by Michael Smith (Veshengro) goCarShare is a new car sharing website built around Facebook, set up with the aim of getting young people sharing car journeys.
goCarShare are very proud to be part of the 10:10 Campaign that encourages people and organizations to try to cut their carbon output by 10% in a year.
Currently goCarShare are doing a tour of 10 university freshers fairs explaining to students about the benefit of car sharing.
It’s amazing the number of students who drive to university on their own, or even fly to university – but who are unaware of the extent of their environmental footprint (I hate the term carbon footprint, as it only concentrates on one problem), but once aware of it, are very keen to act to reduce it.
An example being that a typical car journey from London to Edinburgh produces 130 kg of carbon dioxide. If this journey was shared between four people the carbon emission per person would be reduced to 33kg1, which is comparable with taking the train.
How are goCarShare going to meet their targets?
Drummond Gilbert of goCarShare said, “Bicycling: I have a fold up Brompton – it means that I can bicycle around London, and if I need to go out of town, I can fold it up and jump on a train.
Lighting: I frequently work from home, I have replaced the old light bulbs with LED light bulbs that are 10 times more efficient that standard lighting. They are expensive to install but will easily pay for themselves as they have a lifetime of over 50 years and the running cost is much lower.
Driving an electric car: I’ve been lucky enough to be selected to drive the new Mini E, a fun and fast and totally electric car that will help cut our emissions considerably.
Carefully sourcing material: we are focused on buying recycled material wherever possible. Our promotional materials are all FSC accredited, and the lanyards that we have bought are made from recycled bamboo.”
10:10 is a great campaign, he added, and goCarShare would urge individuals, and companies small and large to sign up.
Those four points mentioned above are very good targets indeed though I would suggest to Drummond Gilbert and goCarShare that the bamboo issue, whether recycled or not, be considered again as bamboo, as a fiber and also other materials is not green at all, regardless what some companies may claim.
Also, a closer read of some of the articles on the GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW and to reuse and repurposing might also bring some additional ideas. I have written a large number of articles on how to repurpose and reuse a large number of things instead os actually going out and purchasing them. I am sure there are a few ideas there that can be of use, and not just for goCarShare.
© 2010
1 Source: Travel Footprint.org