It’s no secret that cars are a major contributor to worldwide pollution. CO2 emissions and fossil fuel consumption among millions of commuters every day add up. But just as every action contributing to harmful emissions counts, so does every action against them.
You can make a difference by implementing these six tips into your commute to make a world of difference one day at a time.
1. Walk or Bike to Work
Without the need for gas, electricity or fuel beyond food for yourself, walking and biking are energy-efficient, emissions-free and healthier alternatives to driving. Fresh air and exercise become a given aspect of your daily routine, leading to improved physical and mental health.
Biking immediately plummets your contribution to greenhouse gases. Even considering emissions from production, bikes emit 30 times less carbon dioxide per commuter than cars.
While many may find walking or biking to work unrealistic due to distance or infrastructure limitations, those who live within safe walking or biking distances should consider making the switch. Even if biking or walking is a challenge, try pushing yourself to commit even to a couple of days out of the week because the benefits are so significant.
2. Use Public Transportation
Buses, subways, and trains are widely available in many urban and suburban areas. The more people use public transportation, the fewer cars are on the road, leading to reduced emissions and traffic congestion. Taking the bus or train may save you time and money — depending on mileage and fuel efficiency, fare costs can be significantly cheaper than gas refills.
Public transportation is 10 times safer per mile, too. You can use the commute time to finish eating, resting or checking emails for the day rather than driving stressed or distracted. If you are in an area where public transportation is a viable option for your commute, make the most of these already available options by using them.
3. Carpool
Carpooling is a great way to reduce the number of cars on the road and foster community. In some areas where public transportation and walking or biking are not practical or realistic options, you can organize with co-workers who live near each other to commute to work together. If everyone contributes to one gas bill, carpooling can also save money.
Carpooling is an effective way to establish a better sense of community among co-workers and neighbors. Build relationships and a positive environment with those around you while contributing to the common goal of sustainability. There are also rideshare apps as an alternative, more flexible option for those without nearby co-workers.
4. Switch to Electric
Electric and hybrid vehicles are energy-efficient alternatives to conventional gas cars. If your situation allows, you can make the switch to reduce your CO2 emissions on your commute. Rather than use fossil fuels, EVs require electric charging ports that can be added to homes and workplace parking lots.
The U.S. has implemented more than 60,000 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations, creating infrastructure to encourage commuters to make the switch. Consider using electric vehicles to carpool to reduce emissions even more.
5. Optimize Your Drive
You can also make small changes to your driving habits that can have a lasting positive impact, including changing your commute path and maintaining your car’s health. Fuel-efficient routes avoid paths requiring you to suddenly accelerate or brake often, like busy roads with many stops. Maintaining a steady speed with gentle accelerations and slowing to a stop, even using cruise control, can help your gas last longer.
Car maintenance is also important for maximizing efficiency. For example, squatting or sagging in trucks puts stress on tires and causes premature wear, which decreases fuel mileage while further damaging the vehicle. Preventive maintenance and proactive work will help maximize fuel efficiency and reduce your consumption of fossil fuels.
6. Advocate for a Greener Workplace
Your workplace can help support greener practices, and you have the opportunity to take initiative to guide your employees and make everyone’s commute greener. The option to work remotely or operate with a hybrid work model reduces commuting time for employees and can boost team morale.
Another option is to advocate for more EV charging spots in parking lots to replace regular spots, which would encourage EV drivers and discourage gas cars. You can also organize company carpools and incentivize employees to make their commute green with bonuses or team rewards. Your work commute is a part of your commitment to your job, so it’s valuable to use that commitment to support environmentally friendly practices, too.
Small Change, Big Impact
Every effort to support the environment is important and necessary. Even one car on the road that is more fuel-efficient and emission-conscious than it was yesterday is a step in the right direction to minimize the harmful effects of carbon emissions and fossil fuel consumption. Use these tips to commit and commute to a greener future.
