LAST DAY to Win a One Year Zipcar Membership Worth $85!
Carless and curious about this car-sharing thing? If you haven’t tried car-share yet, autumn is a great time to get started with a free year’s subscription to Zipcar. Think of all of those fall weekend trips you can take!
Transportation emissions account for 27 percent of the United States’ total greenhouse gas emissions – and it takes a tremendous amount of energy and materials to construct a car in the first place. However, the unfortunate fact of life is that many of us rely upon cars to transport goods and take us where we need to go on a regular basis. Fortunately, car sharing services like Zipcar offer a way to quickly and easily rent cars where and when you need them without the expense and environmental footprint of purchasing a vehicle – and without having to schlep to an airport or try to track down a car rental company. Zipcar even offers hybrid and electric vehicles in many locations. To help cut down on the number of cars on the road we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve teamed up with Ford and Zipcar to offer Inhabitat readers the opportunity to win a one year Zipcar membership worth $85! It’s easy to enter – all you have to do is sign up for our newsletter, like us on Facebook, and leave a comment below sharing your best green transportation tip to lower the carbon footprint of your commute!
1. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE > We’ll be announcing the winners in our weekly newsletter, so if you want to find out who won, you’ll need to receive it!
2. BECOME A FAN OF INHABITAT ON FACEBOOK Just visit our page and click on the “Like” button at the top.
3. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW and tell us your best tip for reducing the CO2 footprint of your commute! The deadline for this fabulous giveaway is Wednesday, October 12th. We’ll pick the comment we like best and announce the winner in our October 13th newsletter, so make sure you’re signed up!
Sell your car! You’ll have some extra cash and you will be forced to live a greener lifestyle
I drive a Ford Ranger EV powered by 100% renewable energy. If you haven’t done it already, look into subscribing your electricity utility the same. And also consider an ebike. They are reasonably priced nowadays, and make biking pretty much sweatless.
sold my SUV in August, bought a bike, and leased a hybrid (although, if I lived in a city that was more “car-free” friendly and didn’t work a f/t research job and bartend nights, I’d still be carless but biking home at 3:30 am for a month through some bad parts was not one of the wisest decisions I’ve made…but it was interesting).
I’m working on becoming as green as I can (this is my 10th year of being a vegan) but there is so much I need and can do. I run to work sometimes with my work clothes in a backpack and sometimes walk, recycle, etc…but I can do so much more.
Biking to work every day is an efficient way to both reduce my carbon footprint, and get daily exercise.
It’s a great feeling whispering “on your left” to everyone as you blow by them on the race to save the world.
I constantly either carpool or take advantage of public transportation. Also, I conserve energy in transportation as well as consumption. I am very conscious of which products I endorse through purchasing.
walk,carry a reusablebag and say hello to my neighbors and people I pass.
Get a ride with someone to work every morning. Better yet, wrangle a few more people into your carpool, too. That way, you’re not only reducing others’ CO2 emissions as well as your own.
Glide..glide..glide! Staying aware of what’s around me to utilize momentum and speed to reduce the number of times I need to use my brakes, and maximize every gallon of gas used by gliding my way to better fuel efficiency. Until I can get a hybrid, solar, or electric vehicle, using the natural laws already in effect when moving is a great way to keep gas use to a minimum, and self-satisfaction to a maximum!
I’m not so much of a big oil fan but I’m not an enemy either. I’m about responsible management and EFFICIENT alternatives. Oil has been good to us for man years and in the face of running out (which we aren’t) we’ve taken to flirting with other fuel sources. Unfortunately, they are not efficient replacements for oil. I want something with a higher standard than what we already have, not just simply a different choice. That’s not progress. That’s a sidestep… a band-aid. Building solar panels into the roof, now that’s an innovative idea to help make vehicles more efficient. I’ve seen turbines inside of all 4 wheels of a car to help generate power. That’s another good one. What about wind though? What about building a turbine into to car to harness all the wind whipping past us as we travel on the interstate. Surely there are tons more ways to ‘streamline’ the automobile while a more viable replacement for gasoline is found. It’s not always about the fuel. It’s about being responsible with what we’ve got and maximizing our capabilities with already existing tech.
To reduce the carbon footprint i plan out my errands and group them together according to the location i am travelling to.
We use a combined effort. My wife and I split one car (a sub-compact). We mind our driving habits so we conserve gas while we are using the car by doing things like slowly accelerating and keeping proper tire pressure. We consolidate trips and live close to where my wife works. I’m a photographer and designer so I meet as many clients as close to my home as possible where I walk or bike to meetings. We don’t grow our own food yet (we’re renters) but we are in the planing stages for building a cob/straw bale house that will have a large garden space and root cellar allowing us to cut down on trips to the grocery store.
i have got a vegetable garden at home and use my biscyle to and from college as a cost saving measure, physical exercise & its a way which reduces the emmition of gases.
