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In the fight against climate change, every decision we make about how we travel counts. Follow these six simple ways to do your part.

Without a doubt, climate change is the biggest crisis that humanity has ever faced. It affects every aspect of our lives--food and water security, extreme weather events, and biodiversity. 

It is an overwhelming and multi-layered problem that seems well beyond the average person’s control. But there are practical and immediate actions you can take to make a personal contribution to climate change--starting with how you travel around your city.

Here are six ways to reduce your carbon footprint when you’re on the go.

Take a hike--or a bike.

Everybody wins when you choose walking or bicycling. These activities make you healthier, lower local air and noise pollution, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Choosing to take a bicycle over a car just once a day reduces your transport emissions by 67%, according to a recent study led by Charles Brand, Associate Professor at the Transport Studies Unit at the University of Oxford.

Use, and advocate for, public transportation.

Taking public transportation instead of driving alone can reduce CO2 emissions by 45%. According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), a household can save almost USD 10,000 by taking public transportation and owning one less vehicle.

There are also economic benefits. Every dollar invested in public transportation generates five dollars in returns. Every USD 1 billion invested can create nearly 50,000 jobs. Public transport can fight climate change and improve social equity. But in most countries, they are grossly underfunded. You can help change that by calling on your local government to devote more resources to mass transit options.

Make your transport vehicle as green as possible.

Micromobility gives urban dwellers an affordable and environmentally-friendly way to travel around our cities--especially when combined with public transport. And despite a battered automotive market, electric vehicle (EV) sales grew in 2020. 

The future of transport is green. Whether it’s a scooter, a bicycle, or a car, invest in a low- or zero-emission model. If you’re thinking of buying a new car, search for options here to know their efficiency ratings. Choose the most efficient, least-polluting vehicle that matches your needs and your budget.

Don’t feel the need for speed.

Driving efficiently can help to reduce emissions, so ease up on the gas and brakes. Speeding, hard acceleration, and sudden braking can lower your mileage by 5% in city streets and 33% on the highway, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Improve fuel economy by driving “like you have an egg under your foot,” Brian West, an expert in fuel and engine research, told The New York Times. And if you’re on a long drive, use the cruise control to help save gasoline.

Keep your vehicle in tiptop shape.

Have your vehicle regularly serviced for safe and efficient drives. Keep your engine tuned, use the recommended motor oil, and have the air and oil filter cleaned out regularly.

Make sure your tires have the correct pressure, which can improve your gas mileage by up to three percent and reduce your CO2 emissions by around 275 pounds per year.

Make the most of every trip.

Think before you drive. If the weather is good and you won’t be carrying many things, maybe you can walk or take public transport instead. If that’s not possible, can you combine errands to make fewer trips? Is there anyone else in the household with appointments and errands that day? Ask yourself these questions before you grab your car keys. 

The fight against climate change may seem overwhelming, but take heart: Every smart decision you make about your travel choices will help, no matter how helpless you may feel.

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