Air pollution

Air Transport and Carbon off-setting

Into: Getting there Air Transport Air Travel: Multiple Matters

A carbon offset is a financial instrument aimed at a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2). What is ’offsetting’? Offsetting is an action by companies or individuals to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions, in this case arising from their use of airplanes for travel. The offset can be equivalent in part or in whole to the associated emissions, by financing a reduction in emissions elsewhere. In simple (...) Read more

tag logo Air pollution, Air pollution, Leisure, Transport, Travel/holidays, Carbon Offsetting

Health and public transport use

Into: Getting there Urban Transport Cost, Health, Energy, Safety and Security

In Malta and Gozo distances are short. Many of the locations we need to reach for our everyday or regular errands can be reached on foot or by bicycle. Though the former is fairly acceptable in our culture, the latter is less so. Use of the car for all errands, even those around the corner, seems to have become the norm. For longer trips both the private car and public transport are used. Opting for public transport can help to reduce the number of private cars on Maltese and Gozitan (...) Read more

tag logo Air pollution, Transport, Reducing Emissions

Energy Use: Focus on Public Bus Service

Into: Getting there Urban Transport Cost, Health, Energy, Safety and Security

This section will focus on the scheduled public bus service (route buses) Should Maltese citizens opt to use the public bus to go to work, school or on leisure-time and entertainment-related trips, this could take from 30 to 40 cars off our streets at any one time. This would result in a significant reduction in fuel and, hence, energy use. Currently, most of the Maltese bus fleet runs primarily on fossil fuels. According to the planned Public Transport Reform, route buses will have (...) Read more

tag logo Air pollution, Transport, Reducing Emissions

Biodiesel

Into: Getting there Alternative Fuel and Alternative Power Vehicles Alternative fuels for vehicles

Biodiesel is the name for a variety of ester-based fuels (fatty esters) mainly made from vegetable oils, such as soya bean oil, canola oil or hemp oil. Biodiesel has a lower energy density than fossil diesel, so biodiesel vehicles are not quite able to keep up with the fuel economy of a fossil diesel vehicle. Modification to the engine, taking into account the higher cetane value (ignition quality) of biodiesel might make the difference in fuel economy negligible. At the same time, (...) Read more

tag logo Raw materials, Air pollution, Transport, Reducing Emissions

National Initiatives for sustainable transport

Into: Getting there Introduction Transport: Sustainability Issues and Strategies

Over the past few years, the Maltese government has been striving to introduce legislation, regulations, campaigns and strategies to encourage more sustainable transport. The focus has been mainly on promoting more use of public transport and of cycling, on reducing vehicle emissions, and on reducing traffic congestion in the Capital city Valletta in particular. Introduction of more cycling lanes Increased public transport routes and direct services Improvement in bus shelters (...) Read more

tag logo Air pollution, Transport, Reducing Emissions

Cycling and the Environment

Into: Getting there Walking and Cycling Cycling

Cycling is an eco-friendly active transportation method. No fuel is required and no emissions are produced. Damage to roads is minimal. Bicycles may be manufactured from recycled materials or their parts may be recycled at end-of-life. With proper handling and maintenance bicycles can last for many years. An eco-friendly mode of transport Understandably, for moderate distances, cycling is more favourable than walking. But, like walking, it is a very eco-friendly means of active transport (...) Read more

tag logo Air pollution, Transport, Reducing Emissions

Walking and the Environment

Into: Getting there Walking and Cycling Walking

In 2000, the traffic and transport sector accounted for approximately 25% of total CO2 emissions by all EU member states. This figure could be heavily reduced if we adopt walking for journeys covering short distances. CO2 contributes to the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect and global warming. By use less motorised vehicles which emit CO2 we can help to curb this global warming. Of course, most of our privatre cars and buses in Malta still run on fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel. Thus, we (...) Read more

tag logo Air pollution, Exercise, Reducing Emissions

Air Transport and the Environment

Into: Getting there Air Transport Air Travel: Multiple Matters

Developing in a global industry, the aviation or airline industry has produced direct and indirect benefits to the economy. Apart from the employment opportunities created by airlines, airplane industry and airports, and all related supporting services, it has also helped in the expansion of industry productivity. Yet whilst, on the one hand, airports currently account for 1.2 million jobs directly and about 2.1 million of indirect jobs, on the other hand air travel produces around 2% of (...) Read more

tag logo Air pollution, Leisure, Transport, Travel/holidays, Carbon Offsetting