Hi guys,
Great offer to Win a One Year Zipcar Membership Worth $85,.
Wonderful idea to reduce greenhouses gas! Good Luck in Saving the World.
No doubts. Go carpool driving or take mass transportation!
No doubts. At this time, go carpool driving or take mass transportation!
I’m teaching my kids about reducing our carbon footprint to continue to help our future generations – we walk to our weekly family dinner out, we don’t idle or run the A/C while waiting in line for carpool at school. These are the things they can be aware of now, which helps them to remember other ways to be GREEN!
taking the bus doesn’t hurt.
1. commute to school: a 2 minute walk
2. commute to work (where I connect Foodshare with the university body): a 2 minute walk
3. commute to my CSA internship: a 45 minute walk
4. commute through the city: feet and peddle
5. commute to my family: 45 min public transit
I grow my food on my balcony, at the CSA and get the rest from local farmers via Foodshare. Living la vida lo-cal!
When I was hired I looked for my new home to be as close as possible to my job, and I found one within 1.5 miles that I could afford. During warmer weather I bike, in cold days I drive, and only takes 8 minutes. I have measured the time it takes me to drive through different alternative paths, so to use the one that is shorter distance with less stops.
…there once lived a man who walked in the wilderness and left no footprints at all…not even carbon ones. maybe we could all try to emulate this Master who loved this p,anet enough to visit in the first instance?
Bikes, Bikes and more Bikes..
I agree the best way is to work from home. Nothing will reduce your carbon footprint more than commuting from your bed to your computer. In lieu of that, there’s walking, bicycling, public transportation, carpooling, and EVs.
Walk, bike ride, public transportation, car pool, car share with cos. like Zipcar, combine errands with fuel-saving routes, drive EVs, etc!
The temptation is great to drive to work since my home and office are close to the highway, but so is the train! I usually ride my bike to the train, take the CTA to my stop, and walk the rest of the way. During rush hour its the best, and usually fastest way to go!
I reduce my carbon footprint by biking to places close by and using public transportation or carpooling for longer distances. Never drive alone if you can help it!
The best way to reduce the CO2 footprint is by taking public transportation, it puts both money back into the economy and increases revenue for the government. Not only does is lessen the amount of cars on the road but it also allows for the government to use some of that money and put it towards finding alternatives to gas and creating more hybrid vehicles for now. In Rhode Island, new RIPTA’s (Rhode Island Public Transportation) have been created as hybrids by an increasing number of people utilizing public transportation. Plus, walking and biking to work makes you sweaty and nobody wants that.
The commute to work is a big factor in my habitation considerations when looking for a new apartment. If I can’t get someplace close I look into the transit and bike routes, there’s always a way!
I’m for electic & solar cars & trucks all the way…
We use Zip Car to supplement our use of public transportation. For longer trips or to drive to somewhere public transportation won’t take us, we use Zip Car. I personally work from home and my boyfriend works just down the block. These factors together help us reduce our carbon footprint.
Have a change of undies and your toothbrush at the ready and stay overnite at the office as much as possible. When you can’t do this, extend your thumb and walk backwards on the side of the road; catch a ride. HAH!
My best strategy for carbon footprint while commuting to work is to use my electric bike. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, it has literally changed my life. Despite being a committed environmentalist for over 30 years, nothing else has caused me to reduce my car use as much as using my electric bike. I can actually get to work faster on my electric bike, while still getting physical exercise because it is a pedal assist bike. Best of all, I arrive at work without feeling sweaty and in need of a shower.
I believe that pedal assist electric bikes have the potential to eliminate more single occupancy vehicle (SOV) commuting trips than any other single measure.
This appears to be happening already in Europe and Asia where sales of electric bikes are exploding.
Because electric bikes actually save people money, use existing road and/or bike path infrastructure, can be recharged from a regular wall plug, and require no special license or insurance, their adoption also improves our economic situation.
If we can get enough people out riding to work on electric bicycles, I believe that we can literally kick start a green commuting revolution.
oops – ! too zealous & eager to save the planet! forgot to contain my box to ‘commute’ only.
honest well meaning mistake 
Living in NYC it’s fairly easy to have a smaller footprint, commute or no. I walk everywhere and take the subway when I have to. However, when going places that are not accessible via transit, or when I have to carry something large/heavy, I invite a friend to share a zipcar with me so that I’m never riding alone!
How I reduce the CO2 on my commute? One word: SHARE!
We’re a one car family (who are diligent on maintenance because it reduces emissions). I carpool and have built friendships that way. I take public transit and sit back to enjoy the scene out the window. And the most important part of this all is that while I reduce the creation of CO2 I also build a community!
I joined Boston’s new bike share program, HUBWAY! Its great for reducing my CO2 footprint and it also save me money on my commute!
