Professional and Career Topics

The article "Why your 'personal infrastructure' decisions actually do affect the climate" in the October 13 ASCE Source caught my attention. Whether you buy into climate change or not the world I think being more deliberate about personal decisions can have positive financial impact as well as quality of life. For example, I try and ride my bike for short errands and where I can ride safely. The financial impact is reduced direct and indirect ICE vehicle cost, improved health, and reduced contribution of pollutants in the atmosphere. There's no doubt I'm wasteful in other areas, but it's a start. Does this resonate with others and what personal decisions have you taken or contemplating?

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Mitch Winkler P.E., M.ASCE
Houston, TX
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Good start to a discussion.  I personally try to avoid buying products with a lot of excess packaging, recycle materials as I am able to, and drive a very fuel efficient vehicle.  I also try and consolidate errands to minimize extra miles.  I also tend to use products for a long time prior to discarding them, my new car replaces a car that was also very fuel efficient but it was 20 years old.

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Angela Hintz P.E., M.ASCE
Senior Environmental Engineer
Buffalo NY
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Hello Mitchell,

I keep all the packaging regarding what I buy to a minimum. I recycle every piece of paper and cardboard that I obtain from transactions that are not stained with food (recycling to-go pizza boxes renders themselves and the other paper stained with food) and I use reusable plastic bags whenever getting groceries or carrying personal supplies. I also use whatever materials I have to the end; i.e. if clothes tear or a battery is losing quality, I will manually repair at least once before leaving them behind.

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Alexander Granato A.M.ASCE
Student
Bexley OH
granato.3@...
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