transportation

Tips for sustainable travel

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 20:33:41 +0000

Tips for sustainable travel Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/14/2023 - 13:33

Natasha Smith and Karlie Conzachi

Travel can be exciting, but it can also negatively impact the environment. Whether you travel for vacation, to visit family or out of necessity, there are many ways to incorporate sustainable, eco-friendly practices into your travel plans.

Here are some tips to help you stay green the next time you head out of town.

Consider your mode of transportation

Flying is probably the quickest way to get to your destination, but it typically has more carbon emissions than other forms of transportation. If you choose to travel by plane, travel with intention.

Choose direct flights because they produce less carbon emissions than connecting flights, plus you get to your destination faster.
Take advantage of the RTD Sky Ride, which can take you from campus to the airport. You can save money since you don’t have to pay to park your car at the airport.
Look into carpooling. Plan to travel as a group if you and your friends go to the same destination.

Pack reusable items

Choose sustainable and zero-waste alternatives to popular travel items. By making the switch, you can make even the smallest aspects of your trip eco-friendly.

Solid toiletries, like shampoo bars, conditioner bars and toothpaste capsules, help combat plastic waste. You can also buy toiletries in bulk and transfer to reusable travel-size containers.
Organic and reef-safe sunscreen can help protect marine life.
Bamboo toothbrushes are widely available and are a simple biodegradable switch from traditional plastic toothbrushes.
Bringing a portable water purifier to places without safe drinking water is an excellent alternative to buying countless plastic water bottles.
Bring reusable utensils, bags and containers.
Pack snacks to take with you and store them in reusable containers.
Bring your reusable water bottle and thermos with you.
Pack reusable period products, such as a menstrual cup.
Use rechargeable batteries.
Keep tickets and passes on your phone to reduce waste and save on printing costs.

Go camping

Camping is a great way to plan an eco-friendly vacation. Many popular tourist destinations have campsites available nearby. Camping can help you reduce your carbon footprint by consuming less water and electricity than in a hotel. Also, follow “leave no trace” principles to keep the earth as beautiful as you found it.

Camping has many benefits, from access to better air quality to circadian rhythm improvements and stress relief.

The Boulder area has countless campsites. In addition, the CU Rec Center offers equipment rentals to students through Outdoor Pursuits to help you achieve your backpacking and camping adventure goals.

Stay sustainably

If camping isn’t an option, you can find an eco-friendly indoor option. Booking a vacation rental in a small residence can produce a smaller carbon footprint than a large hotel chain. You can also vet your hotels to make sure they are sustainably certified. You can use the website bookdifferent.com, which specializes in finding and aggregating eco-certified hotels for environmentally conscious vacationers.

Support the local economy

One of the best things you can do while traveling is to support the local economy. Dine at locally owned restaurants since small restaurants are more likely to source their goods locally than large chains. Also, they prevent food waste during many parts of the food chain, including food loss in produce packing houses, manufacturing facilities and transportation and distribution networks.

Buying local, handmade goods also impacts the environment by providing an alternative to cheap, manufactured items. Handmade gifts also often carry more sentimental value because of their one-of-a-kind nature. And buying from local artisans helps them keep doing what they love.

Plan for sustainable travel

Implementing sustainable travel practices takes planning and intention. Remember, you don’t have to be perfect. Making a few small choices can have a significant impact over time. You may also influence others to follow your example.

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How to rave sustainably: adopting the eco-rave

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

How to rave sustainably: adopting the eco-rave Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/20/2023 - 00:00

Bryce Poirot

Going to large music festivals, clubs, raves and parties appeals to many people, and after not being able to participate in these large gatherings during the covid-19 pandemic, people are eager to return. PLUR - Peace, Love, Unity and Respect - is a common phrase in rave culture; valuing and respecting the earth that you have the privilege of partying on is the best way to spread love. It's important to practice the mantra, “No Planet, No Party."

What is an eco-rave?

An eco-rave is a rave or festival that has sustainable practices in mind. Before you go to a rave or festival, research whether or not the organizer has pledged to make their event carbon neutral. Beware of greenwashing, which is when a company provides a false narrative that they are sustainable or environmentally conscious in order to give consumers peace of mind. Read more about greenwashing here.

