Earth Day's Over, but Tucson Drivers Can Still Go Green

Earth Day's Over, but Tucson Drivers Can Still Go Green

Earth Day might be over, but that doesn't mean that we can't still go green! It's going to take more than one day a year to keep our environment healthy and happy, and the best way for us to do that is to cut the amount of emissions drivers are pumping into the environment. In a nod to our obligation to provide our children with clean air to breathe and water to drink, environmentalists are asking Tucson drivers to do everything they can to go green when they're behind the wheel.

What does it mean to go green? For Tucson drivers it means changing their driving habits (and possibly the cars they drive) to give the environment a best-odds chance of surviving the spread of mankind from one end of the globe to the other! The best way drivers can give back to the environment is to avoid driving altogether. Walk or ride a bike whenever possible; it's both environmentally friendly and will go a long way toward helping you get in shape without having to spend hours at the gym!

If walking isn't an option, take public transportation. SunTran runs seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekends. By combining your trips you and every other passenger on the bus will be doing your part to minimize the amount of emissions being given off every day. SunVan (formerly Van Tran) offers those unable to use SunTran due to a physical disability full handicapped access to anywhere in Tucson during routine operating hours.

When you have to drive, do your part to minimize your own emissions. Keep your car in good working order with regular oil changes and tune-ups to maximize your gas mileage and keep your exhaust system in good shape. Consider investing in a hybrid; these electric/gas combos are offering Tucson drivers the chance to almost double their highway mileage, for which both your environment and your wallet will thank you profusely!

When You Can't Take Public Transportation…

Don't be idle. Leaving your car running while you run back into the house (or wait for your air conditioning system to put a dent in the Arizona summer heat) burns gas, giving off unnecessary emissions and burning gas that could be put to better use somewhere else.

Avoid stop and go traffic. Again, sitting around idling in traffic during rush hour as your internal temperature slowly climbs isn't doing your car or your temper any favors. Plan your work hours to avoid rush hour whenever possible, coming in early or staying late to hit those times when traffic is flowing smoothly and you're able to head on down the road with as little interference as possible.

Slow down! Believe it or not, you're not in a race to get to where you're going. The few minutes you're going to save by breaking sound barrier aren't worth the dent you're going to put in your gas tank by going over 60 mph-or the ticket you're going to be handed when the Tucson P.D. catches up with you!

We all have a responsibility to our environment, for our children, for our grandchildren and for our grandchildren's children's children. It's up to us to save our future generations by going green.

 

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