Brighton Peace and Environment Centre
Since 1970, the number of vehicles on the roads of Great Britain have increased from 10 million private cars to over 24 million in 2002.
In 2002, 92% of all UK passenger travel was made via our roads.
The graph shows how over the past two decades, the number of car journeys we make have increased, while those by foot, bus and cycle have decreased.
Source: (External)
Environment Agency
The contribution of transport emissions to carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, and its subsequent effect on Global Warming, has been well documented.
As well as increases in road travel, air travel has also increased considerably with the onset of low cost airlines and package holidays.
For every 4,000 miles flown by each air traveler, one tonne of CO2 pollution from the plane's fuel use is released into the atmosphere.
Although research is currently underway to establish alternative fuels for aircrafts made from plants and other organic materials, the ever increasing effect of current air travel could have a damaging effect on future air quality.
Source: (External)
Environ
Despite increases in road and air travel, the UK's carbon dioxide emissions are in fact declining. However, travel has an impact on more than just air quality. The development of new roads causes the loss of land and habitats through the development of new roads and motorways. Plants, animals and habitats are sensitive to pollutants such as nitrogen oxides from exhausts. Nitrogen oxides combine with rainwater to form acid rain, which has a damaging effect on trees and soil.
The pollution from increased transport has health implications. The European Commission's Environment and Health Strategy looked at the links between pollution and disease, and found that, in 2002, 24,000 people suffered early deaths in the UK as a result of respiratory disorders. Pollution is the biggest concern for people with asthma in the UK, with 70% (3.5 million) saying that traffic fumes make their asthma worse (source: (External) Asthma UK
'Sustainable transport...describes all forms of transport which minimise emissions of carbon dioxide and pollutants...[It] can mean public transport, car sharing, walking and cycling as well as technology such as electric and hybrid cars and biodiesel.' Source: (External) Wikipedia
Car companies have reacted to growing public awareness of environmental issues by developing vehicles that produce less pollution. Anyone wishing to 'green up' their current car can convert it to LPG or auto gas. Both petrol and diesel cars can be converted at a cost of around £2,000. Although the initial layout may seem steep, at 40p a litre, LPG is a much cheaper option than petrol. LPG vehicles emit around 20% less CO2 than petrol. Electric and biodiesel cars also provide viable alternatives. For more information, log on to the (External) Energy Saving Trust .
As well as the obvious advantages to the environment, sustainable forms of transport can have enormous health benefits. Research for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy ranks workers in Cambridge as the healthiest in Britain. This is because almost half the commuters in Cambridge travel on foot or by bicycle.
If possible, walk, cycle, take public transport, or participate in car pooling. If you deem the use of a car totally necessary, then opt for the greenest available, either by converting your car to LPG fuel or purchasing zero-emission hydrogen fuel cars.
In addition to this, try to drive more economically by driving at a constant speed and not revving the engine frequently.
To offset the impact of your travel on the environment, plant trees. Companies such as (External)
Carbon Neutral
can calculate individuals' CO2 emissions and indicate how many trees would need to be planted to neutralise these emissions.
Brighton & Hove City Council has a (External) Local Action Plan to combat climate change. The plan aims to raise awareness of the issues surrounding climate change, and encourage local businesses, the public sector, organisations and individuals to take action now to:
For more information, see the
council website
or contact:
Paul Crowther
Sustainable Transport
Brighton & Hove City Council
(01273) 292 479
Brighton Peace & Environment Centre,
Address: 39-41 Surrey Street, Brighton, BN1 3PB. United Kingdom.
Tel: UK (01273) 766610
Email: info@bpec.org
Web: www.bpec.org
Company Registration No. 6166971