Issues

According to research conducted in 2004, the UK alone emitted 529 million tones of CO2 of which travel by car contributed 22%. In order to mitigate the most extreme scenario of climate change we must reduce our individual carbon footprint from 8900 Kg/year to 2000 Kg/year*. Ensuring affordable, accessible, and most importantly green transport is a crucial measure the government has to achieve. Yet every person must take it upon themselves to travel sustainable and, if possible, locally.

Thankfully, industrialised society is beginning to come to terms with the full and undeniable impact of anthropocentric (i.e. relating to man) factors contributing significantly to climate change. This has resulted in a welcomed popularisation of green transport initiatives. From bicycles to electric cars people are trying alternative, more sustainable transportation other than the harmful petrol guzzling vehicles polluting our environment to get to work, the shops or when meeting friends.

Actions

National

Make a pledge to “Stop Climate Chaos”…
The UK’s largest coalition campaigning against climate change is asking each individual to walk or cycle short journeys rather than using a car in order to cut 380 Kg/person per year**. Collectively this can make a big improvement, so join I Count and get conserving that carbon.

Lobby the Chancellor…
Friends of The Earth Manchester are concerned about the obvious contradiction between the government’s proposed Climate Change Bill on the one hand and road expansion plans on the other. Therefore they are encouraging green travelers to persuade Alistair Darling MP to spend less on new roads and more on cutting CO***. Also we must add pressure on the UK government to agree to binding EU targets for fuel efficiency.

If you can’t cycle, change your car!
Visit the Department for Transport’s dedicated climate change website and see how you could limit the environmental impact of your existing car or which are the most energy efficient vehicles out there****.

Local

Go on, walk to work…
‘In Town Without My Car Day’ is an initiative to get people to use green methods to get around cities and ditch their polluting ways. This years event organised by Transport Longsight saw two roads blocked to traffic and a series of stalls and educational literature on sustainable transport. Find out more and perhaps get involved in next years action*****.

Say Hi to Hybrid…
In 2004 Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority launched the first commercial hybrid bus in Britain. This scheme of converting a Metroshuttle bus into a more environmentally friendly vehicle is set to reduce fuel consumption by 50%******. Check how using this bus could significantly lessen your carbon tyre print!

Content supplied by Rowan Smith