devastation, what follows are
myriad ways to put your money where your mouth is. As I mentioned in <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/01/squeezing-oil-out-of-your-travel-make.html" target="_blank">Part II</a>, I
receive no monetary or other rewards from any products or websites that I point
out. I just share what I like and have found useful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Be warned: oil diets have side effects, including, but not
limited to, better health, a more resilient local food supply and economy, and,
ultimately, more money in your pocket. However, some of the changes may take effort
and attention on your part, at least at first, and some may require a small
monetary investment that you will recoup. I suggest you take on your oil cleanse as a hobby, one
that you spend four or five hours a month over the next year. With a little
concerted effort you can likely cut both your direct and indirect oil use in
half.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Oil in Your Beverages</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAM6PMknyflgLOszA7DowdlyAVOIUK_Lmn0KnXGlKoRrXuNpkzPSVlkwoNZ114zOH9ELQhCyDCffq1eWB1ZL6RVDFX03gCaGY2eIiOaTtvWYt-doYhvsCk77cSWdljzGosMkwNbaJt4k/s1600/indian-motorcycle-cafe-gasoline-small-56742.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAM6PMknyflgLOszA7DowdlyAVOIUK_Lmn0KnXGlKoRrXuNpkzPSVlkwoNZ114zOH9ELQhCyDCffq1eWB1ZL6RVDFX03gCaGY2eIiOaTtvWYt-doYhvsCk77cSWdljzGosMkwNbaJt4k/s200/indian-motorcycle-cafe-gasoline-small-56742.jpeg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you drink oil? Maybe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Institute of Medicine <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256" target="_blank">recommends</a> women drink 0.6 gallons
of liquid a day, and men drink 0.8 gallons per day. That comes to 219 gallons/year
for women and 292 gallons/year for men. Liquid is heavy! Each gallon weighs
roughly 8.4 lbs. That comes to 1840 lbs of liquid for women and 2453 lbs for
men. If you remember from the <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/12/make-your-life-less-oily-in-2017-part-i.html" target="_blank">on-line calculator in Part I</a>, the average
American eats 2000 pounds of food a year and consumes another 2000 lbs of
non-food stuff. I didn’t include beverages in the calculator beyond ones
that come in plastic bottles, but I should have! Because any beverage besides tap
water (or beverage made from tap water) is oily, oily, oily, unless you’re
drinking milk from a cow grazing in your backyard. Remember, the more something
weighs, the more energy it takes to move it. If your beverages are shipped by
truck, they are dripping with oil.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Here’s a breakdown
of what Americans drank in 2013, gallons per capita. (Beer, wine, and distilled
spirits data from 2010. Bottled water data from 2014)
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Carbonated
soft drinks—42</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tap water—39
(includes beverages made from home tap water)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bottled
water--34</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beer—21</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Milk—18</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Coffee—17</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tea—8</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Juices—7</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sports
Drinks—4</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wine—2.3</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Value-added
water—1.5</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Distilled
spirits—1.2</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>This only
comes out to 195 gallons/year, so either Americans are chronically dehydrated,
or there’s some consumption missing. In any event, how can we reduce beverage
oiliness?
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOoVBLHMyjXmecUsWr9a8MrOibohixd_72yg81r0HgcFP51J2Dg7VUgQ_2Tr8v-LKmCnyYHN7qcso71Prxiw71pLLU3whGYGf6vG7hnXJwoGHAAYa71fb_Jt8DMO2eZ4oXw2F0jqjS-I/s1600/Berkey+filter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOoVBLHMyjXmecUsWr9a8MrOibohixd_72yg81r0HgcFP51J2Dg7VUgQ_2Tr8v-LKmCnyYHN7qcso71Prxiw71pLLU3whGYGf6vG7hnXJwoGHAAYa71fb_Jt8DMO2eZ4oXw2F0jqjS-I/s200/Berkey+filter.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filter it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
1.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drink
mostly tap water or beverages made from tap water. </b>It takes energy to pump
tap water to you, but not all that much per gallon, and this energy is almost never
supplied by oil. Bottled water takes 1000 to 2000 times more energy to get to
you than water out of the tap, and much of that energy comes from oil. Forty
percent of bottled water is just tap water anyway, often at 2000 times the
cost. Especially stop drinking water that has been shipped to you over an
ocean. There’s no good reason on god’s green earth to do this. If your tap
water doesn’t taste good, get a filter. We have a <a href="http://www.berkeyfilters.com/" target="_blank">Berkey</a> filter we like a lot. It takes out the chemicals, impurities, viruses, bacteria and parasites but keeps in useful minerals.
Don’t get bottled water from delivery companies. Filtering your water on site
is far cheaper and less oily.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 2.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jettison as many plastic bottles from your
life as you can. </b>The vast majority of plastic is made from oil, and some plastic
bottles leach chemicals that are bad for your health. Stop buying <a href="https://www.banthebottle.net/bottled-water-facts/" target="_blank">plastic bottle</a>s
filled with water, soda, sweetened tea, Gatorade, vitamin water, whatever. In
fact, cut out soda and sweet tea altogether. Both <a href="http://naturalsociety.com/newly-discovered-side-effect-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup-is-alarming/" target="_blank">high fructose corn syrup</a> and
artificial sweetners are lousy for your body, and you don’t need the empty calories. Most
Americans eat ridiculous amounts of sugar, literally double what they should.
If you can cut the soda and sweet tea from your life, after a month or so, your
taste buds will readjust and you’ll find that the natural sugars in all sorts
of things, from carrots to milk to herbals teas, will taste quite sweet to you. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 3.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cut
out beverages in cans and glass bottles as well.</b> Liquid in cans and bottles is heavy and
takes oil to ship. Yes, you can recycle plastic, glass, and aluminum, and it’s
certainly better than throwing any of it into landfill, but even the recycled waste stream takes oil
to move around and energy to process. Better to avoid creating waste in the
first place. (We'll discuss milk under the food category.)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 4.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">In
restaurants, drink tap water, beverages made with tap water, or beverages on
tap.</b> Iced tea, lemonade, tea, coffee, local beer on tap, local kombucha on tap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNokwN4xkRFRS8uP0CG_qyJo4o0tSXtZ0dyZvYu9-ZL_PHm9Ka9au345yaPzy0qlJyjatlKIzXPzbqwH_EbFirtRjNh0Me7rMHjphgq9M4ggzm-LaROcmAJ7yZ74l_XHbAAFwkC9mgw_I/s1600/water+bottles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNokwN4xkRFRS8uP0CG_qyJo4o0tSXtZ0dyZvYu9-ZL_PHm9Ka9au345yaPzy0qlJyjatlKIzXPzbqwH_EbFirtRjNh0Me7rMHjphgq9M4ggzm-LaROcmAJ7yZ74l_XHbAAFwkC9mgw_I/s200/water+bottles.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Favorite mug and bottles.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Get a
stainless steel water bottle for you and every member of your household. </b>Get
in the habit of bringing it with you. A double-walled, vacuum insulated,
stainless steel water bottle will keep drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12.
It will pay for itself in just four to ten uses. Bring a water bottle with you
wherever you would’ve previously bought a beverage—concerts, work, sporting
events. Travel tip: bring a stainless steel water bottle on trains and planes.
In airports, make sure your bottle is empty before security, then fill it up
after security and carry it on the plane with you. You’ll save yourself $3-$4
by not buying water (airport water bottle prices are crazy!) and you’ll be
plenty hydrated even if your plane sits on the tarmac for an hour.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 6.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Make
your own beverages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Brew your own
<a href="https://byo.com/newbrew" target="_blank">beer</a> and <a href="http://www.sfherb.com/Teas-All_c_15.html" target="_blank">loose tea</a>; make your own <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-kombucha-tea-at-home-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-173858" target="_blank">kombucha</a>, <a href="https://wellnessmama.com/2575/natural-sports-drink/" target="_blank">sports drinks</a>, and <a href="http://snappyliving.com/homemade-energy-drink-recipe/" target="_blank">energy drinks</a>. Rather
than sending juice boxes or juice pouches in school lunches, make your own
<a href="http://helloglow.co/infused-water-ideas/" target="_blank">fruit-infused water</a> and put it in <a href="https://mightynest.com/learn/getting-started/waste-free-lunch-guides/best-water-bottles-for-kids-at-school" target="_blank">kid-sized reusable water bottles</a>. Make your
own high quality coffee and tea and bring it with you to work in an <a href="http://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/smsa" target="_blank">insulated travel mug</a> that will keep it hot all day. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvLw8hA1Jfz7kO_F0HiopYIhrd5H7IHOvKscm6GIumIdY7-aDoWtlk8fNk8-TngnLVkTPsyOIW5ao73mC1RPVvOA6pFnBGp0_iGjM6ldlI8KUOFStjEj7d_PPbVfgiE6K1O71-y3FWBM/s1600/didn%2527t+burn+beer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvLw8hA1Jfz7kO_F0HiopYIhrd5H7IHOvKscm6GIumIdY7-aDoWtlk8fNk8-TngnLVkTPsyOIW5ao73mC1RPVvOA6pFnBGp0_iGjM6ldlI8KUOFStjEj7d_PPbVfgiE6K1O71-y3FWBM/s200/didn%2527t+burn+beer.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil to the rescue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drink
local beer on tap and bring it home in growlers. </b>Find out the nearest microbrewery
to you. What it has on tap is usually much better than anything in a bottle or
can, plus bringing home <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/2070501/what-are-best-insulated-growlers" target="_blank">a growler</a> of it involves far less oil for its packaging
and shipment.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 8.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drink
regional wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Drink wine from
within 200 miles if possible. Second best is wine transported mostly by ship.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> </span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 9.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drink
regional spirits.</b> Yes, I know this is hard if you have certain favorites,
but there are local craft distillers springing up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Besides indirectly reducing your oil consumption, changing
your beverage habits can save you enormous amounts of money. The average coffee
drinker spends $1100 a year on coffee. The average beer drinker spends $1270
per year on beer. High quality homemade drip coffee is 1/4<sup>th</sup> the
cost of Starbucks drip coffee. A cup of excellent homemade tea can be brewed
for 8 to 12 cents. Homemade sports drinks can cost as little as 60 cents/gallon
compared to $9-15/gallon for store bought, and healthy fruit-infused water can
be made for $1 gallon compared to $3.50 a gallon for bottled, chemically-laden,
“value-added” water that isn’t great for you anyway. And brew your own and
invite friends over. Homebrewed beer can run $3/gallon, less than a tenth of
what equivalent beer would cost in a bar. Take out beer in growlers is usually
half of what drinking it in the bar would cost. Last but not least, tap water
runs about ½ cents per gallon. If you drank only tap water and nothing else,
your yearly beverage total would hardly break $1.00. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If you can’t go cold turkey with your soda or Starbucks
habit, try cutting down to just five a week, then three a week, then one a
week. If you have trouble remembering to bring along your reusable water bottle
when you go out, I find that if every time I buy a beverage in a bottle or can
I tell myself I am supporting ExxonMobil and Saudi Arabia, the next time I’m
more likely to remember to bring my bottle with me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Oil in Your Food</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Large quantities of fossil fuels
are embedded in our current agricultural system, but much of it is in the form
of natural gas used to make fertilizer and natural gas to dry corn and other
crops. Though it varies by crop, farmers actually don’t use all that much diesel per pound of food they
grow. However, our food is commonly transported great distances, so that’s how
our food becomes oily. When a processed food has a dozen ingredients,
all with their own complex supply chains, it only makes it worse. The answer?
Here are some ideas.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reduce
FMT—food miles traveled--by localizing your food. </b>As we covered in Part I,
the average person in the US eats one ton of food in a year, and that food travels
on average 1500 miles before you eat it. Get that FMT down! Join a <a href="http://www.localharvest.org/csa/" target="_blank">CSA</a>
(community supported agriculture) for both meat and vegetables, shop at farmers’
markets, select items at the grocery store that originate within 100 miles of
you. Best of all, grow your own! (Hint: greens are easy!) By buying local,
you’ll encourage local agriculture, making your community more resilient. By buying
directly from farmers rather than from large corporations you’ll keep more money
in your community and increase local prosperity. Patronize local farm-to-table
restaurants. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuCg7sGm0Fr85vA2imGIIQfLT0mRq7Hsz6ajmGzNYA38sK2EDMsc4us2UGoYciUfFudTP3LG-m5jptrEfWIKCvRBMgRCqgasYzfdEUB3496vTiI_13zLSMieEmQBC6T5jlLdyCA2Zog4/s1600/swanson-ad.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuCg7sGm0Fr85vA2imGIIQfLT0mRq7Hsz6ajmGzNYA38sK2EDMsc4us2UGoYciUfFudTP3LG-m5jptrEfWIKCvRBMgRCqgasYzfdEUB3496vTiI_13zLSMieEmQBC6T5jlLdyCA2Zog4/s1600/swanson-ad.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Convenient and oily.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
And stop (or significantly reduce) eating fast food unless it’s
produced by a local business with food from your local foodshed. If you eat
meat, try to consume from animals that are local and pasture-raised. Remember,
when thinking about oil, it’s not just the miles the meat travels to you, it’s
also the miles that the food those animals ate traveled to them. Yes, grass-fed
or pasture-raised is more expensive. The answer is to eat less but better meat.
(Americans eat double the meat they should anyway.) Besides, by not buying
soda, bottled water, nutrition-free snacks, or other processed crapola, you’ll
have more money to spend on healthy, great-tasting food that actually nourishes
you and won’t give you cancer and other nasty diseases a few years down the
road. Try to buy as much heavy stuff and stuff you buy in volume as possible from local sources. Light stuff—spices,
tea, salt, and coffee--has been traded globally for centuries and can come from
further away. None of your food should travel by air, so resist those Chilean
blueberries and eat frozen US berries or wait till local berries are in season.
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 2.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Give
your milk supply attention.</b> If you’re of a certain age, you’ve likely been
programmed that milk is essential to human health. It’s not. You can get the
calcium and vitamin D other ways. However, I admit I like a little milk on
cereal or in my tea. As noted above, Americans drink 18 gallons of milk a year. A dairy cow eats roughly a hundred pounds of feed a day in
order to produce 7 gallons of milk a day. If that feed travels hundreds of
miles before it reaches the cow, you can see how the milk gets oily. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-_ZPFmgNM6YCJTHp_2WDXmBqmwi1_vDs4nwHiAqMcRTSy_eIoxj2grnnN9HKfCBnbnieMQE4VDOryrd8UQdNxKnk79OO5VAR01gtXainOXJsPJBxyxubeaD_e4Df5mCxnOSAsOZcllE/s1600/Chagall+cow.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-_ZPFmgNM6YCJTHp_2WDXmBqmwi1_vDs4nwHiAqMcRTSy_eIoxj2grnnN9HKfCBnbnieMQE4VDOryrd8UQdNxKnk79OO5VAR01gtXainOXJsPJBxyxubeaD_e4Df5mCxnOSAsOZcllE/s200/Chagall+cow.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy cows make happy milk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Try to buy
milk from pasture-raised (or predominantly pasture-raised) cows. Even in California
the cows can’t be in the field all winter so their diet will have to include
dried forages such as silage and alfalfa hay. Some organic dairies will also
feed them a certain amount of rye, triticale, flax meal and wheat. (Not corn!)
But cows that graze on pastures should be able to get over 50% of their
diet from the ground at their feet, reducing their feed oiliness considerably. In
terms of oiliness, local dairies are better than distant dairies; reusable
glass bottles, as long as they’re not being shipped too far, are less oily than
plastic jugs or cardboard coated in plastic. (Some dairies use cardboard coated
with soy wax, which is better.) As with meat, drink less milk, drink better
milk. Your body will thank you for it.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KalDWL1AFW9hwTF1h1isYrLS4KN4pRZPxjIG-LcNmqO7Co_0ddwh1qUm7uEoDsxqL6uLGOxTuRaWz85yiUlxw2N9F9ZBqY9ntK1lC0oBaRBB_38euQftBg9ue1uSx-r_bcqcs0R8dzA/s1600/05-Fuel-Up+Mc+D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KalDWL1AFW9hwTF1h1isYrLS4KN4pRZPxjIG-LcNmqO7Co_0ddwh1qUm7uEoDsxqL6uLGOxTuRaWz85yiUlxw2N9F9ZBqY9ntK1lC0oBaRBB_38euQftBg9ue1uSx-r_bcqcs0R8dzA/s200/05-Fuel-Up+Mc+D.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Words cannot express the wrongness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eat
for nutrition. </b>More than half of the calories in the average American diet
come from highly processed foods, much of it laden with sugar, unhealthy
additives, and empty calories. The more processed your food item, the more
ingredients it likely has, each one representing a supply chain dripping with
oil. Shop around the edges of your grocery store; the
interior is where most of the processed stuff lurks. Squeezing oil out of your
food may necessitate relearning how to cook, but with fresh ingredients it’s
not hard to make tasty meals. Remember, any prepared meal that you just pop in
the microwave likely has a heck of a lot of oil behind it supply chain-wise.
Eat in season. If you currently eat like an average American, you should likely
double the amount of vegetables and plant-based fats you consume while overall
eating less. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 4.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Eat
consciously, even for just the next two months. </b>I know all this food stuff
can seem like a lot, but just becoming conscious of what we eat is half the
battle. For the next two days, write down everything you eat and where it came
from. When you don’t know where it came from, put down a question mark. You
will see a lot of question marks. Take it as a challenge to see how many of
those question marks you can turn into local food. Then, for the next two
months, just pay attention to what you’re putting in your mouth and make a
mental map of where each of the components of your meal comes from. Sure, you’ll
have days when this is nearly impossible. The point is not to be perfect but to
go from entirely unconscious to a heck of a lot more aware.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 5.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sate
your appetite with good fats.</b> It’s hard to feel full by just eating
vegetables. That’s where fats come in. But it’s important to make them good
fats. Stay away from artificial trans fats of all kinds. Stay away from fried
foods (hello, this includes donuts and French fries!) and highly processed
foods. Foods with good fats: avocados, butter and ghee, coconut oil, good
quality olive oil, and foods with omega-3s, such as wild-caught salmon,
sardines, grass-fed beef, walnuts, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, and dairy products
from grass-fed cows. If you can feel sated while eating less, then you will
consume less food and less food-related oil.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSu8rFH8qPqXKYXAqx1rUu1kwWtWLkO4LY3pLIUq5m-XZa8HNm5DqaOupE0qpXtfnaMnc2KNspiSZ57EiMVSmpzS2y-5fodibhMVet6j1KzD9cfn6DWp35TvQQGmtRwoE-KOB-NHiC6fw/s1600/80+%2525+Full.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSu8rFH8qPqXKYXAqx1rUu1kwWtWLkO4LY3pLIUq5m-XZa8HNm5DqaOupE0qpXtfnaMnc2KNspiSZ57EiMVSmpzS2y-5fodibhMVet6j1KzD9cfn6DWp35TvQQGmtRwoE-KOB-NHiC6fw/s200/80+%2525+Full.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Remember: Hara Hachi Bu</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
6.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don’t
overeat. </b>It’s not only bad for you, it also means you’re making poor use of food
likely trucked to you with the assistance of oil. Eat until you’re 80% full.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>This requires listening to your body, regardless
of what is on your plate.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>(If there’s
food leftover, put it into a storage container and eat it for lunch the next
day.)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Okinawans call this 80% rule,
“Hara Hachi Bu,” and it has been shown to keep them healthy and long-lived. Americans
consume far more calories per day than they need to, often because they eat
processed, nutrition-less so called “food” that is <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/magazine/the-extraordinary-science-of-junk-food.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">purposely engineered to be as addictive as possible</a>. Cut out sugar and artificial sweeteners, cut
out the additives and the junk calories, check in with your body as you eat,
and you’ll not only be healthier, you’ll spend less money on food, and you’ll
be responsible for less food-related oil use.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 7.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Compost
food waste. </b>First of all, plan decently so you don’t create a lot of food
waste. But you’re inevitably going to have some, so compost easy-to-breakdown
organic items--like greens, coffee grounds and tea leaves--in your yard. You
can do a formal compost pile, or just chop the greens up a bit and then put
the food scraps near a plant under some mulch. I put crunched up eggshells out
in my yard as well, but I don’t put out fruit because then raccoons will rifle
through it. The food scraps disappear pretty fast that way, they help replenish
the soil, and no oil is to used haul this particular form of waste anywhere. (I actually do this with a large portion of my yard trimmings, too. Chop and drop.) If
your town or city has a compost program, use it for the harder to break down
food items like soiled paper, bones or fats. (And fruits.) I find even used tea
bags will break down directly in my garden under mulch as long as I remember to
tear out any little metal staples. If you live where the ground freezes in
winter, you can probably only do this spring through fall, but that’s still
two-thirds of the year.<br />
<b>8.) Don't grocery shop when you're hungry. </b>You will impulse buy all sorts of oily badness.<br />
<b>9.) Buy in bulk to reduce oily packaging and the weight of packaging.</b><br />
<b> 10.) Avoid petrochemical pesticides by buying organic. </b>The active ingredient in most pesticides is a petrochemical derivative of some kind.<b> </b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Oil in Your Stuff</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As we covered in <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/12/make-your-life-less-oily-in-2017-part-i.html" target="_blank">Part I</a>, Americans consume on average 2000 lbs of
non-food stuff each year. It not only takes oil to transport that stuff to you,
it takes prodigious amounts of oil to move, mine, extract, shovel, burn, waste,
pump and dispose of one million pounds of material in order to come up with
2000 lbs of finished product for you. It’s estimated all those activities
require ½ gallon of oil per ton of raw material, which comes out to 250 gallons
of oil embedded in the manufacture of the stuff you buy in a year. It also
turns out that much of your stuff is made with oil as a component or
ingredient, and that ingesting petrochemicals, breathing them, or absorbing
them through your skin is pretty much terrible for you. How can we reduce the
direct and indirect oiliness of our stuff? Let’s start with an easy one. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> </span></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5W0PCQZ6h9rzdFPGC_nyyafCMkNczp11EnYBdYCJedRzEv3UaqOQNi2vIsPZKFdlfeyhpXDy5GI5ARkkyc0YYUR1XxqpjgM5Pr_lCLNbUI3K0Pt__BYwRGaZr1BLUbFJc5h-z49Xnxk/s1600/shopping+bags.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5W0PCQZ6h9rzdFPGC_nyyafCMkNczp11EnYBdYCJedRzEv3UaqOQNi2vIsPZKFdlfeyhpXDy5GI5ARkkyc0YYUR1XxqpjgM5Pr_lCLNbUI3K0Pt__BYwRGaZr1BLUbFJc5h-z49Xnxk/s200/shopping+bags.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Favorite shopping bags.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Squeeze
the oil out of your plastic bags and plastic wrap. </b>Most plastic is
basically oil in solid form. Replace single-use plastic bags with reusable
shopping bags, produce bags, and wraps. Shopping bags can be made out of
recycled plastic, but my favorites are made out of cotton twill, repurposed sails, and
felted wool. I like <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/ditch-the-plastic-10-reusable-produce-bags-174099" target="_blank">mesh produce bags</a> for shopping, <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/ditch-the-plastic-10-reusable-produce-bags-174099" target="_blank">muslin bags</a> for vegetable
storage in the refrigerator, and <a href="https://abeego.com/pages/how-to-use-beeswax-food-wrap" target="_blank">food wraps</a> to replace plastic wrap and
baggies. Though your disposable bag habit might not
amount to all that much oil, there are plenty of other reasons to cut out
plastic bags, and since it’s so easy, why not?</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFQaXTgiAqFNJOET7IyHIx9nKWSZfl_TsoQZ_sK0QuzIKzin_v_6z6MIiWiKJNcK8pgGDlt0333JOyz6AtpBxPlRGW5BvwqNBtkPhdENwUkywPVlIwPOixtIbtHsArjuDTX4ssS_cjEk/s1600/HungryGhost_wmonk.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFQaXTgiAqFNJOET7IyHIx9nKWSZfl_TsoQZ_sK0QuzIKzin_v_6z6MIiWiKJNcK8pgGDlt0333JOyz6AtpBxPlRGW5BvwqNBtkPhdENwUkywPVlIwPOixtIbtHsArjuDTX4ssS_cjEk/s200/HungryGhost_wmonk.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Not a blithe spirit.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sate
the hungry ghost through tidying. </b>Okay, I realize that sentence
might not make any sense to you. Let me explain. The Chinese have a concept of
hungry ghosts, spirits of people who had an evil life or a violent death. These
ghosts are inflicted with desire, hunger or thirst that can never be satiated.
