Going Green: You hear it everywhere. In recent years the concept has grown from an idea to a lifestyle, with a variety of meanings for different types of people. As I write about the light rail line and learn more about how the cost, convenience, and lifestyle benefits effect different people, I learn that, for some, it is all about “saving the Earth,” while for others, it is all about saving a buck.
Does living near a light rail station mean you want to save the ozone or you want to save the green that goes into the tank? Is one better than the other? What about parking and transportation costs? Is it more convenient to drive downtown and pay to park, or are you better off taking a bit more time to ride the light rail and save on parking, gas, maintenance costs, etc.?
I have stated before that Rail Life isn’t necessarily about a political agenda or about forcing people to approve of something they oppose. In fact, I really don’t care if you like blue states or red states. After all, the light rail is here no matter if you voted for it or not. That’s why we’re here – to help you navigate the system, learn about the communities, and find some fun things to do – everyone should be able to appreciate that.
At a recent Radiate Phoenix meeting, there was a man from “The Urban Farm” talking about living green. Without a doubt, he knows his stuff concerning this topic. As we stood outside of a restaurant on Central Avenue, the discussion would sometimes stop as the light rail cars drove by and Greg would smile or even clap for the trains. Clearly, there was an appreciation for light rail and for what is stands for in his mind. I recall mentions of how much money can be saved by “living green” and conserving energy, growing your own food, etc. In the current economy, I bet more and more people are looking for ways to save, even if their motives differ. Do some people install low-flow shower heads to conserve water or to save on their monthly bill? Does it matter? The analogies are endless but the thought still remains.
Which type of “Green” are you?
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