With the outrageous gas
prices today, one can only
wonder, is there another
way?
Well, there are many alternatives
to gas that save cash
and the planet.
For example, new ‘hybrid
cars’ on the market cut down
on gas consumption. Other
alternative include carpooling,
riding your bike and
using public transportation.
A car that burns twice as
much gas to go a mile will
generate nearly twice as
much pollution, according to
howstuffworks.com.
Gasoline-electric hybrid
cars are a cross between a
gasoline-powered car and an
electric car, simply put.
A gas-powered car has a
fuel tank, which supplies
gasoline to the engine, and
then the engine turns a transmission,
which turns the
wheels of the car.
An electric car, according to
howstuffworks.com, has a set
of batteries that provides
electricity to an electric
motor.
The motor turns a transmission,
which turns the wheels.
A hybrid is simply the best
of both worlds.
It significantly increases the
mileage-to-gas ratio and
reduces the emissions a gaspowered
car would emit.
There are several affordable
hybrid cars on the market
today, like the Honda Insight
and the Toyota Prius.
The Insight is priced just
under $20,000 and the new
2008 Prius starts at just
$21,000.
This is a small price to pay
based on how much money a
year is usually spent on gas.
And it represents a more ecofriendly
transportation system.
Another way to beat the gas
prices and ‘go green’ is to carpool.
Instead of five students
driving separate cars to
school, they should attempt
to set up a carpool with other
students in their area of residence.
Think about it, if each person
takes a turn driving the
others to school, it will result
in much less driving for
everyone, less fuel emissions
and less money spent on gas.
A thing that most students
don’t know is that there is a
carpool hookup called the
“Ride Board” on the Bucks
website for students interested
in carpooling.
The board can be found at
www.bucks.edu/student_life
/rideboard, or students can
look at the board at the bottom
of the stairs that lead
from the cafeteria outside in
Rollins.
There are lots of ways to ‘go
green’ when it comes to transportation.
Dust off that old bicycle in
your garage or shed at home.
The weather is getting
nicer, so it’s the perfect time
for outdoor activities.
Instead of driving your car
5 minutes to get something at
your local WAWA, take your
bike!
You will be getting a great
workout, while enjoying the
warm weather and, of course,
conserving gas.
But going green is not only
related to gas emissions;
there are many ways that you
can participate in helping our
environment.
Most things are not that taxing
or time consuming, and
can be worked in to most of
our daily activities.
For more information on
going green, visit the official
Think Green website at
www.thinkgreen.com