Why saving gas matters: This is an easy one, folks: it’s expensive, we’re depending on a non-renewable resource that (often) comes from other countries and makes us dependent, and we’re messing up our climate and ecosystems with pollution and emissions.
Cars and light trucks account for 66% of the transportation carbon emissions in North America. Carbon in the atmosphere at the wrong levels negatively impacts the temperature and the climate- to the point where water and food supplies are threatened and weather systems become more violent.
Plus, it’s expensive to waste it! Gas prices have climbed 8 to 10% a year in many areas for the last decade. Cheap combustion power is a thing of the past- in fact, we may have reached PEAK OIL.
Can you make a difference as an individual? YES, YES, YES. Prices alone have caused Americans to drive 54 billion fewer miles less in 2008. If you just look at June of 2008 compared to June of 2007, we drove 12.2 billion fewer miles- it was the steepest decline in a century of data collection. We have cut miles traveled by 2.8%, and gas consumption by 4.7%- which also means that we're getting more efficient in our driving habits- that we may actually be paying attention.
If prices can do that, imagine what conscious effort could do. If we have cut miles by 3%, why not 10%? Why not 20%? Through simple habit changes, by seeking out alternative fuel or fuel-efficient cars, you can save a lot of fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
Where’s the biggest opportunity for efficiency? Reducing long commutes; telecommuting or 4 day workweeks. Ridesharing or public transportation. Driving efficiently, cutting out unnecessary trips, or biking and walking! The last one presents an amazing offer that's too good to be true: maybe we should publish the "Going Green inadvertent shape up plan"! You can SAVE MONEY, SAVE THE PLANET, AND GET IN SHAPE AT THE SAME TIME! I mean, what could be better? Watch our videos with tips for driving and servicing your car to save fuel, or get written tips here.
What could the impact be? We can easily cut our gas consumption by 20% as a nation. You’d save significantly, the country would reduce imports of foreign oil, and avoid the drilling debate - dang, we'd even say using too much gas is downright unpatriotic.
GET MORE INFORMATION ON DRIVING SMARTER
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