If you are reading this, you probably want to know how to prevent air pollution. Read on for some ways to get started toward cleaner air for us all! We all contribute to air pollution. Just reading this online is taking electricity which has to be generated by some source. Generating electricity often creates air pollution. How much depends on the energy source.
Check the box
Check your utility bill. Where does your electricity come from? These days, most utility companies have some kind of break- down of which part of their power comes from coal sources vs. clean sources. You may have the option to select power from clean sources only.
Check your needs
What are you driving? Where are you going? How do you get around?
Before doing anything, realize that much of modern motor transport has been heavily subsidized over the past 100 years. There has been a lot of resistance to so called alternative transport.
Realize also that people got all over the planet for thousands of years without the internal combustion engine. It is possible to travel without a gas motor.
Most trips in many developed countries are short trips about town. This is good and bad. Short trips tend to cause a lot of pollution from motor transport, but there are better ways to get around.
Check your wheels
Here are some transport suggestions that can help prevent air pollution.
1. Ride a bike. We prefer electric bikes. When the trip is short and the weather good, there especially is your chance to get out. You can actually have fun, except on really busy
roads full of fast traffic.
2. Drive an electric car. The modern EV is as good transport or better than any
modern ICE car. The new Nissan Leaf drives as well as any ride on the road.
The Tesla Roadster can smoke many a gas burner.
3. Take the train. Electric trains are a great way to go if you need to just get from
point A to B on a predictable schedule.
4. Walk. Walking is great exercise, and as human beings, it is the way we are really designed to get around. Walking upright, that is who we are.
When you must motor - drive smart
Since modern transport has evolved around the ICE vehicle, you will probably need to gas up and drive sometimes. Here are a few tips for those times to help reduce ICE pollution.
1. Start it, go, and stop it. Idling the internal combustion pollutes a lot more than when you are driving it.
2. Consolidate your trips: When you start the car or truck, try to hook up more than one
stop along the way. It will save time and money, not to mention clearing the air some.
3. Keep your car or truck tuned. Modern cars don't need much tuning, but do what is needed to keep it firing cleanly.
4. Drive inside the law. You have most likely heard these things before, they may seem boring, but will reduce pollution. Accelerate and stop smoothly, and don't speed. Just like bikes, due to air resistance, cars require a lot more power as speed increases.
5. Share the ride. When you share the load, the amount of pollution per person goes down.
6. Drive a fuel efficient vehicle where possible.
7. Park your ICE car at least one day per week for a no driving day.
