Since my great idea about keeping the trolley free falls on deaf ears, I shall present another.
First: Yeah, Durango! To think we are “awake” enough to cut water consumption 70 percent in honor of our sick river blows my mind. It could only happen here. Second: We live in an arid zone. Global temperatures increase. Help by laying your clothes to dry outside, to the extent possible. This month, practically guaranteed, the items will dry faster than in your electric or gas dryer while requiring no fossil fuel. In winter, hang freshly washed laundry around the house to increase humidity as it dries. Presto! Walmart-made-in-China-humidifier sale denied.
No joke, Durango, we can lead the world in how to truly honor our environment. In doing so, we also honor that our river suffered grievous injury and should be given time to heal. Each and every time one of us steps into it, we stir up sediment that we know cannot be good. Let it rest; raft companies can ride the water and keep employees working and tourists entertained, but the rest of us (and our dogs) should keep out of the river as much as possible so as not to stir up the bottom. If you want on the river, pay a worker to guide you, at least for the rest of this summer.
I am no scientist, but some things I simply know. The time has come to “get real” about a lot of our choices.
Sue Petranek
Durango
