But if you travel by car, you can still cut your fuel usage, save money and reduce your carbon footprint by driving smart.

1. Look into going by train or bus instead of by car or plane.

Taking a train or a bus, instead of driving or flying, results in less global warming pollution per person for the miles traveled (and may cost less, too).

On average, taking a trip by bus produces the least amount of greenhouse gas per passenger mile, followed by train travel, then air. Cars, light trucks and motorcycles contribute the most to global warming pollution.

Put another way:

• Air travel results in nearly two times as much global warming pollution as intercity bus travel.
• Rail produces slightly more greenhouse gas emissions than buses.
• Cars, trucks and motorcycles produce three times the pollution of buses.

These comparisons assume the vehicles are not filled to capacity on average. Trains come out even better in comparison to planes when both are full. (Note that Amtrak offers discounts on some routes for people over age 62.)

2. If you decide on a road trip, get your car in good shape.

Getting better gas mileage is no longer just about cutting greenhouse gas emissions. It’s also about saving some serious money.

By following these rules of thumb, you will save gas and money — and your car will last longer.

• Keep your engine tuned properly. Checking spark plugs, oxygen sensors, air filters, hoses and belts are a few examples of maintenance that can save a vehicle owner up to 165 gallons of gas per year — for a potential savings of $625 a year (based on 12,000 miles of driving per year and $3.79 a gallon, nationwide average as of 5/19/2008).
• Check the tires. Have your wheels aligned and keep your tires properly inflated. Low tire pressure wastes over two million gallons of gasoline in the U.S. every day. Keeping your tires properly inflated raises your car’s gas mileage by about 3.3 percent.

3. If you’re renting, choose a fuel efficient car.

The rental car business is slowly turning over a green leaf. Many of the major national rental companies (such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz) are offering a small number of fuel-sipping hybrids like the Toyota Prius in selected cities.

If a hybrid is not available, a subcompact, compact or economy car usually goes easier on the gas and is less costly to rent than a larger vehicle.

Get more details at Yahoo’s Green Center and find the top cars by green rating to help you select a rental car that meets your family’s needs.

4. Plan your trip well.

Part of the fun of a road trip is the adventure of exploring unknown territory. But getting lost and going miles out of your way is no fun — and wastes precious gas. So map out your route and keep maps handy to recheck.

A car navigation system is one high-tech way to keep on track in unfamiliar areas and get to your destination without wasting time and fuel.

5. Pile your friends and family in the same car.

Is one big, packed car better than two small, half-empty cars? The answer depends on the average gas mileage of the vehicles being compared.

But in general, if the larger car has a fuel economy at least half that of the two small cars, then it is more efficient to take the one large car. Here’s the math.

Take this hypothetical example: an SUV that gets 15 mpg on average versus two cars that get 30 mpg. For two people on a 30-mile trip, you’d burn roughly two gallons of gas in the SUV , and you’d also burn two gallons in the two cars (one gallon per car times two cars).

So in this case, the two options consume the same amount of gas. If the SUV had higher gas mileage, it would be the better option, and if it had lower gas mileage, it would be the worse option.

The average car in the U.S. carries 1.6 passengers, so if you carry more than that, you’re helping to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint. Plus, you can pool expenses and save on gasoline.

6. When you’re finally on the road, drive gently.

You can increase your gas mileage by as much as 50 percent for highway driving (and by five percent for stop-and-go city driving) simply by accelerating and decelerating smoothly and slowly. Aggressive driving, such as mashing down the accelerator or the brake, uses an extra 125 gallons a year on average — so by driving gently you can save $473 a year in today’s prices.

7. Follow the speed limit.

You’d be surprised at how much fuel is squandered by driving over 60 miles per hour. Generally, each 5 mph over 60 mph you go is like paying an extra 20 cents per gallon of gas.

To keep your speed down while taking in more local color, consider taking less-traveled back roads, rather than the Interstates. It’s easier to keep the speedometer below 60 mph when other cars aren’t whizzing by you at 85 miles an hour!

8. Avoid unnecessary idling.

When you are unloading or packing your car, turn off the engine. An idling car gets zero miles to the gallon and contributes to global warming pollution. Contrary to popular belief, restarting your car does not burn more fuel than leaving it idling.

Learn more about cars and global warming at Environmental Defense Fund.

Sources

• CBS News: “Rental Cars Slowly Going Green“
• fueleconomy.gov, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• “The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from The Union of Concerned Scientists” by Michael Brower and Warren Leon.
• Transportation Energy Data Book, U.S. Department of Energy

It’s the first time a plane powered by a hydrogen cell has left the ground with a pilot at the controls. Boeing said there’s still a lot to do before hydrogen fuel cells will power commercial airliners. As the technology progresses, Boeing says traditional jet fuel will be phased out as renewable sources take its place.

