Request From New York State: "Give Up Your Car"

If you live in New York State, you have been asked to put the keys down and use your legs to get to work for one very important week! We all can make a difference in what happens with the environment around us, and New York State is giving us a few options to replace driving.

When Was the Last Time You Walked or Rode a Bike to Work?

When was the last time you rode your bike or walked to work?

Here in Western New York, most of us only live about 15 or 20 minutes away from the office or workplace. That being said, it may be a little too long of a bike ride for some and perhaps too far to walk.

But what about carpooling? There is a special event coming up September 20-27 here in New York State that we all should at least consider.

We All Have a Responsibility to Protect the Environment

I am not someone who is always what you would call a “tree hugger” or an environmental nut. However, I do think we all have a responsibility to take care of this great planet that we have been gifted.

And it starts with each one of us.

For example, as I have said before in other articles, littering is something that is simply irresponsible. Throwing away trash rather than taking it to where it is supposed to properly go is something that we all can stop doing.

Every little bit of trash that we put in its proper place is one less piece of garbage laying around and cluttering up the beautiful area where we live.

If each one of us takes that responsibility, can you imagine how clean New York State would look?

If you take it one step further, can you imagine how beautiful the Earth would be if we were all more responsible with the trash we produce?

New York Is Asking You to “Get There Green”

But stepping off my soapbox for a minute, New York State is asking you to “Get There Green!”

From September 20-27, you are being asked to use something a little different than simply driving to work. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is suggesting that you walk, ride a bike, carpool, or use another form of transportation and perhaps limit the number of cars on the road during that particular week.

"Get There Green! is a week to promote and celebrate more sustainable modes of transportation. During this week everyone is encouraged to join in a week of climate-action by using a more sustainable mode of transportation for as many trips as they can."

It may not be practical for everyone, but even making a small change can help.

It Starts With All of Us

We all can make a difference, and we all can help pass down our beautiful planet to the next generation.

Teaching kids about responsibility and conservation is also essential to keeping the environment clean.

You don’t have to be an extremist or a political nut to understand that each one of us has been given a beautiful place to live. It is our responsibility to do our part to keep it that way.