If there’s one thing that climate scientists agree on, it’s that stopping and reversing the environmental damage that carbon dioxide and other byproducts produced from industrial waste and our consumer culture is going to be a Herculean effort if it stands a chance of success. As a responsible member of the global community, you have a responsibility to do what you can to mitigate the damage. The evidence is in—we have only a few years to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. Here are a few practical ways you can start contributing to the solution for our environment by changing the environmental impact of your commute in 2020.
Convert Your Car to Natural Gas
Natural gas is much cleaner than traditional fossil fuels like petroleum. Changing your vehicle’s fuel source from oil to natural gas can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Depending on the type of engine and work involved, transitioning to natural gas can be costly. However, local incentive programs in some areas offer significant tax advantages or other rewards for drivers who make positive changes like these to their property. The upside is that natural gas is a widely available fuel source, so keeping your car stocked on fuel once you make the switch will be a breeze.
Buy a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
Electric cars are much more affordable now than they ever have been in the past. While it’s true that they are generally still more expensive than gas-powered cars, major companies like Honda and Ford have produced the Honda Clarity and Chevy Bolt at mainstream prices that can be worked out on a middle-class, modest budget.
Organize a Carpool
Studies have suggested that Americans are driving more than they ever have. Not only is all that time alone in a car using more gasoline than necessary (and therefore pumping more pollution into the atmosphere), but studies have shown that, as a society, we are undergoing a mental health epidemic due in part to our growing isolation. Share a ride with your coworkers, socialize, and build a social network of environmentally active people.
Consider Cycling
Because of the way that cities are designed, it’s understandable that walking or running may not be possible for commuters who travel long distances. If possible, though, and if you live in an area safe and friendly to bicycles, consider cycling to work. In addition to helping reduce harmful pollution, cycling provides the additional bonus of giving you some extra exercise, so it’s really a win-win situation.
Our environment is in trouble, so it’s important that we do something to preserve it. Make these changes and become part of the global solution to the massive environmental challenges we face.
Here’s another article you might like: Go Green: Ways to Make Your Home More Environmentally Friendly