Paris did a great thing a few weeks ago to combat city smog. The European city’s officials banned all cars with license plates ending in even numbers from its roads for one day (March 23, 2015). City officials made this decision to combat Paris’ insane amount of city smog.

To help ease the pain for commuters, the city made public transportation free to encourage people to get around via other means. This isn’t the first time the city has done something like this. According to the NPR article, the city took “similar measures” in 2014.

While Paris’ city smog reduction tactic is impressive, it’s rather depressing it had to make this desperate move to combat its troublesome air pollution issues.

According to the NPR article, Paris made this move because pollution had recently “spiked” in the city, as well as in northern France.

All cities are plagued with air pollution and could do the world and its inhabitants a favor if each metropolis did its part to reduce city smog. Now, we know not every city will do this, so we’ve rounded up a few suggestions to help you cut down the smog in your city. After all — each small step counts!

Walk or bike to work: A great option if you live close to the office. Also: Biking or walking every day will help you keep your weight in check, and leave you feeling energized and less stressed once you get home.

Carpool: Not everyone lives close to the office. And some cities (I’m looking at you, Kansas City, Mo.) have shameful public transit. So, when you can’t catch a train or bus, go ahead and “drive in” with co-workers.

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Image: Evan Bench

The post How Paris Reduced City Smog for One Day (and How You Can Reduce Air Pollution) appeared first on EcoSalon.

A recent survey shows the highest increase in traffic congestion in two years, which is seen as a sign that the American economy is rebounding. What’s wrong with this picture?

Gridlock in the U.S. has staged a dramatic comeback after two years of post-recession lows. Data from the most recent INRIX Gridlock Index (IGI) shows that traffic jumped by almost 10 percent during February — the largest year-over-year increase recorded in two years.

INRIX, a leading traffic intelligence platform, considers this is a healthy sign of rising economic activity across major metropolitan areas. “Traffic is a great indicator of confidence on the ground,” said Bryan Mistele, CEO of INRIX. “People hit the road as they return to work, and businesses ship more freight as their orders increase. IGI shows the pulse of the economy is starting to beat faster.”

American traffic is getting worse for the first time in year. Progress or lack of priority? Graphic via The New York Times

February’s composite IGI score of 6.8 meant that the average trip took drivers in the hundred most populated metro areas 6.8 percent longer because of increased traffic congestion. Here are some examples cited:

• Gridlock in Chicago increased by more than 20 percent from February 2012 to February 2013, hinting that the metro area’s slow recovery may be gathering speed.
• Gridlock in Phoenix increased by almost 19 percent from February 2012 to February 2013, confirming recent decisions made by several retail and casual dining chains to expand in the metro area.
• Gridlock in New York increased by almost 18 percent from February 2012 to February 2013. This jump is in line with recent news of strong private sector job growth.
• Traffic congestion in Houston increased more than 10 percent from February 2012 to February 2013, confirming University of Houston Economics Professor Barton Smith’s claim of a recent “boom” in the metro area.

Although it may come as as surprise to those who live there, LA is only the world’s third most congested city. Graphic via INRIX

We should be happy to be stuck in traffic, it seems. But are we? Get on the 405 in Los Angeles during rush hour and I dare you to maintain a positive outlook and be grateful that you are contributing to our economic recovery. Gridlock, it’s safe to say, is not going to be the solution to our societal problems. And traffic is not progress. What are we doing wrong here?

Portland has one of the country’s best public transportation systems. Photo by TriMet, Flickr Creative Commons.

Instead, as part of the economic recovery, we could be putting more efforts toward developing a functioning public transportation system. Because that is the future. We could put resources toward developing safe, dedicated bike lanes. Because cyclists are healthier, happier people. We could create walkable neighborhoods, where the only traffic jam you would get into would be a chance encounter with friends on the street. Because that is civilized. Sitting by oneself behind the steering wheel of a gas guzzling car is not.

The next time you have to go somewhere (which is probably soon), try taking the bus, or the train, or your bike. The more we start using public transportation options, the more of a priority they will become.

Top photo by bossco, Flickr Creative Commons

The post Traffic Increases as Economy Rebounds: What are We Doing Wrong? appeared first on EcoSalon.

Sometimes, you’re better off moving on.

You’re feeling ill-at-ease, and you just can’t quite put your finger on the cause. You’re uninspired. Stifled. Frustrated. It’s time to examine your life, starting with the town you live in. Is the home you’ve chosen holding you back? If any of these 10 signs apply to you, from lack of enthusiasm for eco-friendly programs to intolerance of the differences of others, a fresh start in a new place might just do wonders for your well-being. Or, if you’ve got the stomach for it, maybe you should stay and fight for the things you believe in. Either way, it’s time for a change, baby.