Let’s jump to American culture where the average person, above all else, is a consumer,
plowing through 2000 lbs of new goods a year. Our drawers are stuffed, our
closets jammed, our garages so full our cars won’t fit in. Our houses are
larger than ever, but even so we can’t fit all our stuff in them and have to
rent 3.5 billion square feet of self-storage units to accommodate our
burgeoning mess. Do we need all this stuff? Do we even know all the stuff that
we have? I suggest the answer to both is no. Let’s be clear:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> for the most part, not knowing we have
something is pretty much the same as not having it.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because if you don’t remember you have it and
it’s hidden behind volumes of junk, what’s the likelihood of stumbling across
it when you need it? So now comes the tidying part. Specifically, <i><a href="http://tidyingup.com/" target="_blank">The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up</a></i>. This is a hilarious book on many levels, but
what Marie Kondo proves time and again is that she is the world's maestro of
tidying. Through her method, (which, for the price of her short book, she will
bully and club you into doing with pitbull determination) you will get rid of
all the stuff that you will never wear, never read, never use, and have never liked in the
first place. You will ditch the torn, stained, out-of-date clothing that’s
getting in the way of the shirt you do like in the back of your closet that you
completely forgot you had. The essential part of her technique is taking all of
one category of item and dumping it on your bed or on the floor. Once it’s out,
it’s more difficult to put away than get rid of, and so the dross will more
easily flow to recycling, Goodwill, eBay, Craigslist, or the garbage. When what’s
left is what you like and need, you will see, wow, I have twelve pairs of
excellent shoes, four of which I haven’t seen in two years, because eight pairs
of broken/worn out/hated shoes were hiding them. The reduced number of shoes will
fill your closet in a calm, orderly way, all visible to you anytime you open
your closet door, and you will see you have enough shoes.You will be sated.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWaskqZ35oC2kB6R4Zswov-qSJot8BT77iZ9col8nCuvtqaH_jnFuN7BWPDt1VewV0kfvtAgIFJf9SDK0J-4eiBxs9kQ2djLhNsQxTIXLdEcynG7QVTBqVCrIHLmsiVXwcUOqz0aFMbM/s1600/slippers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWaskqZ35oC2kB6R4Zswov-qSJot8BT77iZ9col8nCuvtqaH_jnFuN7BWPDt1VewV0kfvtAgIFJf9SDK0J-4eiBxs9kQ2djLhNsQxTIXLdEcynG7QVTBqVCrIHLmsiVXwcUOqz0aFMbM/s200/slippers.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totally forgotten at the back of my closet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Or,
if you need a new pair shoes, you will know exactly what you need because you'll have a clear inventory of what you have. You won’t be buying out of vague,
anxious shoe-neediness. (I myself confess to sock anxiety and have been known to impulse buy them by the half-dozen.) This is the great paradox: by getting rid of stuff, you
need less stuff because you actually know and can access what you have. You’ll
no longer have to rent a storage locker; your car will once again fit in your garage. You will feel
lighter, calmer, and more in control of your life. You may think I’m joking,
but when it comes to stuff, less is truly more. Get this book or check it out
from your library. I bet you already have enough stuff that, after tidying, you’ll
be able to cut your new acquisitions by at least a third for the next five
years. That’s 83 gallons of oil a year out of your life and major bucks you
don’t have to spend. Plus, all your excess stuff that wasn’t doing you any good
can find a new home with someone who might have a real use for it.</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sate
the hungry ghost by avoiding advertising. </b>What is advertising but a
means to arouse the hungry ghost in you? It’s designed to make you feel inadequate,
needy, insecure, unattractive, sick, fearful, and sometimes literally hungry.
It makes you want. And want. Things you don’t need. It messes with your mind.
It takes up your time. It creates mental clutter. Clear it out! The most
important step is to separate your entertainment from advertising. Record your TV shows and then diligently fast forward through commercials when you watch them. Even pay money
for your entertainment if you have to. What! Entertainment should be free, you
say! No, it’s not free. You pay for it, believe me, when </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wRR9juqB1UdYxmV9wD_hPqfUWW6M7aQTASHTXl5r1nkx_b5-A2LyZp78-PDhQ49S5LkdogQYAnrAgKC8VH8qa1S6zJnqf7J4Bk3vGl4deVYPwoSGbzjVc4Fl_jt8HROJ_fwFFqXJMVM/s1600/coca_cola.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wRR9juqB1UdYxmV9wD_hPqfUWW6M7aQTASHTXl5r1nkx_b5-A2LyZp78-PDhQ49S5LkdogQYAnrAgKC8VH8qa1S6zJnqf7J4Bk3vGl4deVYPwoSGbzjVc4Fl_jt8HROJ_fwFFqXJMVM/s200/coca_cola.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manipulate much?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
your aroused hungry
ghost provokes you to buy toys or cars or even pharmaceuticals you’d really be
better off without. (Need I even point out just how bad manipulative
advertising is to your children’s psyches?) Rather than spend 20 minutes out of
every hour wasting your time with TV ads, pay $2-$3 to see the show ad-free.
The 20 minutes you save is not only worth $3, your peace of mind gets thrown in
as a bargain. Paying for your shows may mean you watch less TV, but that’s a
feature, not a bug. Watch just the good stuff, the stuff that’s worth paying
for. Besides, do you really need to watch more than two hours of TV in an
evening when you could be tidying your sock drawer? I think not. If there are
some types of programs (like certain sports) for which there are no ad-free
options, then at least mute the ads. That helps reduce the brainwashing power significantly.
Another useful strategy is to talk back to the ads and ridicule their
manipulations. Next, I’ll note that newspapers are putting in articles that
look like news but are actually promotions/ads for real estate/ cars/other
products. Identify and scorn such practices. Lastly, be aware that Facebook is inserting a lot more advertising in your newsfeed. They know your web history,
and they target precisely, rendering their hungry ghost stimulation quite
powerful. Beware and keep a skeptical eye on on digital media. Protect your mind, protect your wallet. Keep that
hungry ghost at bay.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 4.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Buy
higher quality stuff that lasts longer.</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 5.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Buy
used. </b>You will still accrue the oil embedded in the product (divided by
product life) but the first owner gets all the oil it took to deliver the
product, not you.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 6.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Take
care of your stuff so it lasts longer. </b>The good news? When you have fewer
clothes (all ones that fit and you actually like,) it’s much easier to launder and store
them properly. (Hint: clothes dried on the line last longer.) When you have
fewer tools, kitchenware, and appliances (all of them used by and actually valuable to
you,) it's easier to take care of them properly.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 7.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reduce
the endless stream of plastic and petrochemicals flowing through your life. </b>If
you really want to get serious about plastic, I recommend browsing <a href="https://myplasticfreelife.com/plasticfreeguide/" target="_blank">My Plastic Free Life</a> because that woman is the most committed plastic eschewer you’ll ever
likely run across. I’ll just mention some of the ways to get oil out of many
products in your life. Use natural materials, natural fibers, mostly stay away
from acrylic, nylon, polyester. Many cosmetics are made from petroleum. Use natural
cosmetics, lotions and other skin care products. Avoid “fragrance,” which is usually
made from petrochemicals, and look for essential oils to make things smell good
instead. Avoid room fresheners unless breathing petrochemicals appeals to you. Avoid
phthalates and parabens. Buy bread that comes in paper bags or no bags. These
days there are lots of <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-01/why-shoe-startups-are-making-sneakers-from-wool" target="_blank">wool</a> and <a href="http://www.softstarshoes.com/" target="_blank">ecologically-responsible leather</a> shoes you can choose from instead of
synthetic/plastic leather. <a href="http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/side-effects-dry-cleaning/" target="_blank">Drycleaning</a> submerges your clothes in petrochemicals
and leaves a residue for your skin to absorb. Use CO2 dry cleaners or wet
cleaners instead. Vinyl is a petrochemical product. Tires are made from rubber
and petrochemicals. (Another good reason to drive less.) Buy carpeting made
from <a href="http://www.dupont.com/products-and-services/fabrics-fibers-nonwovens/fibers/brands/dupont-sorona/products/dupont-sorona-for-sustainable-carpet.html" target="_blank">bio-fiber</a> or natural materials instead of nylon. (There’s one gallon of
oil per 3 square yards of traditional carpet.) Many laundry detergents are made
from petrochemicals and also leave residue absorbed by skin. Use plant-based laundry
products instead. Buy wax paper coated with soybean wax, not paraffin. Paper
cups, milk cartons, and ice cream containers are usually coated with
polyethylene but some organic companies are using soybean wax alternatives. Use
paper cups coated with corn-based rather than oil-based plastic, or better yet
use reusable cups. Watch out for paraffin wax on vegetables such as cucumbers,
eggplants and bell peppers. Cheap chocolate that doesn’t melt on a hot day
usually has a good dose of paraffin wax in it, something you really don’t want
to eat. You also don’t want to ingest mineral oil, which is often used as a
preservative in packaged baked goods. As for <a href="https://priceonomics.com/the-failure-of-the-fat-free-revolution/" target="_blank">Olestra</a>—don’t even get me started
on how evil it is. Avoid, avoid. (It sometimes goes by the name Olean.) It can
be found in fat-free potato chips, french fries, and corn chips, but you’re not
eating that stuff anymore anyway, right? <a href="https://cspinet.org/resource/food-dyes-rainbow-risks" target="_blank">Artificial colorings</a>, usually made
from petrochemicals, are wicked bad for you. A heck of a lot of household
cleaners contain petrochemicals---methylene chloride (stain removers),
monoethanolamine (oven cleaners, tub and tile cleaners, laundry pre-soaks,
floor strippers, carpet cleaners) naphthalene (mothballs, deodorizers),
parabens (widely used in cleaning products). Canned goods and canned sodas usually
have a plastic lining inside the cans. Stay away from styrofoam anything. (Styrofoam
packing peanuts should be banished from the earth.) For sunscreens, avoid
oxybenzone. Use zinc or titanium as an active ingredient instead. Better yet,
wear a hat. Vaseline is a petrochemical product, as are asphalt roof shingles.
Don’t use paraffin wax candles; they produce soot and fumes you shouldn’t
breathe. Use soy wax or beeswax candles instead. Crayons are made from paraffin
and most chewing gum has some kind of petroleum derivative in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are beeswax crayons and natural chewing
gums out there. Seek them out. If you live within a dozen miles of an ocean like I do, eschewing plastic is especially important since the plastic we use has a nasty habit of making its way to the water and <a href="http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/ocean_plastics/" target="_blank">devastating marine life</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbPJtuaWQ2fLQ3Zl0Q9JYHqGnhXIkt6wr85h9rWJiBTEFx-AJyhJs3Ec8HULPoomEQ-e6blM8l6D5Tcph_o3-iBkeQbUHb6dZ-L8Hhu41fdsdwS2zb4ixUoXP7BC4R1naSducBKw9r1k/s1600/dryer+balls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbPJtuaWQ2fLQ3Zl0Q9JYHqGnhXIkt6wr85h9rWJiBTEFx-AJyhJs3Ec8HULPoomEQ-e6blM8l6D5Tcph_o3-iBkeQbUHb6dZ-L8Hhu41fdsdwS2zb4ixUoXP7BC4R1naSducBKw9r1k/s200/dryer+balls.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Simple but awesome.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
8.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ditch
the fabric softener and dryer sheets. </b>Both are <a href="http://www.life.ca/naturallife/0608/softener.htm" target="_blank">full of petrochemicals</a> that
stay on your clothes and get absorbed by your skin. I’m giving this its own
number because the solution is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Eco-Friendly-Dryer-Handmade-Natural-Unscented/dp/B0071N01PI" target="_blank">wool dryer balls</a> that are just so great everyone
should get half a dozen now, this instant. They soften your laundry, deal with
static electricity, and will last a thousand loads. They also decrease drying
time by a third, so they’ll pay for themselves within a few months. (After your
refrigerator, your dryer is the second biggest energy hog appliance in your
house.) I dry my clothes on a line and just do the last five or ten minutes in
the dryer, but when I have a rainy week, wool dryer balls are a godsend. If you
must have fragrance in your laundry, add a few drops of essential oils to the
balls and you’ll be far better off than breathing the faux fragrance of
petrochemicals.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 9.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Less
oily package delivery. </b>This was covered a bit in Part I. The United States
Postal Service is your best bet because they’re coming to your house anyway.
Because they service so many homes on relatively compact routes, USPS is
actually pretty fuel efficient on a per delivery basis. Of course, if you have
electric bike UPS delivery where you live, snap it up.<br />
<b>10.) Anytime you buy anything, ask yourself, "Am I buying this, or is it my hungry ghost?" </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Oil in Your Heat. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Replace heating oil
and propane with a heat pump.</b> If your household is one of the small percent
of US households that use heating oil or propane for heat, this is easy,
just a straightforward technology switch. First seal and insulate your home
(never any sense in heating the outdoors.) Then put in a heat pump. In frigid
climates, put in a cold-climate heat pump. Heat pumps are so efficient that the
cost of your winter heating will drop by half and the heat pump will pay for
itself in three to six years. Many states and utilities have tax
credits/incentives/rebates that will make the payback even faster. If you live
in ultra frigid territory you may need some kind of electric resistance heat
back up for your coldest days. If you have the money, put in an
ultra-efficient <a href="https://energy.gov/energysaver/geothermal-heat-pumps" target="_blank">ground-source heat pump</a> system. It’s substantially more
expensive but also substantially more efficient and you’ll have no worries about
ultra low temperatures. Once you’ve made the switch, that’s nine hundred or so
gallons of oil a year out of your life. You’ll be doing it sooner or later, so why
not sooner?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Seems Like Oil, Oil Everywhere</b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1qQP8uMTskhWxBmSL3RQ2IhpzrEFR5Lz65DZz-yfMIa4cIh0IBij7c-uKMfzdeki72nlMT0nd0t0Y-C3oSHBRDVsrYpVR016LBn9QYTSsTPMaJVgemchrcIia2AbeeLH5aZKevGhdqY/s1600/socks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1qQP8uMTskhWxBmSL3RQ2IhpzrEFR5Lz65DZz-yfMIa4cIh0IBij7c-uKMfzdeki72nlMT0nd0t0Y-C3oSHBRDVsrYpVR016LBn9QYTSsTPMaJVgemchrcIia2AbeeLH5aZKevGhdqY/s320/socks.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I now know I have enough socks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So you've just read through a heck of a to-do list. Do I do all this stuff
perfectly? Not even close. I don’t even do it as well some people I know. Whereas
I consciously chose to become an urban bike rider to reduce my oil consumption,
many of the actions listed above I decided to do for health reasons, to save
money, or out of a general concern for the environment. Reducing my household’s indirect oil consumption was just a side
benefit. Don’t try to make all these changes in a week or even a month!
You’ll exhaust yourself and give up. Making your life less oily is a marathon,
not a sprint. Just keep plugging away, item by item, perhaps ticking off the
big ones or the easy ones first. By the end of 2017 I guarantee you will be
healthier, and probably happier and wealthier too. Give it a whirl.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Want some more good news?</b> You can substantially reduce your oil use <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(and your de facto support of
ExxonMobil, Saudi Arabia, beheadings, stonings, fracking, and the Dakota Access
Pipeline)</i></span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">regardless of how dysfunctional
Congress is</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">regardless of who is
President</b>. March, protest, resist. But squeeze the oil out of your life,
too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Continue on to <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/03/helping-others-eschew-oil-how-to-make.html" target="_blank">Part IV: Helping Others EschewOil</a></span>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-34278038504026377272017-01-09T18:33:00.000-08:002017-03-23T10:23:38.537-07:00Squeezing Oil Out of Your Travel (Make Your Life Less Oily in 2017, Part 2)<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Make Your Life Less Oily in 2017</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part 1:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking Stock</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part 2: Squeezing Oil Out of Your Travel</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/02/wringing-oil-from-your-beverages-food.html" target="_blank">Part 3: Wringing Oil from Your Food, Stuff, Heat, and Everything Else</a><br />
<a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/03/helping-others-eschew-oil-how-to-make.html" target="_blank">Part 4: Helping Others Eschew Oil</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Part 2: Squeezing Oil Out of Your Travel</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You cannot get through a single day
without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a
difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” ―
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jane
Goodall</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: blue;">"Actions speak louder than words, but not nearly as often." -- Mark Twain</span></i></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/12/make-your-life-less-oily-in-2017-part-i.html" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Part I: Taking Stock</i></a>, we covered how every dollar we spend on oil products supports fracking,
tar sands, multinational corporate profits, and the beheadings, stonings, and
terrorism financed or perpetrated by Saudi Arabia. We also covered how American
life is so saturated with oil, it’s nearly impossible to wring it entirely out
of one’s daily existence. To make our oil-use more conscious, Part I had a
<a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/12/make-your-life-less-oily-in-2017-part-i.html" target="_blank">nifty on-line calculator</a> to estimate personal oil consumption. If you haven’t
done it yet, or don’t recall your results, go back and do it now. I’ll wait.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt3omxgVU1YC0vtEbb4S-a_K0M_Krm1VJN3vO-sU7GaXck1EGJuG2FvevWuddVyxhUFVUf6HXyZ94t8ml7U63snbWSuGs_5oFcgK6RsRVzn26faAOBm8xdQezZcCnSh2EClk3dqhwzFQ/s1600/oil+spill.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt3omxgVU1YC0vtEbb4S-a_K0M_Krm1VJN3vO-sU7GaXck1EGJuG2FvevWuddVyxhUFVUf6HXyZ94t8ml7U63snbWSuGs_5oFcgK6RsRVzn26faAOBm8xdQezZcCnSh2EClk3dqhwzFQ/s320/oil+spill.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What our money buys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You’re back? Good. Now that you have an understanding of your oil
consumption, let’s say we don’t want to support the rather nasty activities
that oil production necessitates or that oil profits make possible. What to do?
Well, we can certainly send emails, sign petitions, and call our congress
critters to request changes in US policy towards oil companies and Saudi
Arabia. We can also donate to non-profits working on the issue. We could even organize/march
in protests. Still, there’s no escaping that the personal is political. As long
as you and I consume oil, we make oil nastiness possible in the most basic way.
Our money, and how we spend it, is an extension of our values, our intent, our
convictions. If we don’t consume the oil, then, yes, someone else might. But when
we participate in the ugly world of oil by consuming its products, we not only
make it profitable, we give the whole craziness our implicit consent. Our
efforts to change this are not useless drops in the bucket. Paradigm shifts most often happen
first within small subgroups that eventually form enough critical mass to cause
large-scale cultural change. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk46Q8rRyEdgdDeJ1TyU8uaoI-jB307t1MOUDqH0h4XAq6_sWVMq6iRJ-8nry-OVjJOOEmbX0-rkKEHp89nY6FxI5A1h2BGtn-O_JpXxCxjYq940gqlhl0tzjVNJgvXOMuHSsWiDJ-zM/s1600/Drippy-Heel_Klicking-Right_Web.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk46Q8rRyEdgdDeJ1TyU8uaoI-jB307t1MOUDqH0h4XAq6_sWVMq6iRJ-8nry-OVjJOOEmbX0-rkKEHp89nY6FxI5A1h2BGtn-O_JpXxCxjYq940gqlhl0tzjVNJgvXOMuHSsWiDJ-zM/s200/Drippy-Heel_Klicking-Right_Web.jpeg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kicking the Oil Habit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But our lives are so oily! It’s nearly impossible to live in
the United States at the moment without at least some of the black ooze seeping
into our lives. Never fear. Even if we can’t go 100% oil-free, we can reduce
our consumption substantially. And this matters. Remember, as a commenter on
Part I said, the price of oil is set at the margin, and since the dirtiest
forms of oil—oil produced by tar sands and fracking—are the most expensive to
produce, they are the first to be dropped when demand drops. Not to mention
that low oil prices hurt oil companies and oil-nations far more than any
divestment campaign can ever hope to. (Not to say that divestment is a bad
idea.) As we’ll see, a side benefit of dropping our oil use is that we’ll be
healthier, probably happier, and our communities more prosperous. But we’ll get
to that.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaY0GVxg8QsAZ6fD5JJqD6cYIjaNgrrR8k_0z0ZspVNoBgIIs0oXalY13A1q3K8_wQwr9g2W3BgUaMuEMAj2kj-EXgWc92F_o6ihihuRtFbfqzMeTEO_uziZT55J6SsKJWZAQPhN_dkuA/s1600/money+into+gas.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaY0GVxg8QsAZ6fD5JJqD6cYIjaNgrrR8k_0z0ZspVNoBgIIs0oXalY13A1q3K8_wQwr9g2W3BgUaMuEMAj2kj-EXgWc92F_o6ihihuRtFbfqzMeTEO_uziZT55J6SsKJWZAQPhN_dkuA/s200/money+into+gas.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your money counts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We can divide personal oil consumption into five basic
categories: oil for private vehicle travel, oil for all other travel, oil for
heat, oil in your food and beverages, and oil in your stuff. Check what the
calculator told you. Your car may be your biggest oil slurper, but depending on
your lifestyle, it could also be the stuff you buy each year, or your air
travel. Our solutions in this part and the next will range from heat pumps to PEBLs to sating the hungry ghost. Let’s
begin! Remember, we’re looking through the lens of reducing oil consumption,
not greenhouse gases or resource depletion, although both are also important,
and I may mention them from time to time. <i>(Note: I receive no monetary or other reward for any
products or websites that I point out. I just share what I like and have found
useful.)</i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Oil in Your Private
Vehicle Travel</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7syPQ92vq6NLJiQIRoQUiJnj8KzZJ_AlWSetRPx1rtJk7w3vNavweuxYPkP1A4TS7FKSb99czx_KluzVtsjJPw2uj1sWkzKL83QZRs4aBKzVWQifdCgmrpNSmTJR30wyDIfjtMxhPJqk/s1600/VMT+per+capita+by+state.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7syPQ92vq6NLJiQIRoQUiJnj8KzZJ_AlWSetRPx1rtJk7w3vNavweuxYPkP1A4TS7FKSb99czx_KluzVtsjJPw2uj1sWkzKL83QZRs4aBKzVWQifdCgmrpNSmTJR30wyDIfjtMxhPJqk/s320/VMT+per+capita+by+state.png" width="320" /></a>Travel is responsible for two-thirds of US oil use. American
vehicle miles traveled (VMT) are insane. In 2009, our 211 million vehicles
belonging to 113 million households traveled 2.2 trillion miles, close to
20,000 miles per household. Do you know how many vehicle miles your household
accrues in a year? If not, start tracking it.</div>
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This may surprise you, but the first
order of business is not to electrify junk miles, but to shed them from your
travel diet. After all, whether it causes you to consume oil or not, time spent
in a car is not quality time. For most people it makes them <a href="http://time.com/9912/10-things-your-commute-does-to-your-body/" target="_blank">stressed</a>, <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/02/18/171926131/how-to-thrive-short-commutes-more-happy-hours" target="_blank">unhappy</a>,
and <a href="http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/is-your-car-making-you-fat#1" target="_blank">fat</a>. By shedding VMT, you will not only give less money to corporate CEOs
and Saudi princes, you’ll make your family healthier, happier and likely wealthier in the process. So let's look at how to do this.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlVbL9xhTLraCdlb6mtAL9iREs8fO2PnR19g9LizZmSbK-Se0pfy5A0wnNPbdaowHloXC9VZQUQC0CbiGbPf8MUqQKdfjKQJK9VCaare_nEr8BxleNJ8ITl9hIRv3MakDv6VSnInTXog/s1600/479px-Potthast_Walking_in_the_hills.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlVbL9xhTLraCdlb6mtAL9iREs8fO2PnR19g9LizZmSbK-Se0pfy5A0wnNPbdaowHloXC9VZQUQC0CbiGbPf8MUqQKdfjKQJK9VCaare_nEr8BxleNJ8ITl9hIRv3MakDv6VSnInTXog/s200/479px-Potthast_Walking_in_the_hills.jpeg" width="159" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Walking the Hills --Edward Potthast</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>1.)</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Embrace walking as
a feature, not a bug, of human existence.</b> Getting thirty minutes of
moderate exercise like walking each day is essential to your health. (See <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-brilliance-of-walking.html" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Brilliance of Walking</i></a>.) You can be a
bit overweight and be healthy, but you cannot be sedentary and healthy.
Walking prevents all sorts of disease, from heart disease to diabetes to
Alzheimer’s to many forms of cancer, not to mention it boosts your immune
system and alleviates depression better than any drug you can take. <a href="https://youtu.be/aUaInS6HIGo" target="_blank">Walking is so amazing for your health</a>, in fact, that if the benefits could be put into a
drug, some pharmaceutical company would be making billions in profits from it.
Instead, it’s free! It brings you health and joy! It helps you get to know your
neighbors, it reduces crime by putting eyes on the street, and every trip made
on foot instead of by car reduces the pollution, grime, noise, and vibrations
that your neighborhood experiences, improving housing values as well as the sociability and happiness of
your community. And it <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/07/well/move/whats-the-value-of-exercise-2500.html?_r=1" target="_blank">saves you $2500 a year</a> in out-of-pocket health care
costs! The easiest, most sure-fire way to get this exercise is to embed walking
in your daily life. The most sure-fire way to embed walking in your daily life
is to have lots of destinations that you routinely go to within walking
distance. Which leads to . . .</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ0xaie8Tq1E-etCPIMm566buQ1y5_mTTjxtFKkW2cMSLeD1XctjKDa48aXOKIPnWXwrqmYhZsA6vcuDNPPWcbqC_8fjOV-dQPQMiFCyGzJz8e-JIkejz9hA8J9sITijemLn5g4JWqTQ/s1600/ptown13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ0xaie8Tq1E-etCPIMm566buQ1y5_mTTjxtFKkW2cMSLeD1XctjKDa48aXOKIPnWXwrqmYhZsA6vcuDNPPWcbqC_8fjOV-dQPQMiFCyGzJz8e-JIkejz9hA8J9sITijemLn5g4JWqTQ/s200/ptown13.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People over cars <i>(granolashotgun.com)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2.) Live in a
ten-minute neighborhood. </b>What the heck is a <a href="http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/planning/Topics/10_Minute_Neighborhood_Analysis.htm" target="_blank">ten-minute neighborhood</a>, you
ask? A neighborhood where essential goods, services and transit can be reached within
a ten-minute walk. This doesn’t have to be in a quaint village or hip coastal
city that are expensive as all get out. There are many <a href="https://granolashotgun.com/2015/11/01/collingswood-the-main-street-model/" target="_blank">small towns and rust-belt cities</a> with good urban bones that offer excellent value. Now moving
may seem a radical option, but 25% of renters and 5% of homeowners in the US move
each year. If you’re going to move anyway, don’t just consider housing costs in
your calculations of what is affordable. Add up housing+transportation+energy+healthcare
costs, and recognize that long commutes are one of the leading causes of
unhappiness in the US. A large house in a far-flung suburb might appear to be
the best bang for your buck, but once you’ve factored in extra costs for transportation,
energy, and healthcare, a smaller house with a smaller yard in a walkable
neighborhood might turn out not only to make you <a href="https://www.officevibe.com/blog/commute-to-work" target="_blank">happier</a> and <a href="https://www.fastcoexist.com/3039276/want-to-stop-your-brain-from-getting-old-live-in-a-walkable-neighborhood" target="_blank">healthier</a> but also
wealthier.</div>
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Why is living in a walkable neighborhood so important? Since
only a quarter of all trips are commute trips (and only 28% of all VMT is for
commutes), being close enough to walk to a grocery store, pharmacy, coffee
shop, elementary school, restaurants, dentist, post office, bakery, library,
and your family doctor is going to reduce your VMT significantly. If you can’t
live within a ten-minute walk (half a mile), living within a ten-minute bike
ride (1.8 miles) isn’t bad. As long as you’re not riding near crazed, reckless
drivers, bicycling is a great way to add exhilaration and even joy to your
life. (Yes, once you become moderately fit, cycling can feel that good.) Check out
<a href="https://www.freemaptools.com/how-far-can-i-travel.htm" target="_blank">this site</a>, and it will show you what you can reach in ten minutes by walking or
by bicycle. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7sIFZwtYlKEe25iOeUTINjoii9HpVcpAKke3PAkhnPtyi2A4IX3xla-EjhUTNSWZWO5nV7bOCMmGh1alyathNV5RheWb4i5EJDu-w4vKSAeqmzFV7eDTXnScv3Mio17BXl2ntZ09P-A/s1600/electric+bike+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7sIFZwtYlKEe25iOeUTINjoii9HpVcpAKke3PAkhnPtyi2A4IX3xla-EjhUTNSWZWO5nV7bOCMmGh1alyathNV5RheWb4i5EJDu-w4vKSAeqmzFV7eDTXnScv3Mio17BXl2ntZ09P-A/s200/electric+bike+photo.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My SUV of bikes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The site doesn’t take into account hills, but that’s where
electric bicycles come in. On an electric bike you can cover five miles of
hilly terrain in half an hour while toting two kids and five bags of groceries
without breaking a sweat. It’s true! I live in a ten-minute neighborhood, and
over the last ten years--with a change in attitude, better bicycle
infrastructure in my city, and the acquisition of an electric bike--my trip
mode share has become 40% walking, 40% biking (half regular, half electric), 10%
transit and 10% driving. What is your mode share? Make a guess and then keep a
travel diary for the next two weeks and see how real life compares.</div>
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Note: don’t move to a <a href="http://plazaperspective.com/the-10-minute-neighborhood/" target="_blank">ten-minute neighborhood</a> and then
continue to drive everywhere. You’ll just make your new neighbors miserable
with the congestion and danger you create. Let someone who wants a car-lite
lifestyle take that spot.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuoLrzMRlJ8Ks6Uk64sDj8ywdnwNf0Vg_6J9Gs1ZM_uEcou6MYrg6xIShDfrFylw4Qz2z0TcMfQ3KG04vPSmknuxvf5Ka8kvK-mkWZ1QE34coHRiAtJAEuCqUlEgXTmDoBuOMNxBr01s/s1600/Main_Street_in_downtown_Clinton.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuoLrzMRlJ8Ks6Uk64sDj8ywdnwNf0Vg_6J9Gs1ZM_uEcou6MYrg6xIShDfrFylw4Qz2z0TcMfQ3KG04vPSmknuxvf5Ka8kvK-mkWZ1QE34coHRiAtJAEuCqUlEgXTmDoBuOMNxBr01s/s200/Main_Street_in_downtown_Clinton.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent bones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What if you like where you live and don’t want to move?
