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Think twice about 'green' transport, say scientists
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by iambest | June 8, 2009 at 01:39 am
280 views | 58 Recommendations | 5 comments
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How green are you when you travel?
Travelling by car uses valuable resources (petrol/oil) that will run out in the future, causes congestion and creates pollution that contributes to global warming and local air pollution.
Ask yourself these questions before travelling:
1. Is the journey necessary?
2. Can you use a different mode of transport?
3. Can you reduce the distance with careful planning?
4. Can you drive it more efficiently?
And if you want to avoid the congestion charge.....the above will prove useful!!
Benefits of Green Transport
The introduction of a Green Transport Plan can:
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Make local communities less congested and more accessible.
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Reduce local pollution levels of carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen monoxide, ozone and particulates (PM5 and PM10s).
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Reduce climate change gas emissions.
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Enabling deliveries and essential journeys to move more freely within the community.
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Provide equal opportunities by providing travel incentives to all in the organisation and supporting those employees without access to a car.
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Offer wider travel choices to staff.
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Provide long-term savings in reduced business travel costs.
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Help employees to be healthier, fitter and more productive. 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise, such as cycling or brisk walking, protects many against ill health.
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Improve the environmental image of your office.
So you always prefer to take the train or the bus rather than a plane, and avoid using a car whenever you can, faithful to the belief that this inflicts less harm to the planet.
Well, there could be a nasty surprise in store for you, for taking public transport may not be as green as you automatically think, says a new US study.
Its authors point out an array of factors that are often unknown to the public.
These are hidden or displaced emissions that ramp up the simple "tailpipe" tally, which is based on how much carbon is spewed out by the fossil fuels used to make a trip.
Why This Story is So Important For US??
American poor hit worst by climate change
Americans living in neighbourhoods with dirtier air and water – usually low income and ethnic minorities – will be the worst affected by climate change, a University of California report has revealed.
The effects of climate change in the US will include increased pollution, higher food and water prices, more expensive energy bills, job losses, and damage to public health – and those living in poverty will feel these effects more acutely.
“Climate change does not affect everyone equally in the United States,” said Rachel Morello-Frosch, lead author of the report and professor of public health at the University of California.
“People of colour and the poor will be hurt the most - unless elected officials and other policymakers intervene.”
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (5)
at 01:56 on June 8th, 2009
Good story friend, your story has much more potential, put in some more effort and you will have great reputation.
at 04:23 on June 8th, 2009
This study has way to many loop holes. It uses Outdated and non-efficient transport system as a model to be compared to modern Cars. Further it uses the 747 as a comparison, an outdated model and far from what is possible and the reality of what most transport carrier are using today.
The US based study would not hold up to a UN or EU study on the same subject. The US are far behind when it comes to environmental friendly transport system and need to learn from Japan or the EU, especially France or Germany.
Even in the US some model would give a far more objective and realistic picture then this particular study, or look at Mexico City where public transport has been modernized. The car even an Electric car still causes more pollution then a Bus since its own production and life span as well as recycling cost has to be taken into account in the over all picture.
at 04:29 on June 8th, 2009
Good Story, Flesh it out & it will be GREAT :)
more info on why a public bus is not as green as most people think. Thanks
at 09:28 on June 8th, 2009
nice story, Bus since its own production and life span as well as recycling cost has to be taken into account in the over all picture.
at 10:15 on June 8th, 2009
I think we all know that the idea behind "green" transportation is a sound one...less pollution and carbon dioxide will create a better environment....we all get that. BUT ( and there is a very large BUT) making it a reality is very different. As long as Big Oil is in existence, and have their lobbyists in Washington, they will fight green technology until the last drop of oil is used. Their view is simple- MONEY TRUMPS THE ENVIRONMENT. Always has and always will. They like to make commercials stating how much they care about the environment and how they are spending millions on alternative energy, when in reality, it is nothing more than a smokescreen. They dont care that ice shelves the size of Rhode Island are breaking off and melting due to climate change, they just want to create a "perception" that they care when they dont. They make excuses that we should just drill more and ruin places like Antarctica and every national park we have instead of truly bringing things like solar to the forefront. We've had this technology for decades, but research has been stifled by Big Oil whose sole mission is to keep us dependant on oil, which is why these green technologies havent been developed to the point of mass production---and thats how they want it. As consumers, we are to blame as well. When gas hits $4 a gallon here in the US, its the only time people take alternative energy seriously...but when it comes back down to $2 a gallon, we dont care anymore when we really should. For those who are computer savvy, download a documentary called "Who Killed The Electric Car?" and you'll see just what I'm talking about.