Greener By Bus - Try day 2

Most of us get in a car every day – to go to work, to drop the kids off at school, to go shopping, or to go to the gym.

So it’s no wonder that the car is the single biggest source of atmospheric pollution. In fact, your car probably produces around four tonnes of CO2 every year. Not to mention over a thousand other toxic pollutants.

So if you want to stop using the car so much, try doing these five simple activities each day:

One portion of your 5-a-day... On yer bike!

For journeys under 3 miles, cycling can be a great alternative to driving. It’s a convenient way to get your recommended 30minutes of daily exercise at the same time as getting to work, getting your shopping or meeting up with friends.

Two... Hop on a bus

Buses are a much greener way to travel than driving.

For example, by driving a five-mile journey to work, you’ll be responsible for emitting over 2 kilos of CO2. By taking the bus instead, you’ll only be responsible for 1.5 grams of the stuff.

Using public transport instead of taking the car is the single biggest difference you can make to the planet today.

Three... Walkies!

You don’t need a dog to go walking!

For instance, why not walk the kids to school instead of driving, or walk to the sandwich shop during your lunch-break instead of taking the car?

Fresh air and a gentle stroll is much more pleasant than searching for a parking space – and it’s much kinder to the environment.

Four... Off to the shops?

If you’re heading to the shops, take the bus instead of driving – it will save you the stress of driving and parking in town.

If you have to take the car, why not share the journey with a friend or neighbour? That way, you both get your shopping done while reducing your carbon footprint at the same time.

Five... Cruise real smooth

Sometimes you’ve simply got to drive. But even when you’re at the wheel, you can still limit the amount of fuel you burn – and the amount of CO2 you emit.

Switch off your air conditioning, wind up your windows at high speeds, don’t over-rev, and switch off your engine when stuck in traffic. These are all things you can do to drive more efficiently.

Join the 453 people doing the 5-a-day carbon diet!