3-4 min reading
Car Pollution
This month, our Green Team focus turns to a pressing issue: car pollution. While we often think of pollution in terms of emissions from factories and power plants, the environmental impact of our daily commute cannot be ignored. Over 19% of greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland originate from the transport sector. Beyond carbon dioxide emissions, vehicles emit harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which pose serious risks to air quality and public health.
At Vivid Edge, sustainability isn’t just a goal; it’s ingrained in our policies and practices, including our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and promoting employee well-being extends to every facet of our operations, including transport. We’ve established clear guidelines to ensure that our transportation practices align with our sustainability objectives. However, we need to stay informed about the new options available to us. From walking and cycling to carpooling and using public transit, we’re exploring diverse ways to minimise our environmental footprint while maximising our impact.
Practical Solutions for Sustainable Transportation
Inspired by insights from Sustainable Life School, this April, our team explored various challenges aimed at reducing car dependency.
🛒 Walking with the Grocery Bags: Not only does walking with your grocery bags reduce car emissions, but it also provides a chance to incorporate physical activity into your routine.
🚲 Get Back on Your Bike: Whether it’s for commuting to work, pursuing a hobby, or getting some exercise, biking offers a sustainable and enjoyable alternative to driving. If you are nervous about cycling in the city, try the Dublin Cycling Buddy app, which helps to find the safest bike-friendly routes for you.
👭 Carpooling: Share rides with friends, family or colleagues to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and promote a sense of community.
🚌 🚲 Try the Cycle Bus: Encourage your children to develop healthy habits by participating in initiatives like the Cycle Bus, which promotes group cycling to school.
It’s never too late to embark on a journey towards healthier habits! Why not challenge yourself to try some of these alternatives during May? By adopting these measures, we not only minimise our environmental footprint but also contribute to the creation of cleaner, healthier communities.
Embracing Sustainable Transportation Options
In line with our commitment to sustainability, Vivid Edge has already integrated some of these options into our policies, such as encouraging employees to use public transport, walk, cycle, or carpool whenever possible, as well as conducting virtual meetings.
Moreover, we’ve identified some new options available in our area, such as GoCar and Yuko (which offer electric cars for hire). These car-sharing services, available in Ireland, provide convenient and flexible transportation solutions, allowing users to rent cars on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Additionally, hiring electric scooters and bikes in Dublin provides convenient and eco-friendly transportation alternatives. In Dublin, you have several options for renting electric bikes and scooters like Bleeper and Zipp Mobility.
We also discussed BlaBlaCar, a carpooling platform that connects drivers with passengers for shared rides, reducing both costs and emissions. BlaBlaCar operates in the UK and
Prioritising Health and Well-being
Did you know that taking 10,000 steps per day is considered a healthy goal? By incorporating walking and cycling into our daily routines, we not only contribute to sustainable transportation but also prioritise our health and well-being. However, it’s important to note that the 10,000-step recommendation is not based on specific scientific guidelines or research. The actual number of steps needed to reap health benefits may vary depending on individual factors. Use part of your lunch break to take a 20-minute walk outside, exploring nearby parks or walking trails. This can contribute another 2,000 steps.
Driving Positive Change
As we navigate the road ahead, let’s remember that every small step counts. Whether it’s choosing to walk instead of driving or advocating for sustainable transportation policies, together, we can drive positive change and pave the way towards a greener, cleaner future.
Let’s make every journey a sustainable one.
References
For further exploration check these websites:
https://www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring–assessment/climate-change/ghg/latest-emissions-data/
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/tfi-smarter-travel/smarter-travel-mark/
https://dinglehub.com/projects/sustainability/transport/
https://calculator.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx?tab=4
https://www.blablacar.co.uk/ride-sharing/dublin/
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/0513/1179851-10000-steps-a-day-science-research-fitness-health/
https://www.irishmirror.ie/lifestyle/irish-fitness-enthusiasts-fastest-runners-31809347
