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There are a lot of reasons why I love public transit, and at least as many reasons why I dislike public transit. The best qualities include the fact that public transportation is cheap, green, and often kind of makes me feel like I'm in some kind of cinematic montage about urban living. However, anyone who regularly rides the community rails knows that sometimes, you end up on a bus that you just plain wish you were not on. Sometimes, a simple smell is enough to make you yearn for escape. Sometimes, it's a visual catastrophe from which you would prefer to avert your eyes, but are unable to do so. For my part, it's usually the noise factor that gets to me. A set of headphones is my first line of defense against the yammering drunkard stooped in the corner, the gibbering bimbo chatting on her cell phone, and the hollering kids trading insults on their way to school. Sound familiar? The next time you do your commute amongst the huddled masses, why not try pumping your earbuds full of some cool green listening? Remember, knowledge is power!
Green Podcasts
Listening to a green podcast not only educates you with lots of useful and practical info, it'll help you stay revved to stick to your green goals, like riding the bus to as many destinations as possible instead of driving. Podcasts are free, easy to download, and there are so many with such frequent updates that it's an almost bottomless sundae of green info, so you can enjoy new facts and ideas every time you whip out your monthly transit pass.
Local Podcasts
The more you know about your area, the better equipped you'll be to see the impact and importance that going green can have on your community and its environs. Look for podcasts produced locally about local issues and topics, and pay special attention to any stories about local farmers and craftspeople whose goods might be an eco-smart alternative to purchasing whatever's being hocked in the Globo-Domination-Warehouse big box store at the mini-mall this week.
Audio Book
Podcasts are fun, but there's still something to be said for the long-form, especially if you're looking to learn more about a complex environmental subject or situation. Crack open the aural version of the hottest new green non-fiction title and "read" while you ride. If you can't download an audio book for free from your local library and have to buy one, pass it on to a friend when you're done. If you get the taste for audio books, you might even consider starting a private books-on-cd swapping library with a couple other green-minded folks so that you can build a wealth of knowledge without spending a fortune.
