How Walking Helps the Environment

Walking is not only good for one’s health but also helps the environment.  By walking instead of driving, we can reduce exhaust emissions from automobiles.  For errands less than a mile away, this is especially true.  For short trips such as these, it is better to walk than to drive.  Just make sure you have a pair of good walking shoes.  By walking more and driving less, we all can reduce the impact of greenhouse emissions on global warming.

Cars emit the most toxic exhaust when the engine is still cold, particularly immediately after being started.  This occurs because the car’s emissions control equipment has not reached its optimal temperature.  On a cold winter day, a car can take 10 kilometers or more to warm up to maximum efficiency. 

Driving is also a contributing factor to noise pollution.  What is noise? It is any type of sound that is disturbing or undesirable.  You may not realize how much traffic impacts noise.  Noise pollution can cause a plethora of problems, including stress, discomfort, pain, difficulty concentrating, and problems hearing other people.  Older cars or motorcycles have a larger noise impact than newer ones.  By choosing to walk instead of drive, you can help eliminate traffic noise in your community.

Traffic congestion and accidents are greatly reduced by walking.  Traffic increases greatly around schools and work, at starting and quitting times.  If you are able to walk, bike, or take public transportation, you should.  Parents should also walk their children home from school whenever possible.  

Those who walk may be enticed to help benefit the environment in other ways.  When we drive, we don’t focus on the environment, as we have to pay attention to traffic and driving safely. By walking, we tend to pay attention to things as litter or other degrading factors in our area.  Walkers become more alert to neglect or abandonment of vacant land or buildings.  Through doing this, we can either make voluntary efforts or take part in community groups to clean up these problems.

Walking can also keep our community healthier!  Walking regularly can help prevent strokes and heart attacks.  Walking also helps relieve stress, which causes many health problems.  We can get stronger and healthier – and have more energy – with regular walking.  If more people walked for short commutes, instead of driving, we’d see a huge change in our community’s health.