Thrift your clothing

Finding the perfect festival ensemble at a thrift shop can help make your outfit pop even more; plus, you'll have a story to tell your friends about where your outfit came from. Check out this quick guide to thrifting.

Party local

In addition to the expenses associated with traveling, travel increases your carbon footprint. If you are willing and able to find a local festival or rave, attending local events is more sustainable. If you are traveling by plane, you may be able to purchase a carbon offset.

Carpooling

Carpooling is a fun way to arrive with your friends at the same time, cut travel costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Splitting the gas money or rideshare cost can also make the evening more affordable. Learn more about traveling zero waste.

Bring your own reusable water bottle

Rather than purchasing water or beverages sold in single-use plastics at the event, bring your own reusable bottle. Most venues have places to refill your water bottle.

Clean up after yourself

Littering is not cool. Not only are you adding trash to the environment, but someone else has to clean it up after you leave. Find the proper recycling and landfill areas at the event and dispose of your waste correctly. This puts the "respect" part of PLUR into effect.

Do your own research

Who is running the event? Does the company use sustainable practices? Will there be vegetarian or vegan food options? Is the stage made of sustainable materials? If you find a festival that follows sustainable practices, spread the word and use the power of your dollar to reward this practice.

Going to large music festivals, clubs, raves and parties appeals to many people, and after not being able to participate in these large gatherings during the covid-19 pandemic, people are eager to return. PLUR -- Peace, Love, Unity and Respect -- is a common phrase in rave culture; valuing and respecting the earth that you have the privilege of partying on is the best way to spread love. It's important to practice the mantra, “No Planet, No Party."

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Sustainable Buff Q&A with Brandon C. Smith, CU's assistant director of sustainable transportation

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Sustainable Buff Q&A with Brandon C. Smith, CU's assistant director of sustainable transportation Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 02/27/2023 - 00:00

Deyah El-Azhari

At the Environmental Center, we aim to assist you in finding your path in environmentalism. There are endless options for a career that can help you live a life of fulfillment. As a senior political science major at CU Boulder, I've discovered that the Environmental Center is a valuable resource for pursuing my passions in climate justice, human rights and conservation. Through this organization, I've been able to combine my interests in writing and music to educate both the campus and larger community about environmental concerns.

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of interviewing CU’s Assistant Director of Sustainable Transportation, Brandon Smith, to get a glimpse of his job and the background he needed to get here. With a focus on sustainable transportation, he oversees the student bus and bike programs, including student transit passes, campus bike stations and repairs, the bike impound program, bike parking, B-Cycle and holding the fall bike sale.

As the transportation programs manager at CU, what are your main responsibilities?

Brandon works closely with RTD on programming and management, oversees about $7 million in contracts for CU and helps ensure students get their bus pass with unlimited rides without any additional cost.
As a transportation planner, he works closely with planning design and construction, parking, local jurisdications and other stakeholders to create safe bike paths and robust active transportation systems to facilitate better access.
He organized the ski bus, which provided 23 student bus trips to the mountains this year.
Brandon is focused on making sure that students have transportation options that will allow them to not need a personal vehicle.

What are the primary skills you need in this position?

He has bachelor's and master's degrees in urban and regional planning.
He is accredited with the American Institute for Certified Planners (AICP).
Prior jobs include being a bike shop manager, environmental enforcement coordinator at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, land use planner for Grand County and a bike planner/employee transportation coordinator for Boulder County.
Have a passion and understanding for sustainable transportation.
You have to be able to work well with students, parents, campus administration, procurement and transportation providers.

How is our university doing building out EV charging stations?

Many groups have done a great job at coming together to provide EV charging stations throughout campus, like C4C, Folsom parking garage, Wolf Law, SEEC and Biotech. We also work with fleet vehicles as demand continues to increase for both personal and business vehicles.
He worked with CU Night Ride, which is scheduled to replace all vehicles with electric cars. The E-Center covered the gap between the cost of gas-powered and electric vehicles.
CU now has two electric buses and two more are coming soon! The E-Center is partnering with transportation services to secure grant funding for another two electric buses, which would bring the total to six e-buses.
Brandon and his team are also helping to support other campus departments to electrify.

