Riding a Bus Has Never Been So Fun

Have you ever considered leaving your car behind for the day and hoofing it around downtown? Earlier this year, the City of Raleigh made that a little easier by introducing the new R-Line free downtown circulator bus.

I've had the good fortune of catching the bus a couple of times now, and was not disappointed. Not only is this a free service that encourages mass transit, but it's also eco-friendly! The City of Raleigh selected a hybrid-electric bus that uses biodiesel instead of standard diesel fuel...SWEET!

The bus runs from the Performing Arts Center and Convention Center to Seaboard Station and Peace College. Rolling over to Glenwood South and the Warehouse District. The whole route takes about 10 mins. You likely won't wait very long at any of the stops - the City purchased three buses for the R-Line (two operate, while one is in reserve). The buses are also great at night for heading out to your favorite night spot, or dinner then a show. It runs until 11 p.m. during the week, and 2:15 a.m. on the weekends. Sundays are a shortened route, from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

After riding the bus a couple of times, I am happy to say I'm looking for other occasions I can leave the car behind and get around downtown by bus. It was quiet, clean, and complete with happy people on board...do you think that's a coincidence or are people just that happy to have mass transit in downtown?

When I rode last, I ran into two groups of school kids from Greensboro. They were visiting the Capitol and rode around on the bus. The kids had no idea they were on the City's eco-friendliest bus (OF COURSE I had to tell them the bus didn't use any gasoline! They were pretty impressed!).

With a tiny bit of planning, I've mapped out my next route. My next effort will be a 9 - 5 day in downtown to see if I can go the whole day w/o my car. How about you? Have you taken a test ride? It's well worth the effort.

In case you are interested in learning more, here are some FAQs and the bus route.
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Happy Earth Day!

I hope you had a fabulous Earth Day. I spent mine learning about Sub-terranean contamination and remediation, and ended the day at the City of Raleigh Environmental Awards.

I would like to send a special congratulations to all the award winners from the Environmental Awards. This was the 2nd year the City has recognized the hard work of area businesses, organizations, and individuals and their efforts to reduce our environmental impact.

Some of the highlights from the evening included all local foods and drinks, one of the electric-hybrid buses on display, and of course, a great time to mix and mingle.

My favorite part was hearing who won, and the fabulous projects and activities going on out there in R-town. Two of my favorites were recognition of Hagersmith Design for their lunch 'n learns (Environmental Awareness Award) and Southern Energy Management for their efforts to improve energy efficiency and use solar power (Market Transformation Award).

I particularly enjoyed the Youth Awards - one was given to a 12 yr. old who started using the pickle barrels as low-cost rain barrels (he's expanding into other markets and apparently has had tremendous success to date). The other is a high school student who has made a lot of progress to introduce environmental concepts at Ravenscroft. I love that...for more info on the award winners, you can find the details of the event on the City's website.

Congratulations to everyone, and Happy Earth Day!

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NC State Energy Conference

I've been at the NC Sustainable Energy Conference hosted by the North Carolina State Energy Office over the past two days, listening to academics, legislators, business owners, and non-profits share experiences and emerging trends in North Carolina's burgeoning green economy. It was very exciting to see 900 people come together to network and discuss their successes. You can see the agenda here.

There were many entrepreneurs organizing their business and seeking funding. There were many investment firms looking for the next start up to fund.

There was much discussion about stimulus money (otherwise marketed as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or ARRA) and how it would be distributed. Did you know that almost 300 pre-proposals were sent into the State Energy office for their share of $1 million?! Next year that pool has been boosted to $5 million. The demand is out there. And the money is coming...

It was quite uplifting to hear sooo much discussion of hope and change. No one really talked about the economic woes, rather what the stimulus money would do to spur innovation. In two days, I heard the downturn mentioned once - and with a quick joke about the banks not recognizing opportunity. There was more discussion about groups and individuals starting up distressed asset funds, investment funds, and other pools of money to take advantage of the lack of financing.

I really think we're about to embark on a significant transfer of wealth. The fact that individuals are pulling together to raise investment funds that will take the place of/supplement the credit markets...have you thought about the volume of cash sitting on the sidelines waiting for the 'right' investment? And now state and federal governments have matching grants (not loans, GRANTS!) - we're very close to the tipping point.

So, what is going to push us over the edge? Legislation and regulations could do it for renewable energy. The Federal Senate and House have introduced bills on a Renewable Electricity Standard that requires 25% of energy production to come from renewable resources - solar, wind, and anaerobic biomass. Cap & Trade, a national building code standard, investment in transmission infrastructure, and the smart grid capabilities are all on the docket. We'll see how much makes it through to a final version, but at least the proposals are pushing for more innovation around energy.

