Transport
How can we enjoy traveling and at the same time not destroy ourselves?
We have all taken for granted at some time or other that some how someone or some machine will get us from A to B. The more valuable question is - how will you move in an emergency in years to come when the air is so smog bound and many are struggling to breath?
Many of us are very aware of the green house gas emission that our motor bikes, cars, trucks, vans, trucks and buses make and yet we still keep driving that petrol or diesel guzzling machine. While we talk about possible solutions and pass the buck to others to solve we are really only condoning more inaction and doing nothing to help. I am not suggesting you get on your soap box or lecture a politician but instead educate yourself how with a few simple changes you can help save the emission that your daily activity is giving rise to.
It might surprise you to hear that the greatest contributor of greenhouse gas comes from cattle eating poor quality food. The CSIRO has researched this and found that cattle fed a stable diet emit very little greenhouse gas - in fact less than many humans compared to weight. So what are you going to do about it?
Well the following points could help you on your way to a healthy you and a step in the right direction to help others in the world you share.
- Walk to your destination if only a short distance and time and weather permit. Your walk might help avoid obesity!
- Use a bicycle when ever possible.
- Keep your vehicle as finely tuned as possible in A1 condition to ensure smooth running.
- Don't be a lead foot where you keep pushing the un-burnt fuel out the exhaust.
- Allow your vehicle to increase its speed gradually rather than quickly.
- Avoid sudden braking but allow the car to decelerate on its own accord where the motor will use less fuel and use itself to retard your motion.
- Do not leave roof racks on your vehicle if they are not being used - roof racks ensure you use more fuel due to wind retardation.
- If you’re towing and you have a large wind catching obstacle behind, do not try and travel at high speed by suppressing the accelerator as you will go through more fuel very quickly. Plan your trip realising it will take longer than normal.
- If you are in the market for a new vehicle then look at the various hybrids or vehicles that use half the fuel your current vehicle uses to travel the same distance.
- Check the efficiency of various brands you are interested in with your state automobile association.
- Consider the colour of your vehicle for heat absorption.
- Consider windows that are tinted to avoid heat absorption into the vehicle and also check the efficiency of any air conditioner for the whole of the vehicle.
These and many more questions are just a few that can be asked and answered. Your answers will be determined by what you can afford, but some of the choices you make are relatively cheap especially when you are concerned about your present vehicle. Give Australia's future a go for it might not be your generation that thanks you but your children’s children. In the Aussie spirit, GIVE IT A GO
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