What is your understanding of smart growth?

From an urban planning perspective, the question is how do you deal with population increase while also reducing impact?
It’s all about density. The idea is to attact people to live in an urban center where services are more efficiently provided.
Public transit works best with higher density because it makes it possible to provide high frequency, reliable service in a more affordable and environmentally friendly manner.
As a country we really need to step back and reavaluate the car-centric sprawling landscape that was created by the outdated American dream prior to having a U.S. population of ~330 million people. Collectively, we have to be less autocentric and share resources and cooperate. Measuring success in life by how big your house is and how much stuff you have prevents us from being able to reverse the impacts of climate change.
The greenest house is the one that is already built, which is the opposite of tearing down a perfectly good home and building a bigger more efficient one in it's spot. A practical term in urban planning is “infill” - taking underutilized space such as parking lots and filling them with compact multi-family housing. Converting large houses and other buildings into apartments is another way to efficiently house our growing population near service-heavy urban areas.

How can students get involved to shape the campus transportation system?

It’s always helpful to have student support to increase the sustainability of our transportation options. �鶹��Ժ should be clear of their priorities with campus leaders to further their goals. Do students want to increase bike lanes or parking garages? Let us know so we can make it happen! Feel free to email me directly at brandon.c.smith@colorado.edu with your thoughs and ideas. My job is to serve you.

If you could give career advice to a student interested in sustainability, what would it be?

He stressed the importance of having patience. As with all things in life, it is essential to be humble and be ok with starting at the bottom to work your way up. Especially in environmental enforcement, which is no easy task, you must have a thick skin and tolerance for conflict. Lastly, he thinks students should continue building relationships with people within the fields they are looking to pursue.

Brandon Smith, CU's assistant director of sustainable transportation shares insight into his daily responsibilities, providing tips for students interested in pursuing a career in the field, as well as information on the necessary qualifications.

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The future of electric transportation

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 07:00:00 +0000

The future of electric transportation Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 02/27/2023 - 00:00

Deyah El-Azhari , Lucas Batista

Cars and light-duty trucks are responsible for most U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and the carbon intensity of fossil fuels, the use of large vehicles with a single passenger for trips and the need for better public transit infrastructure exacerbate the GHG transportation challenge. Some states, including Colorado, have enacted mandatory targets for vehicle electrification. There are benefits and barriers to vehicle electrification, and as a university that values sustainability, understanding the complexity of this solution will help us streamline renewable energy. CU scholars and a local electric vehicle (EV) designer and entrepreneur offer their thoughts on efficient electric transportation below.

Benefits of electric vehicles

Electric vehicles have many benefits, including reducing the need for continued reliance on fossil fuels. To continue drilling for oil, companies need to dig deeper and in more vulnerable areas, making the industry more susceptible to polluting ecosystems with petroleum. Relying on the electrical grid can provide numerous advantages to society. CU Boulder is currently involved in research to make electric transportation sustainable.

One of the main benefits of electric vehicles is that they reduce ozone and carbon dioxide pollution in urban settings. Not only are pedestrians and cyclists in cities forced to constantly breathe in vehicle exhaust fumes, but these fumes also contribute to smog which is detrimental to health and causes visibility issues. With electric vehicles, urban ozone pollution could be a thing of the past.

The University of Colorado Boulder is set to receive $4 million over the next five years from the National Science Foundation (NSF) grant awarded to the Advanced Sustainable Mobility Pathways through Innovative Research, Education and Workforce Development Center (ASPIRE). The center aims to improve health and quality of life by promoting sustainable electrification in the transportation sector through research, education, workforce development, diversity and inclusion. ASPIRE will create a connected education and workforce development system to train a diverse engineering workforce for cross-industry transformations. The center will focus on interdisciplinary thinking and diversity to produce a workforce focused on inclusion and equity. Check out this article to learn more.

