Why it matters
Petrol and diesel vehicles produce lots of dangerous pollution. In fact, road transport is now the largest source of carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions in the UK. Could you help cut down on pollution by travelling differently on some of your journeys?
Energy and fuel
Going from place to place always uses energy – and all that energy has to come from somewhere. If we’re walking or cycling about, then we use the energy we’ve got from eating food as our fuel. Tasty! But if we’re driving a car, riding a motorbike or flying in a plane, the fuels being used can produce different emissions.
Transport emissions create 27% of the UK’s greenhouse gases. That’s whopping!
DID YOU KNOW?
Electric and hydrogen cars don’t produce any pollution, but making them and their batteries in factories does.
Walking and cycling
People sometimes call walking and cycling “getting there under your own steam”, but it doesn’t produce steam or any other pollutants! Travelling by foot or by bike is good exercise that’s great for your health. It’s also free. Are there any journeys you currently make in a car that you could walk or cycle for?
Public transport
Trains, buses and coaches are often a cheap and easy way to travel, especially if you’re not going far. They can be an adventure, too! How much pollution they produce depends on the kind of fuel they use. But because you’re sharing the journey with lots of other people, you’ll do less damage to our air than if everyone on board was in their own petrol or diesel car. Awesome!
Higher or lower
Can you tell which of these modes of transport produces more CO2
Motorbike
70g per kilometer
Petrol Car
?
That's right, well done!
Nope, try again.
Good luck!