In celebration of Earth Day this year, make a choice to go car-free for a week and make the world a better, greener place.
In addition to saving money on gas, choosing to give up your car for a day also has significant benefits for the environment because an average car releases 24 to 28 pounds of CO2 for every gallon of gasoline your car burns.
As Americans, we have gotten so used to driving everywhere that we’ve forgotten that many of the places we drive to are actually within walking or biking distance. By giving up your car for a week, you can increase your physical activity by taking a walk to the nearby coffee shop or bakery instead of driving and enjoy the fresh air and spring weather.
While giving up your car for an entire week sounds difficult, it may not be as challenging as you think. Here are five tips to help you through your car- free week:
1. Take the pledge.
Don’t just think about going car-free, make it a promise to yourself. Tell your friends and family about what you are doing and ask them to support and remind you about it during your car free week.
2. Get Your Friends and Family Involved.
Ask the people around you to also go car-free for a week. This way, you’re not only helping the environment, but you will also have someone to accompany you on any trips via public transportation or on bike or foot.
3. Plan Ahead.
While you may be used to taking frequent trips to the grocery store to pick up any items you’ve forgotten, consider taking a trip to a bulk retailer and stocking up on any items you’ll need during your car-free week to avoid unnecessary trips to the store.
4. Look into Public Transportation.
If you live in a large metropolitan city, you should look into your city’s public transportation system. While it may take a little longer than driving, you can take the extra time to start a book or catch up on work.
5. Skip the Gym.
Instead of driving to the gym, consider taking a walk or running outside. There are many natural substitutes for going to a gym, such as running up and down hills as a replacement for an incline on an elliptical or treadmill.
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