What is Global Warming?

Global warming is the continual, gradual rise of the earth's surface temperature, caused by greenhouse gases trapping heat in the atmosphere. Scientists have linked these gases to changes in global climate patterns. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the mean surface temperature of the earth's surface has increased by about 1.1 degree Celsius.

Scientific research suggests that human activities over the last 50 years have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the build-up of greenhouse gases. Fossil fuels burnt by cars, trucks and home and business heating systems are responsible for 98% of CO2 emissions, which result in climate change.

The Effects of Climate Change:

Climate change brings higher temperatures, more extreme weather and more air pollution. Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released three reports that found that the rapid rise of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere is without precedent and is causing extreme weather patterns and warming.

Greenhouse Gases Explained:

Carbon Doxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere when solid waste, fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal and wood) products are burned.

Methane CH2 is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas and oil. Methane emissions also result from the decomposition of organic wastes in municipal solid waste landfills and the raising of livestock.

Nitrous Oxide: N20 is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities.

Naturally occurring green house gases include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and sulphur hex fluoride, which are generated during a variety of industrial processes.

The Impact of Cars:

Most vehicles produce several times their weight in greenhouse gases each year. It's not just the fuel that you put in your tank that becomes GHG emissions, it's also the carbon in the fuel that combines with oxygen in the air that triples the weight of the fuel itself.

What Can Be Done to Reduce the Impact of Cars:

Tips For Greener Driving:

Fuel consumed by everyday driving is lost in many ways. Engine inefficiency, aerodynamic drag, rolling friction, energy required to climb hills and energy lost to braking are just some of the ways that fuel is wasted. Greener driving means driving in a style that is suited to modern engines- driving this way can lead to fuel savings of 5-10%. Ecodriving offers many benefits for drivers of cars, vans, lorries and buses, with cost savings and fewer accidents as well as reductions in emissions and noise levels. The following are some tips on how to be more economically friendly while driving.

Before You Hit the Road:

• Plan your trip well in advance to avoid unnecessary stops and starts.
• Avoid topping up the petrol tank when refuelling. Spilled petrol evaporates and causes air pollution.
• Ensure that the tyres are properly inflated. This cuts down on wear and tear and saves fuel. Under inflated tyres create more resistance when your car is moving, which means your engine must work harder so that more fuel is used and more CO2 emissions are produced. Check and adjust your tyre pressure regularly and also before long journeys.
• If you're renting in a cold climate, use an engine heater. The warmer the engine upon starting, the quicker it allows the catalytic converter to achieve maximum efficiency.

For minimal environmental impact, check that your car has the following:

Catalytic Converters: Cars equipped with catalytic converters eliminate over 95 percent of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides.

Cruise Control: Cruise control saves fuel at motorway speeds by reducing unnecessary acceleration.

Fuel Injection: Fuel injection help to regulate the amount of fuel delivered to the engine.

Overdrive Transmissions: Overdrive transmissions decrease the number of engine revolutions at higher speeds under cruise conditions, saving fuel over long distances.

Radial Tyres: Radial tyres have less rolling resistance, which makes for smoother journeys and improves fuel mileage.

On the Road:

• Accelerate smoothly, quick starts (putting the pedal to the metal) wastes fuel and may cause unburned gas to escape from the exhaust pipe into the atmosphere. Turn the engine on then drive off gently without delay. This will reduce excessive fuel consumption and pollution.
• Turn off the engine if you're idling for longer than 30 seconds in non-traffic situations. Remaining stationary with the engine running wastes more fuel than restarting the engine completely.
• Greener driving requires you to maintain a sufficient distance behind the car in front-a minimum of 10m for every 15km/h speed. Driving in this way allows you to brake and accelerate more smoothly.
• Always obey speed limits. Speeding increases petrol consumption considerably. Driving at 70mph you could be using up to 9% more fuel than if you are driving at 60mph and up to 15% more than at 50mph.
• Maintain a steady speed if possible. If you've got cruise control, use it on long stretches of road.
• Remove excess weight or baggage. Excess weight makes the engine work harder and consumes more petrol overall.
• One litre of petrol used results in 2.36 kg of CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere.
• One litre of diesel used results in 2.68 kg of CO2 emitted to the atmosphere.
• One litre of E85 blend bioethanol used results in approximately 1.04kg of CO2 emitted to the atmosphere.
• At bends, reducing speed gently and in time and accelerating smoothly when you are halfway through will reduce excessive fuel consumption.
• Lower speeds are not only safer, they also save on fuel consumption. Driving at high speed (over80km/h and over 100km/h) uses more fuel and causes more pollution.
• A cold engine uses significantly more fuel than a warm engine. Avoid using your car for very short journeys.
• Leaving the rear window demister uses 3-5% more fuel. Remember to switch it off when the window is clear.
• Greener driving requires you to maintain a sufficient distance behind the car in front-a minimum of 10m for every 15km/h speed. Driving in this way allows you to brake and accelerate more smoothly.

How to Save Fuel in the City:

Avoid over-revving the engine and drive in as high a gear as is suitable to road conditions.

How to Reduce Unnecessary Drag:

Use the car's vents rather than leaving the windows or sunroof open. This will save you a further 3-5%.