Americans and the Environment

A recent post of Cameron's got me to thinking about one of the things they do better here in Bloomington - public transport. One reason I chose Bloomington over La Jolla is that I didn't want to buy a car. Apart from learning to drive on the wrong side and the cost, it is better for the environment and my health for me to walk most places. But when the weather's not so nice for walking (woke up to find snow outside this morning!) the buses here are really good; much better than public transport ever was in Western Sydney. I was surprised to find that here in Bloomington the city runs a bus company, something Penrith Council refused to even consider when it was suggested. Fares are dirt-cheap (75c or completely free for IU students!) and to encourage people not to use cars, the first Friday of every month everyone rides free! The buses are well-maintained and wheelchair accessable; not to mention the "para-transport" minibuses that are provided for the handicapped on demand. I'm starting to understand that America gives a lot more power to lower levels of government, which means the city actually controls a lot of everyday things but it's still hard to believe that in a red state there is a local government that actually provides services that are good for the community and the environment.

On the other hand, there are ways Bloomington are not nearly as good as Penrith council, like waste management. Almost no-one recycles here. The city runs a basic recycling collection so I phoned up to get a recycling bin but they told me I couldn't have one because I'm in an apartment building! I'd have to bundle everything up and take it to a depot to recycle my rubbish - but I don't have a car! Such a waste!

I'm not sure how much happens at the state level but there's an ad on TV featuring "Senator Dick Luger" touting the benefits of using special 85% ethanol fuel (I think it would have to go in a Diesel engine, but so many people drive "pick-up trucks" here!). In Australia biofuels only get support if the PM gets donations from an ethanol company!