How to begin

For now we are going to focus on gasoline consumption, even though there are many other ways in which we use and abuse petroleum. In order for you to get started, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• By reducing your gasoline consumption, you are not only helping with our current economical, environmental, and political situations, but you are also saving yourself cash - a great motivator
• You can, without a doubt, reduce the amount of gasoline that you use and it never change your lifestyle
• In order to know if you are really accomplishing what you are setting out to do, it is important to measure and set goals for yourself, similar to losing weight

On this last bullet point, I am suggesting that everyone set up some system of measuring your gasoline consumption either daily, weekly, or monthly. Fortunately, I have to do this on monthly basis for my job, but anyone can do this by creating a manual or electronic form to record their milage and/or gasoline consumption. If you know me, email me and I will send you an excel spreadsheet that is already set up and all you have to do is plug in the numbers. Set your own goals and expectations, and you will be surprised at what you can do. If you can reduce your milage and consumption by 10% you can save hundreds of dollars - enough to buy a really nice bicycle!