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Sustainable Cheshire Forum Climate Change Guide |
Transport
Currently, travel accounts for one third of our climate change emissions, but it is getting worse every year. By 2020 it is predicted to become the largest source from the UK. We are more mobile than ever before. In the UK, half the population flies at least once a year and our daily commute is getting longer too. The average Briton travels 6,815 miles a year, four-fifths of this is done by car. In Cheshire, the Department of Transport estimate we travel 8.4 billion kilometres just on Cheshire's roads, creating 1.5 million tonnes of CO2, each year. Walking has fallen by 20% and bus journeys by 30% since the early 1990's, although the vast majority live within 6 minutes walk of a bus stop. 84% of car journeys are spent alone, with no other passengers. The introduction of budget airlines has revolutionised the way we holiday, but increased our impact on the planet just as dramatically. The answer to our problems will rely on the increased uptake of public transport and the greater use of alternative fuels. There are a number of simple steps that we can all take, which are outlined below.
Driving
The choice of vehicle you drive will have a greater effect on the environment
than any other consumer choice you make. A quarter of the total pollution
and energy demand a car makes in its lifetime is spent during its manufacture.
In 6000 miles a car will produce its own weight in CO2 emissions. Of
the 1000 units of pollution in urban areas, 560 are caused by cars,
compared with just 7 from buses and coaches. And it is not just the
environment that suffers; 1 in 17 of us will be killed or injured in
a car accident. Asthma rates have increased fourfold in 30 years, increasingly
being blamed on car fumes. In addition, a car costs us £71.59
a week on average to keep.
Whilst governments and car manufacturers have their role to play in reducing the damage cars cause, it is drivers who can have the most immediate impact. Simply by reducing car use whenever possible, using alternative forms of transport, supporting cleaner fuels and driving more efficiently we can make a great difference.
Top tips for reducing the impact of your car travel
- Make sure your car is
serviced regularly and check the pressure of the tyres as this affects
fuel consumption
- Remove unnecessary weight from the car, including roof racks, when not required
- Drive as smoothly as possible; avoid sharp acceleration and braking. Use the higher gears when you can
- Use air conditioning sparingly
- Driving at 50 mph is 25% more efficient than driving at 70 mph.
- Car share when you can. There are national organisations established to encourage this, or you could try to set something up within your own organisation. Visit www.nationalcarshare.co.uk or www.liftshare.org for more information
- If you're buying a new car, firstly consider if you definitely need it, if you do, a second-hand car is better than a new one. Consider alternative fuels such as LPG, biodiesel or electric. Ensure you check the vehicles carbon emissions rating and visit the ETA for their reviews of cars www.eta.co.uk
- Speak to your children's school about whether it might be possible to set up a walking bus; speak to the Safer Routes to School team on 01244 60(3730)
- Consider if you need to make your journey in the first place, could you combine a shopping trip on the way to or from somewhere else, what about home delivery, could you work from home to reduce your need to commute a certain amount of the time?