Oil Rules

Just a few minutes ago, I hopped on Google Maps to figure out the fastest route to this evening’s dinner destination. I was delighted to see a new feature: Users may now choose if their route is “by car” or “walking.”

Come to find out, Google has launched an entire “Summer of Green” campaign to encourage eco-friendlier trips. The Summer of Green site offers tips to go green while traveling to destinations like New York City, San Francisco. Some of the tips include riding the water taxis in New York instead of a regular taxi, staying in a “green hotel” in San Francisco and renting a bike in Los Angeles.

In my case, Google Maps recommended a safe, “scenic route” for my dinner trip if I were to walk (though it would also take me 1 hour and 50 minutes to walk the 5.5 mile route, according to Google Maps). Instead of getting on Houston’s 1-10, Google Maps suggested I take Woodway and Memorial if I chose to walk my route.

As gas prices still linger near $4, it seems several companies and the media are doing little things like Google to help shift the public’s mindset to be more open to driving less.

–Lindsay Goodier, Online Editor, OilandGasInvestor.com; www.OilandGasInvestor.com; lgoodier@hartenergy.com

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