Drive Green Without Buying a New Hybrid or Eco-Friendly Vehicle

If you're like many of us, you're not purposely out to destroy the world with pollution (and after all, you are reading this article.) Unfortunately, not everyone lives within walking distance of everything. So the question for many is, "is it more eco-friendly to keep using my old car until it dies, or to purchase a new hybrid or other eco-friendly type of vehicle?"

The reality is, we can't all afford to jump on the bandwagon and purchase a new car. However, there are plenty of things you can do in the meantime to reduce your carbon footprint.

Keep Your Vehicle in Optimal Driving Condition

Okay, this one might be a bit tough; but if your muffler is falling off-fix it. Noise pollution isn't a myth. Keeping your car in good repair means that it will be running at it's optimal efficiency. While that might not be the greatest depending on your year, make and model; it's still better than nothing.

This also means keeping your tires properly inflating and driving at posted speed limits. Driving over the speed limit, especially on highways, wastes additional gas. That means you'll need to fill up more often and you're putting additional, unnecessary pollution into the atmosphere.

Find Alternative Methods, Especially During the Warmer Months

Take advantage of the warmer months and ride a bicycle to work (unless of course, it's 20 miles away. That might be a little difficult.) If you're close enough, try to walk. Even if you only walk or ride a bicycle to work one day a week, you're making a difference.

Furthermore, walk or bike wherever you can. For example, my husband and I currently live less than a mile from the theatre. This summer, we'll be walking if we want to go see a movie. We're also less than a mile from the beach and again, we'll be walking if we want to go to the beach.

The reality is, as Americans, we've been spoiled. There are taxis and buses and of course, many of us have our own vehicle. So, do yourself a favor and try to walk at least once in a while. If you can walk to your destination at least once a week, you'll save money on transportation, you'll put less pollution into the air and of course, you'll burn calories! It's a win-win.

You Knew It Was Coming: Car Pooling

Okay, so you're too far for walking. Fortunately for you, there's this little invention known as the car pool. Even if you car pool just once a week, it's a small difference that still counts.

Offset Your Carbon Emissions

If you're unable to do any of these for various reasons (or, perhaps you're just stubborn,) then consider offsetting your carbon emissions.

This is just one example of how to do exactly that. CarbonFund.org is an organization that lets you make donations to offset your carbon emissions. How it works is simple: you input your information for the activity you're looking to offset, and it tells you how much money it will take to create a reduction in emissions elsewhere in the planet.

For example, a yearly annual offset is $240. That $240 dollars could go toward planting trees, investing in a renewable source of energy or to cleaning up a highway. It's that simple, and you get to go on being you.