Dan Lafreniere, McGill University Canada

A few of the ways that I have modified my lifestyle to help the environment and lessen the dependence on oil –

- I commute to work every day by bicycle (almost without exception) eight months out of twelve (the bike baths are not open from December through March)

- The remaining four months I use public transport (train or bus)

- I buy in bulk whenever possible; buy organic produce as well as fair trade products

- I no longer eat meat (since June 2006)

- I use cloth shopping bags when I buy groceries

- I shop mostly locally

- I buy clothing sparingly (every few years as needed) and usually second-hand

- I live within walking distance to shops, city hall, the public library, church and other facilities

- I grow my own vegetables and share with my neighbours

- I reduce, reuse, recycle and reclaim as much as possible

- I heat my home primarily with an efficient (very low-emission) woodstove instead of the oil furnace

- I am a member of a regional (fledgling) post-carbon awareness group and promote energy efficiency and reduction

- I work for a non-profit (university) dedicated to reducing emissions, energy awareness and green living

Of course the ‘I’ really means ‘we’ as in my family and friends who espouse the same energy and life values that I have. There is still more that I can accomplish in the way of energy dependency in all aspects of my life and it remains a persistent goal of mine.