Well, first check and see if your neighborhood is more walkable and bikeable
than you know. People tend to overestimate how far away things are, and more destinations
may be in reach under your own power than you realize. Next, does your
neighborhood have sidewalks, bike lanes? If it doesn’t, this is something that
can be changed with some organizing and lobbying. (<a href="https://granolashotgun.com/2016/08/26/a-better-way/" target="_blank">Here's an example</a> of a town that used a roundabout and a road diet to create walkability.) Lastly, could your
neighborhood become a ten-minute neighborhood by <a href="http://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/TP_NeighborhoodRetail.ashx_1.pdf" target="_blank">beefing up a traditional Main Street</a> that could once again offer an array of
goods and services if only there was enough density to support it? The easiest
way to add density painlessly is to replace parking lots along this street with
infill development, adding stories of mixed use residential over ground floor
retail. Several blocks of two to four story buildings with no parking lots
pushing destinations apart will make a world of difference. Though physically
this is not hard to accomplish, your town probably has a ridiculous number of legal
and cultural obstacles in the way of such development. However, these are not
immutable laws of physics but rather human constructs that can be altered by
any town interested in achieving prosperity through modest incremental
investment. I suggest checking out <a href="http://www.strongtowns.org/" target="_blank">Strong Towns</a> for all sorts of ideas on how
towns can stop going broke by focusing on their cores rather than the illusory
get-rich-schemes of <a href="https://granolashotgun.com/2016/07/07/your-town-is-a-financial-time-bomb/" target="_blank">ponzi-sprawl</a>.</div>
</div>
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If the answer is you live in the sticks and your location is
never going to become walkable or bikeable, then continue on. There are still
things you can do.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_SDDxOi7MjMxOd_O2lP4lNRQDPJ0Vp8koz8x9lIRjM5PcMHpdZegIhMMp5sT1_PrVQZ8_55Wa0uCI-5g9jmaV7lyPWn0RC4e7tUs4TTXo0R4uhoHyvbrbpGj_pe1M8Y2_egKBYAF5eo/s1600/image+%25281%2529%255B6%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_SDDxOi7MjMxOd_O2lP4lNRQDPJ0Vp8koz8x9lIRjM5PcMHpdZegIhMMp5sT1_PrVQZ8_55Wa0uCI-5g9jmaV7lyPWn0RC4e7tUs4TTXo0R4uhoHyvbrbpGj_pe1M8Y2_egKBYAF5eo/s320/image+%25281%2529%255B6%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feel the ice at -8 degrees F. No excuses!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>3.</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">) Live in a
location where you and/or your spouse/partner can commute to work by non-car means. </b>Even
if you can’t live in a ten-minute neighborhood, you will still achieve big oil
reductions if one of you can get to work without a car—by walking, biking,
transit, <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/9/10740120/mahindra-genze-2-electric-scooter-ride-ces-2016" target="_blank">electric scooter</a>, or even <a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/best-electrics-skateboards/" target="_blank">electric skateboard</a>. I have a good friend my
age (55) in Minneapolis who walks forty minutes each way to work, even in
winter. Even when it’s 8 degrees below zero. It’s all about attitude and the right clothes.
(She does have the advantage of sidewalks the entire route.) If you’re younger
than 55, no excuses! If your town has better weather than Minneapolis, no
excuses! For longer distances, consider an electric bike, and/or for winter
commutes, consider a velomobile, or a four-season pedal electric vehicle such
as the <a href="http://organictransit.com/" target="_blank">ELF</a> or the <a href="http://www.better.bike/" target="_blank">PEBL</a>. They may seem expensive, but they’re way, way cheaper
than owning a car. “But it will add half an hour a day to my commute!” you say.
“I just don’t have the energy or the time.” First off, an active commute is
going to make you feel great, so you’ll have more energy and vitality at work and home. Secondly, we’re going to free up more than thirty minutes a day for
you when we get to sating the hungry ghost in part 3. So still no excuses!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavmfRjmKjehiGg4GADke1Fu_auMuf97R_-W4yF7kVyaRc5WGOiqy55mhetA_ncFyyqQEnvSiXBZo__9NKcnnaUSONedHqwsrE1_bGPm_tsFoqu9T1HZiDrNy4LNeY6nm3rDhvN5SXkSQ/s1600/IMG_0560-300x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavmfRjmKjehiGg4GADke1Fu_auMuf97R_-W4yF7kVyaRc5WGOiqy55mhetA_ncFyyqQEnvSiXBZo__9NKcnnaUSONedHqwsrE1_bGPm_tsFoqu9T1HZiDrNy4LNeY6nm3rDhvN5SXkSQ/s200/IMG_0560-300x200.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kid shuttling solved.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4.) Arrange carpools
for kids’ activities; opt out of the kid activity rat race. </b>If your child
likes to dance or play soccer, find studios/leagues that don’t require lots of
travel time, especially if your child is under twelve. You’re not a bad parent
if you don’t spend every weekend traveling for soccer. You’re not a bad parent
if you don’t drive hours for music or chess or tae kwon do lessons. Children
don’t need seven activities apiece, even if it seems as if all their friends
have that many. In fact, they’re likely better off if they just have one or two
activities and are allowed to drop the ones they don’t like and pick up new ones
that suit them. They’re children. Let them explore and experiment. What they
should not be doing is spending an hour a day strapped immobile in a car.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5.) Choose the
“pretty good” service/activity closer to home. </b>If the best dentist or
pediatrician in the region is twenty miles away, but a pretty good dentist or
pediatrician is just down the block, choose the pretty good one nearby. (Go to
a specialist the few times you have specialized problems.) Instead of the best
church with the most brilliant minister/best music, attend a local church and
visit the brilliant one only occasionally. You’ll build connections with your
neighbors better that way anyway. And so on. You get the idea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6.) Take the train
for 30 to 300 mile trips. </b>Trains have very good passenger miles per gallon
(pmpg). The northeast corridor trains between Washington DC and Boston, being
electric, use no oil at all. I realize trains aren’t options everywhere, but
where they exist, make use of them! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9FjHNofs1dMJJkXKKoGv82NyXPDJiU5BD9r_wz5ch6K1Wpit7gfgWrEBz0VCEirW8ox6CPPpe0Bb6JUcdTUO59jf_75dRp3i_ZsQc3RVtokReb3Up0uBm3y7t3jq15Tw763_Ka-nHos/s1600/1_PROTERRA-E214.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9FjHNofs1dMJJkXKKoGv82NyXPDJiU5BD9r_wz5ch6K1Wpit7gfgWrEBz0VCEirW8ox6CPPpe0Bb6JUcdTUO59jf_75dRp3i_ZsQc3RVtokReb3Up0uBm3y7t3jq15Tw763_Ka-nHos/s200/1_PROTERRA-E214.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your bus could be electric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7.) Take electrified
local transit. </b>Only San Francisco and Seattle have an extensive system of
electric trolley buses, but a number of cities are now offering oil-free
electric buses or shuttles (including Louisville, Nashville, Chattanooga.
Stockton, and Reno). And most heavy rail rapid transit systems<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Such as MARTA, BART, MBTA, New York City
Subway, LA Metro Rail, and Washington Metro) are electric, as are most light rail systems. All VMT you can
convert to public electric miles are miles that don’t count towards oil use at
all. For those of you that take corporate buses, all those buses can and should
be electric. (Check out <a href="https://www.wired.com/2016/09/new-electric-bus-can-drive-350-miles-one-charge/" target="_blank">the range on the new Proterra</a> buses.) Start bugging
your employer to convert.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8.) Drop education
VMT. </b>Where you send your children to school has a major impact on your
VMT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best is a school walkable from
your home. Second best is a bikeable school. Third best is a school on public
transit. This is true for lower grades as well as high school, but especially
high school. The way your teen is most likely to die is in a car with friends.
Let that sink in. If your child’s high school has a huge parking lot with lots
of cars, the odds of your child getting in one are high. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC2VZdkpiFMjM70kz5NyGcFTaUfFKoB_TtLjQ_ucj3sfrQc7TPnoKsBG_XSIUUCFrSmeA6btwEQHTreGYoARiBYOaj93cpYh7oo-TSnF2_sqvvV5plJCW5CZJp1g4QAX7qkTgEiuAMME/s1600/UC-Davis.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC2VZdkpiFMjM70kz5NyGcFTaUfFKoB_TtLjQ_ucj3sfrQc7TPnoKsBG_XSIUUCFrSmeA6btwEQHTreGYoARiBYOaj93cpYh7oo-TSnF2_sqvvV5plJCW5CZJp1g4QAX7qkTgEiuAMME/s200/UC-Davis.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike-friendly UC Davis </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also consider oil use in college choice. There are many
factors that go into picking a college, so why not let oil use be one of them?
After all, supplying your child with a car over his/her four years of college
is roughly equal to four years of in-state public university tuition or one
year of private university tuition. A car-free college career can equal $40K of
college debt your child doesn’t have to take on. Could your child get to the
college he/she is considering by non-oil or low-oil means? (Is the college
accessible by train?) Could your child survive four years happily there without
a car? Does the college campus offer shuttles to nearby cities or shopping?
Does it offer Zipcars or some other carshare for students? Lots of bikes on
campus is usually a good sign that student culture is oriented towards low oil
use. A policy mandating that freshman (and sometimes even sophomores) <a href="http://www.aashe.org/resources/campus-car-bans" target="_blank">can’t have cars on campus</a> is another good one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0rkIkSFAlAWjKy-VhwKogtOK2ESK-Tb5HXGl2EwRU1QaBgI3N7DNAiNkkN_ClaYJuvcwXIFMUToYnzdfIQ_r3lanklpd5v6KroUmpUBqrFQi4I8v_9VQay-EK6XvHcgWBzQVlJiMh58/s1600/57ChevyAd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0rkIkSFAlAWjKy-VhwKogtOK2ESK-Tb5HXGl2EwRU1QaBgI3N7DNAiNkkN_ClaYJuvcwXIFMUToYnzdfIQ_r3lanklpd5v6KroUmpUBqrFQi4I8v_9VQay-EK6XvHcgWBzQVlJiMh58/s320/57ChevyAd.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early programming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9.) Eliminate car brainwashing.
</b>Mr. Money Mustache covers this really well, so I’ll let him <a href="http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/04/22/curing-your-clown-like-car-habit/" target="_blank">do the heavy lifting on this one</a>. (Click on the link. If you don’t know about Mr. Money Mustache, you can thank me
later for introducing him to you.) Let me just point out that $20 billion in
advertising dollars are spent every year to make you, the American consumer,
believe that your car equals your value, your status, your virility (if male),
your competence (if female), not to mention your parenting ability. No! Your
car is a tool, no more, no less. Keep clear that a car’s value is its
usefulness, not the other emotionally laden gobbledygook that nearly infinite
advertising so desperately wants us to gulp down whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your car is not a penis-extender, nor is it a
metal womb to keep your family safe. The power it’s capable of can be useful,
but it doesn’t increase your personal merit, status, or attractiveness except
in the eyes of people who are deeply car brainwashed. In fact, too much time in
a car will render you <a href="https://www.fastcoexist.com/1679157/mapping-the-link-between-obesity-and-car-driving" target="_blank">flabby</a>, <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/28/commutings-hidden-cost/" target="_blank">sick</a> and wholly unattractive. Let me confirm that
in-the-know-people (such as the ones who read this blog) will have more respect
for your high mileage, beat up, old, dented, paid-off car than a shiny new one
that’s just going to get dented/scratched/lose its value precipitously. Your car
is not a reflection of your worth as a human being! More about the
perniciousness of advertising will be covered in part 3. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10.) Drop down one
car. </b>US households on average have more vehicles than drivers. This is
ridiculous. After you’ve reduced your VMT and car brainwashing, consider saving
boatloads of money by having your household drop down one car. This is
especially possible if one of the adults has a non-car commute. Owning fewer
cars will further encourage you to replace VMT with other transportation
options. As a corollary, the more transportation options you have, the easier
it is to drop down one car. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKo4_8ijem64OnQiPh9BkTVtXam31s8bkgr83QbJ9ujStQh3axUjzg9QVlyCv7-I2NNbXzBNkjX36DZmjw2JZ7PnFZbWWrX2nBo_nLC_URLUcUYZQz5q4A4n_8QxdISoaMlHWUZtsWRA/s1600/granny-cart-olivia-cleans-green.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKo4_8ijem64OnQiPh9BkTVtXam31s8bkgr83QbJ9ujStQh3axUjzg9QVlyCv7-I2NNbXzBNkjX36DZmjw2JZ7PnFZbWWrX2nBo_nLC_URLUcUYZQz5q4A4n_8QxdISoaMlHWUZtsWRA/s320/granny-cart-olivia-cleans-green.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replace that car! <i>(OliviaCleansGreen.com</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Look at it this way: the average car spends 160 hours per
week not moving. The 8 hours per week it does move cost you $6000 - $15,000 a
year, depending how old/new/fancy your car is. The average vehicle takes three
one-way trips a day for a total of 29 miles. Can you make those trips by other
means? When our family jettisoned our minivan to become a one-car household, we
were already living in a ten-minute neighborhood, my husband was already biking
to work, and I was already a queen of kids’ carpools. Still, the idea of just
one car was daunting. To make our transition easier, I got a wire handcart and an electrified cargo
bike, and we joined a carshare non-profit. Even though we rarely utilized the
carshare, it gave us a sense of security at the time to have it as a back up. Don’t
pooh-pooh secondary and/or back up measures; they may be the tipping point to
give you the confidence you need to shed a vehicle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Car replacements (consider in combinations):</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Bike
with panniers or trailer for carrying stuff</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">B.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Handcart
to walk groceries/stuff home</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">C.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Sturdy
stroller to push young children around</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">D.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Walk/bike
with your children to school instead of drive them</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">E.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Electric
bikes (Check out <i><a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-pluses-and-minuses-of-electric-bikes.html" target="_blank">The Pluses and Minuses of Electric Bikes</a></i>)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">F.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Electric <a href="http://www.bicycle-riding-for-boomers.com/choosing-a-tricycle.html" target="_blank">adult trikes</a> (many elderly who have
trouble walking find electric trikes extremely liberating as well as safer than
driving a car)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">G.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Electric
cargo bikes (mine carries 5 bags of groceries)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">H.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><a href="http://pedalyourselfhealthy.org/about.php" target="_blank">Velomobile</a> or pedal electric vehicle (ELF, PEBL)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">I.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Electric <a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/best-electrics-skateboards/" target="_blank">skateboard</a> or <a href="http://www.choosewheels.com/electric-scooters/" target="_blank">foot scooter</a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">J.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Join a carshare company for when you need a
car/second car, van, or truck for a day or even just an hour.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">K.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Electric
<a href="https://scoot.co/" target="_blank">scootershare</a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">L.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Rideshare/taxis on occasion (bad weather/last
mile issues.)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">M.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Let
your teens use rideshare on occasion. (Way cheaper and safer than giving them a
car.)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">N.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Make
a deal with a friend/neighbor/family member to use their car in a pinch. Repay
with food, favors, etc.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">O.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Have
large items delivered, or rent a van/truck by the hour.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">P.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Create
family calendar to keep track of car-necessary activities.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Q.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Convert
far away activities into local ones.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">R.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Teach
your children how to ride public transit.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">S.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Persuade your boss to let you work from home one
or two days a week.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">T.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Combine/plan
errands. Meal plan. Grow vegetables/fruit at home if possible so you can eat
from the garden in the summer. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">U.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Other
ideas? Leave them in the comments below.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRJRVUvRP9dO6nDcQRSH8u1pLvmw7Mbto4Yxs7NJv0mbGlPx1gWVyT8s7klDfzPzXqaQKSp0S_OdDW7hVfR3815G2dyco2KowXcQWOws2VLqolyfaesg21P4ek1rA67eSOi4bwIl5_jg/s1600/scoot-group.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRJRVUvRP9dO6nDcQRSH8u1pLvmw7Mbto4Yxs7NJv0mbGlPx1gWVyT8s7klDfzPzXqaQKSp0S_OdDW7hVfR3815G2dyco2KowXcQWOws2VLqolyfaesg21P4ek1rA67eSOi4bwIl5_jg/s200/scoot-group.jpeg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scootershare--coming to a city near you?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When dropping down a car, my advice is to jettison the
vehicle with the worst gas mileage and highest maintenance costs. But perhaps
your other car has the most expensive payments and highest insurance, so that’s
the one you’d like to get rid of. You know your situation best, but do consider
the option seriously. Shedding a car can free up valuable funds to pay for
groovy electric bikes, but the money can also be used towards higher
rent/mortgage payments in a ten-minute neighborhood, with the attendant health
and happiness benefits.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">11. Make your own
biodiesel. </b>As a commenter in Part I said, this is a good choice for some
people. Instructions <a href="https://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Corn-based ethanol, however, is a scam politicians
inflicted on us to buy votes from Midwest farmers. Don’t pretend adding it to
your gasoline is any kind of solution.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMvW4OD-LFSHj-4mLcrNJ1g00e2NSfqX8y-LAhbCzsXmRBAyXoz0qP5aiJKAKmrTaHieUTNl0NskXJOPlFXPdF6Lwi7-HFjcCzyZvkWgkVlHRwiVzP2F3-gVs59JXvV3paubGgW4VL_g/s1600/scythes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMvW4OD-LFSHj-4mLcrNJ1g00e2NSfqX8y-LAhbCzsXmRBAyXoz0qP5aiJKAKmrTaHieUTNl0NskXJOPlFXPdF6Lwi7-HFjcCzyZvkWgkVlHRwiVzP2F3-gVs59JXvV3paubGgW4VL_g/s320/scythes.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scythe revolution! (<i>permaculture.co.uk)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">12. Electrify or make manual your
yard and garden care. </b>This doesn’t amount to a lot of oil (and is not
officially for travel) but let’s tackle gas-powered lawnmowers, leaf blowers
and snow blowers anyway since they’re noisy and polluting. Sweeping and raking
are moderate forms of exercise (like walking) that are extremely good for you
and don’t take much longer than oil-powered leaf blowers. Instead of a
gas-powered lawnmower, get an electric mower, a push mower, or, if you want to
really freak out your neighbors, a European scythe. Now I have never scythed, but <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NfYUEr996A" target="_blank">it looks so amazing</a> that I’m on the verge of getting one, and I don’t even have a lawn.
As for snow, don’t use salt or chemicals; they’re terrible for the environment.
Sweep or shovel small areas; use electric snow blowers for larger ones. For
really large areas, get an electric tractor with a snow shovel attachment or
<a href="http://www.electrictractor.net/" target="_blank">convert a gas garden tractor to electric</a>. If you happen to be redoing your
driveway or sidewalk anyway, put in a <a href="http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2016/01/paramus_home_harnesses_sun_earth_to_melt_snow_off.html" target="_blank">hydronic snow melt system</a> and you’ll
never worry about snow again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">13. Get an electric
car.</b> Yes, this is last. There is a lot of embedded oil in an electric car,
as we’ll talk about under stuff. And merely electrifying your VMT won’t improve
your health, it won’t increase your joy, it won’t improve your neighborhood, it
won’t save you oodles of money. An electric car will still cause traffic and
congestion, and it’ll still prevent others from enjoying a car-lite lifestyle
because it hogs public space, it’s fundamentally <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2015/11/best-tool-for-job-suv-bicycle-or-nfl_27.html" target="_blank">a death machine</a> to
bicyclists and pedestrians, and its need for parking pushes destinations
further apart. But it’s better than buying oil, and for all but the most
coal-intensive states (West Virginia, Kentucky, Wyoming) it’ll produce fewer
greenhouse gases than driving a vehicle with a grossly inefficient internal
combustion engine. (All internal combustion engines are
grossly wasteful and inefficient, every single one.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Oil in Your Other
Travel</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long distance travel is my downfall. My husband and I have
squeezed our other categories down pretty well, but my kids now live across the
country, and I love to travel. What to do? Here are some options.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Learn
to love long distance trains.</b> Yes, they’re more expensive than flying. Yes,
they take more time. Yes, Amtrak has its problems. The good news is long
distance trains can give you lots of undistracted time to work (great for
writing), the scenery is often spectacular, and you’ll gain an appreciation of
America that is hard to describe and hard to get any other way. View long
distance trains as an adventure, embrace their quirks, and if you’re going
overnight, do yourself a favor and get a sleeper.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 2.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Take
medium distance trains instead of short hop flights, especially the Northeast
Regional electric trains between Boston and Washington DC.</b> Seriously, this
is easy. Just do it. Other good regional lines, often with evocative names, mostly
financed by the states they pass through: The Capitol Corridor (San Jose,
Oakland, Sacramento), the Pacific Surfliner (San Diego, LA, San Luis Obispo),
the Amtrak Cascades (Vancouver BC, Seattle, Portland, Eugene), the San Joaquin
(Oakland, Sacramento, Bakersfield), the Missouri River Runner (Kansas City, St.
Louis), the Heartland Flyer (Oklahoma City, Fort Worth), the Keystone (New
York, Philadelphia, Harrisburg), the Empire Service (Buffalo, Albany, NYC), the
Ethan Allen Express (Rutland, Albany, NYC), the Vermonter (Essex
Junction/Burlington, Springfield, NYC), the Downeaster (Boston, Portland,
Brunswick) and the lines connecting Chicago with Milwaukee, St. Louis,
Carbondale, Quincy, Grand Rapids, Port Huron, Indianapolis, and Detroit. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 3.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fly
on airlines that use biofuel.</b> Granted, this is a short list at the moment,
encompassing just United Airlines between SF and LA, and only 30% biofuel at
that. There are rumors that Southwest Airlines will start using biofuel as well.
These biofuels aren’t the scam ethanol is and will likely be more expensive
than oil-based jet fuel. Let airlines know you will actively seek out flights
powered by biofuel.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEAsqd2v3iKaVvqzVC9ghIPPNzsW2bl7PhOl8mB5-0lJ-JW7qQvGdvc8xafhaKewaHYs1QFojjuIY9AQPtqGlCN48cF9X-uqw1mDMge0n3J1eGFJ7Q8v_dx0GyOfG1A_bibV_VZqo-mc/s1600/chandler_oleary_california_missions_map.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEAsqd2v3iKaVvqzVC9ghIPPNzsW2bl7PhOl8mB5-0lJ-JW7qQvGdvc8xafhaKewaHYs1QFojjuIY9AQPtqGlCN48cF9X-uqw1mDMge0n3J1eGFJ7Q8v_dx0GyOfG1A_bibV_VZqo-mc/s320/chandler_oleary_california_missions_map.jpeg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Walk it! </b>(<i>drawntheroadagain.com<b>)</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Consider
oil use in vacation destinations. </b>Is there a way to go somewhere fun via
train or a long-distance bike ride? Can you have as much fun closer to home?
