Tuesday Travels: Top 10 Ways to Green Your Commute
We’ve all been there at some point, stuck in traffic alongside thousands of other morning commuters. It’s stressful for both us and the environment - wasting billions of hours of time and billions of gallons of gas. There are easy ways to take some of the burden of commuting out of your morning that can lead to a healthier, happier green you.
1. Carpool
Back in the 1970s, air quality was bad and the U.S. was experiencing an energy crisis with the Middle East oil supply. In response, the federal government created incentives for carpooling, like the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. The EPA recommended 1.5 people per vehicle to help ease America’s energy and air woes. By the early 1980s, the feds removed the incentives and Americans returned to their solo commutes. Well even in 2007, actually especially in 2007, the fact remains that carpooling still saves money, still reduces traffic and still helps reduce fuel consumption as well as emissions.
2. Bike or Walk
Sometimes we get so used to something that an alternative doesn’t seem possible. It just might be that way with driving to work. If you sat down and really considered how far it is from home to the office you might be surprised that you could easily walk or bike there, at least some of the time. Not only does this green up your commute, it puts some healthy mobility into your day which is always a good way to start.
3. Public Transportation
Sure, in the car you’ve got your radio, your special coffee place and all the junk that you might “need” throughout your day. The truth is most of the things that make your car comfortably yours are mobile and you can take them with you on public transportation. Like music, with your personal listening device of choice, your travel mug (is meant for traveling) and, well, most of the stuff in your car is just junk anyway. Lighten up, pack efficiently and take your morning show on the bus or train. It will take a load of the environment and you don’t have to manage the wheel. Bring a good book or the morning paper and let someone else drive.
4. Take the kids by foot
If you’ve got kids, you probably picked your neighborhood because you liked the nearby schools. In the hectic day to day mornings of getting everyone off to the right place it’s easy to overlook the fact that walking them to school instead of driving could actually fit into your morning routine. Think about it. You get up early trying to cram work, kids, laundry, meals and exercise into one day. Usually something falls off the “to-do” list and that something is usually yourself. Walking the kids to school gives you quality time, gives the environment a break and gets you some early morning exercise. Try WalkScore to find out just how walkable your neighborhood is.
5. Telecommute
Over 40 million Americans have discovered the benefits of telecommuting which include a very green morning commute walking from bed to the computer. The world has become virtually connected with instant messaging, video chat, teleconferencing and virtual private networks (VPN). Even if you need to be in the office for certain tasks, consider if telecommuting could work for part of your work week. Save gas and cut emissions, stay home in your jammies.
6. Go Neutral, Offset
Sometimes we just can’t avoid the fact that our business requires travel. Whenever possible use a green transportation choice. If you can’t, consider offsetting the trip with a carbon offset purchase. Try Clean Air Cool Planet’s Consumers Guide to Carbon Offset Programs (PDF).
7. Split the difference
If you live in the burbs or boonies and work in the city you might find transportation options limited. However, you might be surprised to find commuter parking lots, train stops and bus depots along your commute. Consider driving only as far as you need to and then either meeting up with a carpool, catching a train or hitching a quick ride on a bus. By cutting your solo commute in half you’re saving gas, emissions and money.
8. Drive Greener
If you’re in the market for a new car consider a hybrid car, these come in choices for almost any lifestyle from small sedans to SUVs. For the most part these vehicles outperform conventional cars on gas mileage and emissions. Hybrid not happening? What about biodiesel? Lots of diesel lovers are beating the gas rap by converting to biodiesel. You could also consider flex-fuel vehicles or just a vehicle with the highest gas mileage you can afford. Whatever you are driving, keep it well-maintained, tuned up and with clean filters and properly inflated tires. For maximum fuel efficiency do the speed limit and de-junk the trunk.
9. Park in the shade and use a reflective windshield shade
Cars and parking lots contribute to something called urban heat island. Cement, black top and other impervious manmade surfaces absorb heat from the sun and increase the ambient temperatures in cities which in turn puts a load on mechanical cooling. To help alleviate some of this park in the shade and help your car from becoming a heat bomb by using a reflective windshield shade. If there are no trees to park under talk to your boss about why it’s important to alleviate urban heat island with vegetation.
10. Move on Challenges
Public transit lacking in your area? Write your city council. Want to carpool? Spread the word at the office. Don’t know the train schedule? Look it up online from the comfort of your home. Don’t think you can bike or walk to work in time? Do a test run on a Saturday. Whatever is keeping you in your morning commute rut take some time to identify the issues and make a plan to change, or at least make a plan to give change a try. You’ll likely find that eco-friendly changes are easy, save you money and improve your health.
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