I have been reading some excellent rants and diatribes about the issue of
consumption, particularly North American and most particularly about
gasoline vs. ethanol vs. biodiesel. I really would like to believe that
most of the folks writing these are "practicing what they preach" and have
sold their combustible engine vehicles in favour of a bicycle and/or public
transportation however, having just graduated with an M.S. in Marine Biology
I realize this is sadly not the case. I was labeled as a trouble-maker for
making comments like "if you're a scientist and stay abreast of global
warming trends AND still drive a gasoline vehicle you are a hypocrite."
finger-pointing is a tough one as you are often branded as self-righteous
but leading-by-example is a SLOW process, so the question I pose to this
BLOG is how do you get colleagues to change without alienating them? like I
said, many of the essays I read on this listserv resonate with me, but they
are just words falling on an already preached to choir. I would like to
add, that I have been happily without a vehicle for 1 year & 5 months and
love it. there are just so many reasons beyond doing the right thing as to
why walking, biking and/or taking the bus is enjoyable: you see more
wildlife en route, you find great stuff along the side of the road, you have
time to read (on the bus), you rarely have to wait for traffic, you get
exercise and so don't have to go to the gym, etc. etc. make the commitment
and feel the freedom. in situations where science has allied with industry
to such a degree that scholastic acheivements are overshadowed by material
possessions what can one do but be a trouble maker? your experiences and
comments are appreciated.
Adam Herbert