There’s no recycling program

When private recycling companies won’t operate in your moderately-sized town because there aren’t enough residents willing to pay for the service, you know you’ve got a problem. Even when city-run programs are free, many people choose not to go through the “hassle” of recycling, but paid programs often fail spectacularly in areas where such practices are seen as “hippie stuff.” Sure, you could haul 50 pounds of recycling to the nearest big city once a month if you really care about recycling, but you shouldn’t have to.

The people just say no to solar panels

Some say renewable energy projects are ugly. Others are devoted to fossil fuels unto death. And even in towns where there’s some measure of support for them, solar power farms and wind turbines are all too often stifled by the NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard). Nearly half of all renewable energy proposals are stifled because of local opposition, and while not all of the protests lack validity, it can be incredibly frustrating to see a promising project killed because your neighbors don’t want a turbine poking into “their” skyline. When they stop you from putting solar panels on your own roof, you’ve definitely got a legitimate reason to get the hell out.

There’s no public transportation

America’s sprawl is legendary, and for many parts of the country, personal automobiles seem like the only way to go. Nobody’s going to build a commuter railroad 100 miles out into the country to ferry a few dozen rural residents to the nearest city five days a week. However, cities and suburbs have no excuse for a lack of decent public transportation. With few routes and infrequent stops, poor public transit systems make this greener way to get around virtually impossible to rely upon. And if your town’s not bike-friendly, your options are even more limited. It’s no fun to be forced to drive to work and fight for a parking space when a bus would be so much more efficient.

Health care is conventional or bust

Got allergies? Go take some Sudafed. Ear infection? We’d better give you some super-strong antibiotics, just in case. Oh, you want to find the root cause of your health problems instead of just treating the symptoms? [Blank stare.] Yes, in many towns, you’re hard-pressed to find a health care practitioner that will even consider alternative treatments, even if they’re as benign as vitamin therapy. These attitudes often stem from the patriarchal directive to bow to a doctor’s authority, even if said doctor’s education is four decades out of date. If you can’t find a doc that will delay your child’s vaccination schedule, consider natural childbirth plans or condone the use of herbal supplements, you should look elsewhere.

Pharmacists refuse to carry Plan B

In many states, it’s perfectly legal for pharmacists to flat-out refuse to carry or sell birth control methods like Plan B due to moral or religious objections. Such practices more than likely lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies, and when these women subsequently seek abortions, they’re not likely to find local services for that either. State laws are shutting down Planned Parenthood branches and other women’s health centers left and right, so many women find it difficult to even get physical contraceptives, low-cost health exams or counseling that isn’t pro-life pressure in disguise. One could argue that such conditions are anti-woman, but there’s no question that they’re anti-choice.

Racial segregation is still the status quo

There are still towns in America – and not just in the South – where a local resident’s tour of the countryside will introduce you to “the white swimming pool” and “the black basketball courts.” Unofficial racial segregation is common even in the most liberal of cities, including the outer boroughs of New York, but it’s a little different when a mixed race couple can’t attend church together, when high school students have “black proms” and “white proms,” and when country clubs have unwritten policies against admitting members of color.

Small biz lost the battle against corporate chains

You’d love to shop local, if only there were places to do it. Your dining options are limited to fast food, Olive Garden and T.G.I. Friday’s, and if you want household essentials, Walmart is the place to go. Mom and Pop shops were plowed under a long time ago to erect another sprawling retail warehouse, and locally-made products are hard to find. Sadly, some towns have opened their arms to big business in the hopes of receiving more jobs and cheaper products, but they’ve lost their identities in the bargain.

Freedom of religion

We are a diverse nation of atheists, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, agnostics, Christians and dozens more religions and spiritual traditions, but in some towns, you’d never know it. That’s because the people who don’t attend twice-weekly church services and quote scripture in every conversation are often shamed into staying quiet about their beliefs. If you don’t fit in, you’re not just a heathen, you’re probably a devil-worshipper, and no one will ever loan you a pound of sugar or give you a ride when you’re broken down on the side of the road. Every group is guilty of occasionally marginalizing those who are different from them. That doesn’t mean you have to accept intolerance.

Every other car has an NRA bumper sticker

Sitting behind a monster truck at a traffic light, you’re staring at no less than a half-dozen highly offensive bumper stickers with slogans like “To get to heaven, turn right and go straight,” “Waterboarding works,” “Welcome to America, now go home,” and “I’ll keep my freedom and my guns, you keep the change.” This isn’t an isolated incident; they’re everywhere you go, even on vans full of children. You’re almost afraid to put up your meek little equality sign lest your car get keyed. If only people wore these slogans on their chests every day, you’d know just who to avoid.

