Recognizing the threat posed by climate change, many people have resolved to live more eco-friendly lifestyles. Reducing vehicle emissions can have a strong and positive impact on the environment and may even benefit motorists' bottoms lines.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. can be traced to transportation. But the task of reducing vehicle emissions is not as difficult as it may seem, as there are many steps ordinary citizens can take to cut back on the greenhouse gases their vehicles are producing each day.
· Telecommute to work. Recent research from Global Workplace Analytics, a firm that helps organizations understand and communicate emerging workplace strategies, found that 50 percent of the American workforce holds a job that is compatible with at least partial telework. The company also found that as recently as March 2016 a typical business would save $11,000 per telecommuter per year, while workers who telecommute can save between $2,000 and $7,000 per year. But the financial benefits may pale in comparison to the effects that mass telecommuting can have on the planet. Telecommuters consume considerably less fuel than workers who drive or take mass transportation to work, and over time that can greatly reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
· Prioritize vehicle maintenance. Poorly maintained vehicles can harm the environment and cost motorists substantial amounts of money. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control notes that something as simple as replacing a clogged air filter, a task that can be completed in a matter of minutes, can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. In addition, keeping tires properly inflated can reduce drag and improve fuel economy. Such steps also improve vehicle performance and reduce wear and tear on a vehicle's engine, protecting motorists' automotive investments.
· Avoid idling. Conventional automotive wisdom once suggested that idling a vehicle for several minutes can effectively warm up its engine. But the EPA notes that idling is both ineffective and harmful to the environment. Idling for more than 30 seconds can increase air pollution unnecessarily, waste fuel and money and cause excessive wear and damage to engine components. Auto manufacturers now recommend that vehicles idle for no more than 30 seconds before they begin driving, as modern engines take less time to warm up than the engines of yesteryear.
· Drive less. Perhaps the simplest way to reduce vehicle emissions is to drive less. While walking or cycling can be a great and healthy alternative to driving, driving less does not necessarily mean motorists should abandon their vehicles entirely. Instead, drivers can organize weekend shopping and errand trips so they accomplish everything in a single trip. This can free up time and greatly reduce fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.
Reducing vehicle emissions is a great way to help the planet, and such a goal is more attainable than many people may think.
