How can I contribute? – Part 1: Mobility

Let us talk business right away: We know it. Driving a car is bad for the environment. Nonetheless, we do it and too much so. Each and every day we suffer reckless drivers, traffic jams, sky-rocketing fuel prices, lack of parking space… Why do we still subject ourselves to all that nerve-wrecking horror? Some might not have much of a choice to be fair. But to all those who have the power to choose: Be brave! You have various options at your hands.

1. Public transport

Old but gold. They take us to any destination so conveniently. Sitting in a train you can even watch cars lining up in huge traffic jams while you are having yourself an easy ride enjoying a book, big dreams or already getting ahead of some work. Meanwhile, you are saving money compared to the huge costs for maintenance, fuel consumption, tax and insurance that come with owning a car. In 2017, PALFINGER employees in Austria were able to avoid 11.3 tons of CO₂ emissions by using public transport. Let this article blow your mind by showing what that amount equates to.

2. I like to move it, move it…

Put that tune in your ears and have a nice little walk or bike ride next time you head towards the supermarket some blocks down the road. It might not sound quite appealing in winter or rain to be fair. But why would you go by car if the sun is out and it is nice and warm out there? Take a deep breath of fresh air, call it a sportive activity and it benefits your health while also avoiding miles by car as well as subsequent emissions. Benefits all over the place.

3. Ride sharing

Sometimes, there is just no other option (yet) than taking the car. So we take seat in a vehicle made to comfortably fit five people in it – everybody on their own. Then on our way to the same destination we get ourselves and each other stuck in traffic jam as we desperately try to fill the silence by turning on the good ol’ radio. Why not use all seats per car and have a nice chat with each other on the way while turning five cars into one. Less cars on the road means less emissions, less traffic (jams), less fuel, less gray concrete parking space desert required. Oh, and it is much cheaper as well since people share the cost of the trip.

PALFINGER sites in Austria use PALFINGER Ride Sharing to organize matching drivers and passengers via an app so easy to handle that it seems like no effort at all. You might want to suggest this idea in your location as well. It could turn out to be a joy for everybody.

4. Car sharing

Calling (private) cars “driving vehicles” is somewhat ironic

. On average they stand still for around 23 hours a day. This is what people pay good money for on a daily basis, would you believe it? We can do better. In fact, car sharing has become a thing nowadays and it is growing. Check your area for providers and start paying a car only that amount of time you actually use it for.

5. Final remarks

So what is the conclusion? Adapting your everyday life towards more sustainable behavior is no rocket science. In fact it is quite easy and it might as well save money on the way. That means you do not “just” do it “for the environment” but you also do it for yourself. More is yet to come revolving around the question “How can I contribute?”, so stay tuned! See you soon back at the PALFINGER blog.

We drive positive impAct!
Together we are shaping the future – PALFINGER