Source

What’s that in the sky. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s biofuel.

I’m never that sure about Sir Richard Branson. (Why is he a knight? Knights save maidens, atop steeds, in shiny metal suits, the backdrop a castle with billowing flags and things. Knights don’t run record labels. Ah, he signed the Sex Pistols. I take it all back.)

Hang on a moment. The Pistols fought the establishment. Their sarcasm on God Save the Queen is legendary. Knighthoods are provided by the queen. You see?

I’m not that keen on biofuels either. A mixed blessing isn’t good enough, when we have the winds, tides and sunlight to power our future.

So from the Sex Pistols to biofuelled flight in one very seamless career move. The knight of the realm runs a company called Virgin, which in turn runs an oft-derided train service and also an airline. Oh yes, fingers in very many pies.

And today, the BBC announce that:

“The first flight by a commercial airline to be powered partly by biofuel is to take off from London. Billed as a green fuel breakthrough, the Virgin Atlantic flight to Amsterdam will not have any passengers on board.”

The thinking’s all askew. Don’t line your pockets with biofuel. Don’t semi-alleviate guilt with flight traffic powered by something other than kerosene.

Behavioural change. Proper solutions. Not press coverage.

You see the moon and sun up there in the sky? They provide our cleaner future. Not aeroplanes.

A little bit more research Mr Scientist. A little bit more funding Mr Politician. We’ll get there.

The BBC banned the Sex Pistols despite being number one in the charts with that song I’ve just mentioned. You see, it was the queen’s jubilee. More people were taking notice of a punk record than royalty. The establishment all got a bit nervous.

Not as nervous as I am with biofuels.

Image Source

Flickr

Further Reading

Max Lindberg always gives a knowledgable critique.

The conclusion of our planes, trains and automobiles race across Europe. (Read Part II)

With the Green Team finally on their way towards England, the Blue Team about to miss the boat and the Red team fuming in traffic the competition is heating up.

16:40 – Red Team, M3, South of London

After almost an hour of solid traffic we’re moving again, but its slow going. The frustration of hours of endless queuing and shuffling around is now starting to take its toll. The heavy dose of air fresher that was obviously applied to the interior of my hire-car is starting to succumb to the natural odours of its previous occupant, which does nothing for my mood.

17:10 – Blue Team, Port of Calais, France

Sipping afternoon tea in the Club Lounge on P&O Ferries’ Pride of Dover as we set sail for England. I made the ferry with seconds to spare and I’m some way behind the Reds, but it’s not over yet. Time to enjoy the one hour crossing and have a break from driving.

17:34 – Green Team, Channel Tunnel

Making real progress now as the Eurostar enters the channel tunnel. In under an hour we’ll be in London and we’re catching up with the Red Team. Somewhere on the water above us the Blue team are slowly streaming across the channel whilst we speed through the tunnel – that feels good.

17:40 – Red Team, M3, South of London (still)

Stopped in traffic again. Stress levels rising. Music on the radio is rubbish. Why don’t all these other drivers use the train to keep the road clear?

18:25 – Blue Team, Port of Dover, England

Disembark from the ferry, pass through customs and passport control and head on to the motorway – remembering to drive on the wrong side of the road. With the Blue Team still on the Eurostar and the Red Team fuming in traffic the race is back on, but despite having had a break the intensive driving today is quite exhausting.

18:30 – Green Team, London St Pancras Station

Arrive in London and start to make my way across the city to Waterloo Station to catch my final train of the day which will take me to the finish line in Dorset. The usually exciting hustle and bustle of London has become irritating as I squeeze my way between commuters on the crowded London Underground. I’ve had enough of platforms and trains for one day.

18:40 – Red Team, Dorset

I’ve reached the border of the county of Dorset! Traffic is mostly clear now and I’m moving quickly with just a few more kilometres to go and victory in sight. Don’t want to be over confident but only a major disaster will hold me up now.

19:05 – Green Team, London Waterloo Station

After a rather sweaty journey on the London Underground, having had more bodily contact with my fellow passengers than generally acceptable for an Englishman, I make it to Waterloo just in time to take the South West Trains service to Dorset. By this time I am tired and sweaty, and the rather grubby interior of the train does its part to remove any last traces of the romance of train travel.

As the train slowly clatters out of London I note that the Blue Team is already some miles ahead and is barreling down the motorway free of impediment. I also note that the shortest, slowest and dirtiest part of my journey is the most expensive. British railways are dismal.

