Living Locally
by Cara Taussig

Filled your tank lately?
Let’s find alternatives!

The cost of gas is steadily rising and could soon reach $4 a gallon. It probably won’t be coming down any time soon, or ever again. Even if the threat of global warming or other ecological disruptions is not convincing enough to change our transportation habits, the spiraling cost of fuel will soon force us to adopt more efficient ways of getting around.
As is true of most aspects of sustainability, solutions lie in turning to our local community to engage in collaborative efforts. Using single-occupant vehicles to get to work and shopping is, quite obviously, not nearly as efficient as sharing means of transportation. Public transit, carpooling, on-demand ride sharing, bicycle paths and other community-based systems use scarce and expensive resources more efficiently. It’s really that simple.
A group of Charlotte residents, including members of the Planning and Conservation Commissions and the Charlotte Sustainable Living Network, have been looking at efficient transportation options for the past several weeks. We have developed a survey for all town residents to learn more about local transportation needs and how these might be met by creative alternatives to single-occupant autos.
Please take part in this important survey! You can find it at Town Hall, with a convenient drop-off box, or on the home page of the town’s web site at charlottevt.org. The survey should take you only five minutes to complete. Even if you currently have no interest in shared transportation (maybe you’re waiting for gas to hit $7 a gallon), tell us that — we want an accurate picture of what Charlotte’s citizens are thinking about and willing to do.
Here is more you can do. A coalition of public and nonprofit groups, including the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization, Vermont Department of Transportation, 10% Challenge, Local Motion and others, is sponsoring the “Way to Go” Commuter Challenge during the week of May 5. It encourages citizens across the state to use transportation alternatives all that week, with a goal of eliminating 500,000 pounds of carbon gas emissions and demonstrating the convenience, effectiveness and fun of efficient transportation.
The “Way to Go” web site, waytogovt.org, contains extensive information on commuter resources and explains the benefits of using alternatives to solo driving. The campaign is inviting businesses, schools and teams of individuals to register their participation and to spread the word to friends and neighbors. Already, numerous Chittenden County businesses have joined the effort and are encouraging employees to carpool, take the bus or bicycle to work. Commuting teams can win prizes.
This is the fifth annual “Way to Go” campaign. Last year, according to the organizers, the program eliminated 283,000 miles of commuter driving, saving $44,000 in transportation expenses, a figure that would be considerably higher at today’s fuel prices. Along with the other numerous benefits, that’s money staying in Vermonters’ pockets instead of supporting oil companies and foreign governments.
If you want to join the transportation committee and help develop local solutions to the problem of soaring fuel costs, please contact me at 425-5153 or by e-mail at holistic@gmavt.net.
Meanwhile, the Sustainable Living Network continues its monthly program of events that educate and inspire people to cultivate an ecologically sensible lifestyle. Our next gathering will take place on May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. Local filmmaker Jan Cannon will show his brand-new work on the magic of bees and beekeeping. The film beautifully demonstrates the importance of bees to the ecosystem and to agriculture, while explaining the causes and significance of recent declines in the bee population. It will be an informative evening, even if you don’t plan to start your own bee colony.

Please take a moment to fill out the survey on page 19 and drop off your responses at Town Hall by May 21.