News review
Scots urged to leave car
at home and get active
Scottish Government puts more money into promoting message
By Anna Wright
S cots are beingaturged tofor
leave the car home
journeys under two miles
and enjoy the benefits of active
travel, such as walking or cycling.
Minister for Environment and
Climate Change Paul Wheelhouse
has launched the second phase
of the national Active Travel
campaign. By walking or cycling on
short journeys, Scots can improve
their health and wellbeing, save
money and cut carbon emissions.
In Scotland:
• One in three car journeys are
under two miles
• Nearly a quarter of all trips are
one mile or less
• Road transport accounts for
70% of all transport emissions.
Emissions are almost double for
short journeys as vehicles use more
fuel when the engine is cold.
To help Scots track their progress,
the Greener Together ‘Journeys’
app can be downloaded to monitor
Scots urged to get out on their bikes
distance travelled, calories burned,
CO2 emissions saved and
improvements in mood.
Families are being encouraged
to walk or cycle to and from school,
following the findings of a number
of international studies that
suggest children who do so have
improved concentration, cognitive
function and mood.
Paul Wheelhouse said: “Many of
us believe we’re too busy to leave
the car at home when travelling
short distances. But when you’re
having a busy or stressful day, often
nothing is more relaxing than a 10minute walk to clear your head, and
cycling can greatly enhance fitness.
“Short car journeys create more
pollution per mile and it’s in
everyone’s interest for us all to
consider whether these are really
necessary. We are rightly committed
to not only reducing Scotland’s
carbon footprint, but creating a more
sustainable environment, improving
air quality and enhancing the health
and wellbeing of our people.
“While I appreciate that not
everybody can walk or cycle to
work, it is essential that we use
sustainable alternatives to driving
where possible. That is why I’m
announcing an additional
£250,000 for local authorities to
build on the Smarter Choices,
Smarter Places programme to
promote active travel.”
Figures
2.5%
Estimated decrease in
CO2 emissions in the
EU28 in 2013
compared to 2012
£3.52
Average invested on
energy efficiency for each
low-income household in
England, compared to
£36.48 in Scotland, £31.31
in Wales and £27.55 in
Northern Ireland
600g
Quantity of fruit and
vegetables that, if
consumed daily, could cut
stroke risk by a fifth
Sustainable Research
By Chris Edwards
Ozone pollut