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Antonia Chitty looks at healthier ways to travel, save energy and cut your bills.
 
If you’re keen to be greener in 2007, look into alternative ways to travel. For shortish trips you can't beat just putting one foot in front of the other. Short journeys, before the car is warmed up, cause the most pollution. Walking is great exercise and the most environmentally friendly way of travelling.

Cycling is one of the quickest ways to travel especially in big cities. If your bike has been gathering dust in the garage for a few years then get a cycle shop to give it a service. It won't cost much and will give you a safer and smoother ride. Most shops can also advise you on the right sort of safety gear - a helmet is a must - and will be able to help with child seats too.

The average person in the UK drives their car 5,433 miles per year, takes the bus for 207 miles per year and uses the train for 325 miles per year. If you're willing and able to leave your car at home, public transport is a great green option. On average, it uses less than half as much fuel per passenger mile than a private car. And when all costs are taken into account (including car maintenance, road tax, insurance and so on) using public transport all the time can be cheaper than using a car.

Greener transport isn't just about getting on your bike - your car can run more efficiently too. Cars are not going to go away and you may need them to get to work, but there are a few things you can do to lessen their impact on the environment. Turn off your engine if your car is stationary for two minutes or more. Don't bother if you're stationary for less than that, it can actually be more polluting turning your engine back on. Inflate your tyres to the correct pressure. This can save as much as 5% on your fuel bill. Remove unnecessarily heavy loads from the boot or roof of your car, they just make you use more fuel.

Braking or accelerating sharply - as well as being dangerous - is bad for fuel consumption. Park in the shade if possible - the sun on a hot engine increases emissions causing a kind of smog which can trigger asthma and other breathing conditions.

If you're looking for a new car, you could choose an alternative fuel vehicle, or look for fuel-efficient model that satisfies your needs. Generally, smaller cars use less fuel. The Environmental transport Association publishes a useful list each year.

http://www.eta.co.uk/  The more fuel-efficient your car is, the less polluting it will be.

So, set yourself an achievable target this year. Is there one journey where you can use pubic transport instead of taking the car? Perhaps you can get your bike going again? Or, if its time to replace the car, look at greener models. Whichever you do, you will know you’re getting fitter, and helping the planet stay healthy too.

Antonia Chitty is an experienced and versatile communications specialist. She has published articles in a range of consumer and trade titles, and runs a PR agency for small and creative businesses. http://www.acpr.co.uk

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