Submission to Healthy Planet Magazine

Walking the Talk
It's likely that if you are bothering to peruse a periodical called Healthy Planet you consider yourself an environmentally minded citizen. The truth of the matter is that if you have not seriously reconsidered the matter of your own personal transportation and its consequential carbon footprint, then you are more talk than walk. But the good news is that you are the perfect candidate for my Ministry on Two Wheels (or feet or even public transportation, if you must).

The solution, or at least part of it, is called a bicycle. You probably have a couple wasting away in the garage. It's not as hard as you think. It will save you a ton of money and your body will thank you with amazing results. Start small. If a trip is less than a mile or so, I beg you, try riding. It's fast, fun and easy. If you are diligent about it, you may become a convert .

Look, if any of us has been awake or even half conscious, we know, via every possible news outlet, except of course Fox, that we are swimming in carbon emissions. The USA's love affair with the culprit internal combustion engine on four wheel MUST change. Many people seem to know this intellectually but I see very few of us actually doing anything about it. Is it because, god forbid, it puts us out of our comfort and convenience zone?

Having come here from eastern Idaho, I see St. Louis as a bastion of progressiveness. Hey, everything is relative you know. We have an extensive metropolitan public transportation system that includes light rail lines, some bike lanes and an educated, politically aware populous. Why aren't we taking full advantage?

Think you can't do it because of the kids? Think again. They are the generation that will be left cleaning up the mess their predecessors have made of the environment. The least we could do is point them in the right direction. We could open their eyes to a different way to live; one that is more attuned to human's relationship with the natural world. Besides, I can't think of an easier way to combat childhood obesity.

There is a need for a paradigm shift in the way we think about getting around town on a daily basis. At first a change will feel foreign and uncomfortable. Then it will feel empowering and healthy. Let the change begin with me.

BIO: Wendy Russell
Wendy and family are temporary residents of St Louis, returning for their 2nd academic school year. She has logged 1,350 miles of commuting on her bike since September and has given up her membership to Ballys. Her 7 yr old son is closing in on 600 miles. She maintains a blog on issues of sustainability at www.idahodirtbagtravel.blogspot.com