19:06 – Red Team, Dorset

Narrowly avoid major disaster. Driving on twisty country roads when tired and over excited is dangerous. Switch to Classic FM on the radio to calm nerves as I cruise to the finish.

19:12 – Blue Team, M25, South of London

The tiredness of the long drive is wearing off as I get closer to the finish. I’m driving on the roads that the Red Team took a few hours before, which are now traffic free and I’m making rapid progress. It’s unlikely I’ll catch the Reds, but the Green Team has only just left Waterloo Station so second place is within reach.

19:30 – Red Team, Final Destination, Dorset

Sorry public transport fans, victory belongs to the plane today! The Green Team’s train is not far out of London, and the Blue Team still has a few more motorway miles to complete. Even with some severe delays the plane is still the quickest way to travel. Job done.

20:00 – Green Team, Somewhere in the English countryside

Now that we are well out of London the Train once again proves its advantage over the car as we are travelling at well over the legal motorway limit. It looks like the finish will be close. I make a trip to the rail bar for a pre-celebratory aperitif.

21:05 – Green Team, Wool Station, Dorset

Just over and hour later, as I alight on the platform I’m not sorry to be finally off that train. I find a taxi outside the station for the last sprint to the finish. Public transport would be more suitable, but you can forget that option in much of rural England.

21:10 – Blue Team, Final Destination, Dorset

Second place! The Green Team is still sitting in the back of a Taxi somewhere behind, but I’m disappointed to note that I’m more than one and half hours behind the Reds, and after almost 12 hours in the car I would be happy never to drive it again. I’m certainly not looking forwards to the drive back.

21:20 – Green Team, Final Destination, Dorset

Last, but not by too far. And in contrast to the others I’m feeling rather merry as a result of the last hour in the bar. I’ve also finished off a book and written several blog posts - not a bad day’s work. I might be latest, but I’m definitely happiest!

Epilogue

The race was a fun experiment, and despite being a tiring journey it was a great experience. Ultimately no single option stood out as being dramatically superior, with each having advantages and disadvantages despite the apparent speed advantage of the airplane.

If you need total and absolute flexibility then the car is a realistic option which pollutes slightly less than the plane. And if you are more than one person it is by far the most cost effective. However, it’s tiring and you can do little else with the time. I’m not in a hurry to do that journey again.

None of these journeys were stress free. Travelling by air is certainly faster, but it’s not dramatically quicker. Taking into account the greater amount of uninterrupted time when travelling by train and the possibility to get some real work done it’s a very favourable option. Travellers will note that the difference in the quality of rail transport between the UK, France and Switzerland is absurd – travelling on British trains is akin to going back in time by 30 years.

But there are often more important considerations for many travellers. The train is currently around a third more expensive (assuming you get a reasonable airfare), and there are significantly fewer connection options. In reality the train only works for people with flexible schedules who are not heavily constrained by cost. However, for those who have a more simple and direct city to city journey I can thoroughly recommend the train as a fast, comfortable and relaxing way to travel long distances – at least give it a try.

With the Red Team grounded in Zürich whilst our eco-racers make their way steadily through France things are looking bleak for air travel.

11.45 - Red Team, Zürich Airport (still)

Finally I am sitting in seat 27B, sandwiched between a large gentleman and a fidgety young boy. To my mounting frustration the captain apologizes for the delay in boarding due to bad weather on the inbound flight from London this morning, and tells us that we won’t be taking off for another 45 minutes due to air traffic congestion – a common problem on this route, which will get worse as passenger numbers increase.

12.00 - Blue Team, Somewhere in Eastern France

The scenery in this part of the country is fantastic with the Autoroute representing a roller coaster, rising and falling through the hills, twisting and turning through meadows and forests with dramatic cliffs in the background. For the driving enthusiast this is a treat.

12.42 - Red Team, somewhere above the Swiss-French border

Although my competitors are powering their way through France, we are now airborne and travelling at almost 900kmh. Nobody can compete with that. I settle down to enjoy the flight despite my neighbors’ serious infringement on my personal space.

13:00 – Green Team, middle of nowhere

The speed of the scenery passing by my window is impressive at close to 300kmh, and unlike my competitors I am free to get up and walk around with relative freedom. Thankfully, smoking is not permitted but unfortunately other people’s children are. Must remember to recharge the iPod next time.

14.00 – Blue Team, somewhere near Metz – wherever that is..

Stop for fuel and a sandwich. Stretch. Driving can be tiring, but progress is good and I don’t have any fellow passengers to annoy me. Unfortunately the dramatic scenery of the first few hours has now given way to a rather empty and uninspiring landscape, and the freedom of the open road is, well, quite boring actually.

