Follow these good and healthy practices that can help to reduce your carbon footprint when taking your next road trip. These practices have been shown to improve the condition of the environment and help fight pollution and other environmental hazards that can adversely affect any growing and developed country’s economy.
How do you reduce your carbon footprint while traveling?
- Choose the right vehicle.
Regarding fuel efficiency, some vehicles are far better than others. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you’ll need to choose a car with high gas mileage, preferably a hybrid option. If you are choosing between several vehicles, you can compare their fuel economy to find the most eco-friendly option. Before leaving, ensure your car is tuned correctly by having it inspected by a professional. Factors like oil levels, air filter quality, and tire pressure can affect your gas mileage during the road trip, so you want to ensure that all systems operate at optimum levels. - Pack lightly to reduce your carbon footprint.
What and how you pack matters regarding your vehicle’s eco-friendliness. The heavier your vehicle is, the worse its gas mileage will be, so it’s crucial that you only bring the essentials. But don’t try to load your stuff into a rooftop cargo box; such a bulky addition increases your drag and lowers your fuel efficiency, ultimately hurting the environment and your wallet.
It’s a good idea to have reusable bottles to refill your water at rest stops, parks, or visitor centers instead of buying bottled water throughout your trip. Try to minimize the number of electronics you bring on your road trip. Not only do electronics add to the vehicle’s weight, but they also consume energy and increase your carbon footprint. Plus, a road trip is all about looking at everything you see on the way, not watching things on your laptop or playing video games on handheld consoles. - Be smart when driving to reduce your carbon footprint.
When it’s time to hit the road, there are little things you can do to be more eco-friendly. Start by planning your route ahead of time to save time, miles, fuel, and headaches. Choose a passenger who’s good with directions and put them in charge of navigation to avoid unnecessary backtracking. Avoid sharp braking or accelerating since your trip will be more fuel-efficient if you maintain a steady speed. If your car has the cruise control feature, use it as much as possible on the highways.
The auto industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, accounting for up to 70 percent of the total air pollution mix in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. A big chunk of that pollution comes from people driving their cars, meaning that if you love road trips, you might be contributing more than your fair share of environmental degradation. However, this does not mean that you should stop enjoying road trips entirely; there are many things you can do to green up your road trips without sacrificing any of the fun. You don’t have to stop taking road trips to lessen your environmental impact. You can always find ways to be more mindful of the environment during your travels by reducing your carbon footprint and increasing your efficiency on the road.