by Louise Baker
The city of Boston, Massachusetts is one of the
most historically significant in the entire United States. From the
Boston Tea Party to the famous ride of Paul Revere, Boston was a focal
point for America in its fight for Independence from the British. Well
known as a center for higher education, Boston and the immediate
surrounding area is the home of Harvard, MIT, Boston University,
Northeastern and dozens of other colleges and universities. It is
also a very beautiful and picturesque city. While there is widespread
consensus that it is important to keep Boston beautiful, talk is not
enough. Following are 5 ways Boston could be more environmentally
friendly.
Alternative Transportation
The city of Boston could pass a law requiring more use of
environmentally positive modes of transportation. They would reward good
behavior and penalize non-compliance. You don't have to drive a car to
get around the city. Cars are a major source of air pollution and
discouraging their use could have a very positive effect on the
environment. Boston has a very good public transportation system that
can get you just about anywhere you want or need to go. Instead of
driving, you could decide to take the "T" (Boston's subway system) when
traveling around Boston and the surrounding cities. Buses can move a
large number of people in a much more efficient way than an automobile.
As a college town, taking a bike to get from point A to point B, is
pretty common and it is environmentally friendly. Finally, Boston is a
great walking city. Quincy Marketplace, Cambridge and the riverfront are
great places to take a stroll and leave the car behind.
Driving Fuel Efficient Cars
Boston could have an incentive system for driving more fuel efficient
cars. They might offer free parking if you have a fuel efficient car or
give you a break on your city taxes. Most people still need to drive. If
you are going to drive around the city, think about replacing your gas
guzzling SUV with a more efficient, smaller car. If you can get 30 miles
per gallon, you'll be using less fossil fuel and also saving a bunch of
money at the gas pump. Small cars. Hybrid Cars. Electric cars. Buy one
and you'll be doing your small part to help Boston be a little more
environmentally friendly.
Replace Incandescent Lighting with High Efficiency Lighting
The city of Boston could require all buildings to have energy efficient
lighting or you could get fined.
This is a very simple way to have a big impact on energy usage in
Boston. Lighting technology has been advancing rapidly in recent years.
Those "twisty" light bulbs are now selling for much more affordable
prices then when they were first introduced. Fluorescent lighting
consumes far less energy than incandescent lighting. The most promising
new lighting that can have a mass appeal is LED lighting. If all the
businesses in the tall buildings in the downtown area eventually
converted to LED lighting, it would take only a small fraction of the
energy it now takes to light up the city.
Recycle
The city of Boston could subsidize recycling making it more worthwhile
to be conscientious and recycle. They might double the going rate for
aluminum cans or set up special recycling stations where it would be
convenient for the general public. Save your cans, save your bottles.
Cardboard and newspaper can be recycled. Clothes can be recycled too.
Instead of always going for "new", consider quality used merchandise.
Stop Littering!
Heavy fines for littering would discourage the careless practice. The
city could hire enforcement agents who would be ready to ticket anyone
they caught littering. Take it upon yourself to make an effort to throw
your trash in a garbage can. When you see a plastic bottle or a stray
candy wrapper, pick it up! Deposit it in the nearest receptacle. Do your
part to keep Boston environmentally friendly.
Louise Baker is a freelance journalist and blogger who most
recently wrote about online
degree programs for the Zen College Life blog.
