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04/28/2008: "Old Ways, New Ways...."

Just received this note from Nancy Schneider of Florida, going over the things she's been able to do to lessen her footprint on the Earth, and how well some of them have been working:

Just like a Catholic giving something up for Lent that's painful, I decided to give up one of my most painful self-indulgent non-green habits --- driving between 75 and 90 on I-95. Yes, you read that right, 75-90 mph. I live in South Florida, remember?

The test would be one tank of gas where I would torturously (is that a word) drive 60-65 mph. That is the best I could do on my first try. A "lead foot", which is what my mother calls it , is something I have always had.

In 1977 I received my driver's license. It was shortly thereafter that the speed limit was lowered to 55 mph and you had to wait in line for gas and only could do so on certain days. There were even times when you just couldn't even get any gas. Well that was short lived, but we all did what we had to do.

So now back to 2008 with only faint memories of that time, I read in the newspaper that it takes 20% more fuel to travel at 65 mph than at 55 mph and 25% more when driving at 75 mph vs. 65 mph. So that means saving 20-25% by slowing down.

On my first tank I drove 60 to 65 and would treat myself to 70 if I could draft a truck. One trucker actually slowed down to 25 mph on I-95 when I continued to stay behind him. I changed lanes.

For that tankful, I managed to drive 57 more miles which changed my average from about 21-22 mpg to just over 26. I saved about two gallons or about $7. That seemed worth it, especially since I hate stopping for gas.

Now I am actually the one in the slow lane doing 55. I watch everyone whiz by. Then I think to myself, "Am I the only one trying to maximize my mileage?" Apparently. I am trying 55 mph for my second tank.

Yesterday I was discussing with a friend this experiment and what it would take in this country to make real changes. During World War II Americans saved resources, turned out lights, reused, cooperated, shared and anything else that was needed. One campaign encouraged ride sharing. The ad said, "Ride alone, ride with Hitler." Made me think, "Ride over 55, ride with Bin Laden." Not quite as catchy.

So I changed my lightbulbs, xeriscaped my yard, put in a low-flow showerhead, compost, eat organic, use canvas bags when going to the grocery store, put my thermostat up to 78 in the Summer, ride my bike to short errands and now I drive 55.

Amazingly I don't feel inconvenienced or any other negative feeling. As a matter of fact, I feel really good and positive about all of this--and I am saving money.

Nancy will soon be releasing the Auto-Free Vacations website, though it's still under construction. Keep your eye on this space, where we will announce its debut!

Richard Risemberg, on 04.28.08 @ 12:13PST