Actions
Explore all the transport actions organised by how they help you REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE
Overview
Transport is one of the most rapidly expanding sectors and a major contributor to climate change
Energy efficient travel is not yet a widespread reality but there are some forms of transport that are better than others in terms of environmental impact. For example, there is increasing concern over the long term effects of air travel in terms of damage to the atmosphere from the release of pollutants such as water vapour , CO2 and NOx at high altitudes (approx. 10000 metres). At these altitudes, such pollutants are between 2.5 and 4 times as polluting compared with their release at sea level. Although water vapour is often cited as a pollutant, it is not very persistent (about a day) but it does contribute to the greenhouse effect by forming clouds at high altitude and reflecting heat back towards the earth's surface.
The continued growth in air travel is of concern in that whilst in 2007, there are about 85000 commercial flights per day, this is expected to double by 2050 thus increasing carbon emissions significantly. The latest IPCC figures were reported in New Scientist.
Although flights are predicted to increase significantly in the future, there is an even greater expectation of the growth of green travel options. These are predicted to increase by 25% year on year according to a recent (February 2007) newspaper report on the green travel market.
Reducing one's dependency on flights will help combat global warning but we must not neglect the need to reduce our dependency on all forms of fossil-fuel powered transport.
Cars and aircraft are generally amongst the least efficient forms of transport but are amongst the most accessible, convenient and available forms available. Thus they tend to be the default choice for many when making a journey.
However, if we must use the car then why not investigate local community transport schemes as an alternative to buying or hiring personal transport? The plethora of existing support organisations are only too willing to assist us.
An example of relative carbon savings compared with flying is illustrated below for several transport options.
Comparisons between a short haul aircraft, train and car show that the train is the clear winner followed by a fully occupied car. Ensuring that vehicles are full is essential if per passenger carbon emissions are to be minimised.
Source of data VCA car fuel data and Eurostar
If we compare the impact of travel by trains with planes then trains emit about a fifteenth of the carbon emissions of aircraft per passenger over the same (short-haul) distance of travel.
If we compare the impact of travel by cars with trains then cars (with four passengers) can emit about three times more carbon per passenger over the same distance of travel.
Unfortunately, most vehicle efficiencies are generally low. In the case of cars, manufacturers mostly market their products on the basis of performance rather than economy.
Hybrid vehicles are in the public eye but they are generally no more efficient than good diesel-engine vehicles. Hybrids are mechanically complex and have a higher embedded energy than conventional vehicles. The emphasis has again been on performance not economy even thought the manufacturers promote hybrids as (more) efficient.
Only about 15% of the energy from burning fossil fuel in a car goes to turn the wheels! Over 60% is lost in engine friction. If an internal combustion engine were 100% efficient at converting fuel energy to traction, a fuel economy of around 300 mpg would be feasible. It has been suggested by some sources that 200 mpg is attainable. On that basis, current "fuel economies" are derisible. A figure of 100 mpg could be readily achieved with current technologies!
So why don't vehicle manufacturer's truly wake up to the climate challenge?
It's time to make a decision whether you want faster gas guzzlers and fat cat oil barons or more frugal vehicles that will help mitigate climate change! The customer is always right (usually) so tell the manufacturers what you want!
Last but not least is the ultimate form of ecologically friendly transport - Feet!
If we really want to make a difference then wherever possible we should walk (or cycle) and leave the car at home!
Considerations
- Do you need to make a journey at all?
- What is the nature of the journey?
- Business miles?
- Leisure miles?
- Love miles?
- Can you reach your destination using lower energy transport? E.g.
- Walking/cycling.
- Train.
- Bus or coach.
- If you have to go by car can you share?
- Car hire or community car pool.
- Can you reduce the distance travelled?
- Can you use the train instead of the plane?
- Trains emit about a tenth of the carbon compared with aircraft over an equivalent distance source Eurostar
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