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Most cars run on petrol or diesel and their exhaust fumes, which cause air pollution, include carbon dioxide which causes climate change. Reducing our car journeys - taking public transport, walking, cycling or scooting instead – is a double whammy – good for the health of both us and our planet! Birds are particularly sensitive to air pollution, and it also impacts insects which they rely on for food. It’s Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend – take this guzzle-busting challenge to help out our birds?
Our week is often structured around driving – to work, to school, to the supermarket, to clubs – and sometimes alternatives aren’t available. As children, you might feel you don’t have a choice or feel your actions don't count. As Young Climate Warriors, we believe we all have the power to make a difference! This week’s challenge is to find ways to reduce carbon emissions related to your car journeys – remember avoiding them is the best option! Check out the pieces of our guzzle-busting jigsaw puzzle.
First puzzle piece – walking, scooting, biking!
Second puzzle piece – lift-sharing! Can you think hard this week about who you could offer a lift to? How often you do turn up at football, cubs, brownies or dance class and bump into your friend who lives down the road? Make suggestions to your parent/carer about potential lift-shares – half your carbon emissions easily!
Third puzzle piece – switching off! Whilst you are sitting in your car waiting to collect your brother, sister or friend, or in a traffic jam, can you ask your parent/carer to turn the engine off – cut your carbon emissions! Keeping the engine running without driving anywhere is called ‘idling’. Have you seen any local ‘ anti-idling’ campaigns - their slogan ‘I’m no idler… idling is fuelish.’
Final puzzle piece – check your tyre pressure! When you’re at the garage ask your parent/carer if you can help check the tyre pressure. Have you ever tried cycling a bike with a flat tyre – it’s really hard work. If the air pressure in your car tyres is too low, your car engine has to work harder, burning more fuel, producing more carbon emissions.
Here are some ‘puzzles’ you could do whilst waiting in the car – celebrating National Puzzle Day – 29th January! Climate Change Crossword, Climate Change Wordsearch.
Remember to HIT THE RED BUTTON and tell us when you’ve helped our planet by cutting carbon emissions from your car journeys
