How to Make Your Daily Commute More Eco-friendly
Many people are blissfully unaware of the damage their carbon footprint has on the world. Climate change and global warming is upon us and has been proven by scientists; it is caused by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere.
Every single human on the planet contributes to global warming, meaning we all contribute in different ways to the effects of global warming such as floods, droughts and rising sea levels as the polar ice caps melt, causing ecosystems to change and placing wildlife in danger. A carbon footprint is how we measure individual impact on the environment, in terms of carbon pollution. From driving to work to taking a shower, almost everything we do as human beings produces CO2 which is the main contributing factor to global warming. Experts are urging governments around the world to take immediate action, by promoting eco-friendly products to reduce carbon emissions, and sourcing renewable energy sources.
The average person creates 48,488 pounds of carbon every single year.
When putting that into perspective with the population of the world you can understand the extent of the climate change crisis. As individuals, we need to be doing everything in our power to reduce our carbon footprint, by changing everyday actions for greener alternatives.
Switching to energy-efficient lighting or investing in solar power are all great starting points but there is always more that can be done. If you have replaced incandescent bulbs with Gu10 or LED alternatives, you may well be wondering what else you can do. Cars are a huge source of greenhouse gas emission and the daily commute to work for millions of people is a major CO2 influencer.
Tackling global warming is about changing attitudes and habits as much as it is about products and measures. One of the things we’re passionate about is creating greener ways for workers to commute to work five days a week and we’re pleased to say that low CO2 cars like the Nissan Leaf continue to be one of the most popular requests from participants in our salary sacrifice car schemes. If you have to drive to work each day, why not try one of these three eco-friendly alternatives to your usual transportation and make a difference in your own way?
1. Invest in a low CO2 emission car
A car that is kinder to the environment will not just reduce your carbon footprint, it will also reduce fuel and tax costs. There are also electric hybrid vehicles available, considered to be the future of automobiles, and these produce much less CO2 emissions than conventional cars. If you have to drive to work, then drive in an eco-friendly car.
2. Car Share
If you live near a colleague, why not share the journeys to and from work? Again this will cut your own fuel and maintenance costs for your own vehicle by splitting the journeys equally.
3. Alternative Transport
Many people rely on their cars in their daily lives outside of work, as well as needing them to commute. This means even if they could use public transport or cycle to work, they would still want the luxury of a car to use when they need to. For many workers, driving isn’t the only option available for the daily commute.
Many cities have good public transport links to get commuters to work on time on weekdays, and facilities for cyclists such as bike lanes and cycle parks are improving. Consider taking advantage of these other options; even just switching one or two days a week can make a huge difference. Many train and tram stations also have park and ride facilities, so you can drive to your nearest transport station if it is too far to walk or there are harsh weather conditions.
4. Work From Home Once a Week
An increasing number of businesses are allowing employees to swap a day in the office for a day at home one day a week or once a month. By teleworking for just one day, you can make a big dent in your personal carbon footprint. And the best news? No rush hour to contend with!