Blog: newgirl @ council

She'll be sharing her findings and experiences as the newgirl @ council through this blog each week.

What's a Blog?

A blog is like a diary that anyone can read online. It's informal  - just like a conversation. The word 'blog' comes from web log.

If you're interested in finding out more about any of the issues discussed in this blog, email Environment Bay of Plenty at info@envbop.govt.nz or give us a call on 0800 ENV BOP (368 267)

On World Environment Day earlier this month, we were challenged to pick a habit.

I read all the ads wrote and the media releases promoting the initiative to residents. Then thought hang on I work for a regional council and I should be walking the talk. So I went through the list of habits and chose to walk more.

I sent off my email to register and it felt like I had made a commitment. Someone in cyberspace knew I’d said I would walk more and use the car less.

That night I was due to go to visit a friend in Matua. It was dark out and I‘d got into that winter mentality of closing the curtains, locking the door and hibernating in front of the TV until bedtime. I went to grab my cars keys and then remembered my commitment to kicking a habit. So I dropped the car keys and picked up my scarf and trainers instead.

Once I got outside I realised it was fairly mild and not as cold as I’d imagined. I started to swing my arms and shrugged away the tightness of sitting before a computer monitor all day.

I went to my friends, walked home feeling perfectly safe and slept well after having some exercise.

Saturday came and I was looking forward to reading the weekend paper and cooking up a good breakfast. Again my first thought was to jump in the car. I stood there torn, I was hungry and just wanted to get there and back quick and eat my brekkie.

But I stood firm in the face of temptation, grabbed my trainers and walked out into a glorious clear morning. I stopped to say hi to the neighbours, chatted to strangers I met on the street, admired my neighbours’ gardens, bumped into a friend from tramping club who I discovered lived near me and really enjoyed the fresh air. It was a lovely way to start my day.

Since those aha moments I’ve continued to think twice before I jump in the car.  It’s less of a shock now when I fill up my car and at $2.15 a litre of petrol my wallet is thanking me for it too.

If you want to consider kicking a carbon habit and picking a sustainable habit, click here for some suggestions.

If you kicked a habit for World Environment Day then email me at info@envbop.govt.nz  to tell me about it. You, your experiences and your tips could feature in my blog.

Disclaimer: This blog represents the views of Fiona Robinson and should not be taken to reflect Environment Bay of Plenty’s views.