Leading By Example This Independence Day.
By Jeff Siegel of Green Chip Living,   Friday, July 3rd, 2009

So here we are, gearing up for another Independence Day. The early fireworks have been going off all week, and the early corn tastes unseasonably sweet. Some will spend tomorrow attending 4th of July parades, some will park it in front of the television, and some will be working 4th of July sales. If you’re doing the latter, I feel for you.

Of course, even though I won’t be working tomorrow, I’ll inevitably be reading articles about how we need to declare our independence from fossil fuels. These obligatory articles seem almost too predictable at this point. Not that I’m complaining. After all, it’s important to be reminded of the fact that we truly are held hostage by our reliance on fossil fuels – particularly oil.

But I find that some of these articles can have a negative effect. In other words, if they become too preachy, folks tend to become defensive. And that’s the last thing we need. So when it comes to spreading the word about breaking the shackles of our fossil fuel dependence, I often refer to something my father told me at a very early age while doing chores – don’t tell me about, just do it.

Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about…

In the past, you’ve likely read something I’ve written about hybrids. Well, I not only write about them.. I also drive them. Not at home, because 95 percent of the time, I take public transportation. It’s just too easy not to. But when on business, if I need to rent a car, I always try to rent a Prius. And I do this because on nearly every single trip, someone will ask me – either genuinely or mockingly – how the gas mileage is. And it always brings me great joy to tell them. Especially on my last trip to Raft River, ID, when I inadvertently had our Prius cruising at around 85 to 90 mph. I’m not advocating speeding. But admittedly, I was very happy to report to a foreman at the U.S. Geothermal power plant that we still managed 41 mpg!

For me, it’s always been about spreading the word, and practicing what you preach.

So this Independence Day, I’m not going to write an article about declaring our independence from fossil fuels. I’m simply going to do my part to decrease my fossil fuel consumption. That means using the light rail to get to the fireworks display downtown, and buying only organic vegetables (that don’t use petroleum-based synthetic fertilizers) and local, grass-fed beef (which doesn’t have to be shipped from 1,500 miles away) for our cookout.

It may not end our reliance on fossil fuels – but it limits my contribution to it.

I do hope you have a fantastic Independence Day.

But before you head out to the fireworks or the parades, check out this week’s stories at Green Chip Living, including:

Fed works to speed solar development in Southwest

Senator Inhofe grasps at straws to continue his campaign of denial

10 Outrageous claims about Climate Change

Organic farming gaining ground in the South

Increase in renewables aids Human Rights

To a new way of life, my friends…

Jeff