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Give Your Neighbor a Push

Lend a hand for the environment.

Josh Peterson

By Josh Peterson
Fayetteville, AR, USA | Tue Dec 30, 2008 07:00 AM ET

car stuck in snow


Mike Magnuson/Getty Images

People are bound to get stuck in snowdrifts this winter. Their cars will become high-centered, their wheels will spin impotently on the icy roads, curses will be muttered, improvised implements will be utilized and tow trucks will be called.  We have the to power to alleviate this type of suffering, simply by pulling over, turning off our cars and using our manpower (or womanpower) to help push the car free. Not only is this just a nice thing to do for another person, but it is also good for the environment. You should help people for the sake of helping people, but why not feel green about it too.  Why is lending a hand to stuck drivers eco-friendly? There are two reasons.

Many people carry sand  in their vehicles during the winter months.  They use this sand to gain traction when stuck on ice. Sand is pretty eco-friendly in most cases. It’s all-natural and plentiful. The world isn’t running out of sand. When sand is put on city streets or flows into storm drains, however, the stuff can take a toll. It can damage storm drains and corrode streets. Repairing these things depletes our resources. The push is an eco-friendly alternative. 

The second reason is, of course, exhaust. An idling car takes a toll on the environment. Let’s say a stuck driver is traveling with a baby. The drive can’t just shut the heat off when you get stuck. The baby could fall ill because of it. The driver could be stranded and left idling for an hour or so waiting for a tow truck or other help. If enough people get together to help the stranded motorist get dislodged, they can help the environment by letting that gas go to good use. Be eco-friendly and regular friendly this winter season.

More on Community:
Recycle Your Neighbors' Holiday Leftovers with Tom Green (Video).
Travel Guilt-Free Through Green Volunteerism
Go Green with the Buddy System  

Travel the great outdoors far and near with hip eco-friendly gear and learn the lowest impact ways of getting to your destinations with Planet Green Travel & Outdoors.


 
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