Your town just won’t let you be great

You can’t find a good job. Nobody laughs at your jokes. All the single men you meet are behind on their cell phone payments and literally live in their mother’s basements. Sure, these could be signs of your own character deficiencies, but you’d probably prefer to believe that this place just isn’t for you. Don’t let your location stifle your self-expression or hold you back from doing great things. Either get out of dodge, or do them anyway, no matter what anyone else thinks.

ALSO CHECK OUT:

10 Signs It’s Time To Leave Your Friends

10 Signs It’s Time To Leave Your Relationship

10 Signs It’s Time To Leave Your Job

Photo: Maxime Guilbot

The post 10 Signs It’s Time to Leave Your Town appeared first on EcoSalon.

What we consider a stand out piece is one that wows us with either how inventive or just plain beautiful it is. In today’s case, the collaboration of D.S. & Durga and Erica Weiner covers both areas.

This beautiful locket is reminiscent of the days when Victorian “Vinaigrettes” in perforated lockets had aromatic smelling salts or vinegar inside. I like how the Erica Weiner site says: “A lady could sniff these to mask the unpleasant aromas of 18th-19th century cities.” Well, times change but luxurious smells do not and perhaps you’ve been on public transportation recently or car-pooling (to lessen your carbon footprint of course) that one of these could have come in handy?

If you should decide to purchase this, the locket comes with one 1/2 dram bottle of Foxhunt, (a medley of fragrant notes including country herbs, wild flowers and deep leather patchouli), as well as one 1/2 dram bottle of Empress Jingu (think Hinoki wood, cypress forests and violet fields.)

When you receive your package from the designer you gently soak a piece of the linen in one of the two scents, snap it shut and head for the nearest subway line. As you walk briskly to catch the C train, the heat of your body warms the locket and in turn the linen, causing you to smell faintly of exotic lands where myths are born and in your mind you go there to this mythological landscape to escape the strong cigarette smell of the man beside you.

Either that or your slugging deep sniffs just because you like it so darn much.

The post When Scent and Metal Join Forces appeared first on EcoSalon.

Let’s be honest: By the year 2010 I think most of us were hoping that when it came to public transportation, any time we spent out of our sleek, gleaming national monorail system would be occupied by getting fitted for solar-powered tandem jet packs. Instead, Americans from Maine to Hawaii are desperately and uselessly pumping the brakes of their Camrys before slamming into highway dividers and turning into gasoline-fueled fireballs. Their private jets are plummeting into the sea after flying through Icelandic ash plumes. The future, it turns out, is not nearly as awesome – or as green – as the Jetsons suggested. Even the Flintstones powered their car with alternative energy (courtesy of Fred’s two feet) instead of fossil fuels. We’re less carbon-neutral than cavemen.

Meanwhile, passengers in Europe and Japan have been enjoying high-speed rail since the mid-60s. The Shinkansen line began running out of Tokyo at 130 mph in 1964. A year later, Germany unveiled a prototype for a similar line. Today, high-speed rail service can be found throughout Europe, China, and Japan, often reaching speeds above 200 mph. Bullet trains provide energy-efficient transport that requires less land use per passenger than both plane and car travel. China’s network alone covers more than 3500 miles. This from a country that considers lead a key ingredient in baby formula.

In a “better-late-than-never” approach to rail development, Congress opened an $8 billion funding plan in February 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The year before, Californians had voted to approve Proposition 1A, which freed up another $10 billion for a high-speed rail system connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco. While the system won’t be up and running until the end of the decade at the earliest, it’s a vast improvement over current travel options between the two regions. Amtrak runs several bus and rail lines between several cities in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, most of which take eight hours or more. The proposed rail system would make the trip in 2 1/2 hours, providing a competitive alternative to air travel.

There are still plenty of challenges, of course; the high-speed route proposes to build through the Pacheco Pass, a relatively undeveloped and environmentally sensitive area in Central California. The project still has plenty of time to go over budget, to demolish wetlands, or to languish amid litigation. It’s certainly not the only answer to California’s energy and transportation problems. But it’s a long-overdue step in the right direction, and it’s bringing us all one step closer to that jet pack.

Image: jeffk

The post Mind the (Technology) Gap appeared first on EcoSalon.

Spain’s Alta Velocidad Espanola train is destined to win the race against carbon emissions.

