YOU, MOTOR VEHICLES AND
GLOBAL WARMING
Motor vehicles are a major cause of climate change
due to greenhouse gas emissions. These are likely to increase due
to the rapidly expanding middle classes in countries like China
and India who are copying Western lifestyles as they become more
affluent. Cutting down greenhouse gas emissions through buying a
solar powered hot water system can cost money, reducing motor vehicle
use saves money in every way.
Buying a new fuel-efficient car and greenwashing
Hi consumption lifestyles contribute a great deal
to climate change. 'Greenwashing' refers to the process of making
consumers believe they are reducing their impact on the environment
when they are actually contributing to it.
This occurs regularly in the purchase of new motor
vehicles. Consumers feel they are doing the right thing by buying
a new economical car, when the energy and greenhouse emissions involved
in its manufacturing are immense, and may never be compensated for
by the savings in fuel.
Before purchasing a new motor vehicle, think about
whether it is really needed. If so, would a secondhand one suffice?
If you are mechanically inclined, 'rescuing' an old car helps to
prevent the manufacturing of new ones.
If you are buying a new motor vehicle, then it
does pay to buy a smaller more economical model or a hybrid such
as the Toyota Prius. The dealers should be able to supply information
on fuel economy and emissions. Inner city residents are increasingly
turning to moped and scooters nowadays which are extremely economical.
fuel-efficient driving and use
Engines actually emit a lot more greenhouse gases
until they warm up. Try to avoid making lots of small trips and
combine them into one longer trip. This also saves the extra wear
and tear on your car engine when it is cold.
Poor driving skills contribute to excessive fuel
use. Try accelerating and breaking gently. In urban use, most fuel
is burned accelerating the car whereas little is used keeping its
momentum going. Gentle driving minimizes the inefficient stop-start
nature of urban driving.
If you are stationary in traffic for a significant
amount of time, turn off your engine as it is tuned to run 'rich'
at idle and this increases greenhouse gas emissions. Not using air
conditioning can save around 3 to 5% in fuel use, although driving
with windows down tends to negate this through increased wind resistance.
Roof racks also affect wind resistance of your
car so it is a good idea to remove these when not in use.
Regular maintenance of your car will increase its fuel economy.
Following the correct maintenance schedule will help, along with
keeping tires correctly inflated.
alternatives to driving
Urban residents may have carpooling options available,
along with public transport. More frequent use of public transportation
helps the environment by reducing the time spent in cars. Boats
and ferries are the most efficient method of fossil fuel transport,
followed by trains, then buses. Airplanes can be more than ten times
less efficient than cars.
Walking is the least impactful mode of transportation, followed
by the bicycle, whose usage produces no carbon emissions. If your
workplace has showers, consider cycling in to work for exercise
as well as less greenhouse emissions. However, the manufacturing
of bicycles emits carbon dioxide and other pollutants so it worth
looking at restoring an old bicycle or buying a secondhand one.
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