“On The Level - Be Cool" Column from the Cascadia Weekly, June 11, 2008

By Rick Dubrow

Growing up in the suburbs of New York in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, I was imprinted with a definition of “cool” as conspicuous consumption…. driving an impressive car; wearing the latest fashions; flaunting a statement home.

Then I grew some more, learning the ways of the natural world, embracing the fact that my old definition of ‘cool’ – the American Dream – was so far from cool. Hot, in fact…..heating up our globe.

Being cool in the old days actually fueled global warming in these new days; to the need for a new definition of ‘cool’.

This new definition warrants the replacement of conspicuous consumption with conspicuous concern: behavior that cools us down; decreases our ecological footprint: riding a bike instead of a hot car; wearing out your clothing; flaunting a small home.

So its time we learn how to be cool; to get incrementally cooler and cooler so that you can be the coolest person on your block!

Allow me to present you with the just-released owner’s manual for being cool: RE Sources’ new “Be Cool” program (www.imcool.info)! The folks that brought you the RE Store, the Recycling Hotline (676-5723), and The North Sound Baykeeper knew you wanted to be cooler yet, so RE Sources just launched their newest program to help you address, and reverse, global warming.

What a stockpile of knowledge and action! You can sign-up to join the ‘Be Cool’ network. You'll receive a monthly e-newsletter including current news, community events and connections, website updates and action tips.

Here’s just one action tip you’ll find there. Within the category ‘Driving your own vehicle’ is the action ‘Stop idling for more than 30 seconds’: “Simply turning off your vehicle every time you’re stopped for more than 30 seconds can prevent 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution from entering the air each year.
Myth #1: The engine should be warmed up before driving. Fact: Idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle. With today's modern engines, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days before driving away.
Myth #2: Idling is good for your engine. Fact: Excessive idling can actually damage your engine components. Fuel doesn’t undergo complete combustion, leaving spark plugs dirty and contaminating engine oil. “

Please join the Be Cool network and become the change we’ve come to honor in this great county of ours: empower your concern into action.

What hasn’t changed since my childhood in New York is this: cool people party. And RE Sources hasn’t forgotten that golden rule. So join their party on July 19th from 2 to 5pm when RE Sources celebrates two fabulous benchmarks at their new location at the corner of Broadway and the Guide: 1. The RE Store turns fifteen years old, and 2. The grand opening of their Sustainable Living Center, an interactive learning center with themes changing periodically over the year (the first of which is global warming!).

Between now and July 19th – and forever more -- your homework is to become as cool as you can be!