Spain’s Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) high-speed rail service is providing a greener, and more enjoyable way to travel short distances. For example, approximately six million people travel the 325 miles between Barcelona and Madrid each year. In previous years, 90 percent of those people have been taking it to the skies to do so. The number of jet-setters is lower these days, with frequent short-distance travelers choosing the speedy train.

According to analysts, rail travel emits one-fourth of the carbon dioxide emissions created by flying or driving. With such large numbers of people regularly taking the train instead of flying, it should really help toward reaching the country’s goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 20 percent in the next decade.

Although the rail service will generously aid in environmental efforts, most passengers on the AVE do not choose the service because it’s greener, they choose it because they like it better. The trains are comfortable, offer numerous amenities and don’t require passengers to check in early. The last point is particularly important to business travelers who frequently journey back and forth between cities.

Soon all of Europe’s short-distance routes may be dominated by high-speed trains rather than airplanes. The shift is considered a huge advancement toward the EU’s fight against harmful emissions. In this matter, the US is still lagging behind. Spain alone is expecting to budget $80 billion for rail travel, while $8 billion has been set aside for the entire United States. The good news is that steps are in place for greener, easier and more enjoyable travel for everyone.

Editor’s note: Article by Katie Leavitt. Originally published by our friends at Tonic.com. Tonic is a digital media company and news source dedicated to promoting the good that happens each day around the world. Tonic tells the stories of people and organizations who are working to make a difference, by inspiring good in themselves and others. Be sure to visit them and say hi, and follow Tonic on Twitter, too!

Image: dominguin

The post Speedy, Green Travel Favored in Spain appeared first on EcoSalon.

We’ve all had that moment of realization, walking through a lonely parking lot or waiting at a dimly lit subway station at night: “I’m extremely vulnerable right now.”  And while some of us are certified bad-asses, most of us rely on little more than our wits, common sense and perhaps a can of pepper spray.

We want to take advantage of all the conveniences and environmental benefits of public transit, but we often don’t feel safe doing so. What gives? To find out, Planetizen spoke to UCLA’s Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, author of a recent study that revealed that transit agencies are failing to involve women in the planning process.

Regardless of what the statistics may be of crimes committed on and around public transit systems, the fact is that women often feel unsafe, and Loukaitou-Sideris says it all boils down to needs that aren’t being met. Loukaitou-Sideris’ study found that women are much more scared waiting at the bus stop or transit station than within the transit vehicle itself, yet most transportation agencies only focus safety resources on the vehicles.

“Women were also not comforted knowing that there was a camera or CCT technology,” Loukaitou-Sideris told Planetizen. “They were not against it, but they felt that if anything happened to them the camera would only help after the event, not during. So they were much more in favor of more policing, human solutions rather than technological solutions. Yet the trend is towards more technology, not less.”

That might have something to do with the fact that upper-level management at transit agencies is primarily made up of men, who have likely never been sexually harassed, groped or worse at the park-and-ride. The solution, says Loukaitou-Sideris, is for transit authorities to listen to what women have to say about safety.

“Transportation planners really need to look at women’s fears in transportation settings and know that there are things that they can do to if not completely eliminate but reduce these fears. These solutions involve policy, design, policing, and outreach and education.”

Image: lawmurray

The post Why Don’t Women Feel Safe Riding Public Transit? appeared first on EcoSalon.

Every time you leave the water running while brushing your teeth, you vow you will break the habit soon because you care deeply about the planet’s resources. Eating meat makes you feel sad, knowing we are no longer hunters who cannot survive without animal protein, yet those subliminal burger ads are bringing out the Edward in you. And every time you leave the TV on all night, you wake up without the proper REM sleep and a higher power bill.

Be compassionate with yourself. Baby steps, dude. Baby steps.

At EcoSalon, we are proud to hold your hand and walk you through those first steps to becoming the conscious citizen of the world you envision. Here are 10 resolutions to get you from A (affluenza) to Z (zooplankton).

1. Phantom Energy

The no-brainer action you can take right now in your home to eliminate daily waste is to pull the plugs on appliances, machines and lights not in use. You will discover the savings and rewards by checking out this post.

2. Downer Meat

If you are what you eat, do you really aspire to be a sickly cow, pig or chicken? That’s exactly what you are pumping into your bloodstream and your family’s diet every time you buy and serve meat that has been treated with growth hormones and antibiotics and raised in inhumane, filthy conditions. Review how to avoid this putrid protein which is not only harming your body but the natural resources we treasure. Eat this up.

3. Over Dependence on Electric Appliances

Hanging your laundry out to dry will not bring down the hood! Give it a go and see how much it cuts down your power bill. Also, switch to Energy Star appliances to reduce the waste. Other steps include buying rechargable solar batteries, watching commercial-free television (meaning less TV) and yes, finding a mate more satisfying than your computer and other electric gadgets. Turn on here.

