As humans, we spent millennia taking advantage of the environment. As great as it might have been for previous generations to get away with whatever they wanted, the same can’t be said today. The cheque is due, and facing the problems humans have created will become an increasingly important part of our lives.
Fortunately, not all is doom and gloom. Despite all the fears from conspiracy theorists about taxes making you poor, many ways are going green on travel that can save you money. A slight change of tack can go a long way, and if we’re good for anything, it’s setting a positive example.
Why Green Transportation
Around 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions, and regulating these polluters is essential. That doesn’t mean we can’t play our part, however, as green personal options can also positively impact our environment. As CyberGhost highlights, using public transport alone can reduce CO2 emissions by 45% and save 47 million tons of CO2 each year. Riding bikes could further these advantages.
Aside from the direct benefits of releasing fewer pollutants, going green can save immensely through saving on transportation costs. A bus or train will practically always be cheaper than paying for petrol, and it means you won’t wear out your vehicle, which will inevitably cost even more. Even better, companies like Brighton & Hove have invested in taking this idea further, where 54 Enviro400 ER hybrid electric buses have been added to their fleet. Opening options for 3,000,000 passenger trips each year, this move improves an already forward-thinking travel concept.
Taking a bike and walking more can also promote positive health outcomes and keep you looking and feeling healthier. Healthline notes that the equivalent of 10,000 steps daily is ideal for good health, but driving everywhere can make it difficult to hit this goal.
The Obvious and Not-So-Obvious Changes
Public transportation, which we’ve already touched on, is the easier, greener option most of us will have, but it’s not the only potential solution. Also growing more popular are personal EVs, which according to CNBC, can cost 60% less to fuel than vehicles with combustion engines.
Though EVs will tend to be more expensive up front, their costs are decreasing over the generations, and tax credits can further lower the actual long-term costs electric solutions imply.
Another related solution could be found not in transportation but in employment with remote work. The developments of 2020 proved that remote work is more viable for many of us than we realized, and the more you work from home, the less you have to travel. Whether just a couple of days a week or full-time, working from home means no vehicle pollution, less vehicle wear, sleeping longer, and less congested roads for everyone. If possible, give this approach some real thought.
There is no single solution to the global warming crisis, but as long as we keep pushing forward on all fronts, we can make a difference. Even if individual contributions are small, they can add to something profound and carve a path for others and nations to follow. We’ll still need to pressure politicians and pundits to follow the science, but every little thing adds up. If we save some money along the way, then all the better.
