On 06/5, well over 100 countries around the world will come together to celebrate World Environment Day.
Every year, World Environment Day helps to remind to do our part when it comes to cleaning up our earth and keeping it healthy. This year’s theme is specifically aimed at tackling air pollution.
One of the largest contributing factors to air pollution around the world is transportation, and what forms of transportation we each decide to take during our travels and everyday lives can really make a difference to the natural environment.
So, let us look at some of the most eco-friendly transport options you can choose in order to help keep our air a little cleaner.
Cleaner air along with purchasing quality travel insurance will help you to breathe much easier during your travels this year and future years to come.
Bicycles
Riding a bike is not only healthy for the environment, it also provides a great deal of health benefits for yourself as well.
Riding a bike has been proven to help with maintaining or losing weight, reducing stress, building muscle, and boosting your immune system.
Unlike traditional cars, you won’t be burning fossil fuels and therefore won’t be contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Riding a bike is especially beneficial within cities, where you can often reach your destination quicker than when travelling by car.
You can avoid traffic and won’t have to search for a parking lot that 05/be situated a great distance from where you actually want to go. You of course will also save money by not having to purchase fuel or having to pay for parking.
Maintaining a bike is also roughly just one percent of what it takes to keep your car running smoothly. This ultra-affordable mode of transportation is something that nearly anyone in the world can afford.
Try biking to work just a few times per week if you live close enough and seek out bike sharing services that are often offered by cities around the world when travelling. This will help you save on taxi fares and can help you see destinations in greater detail.
Electric and hybrid vehicles
Every year, the hype around electric and hybrid cars seems to only be getting stronger.
Many countries around the world are now making it a goal to put more electric vehicles on the road, hopefully making them as common a sight as petrol and diesel vehicles.
While it is true that there are more emissions involved during the manufacturing process of electric vehicles due to the production of the batteries, these vehicles easily come out ahead when it comes to air pollution after six months to a year of operation.
Electric and hybrid cars outperform petrol-powered vehicles when it comes to the carbon dioxide emissions they output while driving. Traditional cars on average will end up polluting our environment almost double what electric or hybrid vehicles will during their lifetime.
Electric vehicles are also usually more apt to use eco-friendly and recycled materials for their construction. While both hybrid and electric vehicles 05/be priced higher than similar models of traditional cars, they are much cheaper to run and maintain.
As more and more car manufacturers begin to produce electric and hybrid models, prices will no doubt continue to fall and both our bank accounts and the environment will benefit.
Electric vehicles of today are also capable of travelling longer distances and can achieve much faster speeds than the early models.
Trains
If you’re looking to really reduce your carbon footprint, take the train.
Trains are one of the best transport options for the environment that is both inexpensive and readily available in many cities around the world.
Per person and mile travelled, trains often greatly outperform personal vehicles when it comes to emissions. This is especially true when it comes to the newer electric trains that use numerous energy efficient strategies.
In addition to being healthier for the environment, train travel is also much safer than travelling by car and you can readily enjoy tasks like checking your phone and getting work done while you travel.
On average, trains can also transport more people and cargo per hour than would be possible on roadways.
It is important to note that rail lines do impact natural habitats and can act as physical barriers to wildlife, but roadways affect the environment to an even greater degree and lead to more roadkill.
Walking
Of course the cheapest and most eco-friendly transportation option is to use your own two legs.
While it obviously isn’t practical to always walk everywhere, there are definitely times when you can choose to treat yourself to a bit of exercise and help save our earth in the process.
Walking is one of the best ways to explore a new city while travelling, as it allows you to really embrace the local culture and discover hidden gems that often go unnoticed when travelling by car or public transport.
Walking forces you to slow down a bit and actually relax, something that holidays are supposed to be all about. When choosing accommodation, try booking a place that is centrally located and close to many of the main sights and attractions.
This will allow you to rely on your own two feet to get you where you want to go. This is helpful for both the environment and your travel budget.
Other ways to travel more eco-friendly
It goes without saying that petrol and diesel cars are still the primary mode of transportation, and it doesn’t look like that will drastically change anytime soon.
Whether you still prefer travelling by private vehicle or it’s the only option available, there are still things you can do to limit your emissions. Attempt to bundle your errands together so as fewer trips will be required to complete them all.
Stock up on more groceries so as to make visits to the grocery store less frequent. Things like carpooling and planning quicker and more efficient routes will also help to reduce emissions from driving.
Practice green driving techniques like driving at slower speeds, removing unnecessary items and weight from your car, rolling down the windows at slow speeds instead of using the air conditioning, limit idling, and keep your tyres properly inflated.
These simple things can help lessen the impact your car has on the environment and help you save on fuel costs.