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Do you know how more walking and cycling can help fight global warming?
In the face of the challenge of global warming, traditional modes of transportation are gradually being re-evaluated. Active modes of transportation such as walking and cycling have become an important choice for improving the urban environment due to their significant environmental benefits. In the following discussion, we will explore the potential of active mobility to combat global warming and how policies can be used to promote these non-mechanical modes of transportation.
Active mobility is not only the environmental choice, it also benefits our health and community connections.
Health Benefits
By walking, cycling and other activities, we not only reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, but also improve our physical health. Studies show that active movement can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain mental illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), increasing support for active transportation can significantly improve health indicators and reduce obesity rates.
For example, Public Health England (PHE) reported in 2016 that physical insufficiency accounts for one in six deaths each year. Daily walking and cycling can significantly increase levels of physical activity and help reduce obesity. For those pursuing a healthy lifestyle, this is not only a physical improvement, but also a mental health benefit.
The environmental benefits of walking and cycling include reducing air and noise pollution and making cities more liveable.
Environmental impact
Since cars are the main source of global carbon emissions, popularizing walking and cycling can effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions. A typical car emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, which not only accelerates the process of global warming but also poses a threat to human health. According to a study conducted in New Zealand, active mobility can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1% per year. When we replace a car commute with walking or cycling, it will have a significant effect on reducing overall carbon emissions.
Policies that encourage people to choose active mobility are gaining traction at both the city and national levels. Many cities are designing infrastructure specifically for pedestrians and cyclists to entice more people to change their transportation modes. For example, providing bicycle lanes and convenient walking paths can effectively reduce traffic congestion and promote physical activity.
Government response
Many countries and regions have also proposed a series of policies to promote active mobility, with the aim of improving the safety and convenience of pedestrians and cyclists. The government can achieve this goal by designing more humane urban planning, such as laying bicycle lanes, improving walking spaces, and increasing street greening. These measures will not only attract more residents to choose to walk or ride, but also improve the community. overall quality.
In the Netherlands, active mobility has become an important part of urban transportation, with more than four in ten commuters choosing to ride a bicycle or walk.
Activity-based mobility practices in various countries
Policies and practices regarding activity-based mobility vary widely across countries. Take the Netherlands as an example. The country's long-term policy support and high-quality bicycle infrastructure have made it an international model for promoting active mobility. In contrast, the proportion of residents in the United States who use active mobility is relatively low, mainly because a lack of adequate infrastructure and safety guarantees makes many people reluctant to walk or ride a bike.
According to transportation survey data, only about 3.4% of people in the United States choose to walk or ride a bicycle to commute. This shows that despite policy efforts to promote active transport, more improvements and implementation are still needed to make it easier for people living in cities to choose environmentally friendly means of transport.
Facing the possibility of challenges
Although active mobility promises both health and environmental benefits, it still faces challenges in its implementation. With the acceleration of urbanization, many public spaces are gradually occupied by cars, and it is necessary to find a balance between people, cars, and other transportation modes. Designing safe and friendly walking and cycling areas can not only encourage more citizens to participate in this sport, but also is a feasible solution to improve urban traffic problems.
The transformation of urban transportation modes makes us think about whether the future travel methods can be in line with the boundaries of environmental protection and health?
As global warming becomes increasingly serious, can walking and cycling, as environmentally friendly and healthy transportation options, become our main mode of travel in the future?
