Community Eco-Challenge, Southern Group Environmental Health Committee, Riverside House, Armagh, BT61 9EG. Tel:02837515800  Fax:02837515801  Email:info@communityecochallenge.com

Calculate your Ecological footprint! Click here      Calculate your Ecological footprint! Click here      Calculate your Ecological footprint! Click here      Calculate your Ecological footprint! Click here TRANSPORT In 2005, there were 917,399 vehicles registered in Northern Ireland! We have become increasingly dependent on cars for our travel—they have transformed the way we live, but unfortunately transport has effects on our health and the environment. Transport releases harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. It also uses petrol or diesel—fossil fuels that have to be extracted from the earth. These will not regenerate in our lifetime. Added to all this, large parts of our country is covered with roads—in fact there about 25, 020 km of road in Northern Ireland! There are 210 charged car parks—that’s 31, 300 spaces! Not a good look for our environment! As if that isn't bad enough, we haven't yet mentioned the noise pollution, traffic jams, road works and stress! SO WHAT'S THE RIGHT DIRECTION? The simple answer would be for us all to walk to work, or use public transport. Unfortunately, its not that simple! We all lead busy lives and cars make things easier, offering us a quick, simple way of getting things done. On top of that, years of under-investment have resulted in an unreliable, expensive public transport system. The all makes it very difficult to change our behaviour! It’s unrealistic to think we can all change what car we drive or where we live, but we can take steps to make how we travel more sustainable, and reduce the amount that transport contributes to our ecological footprint. The links below will give you some ideas of how you can reduce the transport part of your footprint. While no-one will be able to make use of all the advice, all of us should be able to make use of some of the advice! All Aboard! Mind How You Go! Needs Must? HEALTH FOOTPRINT, HEALTHY YOU! Not only is improving your transport footprint good for the environment, it can be good for you too! There are many potential associated health benefits… The Road to Health!