Every credible environmental scientist agrees now that climate change is taking place. The polar ice caps are melting, and there are more extreme weather events every year. We are seeing more violent hurricanes, unprecedented heat, forest fires, and more.
We know that fossil fuels cause greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. However, at the same time, humans need to get around. We all must get to work to support ourselves, and for many, that means a daily commute.
In this article, we’ll talk about some of the more environmentally-friendly transportation methods that exist today.
Electric Motorcycles
It’s true that there are some inherent motorcycle dangers. The Insurance Information Institute states that in 2017, there were 89,000 motorcycle accident injuries among fewer than 9 million registered motorcycles.
Despite the danger, some people love motorcycle riding. These individuals will be happy to know that many companies now make electric motorcycles. Some of these companies include:
- Harley Davidson
- Vespa
- Lightning
You can get yourself an electric motorcycle that is every bit as impressive as the gas-powered versions. You can still feel the wind in your face as you tear down the highway, but you will be doing Mother Earth a favor.
Electric Cars
Many companies also make electric cars now. Some of the more popular ones include:
- Various Tesla models
- Chevrolet Bolt
- Hyundai Kona
Some individuals feel like electric cars are still too expensive for them, but the reality is that the more time passes, the cheaper these vehicles get. You can get a base-model Kona right now for a little more than $20K.
You can also look for used electric vehicles. The longer some of these models are available, the more used ones you can find. You can also get them certified pre-owned, so you know the manufacturer has checked them over thoroughly, and they are in excellent condition.
Hybrid Cars
Hybrid cars have been out for close to two decades. If you get one, it is not as good for the environment as a fully electric car, but it’s still better than an exclusively gas model.
You might find a nice, used Prius for around $5-6K with less than 100,000 miles on it if you’re lucky. These mid-size cars can fit five people, and they have plenty of trunk space. They also make very little noise, and you don’t have to fill them up very often if you mostly do city driving.
Buses
You can take public transportation as well. Every time you do, you help the environment, since you’re not on the road in a fossil fuel-burning car.
Some cities have lots of public buses. They don’t cost very much, and some of them are partially or fully electric now.
The only issue with buses is that if you live in a smaller community, you probably will not see them running all the time. They might only run a few times each day, and they may not cover the whole city or town, either.
If you reside in a rural locale, there might be no buses at all. If so, you’ll pretty much have to look into getting your own vehicle.
Trains
Some larger cities have trains as well. There are reliable New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco train systems, for instance.
They run often and take you to many city areas. The issue is the same as with buses. If you live in a smaller town, there probably are no trains, and that means you need your own vehicle to get around.
Some people also don’t like public transportation because these methods cram you into small areas with many people. That is dangerous while the pandemic keeps wreaking havoc, but we should have vaccines before too long, and then public transportation will be safer again.
The other reason some people don’t like public transportation is that they might be claustrophobic. They don’t like the idea of being on a train underground, with many people around them.
If you can’t deal with that, you may have to get yourself a vehicle for that reason. Every person must make their own decision as far as that goes.
If you decide on one of these options, it’s great for the world. We must do our part to keep our carbon footprint low.
We will leave this planet for our children and their children. We need to act responsibly now for all of their sakes, and how we all get around is part of that.
