- Here is an excellent primer on how to talk to a climate change skeptic: Gristmill: The environmental news blog. Sometimes I fear, however, that it is a losing battle.
- Since gas has hit an all-time-high in our Pretty, Great State [TM], ridership on mass transit seems to have quadrupled. I have no reliable counts, but from anecdotal evidence, I have seen my regular route overflowing with new riders. This is particularly interesting since I was usually one of 5 people in the southbound TRAX car just a year ago. The northbound trains have always been packed in the morning, of course, but this is a first for the southbound trains. The high gas prices are the cause of this (and I have no doubts on that). I would hope, however, that people will maintain this behavior after the current gas crisis is over. Yes, gas prices will fluctuate as they always do.
- Anecdotal side-benefits noted because of the gas crisis:
- Fewer teens & twenty somethings blaring down my street at ungodly hours.
- More teens & twenty somethings on bikes having inappropriate conversations and offending little old ladies walking down the street.
- Despite 2 red alert air quality days, we can still see the mountains. This is highly unusual in a high pressure inversion.
- More people realizing that 10 minutes is not much to sacrifice for mass transit when you come down to it.
- More people realizing that you don't have to drive to the grocery store that is just up the street.