Impacts

While vehicle electrification yields environmental benefits, some repercussions remain. Lithium mining has created both human rights and environmental issues, as the mining industry can extract large amounts of lithium in exchange for low wages and in countries with weak labor protections. Lithium mining and battery production has significant environmental impacts including air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination and the destruction of sensitive ecosystems. According to Ivan Penn and Eric Lipton, “Lithium Americas has drawn protests from members of a Native American tribe, ranchers and environmental groups because it is expected to use billions of gallons of precious groundwater, potentially contaminating some of it for 300 years, while leaving behind a giant mound of waste (New York Times, 2022 )." The disposal of used lithium-ion batteries can lead to the release of toxic chemicals into the environment, including heavy metals and toxic acids, which is harmful to humans and the environment. The mineral runoff from the mines causes acid lakes. One silver lining solution is the prospect of lithium-ion battery recycling, which could reduce the exploitation of humans and mines.

The future of efficient EVs

Dan Sturges, an EV company entrepreneur, has sold his GEM vehicles to the University of Colorado Boulder and they are now used for maintenance around campus. Sturges is working on innovation in electric vehicle design for lighter, smaller vehicles to replace standard large cars. This research is crucial as electric vehicle batteries rely on a limited supply of minerals like lithium, and innovations will ease that challenge in vehicle electrification. “Ninety percent of people in Colorado are driving alone to work in a car with five seats; that is a 20 percent load factor,” he said. In other words, all of the unfilled car seats can be seen as wasting energy. Entrepreneurs like Sturges are doing the difficult work of reimagining what the transportation grid could be. With the help of visionary students coming into the required fields, we can ensure the future of more efficient batteries and grids. We need a systems thinking approach that includes all process aspects, from the vehicle to the way roadways are planned.

It is essential for companies involved in the production and disposal of lithium-ion batteries to adopt responsible practices and adhere to strict environmental and labor standards to minimize human rights concerns. This includes implementing sustainable production practices, reducing waste, investing in research and developing more sustainable battery technologies. Renewable energy is an area that is ripe for innovation and careers. There are many pathways to get started in sustainable transportation work, perhaps through urban planning, engineering or data science. Overall, lithium mining must be accepted as an essential environmental net gain due to GHG reductions, but it should be done with adequate controls to minimize mineral runoff from the mines. Therefore, we need active human and environmental health protection through policy measures and technical solutions. All of us should find a role in helping establish a sustainable world where humanity can thrive.

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A Sustainable Buff's perspective on getting around Boulder

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 07:00:00 +0000

A Sustainable Buff's perspective on getting around Boulder Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 02/24/2023 - 00:00

Samantha Tindall

I always try to be sustainable when I’m getting around Boulder. Traffic sucks and parking on campus is expensive. Luckily enough, the most eco-friendly ways to get to campus are also the most cost efficient. It can be as simple and refreshing as walking. The bus system is another great way to get around Boulder. If you are unfamiliar with public transit systems, taking the bus may feel daunting. Lucky for you, I have been taking the CU buses for four years. I have dealt with the frustrations and I am here to share the tips and tricks with you. It’s convenient! And at times, super frustrating.

We’ve all had our issues with the buses, whether that’s getting on the wrong one (why does the same colored bus go two different directions?? I’m looking at you, HOP and Buff Bus), getting the door shut on your backpack, or just missing the bus entirely.

I have found a few helpful tips to manage the bus successfully. I use Google Maps and Transit to navigate the 10+ routes that go around and out of Boulder. I typically use Google the first few times I’m using a bus because it will follow your location through every stop and tell you how many until you get off. Transit shows you the stops, but I find it less precise than Google.

Switch to the Transit app as you get more familiar with the route. It shows real-time locations and helps you to plan out your trip. The most important tip I can give is getting to the bus stop earlier than you think is necessary. It's not fun seeing your bus speed away as you watch from half a block away.

Have you used the buses to go to the airport or into Denver? Those buses are spacious, comfortable and free to use with your RTD passes. Plus, the buses are allowed where the cars are not on highway 36, so you can avoid congestion.

Suppose buses aren’t your thing - no worries. There are other sustainable methods of travel to get around Boulder. The lime scooters can be a fun way to get around East Boulder, but be careful. They can be rented through the Uber app, but they aren’t included with your tuition like some of the buses or the bikes but are still a relatively affordable option.