Have you seen all the great things in your own state or those states nearby?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>How about a staycation in a fancy
hotel in your nearest city? I met a man this fall who was walking the 21 missions
in California, roughly following the old Spanish El Camino Real. He’d started
in San Diego and had three left to go when I met him with his backpack and
walking stick as I sat on <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/06/building-community-one-bench-at-time.html" target="_blank">the bench in front of my house</a>. All sorts of non-oily
adventures are possible! </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 5.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Combine
destinations. </b>If you can link two trips to nearby destinations, that will
reduce some air miles.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 6.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drive
instead of fly, but with a full car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The
more passengers in your car, the less oil attributed to you personally. If your
car has empty seats, consider long distance rideshare such as <a href="https://www.ridester.com/" target="_blank">Ridester</a> or
<a href="http://www.rideboard.com/" target="_blank">Rideboard</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 7.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Long
distance buses. </b>Not my favorite, but they’re often good value. I don’t know
if <a href="http://www.sleepbus.co/" target="_blank">SleepBus</a> is going to catch on, but maybe.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 8.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Electric
ferries. </b>Not too many in the US, but <a href="https://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/home/pictures-of-the-future/mobility-and-motors/electromobility-electric-ferries.html" target="_blank">Norway has them</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 9.)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hybrid
ferries. </b>Take them to <a href="http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/website/hybrid.aspx" target="_blank">Alcatraz</a> and maybe other places soon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now I know you’re not going to shed your junk miles, move to a
ten-minute neighborhood or replace all your flights with trains tomorrow. It
may, in fact, take you years to squeeze the oil out of your travel. I suggest
for 2017 that you adopt the task as a kind of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hobby, (after all, we don’t mind spending time
and money on our hobbies) and get creative, flexible and even
adventurous about the options available. You may be surprised by the life benefits
that cheap oil has been hiding from you.<br />
<br />
Continue on to <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/02/wringing-oil-from-your-beverages-food.html" target="_blank">Part 3, Wringing Oil from Your Food, Stuff, Heat and Everything Else</a> !</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Note: if you’re under 70 and can’t comfortably walk at least
a mile without getting tired, you have a health emergency that you should treat
with the same urgency as you would an asthma attack or a foot with gangrene.
Assuming your doctor hasn't forbidden you all physical activity, here’s your sixty-day program to walk with ease. Walk for five minutes today
and five minutes tomorrow, no matter how slowly. Get outside if at all
possible. Steps to and from your car or around the house don’t count! Increase
to ten minutes for days three through seven. Walk fifteen minutes days eight
through fourteen, and then twenty minutes every day for the following two
weeks. Month two, move on to thirty minutes a day without fail. By the end of
that month, <a href="http://www.boomercafe.com/2013/09/13/health-benefits-walking-especially-people-age-50/" target="_blank">your health will be so much better</a>, you’ll be amazed. Start today.
I’m serious.</div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-11923788702047869972016-12-14T22:57:00.001-08:002017-03-23T10:19:17.222-07:00Make Your Life Less Oily in 2017: Part I, Taking Stock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJRQapqP9MPbG2l9o_0wO1UP-2T1dt0bfvF_GA26SgG1KZLNx4sMrT5PLFUbnwgj69qp8W3pBFucMKsF3-ZNOCJfsl7eB0udzMo1vdRm6-rX4RWM4NPvPzA_0Sh3shfBy-snQADQaEFk/s1600/oil+water.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJRQapqP9MPbG2l9o_0wO1UP-2T1dt0bfvF_GA26SgG1KZLNx4sMrT5PLFUbnwgj69qp8W3pBFucMKsF3-ZNOCJfsl7eB0udzMo1vdRm6-rX4RWM4NPvPzA_0Sh3shfBy-snQADQaEFk/s1600/oil+water.png" /></a></div>
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The United States is the oiliest country on the planet. We
Americans consume more oil by far than any other country. Next is China, but
even with 1.4 billion people they’re a distant second. Americans, in fact,
consume 20% of the world’s oil each year, over 19 million barrels a day. Last
year US oil consumption worked out to 923 gallons per man, woman and child. Oil
is a worldwide commodity. Because its consumption is so enormous, US demand drives both the
price of oil and the profits it produces. And for all the talk of the US being
energy independent, the US also imports the most oil of any country in the
world. (China, again, is a distant second.) Americans are literally and
figuratively in the driver’s seat of world oil consumption. (Canadians actually use more oil per person, but because
their population is so much smaller, they have much less of an impact.)<br />
<br /></div>
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</style>Now if funneling profits and power to multinational oil corporations
and Saudi Arabia doesn’t bother you, read no further. If you’re fine with indirectly
funding terrorism, or if having a future Secretary of State who is the head of
ExxonMobil doesn’t freak you out a bit, this article is not for you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But if you stand with Standing
Rock, read on. If the stonings and beheadings in Saudi Arabia trouble you, if you’re not
fond of crude oil spills every other day in the US, if you’re not a fan of
tar sands and fracking, or if you understand that the only way to prevent
climate catastrophe is to leave much of what’s left of fossil fuels in the
ground for at least the next couple centuries, then you might find this two-part article
useful.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtYYCURyFuRVlJo8WrqOAKiJfuSk0mXQIP5GKeHSUUWEWcJuDKvnSfVVRmEpcsiWHHln5j12XUsaVUir77NMbeSQWGvxdM3BbmqJUwyN2Jgd3whNisyqh9Y0YIUFy_75xFZ8D69ouyS4/s1600/old-mobil-oil-ad.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtYYCURyFuRVlJo8WrqOAKiJfuSk0mXQIP5GKeHSUUWEWcJuDKvnSfVVRmEpcsiWHHln5j12XUsaVUir77NMbeSQWGvxdM3BbmqJUwyN2Jgd3whNisyqh9Y0YIUFy_75xFZ8D69ouyS4/s200/old-mobil-oil-ad.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinguid living</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let's face it, America, our lives are saturated in oil, and
reducing that pinguidity (there’s a word for you!) is not an easy task. We’ve
got oily transport, oily heating, oily beverages, oily food, we drive on oily
roads, and our homes are full of oily stuff. How do we get some or all of that
oil out of our lives?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Most of our consumption of oil is so deeply embedded in
our way of life that we're unconscious of it or believe there's no alternative. The antidote is to first make that
consumption conscious and then get creative with alternatives, tailoring them to our specific situations. Here’s the good news: most of the steps you can take to
purge oil from your life will make you healthier, happier, and your household more
resilient! If you have kids, many of the steps will make them healthier,
happier and perform better in school! Many of the steps will also make your
community healthier, more prosperous, and more resilient. And if your
prosperity is linked to your community’s prosperity, it will make you more
prosperous as well.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">So let's bring the unconscious to the light of day. Just h</span>ow oily is your life?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPi6glQFkqSTXO4PasUffC1G50ABmi6XVKH0FUyPeW0OgGMDg4gE_ivZprVkuK5c6LoqzYYuL0J4YIeGle0qQf_wbge2CokuKT4vllb3xnsMszS-UAvIeZ2EU8r1HXwkpCyYbmlnSGYE/s1600/Petroleum+Transportation_Graph.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPi6glQFkqSTXO4PasUffC1G50ABmi6XVKH0FUyPeW0OgGMDg4gE_ivZprVkuK5c6LoqzYYuL0J4YIeGle0qQf_wbge2CokuKT4vllb3xnsMszS-UAvIeZ2EU8r1HXwkpCyYbmlnSGYE/s400/Petroleum+Transportation_Graph.png" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How we move ourselves around this planet matters. A lot. And our driving is the big kahuna. Two-thirds of American oil consumption is from transportation; close to two-thirds of that we do in cars. We can freak out about freight and air travel, but it's the daily moving about in private cars powered by internal combustion engines that is the single biggest oil slurper in our lives. To examine your oil consumption, including <a href="http://www.builditsolar.com/References/EfficiencyTransport/strickland.htm" target="_blank">how oily your travel is</a>, I've created this nifty calculator to help put a number to it. You fill in the orange boxes (replacing values if applicable), and the green boxes will calculate your oil gallons consumed. In some of the orange boxes I've put average American values. You can decide how appropriate they are for you. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the frame to see your total. Remember, we're not looking at all energy consumed, nor are we looking at our carbon footprint. Our laser-like focus here is concentrated solely on oil and its products.</span>
</div>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="900" scrolling="no" src="https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=2849442DD3E2CB6B&resid=2849442DD3E2CB6B%21106&authkey=AJXthu6AimuB12o&em=2&wdAllowInteractivity=False&AllowTyping=True&Item='Sheet1'!A1%3AG68&wdHideGridlines=True&wdDownloadButton=True" width="498"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few words about oily home heat. Only 8% of US households use heating oil. If yours is one of them, you probably have records of how much you use, but, for example, the average Massachusetts heating oil home uses 987 gallons per year. Only 5% of homes use propane, and only 31% of all propane comes from oil refineries. (The rest is from natural gas.) Put in total propane you use and the calculator will take 31% of it. An average Massachusetts propane-heat house uses 886 gallons a year. </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkMuv2uQD30lhqPqlEYzSyKvl88jsV0CgFEROD185nIH5OGjn3vsxny6lbhhtB8L6john8voJvyI87YpPKfd8LPD7ISm6YxH4XJtihKXMcjm86qxGoV21JV3fykoX-yF2kuUOvvyAAw4/s1600/fiji+water.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkMuv2uQD30lhqPqlEYzSyKvl88jsV0CgFEROD185nIH5OGjn3vsxny6lbhhtB8L6john8voJvyI87YpPKfd8LPD7ISm6YxH4XJtihKXMcjm86qxGoV21JV3fykoX-yF2kuUOvvyAAw4/s200/fiji+water.png" width="71" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why? Why? Why?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For oily beverages, how many <a href="http://www.petresin.org/news_PETbythenumbers.asp" target="_blank">PET</a> <a href="https://www.banthebottle.net/bottled-water-facts/" target="_blank">plastic bottles</a> of water or soda do you consume a week, on average? Your fellow citizens consume 4.5, using up 9.1 gallons of oil a year.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://fooddemocracy.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/plastic-bags-and-oil-consumption/" target="_blank">Plastic bags</a>. The average American throws away 10 a week. That's another 2.2 gallons of oil per year. If you throw away more or less, adjust accordingly.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHgs2nDB1BPKiwRP6IxHKKjd0XO4z2-phOnlzGh6H9t2ZWizPCeaqzUprWsyA7E-CwYLWND61SO5BWbG3oy22L34iMV2v8acSwAxnFZCJ7naZo-HPduZYkCWP-IPmiBlKDT2QdKijwHI/s1600/bhutan+food.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHgs2nDB1BPKiwRP6IxHKKjd0XO4z2-phOnlzGh6H9t2ZWizPCeaqzUprWsyA7E-CwYLWND61SO5BWbG3oy22L34iMV2v8acSwAxnFZCJ7naZo-HPduZYkCWP-IPmiBlKDT2QdKijwHI/s320/bhutan+food.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non-oily 1 week of food in Bhutan (photo: Peter Menzel, Hungry Planet)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How about food oiliness? The average American consumes one ton of food a year. No, I'm not kidding. Each pound travels an average of <a href="https://www.ecoliteracy.org/article/fossil-food-consuming-our-future" target="_blank">1500 miles</a> to get to you. No, I'm not kidding. The oil it takes to truck this ton of food to a store near you comes out to 44 gallons a year. You eat local, you say? If you got 100% of your food from an average distance of 150 miles, that would come to 4.4 gallons of oil a year. Remember, this in no way includes all the fossil fuels embedded in your food since natural gas is the number one energy source used by fertilizer and grain drying, and food processing and refrigeration largely use electricity.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFTHgLP4A0I0zzOIs6lC1b5lkTwHT4lJrGOWJKY5IWE44ahroXYJwn8_kAF5Wy-_4yrKlVugvJVM3Fem9MG4eN2OutWgDdp1FlmjrOs9F4sd_Oi9LsqmNuWoBWZruWBsRbPr64nV7OSU/s1600/stuff.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFTHgLP4A0I0zzOIs6lC1b5lkTwHT4lJrGOWJKY5IWE44ahroXYJwn8_kAF5Wy-_4yrKlVugvJVM3Fem9MG4eN2OutWgDdp1FlmjrOs9F4sd_Oi9LsqmNuWoBWZruWBsRbPr64nV7OSU/s200/stuff.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuff and more stuff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How about all the rest of the bejeebus amount of stuff we buy in a year? It weighs roughly another ton per person. No way, you say! Remember, this ton includes 125 lbs for your half of one car (3500 lbs divided by 14 years of car life), and your share of household appliances divided by their useful life. What's worse is that to make this 2000 lbs of stuff for you, industry in the US and other parts of the world moves, mines, extracts, shovels, burns, waste, pumps and disposes of <a href="http://students.arch.utah.edu/courses/Arch4011/Recycling%20Facts1.pdf" target="_blank">one million pounds of material</a>. All this material manipulation and far-flung worldwide supply chain of raw materials, feedstocks, and components uses a lot of oil. (Also a lot of natural gas and a fair amount of electricity. But let's just consider oil.) A low estimate is <a href="https://www1.eere.energy.gov/manufacturing/resources/mining/pdfs/mining_bandwidth.pdf" target="_blank">1/2 gallon per ton</a>. That makes 250 gallons of oil embedded in your yearly non-food stuff consumption. This number includes all the rest of the plastic and any polyester or nylon you consume in a year and the ridiculous amount of packaging that your stuff comes in, but it doesn't include shipping the final product to you. Let's figure half the stuff is made in the US and comes by truck; the other half is made in Asia and comes by ship, then rail, and then truck. (You can change these percentages.) If you think you consume more or less stuff than the average American, adjust accordingly.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm getting tired, and no doubt you are too, of slogging through all this oil, but we'll go just a bit further. Your on-line shopping deliveries. Now the United States Postal Service comes to your house and puts junkmail in your box whether you get anything else or not, so your share of USPS oil (average 500 stops a day, 18 miles, 9 mpg) is a flat 1.25 gallons per year if you live in suburbia regardless of how many packages you get. If you live ex-urban, double that. If you live urban, cut it in half. </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2ulleSu8-Ba3SbkpOmmnd0C8O5XASekimtjYj4CSuAUFElCz4Cp9D8VWysASzm88_rLaQOdWsly55lq1GARMUEmkuiS4SrsEid9G_pKefpoNzZR2un4w-IAOC99p6qnGfkG2TqJ9kCQ/s1600/electric+ups.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2ulleSu8-Ba3SbkpOmmnd0C8O5XASekimtjYj4CSuAUFElCz4Cp9D8VWysASzm88_rLaQOdWsly55lq1GARMUEmkuiS4SrsEid9G_pKefpoNzZR2un4w-IAOC99p6qnGfkG2TqJ9kCQ/s200/electric+ups.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future Electric Delivery?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For Fed-Ex and UPS deliveries, enter the average number of times each one visits you a week, not packages per week. Count all package deliveries you order, including ones you send as gifts, but not ones you receive as gifts. If a large percentage of deliveries are for your household in general, only attribute to yourself your share.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwyPYvAoE0Q5EYMH2SB6NvnuPgFqTYk1QMNf_m3p7oFJl-wMzGSpEqPa23khhIMofQC69GRCoPsU78KteBv-TXbYQM9rcS8D6zUgS67td_4NkUzNw6PD66AJUp_U53sZIBpsWtcgtE20/s1600/crude-oil-bath.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwyPYvAoE0Q5EYMH2SB6NvnuPgFqTYk1QMNf_m3p7oFJl-wMzGSpEqPa23khhIMofQC69GRCoPsU78KteBv-TXbYQM9rcS8D6zUgS67td_4NkUzNw6PD66AJUp_U53sZIBpsWtcgtE20/s200/crude-oil-bath.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spa treatment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And now you have a final total. Admittedly, this calculator isn't perfect, but I think you'll find it's not bad. It doesn't include asphalt for roads or oil consumed on your behalf by various government entities (roughly another 30 gallons covers both, depending on how many wars we are actively involved in) and numerous other small items like asphalt roofs, detergents, antifreeze and antihistamines, but it does include most of what you're likely to personally impact. Your yearly oil consumption may not fill a swimming pool, but it would probably overflow ten to twelve bathtubs or even a good-sized jacuzzi. So would the oil consumption of everyone else in your household, every one of your neighbors, every one of your friends. For comparison, your average Brit consumes 372 gallons of oil per year, your average Chinese 134 gallons, and your average Bangladeshi 10 gallons.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As you can see, oil seeps through the fabric of our existence even if we never actually see it, its viscous liquor oozing through our daily lives whether we like it or not. So what do we do with all this oil? How do we squeeze the oiliness out of our lives?</div>
<br />
First step: check out part 2, <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2017/01/squeezing-oil-out-of-your-travel-make.html" target="_blank">Squeezing Oil Out of Your Travel</a>.<br />
<br />
Note: Gallons. I know, I know, when discussing anything to do with energy, joules or even BTU's would be better, but most people have little intrinsic understanding of either, while nearly everyone knows what a gallon is. Plus the lion's share of transportation data uses gallons. So I went with it.<br />
<br />
<br />Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-79422528296001577132016-10-31T15:01:00.000-07:002016-10-31T20:40:11.787-07:00The Population Problem: Not as Bad as You Might Think<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOun4lQzNygYj0QMgznHtRqnPUOMuI-z-xRoLi6zqMUlMVhSUk5LPs5paccLR5X4H3F3E0ChcHF6X-vKHc3LMeCxkwegHHrwkHICzc8sttdtQnfDdKc-Re3kHbi0qJbhXc2I0cs80GF8/s1600/Earth_society_economy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOun4lQzNygYj0QMgznHtRqnPUOMuI-z-xRoLi6zqMUlMVhSUk5LPs5paccLR5X4H3F3E0ChcHF6X-vKHc3LMeCxkwegHHrwkHICzc8sttdtQnfDdKc-Re3kHbi0qJbhXc2I0cs80GF8/s200/Earth_society_economy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Essentials</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First the good news: great progress has already been made!
It turns out women around the world are on board with zero population growth!
It turns out zero population growth is not all that difficult or expensive to
achieve! The bad news: the people with wealth and power in the world are
largely uninterested in funding it.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Ok, let’s back up. The rapid expansion of human population
past the finite limits of what our planet can support is a messy business if
there ever was one, full of politics, religion, and basic human needs and
desires. People worried about the fate of the planet like to despair about
population growth to the point of paralysis. Why lift a finger to avert the
climate and energy-depletion disaster ahead of us when overpopulation will do
us in however much we insulate our homes, change out our light bulbs, ride our
bikes, etc.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But the situation is not nearly so hopeless. Of the 224
countries in the world, the population growth rate is negative in 34 of them,
including Cuba, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,
Romania, Russia, and the Ukraine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
countries are not small potatoes. Russia and Japan are the ninth and tenth
biggest countries in the world. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Note:
population figures and most other data in this blogpost are from the <a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/" target="_blank">CIA World Factbook</a>, much of it recently updated for 2016.)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Let’s examine the essential drivers of world population
growth: births per woman, mother’s mean age at first birth, and mean life
expectancy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Births per woman</b>.
