We have reached a stage where the climate crisis is impossible to ignore. With the UN’s recent climate poll revealing that people support more comprehensive policies to help take urgent action and President Biden using his first day in office to re-join the Paris climate agreement, it’s clear that momentum is building in the fight against climate change.
While governments around the world are taking steps to make changes, there are things that the public can do to help. One of these is to think about ways we can reduce our carbon footprint.
How to reduce our carbon footprint
We produce carbon emissions every day. We do this by using electricity around the home and generating waste. However, one of the main ways we contribute to the country’s overall carbon footprint is the methods we use to travel.
While it’s been a while since we travelled anywhere, many of us will be planning a trip for after lockdown. It’s likely you’ll be dreaming of getting out and exploring the country or simply visiting friends and family across the UK.
It’s worth thinking about the ways you can get to where you need to be while considering the environment. While it’s easy to hop in the car and head out on the motorway, if you’re driving a petrol or diesel car, you’re more likely to kick out CO2 emissions than if you were to use alternative transport.
Eco friendly travel options
But what are the top travel options that are less damaging to the environment? One of the main options when lockdown is over will be public transport.
If you want to drive but you’re thinking of reducing your carbon footprint while you do it, try hiring an electric vehicle (EV) to get around. Research by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) revealed that EV are better for the environment. They produce less pollutants and greenhouse gases than petrol and diesel cars. So, if you want to head to the coast, go electric.
Another option is rail travel. As well as typically being faster than taking the car, trains are one of the lowest carbon emitters of all the transport options. If you’re making plans to travel to the capital when we’re allowed to travel again, you can check out the latest train times to London safe in the knowledge that you’ll be choosing the green option.
Or you could always get on your bike. Cycling all the way to your destination might be a stretch, especially if you’ve not been on a bike in a while, however this is a brilliant way to get around when you get to your destination. You can enjoy taking in some the UK’s most spectacular scenery without worrying about carbon emissions.
There are plenty of alternatives to driving your diesel to your destination. Which one will you choose?
