Get Away From That Pump!

Gasoline is heavily relied upon in many aspects of daily lives; the use of gasoline affects both us and the environment around us. Vehicles emit greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. Gasoline can also contaminate soil and surface waters, entering the food chain through the meals people eat. Many harmful effects of gasoline are due to individual chemicals in gasoline, which are present in small amounts that can lead to nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, breathing difficulties and other complications. Some effects of skin contact with gasoline include rashes, redness and swelling. Being exposed to large amounts of gasoline can lead to coma or death.
Are habits truly hard to break? What if you saved money for breaking some of them? With gasoline prices increasing incessantly all across the country and oil in its demand, the search for alternatives is dire. Although there is the common answer of owning a hybrid car, which is eco-friendly but expensive, there ultimately needs to be more practical and effective alternatives to decrease the amount of gasoline used.
It’s quite simple, actually. Start by inflating tires to the recommended level, 32 to 35 per square inch, which helps minimize fuel efficiency loss. Another way is to get a tune-up, helping maintain the engine and improves mileage. If the tires are aligned when parking, it reduces tire friction. Quick checks on the vehicle’s air filter and oil level can also improve mileage. Instead of driving back and forth, combine errands in one trip to reduce the gas bill.
Other alternatives include taking public transportation, carpooling, walking, or biking. The U.S. public transportation system has been estimated to save 3.4 billion gallons of oil a year, which cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 26 million tons. Carpooling also has its advantages by splitting the cost of gas with each other. Walking or riding a bicycle is a two-in-one alternative, because it saves fossil fuels and helps people stay in shape.
Although gasoline is still one of the leading sources of energy for driving cars today, its demand continues to increase as the amount of oil worldwide decreases, indicating that prices will keep rising. However, as technology also continues to advance, the shift from gasoline to an alternative fuel will start to occur in exceeding numbers. But for now, there are simple, efficient methods that can help cut the gas bill.

By Staff Writer Jennifer Thai