The bCycles are another great option. I haven’t used them myself, as I have my own bike, but I know plenty of people who have taken them and are highly appreciative of them. Plus, with so many bike locations, it’s so easy to take them around campus and connect them back to the station, even all the way to East Campus!

Save money and avoid traffic with these tips on getting around town sustainably.

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A Sustainable Buff's perspective on getting around Boulder

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 07:00:00 +0000

A Sustainable Buff's perspective on getting around Boulder Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 02/24/2023 - 00:00 Samantha Tindall

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Sustainable habits for 2023

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Sustainable habits for 2023 Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 01/27/2023 - 00:00

The University of Colorado Boulder is home to some of the leading sustainability programs and environmental research in the nation! As Sustainable Buffs, it is our duty to be mindful of our habits and take full advantage of the opportunities we have in Boulder to be as sustainable as possible in our everyday lives. By holding ourselves accountable with integrity, we promote a more balanced future of energy exchanges that are regenerative to the earth, rather than exploiting our environment. Join the legacy of passionate CU students on the forefront of sustainability by adopting these simple sustainable habits.

Plan your grocery shopping

There are many ways to consciously approach shopping for food. As college students, we are just learning how to stock our refrigerators and take care of ourselves, which often results in unnecessary food waste. By planning beforehand rather than shopping impulsively, you can avoid wasting money and food. One way to shop mindfully is to plan your meals for the week and find recipes before you go shopping. Another tactic for mindful shopping is to tune into your body and what you need, versus what you may want at the moment. Rather than going to the store while hungry, try to eat before so you can shop with a clear head. A great place to shop sustainably is Nude Foods, a zero waste grocery store in Boulder. You are allowed to keep the glass jars they sell food in, which is great for storage. It's also a good idea to bring your own bags and avoid unsustainable packaging when possible.

If you are struggling to afford groceries, schedule an appointment to visit CU’s Buff Pantry, which is located in the UMC next to the bookstore downstairs. To make an appointment, first click the “Join” button on Buff Pantry’s CU Serves page to fill out the client intake form. From there, you can schedule a time to come in and pick up some free food!

Compost

Composting your food waste is a simple way to be sustainable in your daily life. When you throw food waste in the trash, it releases methane, is not as easily broken down and is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Excess methane in the atmosphere is one of the leading causes of climate change. When we compost our food waste, we create the foundation for valuable, nutrient rich soil as the food breaks down. Student environmental activists have worked hard to further composting efforts all over campus. Green composting receptacles can be found at all of the main waste stations as well as the bathrooms on campus. To learn more about proper composting practices, check out this Composting 101 guide. It is vital for the CU community to get on board with composting. Recently, students, faculty and staff have not been composting correctly. This has led compost to become an expense to our school rather than a return on our investment, which threatens the future of our composting initiatives. We all need to learn to compost our food waste properly, or we may not have the option to do so on campus in the future due to the contamination of the waste streams, which are very difficult and costly to sort.

Eat organic

Soil is alive with microorganisms that we need to grow food. Pesticides kill these essential organisms that make up the microbiome of the soil. By choosing to eat organically, we support the organic food system and farmers who are doing this vital work to help us nourish our bodies. You can purchase organic produce at the local farmer's market.

Use public transit

As a Buff, you have a free RTD pass. Boulder has some of the most clean, comfortable and most efficient buses that are constantly running to get you where you need to go. The average traffic volume in Boulder on a given day is very high as a result of students and professionals commuting in and out of the city. One of the leading causes of global warming in our atmosphere is the pollution byproducts from transportation. Not only are there environmental incentives to limit traffic on the road, but also monetary ones as the prices of gas have been volatile. Take the bus! It is so easy and you can save hundreds in gas money, while also saving energy by taking the bus to get around.

Boulder is a microcosm of sustainable opportunities for CU students in terms of transportation, compost and healthy food. We can take these values with us as we grow into our positions in a workplace in the future. Practical everyday solutions exist all around us and consumers do have power to drive the market of sustainable developments. “Unsustainable patterns of consumption and production are root causes of the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution" (UN SDG Report 2022). If our patterns of consumption can do so much damage, choosing sustainable habits can propel humanity in a new direction with regards to our relationship to the environment. Although one person’s choices won’t restore the earth right away, the collective effort of many can shift our economy over time as we start to value sustainability in our everyday consumption choices.

