Use a Local Car-Share Programme

Therefore strive that your actions day by day may be beautiful prayers. —‘Abdu'l-Bahá

Originally this article was one of the brief Sustainable Living Tips and Conversations written by Christine Muller for the Wilmette Institute’s monthly newsletter.

Car-sharing programs can be useful in many situations. If you live in a place with good public transportation, you can often get away without owning a car. However, there are special occasions when a car is very useful, such as when moving heavy objects or going to a place that is not accessible or is very awkward to reach by public transportation.

If you live in a place with poor public transportation, your family may be able to share one car, but membership in a car-sharing program will help you in the occasional situation when two family members need to go to different places. There are many choices of car-sharing programs and companies. Hence, before you need such a service, you should check out what programs or services are available in your location and which one would serve you best.

While car sharing is less expensive than owning a car, the motivation for car sharing could also come from the desire to apply the Bahá’í teachings of living with moderation. If not everyone owns a car, many fewer cars will need to be produced, which saves natural resources and energy.

Source: Wilmette Institute Newsletter, March 2019