How I reduce my CO2 emissions on my commute? One word, SHARE!
One car family (and diligent on the upkeep helps emissions), carpool, public transit, well accessorized bicycle (also good for grocery shopping), and not just keeping the emissions in mind but also try to be a part of a community!
I walk – a lot! Just plug in some headphones and take off. No worries, no cares, I just relax and let my feet do the talking
I also love to ride the bus… that probably sounds silly to most, but hey, it’s a great time to meditate or catch up on paying bills. One more tip – I put out rain barrels for gardening, it’s easy and it saves water and electricity! Peace 
Carpooling doesn’t only apply to the work commute. We also consolidate our grocery shopping and other household errands by scheduling with the neighbors. We take turns doing the driving and up to three homes get “chore commutes” done in one single trip. In addition, we help out friends and family by picking up a few things for them, too. That can take even more cars off the road. Imagine doing that with a ZIPCAR!
Until I can zip myself up and teletransport myself to the office, I am telecommuting, riding the cable car to the office and using a zip car for out of town trips.
I started taking the subway instead of driving after I realized I like napping or reading more than driving in NY traffic
Sometimes when I ride my bike to work and I encounter strong rain, I just think about places I have been hiking in such conditions: it makes me think that I’m having some adventure in the middle of the daily grind. Yesterday when I was ready to leave the office, the sky opened up and all the water you can imagine fall down…. I took a deep breath and thinking about a coming hiking adventure. So when I got wetter and wetter into my skin, I was hiking in wonderful surroundings in Lappland in the north of Sweden. It was cold, windy and even snowing (yes it can snow during summer up in the north), and when I reached the top of Keb, it suddenly stopped raining! Hallelujah, it worked, thanks Olivier! So far my fuel saving effect in Commute Greener!
My best tip for reducing the CO2 footprint of my commute is that I don’t have one. I work from home! Not only does it reduce my impact on the environment, I am a much happier, stress-free, and productive person.
In New York, the best way to reduce your carbon footprint is to walk to work!
Walk or bike! Saves gas and a gym membership
I would like to win this one!
When I can’t bike or take the bus, I hypermile– steady as she goes and hug inside of curves to reduce distance– it worked for world record hurdler Edwin Moses it works for me.
biking through the city is the best way to start a day of work, you get your blood pumping and are way more aware of the environment on your commute. a zipcar would make weekend trips much more economical and ecologically smart
See if you can arrange a telecommute schedule 1 day a week, and if not, send out an email to see if there are any other employees who live near by and would be willing to carpool!
I hooked up my bike with a rear rack and sweet pannier so that I can do all of my commuting and grocery shopping on two carbon-neutral wheels.
I walk the 2 miles one way to campus, or I ride my trikke (yes trikke.com check it out, its a neat cycle – I cant ride a regular bicycle for physical reasons)With winter I unfortunately have to drive to campus, that’s just my daily (4xs a week)commute does not include any grocery shopping trips etc.
If you have a stable job you plan to work at for the long haul, move close to work! Right now I ride the bus to work, but when our lease is up we are moving within walking/biking distance to my job. Also, selecting a home that is within walking distance to essentials like groceries, pharmacy, library, transit center, and others will help you reduce your footprint, save money, and get in better shape!
If you have to drive to work, then drive to the nearest public transportation station, park there and take the train/bus/metro to work! Or you could just bike, its a great workout and runs on your own power!
Bike to work as it addresses cardiac health, weight control and reduction of one’s carbon footprint. Yeah, yeah, you’ve heard all that before. Need some techno lust to make it more exciting? How about the new Trek Soho Deluxe with belt drive (no lube or mess!), internal 8-gear hub (shift while stopped!) and a comfortable upright perch. And with MagicShine’s headlight putting out 1000 lumens for $150 riding, cars will be steering well clear of you. In case you break a sweat, an Arkel backpack/pannier or briefcase/pannier has plenty of room for lunch and a change of clothes. You may even decide you enjoy bike commuting so much you sell the second car like we did for a really big reduction in the household budget and your entire family’s carbon footprint.
As I live in NYC, I always take public transit, subway, bus, etc. This winter I’m moving to Miami for a design job in Bal Harbor that I will walk to along the beach from my apt in Surfside. I’m working on my “life is a beach”! Best of all worlds!
I recently switched from a regular gas car to a Prius (hybrid), cutting down my expenses in gas by 2/3 and of course the carbon footprint. I am also thinking about getting an hybrid-electric bicycle like the ones from http://www.ezipusa.com/ to commute to work, since it’s only about 5 or 6 miles away.
Another thing that I do sometimes, is work from home; my job allows me to do that sometimes, and we have meetings over the phone and webmeetings using Webex.
Use public transportation if feasible.
If not, go for carpooling if feasible.
If not, go for electric or hybrid vehicles if feasible.
