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Something that changed all our lives about 100 years ago
was the car.
First it was great and if we were only talking about how
convenient and easy it is, then we could still say that it was great.
I'll tell you something that it isn't though and that is GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT! And so...
I thought we could look at TRANSPORT
Ok - so what is wrong with our transport system? |
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It causes huge amounts of pollution...
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In the form of chemicals released
into the air, |
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scrap vehicles that have to be got
rid of |
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and massive stretches of tarmac
spread across the land. |
On top of that there is the problem of traffic jams - filling
up the roads and pumping pollution into the atmosphere.
Abominable aeroplanes, |
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Brilliant buses, |
| Horrible HGVs, |
Terrific
trains, |
| Awful
automobiles, |
Crazy cycles, |
| Dreadful
juggernauts, |
Excellent
electric bikes |
| Lugging
lorries, |
Brainy barges, |
| Carcinogenic
cars. |
Tremendous
trams! |
 Most
vehicles burn oil-based fuels, like petrol. Some are more economical than
others, planes use up HUGE amounts of fuel, cars use much less - BUT buses
are more economical than cars because they pack lots of people in.
Trams usually run on electricity and also pack in lots of
people, so, if their electricity supplier makes its electricity from
renewable energy sources, they are pretty high on the sustainability scale.
And bicycles! Well, bicycles are just the grooviest! A triple
whammy! Not only are you getting fit, but you are cutting congestion and
reducing pollution!
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And then we would all get our daily exercise without half
trying and without taking up much time in the day!
And bikes are a laugh...! (especially
electric bikes - they're great!)
OR (shock! horror!)
WE COULD WALK! |
Well there is no denying it, cars are the cause of a huge
amount of pollution. People are always leaping into their cars, like
lazy frogs and bobbing down the road because they can't be bothered to
wait for the bus, or (perish the thought) walk! I've done it! I bet
you've done it! And I'll double bet you that your parents are always
doing it! Because cars are fantastic aren't they? There is no denying
that they are great to bob about in (except when there's a traffic jam)
I love my car, it.... well it goes! So let's be realistic here, everyone
is not going to get rid of their cars.
But they could use
them less...
Or share them with other people going the same way..
They (you) (me) could, oh, jump on the bus?
The buses |
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Run your diesel car on vegetable oil! Its perfectly legal,
as long as you pay the 25.82p per litre to HM Customs and Excise, to
make it a road fuel - it can even be used vegetable oil, the car won't
mind!
There is also a vegetable oil based fuel called bio diesel available - both fuels need a tiny adjustment
to your car for them to work properly. A project for science,
particularly if you are a secondary school - making bio diesel! |
Check with a qualified mechanic first - your engine may need a
slight adjustment. Other alternative and generally pretty funky fuels are...
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LPG |
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(liquefied petroleum gas) this is still a
fossil fuel, but is less polluting than the others. |
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Electricity |
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as long as your supplier is using renewable
energy. Electric cars are still quite scarce but are becoming more
available. |
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Hydrogen |
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used in fuel cells to make energy. This
technology has been hailed as the future "dominant source of power for
personal transportation" It is as yet unavailable to the likes of you
and me - but it's on it's way!! |
There are loads of things that you could do in your school to
work out who is coming from where and who could share cars... You could do
it in maths... or Geography! And your school could set up walking busses, or
cycling trains....
There is another staggeringly significant thing that
can be done to help reduce the amount of transport pollution. Wherever
possible, buy food that has been produced locally. The closer the better!
If you buy butter made in this country, then no one has flown
that butter to you in an aeroplane.
If you are buying apples, then look at where they all came
from. If you have a choice of apples from the Cape, South America,
France or England - then choose the apples that grew the closest to you.
Wool from New Zealand - Wool from
Yorkshire?
Spinach from Israel - Spinach from Lancashire?
Oranges from California - Oranges from Spain?
Wine from Australia - Wine from Italy? |
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It's not that the products from these countries are not good quality
products. It's just that buying the same product from a closer place
will cut out massive amounts of pollution. Which is better for the
environment. And for you! Oh - its good for our farmers too, it must be
very dismaying for them when they cannot sell their apples because there
are so many apples from other countries for sale.
If you want more information about: |
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Then come on further into our web site...
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