We no longer find the world as cool as we used to find it in our childhood!
The earth is older and warmer—several places in the world do not experience snow fall in winter as before, the summers in many places have become too hot to bear. Rains don’t drench the lands the same way they used to do decades ago.
The earth is fighting a fierce battle of survival against the modern monster called “Global Warming”
The Green House Effect and it’s offspring global warming together are the byproducts of indiscriminate expansion of human civilization; more speed, higher performance, bigger production—-a need for more has made man much too dependant on machines.
Among all the machines, the motor car has been touted as the biggest contributor to the creation of pollution.
Nevertheless we can’t do away completely with the cars. Returning to the ages of bicycles may make for the killer plot of a romantic novel, but it is definitely not practical.
So what do we do?
We have to think up ways to drive our cars in a way that make the least damage to our environment.
Act in a socially responsible manner
You don’t have to start your car engine every time you need to rush to the supermarket just a block away! It wastes a lot of fuel and adds more green house gases to the environment. Instead ride on your bicycle or just walk. The Japanese can teach the world a lesson in this respect—you will encounter more cyclists on a Tokyo road than any other parts of the world.
Another thing to learn from the Japanese in this respect is their well developed public transportation system based on the underground railway network. Cutting down on private car usage and using public transport wherever you can is a great way to prevent farther damage to your environment.
Be a responsible driver
Being a little bit careful while you drive can save a lot of precious fuel and prevent a new set of pollutants entering the air
Good planning makes you a truly green driver—choose your route to avoid congested roads. Consider covering as many as tasks possible in a single trip. Also try to share the car with your family members as well as your friends wherever possible.
Don’t rev up your car like crazy—you are not competing in a car race! Slow down to reduce fuel consumption. Nevertheless drive on higher gears, when traffic conditions allow.
Be caring about such parts of your car as accelerator, brake or clutch. Don’t be harsh on them, they will offer you better fuel efficiency.
Also try to drive light and switch off the engine whenever you are waiting at more than five minutes.
Also make sure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure for the vehicle.
Cut down on luxury
Treat air conditioning as a luxury and not necessary. Use it sparingly whenever it is absolutely essential to use it. Also make sure that onboard electrical devices don’t eat up the fuel unnecessary.
Consider the cars based on environment friendly technology
Driving a hybrid car or electric car is the best way to go green. In London, electric cars exempt from road tax & congestion charging. Over all insurance premiums may also be lower for the hybrid cars.
You can also use bio fuel or LPG in place of petrol and diesel to lower the impact of green house gas emissions.
You love your car—but you feel sorry about your environment too. There is no need to suffer from a guilt complex just because you love driving. Keep the above mentioned tips in mind while driving and be a green driver.