A Shadow on the Environment

We had a service come to wash the solar cells, Hubby didn't want me climbing on the roof to do it myself. The workers took pictures to show they didn't harm the roof. The hose cast an interesting early morning shadow across the shingles.
I know that many do not believe that human activity is responsible for climate change, the proof is not 100% and until it is they believe it is better to do nothing.

I take a different approach. If there is credible evidence that human activity may be contributing to the devastating floods and droughts that seem to be more common every year, I feel I have a responsibility to make at least a few changes that will reduce my impact on the environment. The solar cells are one way we try to make a difference.

Our solar cells produced as much power as we used in their first year, reducing our carbon footprint by 9200lbs since September of last year.
Now that the weather is cooler, I try to do some of my errands on my bike. If I just need a few things at the market there is no reason I can't ride the six mile round trip. If I can't bike, I bundle errands whenever possible. I schedule no drive days every week.

Jug handle on the right allows golf carts to cross to shopping center across the street,

asphalt drive on right allows safe entry and egress to another shopping center

Not everyone can bike, though. Our town is involved in an NEV pilot project. An NEV looks like an electric golf cart but is a little bigger and can go a bit faster. It can travel on any street where the speed limit is 35 mph or less. Lincoln has added joint bike/NEV lanes on most streets that have a faster speed limit. This enables one to get almost anywhere in town.

Sun City is a golf cart community. Golf carts are not normally allowed on city streets but Lincoln has several approved routes where they are allowed. From Sun City you can get to two markets, several restaurants, a home improvement store, the library and many doctors and dentists. People here use their golf carts and NEVs and ours is not the only house with solar cells.

I realize that not everyone is in a position to make these changes, but everyone can find some way to reduce their use of energy and other resources. Everyone can contact their elected representative about their concern.

Maybe our use of carbon is not the cause of climate change but why take the chance? Humans as a species are very adaptable it's true, but adaptation takes time and at the cost of many lives and much suffering.

What are you doing to remove this shadow from the earth's future?

To see more shadows, go to Hey Harriet.