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Reduce Your Carbon Footprint – Reduce Gas Guzzling

Tips from Good Guide to Reducing Your Carbon Footprint, Rebecca Gau

Cut back on Gas Guzzling - transportation is the largest source of carbon emissions in the U.S., accounting for about 28 percent of all GHG (Green House Gas) emissions.

Reducing our use of gas can have a huge impact on our environment.

 -        Cars alone account for about half of the carbon footprint of a typical two-vehicle American family. Here’s the kicker: transportation’s carbon footprint is so outsized not just because we drive a lot, but because Americans have been buying larger vehicles (which use more gas per mile) and flying more.

-        Ask, “Is this necessary?” Are there other options?  Can that business meeting happen over Zoom? Maybe you can carpool or opt for public transit sometimes. Can you walk or bike instead of driving?

Here are some tips to reduce gas guzzling:

1.      Spend less time in your car: walk, bike or take public transit.

2.      Working from home even just once a week, for example, will reduce your commuting footprint by 20 percent.

3.      When you do have to commute to work, carpooling will drive down emissions. Combining errands to make fewer trips will also help reduce fuel usage, and walking to your neighborhood market for essentials is a nice way to support local while curbing GHGs

4.      Choose a fuel-efficient vehicle (but don’t upgrade too fast) Choose a smaller car or a hybrid or electric vehicle when it comes time to upgrade. Some small cars run 50 miles per gallon, whereas pickup trucks might run in the high 20s. Added bonus: you’ll seriously save on gas.

-        However, the production of vehicles is actually hugely carbon intensive and may take away the gains from opting for an energy-efficient model. If you are buying a new car, look for a SmartWay-certified vehicle—this government program run by the EPA certifies the lowest emitting cars each year.

-        Make your ride more fuel-efficient. 

a.      You can save gas by accelerating and braking gradually, subduing your inner speed demon mileage. 

b.      Use cruise control! 

c.      Don’t leave car idling.

d.      If you’re packing cargo, use a hitch-mounted rack (the kind that attaches to the back of your car) instead of roof-top boxes to make your car more aerodynamic.

e.      Service your car regularly.  It will be more efficient.

5.      Fly mindfully - flights are a huge contributor to your carbon footprint.

a.      Take longer & fewer flights.

b.      Do a road trip when possible.  Use a car or train when possible rather than fly from city to city.

Fly coach – Save money & reduce carbon footprint.  Because the space is smaller than business or 1st class, it is more efficient is carbon footprint.

Driving our cars not only increases our carbon footprint but also increases diseases such as asthma. It impacts our air quality. Love yourself and our planet and reduce gas guzzling.