Here’s the good news. This number has been dropping worldwide, falling from 5
in 1960 to 2.42 in 2016. In developed countries, the replacement fertility rate
is generally considered to be 2.1 births per woman. (This accounts for those
children who, through disease or accidents, do not reach reproductive age.) In very
poor countries, the replacement fertility rate can be much higher. More good news: in a study of 40 countries, fertility rates between 1.5 and 2.0 are shown to generally bring economic benefits that lead to <a href="http://www.eastwestcenter.org/news-center/east-west-wire/global-study-low-birth-rates-can-bring-surprising-economic-benefits" target="_blank">a higher standard of living</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eSzDHw3NXwrWjOH25bhVC3Hmz-KO3uMPOz0rqLaZI6NwdJnxATqfQYfymwqajUWlyv5ZTrYQ6ehuo_K39ADK8ai99qneFc_qo-v0DahG1Fyx578OHgd2TU8EIX-wte_dZSRXGmoECEU/s1600/Countriesbyfertilityrate.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eSzDHw3NXwrWjOH25bhVC3Hmz-KO3uMPOz0rqLaZI6NwdJnxATqfQYfymwqajUWlyv5ZTrYQ6ehuo_K39ADK8ai99qneFc_qo-v0DahG1Fyx578OHgd2TU8EIX-wte_dZSRXGmoECEU/s320/Countriesbyfertilityrate.svg.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Births per woman by country (green good; blue better!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Births per woman in the US is now at 1.87, well below the replacement
rate. But this number is actually high for a developed country. Out of the 224
countries in the world, 82 have lower fertility rates than the US, including
developing countries such as Vietnam, Iran, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, China,
Thailand, and Cuba. Across the entire world, 136 countries are below 2.1
replacement rate fertility. That leaves just 88 countries to worry about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I find the 80/20 rule useful in dividing big problems into
smaller ones. In this case, 80% of the world’s population resides in the 34 most
populous countries. Of these 34, eighteen countries already have fertility
rates below the replacement rate of 2.1 (Brazil, China, Columbia, France,
Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Poland, South Korea, Russia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey,
Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.) No need to worry about these countries. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB0dMl1ZvvjNMWsNXW2vIEvY2pJy6UV-ek9riCgs87IoNJ9r_kiySJbmkozMDWwxBSXcCOfMGNFSgsqib6KF9SwAHPD9E0BwmqQAiY6Gov52hB_dLnDb0MGaGw0Ow6TXnDdDZykLLbfY/s1600/sw-rizvi-condoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB0dMl1ZvvjNMWsNXW2vIEvY2pJy6UV-ek9riCgs87IoNJ9r_kiySJbmkozMDWwxBSXcCOfMGNFSgsqib6KF9SwAHPD9E0BwmqQAiY6Gov52hB_dLnDb0MGaGw0Ow6TXnDdDZykLLbfY/s200/sw-rizvi-condoms.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bangladeshi feat <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo: Mark Edwards)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Of the sixteen that remain, six countries have made great
strides and are very close to the replacement fertility rate (and may already
be below their own replacement fertility rate): Argentina (2.28), Bangladesh
(2.19) Indonesia (2.13), Mexico (2.25), Myanmar (2.15), and South Africa (2.31).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Birth control use is widespread in these
countries, from 46% (Myanmar) to 72% (Mexico). These countries are likely to
trend below 2.1 by 2020 or sooner. A special shout out to Bangladesh where a large percentage of the
country lives on less than $2 a day. Their achievement in reducing their
fertility rate has been so remarkable that they should probably be the ones now
training everyone else how to do it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That leaves ten countries to worry about. Of these, six have cut their fertility rate by at least half over
the past 50 years: Algeria (2.74), Kenya (3.14) India (2.45), Pakistan (2.68),
Egypt (3.53) and the Philippines (3.06). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These countries could still use encouragement
and financial support but they are not where the biggest part of the problem
lies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That leaves just four countries that need heavy-duty work on
the fertility rate front: Tanzania (4.83 births per woman), Nigeria (5.13), Ethiopia
(5.07), Congo DR (4.53). It’s not that these countries have made no improvements;
they used to range from 6 to 7 births per woman. It’s just that they still have
a long way to go. But worrying about four countries is much, much easier than
worrying about 224. These four nations comprise 422 million people. Even within
these countries there are bright spots. For example, in Addis Ababa, the
capitol of Ethiopia, the fertility rate is already below population replacement
levels.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6aKibaUJpuRjfCPmmDyX6qHlvPtpQ1i01IvM033JfXirAJ-0hsYtgrRhsc-tTtFh1wHImfZ5XCeTYWssAsX2z22q8q0hC2bt2jfsnfu37Vei-rvYnID5NOy_R6QAeIU4unLodXgUobM/s1600/Birth_control_clinic_in_caravan%252C_with_nurse._Wellcome_L0013861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6aKibaUJpuRjfCPmmDyX6qHlvPtpQ1i01IvM033JfXirAJ-0hsYtgrRhsc-tTtFh1wHImfZ5XCeTYWssAsX2z22q8q0hC2bt2jfsnfu37Vei-rvYnID5NOy_R6QAeIU4unLodXgUobM/s200/Birth_control_clinic_in_caravan%252C_with_nurse._Wellcome_L0013861.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Birth Control Clinic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The task of reining in the fertility rate in these four countries seems daunting. Indeed, for decades many have insisted there was nothing to be
done about over population because women would always have as many babies as
they could. It turns out, however, that <i>when given education and access to voluntary
contraception</i>, women all over the world--of all races, of all religions, on all
continents--choose to have small families. Indeed, some
women choose to have no children at all. This is how birthrates have fallen all over the world, even in Islamic countries like Turkey, Iran, and Bangladesh, even in Catholic countries like Poland, Mexico and Brazil. Perhaps this shouldn’t be a surprise
since pregnancy and childbirth are no cakewalk; in fact, in some parts of the
world both are quite dangerous. And women have long known that it’s easier to
successfully raise children to adulthood the fewer one has to tend. In any
event, the fact that, when given a choice, women prefer small families is
great, great, stupendous news. If women didn’t have a natural predilection for
small families, if we had to fight against women’s innate desires to avoid calamity, the
world would indeed be in trouble. The true problem we face is that in developing countries <a href="http://www.portal.pmnch.org/mediacentre/factsheets/fs351/en/" target="_blank">225 million women want to delay or stop childbearing</a> but are uninformed about effective contraception or lack access to it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, so we’re clear: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Education + Contraception + Women’s Innate Preference for
Small Families = Low Fertility Rate.</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
What about men, you might ask? Don’t they matter to
population growth rates? If men stopped having sex with women altogether, they
might, but this appears to be against the innate preference of most of them. When men
use birth control or are sterilized they matter to population control, but male
sterilization is a hard sell worldwide, and male condoms, while cheap and
better than nothing, have a high failure rate. Where men really count is
insofar as they prevent women from getting educated or keep them from access to
reliable forms birth control. This is not to say boys and men shouldn’t be
educated. This is not to say it wouldn’t be helpful if men wanted small
families, too. This is not to say it wouldn’t be great if we could come up with
some kind of long-acting reversible form of birth control for men. But right
now, it’s women and girls who impact fertility rates and population growth in a
big way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now you might think this can’t be, that low fertility rates
are an outcome of wealth not education. Women in poor countries have lots of
children; women in rich countries don’t. But this ain’t necessarily so, as we can see when we plot the data from our 34 most populous countries:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC_kSo0T0hnDyLbkhqe1_NrX2I18mOpTFsfNpKJWUlDwO4Z9-m6SFqBvDo8SCjWxZ6uz8GLwPlfIdKycQjYgI352I_xfWfvrVH0CA1AmWgcsNorCqFSokYlYpBGGlV-XUfw4TeXVp7x0/s1600/fertilty+vs+gdp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC_kSo0T0hnDyLbkhqe1_NrX2I18mOpTFsfNpKJWUlDwO4Z9-m6SFqBvDo8SCjWxZ6uz8GLwPlfIdKycQjYgI352I_xfWfvrVH0CA1AmWgcsNorCqFSokYlYpBGGlV-XUfw4TeXVp7x0/s320/fertilty+vs+gdp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Births/Woman vs GDP/Capita</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
High GDP/capita countries have low fertility rates, but so do lots of low GDP/capita countries. What <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> predictive
of fertility is women’s education, especially literacy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzIRd-Z51uCDzih0Fvnw7te_3cihFpQ8HhHGdFJ963zOAVLt-ClVOKm_uL-FOfkHONfapw9vFqnyOG26JBh4c7kpkwyp67Q6DiLFpoHn-19aKhdkpfHHFo-9Cq4amISm06gDCBKAQYoM/s1600/fertility+vs+literacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzIRd-Z51uCDzih0Fvnw7te_3cihFpQ8HhHGdFJ963zOAVLt-ClVOKm_uL-FOfkHONfapw9vFqnyOG26JBh4c7kpkwyp67Q6DiLFpoHn-19aKhdkpfHHFo-9Cq4amISm06gDCBKAQYoM/s320/fertility+vs+literacy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Births/Woman vs. Female Literacy Rate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Educate girls and young women, births per woman go down.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO3Dn5CVTLdB-q54gRzQCt7iXLK2YxE8S_3TOHdaaghUZsjVVz83302jlHviYfvSMQ2rm_7pzGLqShS0uPrQjbGQpsryWX1s7LF_anjvBFqXWd8vrWfzh1wngS4kQ1Q2czdsF8R-niHU/s1600/literacy_fertility.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO3Dn5CVTLdB-q54gRzQCt7iXLK2YxE8S_3TOHdaaghUZsjVVz83302jlHviYfvSMQ2rm_7pzGLqShS0uPrQjbGQpsryWX1s7LF_anjvBFqXWd8vrWfzh1wngS4kQ1Q2czdsF8R-niHU/s320/literacy_fertility.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice a pattern? (UN data 2000)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mean Age at First
Birth.</b> Why is this important? Imagine a cohort of ten women. If each them
has a daughter at age 20 and a son at age 22, and if all their daughters do
exactly the same, at the end of 102 years, 120 new human beings would result,
with the last set of sons born in year 102. Now let’s imagine this same cohort,
but change the women’s age at their children’s births to 25 and 27. At the end
of 102 years, 100 new human beings would result, with the last set of sons born
in year 102. A twenty percent difference! So you can see, spacing out the
generations results in a substantial reduction in population growth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For our 34 highest population countries, the mean age at
first birth ranges from 18 to 30.3. What promotes a higher mean age at first
birth? Well the number of years girls spend in school seems to correlate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLC5l966SXvyF0ueU_z6BCTzVQ9Yow3j7CHugA9vSadyBjJDlhveijP3lp-GMbhVDppAqw3_IaNMq1U5iuSBFbBdXFeoqq4Cx1oEgkvcqBm2Hr8BTcCRgWH8GCciKvx3vVjvubjsuY0s/s1600/Yrs+school+vs+first+birth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLC5l966SXvyF0ueU_z6BCTzVQ9Yow3j7CHugA9vSadyBjJDlhveijP3lp-GMbhVDppAqw3_IaNMq1U5iuSBFbBdXFeoqq4Cx1oEgkvcqBm2Hr8BTcCRgWH8GCciKvx3vVjvubjsuY0s/s320/Yrs+school+vs+first+birth.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Years at School vs. Mean Age at First Birth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If we want to raise mean age at first birth, it’s also a
good idea to reduce the teen birth rate. This usually involves a combination of
keeping girls in school and giving teens access to contraception. In developing
countries, the average cost to educate a child for a year of lower secondary
school with reasonable class size is $339. The average cost to educate a child
for a year of upper secondary school with reasonable class size is $738. (It
turns out children all over the world learn little when there are fifty kids
per teacher.) Thirteen years of education for a child is roughly $5420, which
comes out to $417/year. The cost to provide a woman with contraception in a
developing country runs roughly $18/year. So let’s say 13 years of education
and 15 years of contraception. Total lifetime cost: $5690. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUmEoXfbtZnC1cX6ZSi-K75xIBb479EXv-KwqRt-FUytr-0xMZhd-CONJuHHJLicA3EkaPiqltYNmldQnNV0krqfFyOMp9QuspcXp0QbICwbZr9qVX28rW8GbEbNRliQqHKpJYHHFbhY/s1600/AAP-weighs-best-teen-contraceptive.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUmEoXfbtZnC1cX6ZSi-K75xIBb479EXv-KwqRt-FUytr-0xMZhd-CONJuHHJLicA3EkaPiqltYNmldQnNV0krqfFyOMp9QuspcXp0QbICwbZr9qVX28rW8GbEbNRliQqHKpJYHHFbhY/s200/AAP-weighs-best-teen-contraceptive.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Technology that matters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Out of the 422 million people in these four nations most in
need, roughly half are women, or 211 million. All these countries skew young
with a median age of 18 – 19. This puts the number of girls in these five
countries between the ages of 5 and 18 around 76 million. Right now roughly
half of these girls don’t go to school at all. The cost to educate all 76
million of these girls for one year would be $31 billion. The cost to provide
one year of contraception for 80% of the 90 million women between the ages of 15
and 30 in these five countries is $1.3 billion. So $32.3 billion a year for the
next ten years is what is needed to get the world’s population growth problem
under control. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
$32.3 billion a year. This may seem like a lot, but it’s really
not. It’s just .04% of the world’s annual GDP. No, the decimal point is not
wrong. The cost to make significant headway on over population is just 4/100ths
of a percent of the world’s annual income. Heck, it’s less than 2/10ths of a
percent of US GDP. The US plans to spend $26.2 billion in foreign humanitarian
and military aid in 2017, but 29% will go to just five countries: Israel ($3.1
B), Egypt ($1.46 B), Afghanistan ($1.25 B), Jordan ($1 B), and Pakistan ($.74
B). The African four that need the most help will receive only $2 billion in total,
less than Israel will receive alone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-IoXm91lcAr0AHW3vjzZEHmabMs-wmrbLVrC92rZY2aJWpolCkybh1DYWQEHJEaNKq4SJBRoAGGurTXc05JqzIJVHq9rUon1b2-7fyOPdnJsBvoStVKtheTv67SdbkqB_hdBWPEkoIA/s1600/girl+in+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-IoXm91lcAr0AHW3vjzZEHmabMs-wmrbLVrC92rZY2aJWpolCkybh1DYWQEHJEaNKq4SJBRoAGGurTXc05JqzIJVHq9rUon1b2-7fyOPdnJsBvoStVKtheTv67SdbkqB_hdBWPEkoIA/s320/girl+in+school.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent investment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In 2015, the US spent $598.5 billion on its military. If we
took roughly 6% of that and applied it to girls’ education and women’s
contraception in these four desperately poor African countries annually, we
would turn around the gnarliest part of the world’s population problem in short
order.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Let’s look at it another way. If the 967 million citizens of
twenty very rich countries (New Zealand, Norway, Australia, Switzerland, US,
Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Belgium,
France, UK, Finland, Japan, South Korea, Italy and Spain) kicked in just $34
per citizen a year, cataclysmic disaster for all of humanity could be averted. That’s
nine lattes at Starbucks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Education + contraception. It’s not brain surgery; it’s not pie-in-the-sky geo-engineering. It’s cheap, it’s low tech,
it works.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now let’s examine <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">mean
life expectancy</b>. This is the factor that has been masking both the drop in
fertility rates and the rise in mean age at first birth in countries all over
the world. As people live longer they increase the population. For example,
imagine an island where one person is magically born each year. If each person
lives seventy years, at year 70 this population would reach steady state, where
one person would be born for every person that dies. If each lives for 75
years, then the steady state population would be reached at year 75 with 75
people. So as the median lifespan inches up, it causes population growth. But
the growth is not geometric like fertility rate growth is, and it won’t
continue forever. As countries progress, lifespans increase rapidly, but then
they reach a plateau, after which increases happen slowly, if at all. In
addition, countries that reach longer lifespans tend to do so concurrently with
the education of women and higher mean age at first birth. This means,
remarkably, that the countries on the planet with the longest of lifespans also
have well below replacement fertility birthrates. Eventually the deaths in that
country will exceed births, and population will decline. Which is what we see
happening in Japan and Germany today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD3GID-3IQO9l9YIMW0_1P_iaQeHtt6K-m6_kznwADjDtnvdwD1gfo3h4818aYi8UoBI6-j0G9b07Gkx1yuVQFu1j-OxrGTU5ZHCvW1IqlRGhTzhp-mY6L5ZesALEf_ap_4D0K_j-scs/s1600/120px-The_Blue_Marble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD3GID-3IQO9l9YIMW0_1P_iaQeHtt6K-m6_kznwADjDtnvdwD1gfo3h4818aYi8UoBI6-j0G9b07Gkx1yuVQFu1j-OxrGTU5ZHCvW1IqlRGhTzhp-mY6L5ZesALEf_ap_4D0K_j-scs/s1600/120px-The_Blue_Marble.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
What is the carrying capacity of Earth? I’ve seen lots of numbers,
but let’s imagine a relatively pleasant planet with adequate room for other
species to exist (beyond zoos), where every single person alive enjoys the advanced
standard of living of, say, the average Swiss citizen today. The ecological
footprint of the average Swiss is 5.8 hectares. The biocapacity of the planet
to support human life is equal to roughly <a href="http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/footprint_basics_overview/" target="_blank">12 billion hectares</a>. (This includes
all biologically productive land and water that supports significant
photosynthetic activity.) Figure at least a third of that should be set aside
for other species. But also figure humanity will put its collective mind to the
task and outdo even Swiss efficiency and ingenuity to get that footprint down
to 3 hectares per person with still a Swiss standard of living. That would
imply that the planet can support about 2.7 billion human beings sustainably in
a fairly nice fashion. Everyone eats well, everyone gets lovely health care and
education, everyone born can expect to live to the grand old age of 83. And we
all live lightly enough on the planet that it can repair and replenish itself
and provide for humanity indefinitely. Sound good? But how do we drop down to
2.7 billion people without mass suffering and pain?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
You guessed it. Through worldwide education of girls and providing
contraception to women. Increasing the mean age of first birth worldwide to age
25 will balance out the rise in lifespans. At the same time, the reduction in
fertility rate worldwide, to just under the replacement rate, will give us a 1%
per year population decrease. Imagine that for every hundred people who die,
ninety-nine come into the world. The incremental difference would be small, but
it would add up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So say we stop being shortsighted and stupidly cheap. Say we manage to
stabilize world population at 8 billion. And then, through voluntary birth
control and education of girls, we start decreasing population by a mere 1% a
year. Nothing traumatic, nothing humanity couldn’t take in its stride. (Yes,
we’d need a new non-growth based economic system, but we’re going to need that
anyway.) In just twenty years, we’d be down to 6.5 billion. In fifty years we’d
be down to 4.8 billion. And in 108 years, we’d achieve 2.7 billion on a healthy
planet, with plenty of food, clean water and a high standard of living for all.
How we get there is by educating girls and providing contraception to women,
something that we already know how to do and that doesn’t cost much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
What can I do, you might say, besides encourage my
government to immediately start spending money on education and contraception
in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Lots of things.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Put some space between generations. Don’t have
children before the age of 25. Don’t be in a hurry for grandchildren. Encourage
your daughters to stay in school and make sure they have access to the very convenient
forms of <a href="http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Long-Acting-Reversible-Contraception-LARC-IUD-and-Implant" target="_blank">long-acting reversible birth control</a> available these days. Spread the
word that age 25 is plenty early to become a parent.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Support sex education and contraception for
teens. Yes, no one likes teens having sex except the teens themselves, but
preventing teen pregnancy is paramount. Long-acting, reversible contraceptives
are also <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2015/09/contraception_abortion_and_planned_parenthood_debate_long_acting_birth_control.html" target="_blank">the best way to prevent abortions</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Donate money to girls’ education efforts in
Africa via organizations such as<a href="https://camfed.org/" target="_blank"> Camfed</a>, <a href="http://www.shareinafrica.org/get-involved/sponsor-girl" target="_blank">Share in Africa</a>, or <a href="https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/educational-support-for-girls-in-ethiopia/" target="_blank">Enhance Worldwide</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>If you don’t want children, don’t have them!
Don’t let anybody guilt-trip you into them. If you want just one kid, that’s
fine! Only children do very well in life, often better than children with
siblings. If you do decide to become a parent, be a very good one.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Never shame or guilt-trip anyone into having
children. Never imply it’s selfish not to have children; never imply that it’s
sad or tragic. Not everyone is called to be a parent, and that’s a good thing.
And some people who have children would be far better off if they hadn’t.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Don’t boo hoo or forecast doom when a nation has negative
population growth. Celebrate! They are doing the world a favor.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Don’t focus on immigration. We are all on this
planet together. The point is to reduce the number of births wherever they
happen. We shouldn’t be building walls, we should be educating girls and
providing women with contraception. (If you’re an American worried about Mexico, consider
contributing to an organization such as <a href="http://www.mariposasmexico.org/" target="_blank">Mariposas Mexico</a> that supports the education
and development of young women in rural Mexico.)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 8)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Ensure your country offers enough support to the
elderly so that children aren’t essential to old-age survival.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 9)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Support dog parks in your town/city. This may
seem crazy, but it isn’t. Many people have pets instead of children. This
choice should be honored and supported.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 10)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Advocate for making long-acting, reversible contraception
and voluntary sterilization free or nearly free in your country. Support
organizations that offer free or nearly free long-acting, reversible contraception
and voluntary sterilization.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> 11)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Treat the children in your community like the
wonderful, precious beings they are. Help them grow up to be joyous, secure,
principled adults who will create and then prosper in the harmonious, equitable
future they will inhabit. </div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-17702415855174118572016-09-05T15:56:00.000-07:002016-09-05T18:32:07.012-07:00The Renewable Energy Future Is Here--It's Just Unevenly Distributed<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdGL-fiu6ZiYzeuMMlPfUOVNOP1HmzG93Lg5x6i93WhyphenhyphenlkgXnaqq-cfLgX-GhfBITV3we1AMH-BnZS3p2H1pfr3KWPZV12ipuv1vf2boYsse3KM-ivje0R_cHj5i0f5Qsc78QDae2IKc/s1600/Gangbuster+renewables.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdGL-fiu6ZiYzeuMMlPfUOVNOP1HmzG93Lg5x6i93WhyphenhyphenlkgXnaqq-cfLgX-GhfBITV3we1AMH-BnZS3p2H1pfr3KWPZV12ipuv1vf2boYsse3KM-ivje0R_cHj5i0f5Qsc78QDae2IKc/s400/Gangbuster+renewables.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renewable Monsters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Electricity production data is out from the US Energy
Information Agency for the first half of 2016. Nation-wide, renewables (including distributed solar but not hydro) accounted for 10.2% of electricity
sales, up from 8.4% the first half of 2015. The increase in renewables nationally is making headlines,
but it’s even more instructive to drill down to the state level where we find some
states are making phenomenal headway, and others are making none at all.</div>
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I like to look at renewables as a percent of electricity
consumed rather than generated, because if a state generates little of its own
power, it may still be responsible for ginormous carbon emissions that it’s simply
shoved on to someone else. On the flip side, some states are already meeting a
high percentage of their electricity needs via renewables, a fact masked by the
large amounts of electricity they generate for export to other states. In
addition, locally-produced power means lower transmissions losses, reducing the
amount of electricity needed to be generated in the first place.</div>
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So, let’s dive in. First we’ll evaluate non-hydro renewable
electricity production, including distributed solar, as a percent of total
consumption for the first half of 2016. The top states are Iowa (46%), North
Dakota (43%) and Maine (40%). Iowa and North Dakota both burnt coal in order to
export electricity, although the amount dropped by 32% in Iowa and 13% in North
Dakota. The next two states that have really stepped up renewable production as
a percent of electric consumption the first half of this year are Kansas (39%)
and Oklahoma (34%). Both of these states also burnt coal in order to export
electricity, but much less than in 2015—21% percent less for Kansas and 44%
percent less for Oklahoma. Overall the US burnt 20% less coal to produce
electricity the first half of 2016 over the first half of 2015.</div>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVEhyphenhyphenG1A8HW7PtsaPHlJCIr57EZ5Hu2_J13LNDquNOibCqfmh2UGKqbycRnIRt6JSBfrTIv34FbQraofzDW8KasfFatRFgSFplWX8Bgi_gTz5s1JBLj8fdMPGdq6Nw29qcrgMc3uvBZw/s1600/Making+nice+progress.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVEhyphenhyphenG1A8HW7PtsaPHlJCIr57EZ5Hu2_J13LNDquNOibCqfmh2UGKqbycRnIRt6JSBfrTIv34FbQraofzDW8KasfFatRFgSFplWX8Bgi_gTz5s1JBLj8fdMPGdq6Nw29qcrgMc3uvBZw/s400/Making+nice+progress.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The second tier of states in renewable production as a
percent of electricity consumption are: Wyoming (28%), South Dakota (26%), California
(24%), Hawaii (21%), New Mexico (21%), Colorado (21%), Minnesota (20%), New
Mexico (20%) and New Hampshire (20%.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where is Texas, you might ask? Even though Texas has increased its
renewables production by the largest absolute amount (i.e. phenomenally),
because it’s such a populated state, it’s still only meeting 17% of its
electricity consumption via renewables, putting it in the third tier of states,
as outlined in the table below.</div>
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Oregon</div>
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19%</div>
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Vermont</div>
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18%</div>
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Texas</div>
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17%</div>
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Idaho</div>
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16%</div>
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Montana</div>
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16%</div>
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Nebraska</div>
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13%</div>
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Washington</div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 24.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 257.45pt; mso-element-top: -10.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
12%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24.1pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 24.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 257.45pt; mso-element-top: -10.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
Illinois</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 24.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-element-anchor-horizontal: page; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-left: 257.45pt; mso-element-top: -10.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">
10%</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For the US as a whole, renewables (including distributed
solar) made up 10.2% of electricity sales the first half of 2016 compared to
8.4% the first half of 2015.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Though many states have made considerable progress with
renewables, some have not. States that have made a particularly poor showing
(2% or less of their electricity from renewables) are Ohio, Missouri, Delaware,
Kentucky, Tennessee, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Florida. I
will point out that Missouri, Delaware, Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida have
solar insolation levels equivalent to one of the sunniest countries on earth,
Spain. Ohio and Missouri have decent wind in the western halves of their
states, while New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island have access to
substantial wind offshore. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Due to better rainfall, 2016 has been a good year for hydro.
While hydro has its own environmental problems, it provides a nice adjustable
baseload that can offset the intermittency of renewables, as well as potential
for large-scale energy storage via pumped hydro, although this comes with a 20%
efficiency loss. If we add hydro to renewables, we get a bit different picture.
Our stellar states then become:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqdi8d_1k7VmMUnDkLCsLRHp3jaX7EPTNiyp5Usm6kHyKjy6XxpR6kzkdfnGglClwaPrpJtTUu8DwSfLOLGHeriKCo6g6X1_I6xzTagNoKkKmqInAdZWwuuVfzZlHWOdnkNYipiKDqmk/s1600/hydro+plus+renew.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqdi8d_1k7VmMUnDkLCsLRHp3jaX7EPTNiyp5Usm6kHyKjy6XxpR6kzkdfnGglClwaPrpJtTUu8DwSfLOLGHeriKCo6g6X1_I6xzTagNoKkKmqInAdZWwuuVfzZlHWOdnkNYipiKDqmk/s400/hydro+plus+renew.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of juice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, both Washington and Oregon created more electricity via
hydro plus renewables than they consumed the first half of 2016. Unfortunately
both states also burnt small amounts of coal so that they could export additional
electricity. Montana and North Dakota burnt a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">substantial</i> amount of coal so that they could export electricity.
Any state that wants to reduce its carbon emissions should not import electricity
from states that burn coal. I’m looking at you, California, the greatest
electricity-importing state in the country. Although, to be fair, each year
California is producing more of its own electricity and importing less. The
first half of 2016, California imported 9% less electricity than the first half
of 2015.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other states that produced more than a third of their
domestic electricity consumption via renewables + hydro the first half of 2016 were:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Iowa</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
48%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Vermont</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
44%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Kansas</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
39%</div>
</td>
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<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Oklahoma</div>
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39%</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
California</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
36%</div>
</td>
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<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
New Hampshire</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
35%</div>
</td>
</tr>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
Wyoming</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal">
34%</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nationally, the US produced 19% of the electricity it
consumed via renewables + hydro.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In order avoid catastrophic climate change, our civilization
needs to become vastly more energy efficient (see: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/03/efficiency-is-not-enemy-of-resiliency.html" target="_blank">Efficiency Is Not the Enemy of Resiliency</a>) </i>and replace fossil fuel
use with renewable electricity (see: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2015/12/obey-law-of-exergy-time-to-go-all.html" target="_blank">Obey the Law of Exergy (Time to Go All Electric.)</a>) </i>How much renewable <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+ hydro electricity per capita/day will each
state need in order to meet all its energy needs, including heating, cooling,
industry and transportation? Currently, if we take all primary energy
consumption in the US and convert it to kilowatt-hours, it comes to 230 kwh/capita/day.
During the first half of 2016, the US as a whole produced 6 kwh/capita/day
through renewables + hydro. Even our very best state, Washington, produced only
37 kwh/capita/day via renewables + hydro. Three other states came close: North
Dakota (35), Montana (34), Oregon (34). The next four highest were: Wyoming
(26), Idaho (23), South Dakota (22) and Iowa (20.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, twelve states produced 2 or fewer kwh/capita/day
via renewables + hydro: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and
Mississippi. If you live in any of these states, you have serious cause for
concern.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yikes! We’ve got a long ways to go. But it’s not as bad it
seems. If we look to Europe, we see that through efficiency many countries enjoy
a quality of life arguably better than the US while consuming the energy
equivalent of 90 - 120 kwh/capita/day. (see: <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/03/an-energy-diet-for-healthy-planet-part-i.html" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">An Energy Diet for a Healthy Planet</i></a>.) And some US states are energy
intensive largely due to extracting/processing/refining fossil fuels. Without
coal mining, oil production, and oil refining, per capita energy use will drop
dramatically in energy-gobbling Louisiana, Wyoming, North Dakota and Alaska.
Even Texas should see a nice drop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPpeopNHRYFJ0i-K6ED1lApmSzFtvJhpYotWYTV39fqSBmRnYpeEXA518RiNYoYupELYL9ptHBFIX7lzEgbfTucsR14MtRByhrkuk6iqgZdQccsV5XYDwUEINWxW0aC8hZaRwr_GmwQA/s1600/pumped+hydro+storage.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPpeopNHRYFJ0i-K6ED1lApmSzFtvJhpYotWYTV39fqSBmRnYpeEXA518RiNYoYupELYL9ptHBFIX7lzEgbfTucsR14MtRByhrkuk6iqgZdQccsV5XYDwUEINWxW0aC8hZaRwr_GmwQA/s320/pumped+hydro+storage.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pump it up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In order to integrate a high level of intermittent renewables
into the electric grid, every state is going to need substantial energy
storage, whether it takes the form of electrochemical batteries, ice, molten
salt, hydrogen, flywheels, compressed air, pumped hydro, or seasonal thermal
energy storage. Most likely, as the price of wind and solar continue to drop,
states will create excess capacity of both forms of electricity production. On windy
days, when all grid demand is met, excess electricity can be directed to create
hydrogen through electrolysis, which can be used as fuel for ferries or cargo
ships, or in the production of inorganic fertilizer. Excess solar capacity,
much easier to predict, can be directed during the peak of the day to charge
batteries, pump water uphill, heat water in buildings for the evening heating
load (winter), or create ice or chilled water in buildings for the evening
cooling load (summer.) Early leaders in energy storage are California, New
York, Hawaii and Arizona.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The amount of electricity a state will ultimately need in
order to efficiently and comfortably meet its energy demand will no doubt
depend on its climate, population density, and amount of heavy industry. States
like California and Hawaii with low heating and cooling loads might get by with
80 kwh/capita/day, as might states with high population densities that are
already frugal energy users, like New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and
Connecticut. Rural states with intense winters like North and South Dakota may
need 120 kwh/capita per day. Still, most Midwest and Rocky Mountain states,
home to prodigious wind resources, could easily produce all the electricity
they need from wind and hydro, plus have ample for export. Out of thirteen
states windy states (MT, WY, CO, NM, ND, SD, KS, NE, IA, TX, OK, MN, MO), eleven
of them have already made substantial progress in taking advantage of their
renewable resources. Two haven’t. (I’m looking at you Nebraska and Missouri.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Pacific Northwest—Oregon, Washington and Idaho--with its
hydro and nice pockets of wind should be able to reach 100 kwh/capita/day
without much trouble. California and Texas have put the most effort into renewables
and produce the greatest absolute amount of electricity from renewables by far.
