Fund & Revive the Civilian Conservation Corp.

In time of economic depression, this is the BEST time to revive the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) that employed so many people in the Great Depression, rebuilt America, and lead to re-skilled workers.

I'm an advocate for the CCC's work with National Parks and our parks need conservation. Furthermore, I believe that working in National Parks will ignite a great sense of fundamental environmentalism for a new generation of Americans.

This is the time to begin to reverse environmental damage and employ Americans to do something now.

Not to mention, I'm all for restricting small occupancy vehicles in to Yosemite and only allowing busses and other large occupancy vehicles. Radical, ha?

Yosemite National Park via Amtrak

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint trekking to Yosemite via Amtrak is an excellent way to do so. Conscious if the many motor vehicles that burn fuel and spout exhaust throughout the beautiful national park, I wanted to reduce my own carbon footprint. Amtrak.

The Route
With backpack gear and all, Norwalk Metro Greenline Station (Blueline to Redline) to Union Station Downtown Los Angeles. Board Amtrak thruway bus (spacious I might add) to Bakersfield. Board Amtrak Train to Merced. Merced board YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit) to Curry Village where the adventure really begins. Lou from YARTS was very cool and friendly. I missed my bus back at Curry Village (coming down from the backcountry) but Lou picked me up and gave me a ride to the Lodge where I met my bus. Thanks Lou!

The connecting Train and busses are cordinated well and no worry in missing connections because Amtrak assures that (they own the busses, to from Bakersfield and LA). Very smooth.

I offset my carbon footprint. By car I would have burned 0.200 tonnes: 772 miles.

By rail burned 0.075 tonnes of carbon: 772 miles

If it were up to me, I would close access to motor vehicles and restrict access only to busses and shuttles. If.