Fuels

Activity - text only version
Quick quiz to find out how travel choices might affect the environment.

1. David has to commute five miles across a busy city to work each day. He gets four weeks holiday each year and likes to visit the coast. Should he

   1. Buy a nippy petrol powered small car?
      Uh oh. This is the most comfortable option but its pretty selfish adding to greenhouse gases in the rush hour and to holiday traffic problems in coastal villages.
   2. Buy a more expensive electric car and go on holiday by train?
      Good plan! This may appear more expensive but the running costs should be less than a). It will be less damaging to stocks of fossil fuels, especially if you get your electricity from renewable sources.
   3. Try to cycle everywhere?
      Great idea from the environment’s point of view but…. he’ll be hot, smelly and exhausted most of the time.
      
2. Raj lives with his parents near Luton. He has been invited to join friends on their surfing holiday in Devon. Should he
   1. Get his parents to give him a lift in their 2 litre family car?
      Ah. This may appear initially to cost the least but it’s pretty environmentally damaging – the car has a large engine and petrol will be needed for the parents’ return journey too.
   2. Go by train and get a lift or a taxi at the other end?
      Good plan! This may initially appear more expensive but don’t forget to compare it against the total costs of running a car which includes tax, depreciation and insurance as well as the petrol. It will be less damaging to the environment.
   3. Take the Easyjet flight from Devon to Exeter?
      Uh oh. Rotten idea from the environment’s point of view but…. it’ll be quick. How are you going to get Raj from the airport to the beach though?
      
3. Anna lives in the country and goes to school 3 miles away. The school bus does not pick up from her village, the nearest stop is a mile down the road. Should she
1. Walk and take the school bus?
   Ah. This would be good if Anna could get there on time but realistically she often misses the morning bus (especially if it looks like it might start raining) and she wants to stay after schoo for orchestra.
2. Get her mother to drive her to school?
   Uh oh. Rotten idea from the environment’s point of view but…. it’ll be quick. What about the impact on traffic and safety outside the school gates?
3. Cycle?
   Good plan! This will help Anna stay fit and the only cost to the environment is that involved in manufacturing the cycle. Much less than that of making a car.