5 Small Things That Make A Big Difference When Saving The Planet: Traveling

traveling saving energyThis is the second installment of the series of 5 small things that can make a difference. Today we will talk about traveling, moving from point a to point b.

Local Tourism
A lot of people are ignorant of the sightseeing and natural wonders around their own areas. For example: I live in NYC. This is a city you can spend literally months, going to different areas, and still there are always new places to go. A 30 minute drive can take me to very good beaches in Long Island and Connecticut. Most people usually go away, but spending a weekend in a very good location near home can be cheaper and just as good. You will save fuel and waste just by making this convenient move.

Use your judgment when selecting a transportation method
The cleanest transportation method is pretty much when you walk or use your own physical energy; however, it is not practical for long distances. There are always alternatives that are better than others when moving from point A to B.

For example:
When traveling under 500 miles, it is a lot cleaner to use your own car than an airplane. It can be faster, if you take into account that airports are in the outside of the city, and you have to arrive early to the airport, plus the delays, if any.
Train is the second choice. Train stations are usually located in the center of the cities, which makes it very convenient for short trips. As electricity becomes cleaner, transportation via train will become cleaner as well.

Car Pooling
Going to work is one of the activities where we do expend a lot of energy and fuel. Last year, I did save a few hundred dollars, commuting with a friend for 50 miles, 3 times a week. Additionally, I help save a number of tons of CO2 from my own car exhaust, contributed to conserving oil, and I felt good doing it.

Use common sense
Save trips or miles by planning routes. For example: I always ask my wife if we need groceries before going home, so I don’t have to make another trip to the super market. When running errands, you can just follow a route. Additionally, you can use the car, or go out, when it makes sense to do more than one errand at a time.

Do your every day commuting in a high efficiency vehicle, motorcycle, or public transportation and reduce the use of your heavy duty vehicle- this will reduce emissions.
I chose to come to work using public transportation at least 3 times a week. I know it takes me longer and it is a little more expensive, but it conserves energy and my car. In the 50 mile trip, I am saving a couple of gallons of fuel every day, and reducing the use of my car by 400 miles per month.

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