Newsweek continues to turn up the heat...

"I feel famous already", I said while speaking to Jessica Ramirez from Newsweek. She picked up on a recent Grist.org article asking people to write and tell how they're reducing their carbon footprints. If you've read our blog you know we're up to lots. Now Jessica knows too. Maybe others will hear and get the message that it's not that hard to do.

We sent Grist a laundry list of things we're doing like organic gardening, hydroponics, bike riding/commuting, scootering, nativeenergy.com, terrapass.com, CFL's, hi-efficiency appliances, vegan/vegetarian diet, recycling, buying used stuff, etc. Our biggest hope is inspire others to get involved. Cut20 and reduce your carbon footprint.

She's intrigued with frequency and distance we ride our bikes to and from work. We explained that it's not just to escape the 'tipping point' we're faced with environmentally, it's also a good way to keep fit and save $$. My wife saw a Prius with a bumper sticker that said, "I'm saving gas so you can drive your SUV". Why stir up angst. Rather, be happy you live somewhere where you can afford any of life's luxuries. We can all get along with a lot less... us included.

Speaking of which, Rod Miner with Lightfoot Cycles in Darby, MT has promised me that my 24V Li-Ion electric drive system will be arriving soon. I'm excited about getting my electrified Xtracycle.com SUB together . I told Jessica I'll be able to do most of my travels on this bike, including transporting my 11 year old daughter to school, 8 miles away. I also told her how my 15 year old daughter was rethinking 'fossil fooling', considering an electric bike instead. This after seeing Al Gore's movie An Inconvenient Truth. Seems she likes the idea of a future, and also bought into my speech on the freedom that cycling offers compared to sitting in traffic. Hmm... wouldn't that be something if more young adults would give it a chance ! Let alone 40-something's like myself... see you out there !