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THE CYCLE – REDUCE
KICK THE HABIT
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the journeys we undertake really do make us happier? When travel is really
contributing to our lives, we can at any rate choose the least GHG-intensive
form of transport available – preferably bike or foot, or public transport
rather than private. We can also aim to be as sociable as possible when on
the move. Cars with only a driver on board make very little sense, and the
more
passengers
you can find the smaller each of your climate footprints
will be. Set concrete goals to reduce your travel. Just as a limited calorie in-
take is sensible for any diet, after analysing your travelling habits and extent
(see Count & Analyse) you can set a limit on how much you travel and by
what means. Reducing it will have a significant effect on your costs.
Websites where people announce where they are going and when, offering a lift to those
with the same destination, have become very popular over the last few years in many
places. In Germany and its neighbours the system is quite successful, and apart from
providing a cheap ride between almost all medium-sized towns (for about €5 per 100
kilometre) it is a social meeting-point and a bit of an adventure for those who like it.
Some of the most popular sites are
www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de(Germany, Aus-
tria, Switzerland);
www.easycovoiturage.com(France);
www.rideabout.com.au(Australia);
www.rideshare-directory.com(United States).
Grams of CO
2
per passenger
and per kilometre
370
100
150
50
30
Source: Gunnar Gohlisch, Umweltbundesamt (German Federal Environmental Agency), 2005.
Plane
Car
Train (short distance)
Train (long distance)
Bus (short distance)
CO
2
emissions from selected
German transportation means
Bus (long distance)
60%
Tram
Metro
The results depend a lot on the occupancy rates
(in pink, the average German rates used here).
Better results can be obtained for metro, tram
and train if more people are using them (better
network and schedules, accessibility, affordability
and competitiveness compared to cars).
73%
21%
21%
20%
20%
1,5
passenger
per car
44%
The squares are proportional to CO
2
emissions.
Grams of CO
2
per passenger
and per kilometre
370
100
150
50
30
Source: Gunnar Gohlisch, Umweltbundesamt (German Federal Environmental Agency), 2005.
Plane
Car
Train (short distance)
Train (long distance)
Bus (short distance)
CO
2
emissions from selected
German transportation means
Bus (long distance)
60%
Tram
Metro
The results depend a lot on the occupancy rates
(in pink, the average German rates used here).
Better results can b obtained for metro, tram
and train if more people are using them (better
network and schedules, accessibility, affordability
and competitiveness compared to cars).
73%
21%
21%
20%
20%
1,5
passenger
per car
44%
The squares are proportional to CO
2
emissions.