x24,Top3,TopLeft,x25,x12
View and Vote
a discovery company

How to Go Green: Cars

Drive your way to a greener life using these tips.

Jess Root

By Jessica Root
Brooklyn, NY, USA | Fri Jul 18, 2008 01:27 PM ET

car tire photo


Getty Images \ Dave Bradley Photography

Life in the fast lane is fun but it can quickly destroy our planet. In the U.S. alone, 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from cars and small trucks like SUVs, contributing to climate change, pollution, and diseases like asthma.

Fulfill your need for speed mindfully with help from our spankin' new How to Go Green: Cars guide. It's full of useful facts, stats and more importantly, solutions that will leave you feeling better about taking that long awaited road trip.

Here are some exclusive bonus tips to get you free-wheelin' towards a greener life:

  • Speak up
    Become an advocate for strong fuel-economy standards, better public transit, more bike lanes, better sidewalks, and more car-free areas in your city. Many communities are not designed for life without an automobile, but that can change with some good planning and political will.

  • Organize your coworkers
    Get a ride–sharing network going at work. (Maybe you'll even get a raise)

  • Good tires
    Different tires affect MPG in different ways. When you're in the market for new tires, look for the ones that help give you the best mileage. (And don't forget about proper inflation!)

  • If you´re the boss
    If you are an employer, there's almost no limit to the things you can do to encourage greener driving from your employees. A growing number of bosses are using rewards and perks to encourage employees to rideshare and drive hybrids or other fuel-efficient cars. You can also subsidize passes for public transit, make your office bike friendly (anything from having good bike racks to having showers), and set a good example with your own transport choices. Facilitating telecommuting can also save on fuel, emissions, and time wasted commuting.

Revved up for more eco-driving ideas and resources? Find your complete roadmap to green at How to Go Green: Cars.

Difficulty level: Easy to moderate

Read the rest of the How to Go Green Guides on Planet Green
How to Go Green: Summer
How to Go Green: Barbeques

How to Go Green: Laundry

 
  • email
  • digg
  • share
  • print
helpful article? vote for it
{ }
close window

CLOSE X

 

comments on this article

view all post a comment

 
 
 
 
 
facebook twitter rss
 
TV Module
 
 
reel impact
 
green diy projects
 

tv schedule

view all

On Now

On Tonight

 

today on planet green

view all

Votes

recent
discussed

Gleaning For The Hungry
POSTED  3 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

Is America's 'Best Idea' at Risk?
POSTED  3 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

Ample Harvest's iPhone App Matches Up Gardeners With Their Hungry Neighbors
POSTED  4 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

Madonna Does Malawi (Again): Material Girl or Like a Green Virgin?
POSTED  4 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

How to Throw a Left Hook (Literally and Metaphorically)
POSTED  20 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

The Eco-Dilemma: To Book, or Not to Book?
POSTED  30 Jan 2010. 9 COMMENTS.

{25}

Ask Emeril Your Green Cooking Questions
POSTED  7 Apr 2009. 72 COMMENTS.

{554}

About Planet Green
POSTED  14 Jul 2008. 27 COMMENTS.

{1093}

7 Foods So Unsafe Even Farmers Won't Eat Them
POSTED  26 Jan 2010. 5 COMMENTS.

{42}

Meet Seth Warren, Director of Nature Propelled, the Documentary
POSTED  28 Jan 2010. 4 COMMENTS.

{64}