DIY project: grow your own organic herbs on the windowsill

What you will need:

seeds for your favorite herbs (cilantro, chives, parsley, basil and rosemary are some popular ones)
a well-lit windowsill or grow lights
nutrient-rich soil
containers/pots

Fill a container with soil and sprinkle with seeds, covering the seeds again with a layer of soil. Pat gently. Keep the soil moist but not too damp as the seeds germinate and follow the watering instructions specific to each herb. Make sure you label them so you remember which herb is which. If you choose to add fertilizer to the soil, make sure to use one labeled safe for edible plants. Soon after, you will sprout affordable, organic, packaging-free herbs from your home!

The E-Center can help you become a Sustainable Buff! Save money and energy through the cultivation of everyday sustainable habits to start the new year off right.

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Ride all winter long

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Ride all winter long Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/03/2023 - 00:00

Winter in Boulder typically offers weeks of blue skies and dry pavement, but some days it will be cold with a lot of snow. Riding a bike in winter conditions can add fun, a little suffering (let's be honest) and adventure to your life. Here are some tips to make the most of your winter biking experience.

Ride the paths

After it snows, Boulder includes all multi-use paths in it’s “primary” snow clearing response. The city’s parks and rec department gets an early start on the Boulder Creek path and CU clears all campus paths. Multi-use paths will be clear long before the majority of streets, so try taking the paths as much as possible. Most streets with bike lanes will eventually be plowed, but be on the lookout for clumps of snow in the bike lane and be ready to come to a stop and dismount your bike.

Ride steady

If the surface is bumpy and/or slick, stay loose, keep a straight line and try not to brake. If you know an icy area is coming up, brake before you get to it and coast over it without braking. If you need to brake on a slick surface, only brake with your rear brake, usually on the right handlebar. If your rear wheel slips, you can still recover; if the front wheel slides out, it’s all over. If they are in your budget, carbide studded tires can make riding on ice safer.

Ride easy

If you are going to ride through serious snow, put your bike in a lower (easier) gear so you don’t get bogged down when the pedaling gets hard. If you typically ride with max air pressure, let a little air out as softer tires are more likely to grip on a soft surface. When approaching rough patches of snow, keep your arms slightly bent and relaxed so you are ready to absorb the bumps.

Be seen

If you plan to ride at night or in the early morning, be sure to keep your front and rear bike lights on and charged. Use reflectors on your bike so that drivers can see you, in the event that your lights stop working. Colorado law requires a front light and red rear reflector; most bikes come with a red rear reflector on the seat post. Many bikes also have reflectors built into the pedals. If you leave your bike parked somewhere, take at least your front light with you as they are often stolen.

Stay warm

Layer up and consider wearing a windproof -- or windproof and waterproof -- shell over your insulated jacket. A light hat or headband under your helmet that covers your ears goes a long way in helping you stay comfortable. On a bike, your fingers and hands will face the wind, so don’t forget warm gloves or mittens. You can make or purchase bar mitts (also called pogies) that attach to your handlebars to give your hands extra protection. Snow or rain pants can help keep you warm, and consider full zip-over pants (popular in nordic skiing and in rain gear) that you can easily remove when going inside. Long underwear can work, but your legs may get hot when you are inside and they require more work to take off.

If you wear snow boots, make sure they have good traction so your feet don’t slip off the pedals and cause a serious injury. Platform pedals with an aggressive tread will help keep your feet secure. Smooth platform pedals, on the other hand, are dangerous when conditions are snowy and wet. If you ride clipped in, there are many shoe covers on the market that can make wearing dedicated cycling shoes tolerable in the cold. It’s generally harder to stay warm when clipped in with metal cleats that conduct heat from your foot.