14.00 – Red Team, 2 miles above Heathrow Airport

Despite being scheduled to land already, we are circling overhead waiting for an available landing slot. My neighbour is blissfully unaware of the delay as he tries to use me as a pillow.

14.34 – Green Team, Gare de l’Est, Paris

Unlike the circling Airbus, we arrive right on schedule. I weave my way between reunited lovers on the platform and head up the Rue de Magenta towards the Gare du Nord to catch the Eurostar train to London. It’s always a special feeling to be in Paris and I have time to grab a quick lunch and enjoy the atmosphere before the Eurostar departs – this is so much more civilised than a British Airways sandwich. I’m getting tense however, realizing that race is well and truly on, and whilst I am sitting here the Blue Team will be blasting along the Autoroute, whilst the Reds are hundreds of kilometres in front of me.

14:40 – Blue Team, Somewhere in Northern France

My sat-nav has received a traffic update and has re-routed me off the autoroute on to some god forsaken back road where I am busy battling it out with battered old Peugeots whilst avoiding huge potholes in the road. Progress is painfully slow and I suddenly realize just what a big country France is, and just how fast airplanes are.

I’ve been in this car for hours, feel very bored and can’t get this terrible French pop-music out of my head.

15.15 – Red Team, Avis Hire Car Depot, Heathrow Airport

Having finally landed, and several additional queues later, I am out of the airport and have finally completed the paper work for my rental car which will take me on the last leg of my journey towards Dorset.

My blue Ford Focus lurches out of the Avis car park with the lights flashing and the windscreen wipers going as I quickly try to adjust to a new and unfamiliar vehicle. Negotiating the heavy traffic around Heathrow airport is never fun, but I’m now comfortably in the lead and settle down to enjoy the final leg of the journey as victory awaits me.

15:40 – Blue Team, Somewhere in Northern France

Back on the autoroute with a clear road ahead, but unless I get a move on I’m going to miss the ferry. Making matters worse, the Red Team is on the final leg and shortly I am going be head to head with a 300kmh train. Fingers crossed for a Red Team disaster to keep me in contention. For the next two hours the traffic laws of France are seriously violated in a mad rush to get to Calais ferry terminal before my ship sets sail without me.

15:45 – Red Team, M25, South of London

Not so fast. I’m stuck in traffic on Europe’s busiest road – the M25 London Orbital motorway. Unfortunately UK transport policy sees the majority of flights into the UK land at Heathrow, with its abysmal transport connections, at the expense of the development of regional airports. If I had been able to fly to an airport closer to my destination I would be high and dry by now. The mind boggles as to how these roads will cope if the British Government approve a third runway at Heathrow, flooding these roads with up to 25 million additional cars each year. I chew on these thoughts as the clock marches on.

16:13 – Green Team, Paris Gare du Nord

After what seems like hours of hanging around, the Eurostar finally leaves Paris. The train is great, but I’m already starting to feel like I have had enough of trains for today. French countryside flashing past my window no longer amuses me and the man opposite is using far more than his fair share of the table. Fortunately London is only a few hours away.

With the Green Team finally on their way towards England, the Blue Team about to miss the boat and the Red team fuming in traffic the competition is heating up. Find out what happens next in Part III.

High speed trains, jet engines, or solid German engineering? What gets you there faster, in more style and with less stress? There is only one way to find out.

Air travel is widely regarded as the bad boy of the green world, yet it is essential for many of us who must regularly travel due to work, family or other commitments. Therefore the airplane is frequently seen as the only option for international travel.

However, airlines in Europe are coming under increasing pressure from the train as a viable means of long distance travel. In France and Germany the TGV and ICE rail networks are providing stiff competition to airlines on many routes, offering reduced check-in, security and boarding formalities, fewer delays and direct connections between city centres.

Travelling at speeds in excess of 300kmh, these services are encroaching on what has until now been the plane’s primary advantage – speed. Recent upgrades to the Paris to London Eurostar service bring the journey time down to little over 2 hours, and passengers generate less than 1 tenth of the Co2 than they would travelling by air.

But just how realistic is the rail alternative in practice? And how does it stack up against that icon of the industrial age, the automobile? The only way to find out is to pit each against the other in a head to head race across the continent.

During three recent trips I’ve had the opportunity to take part in a virtual race and find out for myself just how these options compare in terms of speed, comfort, convenience – and nerves..

The Course

To fully test all of the advantages and disadvantages of each option, each team must make a door to door journey from an apartment in central Zürich, to a house in a sleepy village in rural Dorset. A little over 1000 kilometres in length and starting in Northern Switzerland, the route will take us through France, across the English Channel and wind up in the middle of the English countryside.

