News-Record.com

Thursday's lead editorial.

As a gallon of gasoline revs past the $4 threshold, and the spiraling costs of filling up ripple through everything from grocery shopping to the price of pantyhose, it’s not hard to feel hopeless and angry.

And while shaking a fist at Middle East oil-tocracies or spewing choice adjectives toward “Big Oil” might seem momentarily satisfying, the next trip to the pump will still ache like a self-service root canal.

But we’re not as helpless as we might think. For instance, today is “Dump the Pump Day,” when the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation suggests putting away the car keys and trying public transit for a change. Riders already are seeing savings and convenience in bus commutes. PART’s regional bus ridership increased 51 percent in May 2008 versus May 2007. Three routes will be added in two weeks.

Meanwhile, a March-to-May public awareness campaign, the Triad Commute Challenge, received commitments from 1,257 area drivers to “try alternative forms of transportation.” By parking their cars, passengers saved the environment 5.6 tons of carbon dioxide, 339 pounds of nitrogen oxide and 2,847 pounds of carbon monoxide emissions. They also saved themselves a total of 82,949 miles behind the wheel and $16,134 in gas money.

Some other strategies to consider:

Buying a hybrid vehicle. Maybe. Be aware, though, that even while you might be doing the environment a favor, you wouldn’t recoup your higher sticker price of the car in gas savings for several years. Still, a hybrid could be a good choice if you’re in the market for a new car anyway. And if you intend to keep it for a while.

Carpooling to work. We love our independence, but where it’s practical, sharing a ride and gas expenses makes sense. And one place to find partners is www.sharetheridenc.com.

Van pooling to work. PART offers a van pool program for Triad residents who commute at least 10 miles from their workplaces. The program requires a minimum of nine passengers, including the driver, who typically rides for free. The passengers pay monthly fares based on the number of riders and the daily round-trip distance. But if you’re interested, be patient. All 73 vans are booked and PART has begun a waiting list.

Telecommuting. Increasing numbers of people are going to work by staying home — that is, plugging into their workplaces via computer. No gas. No traffic. No dress code.

Four-day work weeks. One local company, Replacements Ltd., allows employees the option of four-day work weeks, at 10 hours per day, as well as one day of telecommuting.

Yes, the country still needs a sensible, forward-thinking energy policy that takes a more urgent approach to alternative energy sources and conservation. But that shouldn’t mean the rest of us can’t act on our own in the meantime.

Instead of getting mad, we’d be better off getting smarter.