Transport contributes 27% of global CO2 emissions (IPCC).
Air travel has increased 300% since 1990. Even a short return trip (eg from London to Rome) creates more CO2 per passenger than the average amount produced by citizens of 17 of the world’s countries annually.
Making short journeys by car causes more pollutants as catalytic converters designed to reduce these pollutants do not work effectively on trips under 5 miles (Office for National Statistics).
Did you know that replacing car journeys with public transport can reduce your CO2 emissions by 42% if using the bus and 73% if using the train? (Energy Saving Trust).
Could you walk? You’d definitely feel fitter for it without paying to go to the gym.
Do you have a regular drive to work every day? Could you car share? This would halve your carbon emissions and running costs.
Do you get in the car to go to Yeovil without considering public transport? It’s not always easy to travel by public transport, especially in a rural area and it takes planning and time but it is possible. If you have a bus pass it’s also free.
Here are some links to websites giving information on various travel options that could help reduce your carbon output.
Walking is simple, free and 1 of the easiest ways to get
more active, lose weight and become healthier. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/walking-for-health/
10 July 2019. Ways of including walking in your daily
routine include:
- walking part of your journey to work
- walking to the shops
- using the stairs instead of the lift
- leaving the car behind for short journeys
- walking the kids to school
Timetable finder for buses in South
Somerset
A useful general travel website for local travel is: Rome2rio.com (Yes – for local travel!) It also compares the fuel costs of driving (but not the environmental cost).
- And for anyone wanting to travel abroad by train and avoid flying
- Liftsharing
Liftshare is a social enterprise based in Norwich but used all over the UK. The website is where you can search for or offer travel to work, regular trips or one-offs, short journeys or long journeys. (Over 18s only). The website gives suggestions about how to share travel costs, safety etc. And there is a Liftshare Companion app available for signed up members – compatible with Android & iOS (not Windows) phones.If you need to use a car because no alternative is suitable, then consider some of the following
- Buy a fuel efficient vehicle
- find out the fuel efficiency of the vehicle you want to
buy - visit The Energy Saving Trust.
- visit the Government's Car Fuel and CO2 emissions data page.
- Consider an electric vehicle
Research the electric vehicle that most suits your needs
The Energy Saving Trust For advice on active travel, electric vehicles, efficient driving, shared travel options
Car Magazine - Best hybrid cars 2021 UK: the top
PHEVs and plug-ins on sale: 28 July 2021.
Electric vehicle charging – avoid “range anxiety” with Zap-map websiteand app that maps charging points in the British Isles (UK. Eire & Channel Islands). Zap-Map also gives all sorts of other information about electric vehicles (EVs) such as EV reviews, journey cost comparisons etc.
- Drive differently!
Drive in a more eco-friendly way. Find out how by visiting The Energy Saving Trust's Ecodriving (driving advice) page.
