On the road
Globally, transport is responsible for about twenty percent — a fifth — of greenhouse gas emissions.
At present, carbon emissions from cars and other vehicles in the United Kingdom are growing at a staggering twenty per cent a decade. In many nations, growth in transport emissions represents that major obstacle to limiting overall emissions trends.
It would take little, though, to change this situation for a more healthy one.
With a shift from private to public transport, and more people in each vehicle, the United Kingdom could actually bring carbon emissions from transport down over years to come.
And that's without taking into consideration the improvements in fuel efficiency that are possible. Although fuel efficiency has been gradually improving, cars use twenty per cent at most of the energy that could be derived from petrol.
Add to this the fact that over three-quarters of road-journeys made in the United Kingdom are under five miles in length and you can see just how wasteful cars really are.
Private car use may give us flexibility, but at what cost to the environment?
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Use feet, pedal-power or public transport |
Whenever you can, walk or cycle. It's good for you as well as the environment! Petition your local council for cycle-ways, particularly on major roads in towns and cities. Use the public transport system as a first choice.
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If need to own a car, then look for the most fuel-efficient one |
Do think very seriously whether you need a car. Do you have much of the mobility and access you need with the public transport in your area? Would hiring a car when you need one suffice? If you do buy a car, don't buy bigger than you need — heavier cars use up to fifty per cent more fuel than lighter models.
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Avoid buying optional equipment |
Convenience options like power steering decrease fuel economy in two ways - by the addition of weight and by the consumption of power to run the equipment.
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Keep you car in peak running condition |
Get your vehicle regularly serviced and tuned every five thousand miles or so — you'll get much better mileage. Keep the brakes properly adjusted - dragging brakes can rob a car of fuel efficiency.
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Use a high quality multi-grade oil |
Good quality, multi-grade oil helps reduce engine friction and increase fuel efficiency.
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Use radial tyres and check their pressure at least once a week |
Radial tyres typically improve fuel economy by four per cent compared to non-radial tyres. When properly inflated, tyres can save up to ten per cent in fuel.
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Don't speed — and drive smoothly |
For the greatest fuel economy, drive at a steady speed between fifty and sixty miles per hour. (Check your manual as the most fuel efficient speed varies from car to car.) Driving at seventy miles per hour or more can drop fuel economy by up to twenty per cent. Harsh acceleration and braking uses more fuel than smooth acceleration and gently braking. Avoid driving too close to the car in front — apart from the safety risk, it means that you are less likely to drive smoothly.
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Avoid city driving |
City driving consumes twice as much fuel as motorway driving. If your city has a park and ride system then use it. If not, then write and petition for one. City and town centres should be for pedestrians, with cars parked at outer limits. If you commute long distances to work, then use link-ups with rail and bus services.
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Focus attention on heavy truck use |
Write and petition that there be a ban on heavy lorries in towns at weekends and at night. Send any goods you dispatch by rail rather than by road.
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Lobby for a comprehensive, well-coordinated public transport system |
If global warming is to be reduced, it is essential that political attitudes towards public transport alter and that government investment and subsidies be directed towards development and maintenance of an effective public transport system.
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Join or organise a car share |
Car sharing, whether to work, for shopping expeditions or taking children to school, is an immediate step that you can take to combat the greenhouse effect.
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Lobby for car-free zones in inner cities and other restrictions on urban car- use |
Pedestrian precincts make the inner city a much more pleasant place. Speed restrictions on roads, properly enforced, will not only dissuade motorists from using them but will also increase safety. Other traffic-calming techniques, such as sleeping policemen, can be requested by residents associations and community groups.
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Try not to use your car on one day of each week |
See if you can reduce your dependence by setting aside one day each week or fortnight when you make all journeys by foot, bike or public transport. Don't just switch the journeys you would have made to another day though!