Besides providing multiple challenges for all transport options, this course conveniently represents a journey I had to make several times anyway..

The Teams

The Red Team is represented by British Airways, a taxi driver named Jörg and Avis rent-a-car. This is the high speed, high convenience, high carbon option for today’s busy traveller.

The Green Team consists of a tram, Swiss Federal railways, the French high speed TGV train, the Eurostar channel-tunnel train, and the former British Rail. A taxi driver named Eric helped with the last couple of kilometres. This is the low carbon high speed challenger for today’s eco conscious traveller.

Covering all transport options, the Blue Team is represented by an Audi A3 turbo diesel with the aid of P&O ferries and yours truly at the wheel. The blue team represents the ultimate in personal convenience for the public transport averse.

The Rules

The journey must be made on a Friday, and contestants may not start before 9.30 AM. No allowances are to be made for unplanned delays, accidents or other misfortune. Bribery of border officials, policeman or public transport staff is forbidden.

And so, armed with various itineraries, timetables, tickets, maps, and a portable satellite navigation device our three teams are ready to go head to head on our 1,000 kilometre challenge.

09.30 – Red Team, Zürich

My phone beeps to tell me that the taxi is waiting outside. Sitting comfortably in the back of the Mercedes Benz for the 20 minute journey to the airport I calculate that I’ll be in the air in little over an hour and I’m confident of proving that the plane really doesn’t have any serious competition.

09.40 – Green Team, Zürich

I finish my coffee as I have a few minutes to spare - I can time my arrival at the station closely to the departure of the train, not needing to plan for traffic delays and hundreds of other pitfalls which may defeat my red alter-ego before he even boards the plane. Tottering down the road I hop on to a tram which takes me to the main station in under 15 minutes. I’m stress free and looking forwards to travelling as opposed to being shepherded across the continent.

10.00 Blue Team, Zürich

Not bound by anybody else’s schedule I have time to finish my coffee and newspaper at a leisurely pace. Upon closing the car door I pause for a moment to sample the privacy and solitude of my own personal transport. The sat-nav tells me that I will be at the port of Calais in 7 hours and 12 minutes as I join the autobahn on the outskirts of the city.

10.02 – Green Team, Zürich Main Station

I’m already sitting comfortably in the Swiss Intercity train, gazing out of the large window as we ease out of the station. A comfortable seat, nice view and an iPod is all you need to travel in style.

10.05 – Red Team, Zürich Airport

On-line check-in is one of the biggest scams in the whole history of travel. There was a time when checking in on-line put you in a short queue and you dropped off your bag and went on your way. Today the queue for the bag drop is as long as the check-in queue and all I have achieved is 15 wasted minutes on the internet earlier this morning.

10.56 – Green Team, Basel Main Station

My train arrives in Basel, which sitting on the border of Switzerland, France and Germany represents the railway and freight capital of Europe. Border formalities are almost non-existent as I switch platforms and board the TGV with its trendy new designer interior for the 3 and half hour journey to Paris. The connection is well timed and we leave Basel and cross the border into France just a few minutes later. Travel has never been more delightful.

11.05 – Blue Team, Swiss-French Border

Keeping good pace with the train I cross the border into France in the North of Basel. The drizzle has eased off, the sun is out and with Jamiroquai playing on the radio it’s the perfect setting to stretch the Audi’s legs on the empty autoroutes of Eastern France. With the trip computer showing 50 miles to the gallon my eco conscience is clear.

11.15 – Red Team, Zürich Airport

Whilst the others are already in a different country I’m still less than 20 kilometres from where I started. Although we were supposed to be in the air by now, due to various delays (none of which have been explained or acknowledged by the ground staff) I am still standing in a queue, waiting to board the aircraft. Whilst twiddling my thumbs I note that this is now my 4^th queue after the bag-drop, passport control and security check. My good mood is already starting to wane.

To be continued - find out what happens next in Part II.

One British strategic communications firm argued that the airline industry essentially needs a PR makeover. Steve Dunne of the Brighter Group went so far as to say that the industry risks sliding into a reputation akin to that of cigarette manufacturers in the U.S.: "The aviation industry is just not representing itself properly or effectively to put the lobbying efforts of the eco-warriors into some kind of perspective."

I'm not convinced the risk is that dramatic — at least here in the U.S. While there are certainly efficiency measures airlines should be considering — such as being towed to a starting point on the runway instead of burning fuel to get there – advocating a total ban on air travel as some do (or even very high taxes) is a losing cause (by the way, I want to hear a convincing argument as to why flying on a commercial plane isn't public transportation, like taking the bus).