October 24th, 2010 
Tushar Mathur 
From planes to trains to automobiles, people these days are all about being mobile. We even have mobile phones that travel with us wherever we go! Unfortunately, modern modes of transportation are not nearly as eco-friendly as the horse-and-buggy variety that was popular a century ago. And since the advent of vehicles that rely largely on petroleum products for fuel, pollution has risen significantly, to say the least. However, modern technology is nothing if not accommodating, and climate change from greenhouse gas emissions has prompted a change in the way we look at transportation and its effects on our atmosphere. Now there are a number of ways to see the world or simply get from here to there with less pollution (and often less cost).
1. Feet. They’re our first mode of travel and always a good fallback. Feet are made for walking and they’re 100% emission-free (well, most of them, anyway). They might not take you from the Statue of Liberty to the Eiffel Tower, but they will get you from Greenwich Village to Times Square. So utilize them whenever possible. Bonus: shed unwanted pounds through personal locomotion.
2. Bicycle. Go it alone, or get a friend to ride on a bicycle built for two! Two-wheeling it is another great way to go without gas, and it will get you farther, faster (than feet). You can also attach a basket or bike rack to carry groceries, packages, or a little dog. Bonus: awesome glutes!
3. Mass transit. Here’s what you get if you use mass transit instead of a car: lower emissions per capita, zero automobile expenditures (car, registration, insurance, gas…that’s a big savings), and no hassle with parking or a frustrating commute. Sort of makes you wonder why anyone drives any more, doesn’t it? Bonus: rotating chauffeurs (“To the mall, Jeeves!”).
4. Electric or hybrid. These are both good choices for the eco-friendly traveler. Each has its perks, but of course, the electric is better for the environment. However, if you’re not quite ready for full immersion, the hybrid is also a great way to cut emissions (and gasoline expenditures). And with rapid advances in technology, they now go faster and travel greater distances. Bonus: a heaping dose of well-deserved smug (for the South Park fans among us).
5. Smart Car. Compact, cute, and less polluting than the gas-guzzling SUVs that dominate the roadways. Although Smart Cars don’t offer any added value in the way of hybridization, they do use significantly less gas than larger, heavier automobiles. Bonus: park anywhere…seriously, anywhere.
6. Bio-fuels. There are quite a few bio-fuels already on the market or involved in testing, but the best and most reliable at this point seems to be biodiesel. It can be used in current engines for buses and cars with only minor modifications, as long as the biodiesel/gas ratio is no higher than 80/20 (although 100% biodiesel engines are in the works). Bonus: your gas smells like fry-grease (the downside is, you’ll be craving McDonald’s french fries all the time).
Author bio: Sarah Danielson writes for Compare Car Insurance where you can find cheap car insurance that will suit your needs.
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