50 ways to save the world
Driving
Surface transport is responsible for about a quarter of the UK’s emissions of CO2 – and this is forecast to rise in the future. In the past 30 years, traffic on our roads has more than doubled.
37. Do you really need to drive the kids to school? Sharing the school-run with a roster of parents is a great way to cut congestion, slash emissions and lower your fuel bill.
38. Don’t drive to the pub for your Sunday roast – make a day of it and cycle or walk instead.
39. Give your car a day off. Go to work on foot, by bike or on public transport – even if it’s only for a few days a week.
40. Think small. If you can’t do without a car, buy a small fuel-efficient one (or, better still, a hybrid): it will produce less polluting emissions than a gas-guzzling 4x4 – and be cheaper to run.
41. Change your fuel. Many cars can use biofuels with little or no modification to the engine. Biofuels are made from crops such as oil seed rape or sugar beet, and burning them emits less climate-changing gases.
42. Keep your tyres properly inflated. Almost 80% of car tyres are believed to under-inflated, which can increase fuel consumption, and therefore emissions, by up to 5%.
43. Rent-a-ride. Rather than buying a car, consider renting one on a pay-as-you-drive scheme. Find out more at www.smartmoves.co.uk.
44. Share! The number of car-sharing schemes is on the rise in this country, along with awareness of responsible driving. To find your nearest car-share scheme, go to www.liftshare.org or www.carplus.org.uk.
45. Drive with the windows up. This reduces drag, which increases fuel efficiency and lowers emissions. You can also reduce drag by removing roof racks when you’re not using them.
46. Switch off in traffic. Turn off the engine if you think you’ll be stationary for more than two minutes. Idling for this long burns more fuel than it takes to restart the car.
47. Change your driving style. Changing gear earlier can reduce fuel consumption by up to 15%. When you’re approaching traffic lights, slow down gradually rather than suddenly braking: slamming on the brakes increases fuel consumption by up to 30%, and pulling away too fast boosts it by up to 60%.
48. Don’t use the car for short journeys. A cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel as a warmer one. Take a walk in the fresh air to the local shops instead – it’s good for you!
Green investments
49. Invest environmentally. For as little as £250, you can join a co-operative that invests in wind energy projects promoting emission-free technology. Or you could adopt a local renewable energy project. Find out more at www.energy4all.co.uk, www.yes2wind.com or www.bwea.com/ukwed.
50. Generate your own renewable energy. You can get grants for up to 50% of the costs of installing renewable energy, and you might even make a profit: produce more than you need and you could sell the excess back to your energy supplier. Interested? Visit www.est.org.uk or www.cat.org.uk.