Keep your bus pass handy

It's a good idea to have a backup plan in case you encounter mechanical or other issues before you reach your destination, that way you can lock your bike and walk, or find a ride. It’s also easy to put your bike on a bus. Bus bike racks can be complicated at first, so watching someone do it first may be helpful. Keep in mind that the bike racks on buses do have easy-to-read instructions printed on them. Something to note: always put the bike rack in the upright position after removing your bike, if there isn't another bike still on the rack. More importantly, for your safety, ALWAYS tell the bus driver you will be taking your bike off the rack as you exit the bus. Google Maps shows bus stops along your route; make sure to find the stop on the side of the street that your bus will be traveling.

Maintain your bike

The best thing you can do for your bike in the winter is to keep it inside. A bike that dries out slowly outdoors will have a lot of corrosion by the time spring rolls around, especially on the chain and the shift/brake cables. If your bike is snowy, brush off as much snow as possible before bringing it in, then make sure you have mats or something else to collect water under it. On those rare days in Boulder when it’s single-digit temperatures and snowy, it’s actually best to leave your bike outside for a bit before riding. A cold bike will have less snow sticking and freezing to it. When your bike chain begins to get noisy, lubricate it with a quality bike lubricant. A "wet" lube will last the longest in wintry conditions.

Have fun and be safe!

Riding in winter conditions can be a blast. The extra challenge presented can make a ride that much more fun. If you don’t typically wear a helmet, well…maybe rethink that for these conditions. Focus and consider that it will take you longer to stop. Avoid riding along heavy traffic when possible. Enjoy the snow, fresh air and the challenge of navigating the less than ideal riding conditions.

Prepare yourself and your bike for winter commuting with these tips.

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Small actions to reduce your carbon footprint

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Small actions to reduce your carbon footprint Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/09/2022 - 00:00

Sometimes reducing your carbon footprint can be a difficult and daunting task. Here are 20 small actions you can try on your new - or steadfast - journey to living more sustainably! Small actions make a big difference. Pick a couple to try below to get started.

1. Turn off the lights each time you leave the room

2. Use energy efficient light bulbs at home, at school and in your office

3. Take the bus

4. Walk, use a scooter or ride a bike

5. Join or organize a carpool

6. Join a car cooperative - there are many options available

7. Eat meatless meals once a week

8. Buy local and in-season food whenever possible

9. Ask for local, organic and fair trade food on campus

10. Use a reusable coffee mug

11. Avoid using disposable plastic and bring your own cutlery/chopsticks/cup/tupperware to CU

12. Use a stainless steel water bottle instead of a plastic one.

13. Line dry your laundry

14. Purchase used furniture, clothing, school supplies and books (check out the GFH Housing Item Exchange Facebook group)

15. Print double-sided

16. Buy 100% recycled paper

17. Support local businesses and Colorado made products

18. Buy 100% biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning products and toiletries

19. Be sure to recycle and compost correctly!

20. Share what you learn with family and friends

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Benefits of sustainable transportation

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Benefits of sustainable transportation Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 07/06/2022 - 00:00

There are numerous sources of transportation which directly pollute the air and contribute to climate change. However, there are easy and accessible ways of swapping traditional forms of transportation for greener ones.

Biking

Bicycle riding uses minimal fossil fuels and is a pollution-free mode of transport.
There are no non-renewable fuels burned by riding a bike.
Bikes reduce the need to build, service and dispose of cars.
Bicycle riding conserves roadway and residential space, thereby providing opportunities for less concrete and more plant life in urban areas.
Bonus: Biking can improve your own personal health!

Interested in a global perspective? Check out this information on the benefits of biking from the state of Queensland in Australia. Or this Biofriendly Planet Magazine article.

Driving

Even if you do need to drive a car, there are ways to be more sustainable.

Each vehicle used for one-way car sharing can eliminate as many as 11 cars from the streets, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 13 metric tons a year, as reported by The Guardian.
Car-sharing means fewer automobile miles driven and less air pollution.
Check out the EPA’s recommendations on reducing pollution from vehicles, independent of car-sharing.

Interested in learning more about the benefits of car-sharing? Check out this article from Wheels for Wishes, affiliated with the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Walking

Walking is a cheap transportation option.
Walking creates no air pollution or carbon emissions.
Walking is an excellent form of exercise!

Check out this Treehugger article about walking as a means of transportation.

There are numerous sources of transportation which directly pollute the air and contribute to climate change.

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