Convenient Truths: Reduce Your Transportation Impact
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 12. 5.06
While power plants make the biggest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, many of us automatically think of our cars when considering our own carbon footprints. So, we fully expect that a sizable number of the videos entered in Treehugger and Seventh Generation's Convenient Truths contest will involve less polluting ways of getting from here to there. From hybrid power to pedal power, we've got plenty of options available for getting where we need to go while still lightening our climate impact.
- In the US especially, it's often hard to get around without a car. When shopping for a new one, consider one of the hybrid or higher-mileage options on the market.
- Even with a more efficient vehicle, take a look at how you drive: the US Department of Energy and the EPA offer tips on how to get the most mileage from a gallon of gas in almost any vehicle.
- For short trips (or even longer ones), consider leaving the car at home and walking, biking or taking public transportation.
- If you commute to work by car, see if you can form a carpool with co-workers or others going in the same direction.
- If much of your work is done on a computer or by phone, check with your boss to see if telecommuting is an option. Avoid the traffic jams, and work in your pajamas!
- Look for alternatives to business travel. Does a meeting have to happen in person, or can people get together by tele- or videoconferencing?
UPDATE: You can also get your Convenient Truths tips on television today, as Treehugger will be featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show along with former Vice President Al Gore.
Not very many people can afford a brand-new car, and most aren't in an area where they can bike safely and in a timely manner to and from their destinations.
However, most people can afford scooters or motorcycles, and since they go faster, are more convenient to ride regularly than cars.
For a quick jaunt to the grocery store for milk and bread or a run to the post office, a scooter or motorcycle is definitely the way to go.
For a quick jaunt to the grocery store for milk and bread or a run to the post office, a scooter or motorcycle is definitely the way to go.
You realize that scooters and motorcycles put out more pollution per mile than a new car, right?
Not to mention that they are kind of hard to carry anything on. And are only really useful in the North a few months of the year.
But they get better mpg. Specifically, how does the CO2 per mile differ from scooter to car?
But they get better mpg.
In general, yes.
Specifically, how does the CO2 per mile differ from scooter to car?
It will be a direct function of fuel economy. It's still dirtier at the tailpipe, though.
Don't forget electric scooters and motorcycles. And add a trailer to it, and you can carry quite a lot. And riding them in the cold weather isn't much different than walking in the windy cold weather. I've ridden one in January in the Boston area, and was fine. It's all about layers...
But human power is clearly the way to go for transportation whenever possible.