Howzabout ideas on how we can each, individually, cut fuel-use

[northernlights]

Please, everybody, add your ideas, suggestions, tips. Activism doesn't change a thing. BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO CREATE!

1. the obvious -- walk or bike to work if you are close enough

2. turn the thermostat down in winter and up in summer. Seriously. You do NOT need to live in thermodynamically controlled 72F. You will not die if you put on a sweater. This winter I actually took to wearing a hat inside, along with a couple heavy sweats. I'm comfortable with the house set at 53 now!!!!! I got used to it. I'm still finishing up on a total off 300 gallons of oil -- in MAINE! -- for the winter.

3. I rolled up shop towels and laid them in the window spaces. For <$20.00 I got about as much extra insulation as new windows would provide. I also hung a curtain to close off the upstairs -- it stays several degrees cooler up there now, keeping the heat on the 1st floor where I live.

4. Cook large batches less frequently, and keep the leftovers in the freezer. Uses the same fuel (and time) to stick multiple chickens in the oven as 1 -- saves you time, saves lots of fuel.

5. I'm planning to try solar cooking this summer. Looked into parabolic, but discovered that alternate methods are safer and easier (just take a little longer). With some types of solar cookers, you can pretty much "set it and forget it" go about whatever. End up with fully prepared "crock-pot" style meals, and also can fry, bake, whatever.

6. Daily baths/showers are a "modern" thing. Especially if you are older, with drier skin and hair, skip a day and take "bird-baths" instead.

[ixion]

1. telecommute / work from home

that would save a ton of gas, lives, money and time.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Tazer pinheads who leave their parked cars running. nt

[flvegan]

3. Eat local, go vegan

:hide:

:popcorn:

[PJPhreak]

4. Drive slower...

I live out in the boonies,so to get any where one must drive at least 20-40 miles to get almost anything...but why does anyone have to drive at 80mph?

I'm not exaggerating,the speed limit here (Ks.) on all State Hiways (K-99) is 60 mph,on all US Hiways (US-54,56 50 ect.) its 65-70 mph and on the Interstates its 70.

I drive for a living, so I am a pretty good judge on how fast a Vehicle is gaining,passing and receding away from me.

There is simply NO reason to be hualin ass down a two-laner at 80-85 in a 10 year old F-350 CrewCab Duelly that has the aerodynamics of a Cinder Block,the fuel efficiency of a Exxon Supertanker and the desiel smoke of a Mile long freight Train pourin out the ass end! ...its just plum wasteful.

And Dangerous to boot!

[Robb]

5. When baking, do a bunch at once.

Takes just as much to run the oven for four loaves as one. And there is a certain satisfaction to having the fresh bread and the lasagna come out at the same time. :D