There are many things you can do to reduce carbon dioxide when you travel.
Replace Car Use with walking, biking or public transportation when you can. You can credit 1 pound of CO2 reduction per 1 mile of walking or biking. There are zero carbon emissions, it's good for your health, it saves money, and it may get you there faster than a car in rush hour traffic. See the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition for more tips.
Bike Sharing. Brookline is part of the Hubway bike program. Check it out. It also has a new group "Biking Brookline" - you can contact them via email: bikingbrookline@gmail.com
Electric Vehicles. MassEnergy has a program called “Drive Green” that will provide a discount for purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle, including Nissan LEAF, Ford Fusion Energi, Ford C-Max Energi and Checy Volt. The program runs through February 28, 2017. Visit massenergy.org/drivegreen for details.
Driving Smarter. When you need to drive, these steps can help save CO2:
- Drive more slowly.
- Combine car trips for shopping and errands.
- Carpool whenever possible.
- Turn off your car's engine if idling for more than 10 seconds. Did you know it's the law in Massachusetts to turn off your engine if you idle for 5 minutes or longer (with some exceptions for "necessary" idling)?
- Rid your car of unnecessary pounds you are carrying.
- Have your car serviced regularly.
- Inflate your tires to the pressure that is printed on them.
- If you are in the market to buy a new car, consider a hybrid.
Car Sharing. Zipcar, Enterprise Car Share and others offer ways to have a car only when you need it.
Flying. If you need to fly, consider purchasing carbon offsets for the miles you will travel.