My own solution to the Air quality problem in Atlanta.


I believe that most people agree that if there were more abundant plant life in metro Atlanta, the air quality would be much better.

A recent American Lung Association study found that Atlanta ranks 21 in the list of cities with the most air pollution in America. How do we as a city rectify this horrible situation?

Enter the solution, Kudzu.

Kudzu could be grown in containers at or near the top of some of the taller skyscrapers around town. As the season progresses, the kudzu will grow towards the bottom of the building and in time the building could become entirely covered. As the contaminated air passes through the vines, the kudzu will act as a natural filtration system of sorts. Another effect of this green shield would be to reduce the collection and reflection of solar radiation that tends to build up around areas that are mostly covered with concrete.

If every tall building in the metro Atlanta were to undertake this initiative, I firmly believe that we will be able to improve the quality of air in this fine southern city.

I really need to stay on track with my written thoughts, my ideas are all over the place. I also don't need to remind myself of the people in this city who irk me. They can do whatever they want as long as it is not around me.

There is so much going on in the world that bothers me. I fear that I am making a transition from being full of angst to being just a bitter old man. I have finally cured my computer's vulerabilty to the Sasser worm attacks and can now return to more mundane activities like work...

I just read an article in the May/June 2004 issue of Utne Reader about walking. I am not sure who this article was geared towards. Why is these sorts of messages always being repeated to the people that do not need to hear these types of messages? The Utne readers the people who with a high probability are already working towards change?

Yes, I walk every day. I gave up driving my porsche to work. Now when I refer to my porsche, don't be thinking the impure thoughts... I am not rich, it is a an older model one of the cheapest porsches on the road. It is a four cylinder, it may be sporty but it is not fast by any stretch of the imagination. I was told by own of my coworkers about a case of resentment caused by my porsche ownership. My director said, "How can HE own a porsche? I don't make enough $$$ to own a porsche..." She must think I am a real high roller in my 1978 924 with faded paint and a busted out driver's side window.

Ok,

I am getting off topic. Back to the walk and to the message. By the way, Microsoft Windows sucks. Period. If my department would have invested in apples, we would not be having all of the stupid worm attacks...

Let's see, how long can I type until this computer crashes again? Hmmm, back to the message at hand. If walking is good for your health, good for the environment, and good for your mental health, would you do it? Would you choose to live close to where you work and walk there or ride a bicycle?

My guess that your answer is no. Why walk when you can drive? Why live close to work when you can have a nice two hour commute to save yourself the agony of living around minorities and the poor? Why I ask? The people of Atlanta could be compared to the nation as a whole in terms of intelligence, behavior, and culture. The automobile is king here. Parking is scarce even in the midst of all this sprawl ya'll. Most people who live in this city are shallow, cash grubbing, selfish, stupid and impolite and that is just when they get behind the wheel of a car.

I wonder sometimes why I care to even express these concerns. Nobody is taking up the gauntlet, changing their lives, trying alternative solutions. Did my quality of life improve since the car is out of the way? Not really but at least I can be honest about what I am doing to save the environment unlike some people I know.

I am not going to say any names but some people really would have you think that they are radicals or bonafide activists when in reality, they are just trying to be perceived a certain way by their peer group. One guy I know is all about fighting the power or at least making you think he is fighting the power when in reality he is a self-serving yuppie in disguise. He is one of those fucks who has to have the 17 inch titanium powerbook. He talks a good game but I can see through his little scheme. He was never arrested for participating in protests but he sent out an email telling others about it. He does not ride a bike but he has a Huffy.