But because their large populations, reaching even 80 kwh/capita/day is going
to be an effort. At the moment, both only produce 6 kwh/capita/day by
renewables + hydro. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjSzsxWkuoS7ixkdgWTZWBih0GnTdxfaPtnkze7MU3MLTMvk6QEHPvTt3gIK5FFrMtpljT3JBPbnZivu0jUXtnrPvEvjADDGdskWoNayZftp7A5MWHCpLzBnYxC39ypJCyP_1L2EpzMI/s1600/Solar-Map-US-1024x682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjSzsxWkuoS7ixkdgWTZWBih0GnTdxfaPtnkze7MU3MLTMvk6QEHPvTt3gIK5FFrMtpljT3JBPbnZivu0jUXtnrPvEvjADDGdskWoNayZftp7A5MWHCpLzBnYxC39ypJCyP_1L2EpzMI/s320/Solar-Map-US-1024x682.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alaska beats Germany</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Hawaii has great solar and great wind and pays ridiculous
sums for its imported fossil fuels. However much its utilities fight it, I
expect Hawaii will be energy self-sufficient within a decade. Remarkably,
Alaska has better solar insolation than Germany, but since it also has fabulous
wind resources, the odds are high that’s the direction it’ll take.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s the South, along with Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio,
and Missouri that appear to have the most challenges ahead, mostly because they
have poor on-shore wind resources (with the exceptions of western Missouri,
western Ohio and pockets of the Appalachians) and, with the exception of North
Carolina and New Jersey, haven’t made much of an effort to make use of the
really very good solar resources they do have. This inertia will impact their
economies hugely over the next decade. Over sixty major corporations have
committed to power themselves with 100% renewable energy, including Google,
Hewlett-Packard, Adobe, Johnson and Johnson, Mars, Microsoft, Nike, P&G,
Salesforce, Steelcase, Unilever and Walmart. None of them expect to lose money
from this commitment. As a result, some are already choosing to locate data
centers and manufacturing sites in states where such energy is available. Although
I favor small and medium-sized businesses over large corporations, it’s foolish
for states to believe that continuing to burn fossil fuels for electricity will
give them any kind of competitive advantage. Seventeen US cities have already
committed to 100% renewable electricity by 2030. However, keeping with the
trend, none of them are in the mid-Atlantic or the South, except for Ithaca and
East Hampton in New York. States without renewable energy can expect to bleed
industries, jobs and even population continuously over the next decade.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnX4oMUpUJp9N9XAKfHNMbmzrKNI-wQwEX-QFMZvdVOkZjR_NaPFkS4BTAf0OV8eVHQ7kThj7VxlqRPrEWFqgkjz5r6ZcnMgfiYUi_np8q65FHAeoucKXh7o-GoagQy3C6uVfXgL0VII/s1600/coal+power+sick.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnX4oMUpUJp9N9XAKfHNMbmzrKNI-wQwEX-QFMZvdVOkZjR_NaPFkS4BTAf0OV8eVHQ7kThj7VxlqRPrEWFqgkjz5r6ZcnMgfiYUi_np8q65FHAeoucKXh7o-GoagQy3C6uVfXgL0VII/s320/coal+power+sick.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Coal-burning states have long suffered the indirect economic
triple-whammy of higher health care costs, higher public health burden, and the
environmental degradation that comes with coal power. <a href="http://www.environmentalcouncil.org/newsroom/pressRelease.php?x=69" target="_blank">A study in Michigan</a> found
that just nine coal-burning power plants in that state cost Michiganders $1.5
billion in extra health care costs each year. <a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-energy/our-energy-choices/coal-and-other-fossil-fuels/hidden-cost-of-fossils#.V84b5476B2A" target="_blank">A 2013 study</a> found that each kwh in
the US produced by burning coal incurs $.32 of cost in terms of illness,
premature mortality, lost workdays, and direct costs to the healthcare system
associated with emissions of particulates, NOx, and SO2. (Each kwh from oil
incurs $.13 and each kwh from natural gas incurs $.02, although this estimate
might be low given the recent natural gas debacle in Aliso Canyon.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As to environmental impact, I’ll mention just a few of the
many factors. Thermal power plants consume an enormous amount of water and
substantially contribute the water-supply stress of states experiencing
drought. When these power plants return warmed water to nearby rivers, lakes
and oceans, they harm ecosystems and wildlife through thermal pollution. Coal
power plants also produce wicked toxic waste in the forms of coal slurry and
coal ash that must be meticulously contained in order to prevent toxic heavy
metals from leaching into drinking water, metals that cause cancer, birth
defects, reproductive disorders, neurological damage, learning disabilities and
kidney disease. Unfortunately, not all coal toxic waste is meticulously
contained. Indeed, at least 42 percent of coal waste nationally is kept in unlined
ponds or landfills, making leaching likely to occur. And then there’s the long-term
impact of dumping CO2 into our atmosphere, and the fact that, due to widespread
leaks in natural gas infrastructure, <a href="http://blog.nature.org/science/2016/06/24/natural-gas-coal-leak-rate-energy-climate/" target="_blank">natural gas is almost as bad as coal</a> in
terms of greenhouse gas emissions. One would think at least coastal southern
states would be worried enough about nuisance flooding to try to prevent
sea-level rise, but so far no dice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Energy companies that produce fossil fuels and utilities
that burn the stuff make profits at everyone else’s expense. This is a
lucrative business model--of course they don’t want to change! Of course they
will spend vast sums on denial, misinformation, and campaign contributions to
protect their income streams. Legally, corporations must maximize the best
interest of their shareholders, not society at large. They must follow the law,
but if laws (often written by those they help elect) allow them to wreak health
and environmental havoc, is it any surprise that they do so? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MYt_hWBsahYFLtNEowgs3qI-SzdoEI5yG7NiD2vTIwt-o4_-tWsJrrLhyphenhyphen4XNbQCWoBomvBKYbf6eoxNHHfbkwqOaoZolQKox_iX1FiaZhVxymz5I5vmkUQ6F_8p2rCZ-M0B39aGq7R0/s1600/How-Big-Is-Your-Pile-Of-Coal-infographic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MYt_hWBsahYFLtNEowgs3qI-SzdoEI5yG7NiD2vTIwt-o4_-tWsJrrLhyphenhyphen4XNbQCWoBomvBKYbf6eoxNHHfbkwqOaoZolQKox_iX1FiaZhVxymz5I5vmkUQ6F_8p2rCZ-M0B39aGq7R0/s320/How-Big-Is-Your-Pile-Of-Coal-infographic.png" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low hanging fruit aplenty</td></tr>
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The price of solar, wind and energy storage is dropping
quickly. The levelized cost of both onshore wind and utility-scale solar <a href="https://www.lazard.com/media/2390/lazards-levelized-cost-of-energy-analysis-90.pdf" target="_blank">are already cheaper</a> than all forms of fossil fuel new electric generation,
including diesel and natural gas reciprocating engines, gas peaker plants,
integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC), standard coal, and gas
combined cycle. They are also both quite a bit cheaper than new nuclear. At the
moment we subsidize renewables to even the playing field with fossil fuels only
because <a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-energy/our-energy-choices/coal-and-other-fossil-fuels/hidden-cost-of-fossils#bf-toc-2" target="_blank">we subsidize fossil fuels heavily by letting them off the hook on externalities.</a> All these energy subsidies are ridiculously expensive, and, worse, they
discourage sensible energy efficiency measures by keeping up the pretense that energy
is far cheaper than it actually is. All energy subsidies should go, every
single one, but that includes the subsidy of shirking the cost of externalities. If the price of fossil
fuels included even half the cost of the negative health and environmental impacts that they impose on society, the US would find itself doubling its
energy efficiency with remarkable speed (so much low-hanging fruit!) and
transitioning to a largely renewable electric supply within a decade. As it
stands, Americans thoughtlessly squander energy right and left, health care
costs in the US consume nearly a fifth of our nation’s wealth, Americans have
the poorest health in the developed world (largely due to pollution, poor diet,
and relying on fossil fuels rather than our bodies to move us even short
distances), and environmental costs are left to future generations to pay.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As might be expected, there is wide variation in renewable
adoption not only between states but between countries. According to BP’s 2016
Statistical Review of World Energy, the US got 6% of its total energy (not just
electricity) supply from renewables + hydro. This puts the US behind 24 of the 67
countries for which BP provides detailed information, including China (11%),
Vietnam (22%), New Zealand (38%), Sweden (44%), the UK (10%), Italy (16%),
Germany (14%), France (8%), Denmark (25%), Norway (67%), Austria (31%),
Switzerland (33%), Turkey (14%), Canada (29%), and Brazil (33%). It puts the US
behind 23 countries in terms of renewables as a percent of total energy.
Indeed, nine countries in the world obtained 10% or more of their total energy
from renewables alone in 2016, and this number is increasing each year. In the
US, only 3% of the total energy supply came from renewables alone in 2015.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As you can see, some states (and nations) are leaping into a
renewable future like mountain goats bounding across alpine meadows. Other
states are moving with the speed of a recalcitrant three-toed sloth. The states
out in front on this inevitable transition will have more vibrant, diversified,
robust economies. They will also have greater energy security in the face of
fossil fuel volatility. (Is there anyone who really expects Saudi Arabia to
last as a stable country another ten years?) Just as reminder, it takes a couple
gallons of diesel to strip mine a ton of Powder River Basin coal (40% of all
coal production in the US.) This might not seem like much, but Powder River
Basin coal currently only sells for $8.70 a ton. Last week, a gallon of diesel
in the Rocky Mountain states cost $2.48. So 57% of the price of coal is eaten
up by just by the diesel used to produce it. Any oil price volatility will have
an enormous impact on coal prices and/or coal profitability.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">Keep those plates spinning</span></td></tr>
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The Federal Reserve has kept fossil fuel plates spinning the
last eight years through <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/articles/2016-06-06/cheap-money-helped-inflate-the-energy-balloon-in-the-u-s" target="_blank">endless cheap debt</a> available for sub-prime car loans,
corporate stock buy-backs, junk bonds, speculation and even corporate dividend
payments. This all works as long as no one is ever expected to pay off debt,
just roll it over into ever-increasing amounts new debt. How long a
hollowed-out, debt-infested economy can keep going on fumes is anyone’s guess,
but when the music stops, states dependent on industries addicted to cheap debt
infusions are unlikely to be the ones to thrive.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Food, water, energy and health are essential to a
functioning society. (Please note, I’ve specified health, not health care.) The
states dawdling on renewables, especially those dependent on burning coal, will
suffer heart attacks, pollution, asthma, bronchitis, acid rain and job losses
in the near term, and blackouts, brownouts and population loss in the long term.
Though renewables are no guarantee of economic vitality, lack of them assures
economic decline. Those states with economies heavily dependent on coal mining—Kentucky,
Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Montana, and West Virginia--need to read the writing on
the wall and embrace the future rather than be dragged into it kicking and
screaming. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As Martin Luther King Jr. said, we are all tied together in
a single garment of destiny. Everyone alive on this planet a hundred years from
now is likely to reap the consequences of climate change and sea-level rise
regardless of how much his/her ancestors contributed to the problem. But
medium-term, say fifteen years from now, there will variability in outcomes.
Just how tattered your state’s part of the garment of destiny will be depends
on actions taken now.</div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-53852860859293338512016-08-09T16:21:00.000-07:002016-08-09T16:21:18.636-07:00Reclaiming Public Space--A Peak Experience
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above it all </td></tr>
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If you’ve ever been to San Francisco, you’ve no doubt seen
the two dramatic hills that punctuate the city’s center known as Twin Peaks.
Tourists flock to the vista offered by Christmas Tree Point on the northeast edge, but those in the
know climb Eureka or Noe Peaks to get a 360 degree view of the Bay Area, the
Golden Gate, and the Pacific Ocean.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Who should go to Twin Peaks? How should they get there? What
activities should be available to them once they arrive?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primeval Past</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Until recently, the answers to these questions were:
tourists, bus/car, stare at the view from a concrete and stone terrace, or, if
too windy, from behind a car windshield. Perhaps this isn’t surprising because
when the road was first built up to Twin Peaks in the 1920’s, the area was
remote enough from the rest of the city that driving seemed the only way to get
there. Gradually, though, the city encroached on Twin Peaks until now there are
just 64 acres of open space left up there full of coastal scrub and grassland,
home to brush-nesting birds, rabbits, coyotes and the endangered Mission Blue
Butterfly. In fact, Twin Peaks is likely the only part of San Francisco that looks
the way it did five hundred and even a thousand years ago. Primeval San
Francisco, if you will.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyYgvoAu6DsMm02Ox5SP8SSnO93i65fx__BrVuxMik7M-DEpWc78Am7o53PDPh53Vhq25BCxJCO39PBf0r7j4oINrSiAfaKXTV9ehIeXBX235uhSm1y198vz9GqLXw_XUdlL81EilGf0/s1600/RTRegionalMapJuly2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyYgvoAu6DsMm02Ox5SP8SSnO93i65fx__BrVuxMik7M-DEpWc78Am7o53PDPh53Vhq25BCxJCO39PBf0r7j4oINrSiAfaKXTV9ehIeXBX235uhSm1y198vz9GqLXw_XUdlL81EilGf0/s200/RTRegionalMapJuly2016.png" width="127" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Hike the loop</span></td></tr>
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It turns out that locals like to go to Twin Peaks, too. It
turns out that for some locals (like me) it is the largest substantial swath of
green space within walking distance. It turns out Twin Peaks is part of the Bay
Area Ridge Trail, a proposed 550 mile continuous loop circling the San
Francisco Bay, 367 miles of which are currently open to hikers.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Twin Peaks is a mile from my house, all up hill. It’s a
lovely walk, as I describe here: <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/01/conquer-twin-peaks-and-stand-on-rooftop.html" target="_blank"><i>Conquer Twin Peaks and Stand on the Rooftop of San Francisco</i></a>. If you’re visiting San Francisco, I recommend taking Muni to the
Castro Station and starting your walk from there. (Another option is to take
the 37 bus to Crestline Drive, a few minutes walk from the top.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karl visits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Sometimes the
top of Twin Peaks is enshrouded in fog (locally known as Karl); sometimes it’s
ridiculously windy. Sometimes the sun shines and the air is crystal clear and
the views stun even the jaded long-time resident into speechless gratitude at
the magnificent splendor, both manmade and natural, before her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The walk from my house is lovely because it’s largely
car-free, except at the top, where, until recently, a hardy pedestrian had to
scramble over concrete barriers, breathe tour bus diesel exhaust, and dodge two
lanes of car traffic in order to access the area. Until recently, it was only amidst
the rumble of internal combustion engines that you could admire wildflowers and
hear birdsong.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caution: change ahead</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A few weeks back the city closed the eastern half of the
figure eight on Twin Peaks to cars on a two-year trial basis. As usual when any
change in San Francisco is proposed, the end of civilization was at hand, even though
cars and tour buses can access the vista at Christmas Tree Point as easily as
they could before. Drivers howled, tour bus operators wailed. Some diehards even
protested the closure by declaring they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">enjoyed</i>
walking next to cars.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promenading</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
My husband and I checked out the new .35 mile car-free
promenade (as it’s now being called) on a sunny, windy Sunday afternoon. We saw
that the city had added maybe thirty parking spots where there’d been little or
no parking before. We saw people leave their cars and hike up the peaks or stroll
along the promenade. We saw the two-way traffic on the western half moving at
slower speeds than previously, although still not congested except near the added new parking. We saw scores of people hiking up to the
promenade from the neighborhood below, just as we had. We
saw bicyclists who’d made the long climb via the roadway; we saw skateboarders;
we saw people walking dogs. In fact, we saw a heck of a lot humans milling
about, moving. The eastern half of the
figure eight now has far more asphalt than necessary. Hopefully once the
trial period is over, much of it can be returned to a more natural state. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozxRj2N64B8_Nd751wONGYtWp72yyHWtDpz8lvL1kRj2rCb6uXcCz07F8ycqYM5Vhyphenhyphen3C9sZbn55jyW_uC05xymvlHvKmDF_4k7-s9rO9Som64p2q1F00Q5eOB4k8ekPumQ33KUtcxvqc/s1600/tp+promenade+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozxRj2N64B8_Nd751wONGYtWp72yyHWtDpz8lvL1kRj2rCb6uXcCz07F8ycqYM5Vhyphenhyphen3C9sZbn55jyW_uC05xymvlHvKmDF_4k7-s9rO9Som64p2q1F00Q5eOB4k8ekPumQ33KUtcxvqc/s200/tp+promenade+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking the roof</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We didn’t go all the way to Christmas Tree Point (because,
seriously, it’s mostly a big parking lot), but I imagine it was packed as usual
with people standing and sitting. Not moving much. Because there isn’t much
place to go, unless on your way there you happen to notice a peak with a bunch
of people on it and think, “Hey, I want to do that. How do I get there?” If
you’re determined, you’ll backtrack and figure it out, but for the majority,
the experience at Christmas Tree Point is static.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF40NmWG73NcdetpVMKE-y5i2oBApOrHF8J_AsMFt35RFtVhspTWeb45Etdh-hn4q6isE3_ZM_h9Oy0VbGvDN_iZ42GNRtHUNEXDlMVgH64xsyNpoIy5tusA0OM77Tn7_rptky6xxi7Y/s1600/walk+health.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF40NmWG73NcdetpVMKE-y5i2oBApOrHF8J_AsMFt35RFtVhspTWeb45Etdh-hn4q6isE3_ZM_h9Oy0VbGvDN_iZ42GNRtHUNEXDlMVgH64xsyNpoIy5tusA0OM77Tn7_rptky6xxi7Y/s320/walk+health.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Walking thirty minutes a day is better for you than any drug
you can take. (See <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-brilliance-of-walking.html" target="_blank"><i>The Brilliance of Walking</i></a>.) It is the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo" target="_blank">single best thing we can do for our health</a>. In fact, if Americans walked thirty minutes a day, they could
probably get by with three-fourths fewer medications, as evidenced by the fact
that Americans are 5% of the world’s population, consume 75% of all prescription drugs in the world (80% of all opiods), far <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/08/us-health-care-spending-is-high-results-arenot-so-good.html" target="_blank">outspend all other nations per capita</a> on health care, and
collectively still have the <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/01/09/168976602/u-s-ranks-below-16-other-rich-countries-in-health-report" target="_blank">worst health in the Western world</a>. Study after
study shows that <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/21/upshot/why-you-should-exercise-no-not-to-lose-weight.html" target="_blank">thirty minutes a day of moderate exercise like walking</a> (also
bike riding) will substantially reduce the risk of four different types
of cancer (breast, uterine, colon and prostate), heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's, diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression, not to mention it boosts the immune system so you'll catch colds and the flu less often. Really the only
problem with walking is that Americans have designed their entire way of life
to avoid it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Which is more important--recreation or health? What if you
could offer both at the same time? Which is a higher public good, someone
saving two minutes of travel time, or someone joyously climbing a peak? Is it
better for tour buses to have an extra twenty seconds of view, or for a
neighborhood to have a serene connection with nature? Might giving people, even
tourists, interesting, enjoyable places to walk encourage them to do so? In a
dense city like San Francisco, with the exception of handicapped access, is
space dedicated to cars public space or a sacrifice of public space?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvWoRJ0ebptSlwviGq3htjoz4uwrEXCE6ssodLDfLMBPo6pe4Ml71D8uyLTkbZX4T_TFqTvpzY98TvdKZUFzwi7LKDeF4FNiTbqg-WCooAOZ4ZfPjHVGxjvaA9baha4CXHl1DbEz63nQ/s1600/fact-health-graph-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvWoRJ0ebptSlwviGq3htjoz4uwrEXCE6ssodLDfLMBPo6pe4Ml71D8uyLTkbZX4T_TFqTvpzY98TvdKZUFzwi7LKDeF4FNiTbqg-WCooAOZ4ZfPjHVGxjvaA9baha4CXHl1DbEz63nQ/s320/fact-health-graph-1.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Maybe there's a link?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
You can be a little overweight and be healthy, but you can’t
be sedentary and be healthy. In fact, being sedentary is <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/07/27/being-unfit-may-be-almost-as-bad-for-you-as-smoking/" target="_blank">second only to smoking</a>
for the harm it does to the human body. Every single community in America could
do more to integrate walking into daily life. Every single community could do
more to take walking seriously as a form of transportation. The entire country
would benefit from a citizenry fit enough to hoof it a mile or two without puffing
or breaking a sweat. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Even if you think cheap oil will last another fifty years,
even if you think you’ll be dead before climate change affects you, even if you
think human beings are so clever someone will surely solve the myriad problems
humanity faces so, hey, chill out, this much is clear: the American sedentary,
car-based way of life is a disaster for public health. This would be true even
if all cars magically became electric tomorrow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2r-LaMl761hWpG1HxdYeRU0bgooNea5rQX0-zJXjMM4Rqr_3UDMsN2AZZ5t7vFqRZ32VcDy65qBFc56RvKdpPJokbNZdy54ADcoXHA_8mpoOjYXTQ5Atd-bD1nYa05HKfzAcMDqznFEc/s1600/Aerial_View_of_Tehran_26.11.2008_04-35-03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2r-LaMl761hWpG1HxdYeRU0bgooNea5rQX0-zJXjMM4Rqr_3UDMsN2AZZ5t7vFqRZ32VcDy65qBFc56RvKdpPJokbNZdy54ADcoXHA_8mpoOjYXTQ5Atd-bD1nYa05HKfzAcMDqznFEc/s200/Aerial_View_of_Tehran_26.11.2008_04-35-03.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heck of a hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For those of you who, like me, are less sanguine about future
prospects down the road, let me tell you a story. Long ago I met an American
woman who’d been married to an Iranian and lived in Iran during the last days
of the Shah. As protests arose and borders closed, she began to go for walks each
morning because she knew that if things got bad she would have to walk out over
the mountains to leave. Each day she walked miles and then more miles, building
her strength, her stamina. Once the revolution began in earnest, she indeed left
Iran on foot over the mountains. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s unwise to wait until there are empty store shelves to
put in a vegetable garden. It’s useless to wait until the middle of a heat wave
to plant a shade tree south of your house. Being fit enough to walk
a few miles without effort is as important to resilience as solar panels, a sealed and insulated attic, or a bicycle in working order. Which city or town is more
likely to thrive in any circumstance—one where most people routinely walk and
few take medications, or one where few people walk and most take multiple medications?
