The Arlington Environment - Summer 2010

• The Rest of Us: On Taking Responsibility
• ACE Piloting New Solar Raisers Program
• Protecting Pollinators in Our Gardens
• Rain Barrels Save Money and Protect Watersheds
• Creating Wildlife Sanctuaries
• See You at the Arlington County Fair in August
• Going Green Doesn't Have to Be Scary
• Thanks to Our Supporters
• Join ACE
• Mark Your Calendars

Feature Article

The Rest of Us: On Taking Responsibility

Have you been glued to the Gulf of Mexico oil cam? Horrified by the millions of gallons of oil and natural gas that continue to gush into the Gulf? Saddened by the loss of human and animal life and the habitat destruction? Feeling helpless to lend a hand?

While blaming BP, their subcontractors or the government or boycotting BP stations might hold some visceral appeal, neither is likely to have much impact. With all the vitriol spewing forth about big, bad oil companies, it is important to remember our role in this morality play. While Pogo's "we have met the enemy and he is us" might be a bit strong, America's love of the car and sprawling communities is certainly an accomplice to BP's cost-cutting behavior. Grist.org surmises that "the rest of us" get 22% of the blame. We can quibble about the allocation, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to connect the dots between our nation's consumptive behavior and the Gulf gusher.

ACE was founded on the premise of taking personal responsibility. While ACE didn't coin the phrase "think globally and act locally," it is a moniker for any grass-roots organization like ACE. Taking action in response to this environmental and economic disaster is the best way to make an impact.

Using greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a crude proxy for fossil fuel consumption, Arlington's GHG emissions from energy, electricity and transportation fuels (13.4 metric tons per capita per year) are slightly below the national average (21.7 metric tons per capita per year) and we hold our own against our regional neighbors (click to the PDF and scroll down to see chart). Still, we aren't even close to the real leaders like Copenhagen, Denmark with 3.0 metric tons per capita per year.

The sad irony of BP's "Beyond Petroleum" rebranding campaign will sting for a long time. If we truly are to move America beyond petroleum, then each one of us must act now. Here are a few actions you can take to reduce your fossil fuel use, make Arlington a more sustainable community, and move America toward a cleaner fuel and energy future:

• Visit Arlington's Car-Free Diet website and take steps toward going car-free.
• Participate in ACE's Green Living Challenge which provides 25 fun and easy ways to make a cleaner Arlington and green world, including steps to reduce your auto dependency.
• If you already participate in ACE's Green Living Challenge, you can (1) reevaluate your pledge to see if you can increase your green grade, (2) share your stories of the innovative green activities you are doing and become a Greenovator, and/or (3) get your friends, neighbors and co-workers to take the Green Living pledge.
• Support ACE through a membership donation, sign up as a volunteer for ACE's outdoor service projects, or attend an ACE educational event.
• Become involved with Arlington County initiatives that promote energy security, environmental stewardship, and sustainable and equitable economic growth such as Fresh AIRE and the ongoing Community Energy Plan.
• Get involved in neighborhood redevelopment efforts to promote sustainable development through walkable communities, transit-friendly development and improved "destination accessibility."
• Contact your state and federal legislators and advocate for the passage of sustainable clean energy laws.