Having a car can be a must in areas where public transportation is sparse. However, do not let the decision to own a car stop you from doing your part for the environment. Being environmentally conscious is about doing the most you can as an individual, even if you cannot walk, bike, or use public transportation. There are other ways you can contribute to the cause while owning a car.

• Avoid single-user driving; carpool with your friends and neighbours!

The driver as the only passenger inside the car has always been criticised and with good reason. Even with the invention of the electric car which runs on renewable energy, the majority of the vehicles on the road rely on gasoline. When running your weekly errands around town, think about how much fuel you are consuming and the smoke you are emitting; multiply that by the number of other people with similar lifestyles.

To conserve non-renewable energy like fossil fuels and decrease your contribution to pollution, think about your driving habits. For regular car use like going to work or school, try carpooling with people who live in the same area. If you are forced to be the only passenger in the car, try to do as many errands as you can on one trip to save on the gas you have to use going to and from your home. Take the time to sit down and plan your routes in the most efficient way you can go about it.

It may seem like extra work, but it does wonders to decrease local pollution.

• Make sure your car is up to code with its emissions

Going for the annual MOT test and regularly maintaining your car ensures that it is up to code. Those requirements are not just arbitrary things you need to tick off. It factors in the CO2 emissions and an effort to keep them to a bare minimum. It also makes sure that your car runs properly with a focus on vehicle safety. Windmill Garage in Horndean is a certified centre that is equipped with the latest diagnostic tools to inspect your car.

When you have the opportunity to upgrade your model, research about its features relating to fuel conservation and emissions, it is conscious purchases like this that help the environmental cause.

• Keep a trash bin inside your car to prevent littering

It may seem small when compared to the rest of the list but keeping a washable trash bin inside your car is another way you can help the environment. While you might not throw trash outside your vehicle, it does not mean the people you ride with do the same. Do not give them the opportunity to think about littering. It can also help with the clutter inside your car.

Whether it is a personal car or company one, you can do your part to live a more environmentally conscious life.

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