Marian Hammond

I will be flying to Kona, Hawaii during this year's EcoChallenge to cheer for my brother in the 2011 IronMan World Championships. For my EcoChallenge, I am going to purchase carbon offsets for my family's travel. My goal is to establish this as a habit for all future air travel, since I know it's one of the most carbon-intensive activities I engage in.

I will also bring reusable water bottles and shopping bags on the trip and avoid any purchases of bottled water or disposable plastic shopping bags. I'm already good about these things in my day-to-day life, but those good habits frequently slip when I'm traveling.

My EcoChallenge Blog

September 26th, 2011

If I weren't going to be out of town during the EcoChallenge, I would have chosen biking to work as my challenge. I started this month for the BTA Commute Challenge and I'm loving it (mostly). Thought I'd share a few of my rookie bike commuter revelations thus far:

1. Biking is by far the fastest way for me to get to work. Driving/parking = 25 minutes. Bus = 35 minutes. Biking = 15 minutes.

2. Nothing beats the convience of door-to-door transportation.

3. I'm on my own schedule. No running to the bus - and watching it blast through the stop from half a block away.

4. There is no better feeling than sailing past cars stopped in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

5. I feel completely reconnected to the rivers and bridges in Portland. I never really notice them when I'm zoning out in a bus or car, but on bike, I have time to soak in just how beautiful this town really is.

6. Bike helmet hair is not as horrible as I thought it would be. That, or my standards are just lower. But I'm rocking the disheveled look just fine.

7. Must. Get. Front. Fender.

8. Aside from lesson #7 above, biking in the rain isn't so bad.

9. That #*@!! hill at the end of the ride gets easier every day.

10. Is it just me, or are my pants fitting better?

August 30th, 2011

August 30, 2011: At a friend's recommendation, I decided to purchase my carbon offsets through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (http://www.b-e-f.org/carbon/). Using their handy-dandy online calculator, I just calculated the carbon footprint for our three roundtrip tickets to Kona during the EcoChallenge in October. The tally came in at a whopping 16,914 miles = 13,509 pounds of carbon. BEF's website informs me that "One BEF Carbon Offset is equal to the amount of emissions reductions associated with putting approximately 1,000 kWh of renewable energy on the grid, or offsetting emissions from a standard car for 1,500 miles." The total to offset my upcoming trip to cheer for THE COOLEST BROTHER IN THE WORLD (and sneak in a little R&R in the sun) is 9.1 wind offsets. Just purchased them through the website (who knew they were tax-deductible too? Sweet!) Air travel is always going to be a part of my life. It's important to me to be able to spend time with my extended family and to celebrate fun occasions like weddings and graduations (and IronMan races!). And there's nothing better for my soul than some time on a sandy beach. I'm grateful for this opportunity to think through how I can make that travel a little easier on the planet. Without the EcoChallenge, I never would have known about BEF's carbon offset program (or how easy it is to purchase offsets.) It's way too early to call... but this feels suspiciously like a habit successfully changed!

Comments

From: Patrick Lagutaris

Hi Marian, I donated from my PCL Leadership account, after reading you ten items on bike riding I can relate to all except for #6, hair not being my problem these days. I have been ridng for 32 years and still love it. Love, Patrick

From: monica eav

That's awesome Marian! You've inspired me to recommit to walking to work!

From: Owen Hammond

You're a superstar! Thanks for the inspiration keep up my eco-awareness!

(back to list of individuals)

My EcoChallenge(s)

Alternative Transportation

Trash Reduction

My Fundraising Goal

$200

My Pledge Tally

$95

My Pledgers

• Patrick Lagutaris
• monica eav
• Owen Hammond