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 Carpooling and the Environment

The carpooling concept is becoming more popular day by day as it aids in the need to cut the cost of rising fuel prices, traffic congestion, air pollution, and contributes to helping the environment. A single car pooled, could reduce four cars from the road which is equal to growing as many as 4000 trees.

Normally vehicle’s have fuel efficiency of 10 KM/L. If a vehicle runs 20,000 km/year, it will consume 2000 L fuel in one year.  Burning 1 L of petrol emits 2.5 kg of carbon dioxide, thus the vehicle will emit about 5000 kg of CO2 in a year.

An average mature tree can absorb about 4.5-5 kg carbon dioxide per year.  We need about 1000 mature trees to absorb the pollution (carbon dioxide) emitted by one car. If people understood the concept of carpooling, the number of cars can be reduced to one fifth, as each one which was carrying one passenger, will be carrying 5 passengers.

We have to educate people about this carpooling concept and also request companies to promote this. Promotion of this concept will be beneficial to everyone who breaths air and live on Planet Earth.

You could say that it is up to our government to take care of reducing traffic and reduce pollution levels. But they are not the only ones responsible, we to need to take responsibility and do what we can as a society no matter how big or small it may seem.

School districts should be aware that going green can equal financial rewards.

Schools need to stop and have a think about who they use natural gas and electricity, heating and air conditioning systems.

One example; a school vending machine can cost up to $450 a year in electricity to run. However if they would attach a motion sensor that can automatically shut down the machine’s compressor when there is no activity, they would be able to save up to two-thirds electricity per machine, and most schools have a lot of vending machines.

Students everywhere in schools across the country need to get the message about taking responsibility for helping to save the planet.

Here are some groups to help you get started:

- EPA Student Center - This Environmental Protection Agency site includes information on a wide range of environmental issues. Kids can click on “Fun Activities” to play environmental games.

- The Greens - Izz and Dex are green animated characters that have lots of great ideas about protecting the planet. You can watch short cartoons about environmental issues.

Nature Challenge for Kids - a David Suzuki Foundation website for all kinds of fun activities such as ten simple ways to protect nature.

Remember to join some community groups this summer. Help pick up garbage at the beach, or simply at a nearby park.

How you can reduce the impact of your sailing on our environment.

Sailing can be classed as a green hobby, but there certian factors that need to be considered.

I have put together a nifty little guide to help clear up a few things about “Green Sailing”. By taking into consideration some of the following steps, you too can help keep environmental costs of sailing down and help to sustain our water and local environments.

Incorrect disposal of Hazardous Waste is unnecessary – try and us a recycling facility to do you part in reducing our waster where possible., This way everyone is contributing to a future environmentally friendly environment.

Fuel Oil and fuels are frequently reported pollutanting the inland waters in England and Wales. Most of this reported damage comes from engine emissions, oil leaks and refuelling.

Appreciate the wildlife In the UK as there is a abundance of wildlife. It is our mission as sailing enthusiasts to do our part in protect this wild life.

- Don’t forget to use a funnel when pouring fuel or oil – Always maintain your fuel lines, connections and seals to help protect against leaks – Remember to use a drip tray when working on engines as this is a legal requirement on most waterways. Find and mend all leaks as soon as you find them.

It’s important that everyone maintains respect for the ocean and that everyone works together to protect and maintain our waters. Try to remember the 3 R’s…Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

Look out for more tips in the coming weeks.

Sustainable development policy needs the best evidence it can get – but too often, we use indicators which show only what is easy to see on the surface.

The INSURE project (April 2004 - January 2007) aims to get beneath the surface, to the underlying ‘system dynamics’. For this INSURE has built a prototype ‘System Toolkit’ for analysis of sustainable development at the regional level, with four components. The ‘Baseline’ explores the scope of a sustainability issue: secondly, the ‘Mapping’ identifies the fuzzy and qualitative factors. Then, the ‘Model’ provides a full quantitative dynamic analysis, with transferable software for any region: and finally the ‘Indicators’ provide a framework for benchmarking and communicating the most significant factors.

With a ’20-step’ method and a more technical ‘advanced’ method, the Toolkit has been tested in a series of case studies around Europe. These show many practical applications to sustainability strategy, evaluation, training and communication. There is also a strong scientific agenda in exploring the conceptual foundations for analysis of sustainable development.

The system dynamics approach which underpins the INSURE has potential for a unifying and scientific representation of SD at the regional level. Instead of measuring the ‘symptoms’ through SD indicators, the project tries to get to the ‘causes’ with a more fundamental understanding of the region as a system. This shows how economic sectors, spatial development, environmental pressures and social trends are all inter-linked and inter-dependent. This kind of knowledge is essential for the challenges of SD from local to global.

In this way, the INSURE approach will contribute to increased awareness of the issues and choices of SD among stakeholders at all levels, particularly at the regional level around Europe.

For general information on the project and the background, click here for access to the material for dissemination (leaflet, poster, Scientific papers, presentations).

For other information, go to the tabs on Project Outputs, Partners and Events

Did you know that riding your bicycle is a great way to help preserve our delicate eco system. I know it sounds like a load of bull, but if we all did our bit in changing our daily living routines we would be helping to protect our planet.

The way we are going to talk about today is simply riding a bicycle as opposed to driving a car or riding a motorcycle. These activities have a devastating effect on our environment.

The emissions from cars damage the ozone in a severe manner. Pollutants released by vehicles can have an effect on the health of us human beings.

These pollutants can damage the ozone layer as well as our lungs and respiratory system.

I certainly agree that driving, in some cases, is a required in this modern age. However, if you just tried to make one day your cycling day it can, in a small way, make a difference to the health of all creatures big and small including us and it will also help improve the health of our planet.

Plus you get the added benefit of being fit and healthy and maybe even shed a few of those unwanted kg’s, and saving our planet at the same time.

So next time you wake up in the morning, consider doing your part to help yourself and our planet.

Look our for more tips in the near future.