we all know that the bike Y walking are the best options for transportation, at least as far as low polluting emissions are concerned. But the truth is that not everyone can reach their destinations on foot, and many are not willing to pedal distances greater than five or six kilometers (the equivalent of 20 minutes by bike), especially if they live in cities that demand a high automobile consumption.
But even if there are enthusiasts who do want to walk, run or cycle, the point is that the distances in the metropolises become longer and longer. If we add to this the inclement weather, which in many countries makes cycling impossible for at least a quarter of the year, it becomes clear that other forms of transportation are necessary.
A statistic carried out by various institutions and departments in the United States showed the number of grams of carbon dioxide that each transport produces per kilometer, remaining as follows:
Big car: 499g
Medium car: 305g
Electric car (coal): 252g
Small car: 221g
Hybrid car: 190g
Electric car (natural gas): 166g
Motorcycle: 153g
Scooter: 101g
Electric car (solar): 69g
To this list we would undoubtedly add the bicycle, and walking, since obviously, these are forms of transport that do not pollute at all.
As well illustrated in these data, the worst option, if we want to take care of the planet, are automobiles. Even the compact ones that only have space for the pilot and co-pilot, because even though they are small they are still powered by combustion and use oil. The electric cars, in turn, have particularities that we have to be aware of. Although this type of engine emerged as a necessary substitute for combustion engines, there are those that still use coal and, as can be seen, it is not the most sustainable option. On the other hand, those that use natural gas imply high degrees of contamination, not so much when starting the engine, but because of the way in which this fuel is extracted, since the extraction it is highly polluting since the «fracking» process, or hydraulic fracturing, implies enormous costs of water and emissions of methane and CO2 into the atmosphere.
A) Yes, hybrids are the only ones that have the potential to reduce dependence on oil, but only if the electricity they consume is generated by renewable sources such as hydroelectric power plants, wind power or solar panels. Scooters are another great option despite being a combustion engine, but the same thing happens with the bike: we depend on the weather to use them, unless we are willing to get soaked.
So solar-powered electric cars are the greener option, but sadly in Latin America remain inaccessible due to price (Even in the United States there are models in 30 thousand dollars). In addition, governments need to invest in infrastructure for this transport, as in «electrolineras» that avoid dependence on batteries and encourage the use of these cars.
This is vital if we take into account what experts such as Andrés Barreda, professor of economics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, say:
Pollution and socio-environmental destruction associated with motor transport occurs all the time, rapidly and grows year after year, to such an extent that these environmental impacts are already the most serious environmental liability on the planet.
So if we don’t want to make more serious said environmental liabilityour best option as other forms of transport arrive on the continent may be vary our forms of transportation. For example, having a compact car that is much less polluting, comparatively, than a large one, and opting for a scooter for shorter distances, can be a good option. And of course, use the public transport more and more, well It is highly proven that the use of public transport significantly reduces pollutionbesides that it is obvious: if we stop using cars, and we use public transport in our cities more and more, The income currently invested in infrastructure for automobiles would be used to improve said collective transport. There are many options for moving around the city and as a city, you just have to look at it from another point of view.
*Bibliography: Shrink That Footprint
Why are electric cars still not arriving massively in Latin America?
Natural gas power also produces pollution
Global environmental and social impact of transport mega-infrastructures
It might interest you