Which kind of town, which kind of neighbors do you want to have? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvcLfX5PvcYd_eImBlhAKEdAiYaRcD2tCpgSvKdMY1fh-cuEWifNKJkW4hkjNImwFsvaC9_N_w7Y_NloCzvbdNUu7YtYnKS6jBZuGurLHW1rsdlel5jFpp2paGOR8uVjW3okIaMQ-5Fc/s1600/health+and+spend.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvcLfX5PvcYd_eImBlhAKEdAiYaRcD2tCpgSvKdMY1fh-cuEWifNKJkW4hkjNImwFsvaC9_N_w7Y_NloCzvbdNUu7YtYnKS6jBZuGurLHW1rsdlel5jFpp2paGOR8uVjW3okIaMQ-5Fc/s320/health+and+spend.png" width="236" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Corporations profit from bad health; communities profit from
the opposite. (Corporations especially profit from chronic conditions “managed”
by expensive medications and other interventions.) A town or city with lots of
parking and public space devoted to cars has bad health designed into its very
fabric. We need to transform parking lots and repurpose street space to serve
people on foot and bicycles, even if it means drivers are inconvenienced. We
need to pedestrianize shopping streets like cities have done all over Europe. We
need protected bike routes safe and pleasant enough that even children and
seniors can use them. (Seniors, check out <a href="http://www.worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/pt3cb-hub-eng.html" target="_blank">electric trikes</a>!) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
My husband and I have a car and use it occasionally. (My
mode share is 40/40/10/10, walking/biking/transit/car.) When I’m behind the
wheel, I’m just as impatient as my fellow drivers, wanting to get where I’m
going ASAP and then park ten feet from my destination. Go, go, go, my trip is
important, get out of my way, the driver in me cries. But the saner part of my
brain knows that just as we’ve reduced smokers’ convenience in order to protect
non-smokers from second-hand smoke, so should we reduce drivers’ convenience to
protect non-drivers from the many, many negative externalities of cars,
including death from speeding, careless, or reckless drivers. As frustrating
(and even threatening) as it might be to those whose lives are designed around
car use, for the public good we need to reclaim and repurpose space currently
devoted to motorized vehicles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxph78puLYOh91w58tpacQOk_M6c3x_YcfjQNxKXBRIro81SwuuibF31GleoKiHXe0aVyMg3NiRDby6KOaNHEQs6IZzqZileIHwQdmn60rH07EC8iI6F2Sue2KHpq-6MbX403gWV5F9fs/s1600/road+closed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxph78puLYOh91w58tpacQOk_M6c3x_YcfjQNxKXBRIro81SwuuibF31GleoKiHXe0aVyMg3NiRDby6KOaNHEQs6IZzqZileIHwQdmn60rH07EC8iI6F2Sue2KHpq-6MbX403gWV5F9fs/s320/road+closed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not exactly elegant, but it'll do</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The next time you’re in San Francisco, forgo the car. Take BART in from the airport (or the suburbs) and
tackle the city on foot, bike or transit. You’ll see and experience so much more. If you’re up
for it, conquer Twin Peaks under your own power. It’s so worth it.</div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-20260898946470850892016-06-08T09:46:00.000-07:002016-06-08T11:27:55.947-07:00Building Community, One Bench at a Time<style>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMfZjj33LMjUSI7b0nP39hPu3rlPyLQtcnEAeqWcSIQzlv97J_qxKz2KtM9TynKSTS_7DwHfuJTGPvQzAkVfg-B2hpGiRzwxyfxBissGGJA7n3fKydqyDBgcpj-ZfukpkX6IgzeedanU/s1600/Cora+Flora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMfZjj33LMjUSI7b0nP39hPu3rlPyLQtcnEAeqWcSIQzlv97J_qxKz2KtM9TynKSTS_7DwHfuJTGPvQzAkVfg-B2hpGiRzwxyfxBissGGJA7n3fKydqyDBgcpj-ZfukpkX6IgzeedanU/s200/Cora+Flora.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cora Flora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
My grandfather was a barber. He grew up in West Texas, his
family tenant farmers that got kicked off the land after his father died during
an emergency gall bladder operation. His eight older siblings, who had skedaddled
as fast as they could out of West Texas, couldn’t (or wouldn’t) offer much
support to him, his mother, and his little brother. My grandfather had an
athletic scholarship to college, but it was not to be. Instead he went to a
Civilian Conservation Corps camp (part of Roosevelt’s New Deal) to earn money
to send home to provide for his mother and brother. Later in life he would
always say that without that money, he didn’t know what would’ve become of
them. No safety net back then except family.</div>
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</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Allen, bench believer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
From 1964 on my grandparents lived in Lodi, California, a
Central Valley farm town once known for its watermelons, now known for its
zinfandels, in a house not far from the train tracks. My grandmother was an
Okie farm girl. She loved animals and always had a strange assortment of pets—a
large white dog named Red, an ornery pet blue jay that lived in the house
(seriously), and a turtle who lived nearly forever named Slow Motion. For a
while beautifully plumed feral chickens hung out around her house because she wouldn't let animal control come in the yard to get them. (Oh, how they wanted to nab that handsome rooster and his harem.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, this is going somewhere. After my grandfather retired
from barbering (he had trouble with his hands shaking), he spent a lot of time
in his yard. At some point, he put in a bench close to the sidewalk. On it this
veteran of the hell known during WWII as Okinawa put a note in tremulous
handwriting: <i>“Set a spell and rest.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM1KGDFGkJ5yG9ON7bAEzjsoMo9PiD5qpVuvpXOZxObedrdTr8MbBVZJQRR6o7NO2XeOSDjzrae6npSURnDkXRMurKOPBH12ed0RuWM_Fe4Y48aRxi9OCTe18XTz57XxfIa2ejqHyGgw/s1600/okinawan+civilian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM1KGDFGkJ5yG9ON7bAEzjsoMo9PiD5qpVuvpXOZxObedrdTr8MbBVZJQRR6o7NO2XeOSDjzrae6npSURnDkXRMurKOPBH12ed0RuWM_Fe4Y48aRxi9OCTe18XTz57XxfIa2ejqHyGgw/s1600/okinawan+civilian.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okinawans not killed by GIs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My grandfather, a severely taciturn man, got more talkative in
his later years. He told me the first dead people he ever saw were a mother and
baby in an Okinawan ditch, killed by nervous American
soldiers shooting into the dark. (The native Okinawans, frightened, tried to move around at night.) He
told me during his time on Okinawa over one stretch he didn’t take off his boots for 28
days straight. During the Lodi bench era, I was a young mother living in San
Francisco. I thought the bench and his note were both sweet and pretty much
crazy. To this day, I have no idea if anyone took him up on his offer to set a
spell. My grandfather died in 2002.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3raxRYaBMSnEj1kdPNfrgQU57FwTTBTvEbQPQ90KIUvrsOlPyTlyx7MuEUPsJEFVuAZJzkNuS4X0fRQmKcrjbRpLD0DAvnwYmqZuTRxV7sfCkgWQI4FJcEqWTE_rOC-tAk1Vf-dT_J8/s1600/Castro_Hill-101%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3raxRYaBMSnEj1kdPNfrgQU57FwTTBTvEbQPQ90KIUvrsOlPyTlyx7MuEUPsJEFVuAZJzkNuS4X0fRQmKcrjbRpLD0DAvnwYmqZuTRxV7sfCkgWQI4FJcEqWTE_rOC-tAk1Vf-dT_J8/s320/Castro_Hill-101%255B2%255D.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up, up, up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My husband and I have raised three children in San
Francisco. We live at the top of a big hill, one that goes half a mile straight
up at a ten percent grade. Big even by San Francisco standards, it’s a hill I walk
or ride/push my bike up a dozen times a week, so I know its impact intimately. San
Francisco is a fabulous city for walking. Since the act of walking provides
huge benefits (see <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-brilliance-of-walking.html" target="_blank">The Brilliance of Walking</a>) not only to the walker but also
to society at large, pedestrians ought to be encouraged and rewarded at every
turn is my motto. Our street is often used to connect from one neighborhood to
another, and I’ve sometimes seen elderly walkers sitting on our neighbor’s
stairs for a rest. So I started thinking about community. I started thinking
about my grandfather’s “set a spell.” I started thinking it might be nice to
have a bench for those hardy souls cresting our hill to catch their breath. But
when I researched the cost of a bench sturdy enough to stand up to street life,
I couldn’t quite justify to my husband springing $300 out of sheer
friendliness.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuQD_TQ4bS8Zfk5Q7ReE4WYWKGS21sXCk3RW8QnIi9D2l4zLjggqM0-lLKuK1ABugB_EqUSISMox2ei4GvFQG0J40sfEEkYnnpXiCoZGr7gMMmYrK2BCOZyGKxs8vQgz_qn6tzVubizE/s1600/Chris+Duderstadt+on+bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuQD_TQ4bS8Zfk5Q7ReE4WYWKGS21sXCk3RW8QnIi9D2l4zLjggqM0-lLKuK1ABugB_EqUSISMox2ei4GvFQG0J40sfEEkYnnpXiCoZGr7gMMmYrK2BCOZyGKxs8vQgz_qn6tzVubizE/s200/Chris+Duderstadt+on+bench.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">Chris, with all-pink Cora Flora</span></td></tr>
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Then I stumbled across a <a href="http://plazaperspective.com/a-community-of-benches/" target="_blank">blog</a> that told me about the <a href="https://publicbenchproject.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Public Bench Project</a><a href="https://publicbenchproject.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">,</a> a labor of love by Chris Duderstadt, bench builder extraordinaire.
Chris was looking for stewards of public benches in San Francisco
neighborhoods. If you had a place for a bench and could commit to caring for it
in the public realm, he would build you one for the cost of materials ($50). He
would paint it any color desired, and we could customize it further with
artistic enhancements of our choice. He'd already installed 65 benches in San Francisco.</div>
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I was thrilled. I’d asked the Universe for a bench, and it
had delivered. Perhaps my grandfather had whispered in its ear.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4jmKXxZoV2-9mXeCMhyphenhyphen8mThBrG-SlRPgEv1CSZsFLk9e625ntBPy4dCNK-NLXfeWe6JeUgRLnmpSaIlM2Xdt5eVoINS3I8RWdgt-IkiajgQjl6uNxeNXKa4gyco4YwXku0IpdXhh-w8/s1600/lots-o-benches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4jmKXxZoV2-9mXeCMhyphenhyphen8mThBrG-SlRPgEv1CSZsFLk9e625ntBPy4dCNK-NLXfeWe6JeUgRLnmpSaIlM2Xdt5eVoINS3I8RWdgt-IkiajgQjl6uNxeNXKa4gyco4YwXku0IpdXhh-w8/s320/lots-o-benches.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of Cora Flora's siblings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The first step, Chris told me, was a trial bench, to see if
the proposed spot was a bench-happy place. Most places were, he assured me, but
it was best to try it out, see if the neighbors were chill, see if it created
problems. Since this was San Francisco, sometimes neighbors, he said, were concerned
a bench might attract homeless sitters, homeless sleepers, or just general
anti-social badness. Putting the bench out as a trial let everyone observe just
what the impacts might be. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMitUk4lCp78uEBEXwrQRPTt7c6aFZXqJsCfFngANDoLRezOkMqgjReXdva3SuSG0Momb503EAEaU3eA8xCydgL26jo84Ki3f3jMwwNHW8NYnYoSgp6O2PNkWPQ9RbRkioGjD00h86rU/s1600/Milky+Way+bench.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMitUk4lCp78uEBEXwrQRPTt7c6aFZXqJsCfFngANDoLRezOkMqgjReXdva3SuSG0Momb503EAEaU3eA8xCydgL26jo84Ki3f3jMwwNHW8NYnYoSgp6O2PNkWPQ9RbRkioGjD00h86rU/s200/Milky+Way+bench.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">Milky Way with note</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our bench spot is sunny in the morning and shaded in the
afternoon, not a bad combination. It has a nice view of a row of picturesque
Victorians across the street. But it’s a little narrower than the standard
space, so we would get a five-foot bench rather than a six-foot one. The trial
bench he delivered was The Milky Way, a bench that had already seen service in
a number of locations across San Francisco. Built solidly out of wood, it was
sturdy and comfortable. Since we were on a slight slant, Chris bolstered one
leg to make it even and then chained the bench to a grate so that it wouldn’t
be randomly moved by mischievous teens. I attached a note to it, letting our neighbors
know that this was a trial and to tell us what they thought about a bench in
this spot.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Over the next few weeks, the Milky Way sat placidly in front
of our house with people indeed sitting on it from time to time. All responses
from neighbors were positive. Chris’s design, refined over many iterations,
included a slight curve to the back. The bench was low enough to be comfortable,
but not too low to be difficult to stand up from.</div>
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After six weeks passed and the bench induced no major
calamities, Chris and I agreed to the creation of a permanent bench. I enlisted
the aid of my artistically inclined middle daughter as to color and design. I
said I’d like something with vines and flowers. She said to paint it coral.
Flowers and greenery would pop nicely on that background.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG5sevLT9dMcvYvB5IVCfQ2QchEr9H00vqL56IEttTz9n8WXT5bZy7lNnAOxwP6zbaUijiemPLVDvwG7nZxeD58grelU_fLZAl1NI3s9QfgJfyVpuuBO9dKnHHC-j5SbLkddxc78VMEw/s1600/Getting+paints.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG5sevLT9dMcvYvB5IVCfQ2QchEr9H00vqL56IEttTz9n8WXT5bZy7lNnAOxwP6zbaUijiemPLVDvwG7nZxeD58grelU_fLZAl1NI3s9QfgJfyVpuuBO9dKnHHC-j5SbLkddxc78VMEw/s200/Getting+paints.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electric motor = easy cargo transport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It turns out coral looks pretty much like pink. Chris warned
me by email the bench was very pink, and indeed, when he delivered it, it
looked very pink. My neighbors were surprised. Pink? My daughter said don’t
worry, it’ll be great. After conferring with her on other colors she would
need (six!), I went to the paint store on <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-pluses-and-minuses-of-electric-bikes.html" target="_blank">my trusty electric bike</a> to pick them up. The
paint and the urethane coating to protect it cost double the bench, but so it goes.
(There are lots of leftovers, so if anyone in San Francisco wants water-based
semi-gloss enamel house paints to decorate their own bench, if you come to pick
them up, they’re yours.) </div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2omk6wS2kPAnCFvXDN10mUZROuYrWp9eW1WzEztUAUA6lpaULTgfOjI1gjMy4b0uFPvXQXBaPzHZZwq4yb8-QfbdH5Kqc8TLhrD6SEGAcZrditKC2N1p641BztPL9XutNHAqaChU1Yfk/s1600/girls+painting+bench.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2omk6wS2kPAnCFvXDN10mUZROuYrWp9eW1WzEztUAUA6lpaULTgfOjI1gjMy4b0uFPvXQXBaPzHZZwq4yb8-QfbdH5Kqc8TLhrD6SEGAcZrditKC2N1p641BztPL9XutNHAqaChU1Yfk/s320/girls+painting+bench.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">Sidewalk workshop</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After my daughter and a friend spent a pleasant afternoon painting grasses and flowers on the bench in greens, yellow, blue, purple and red, it indeed looked less pink. I’ve named the bench Cora Flora, in honor of her coral genesis.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The bench is not in full view of our front window, so I
can’t really see all who sit on it, though every once in a while I notice
someone stop and set for a spell. Once as I came home, I talked with a young couple
from Germany who were happily seated while eating their frozen yogurt, bought
at least half a mile away. There’s someone who sits on it while smoking
Marlboros, because I’ve found three cigarette butts. (Hey Mr./Ms. Marlboro Man,
try carrying a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kiipr-Pouch-Pocket-Ashtray-3-pack/dp/B00DP7GSSI" target="_blank">pocket ashtray</a> rather than littering. Though I have to say, my
grandfather was a chain smoker until emphysema forced him to go on oxygen.) One
morning there was a pizza box and beer cans near the bench. Evidently someone
had a party. Does anyone sleep on it? My husband, an early riser who often goes
for walks at 6 am, has never seen anyone on the bench at that hour. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
While my daughter and her friend were painting the bench,
many passers-by were interested and asked questions about where they’d gotten
the bench and why they were doing it. While we know most of our neighbors, one neighbor
I’ve never spoken to crossed the street and told me how much he likes the
bench. In the past, my husband and I have hosted a pop up happy hour in front
of our house with lawn chairs, and we’ll try it again with the bench. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKBDCmC8rGliZm1G1g16pxOR6PAY_PLPAEBgEmIrG8OUdsfYUkeJWxA7Nv95p0o1XOtqvbe3Sl_svFQbbRs1d27Mt8Rg8TC8rai4rY5JXdXqxVKR1yygZCzTypr7LUDkEL0zmNpLxTwU/s1600/cats+in+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKBDCmC8rGliZm1G1g16pxOR6PAY_PLPAEBgEmIrG8OUdsfYUkeJWxA7Nv95p0o1XOtqvbe3Sl_svFQbbRs1d27Mt8Rg8TC8rai4rY5JXdXqxVKR1yygZCzTypr7LUDkEL0zmNpLxTwU/s320/cats+in+box.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">We like the city the way it was in 1972.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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San Franciscans are like cats: they hate change. Any alteration
of the city, no matter how small, arouses the same disdain and suspicion that a
new chair incites in your domestic feline. (Your cat, however, will get a lot
of pleasure out of the empty cardboard shipping box in a way your average San
Franciscan will not.) As a result, some San Franciscans make a near career out
of speaking out in public meetings against any and all forms of change,
including any new form of seating. Real San Franciscans prefer the city to remain
exactly like it was the year they moved here, whenever that was, but certainly
before the tech hipsters and their barista friends showed up. Sitting is
political, sitting is controversial, sitting is up to no good. Not only are
there the homeless and teenagers to worry about (restless groups with no place
to call their own who might call your space their own), there are those naked
guys and their bare bottoms. (San Francisco actually had to pass an ordinance
requiring naked guys to place cloths under their butts if they sit anywhere.)
Standing is okay. Passing through is okay. Setting a spell--to watch the play of
light and color, observe one’s fellow citizens, or eat some frozen yogurt--is
not.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05lhzZSradIyd4R51dukRS5Oe-fftep8bjDU4nCWKJpKgcRVIBjN7KHeTAser-gOi36L2gKIO7ENDLPHFDlAyylPS-a0iHJ1ADq1SX-AH2OnE1h-9BJa6kYMt0qW02KT1ifD5UAkoRCo/s1600/buttguardian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05lhzZSradIyd4R51dukRS5Oe-fftep8bjDU4nCWKJpKgcRVIBjN7KHeTAser-gOi36L2gKIO7ENDLPHFDlAyylPS-a0iHJ1ADq1SX-AH2OnE1h-9BJa6kYMt0qW02KT1ifD5UAkoRCo/s200/buttguardian.jpg" width="200" /></a>This is not to say offering a place to sit has no negative
consequences. I’ve got pizza boxes and cigarette butts to deal with now. But
should fear of dysfunction by a few preclude making a hospitable environment for
all? We need our streets walkable and pedestrian-friendly. We need genuine
community and social cohesion in our neighborhoods. We need to be able to set a
spell. Sterile streets devoid of humaneness solve some problems but they cause
others: isolation, hostility, apathy. Alienation. Lack of connection. People
driving half a mile for errands they could easily walk. A world without public
sitting is simpler, less messy, less scary, but offers a much poorer form of
existence. This my grandfather knew. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Cora Flora raises some questions. Where can teenagers go to
eat pizza and drink beer? (Answer: nowhere.) Can providing frequent resting
places make it easier for all sorts of people, including seniors, to walk their
errands? (Answer: yes.) Are free, welcoming places to sit a fundamental element
of a healthy democracy? (Answer: Jane Jacobs would say yes.) Can putting a
bench on the sidewalk create community? Can it change the world?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Answer: I suggest try it and see.</div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-84247087067294885372016-05-15T09:24:00.000-07:002016-05-15T10:05:12.334-07:00Monster Day for Renewables in California<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday, May 14th, was a windy, sunny, fairly cool day in California. As a result, records were set for the proportion of California electricity produced by renewables. For the day: 34%! From 3 - 4 pm: 54%! And the grid didn't explode, black out, or do any number of other terrible things. Congratulations to the California ISO, the entity that manages and balances California's electric grid, for coping with its highest proportion of renewable electricity so far. Here are the graphics from the ISO for yesterday. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunBZJvu7iqzMLkikDaguLvbxym9hzbSUQMYXsBdjnGzIUjKm4c-UMzw-DXap-vue7pjD77Osfl-vdM3XzFZb0UM8I331po0N-IoOfFnhbPh8sTmbwbilWRwml1q0Ak7DqYqZvSUHOPr0/s1600/5-14-renew+breakdown.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunBZJvu7iqzMLkikDaguLvbxym9hzbSUQMYXsBdjnGzIUjKm4c-UMzw-DXap-vue7pjD77Osfl-vdM3XzFZb0UM8I331po0N-IoOfFnhbPh8sTmbwbilWRwml1q0Ak7DqYqZvSUHOPr0/s400/5-14-renew+breakdown.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFPB-IHwYZ-kSJJ63FkF5H71tp7qdn30_3cBsQH772OSIdWBXA2YwaQfngK34fFD7ZHL9Jj2Epl7ySbu-B54Vhfwq_BRUfxpYZ25KXrzMuYNNFP0ADmxVsTn2nm9cmGKSOY3ykH5soRY/s1600/May+14+renewables.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFPB-IHwYZ-kSJJ63FkF5H71tp7qdn30_3cBsQH772OSIdWBXA2YwaQfngK34fFD7ZHL9Jj2Epl7ySbu-B54Vhfwq_BRUfxpYZ25KXrzMuYNNFP0ADmxVsTn2nm9cmGKSOY3ykH5soRY/s400/May+14+renewables.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is great news, and you will no doubt hear more about it in the media. Of course, remember, journalists often conflate electricity with energy. Until we go all electric, electricity is a small subset of energy used. For example, Californians consume the energy equivalent of 161 kwhs per person per day, but only 18 kwhs of that comes from electricity. However, roughly 30 kwhs per person each day is wasted creating that electricity (waste heat from burning fossil fuels), so as California increases its renewables, its total per person energy consumption will decrease. Next up--hot water and space heating via heat pumps and solar!</div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8731149177870823280.post-74340042993507498672016-04-03T19:38:00.000-07:002016-04-04T09:15:27.620-07:00An Energy Diet for a Healthy Planet--Part II<style>
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<i>How do we get to 100 kwh/person/day, and where are we now?</i></div>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPbRHp-0SKIPh9E0DGDal_H2pjwobieVFYs9AMjmjYTiA8e0lkrYD2okg6lNGKLmAryPrYP3YS7DfLZn2C5k2xsc3jeffrky9Qe_BCkLKDKeV_2HpjK8lgJrpKeQuwFzYC3zy4MSUwLM/s1600/global+electricity+sankey.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPbRHp-0SKIPh9E0DGDal_H2pjwobieVFYs9AMjmjYTiA8e0lkrYD2okg6lNGKLmAryPrYP3YS7DfLZn2C5k2xsc3jeffrky9Qe_BCkLKDKeV_2HpjK8lgJrpKeQuwFzYC3zy4MSUwLM/s320/global+electricity+sankey.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Global energy losses in electricity generation (twh, yr 2000)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I’ve written before about how <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/03/efficiency-is-not-enemy-of-resiliency.html" target="_blank">efficiency is not the enemy of resiliency</a> and the benefits of <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2015/12/obey-law-of-exergy-time-to-go-all.html" target="_blank">going all-electric</a>. In <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2016/03/an-energy-diet-for-healthy-planet-part-i.html" target="_blank">Part I</a>, I mentioned a few ways to cut our energy diet from 230 kwh /person/day to 100 kwh/person/day. I also pointed out that 56 kwh/person/day of our energy consumption is lost as waste heat in thermal generation of electricity. (One of the reasons Denmark is so energy-efficient is that they use cogeneration and district energy systems to turn this waste heat into heat for homes and commercial buildings.) </div>
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This means just converting our electrical generation to solar, wind and hydro, which have no heat losses, will give us a big jump in reducing our energy consumption. Solar and wind are also not 100% efficient in turning potential energy into electricity, but the sun shines and the wind blows whether we turn it into kilowatt-hours or not, so there's no waste. Whereas the coal, natural gas, oil and uranium that turn into unused heat are gone forever, not to mention all the polluting by-products. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0haRwRoyyD-3YymL7HhgKGU2Ae9mNfjWXipDdQP8gbJiH0TS9gG4ILWZ4GAzziSzMtspEwfcO9chGAVNicrHmm1_7N_M1itGIRQ8yMsMufPug1ddwXI1Hxu0qV_3Z7b9jrG1i5w9zfE/s1600/Greg-Goebel-Gillette-Wyoming-Coal-mine-Flickr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0haRwRoyyD-3YymL7HhgKGU2Ae9mNfjWXipDdQP8gbJiH0TS9gG4ILWZ4GAzziSzMtspEwfcO9chGAVNicrHmm1_7N_M1itGIRQ8yMsMufPug1ddwXI1Hxu0qV_3Z7b9jrG1i5w9zfE/s200/Greg-Goebel-Gillette-Wyoming-Coal-mine-Flickr1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More attractive than a wind turbine?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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These thermal energy losses in electricity generation are part of the reason Wyoming and Montana are such energy guzzlers. Both states burn coal to create electricity, far more than their state consumes. They then export this electricity to other states. However, the heat losses (2/3rds!) involved in this electricity generation are still part of their state's consumption. This is also a factor in why energy consumption in California, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island is as low as it is. These states import a lot of their electricity but aren't apportioned the associated waste heat losses because the fuel wasn't burned in their state. (Note: there's no point saying you're importing "green" energy if the state you're importing it from is burning coal or natural gas to provide for their own electricity needs.)</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiVC3itW8QUdEZqO4ks9IU085sJdGjOi8BiW0htNSuURU7MlTbw4FHviO6HOb_Q6QFrXdwKitvev22myEDtlsrPXnD4HxgWVWJSaNNlREc1UMbpjOCjY0VSxttKkemnbVUiV3alcR2ws/s1600/passive+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiVC3itW8QUdEZqO4ks9IU085sJdGjOi8BiW0htNSuURU7MlTbw4FHviO6HOb_Q6QFrXdwKitvev22myEDtlsrPXnD4HxgWVWJSaNNlREc1UMbpjOCjY0VSxttKkemnbVUiV3alcR2ws/s320/passive+house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now one might think with all these heat losses that going all-electric isn't a good idea until all our electricity is produced by hydro and renewables. One would be wrong. Amazingly, even with the huge losses our current electricity generation entails, it is still more efficient to use heat pumps than natural gas for space heating. (Yes, sunlight beats both.) The same is true for an electric car compared to a 22 mpg gasoline-powered car. Of course, as your state's energy mix takes on more wind, solar and hydro, the total system efficiency of both heat pumps and electric transportation zooms up.</div>
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Back to a 100 kwh/person/day energy budget. "Come on," I hear you say. "Sealing and insulating homes is all well and good, and maybe heat pumps are snazzy, but how could the United States possibly
cut its energy use by more than half and still have a decent way of life?" It does seem daunting. Let’s look at it by sector. Industrial is longest because it's the toughest nut to crack due to high heat process needs. Just scroll through it if you're not interested.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfo2dGs61Dp6yrDD93mZzU7MwsYIt5PqulEi4QftFr5K5sN5ECJWjEDW7Sa_5QIfXZheYzVwDnB2WNM62MejuHlI2T9FlDuDP5mXx7OFFaBgEskwhaH1Dy-al-PwfljNjOnUXwedc3Pjc/s1600/PassiveHouse.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfo2dGs61Dp6yrDD93mZzU7MwsYIt5PqulEi4QftFr5K5sN5ECJWjEDW7Sa_5QIfXZheYzVwDnB2WNM62MejuHlI2T9FlDuDP5mXx7OFFaBgEskwhaH1Dy-al-PwfljNjOnUXwedc3Pjc/s320/PassiveHouse.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Residential </i></b>—<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>massive insulating and sealing of existing housing
stock; super-insulated walls and ceilings; tight building envelopes; insulated
crawl spaces, foundation walls, and slab foundations; higher percentage of multifamily housing; LED
lighting; air source and ground source heat pumps for space and hot water
heating; insulated hot water tanks; desuperheaters; district energy systems; radiant hydronic heating; high-efficiency
fireplace inserts; high-efficiency woodstoves; masonry heaters; solar hot
water; passive solar gain; low-flow showerheads; clothes lines; electric induction/convection
cooking; electric chainsaws and lawn mowers; lawns converted to vegetable
gardens; ceiling fans; whole house fans; heat/energy exchange ventilators; waste water heat recovery; front load
washers; awnings; shade trees; street trees to reduce urban heat island effect;
green roofs; white roofs; double and triple glazed fiberglass windows; thermal
mass; timed thermostats; ultra-efficient appliances; replace or eliminate old refrigerators; no second refrigerators in
garages; all new residential buildings net-zero-energy capable; deep energy
retrofits for multifamily housing; timely energy use feedback to residents; rebates for low energy
use in multi-family buildings; structured insulated panels; build without thermal bridging; duct sealing; fewer housing square feet per person; eliminate vampire electric
draw from gadgets/cable boxes; sharply tiered electric rates for high energy slurpers; housing stock 100% all electric.</i></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b></h4>
<h4 class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></b></h4>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8HMlYLhBg_NrZCTeW3xt_xDKY_K-UeYOFygWL9jIPhxo98cStQumO_DQHOAghQ2COFUy89FKdzfwsltUXaltkA_ZyLiOP3V39oluOz3nyXCCht9rRcHNRGX8aG03vchnbBxbe648zXU/s1600/solar+tubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8HMlYLhBg_NrZCTeW3xt_xDKY_K-UeYOFygWL9jIPhxo98cStQumO_DQHOAghQ2COFUy89FKdzfwsltUXaltkA_ZyLiOP3V39oluOz3nyXCCht9rRcHNRGX8aG03vchnbBxbe648zXU/s320/solar+tubes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bring the daylight in</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commercial </i></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">—<i>massive insulating and sealing of buildings; whole
building envelope upgrades; radiant hydronic heat; LED lighting; LED
streetlights; air source and ground source heat pumps; solar hot water; heat
pump hot water; wastewater heat recovery; seal ducts; retrofit windows; district energy systems; make use of industrial waste heat via district energy systems; replace steam heat in district energy systems with hot water; ceiling
fans; heat/energy exchange ventilators; chilled beams/chilled sails for cooling;
revolving doors; vestibules; operable windows; natural ventilation; night flush; low-E high-efficiency
high-thermal-performance glazing; automated sunshades; dynamic glazing; green roofs; white roofs; living
walls; thermal mass; zone heating; proper equipment maintenance; don’t overcool; don’t chill the outdoors; don’t
heat the outdoors; plug load management; no under-the-desk space heaters or
refrigerators; waste heat recovery (especially from computer server rooms); daylighting; solar tubes; skylights; light shelves; building automation systems with zones, daylight harvesting, occupancy sensors and optimum warm up and cool down cycles; grocery store refrigerators and freezers again behind glass; all
new buildings under 4 stories zero-net-energy capable; buildings that encourage
stair use; recycled building materials; multistory mixed-use infill developments in towns and cities that replace parking lots, garages, auto dealerships, auto repair shops, gas stations, and other auto infrastructure; end
minimum parking requirements; less floorspace per office worker; sharing economy allow efficient use of resources; reduced medical
kwhs through better food and exercise; sharply tiered electric rates for energy slurpers; commercial buildings 100% all electric. </i></span></span></h4>
<h4 class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i> </i></span></span></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBElUOVk5nn6d_conPw-7B8b2eUxAU85NfnhpxO1CGCafVimLAX4JHEcC2Rp1UYlhs4pcCje7Behalrq3hhYDzBJDXIKct8MzbCgSo_-DY-9ULzCEzO_oK6pNI97QccKDnLYKGnWTdUR0/s1600/Resource-Depletion-Energy-Saved.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBElUOVk5nn6d_conPw-7B8b2eUxAU85NfnhpxO1CGCafVimLAX4JHEcC2Rp1UYlhs4pcCje7Behalrq3hhYDzBJDXIKct8MzbCgSo_-DY-9ULzCEzO_oK6pNI97QccKDnLYKGnWTdUR0/s200/Resource-Depletion-Energy-Saved.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Industrial, including farming </i></b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>—ubiquitous waste heat recovery; daylighting; solar
tubes; solar hot water preheat for industrial processes; solar boilers; boiler insulation; boiler blowdown heat exchangers; boiler condensate return systems; minimize energy draw during idle process conditions; some use of combined industrial heat and power; energy management systems; benchmark energy efficiency; advanced controls and operations for optimized energy draw; reduce gas flaring; renewable raw materials; improved reverse osmosis water purification technology; improve yields of raw materials to desired products; manufacturing engineers prioritize energy and water-efficienct processes; recycle manufacturing and process waste streams; optimize supply chain energy consumption; product life cycle management; community
recycling to reduce energy to produce aluminum, copper, steel, glass and paper; improved fiber recycling; next generation mill processes; eliminate junk mail; cloth napkins; reusable water bottles, bags, sandwich containers, growlers; buy in bulk and refill own containers to reduce packaging; home
and community composting; slash use of energy-intensive chemical fertilizer via compost and crop rotation to fix nitrogen; slash use of energy-intensive chlorine through reduced use of bleached paper, PVC, vinyl flooring, pharmaceuticals, insecticides, chlorine-based cleaning products; reduce use of energy-intensive ethylene through slashed use of plastic bags, plastic wrap, bubble warp, plastic toys, plastic milk jugs, polystyrene packaging; stop buying endless amounts of plastic junk that just gets thrown away; high-yield, bio-intensive, compost-intensive home and
community vegetable gardens; eliminate most petroleum refining; phase out coal mining; eliminate ethanol mandate and ethanol production; eliminate high fructose corn
syrup from American diet; eat fewer highly-processed foods;
reduce food waste; reduce/eliminate chemical fertilizer and pesticide use; end
most crop subsidies (corn most importantly); grow cotton, rice and alfalfa in places with ample water; end most water subsidies; solar drying of crops; green manures; towns
and cities develop 100 mile foodsheds; reduce food imports; reduce consumption of all forms of sugar; small biointensive, high-yield,
