Follow these good and healthy practices that can help to reduce carbon footprint when taking your next road trip. These practices have shown to improve the condition of the environment and help fight pollution and other environmental hazards that can adversely affect any growing and developed economy of a country.
Choose the right vehicle
When it comes to fuel efficiency, some vehicles are far much better than others. If you want to reduce carbon footprint, you’ll need to choose a vehicle 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 that your vehicle is properly tuned up 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 are operating at optimum levels.
Pack lightly to reduce carbon footprint
What and how you pack matters when it comes to your vehicle’s eco-friendliness. The heavier your vehicle is, the worse its gas mileage will be, so it’s important 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 weight of the vehicle, but they also consume energy and increase your carbon footprint. Plus, a road trip is all about looking at everything you come across on the way; not watching things on your laptop, or playing video games on handheld consoles.
Be smart when driving to reduce 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 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, which means that if you love taking 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 altogether to lessen your impact on the environment. You can always find ways to be more mindful of the environment during your travels by reducing carbon footprint and increasing your efficiency on the road.