4. Refusal to Compost and Recycle at Home and at Work

Seriously, this is the new way of keeping up with the Joneses. It’s not about the new car in the garage but the bins on the curb. Our landfills are rapidly filling up, and said to be the most telling time capsules of our history as a modern people. Reuse and composting is everything because when you are throwing something out, remember, there is no “out.” Get on board, January 1! Back peddle to find out more.

5. All Driving and No Biking

We’ve told you how to improve your gas mileage, but you should also do what you will be forced to do in the future: Drive less because gas is pricey and bad for the air. Bike when you can, walk or take public transportation and get more fit a the the same time. You’ll also save on dreaded parking tickets! Looks good!

6. Wasting Water

Turn off that tap, shorten that shower, switch to a low water flush toilet, use towels more than once, switch out your green lawn for succulents. It’s that easy to make a difference for a thirsty world – growing more thirsty every day. Extra reading here.

7. Using Plastic and Other Disposables

Buy reusable water bottles and challenge yourself at the market to avoid single use plastic bags and packaging of all sorts. Take reusable bags with you, and when you forget, keep reusing the paper ones the market issued until they are ready to be recycled. Carry a reusable lunch box to work. Use cloth napkins, biodegradable utensils and plates. Say NO to plastics no matter what you hear in The Graduate. Save paper, and save trees! More info here, here and here.

8. Being Too Rushed to Buy Fresh, Local and Organic

You love your body, right? Not loving it means not taking the time to shop and eat sustainably, whether frequenting the local farmer’s market to choosing organic from the shelves of your neighborhood market. It’s not just about shedding pounds in the new year, but taking stock in the crock, and slowing down on the cooking and consuming. You will find healthiest people love their bodies this way.

9. Not Shopping Eco Wear

Wear your green on your sleeves in the coming year by investing in eco wear. It’s a matter of putting quality above quantity and supporting emerging vendors of garments woven of healthy fibers sans the harsh chemicals and dyes. Shop the top online eco boutiques.

10. Consistently Exposing Yourself to Chemicals You Can Avoid

Our moms got their hair and nails done weekly, and used make-up laced with poison that seeped into the skin. We don’t have to expose ourselves to chemicals in our everyday beauty and household products, but it takes discipline. Beauty background here.

Image: Sally M

The post Give It Up for 2010! EcoSalon’s Round-Up for Creating a Greener Year appeared first on EcoSalon.

We hope we are making a dent in consumer behavior – helping to foster changes that will save us money while slowing the destruction and pollution of resources – our oceans, habitats, energy and wildlife. Are environmentalists making inroads in bringing it all to a halt?

Results of a survey measuring global progress shows some of the wealthiest nations which have a greater impact on the environment – Japan, the U.S. and Canada – come in last in this effort.

The second annual study by National Geographic and the international polling firm GlobeScan monitored consumer progress toward environmentally sustainable consumption in 17 countries around the world, evaluating a total of 17,000 of us.

Are we conserving energy, driving hybrids or taking public transportation, opting for green products over traditional ones, recycling and reusing and gaining knowledge of environmental issues?

In answering “yes” to those crucial questions, the developing economies of India, Brazil and China ranked the highest, just as they did in 2008. But this year, Argentina and South Korea, both new additions to the survey, tied for fourth as top-scoring consumers, followed by Mexicans, Hungarians and Russians. Europeans and Australians are next. The Japanese, U.S. and Canadian consumers are the lowest again, as they were in 2008.

The survey did find there has been an increase in environmentally friendly consumer behavior in 13 of the 14 countries that were surveyed in both 2008 and 2009. (This year’s survey added consumers from three countries, for a total of 17.)

According to the results, the Greendex survey identifies several types of eco-friendly behavior that have increased and resulted in cost savings for consumers.

Consumers in 11 of the 14 countries surveyed in 2008 and 2009 are saving energy in their homes by controlling the heating and cooling thermostats. You’ll also be glad to know washing laundry in cold water and air drying to save energy is catching on in nine countries surveyed in both years. And choosing used household items and repairing broken items rather than tossing and buying new is becoming more widespread.

Observers of the survey say the upside is that scores overall are up from last year, despite the collapse of the economy as we knew it. The results also send the message to manufacturers that if you build it green, we will come and get it. Consumers want to make the right choices when given the chance.

Interested in taking your own Greendex survey? Go ahead and let us know how you are doing in the green department!

Image: Insider

The post Greendex Gives U.S. Consumers a Failing Grade on Going Green appeared first on EcoSalon.