Our Living Coast

Environment

Transport for most in Australia is the motor car, the second least energy efficient of the available modes (air travel being least). It generates noise, air, water & land pollution, contributes to global warming and consumes millions of hectares of land for roads. As individuals we must understand the implications of our restlessness, start diminishing our addiction to the car, and reinvigorate our use of public transport and bikes.

Motor vehicles are responsible for much of the air pollution in our major cities. In Sydney, cars release 91% of the carbon monoxide in the air, 82% of the oxides of nitrogen and 49% of volatile organic compounds, such as benzene. Cars emit one-third of the dangerous tiny particles that are present in Sydney's air (CSIRO: 2000). Getting out of our cars and opting for sustainable modes of travel can help alleviate these issues.

Wellbeing

Cars emit harmful gases and chemicals into the atmosphere and are a major cause of health problems. Rethinking our transport habits can free up time, engage us with our local communities and enhance our health. If the motor car became less dominant, communities may also be a safer place and parents may be more willing to let their children out to play. Transport consumes our time. To regain this time, we need to overlay our transport time with activities that improve our wellbeing or simply move ourselves around less.