Walk to school regularly
Why This is Green
Many children live within a mile of school, but don't walk regularly. By choosing to walk to school regularly instead of driving or even taking public transportation, families can lower commuting costs, avoid the use of non-renewable resources for fuel, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide their offspring with a green-and-valuable lesson.
There are physical and emotional bonuses to walking, too. Sure it’s important to be a part of the transportation solution, and reduce your carbon footprint, but it’s also fun. It’s a stress buster, a strength builder, and generally feels great to be outside together talking and observing the seasons and changes in the landscape.
Modify your schedule to allow extra time for the walk. If your morning routine is just too hectic to add walking to the mix, try walking home at school pick-up.
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How To
Some towns and cities are much more pedestrian-friendly than others. Plan a route that is safe and pleasant with plenty of sidewalks.
Dress for success. Wear comfortable shoes. And stock up on water- and wind-resistant gear to be prepared for rain and other less than ideal weather.
Ask friends to join in; get a group of parents and kids involved. Adults can take turns leading the kids to school, like a "walking school bus."
If your walk takes more than thirty minutes, consider driving or taking public transportation part of the way and walking the rest. The goal is to get sixty minutes of walking vs. transporting time into the day.
