Well, I said I’d post this yesterday and then guess what? I fell asleep at 9pm (which never happens). I think I’m fighting off a cold. Sorry about that. Still, I’m here now…
Congestion pricing:
In the comments of my post, The Problem With Cars yesterday, Susan noted that congestion pricing is a good solution. It is, so let’s start there. Congestion pricing is basically charging people more money to drive in certain areas during heavy traffic rush hours. Those certain areas can be bridges, tunnels, major roads, etc. Of course this has been met with opposition by motorists. Actually this topic …read more

Cars are problematic. According to the Worldwatch Institute, there’s an average of 1 car per 12 people worldwide – except in the US, where the average is 1 car per 2 people. The EPA notes that every twenty years the amount of vehicle travel doubles. It’s a little out of hand. Suburban sprawl, working far from home, and driving alone instead of car-pooling has created a nightmare.
Honestly, cars are the original reason I moved to Humboldt six years ago. Portland, Oregon was becoming insane with traffic. Humboldt was a nice change – I don’t think the term ‘traffic jam’ exists …read more

I recently came across an inspiring green remodel story right in my hometown of Portland Oregon that I thought I’d share. The best part? The story’s not finished so you can follow along.
The 1899 House is an amazing project in process. The homeowners of this Portland charmer had remodeled the home previously and they did a beautiful job.
Here’s a photo.

Really amazing huh. Now comes the heartbreaking part of the story. After all that work they left and went traveling; renting the home out. In 2006 one little cigarette burned it beyond recognition.
After the fire and after remodeling had started.

The …read more