The rise in gas prices have been in the news for the past few weeks, so naturally, people are trying to limit their driving to save some money. If you are tired of paying more for gas than you are for tuition, then it might just be time to find a new way of getting around. Now, it’s not practical to give up driving entirely, but we should all try and limit our carbon footprint, and not driving for a bit is a great way to do that.
Driving produces a large amount of carbon dioxide. On average a gallon of gasoline produces just under 9,000 grams of carbon dioxide, which adds up to about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per vehicle per year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The tri-county area and the rest of South Florida have a rather large carbon dioxide output in comparison to its population. While that large carbon dioxide output is largely due to corporations and manufacturing, that does not mean that each of us cannot do our part to help care for the environment. By cutting down on the number of miles driven, we can all cut down on our carbon footprint and do what we can to help the environment.
Even without a car, there are still plenty of ways to get around. Here are some ways to get around that you might find useful.
Now I might be a little biased, as I use my bike to get everywhere, but biking is a great way to get around quickly. Plus, it can be a great way to exercise. Biking is quicker than walking and it makes dealing with traffic a bit easier.
With a bike you do not have to worry about finding a parking spot. Pretty much every building has at least one bike rack right outside the building, and with a bike lock, you can find a place to leave your bike pretty much anywhere on campus.
NSU has a beautiful campus, and with the sunny South Florida weather, walking is a great option. Take the time for a nice walk instead of driving somewhere. Stretch your legs and take a stroll into town instead of wasting the gas and time spent finding parking.
Biking and walking are some of the most environmentally friendly forms of transportation. If you want to do your part to preserve the Earth for future generations, then you should take the opportunity to walk or bike at chance you can over driving.
Now, I’m not saying that everyone should stop driving everywhere, but, if you are looking for a way to save money or cut down on your carbon footprint, trying out biking, walking or taking public transportation might be the way that works for you. There are plenty of ways to get around besides driving. Try to not drive everywhere, if you can. Walking somewhere is better for the environment, and better for your wallet.
While biking and walking over driving will not make a major difference in the global carbon footprint—truly changing that will require enacting emissions laws and policy changes, so contact your local representative and let them know your thoughts—every little bit helps in some way. We can each do our part to make the plant a more hospitable place.
