what would jesus drive?
Tuesday, June 20th, 2006
The article i co-wrote was in the Church Times last Fri – you can view it here.
It focused on ‘green transport’ – being more eco in the way we get from a to b, etc.
I was a bit miffed as the things i consider to be the most useful to most people… were totally left out, after editing! I know it happens, and once you’ve handed the article over you have to ‘let go’, but here is my point: for most people, buying a brand new eco/electric car is just not an option (and in my opinion they’re not even v eco, unless you’re using green electricity to run them on!). And again, giving up your car and joining a car club or liftshare, for most people, is v impractical. You’d prob have to have no kids, and live in the inner city to even be able to think of doing this.
But my advice that was ommited from the article, is far more ‘everyday’. EVERYONE can do stuff to help reduce the release of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. It’s v easy! So i’ve included it here (below) just to make me feel better….!
Oh, and this pic is of our range rover. our holiday was fairly green, transport-wise, as it runs on LPG, and we went via ferry, not plane. Still, it would be even greener not to have gone on holiday at all, but that’s another story!
Where do we go from here?…
You…
Drive Less:
Only make journeys that are totally necessary.
Walk or cycle all journeys of less than a mile.
For longer journeys, use the bus or train.
Lift-share.
Take a car-free holiday.
Organise a car-sharing scheme in your local community.
Get food and other goods delivered to your home.
Work from home.
Ensure you do as many jobs as possible in one trip.
Avoid congested areas (and rush hour) to reduce travel time.
Drive Wisely:
Inflating tyres to the correct pressure cuts emissions by 5%.
Control your speed – travelling at less than 15mph creates the most pollution. (Increased speed up to 50mph means your level of pollution decreases. Over 50mph increases your level of pollution again.)
Get in the right gear – top gear is most energy-efficient.
Avoid drag – e.g. remove the trailer or roof rack, shut windows and the sunroof. Remove any excess weight.
Avoid unnecessary revving, idling of the engine, harsh acceleration and braking as this uses more fuel.
Avoid overfilling the tank as spilled fuel evaporates and releases harmful emissions.
Convert your current car to LPG, or even to run on biofuels!
Lobbying:
Put pressure on your local Council to give priority to people rather than vehicles: traffic calming schemes, cycle facilities, pedestrian crossings, and lorry restrictions.
Continue to press the government to give higher priority to an integrated public transport system: simplified ticketing and easily accessible information.
Your church…
Hold a ‘No-car Sunday’.
Organise Lift-sharing for services.
Organize a church outing/weekend away using public transport!
Find out whether your church leader gets an allowance for cycle mileage as well as car mileage.
Check if your church has a cycle-rack as well as a car park.
Give out local bus timetables out church.
If purchasing a church mini-bus choose one which is fuel efficient.
Educate your congregation – download CEL’s Green Transport Leaflet [8] or look to the advice of Eco-congregation [9].
