coolmelbourne.org

We were thinking about two big problems that are getting worse and worse.

The news is full of stories about us being too plump, overweight or even obese and how this is bad for our health. A big cause of the problem is lack of exercise (along with too much of the wrong food or possibly genetics).

The other big news story is global warming and how we need to look at the way we live and give some thought to making less pollution.

So we have people in need of exercise and a need to reduce pollution. How about everyone who is in need of exercise (make that everyone, full stop) sack the car for half an hour every day and … wait for it … walk!

Every doctor, politician, friend and loved one in the world would be thrilled if was to happen. Knock off the two birds of obesity and pollution, with just one stone.

If everyone spent half an hour walking every day instead of being driven around, the collective payoff for Melbourne’s health would be huge!

If everyone walked for half an hour instead of sitting in the car driving people living in Melbourne would cut polluting emissions each year by 860,000 tonnes (4.3 million tonnes for Australia). That's huge!!!

On top of that, we could save 330 million litres of fuel (130 Olympic swimming pools) and pocket a $495 million saving.

If we all walked or rode our bikes a bit more we would lose 20 million kilograms – that’s ten space shuttles worth. (If the whole of Australia did it, we would shed 100 million kilograms). How many MCG’s worth of flubber and blubber is that?

Every person who walks for half an hour every day (with a good diet) would lose 6kg over the course of a year.

Imagine the dollars saved! Reduce pollution, get healthier and save money at the same time!!!

Why didn’t I think of that, you ask? Call us crazy! Call us genius! Tell us we are dreaming. We reckon we might be onto something and would love to see it take off.

Sack the car for JUST half an hour a day and walk.