compost-intensive, no-till family farms growing fruits and vegetables on outskirts of cities; hedgerows and
other beneficial crop insect habitat; no-till organic grain farms with crimping
and careful crop rotation; energy-efficient indoor cannabis growing; grow cannabis outdoors; fruit walls; unheated greenhouses with thermal mass;
most food packaging compostable; hoop houses for year-round growing; row covers; eat
less meat and more vegetables; eat fewer processed grains and more vegetables; eat less food that's been frozen or dehydrated; eat
only meat/dairy from local range-fed animals; mobile abattoirs; farmers' and crafters' markets;
buy fewer industrially-produced items; buy products built to last; buy products
possible to repair; reduce consumption and reuse stuff; buy used; prevent need
for desalination in dry places by eliminating lawns and water waste and adding water
collection and storage; electrified
industrial-scale compost systems for towns and cities for nutrient cycling; asphalt solar collectors; <a href="http://www.icax.co.uk/thermalbank.html" target="_blank">interseasonal heat transfer</a> and borehole thermal energy storage for snowmelt and district heating
systems; electricity prices for industry 2/3rds of residential price instead of half; energy use (beyond solar thermal) in US industry 95% all electric.</i></span></span></h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6gvQ22zgIKlzeQPlhlR58q7nrUe2PDvVUgt9utqW6-M44nPojABHhsW1rf21qcIzp2ZhikrMEOMKcnFQBjAZ0LpCTRUlsLJNsWXAuj_uXgpkb1IYgNlSD-3zhb-Ki0dpTD9S6yQpurs/s1600/walkable.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6gvQ22zgIKlzeQPlhlR58q7nrUe2PDvVUgt9utqW6-M44nPojABHhsW1rf21qcIzp2ZhikrMEOMKcnFQBjAZ0LpCTRUlsLJNsWXAuj_uXgpkb1IYgNlSD-3zhb-Ki0dpTD9S6yQpurs/s200/walkable.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Energy efficient</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Transportation </i></b>— <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>electrified passenger rail for distances under 400
miles; regional passenger rail hubs (Atlanta, Washington DC, Chicago, New York);
improved rail tracks; passenger rail 100% double-tracked; eliminate passenger
rail at-grade crossings; straighten/eliminate rail track curves; 125 mph
average passenger rail speed; electrified doublestack rail freight; 50 mph
freight rail speed; advanced train scheduling, trip optimization and control
systems; electric shared-use autonomous vehicles; electric shared autonomous
shuttles; regenerative breaking on trains; Electric Multiple Unit trains; electric
buses; electric trams; electric garbage and fire trucks; economic incentives to
live car-free; majority of population lives within 15 miles of job; work at
home; good local schools; electric bicycles; regular bicycles; bikeshare systems; lower speed
limits in populated areas; walk or bike most trips under a mile; under-used
roads return to gravel; pedestrian-only boulevards, commercial streets, promenades, main streets and market streets; network of protected bicycle infrastructure within cities/towns and between them; Vehicle Mile Travel charge based on road repair costs
and vehicle weight; dramatically reduce private car vehicle miles traveled;
local streets safe enough for children to walk and bike to school and activities; walkable
neighborhoods; walkable shopping districts; multifamily residential over ground
floor retail; live within a ten minute bike ride of a grocery
store/pharmacy/medical clinic/library/park/playing field/elementary school; buy
local; buy used from local sources; drink filtered tap water instead of bottled water/soda
pop/fruit juice; drink local beer, wine and spirits; eat local fruits and
vegetables in season; electric dry box trucks for farmers to take produce to
cities; electric trucks for delivery last one to ten miles of goods from rail freight
terminals; fewer goods deliveries to homes; package locker pick ups in towns and cities; biofuels for aviation; hydrogen fuel cells for ships; transportation
in the US 95% all electric.</i></span></span> </h4>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNkhlATw05b2JCqwTUl0m106vJyjz4eMesJkSSTl6NPLp3gwB1gHZflgRL_a2c8RdGYffI_sXcWqJ7HcYQ3sCCAI7blrU3xaqRMSt_hKQFfI9Z2CttNFeHnBVT79q7Pv9HaUQHw466k8/s1600/RTDogWalking_02copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNkhlATw05b2JCqwTUl0m106vJyjz4eMesJkSSTl6NPLp3gwB1gHZflgRL_a2c8RdGYffI_sXcWqJ7HcYQ3sCCAI7blrU3xaqRMSt_hKQFfI9Z2CttNFeHnBVT79q7Pv9HaUQHw466k8/s320/RTDogWalking_02copy.png" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> So good. So cheap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Whew! Amazingly, all this stuff is not only cheaper than
building out solar and wind, it’s cheaper than continuing to drill and refine
oil and build natural gas plants. Even better, many of these measures reinforce
others in a virtuous circle. For instance, <a href="http://karenlynnallen.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-brilliance-of-walking.html" target="_blank">more walking</a> means not only fewer
transportation kwhs but also reduced cancer, high blood pressure and
depression. This in turn means fewer kwhs used up by doctors’ offices and
hospitals as well as fewer kwhs used in the manufacture of medical equipment
and pharmaceuticals such as blood pressure meds and anti-depressants. So just
by walking, we reduce commercial, industrial and transportation energy demand,
and we increase our standard of living (healthier citizenry), all for very
little cost. Yes, as we transition, jobs will inevitably be lost in some areas,
but they will be gained in others, such as in biointensive farming, compost facilities, wetlands restoration, deep building energy retrofits, train yards, and
manufacturing solar PV, batteries, and wind turbines. After all, just as it’s
poor policy to encourage to smoking in order to provide tobacco and medical jobs,
it’s also unwise to encourage sedentary lifestyles in order to provide auto and
medical jobs.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdzQisOhVMORpUN3a9QIxAC0TXlxD4scftOIir7OWplkGVVt4OENxfoY3zcj8glbXDeduyVjmG0Laip068oSziexSFqKFsmvI9RE7uIFb9qjMMD-wW-c4XHTfWigjMwV_FsuJLJmzuL8/s1600/Nuclear-Power-Industry-Radiation-Protection-Standards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdzQisOhVMORpUN3a9QIxAC0TXlxD4scftOIir7OWplkGVVt4OENxfoY3zcj8glbXDeduyVjmG0Laip068oSziexSFqKFsmvI9RE7uIFb9qjMMD-wW-c4XHTfWigjMwV_FsuJLJmzuL8/s200/Nuclear-Power-Industry-Radiation-Protection-Standards.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So where are we at now at producing 100 kwh/person/day of
electricity? As you might suspect, it varies widely by state. Some produce
quite a bit of electricity per person, but when we add up electricity from
renewables (including rooftop solar) + hydro and divide it by population, it often doesn’t amount to much.
We could add in nuclear, but because the US still doesn’t have any safe,
long-term storage yet for nuclear waste, and no state wants to host such
storage, I’m not optimistic that in 20 years we’ll still have much nuclear
around. Since the average age of American nuclear plants is 35 years old and
they were only built to operate for 40 years, I’m guessing we’ll eke out some
extensions on aging plants, retire most others, and not create many new ones. The fact that solar and wind are already cheaper than new nuclear plants pretty much spells their doom. Plus nuclear plants waste two-thirds of their energy as heat just as almost all US thermal electricity generation does.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So let’s examine 2015 renewables + hydro
generation kwh/person/day by state, grouped by region. (The US EIA includes as
renewables electricity produced by geothermal and biomass.) Remember, each state needs
100 kwh/person/day, or another state will have to generate more than that and send
the extra to them. Also remember that the further electricity is transmitted,
the higher the losses along the way, although underground DC cables could cut
transmission losses in half. (The US currently loses 6% of its electricity in
transmission.) Rooftop solar PV avoids almost all transmission loss.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New England and Mid-Atlantic<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Renewable+ Hydro kwh/capita/day generation</div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableMediumGrid3Accent2" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor: background1; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1056;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: -1;">
<td style="background: #C0504D; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent2; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Not
with the program</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #C0504D; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent2; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-left-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: background1; mso-border-right-themecolor: background1; mso-border-top-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Working
on it</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #C0504D; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent2; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-left-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: background1; mso-border-right-themecolor: background1; mso-border-top-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Serious
Progress</span></i></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Connecticut (1.2)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Vermont (9.3)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Maine (16.7)</i></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Massachusetts (1.5)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>New Hampshire (7.2)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Rhode Island (.7)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>New York (4.8)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>New Jersey (.9)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(239, 211, 210) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Pennsylvania (1.9)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(223, 167, 166) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
North Central<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Renewables + Hydro kwh/capita/day generation</div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableMediumGrid3Accent6" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor: background1; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1056;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: -1;">
<td style="background: #F79646; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent6; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Lacking</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F79646; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent6; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-left-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: background1; mso-border-right-themecolor: background1; mso-border-top-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Snail
Pace</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F79646; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent6; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-left-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: background1; mso-border-right-themecolor: background1; mso-border-top-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Solid
Progress</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F79646; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent6; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-left-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: background1; mso-border-right-themecolor: background1; mso-border-top-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Very
Good</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #F79646; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent6; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-left-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: background1; mso-border-right-themecolor: background1; mso-border-top-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.6pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Smoking
hot</span></i></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(251, 202, 162) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Ohio (.6)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(251, 202, 162) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Illinois (2.3)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(251, 202, 162) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Minnesota (6.1)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(251, 202, 162) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Kansas (10.4)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(251, 202, 162) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.6pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>South Dakota (23.4)</i></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(253, 228, 208) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Missouri (1.2)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(253, 228, 208) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Indiana (2.3)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(253, 228, 208) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Nebraska (6.3)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(253, 228, 208) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Iowa (16.6)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(253, 228, 208) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.6pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>North Dakota</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(31.3)</i></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(251, 202, 162) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(251, 202, 162) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Michigan (2.4)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(251, 202, 162) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(251, 202, 162) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(251, 202, 162) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.6pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(253, 228, 208) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(253, 228, 208) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Wisconsin (2.7)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(253, 228, 208) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(253, 228, 208) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(253, 228, 208) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.6pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
South<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Renewables + Hydro kwh/capita/day generation</div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableMediumGrid3Accent5" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor: background1; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1056;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 13.9pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: -1;">
<td style="background: #4BACC6; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border: solid white 1.0pt; height: 13.9pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 125.55pt;" valign="top" width="126"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Feeble</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #4BACC6; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; height: 13.9pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-left-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: background1; mso-border-right-themecolor: background1; mso-border-top-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 122.35pt;" valign="top" width="122"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Some
progress</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #4BACC6; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; height: 13.9pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-left-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: background1; mso-border-right-themecolor: background1; mso-border-top-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Making
headway</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #4BACC6; border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; height: 13.9pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background1; mso-border-left-alt: solid white 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: background1; mso-border-right-themecolor: background1; mso-border-top-themecolor: background1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Good
work</span></i></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.2pt; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 125.55pt;" valign="top" width="126"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Delaware (.6)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 122.35pt;" valign="top" width="122"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Georgia (2)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>West Virginia (5)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Oklahoma (11.8)</i></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.2pt;">
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 125.55pt;" valign="top" width="126"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>District of Columbia (.1)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 122.35pt;" valign="top" width="122"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>North Carolina (2.5)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Tennessee (4.6)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.9pt;">
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 125.55pt;" valign="top" width="126"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Florida (.7)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 122.35pt;" valign="top" width="122"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>South Carolina (2.9)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Alabama (7.6)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.2pt;">
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 125.55pt;" valign="top" width="126"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Maryland (1.3)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 122.35pt;" valign="top" width="122"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>West Virginia (5)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Arkansas (4.8)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.2pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.9pt;">
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 125.55pt;" valign="top" width="126"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mississippi (1.3)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 122.35pt;" valign="top" width="122"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Tennessee (4.6)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Texas (4.8)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(165, 213, 226) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white; border-image: none; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 125.55pt;" valign="top" width="126"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Virginia (1.6)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 122.35pt;" valign="top" width="122"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Alabama (7.6)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(210, 234, 241) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color white white -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.9pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 97.45pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mountain<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Renewables + Hydro kwh/capita/day generation</div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableMediumShading1Accent3" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #B3CC82 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-themetint: 191; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1056;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: -1;">
<td style="background: #9BBB59; border-right: none; border: solid #B3CC82 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Not
trying</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #9BBB59; border-bottom: solid #B3CC82 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #B3CC82 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Progress</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #9BBB59; border-bottom: solid #B3CC82 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #B3CC82 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Advancing</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #9BBB59; border-bottom: solid #B3CC82 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #B3CC82 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Great
Work</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #9BBB59; border-left: none; border: solid #B3CC82 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.6pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Best
in Show!</span></i></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130) rgb(179, 204, 130); border-style: none none solid solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Utah (1.7)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(230, 238, 213) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130); border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Arizona (4.7)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(230, 238, 213) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130); border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Nevada (7.5)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(230, 238, 213) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130); border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Idaho (18.7)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130) rgb(179, 204, 130) -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.6pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Montana (30.8)</i></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130) rgb(179, 204, 130); border-style: none none solid solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130); border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Colorado (4.9)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130); border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130); border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Wyoming (23.6)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130) rgb(179, 204, 130) -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.6pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130) rgb(179, 204, 130); border-style: none none solid solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(230, 238, 213) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130); border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>New Mexico (4)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(230, 238, 213) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130); border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(230, 238, 213) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130); border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.55pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(179, 204, 130) rgb(179, 204, 130) -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 88.6pt;" valign="top" width="89"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pacific<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Renewables + Hydro kwh/capita/day generation</div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableMediumShading1Accent4" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #9F8AB9 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent4; mso-border-themetint: 191; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1056;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: -1;">
<td style="background: #8064A2; border-right: none; border: solid #9F8AB9 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-border-themecolor: accent4; mso-border-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Making
an effort</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #8064A2; border-bottom: solid #9F8AB9 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid #9F8AB9 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent4; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent4; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Some
hydro</span></i></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #8064A2; border-left: none; border: solid #9F8AB9 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-border-themecolor: accent4; mso-border-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 11.0pt;">Oodles
of hydro!</span></i></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: rgb(223, 216, 232) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(159, 138, 185) rgb(159, 138, 185); border-style: none none solid solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Hawaii (3.8)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; background: rgb(223, 216, 232) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(159, 138, 185); border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Alaska (6.5)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: rgb(223, 216, 232) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(159, 138, 185) rgb(159, 138, 185) -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Oregon (27.5)</i></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(159, 138, 185) rgb(159, 138, 185); border-style: none none solid solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>California (4.6)</i></span></div>
</td>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color rgb(159, 138, 185); border-image: none; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(159, 138, 185) rgb(159, 138, 185) -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Washington (31.9)</i></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZcJVUBFb_BfiayXHYPPG0hh3WNW3oudd-ZBwriAY_QhkySgMpZkcMoR03tKeDZvYOXg_TLwNSb1aIiBBPiAWgP0NgPIj-XwmNMWioqiQmi7UTONUzcmQ-QQaaNJLl1qixB_MmNJLqEA/s1600/bison.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZcJVUBFb_BfiayXHYPPG0hh3WNW3oudd-ZBwriAY_QhkySgMpZkcMoR03tKeDZvYOXg_TLwNSb1aIiBBPiAWgP0NgPIj-XwmNMWioqiQmi7UTONUzcmQ-QQaaNJLl1qixB_MmNJLqEA/s320/bison.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adapted to wind</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s ironic that two states with some of the best wind resources
in the country are North Dakota and Wyoming, giants of coal-mining, fracking
and burning coal for electricity to export to other states. If these states
stopped mining, drilling and burning coal, and focused instead on wind energy
production, the carbon-free electricity they could export (at a premium!) would
pay better, provide more jobs, and would destroy their states a great deal less
than the mining and fracking they’re so fond of. Yet another irony is that if
utilities stopped fighting rooftop solar, which will only push customers off-grid
as solar and battery prices fall, and instead embraced electrification of
heating and transportation, they’d have more business and profits than they’d
know what to do with. As it stands, their intransigence means they are likely
to share the fate of big oil/big coal and disappear altogether as cities and
towns defect and create their own municipal utilities, or businesses and homes decide to adapt the sharing economy to local power generation and storage networks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Future US energy production in a 100 kwh/person/day world might look something like:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableMediumGrid1Accent1" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 191; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1024; width: 452px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Residential
and commercial rooftop PV and building-integrated PV</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border-left: none; border: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">15
kwh </span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border-left: none; border: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.6in;" valign="top" width="115"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Biomass/biofuels/
geothermal/tidal</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border-left: none; border: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">5
kwh</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-top: none; border: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Large-scale solar</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">32 kwh</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.6in;" valign="top" width="115"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Nuclear</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">2 kwh</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border-top: none; border: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">On
shore wind</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">28 kwh</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.6in;" valign="top" width="115"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Hydro</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">2
kwh</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-top: none; border: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Off shore wind</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">12 kwh</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.6in;" valign="top" width="115"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Wood heat</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #D3DFEE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">1kwh</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border-top: none; border: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.2in;" valign="top" width="158"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Fossil
fuels for high heat industrial processes</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">2 kwh</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.6in;" valign="top" width="115"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #A7BFDE; border-bottom: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent1; mso-background-themetint: 127; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-left-themetint: 191; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-right-themetint: 191; mso-border-top-alt: solid #7BA0CD 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-top-themetint: 191; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcKMrvxpHqGtvT7hV_SNx9oT7sjyjcAFv4N2hCk6Eml0-ct7ohobY5o535WumdmSXp91VXzDDs3_-dIblm511IuvOl98UVIVQPCR3DYJX554tVxd-nlVSbE2qCYPjOaEFJnBp0F027xs/s1600/clean-line-hvdc-projects.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcKMrvxpHqGtvT7hV_SNx9oT7sjyjcAFv4N2hCk6Eml0-ct7ohobY5o535WumdmSXp91VXzDDs3_-dIblm511IuvOl98UVIVQPCR3DYJX554tVxd-nlVSbE2qCYPjOaEFJnBp0F027xs/s320/clean-line-hvdc-projects.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May be necessary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Because of the intermittent nature of solar and wind, our
national energy system will require batteries, pumped hydro storage, short term
thermal storage, interseasonal thermal storage, microgrids, sophisticated and
reliable grid operation, effective electricity markets, and long distance high
voltage DC lines to transmit electricity from windy places. Much of our
industrial production will need to go into building out the infrastructures
necessary for renewable energy generation, for energy storage and transmission, and for
electrified rail and other transit. But this infrastructure creation, combined
with localized, small-scale, biointensive farming, will create tens of millions of jobs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6spAEXJ1gR8iR5haJa550jTz_QXz88ArpxCYUGHlq6RQOnkbWASkl3oS76Izqekir8i_pxvNySHdRzPn6cIWHrEFJGQfTymY2hMEBHUX0Up-pF-edIsElbwef8a41cnumLS_FDxQIO8/s1600/jevons.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6spAEXJ1gR8iR5haJa550jTz_QXz88ArpxCYUGHlq6RQOnkbWASkl3oS76Izqekir8i_pxvNySHdRzPn6cIWHrEFJGQfTymY2hMEBHUX0Up-pF-edIsElbwef8a41cnumLS_FDxQIO8/s200/jevons.gif" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Anti-Efficiency</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As we’ve seen, some states need to roll up their sleeves and
get to work on energy efficiency, some have a lot of renewables to build out,
and most need to do both. Hawaii, New York and California are low on renewable
production per capita but they also don’t use that much energy. It’s possible
each could get by with 70 or 80 KWH/person/day. Cold windy states may need 110
kwh/person/day, and humid southern states or sparsely populated Midwest ones
may find that 120 kwh is the best they can do. But achieving an average of 100 kwh/person/day in the US is completely within our reach. To get the ball rolling, rather than continue to subsidize various forms of energy (the US subsidizes fossil fuels more than renewables), we should stop <i>all</i> energy subsidies, implement a briskly rising carbon tax, and invest the proceeds in energy efficiency, especially electrified rail/transit and zero-net-energy multifamily housing for low/moderate income households in walkable neighborhoods. Higher energy costs (the antidote to Jevons Paradox, for those who worry about that) will drive energy efficiency in spades, and we will be stunned (stunned!) at how quickly and innovatively the US economy adapts. If other countries don't follow our lead, we can impose greenhouse gas tariffs on their goods proportionate to their per capita emissions. (As might be expected, at present US per capita CO2 emissions are among the highest in the world.) We will find we can reach 100 kwh/person/day with
technology that already exists while leading a pleasant,
comfortable way of life, albeit one a bit different than the one we lead now.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7v9I-XRJWI4Z-5GDtFJxfNudyiNSIbJB_MBIHRa9CGWEcO3GzO__SPx5S1GKbLxieb8VfsxBxY-j5JBqHzoOUWRHEh1AZCChDljTaExlv7nZZaRtw-RU8wZVb9AFyEkr-REtpxuBKuY/s1600/Urban-Acoustics-Infografik-1300x750-eng-1280x738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7v9I-XRJWI4Z-5GDtFJxfNudyiNSIbJB_MBIHRa9CGWEcO3GzO__SPx5S1GKbLxieb8VfsxBxY-j5JBqHzoOUWRHEh1AZCChDljTaExlv7nZZaRtw-RU8wZVb9AFyEkr-REtpxuBKuY/s320/Urban-Acoustics-Infografik-1300x750-eng-1280x738.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lower decibel life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our streets and neighborhoods will be far quieter, for one thing. Our air and water will be cleaner, our bodies will absorb fewer toxins, and our citizenry will be healthier mentally and physically. Local businesses and high-yield small farms will flourish, and the United States will finally be energy independent. We human beings alive over the next twenty years have the power to make this
planet a paradise or a living hell. We can sabotage and delay the necessary
changes out of fear or greed, or we can face our predicament and do what needs
to be done. Entirely our choice. </div>
Karen Lynn Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01570980995774757572noreply@blogger.com0