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Green Transportation
From WikiVerde
Green Transportation
Green transportation literally means using environmentally-friendly vehicles. In technical jargon, green transportation is the usage of transportation facilities which are not harmful to the entire eco-system consisting of human beings, animals, plants and trees.
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More on Green Transportation
Reasons for Using Green Transportation
It is important to have and implement a green transportation system especially in the light of environmental threats. A green transportation facility is ideal for the preservation and protection of a clean and healthy planet. Its diverse benefits can be discussed at two levels of macro and micro. At the individual level, micro benefits include:
Health
Green transportation prevents the emission of deadly gas fumes from petrol, diesel and battery operated cars. These gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen prototypes float up to the top layer of atmosphere and prevent the sustenance of human beings and trees. They can also cause diseases of a physical and mental nature with sexual impacts. Too much radiation from car frequencies and heavy duty transport can lead to respiratory, cardiopulmonary diseases including lung cancer. The World Health Organization estimates that by the end of year 2010, more than half the population of earth in the ages ranging from 15 -55 would be suffering from some form of respiratory ailment.
Toxic Food
The release of these greenhouse gases even has an effect on food plants. They may harm the seeds and even discolor the plant fruit. On eating these damaged food products, people might fall prey to stomach and blood diseases. In addition, harmful produce and dairy can further lead to the production of contaminated food.
Cost Effectiveness
Green transportation is simple, convenient and goes easy on one’s finances. People are saved from spending money on car fuel, car repair and car washes. The reasoning is people don’t have to spend money on something they are not using. Another added benefit can be the cost reduction in road repairs. Tax payers are forced to shell out money for road repairs and construction purposes for traffic safety. But if individuals stop using personal means of transport switching to common transport systems, roads have a lessened chance of damage. This indirectly benefits the individual in the long run.
Macro Benefits
Micro benefits eventually culminate in macro benefits. The European Union of Conservation argues that green transportation kills the automobile industry but manages to sustain a robust workforce. Human resources account for major industrial successes in the world. A country can scale industrial success if it has a physically and mentally vital and healthy workforce.
Less Pressure
Green transportation can actually put less pressure on the planet’s natural resources leading to less violent natural disturbances of earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes. Less pressure will also propel the stoppage of the ozone layer depletion. All this is possible as less deadly gas fumes negatively affect the earth’s natural atmosphere.
Hybrid Cars
Hybrid cars run on rechargeable battery and gasoline helping reduce fuel emissions.
Why are Hybrid Cars a Good Idea?
• Hybrid cars are good for the environment. They reduce smog by 90% and they use less gasoline as compared to conventional cars. • Hybrid cars are economical traveling up to 55 to 60 mpg • Hybrid cars are better as hybrid car batteries recharge when driving reducing the need to plug-in. Usually electric cars cannot go faster than 50-60 mph while hybrid cars can. Most electric cars need to be recharged every 50-100miles.
How Hybrids Save Energy and Gasoline:
• Hybrid engines are smaller in size accommodating the 99% of driving time when a car is not going up hill or accelerating quickly. • Hybrid gasoline motors can shut off when the car is stopped and run off their electric motor and battery. • Hybrid cars are lighter and so their tires create half the drag of conventional cars. • Hybrid cars often recover braking energy. Electric hybrid motors take the kinetic energy lost in braking and use it to charge the battery. • Hybrid cars are aerodynamic, reducing wind resistance. • Hybrid cars burn less gasoline per mile and create less pollution and fewer greenhouse gases.
The Green Transportation Hierarchy
The green transportation hierarchy is the ruling force behind the idea of Green Transportation. The hierarchy follows the format of the human needs hierarchy, putting city-friendly cyclists and pedestrians first. The inverted hierarchical pyramid argues that the state and local authorities must reward their low cost, space efficiency and zero environmental impact. This first level is followed by various vehicles based according to size, fuel and energy efficiency and gas emission released into the atmosphere. The heavy duty transport of trucks is deemed as the bulkiest and most energy and fuel expensive transport system. The hierarchy basically strives to educate individuals in urban and rural areas how to reduce the energy expense of their vehicle.
The headachy also includes transportation decision-making, allocation of road space, and project funding and resources. Other facets of the hierarchy also consist of restricting on-street parking, tolls on bridges and tunnels. It includes facilities for increasing congestion pricing to refrain people from investing in electric vehicles. The aim of the hierarchy is to have many walking and pedestrian zones with myriad bike lanes and public transportation roads.
Conclusion
It has to start at the individual level. To begin, become aware and develop a realistic plan – something which can be attained in the scheduled time frame. For instance, decide to sell your car and either car pool or ride a bike to your workplace. If you have a large family, invest in a hybrid car. Start getting people to take notice of what is happening to the environment. Become proactive in your neighborhood and community. Write letters to your city newspaper commenting on their online stories that address urban travel. Join a public transport advocacy group and meet with the local government representative. Things won’t change until you inform people you want them to. Remember, baby steps can lead to giant concerted leaps.
