The front page of Monday’s Boston Globe calls attention to the fact that people are driving less, sacrificing pleasure trips in lieu of more practical concerns, like saving money and fuel. (Sadly, it seems saving the planet takes a figurative backseat in America.)
Road-trippers are using their RVs to cover fewer miles, the article reports, and are more likely to camp in one spot for the summer, versus traveling the country. Even RV roadsters, who celebrate an “On The Road” lifestyle of a different generational form, are driving less, motivated by rising fuel costs to put on the brakes.
One RV-driving couple told the Globe of their efforts to consolidate trips, for example, by making one major grocery run, not a handful of minor ones, from their campsite. (This is something all of us can and should do all the time, for savings in money and environmental damage.) RVers (and other drivers, as well) are also adopting other, less spontaneous habits that require forethought and planning. Instead of winging a summer trip and driving wherever their heart desires, they’re taking time to determine the shortest route to their destination (which is likely closer than farther away), and staying close to home.
The fuel crisis is connecting us more directly to the planet’s resources, or, rather, it’s making us more aware of our footprint and how our routine habits deplete Earthly resources. If five dollars a gallon (or more) is what stops us from driving and closes that rift of disconnect, so be it. It was bound to happen.
Photo via flickr by t-dawg
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I would like to know if Mr. Livingstone plans to make the rail system even more terrorist friendly so when the next subway bombings occur, more people will die unnecesarily.