There was also discussion about having a trained workforce capable of providing service for the new green economy, as well as manufacturing capabilities to make these products here. Kids in school need to learn about what is possible, that opportunities exist if they pursue the education. The Community College system is hard at work developing workforce training programs for all kinds of energy-related services. The State government is encouraging employers to take on high school students for summer jobs in these sectors, and will soon start an advertising campaign about the new green economy and opportunities for all.

Oh, and if you were thinking about replacing your appliances, hold off for a few more months. The feds are rolling out a credit for Energy Star appliances. Looking to weatherize your house? You may be able to get a significant tax credit.

That's the long and short of it. I really enjoyed both days, and had fun catching up with contacts and meeting new people. I hope you had the chance to attend, but if not, rest assured there were lots of sustainability movers and shakers, decision makers, policy makers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs - the makings of a new economy.
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The True Cost of Cheap Products

Have you ever thought about the true cost of the products you buy? Beyond the price tag you see on the shelf, each product has a cost associated with its production, raw materials that go into making the product, the working conditions of the factory, and distribution to get that product to the store. Our economic system does not capture the true cost of each of these factors, especially when it comes to working conditions and polluting the environment.

Case in point: I was in the market for updating the bathroom and had selected a shower curtain and liner, but could not find curtain rings that would fit. In the store, I found a set of $2.00 rings that seemed to be the right size and shape. And then it happened. The shopper's dilemma (totally ripping that from the Omnivore's Dilemma). The rings were plastic and made in China. They were the only rings in the store that would work, but all I could think about is how much petroleum went into the production of these rings, and how far they have been shipped and distributed to get to the shelf in front of me. "Certainly the $2.00 price tag isn't the true cost of all the damage these rings have caused. It shouldn't be so cheap to buy such a damaging product."

It dawned on me right there in the store - we aren't factoring in the pollution these products cause into the price. If price is a signal to buyers, why are the products that cause the MOST harm the CHEAPEST? At $2.00 each, not only were these rings bad for the environment, they are priced at a point that makes them completely disposable - who puts value on re-use if the product is cheaper to replace than to fix or maintain?

If we want to motivate people to buy the products with recycled materials, that are made locally, that aren't disposable, companies have to hit them where the decision is made. At the price tag.

Here is an interesting article on the subject.

The alternative case in point: If you've never been to Whole Foods, you may have this impression that everything is much more expensive than in other grocery stores. If you are looking for organics with natural ingredients (no high-fructose corn syrup, xanthan gum, or other synthetic additives that are often slipped into our foods as a cheap substitute for a natural ingredient), Whole Foods is actually very price-competitive. The store comparison shops and puts up labels to let you know where they are cheaper.

Now, without getting into the issues with Whole Foods (they don't use local farmers as much as one would like, for one example), there is something to be said for paying for the true cost of raw materials and production of the food. As I sat there staring at the $6.99/lb chicken breast, remembering the last sale I saw at Harris Teeter ($1.99/lb). I had to remind myself that this chicken was not fed animal parts, was allowed to 'live like a chicken', wasn't de-beaked, de-clawed, or de-anythinged. This chicken is more healthy for me and my family. Then I remembered all the recent salmonella outbreaks (the most recent one being in pistachios. Ouch!) - my decision was made for me. I could skrimp somewhere else, but when it comes to feeding my family, I want the healthiest food I can get.

So, back to the point of this post. I was paying for quality, knowing my purchase would go to the farmers who are making a living out of breeding my future dinner in a healthy way. When it comes to those curtain rings, at $2.00 each, what is that paying for? Petroleum-based plastic product, unknown pollution in production, poor working conditions (that's where they skrimped to keep the product cheap), shipping to the US, then distribution to the shelf - what if I actually had to pay both for the petroleum use in that equation + the damage to the environment + damage to the workforce? Those curtain rings certainly would not be $2.00 each. In fact, they would be much more expensive than the recycled content aluminum rings hanging right next to them.

No one would buy them if they thought about the entire equation. I challenge you to think about the entire equation next time you are in the market for...anything. Find other places to skrimp and save - energy efficiency comes to mind, or doing without some of the things you didn't really need in the first place. If you start thinking about the entire equation, you will (hopefully) begin to re-arrange your priorities, and think through what it is you are purchasing - in addition to the item in your shopping cart.
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