Drive instead of flying for a short trip (less than 400 miles)
Why This is Green
Flying requires a tremendous amount of resources and produces sizable emissions. We all know this. So it makes sense to drive somewhere close to you instead of flying—you’ll drastically reduce the energy emissions associated with your trip. You’ll also likely save money.
How much you save depends on where you’re headed and what you’re driving. Grist.org calculated that driving from Philadelphia to Boston (about 300 miles) in a typical medium-sized car generates about 104 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas. This is regardless of how many people are in said car. Flying on a commercial jet for the same trip would generate around 184 kilograms of CO2 per passenger.
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How To
When taking a short trip, get in your car!
Take steps to make your drive as efficient as possible. These can include having your car serviced regularly, keeping your tires filled to the correct pressure, and not schlepping around unnecessary items that add weight—like a roof rack you aren’t using.
If you have the option, drive a fuel-efficient car that gets around 35 miles per gallon or more. A 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid gets an estimated 48 mpg on the highway, while 2010 Volkswagen Golf clean diesel get about 41 mpg. Pretty good compared to the roughly 23 mpg most U.S. passenger cars get these days.
Recommended Products
- Garmin GPS Navigator
- AAA Air Compressor
- Accutire Programmable Digital Tire Gauge
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