The Future of Green Driving

Ah, our love affair with our cars. What is more depressing than giving up our cars and our spoiled driving habits? Yet, it's about time we get aware of how this is affecting our environment. Don't call me a treehugger. I'm just an ordinary person driving a Mazda 3. I get 34 miles on the highway and 27 in the city. Bottomline: I own a great "zoom zoom" car that doesn't guzzle gas and saves me money.

Here are some tips I've learned saving me money and gas:

1. Don't overspeed or rev up when it's not necessary.
2. Switch off the engine when waiting on a long traffic jam.
3. Figure out an itinerary for my day's errands so I don't waste time driving around aimlessly.
3. Maintain my car with regular oil change, tire inflation, and air filter cleaning or replacement.

Duh, these are not really difficult to do. Some scientists actually suggest we should influence the vehicle manufacturers to create smaller cars because they are, by and large, the cars that use less gas and emit less CO2. There is also less likelihood that we will be using hybrid cars in the future because of the cost and unavailability of materials used in fuel cells.

Many environmental scientists also suggest we should create alternatives for our business transportation. For example, in the future, instead of driving trucks for the the distribution of goods in cities, it can be done with small electric vans. Science Daily adds:

"Shipping could be adjusted to a slower traffic, as well as a better planning of routes and logistics. This could save 10-15% of CO2 emissions. The ships can furthermore be constructed with better propellers, hulls with less water resistance and new types of smooth bottom paint be used. Wind and solar power can also be used together with better engine technology. This could save 10-15% of CO2 emissions."

When it comes to airplanes, there is a growing optimism on the production of algae as potential jet fuel. Issues such as air drag, construction materials, hydraulics, and even flight speed can also be improved. Of course, there should be a consensus between the government and the citizens regarding new laws of greener flight in the future.

What about a future without cars? Can we survive?

Let's look at it this way. It's impossible to get rid of cars altogether. In fact, more and more cars are being sold everyday. In the US, cars are an essential need, especially in states like Texas where you can't walk from your house to the grocery store. In big, crowded cities, however, mass transportation is something that could really help reduce CO2 emissions. The advantages are really something else: For example, you can eat or read on the go while you're in the bus. You don't have to pay for car insurance. And of course, you don't have to worry about other things involved with your car maintenance and payment.

In the future, we will see more changes in our mode of transportation, with the growing awareness of fuel scarcity and a worsening environmental condition. As someone who has lived in a big city commuting for the greater part of her life, I don't mind not owning a car at all.