By Beds SU Sustainability Team
Saturday, 18 March 2023
During the Beds SU's Go Green Week, we focused on different aspects of being sustainable. Thursday was dedicated to green travel and the many ways in which small changes can result in big impacts.
Walk or Cycle if Possible
If the distance you need to travel is not too long, think about walking or cycling to work rather than driving or getting a taxi. Walking and cycling is the most sustainable way to travel as it gives off the lowest amount of carbon emissions!
Luton Council have developed a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and are wanting to know what people think about it before they finalise it. If you want to give your views, please complete a short online questionnaire by clicking here. It closes on 1st April, so make sure to get your responses in before then!
Of course, walking and cycling is not viable for everyone, and therefore you may need to use a car to travel. However, read on below for alternative ways to travel that are better than driving.
Public Transport Over Cars
If you’re needing to travel long distances, try to use public transport instead of driving. This could include but is not limited to buses, trams, and trains.
Public transport is more fuel efficient than driving, therefore reducing the amount of energy needed for transportation! It also reduces air pollution, as lots of cars on the roads can give off relatively higher amounts of gases such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, which contribute to global warming and climate change.
If you’re worried about the cost of using the train in particular, see if you’re eligible to get a railcard where you pay a certain amount a year to get discounts on all train travel – it really does pay for itself! Click here to look at the railcards available!
If you do need to use a car…
Fuel prices can be high, and in the current cost of living crisis, petrol may not be at the top of your list of spends. Have you considered organising a car share? This means that you and one, two, three others (depending on the size of the car!) could travel to work, University or home together. Perhaps you only live a couple of streets away from each other; or you’re always finish classes at the same time. A car share is flexible, and the details are decided by the people taking part. You can take turns driving and/or using your own cars – this means that not only do you get a break from driving but instead of paying £30 for fuel a week, you’re only contributing £5.
Calculate your Carbon Footprint
Your carbon footprint calculates the amount of carbon that your daily activities emit. It looks at your commute, your diet, the appliances you use and even where you live!
We talk a lot about reducing your carbon footprint… the smaller your footprint, the less carbon you add, and the less you contribute to global warming. But to reduce it, you first need to find out what it is!
Click here to access an online carbon footprint calculator which can calculate your carbon footprint for different parts of your lifestyle, for example your car journeys, your flights, and your home.
Once you’ve calculated your carbon footprint, you can think of ways of offsetting/neutralising your emissions. Some examples of this could include turning down your heating, spending less time in the shower, buying local products, recycling, or eating less meat. Some of these methods could also save you money as well as reduce your carbon footprint!
Do you have any good tips for Green Travel that you would like to share with others? Or maybe you have made one small change that has had a huge impact. Share them with us, and other students, by emailing help@bedssu.co.uk.