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A few thoughts from John Fleck, a writer of journalism and other things, living in New Mexico

Greenhouse Guilt

Posted on | September 4, 2006 | 5 Comments

I’ve been riding my bike to work lately when I can. I can’t always do it, because some days I need a car to go out on interviews. Herein lies my greenhouse guilt dilemma.

According to this analysis, cycling to work will cause a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions over my lifetime. While in the short run using my bike instead of a car leads to a net reduction, it also has the unexpected negative side effect of improving my health. Because I’m therefore likely to live longer, my net lifetime greenhouse gas emissions go up.

I think I have a solution. To make my cycling carbon neutral, I plan to take up smoking.

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Comments

5 Responses to “Greenhouse Guilt”

  1. William Connolley
    September 4th, 2006 @ 2:43 pm
  2. James Annan
    September 4th, 2006 @ 3:38 pm

    Ah, but he’s forgetting the impotence effect of all those hours in the saddle – cyclists have fewer children :-)

  3. Avelino
    September 5th, 2006 @ 9:24 am

    John, you’re likely sucking in plenty of carbon monoxide and other fun stuffs while you’re cycling to work anyway — I bet you’re pretty carbon neutral already.

  4. Dano
    September 6th, 2006 @ 9:47 am

    The fewer PMx emitted, the fewer asthma exacerbations and there is a net positive.

    Plus, pet health is higher for bicyclists, as the stress from work is gone by the time you get home, therefore you don’t have to kick the dog to feel better. ;o)

    Best,

    D

  5. Matthias Kestenholz’ Blog » Klimaschutz: Auto oder Fahrrad?
    December 18th, 2006 @ 3:19 am

    [...] John Fleck: Greenhouse Guilt [...]

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