I'm not a political person. I don't really like politics (school,office,global politics,you name it).Sometimes, though, it is inevitable and unavoidable. After all, it seems to be fundamental in society. So, this piece is for all environmental-conscious buddies out there (apology for those who don't get some of what I refer to as it was meant for the Melbourne audience). And oh yeah, LIVE EARTH concert and Al Gore? I'm sceptical about them. Just think about the cost and electricity and fuel used in the concert itself. Saving Earth? Nuh-uh. More like costing Earth.
Step out, Stomp the pavement.
Earlier this January, parking fees increase from $2.40 to $3.50 an hour.
Recent reports see Melbourne’s petrol price increase by 12 cents a litre. Some consumers complain that in 24 hour, they can see price jumps as high as 17 cents a litre at some stations, especially during weekends.
And Metcard prices have increased from June 3.
Am I greatly affected? No. Why? Because I walk everywhere.
Commuting is inevitable in our daily life. Walking, by right, should be the most common way to commute. From Carlton or the city, it is possible to walk to Smith Street, Brunswick or Royal Park. They take only around 30 minutes. I have done so. And I believe more areas can be reached by foot. As long as you are armed with a map, a mouth and a mind to do it. Yet nobody believes me. My suggestion to walk, even from Melbourne University to the city, is usually greeted with a grimace or even baulked at. It shouldn’t be like that!
Walking will save our body, our wallet, and our Earth. Moreover, we can actually enjoy the scenery around us and think as well. All these, simultaneously. Can we say that when we are traveling by car? No. By tram? No. By bike? No. Can you honestly drink in the surroundings or mull over something without risking your neck?
On May 27, The Age article Gridlock Choking Life Out of City reported that with a “speed of 15 km/h, Melbourne trams are among the slowest 20 per cent in the world”. It added that Melbourne transport system is in crisis. This is emphasized on June 1 when MX reported that more than 8 per cent of Connex trains were late in May.
Ironically, the parallel streets that cause tram problems made it easier to walk around Melbourne. Maybe Melbourne is made for walking after all.
So instead of complaining about another late tram/ train, why don’t we hit the road? By the time we finish griping, we’d have arrived at our destination, possibly sans that calorie too. And did I mention that walking is good for you? Research has shown that walking reduces heart diseases and lowers the risk of getting diabetes.
Walking habit not only promotes healthy lifestyle but also reduces car-dependency. Maintaining a car is not cheap (in both money and environmental sense). So does its production. Likewise with trams and trains. Walking is easy, free, and innate. It not only saves us heaps of transport money, but the environment as well. Motor vehicle is one of the main contributors to air pollution and excess greenhouse gases. These in turn, results in climate change and global warming.
Like many of his counterparts in different countries, Australian politician, Kevin Rudd, said that “the time has come” to do something about climate change and global warming. Yet one has to wonder if his transport use (i.e. car) has not contradicted his speech. Now, if he were to walk to work everyday… Not only would he contribute in reducing noise and air pollution, but also in easing traffic. Hopefully, the walk would also help in clearing his mind, preparing him for work.
We may be skeptical, thinking an individual alone may not achieve a lot of results. But an inspiring individual can do that. Take Sarah Bishop from Townsville. She set out on a ‘green’ trek from Brisbane to Sydney in January 29, this year. She had given talks to a number of schools and was scheduled to reach Sydney on 30th March. Imagine what many individuals would be able to accomplish!
Granted walking may not always be possible in some circumstances. For example if we are sick, or rushing for time, if it’s an emergency, late at night alone or simply because we live so far from our destinations. But when we just want to go for retail therapy, why not walk there? The experience of walking is in itself a therapy.
The sense of adventure from getting lost or discovering a lane we would never have noticed by other modes of transportation is thrilling. The adrenaline rush we get after walking energizes us upon arriving. And the money saved from not paying for transport fees or not going to the gym/ therapy means more pampering.
Australian Pedestrian council has taken the first step (pun not intended) in applying the
national “Walk to Work Day” on October 5th this year. So why don’t we take the next step by participating in it? Better yet, don’t restrict yourself to walking only on those days. Face everyday as though it is a national walking day.
To know more about Sarah and her mission visit http://www.onegiantwalk.org/ . To know more about the walking day visit http://www.walk.com.au/.
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Love, the colour purple.
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