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GETTING AROUND
source: http://www.hribar.com/energy-
saving-tips.htm
www.ase.org/content/news/detail/
2176
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A 5 minute walk to get a loaf of bread not only consumes less energy than a 5 minute drive (and helps keep you healthy), but it requires less resources…- transport accounts for over 1/3 of human induced global warming and extreme weather conditions considered ‘a wake up call’ to climate change. According to a study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the transportation sector will overtake industry as the largest energy user by 2020;
- walk, cycle or roller-blade. Bicycles are the most energy-efficient means of transportation: - 80% of the rider’s energy is transformed into motion. It’s fast and it will get you fit!
- use public transport: public transport consumes 3 to 5 times less energy per passenger carried. For example, one litre of fuel can carry 1 passenger 48 km by metro, 39 km by bus or 18 km by private car;
- metros are the most energy efficient of all modes, closely followed by light rail. Their advantages and efficiency will become even more attractive and sustainable as more electricity is produced from renewable energies;
- almost 1 in 3 journeysunder 5 miles (8km) in big cities are made by car. Of course, motor vehicles are also essential to modern living. But more responsible use can bring further improvements, making cities cleaner, healthier and safer to live in;
- use car share/car pool whenever you can. Car sharing enables several people to use one car, a car pool puts one or more car at the disposal of a group of people who organise themselves to share the car. Both alternatives reduce road traffic, save petrol and cut pollution levels, energy use per passenger and car disposal costs;
- alternatively, if you only need a car periodically, hire it;
- for long trips, trains andbuses require 1/10 the energy of commercial jets – and 1/27 the energy of private planes. Planes are responsible for almost 3 % of carbon emissions worldwide from fossil fuels.
If you must drive, one way to conserve energy is to avoid unnecessary trips in your car and…- curtail aggressive driving. Speeding, rapid acceleration, and rapid braking all waste gas – and curb mileage by as much as 33% at highway speeds. Nix jack-rabbit starts, opting instead for slow acceleration from a dead stop. In addition, speeding wastes gas – and your money;
- switch motor off if waiting longer than 30 seconds. Do not wait too long before changing gears;
- try to have your car regularly serviced. It will bum less petrol and emit less pollution. Under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to8 %;
- keep your car properly tuned up to improve gas mileage by about 4 %;
- buy ‘green’ motor vehicles and maintain them well. Before you buy, check on your car, scooter, or motorbike’s energy efficiency, pollution performance, ability to take unleaded petrol and life expectancy;
- check and replace air filters regularly. Replacing a clogged or dirty air filter can improve your car’s gas mileage by as much as 10 %, and a clean filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine;
- improve mileage by up to 40 % by replacing a faulty oxygen sensor;
- pack lightly when travelling, and avoid carrying items on your vehicle’s roof. An extra 10 Kg in the trunk cuts a typical car’s fuel economy 1-2 %.
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