Ridesharing is like skinny-dipping: it’s great in theory, but awfully hard to find someone who’s ready to go when you are. Well not anymore because Carticipate is a nifty little iPhone App that pairs you up with your friends, family, or co-workers so you can share the ride, gas, and carbon footprint together.

To connect with a pal that’s going your way or find someone to ride with you, just fire up the app and indicate where you’re going and when. All your iPhone-toting friends with the same app installed on their devices can check in and match up their plans with yours.

Carticipate comes with a pre-loaded list of destinations, but you can easily add your own. There’s also a global search feature that lets you scan a list of registered users to see if anyone in your area is headed where you’re going. While we’re sure Mother Nature appreciates your desire to help save the planet, remember mom’s advice: Don’t get in a car with a total stranger.

Don’t have an iPhone? That’s okay, there’s also a Carticipate app for Facebook that’s just as cool and useful.

The post Get Your Ridesharing Groove on with Carticipate appeared first on EcoSalon.

Not everyone is going to find the idea of biking to work practical or appealing. The distance might be too far. Or it might be that you’re physically unable to bike. Not to worry. There is another way to get to work in an environmentally and financially friendly way – carpooling.

Just as we’re challenging you to give up the bottle in 2009, we’re also asking you to consider another simple step to easing your pocketbook and helping the planet.

Joining with others who are traveling the same way as you can save you plenty of money. Check out this Carpooling Savings Calculator. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. All it takes is a little research and you could soon be sitting back and enjoying the ride knowing that you’re reducing the dent in your wallet while doing something positive for the environment.

Here’s some places to help you get started:

Commuters can check out sites such as eRideShare.com, RideShare.com, carpoolcrew.com, and ridester.com to find carpooling buddies.

But it’s not just commuters who can benefit from carpooling. Families should have a look at DividetheRide.com, a site that helps organize carpools with families you know and trust. And concert and conference travellers should check out PickUpPal.com, a global ridesharing and carpooling community.

So what are you waiting for? Give it a go.

Image: /kallu

The post Carpooling Helps the Wallet and the Environment appeared first on EcoSalon.