Did you know that a single car emits about 4.6 tons of carbon dioxide every year? That’s right, your commute is causing damage to the environment.
Most of us have no choice but to commute to and from school and work, but you might be able to find a more sustainable way to do it without shelling out for a new electric car.
Read on to learn all about a few sustainable transportation options.
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Biking or Walking
This is by far the most sustainable transportation option that you have. It’s not a good option for everyone, but as long as you live in a walkable or cyclist-friendly town or city, it will shrink your carbon footprint by a large margin.
When you walk or ride a bike, you’re completely removing your dependence on fossil fuels. You’re also doing something great for your body! Walking or biking to work or school means that you’ll always start and end your day with exercise.
If you feel like your commute is too long to walk or ride a normal bike, consider an electric scooter or bike (like these). You will still rely somewhat on fossil fuels for the electricity that you use to power your new mode of transportation, but it won’t be anywhere close to the impact of gas or even electric vehicles.
Your city might even have a bike-share system (that may include electric bikes).
Carpooling
If your commute isn’t short or safe enough to walk or ride a bike, that’s okay. Many cities and towns aren’t safe for pedestrians, and you shouldn’t put yourself at risk.
Carpooling is a great option. While someone will still be driving a car, it’s far better than everyone driving separate cars. Fit as many people into a single carpool as possible.
Carpooling is great for students, coworkers, and friends attending events. If you have the option to ride together, do so!
Taking Public Transportation
Not all cities have viable public transport systems, but if yours does, this is a better option than carpooling and often a more accessible option than walking or riding a bike.
Trains and buses aren’t great for the environment (though efforts are being made to improve their negative impact), but because they hold so many people, they still make a drastic difference to the amount of damage that transportation can cause.
Even if a single bus only has 50 people on it during an entire day, that’s 50 cars that aren’t on the road.
Public transportation can also be more affordable than driving (and in some places, it’s free). With the high cost of gas, car insurance, and cars themselves, you may find that it’s the most financially viable option for you.
Which Sustainable Transportation Option Is Right for You?
In a world that’s so dependent on cars, finding good sustainable transportation options isn’t easy (especially if you don’t live in a major city or a walkable area). Remember that by opting for sustainable commuting choices, you’re doing your part to help the environment and slow down climate change.
Happy commuting!
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