However you choose, continue to discover new green tech and share what might be useful to others.
Make the most of every trip. Plan your day. Make a list of everything you need to do and make your route make sense — get everything done you need to do in one trip then back to home.
I have found the best ways to reduce the CO2 footprint of my commute is walk and bike more and drive less. Biking and walking keep me more fit whereas the car keeps me more fat. By striving to reduce my CO2 footprint, I do good for my planet and for my body.
sweet!
Bike.
If you can’t bike, the metro/bus.
If you can’t bike, or metro/bus, then carpool.
If you can’t bike, metro/bus, or carpool, then never stop the car. Run redlights, use the shoulder, double-up in lanes, never go below 65 mph. So……….do those other things.
Work from home!
awesome
I walk as much as I can. Exercise and it reduces CO2
oh yes and I “liked” your facebook page.
my best tip? By leaving an actual footprint of course! Well maybe more accurately a shoe print. That’s right it’s the good ole snail transportation… walking!
I walk, cycle, public transport or use zipcar to reduce my CO2 footprint.
Sharing… that´s the way to contribute. Share your car, share your byke, share your books and your life… you and all of us will have a greater fuller happier life … with less CO2 emissions.
Walk, crawl, skip, run, skate, bike, swim, carpool, take public transportation, and any mode of energy efficient transportation should reduce our footprint.
Fact: Braking generates free radicals which are far worse than CO2
Fact: Eco-driving immensely reduces gas use. It has even been shown that modern large cylinder engines are far more economical than low-powered ones that need to run at high revolutions constantly.
Fact: Mass transportation in the US is horrid, practically useful in certain routes only. And it’s very expensive.
Advice?
1. Buy a used bike that runs well (doesn’t make much of a difference in bikes to get a new one, plus the older it gets the less likely for it to get stolen) and do whatever commute you can with that.
2. Don’t get a new car. Resources are limited, I don’t care how much you recycle. Recycling uses oil, too, you know.
3. If you have to drive, make sure tires are inflated properly, lubricants in shape, and avoid using the A/C at FULL POWER. It’s unhealthy, and burns lots and lots of gas. Look into it, you’ll be surprised!
I recently moved back to Chicago from Mumbai, India. I loved the freedom of not having a car when I was living there for a year. Now that I’m back, I’ve decided to buy a scooter instead of a car and take public transportation to work downtown. Some things—grocery shopping and furniture shopping—are easier with a car. That’s what ZipCar is for!
On an individual level, do whatever you can to reduce your fossil fuel consumption: car pool, take public transit, ride a bike, walk work from home etc. I have a friend who is working with her HR department to set up a ride sharing program at her office. I wish more companies would provide options like this to their employees and reward them for using them. And companies who provide such transportation options to their employees should get tax breaks for doing so. There’s a lot each of us can do on an individual level but companies should be responsible for helping their employees lower their carbon footprints as well.
One thing that is nice about being a city dweller, is how close downtown is; I can essentially walk to any place. This might not be so for others living in the suburbs, where the grocery store might take a 10-20 minute car ride. So I suggest trip planning, and going out when you really need to — perhaps occassionally for fun, but why not go to a park or for a walk instead of driving? And the bus is a powerful source of transportation in most areas. Trip planning can help people streamline to get to their destination at the right time, and reduces getting lost or driving around aimlessly, which wastes a lot of gas anyway.
First off, public transit and biking are probably among the best ways to travel without feeling guilty over what you’re doing to the environment. Walking is hands down, the BEST as you don’t hurt the environment, but also keep your body in tip top shape (to some extent). The problem with these three is the time cost in waiting for the bus or the limitations in biking or walking speed, but there are good options if you must have a personal vehicle.
Electric scooters/mopeds are awesome! They get you where you need to go and are very convenient, as they don’t take up as much space as cars. Gas powered scooters and mopeds are great too, they get amazing fuel economy and offer great practicality.
If you can’t stand being on a scooter, then with current technology, cars are options too! With a Tesla Roadster or Fisker Karma, you can look great as you avoid burning gas, but if can’t afford a tesla or a fisker karma, there’s always the Nissan Leaf or Ford Focus EV. So many ways to cut your CO2 emissions!
Take mass transit everywhere, and walk as much as you can.
Take mass transit, and walk as much as you can!!!
The best way to make a transition in transportation towards reducing and eliminating one’s carbon footprint for a zero dependence on oil, and fossil fuel, is to re-build a recycled late 80′s road bicycle with recycled and remodeled parts. The recycled steel frame bicycle will provide a happy and healthy commute, which will most likely improve one’s overall GDH (gross domestic happiness). Happy cycling!
I’m a college student (with two zipcars at my school!), and my friends and I use a zipcar to drive to volunteer weekly at an animal shelter. Before I transferred to my current school, I was a commuter and made a point of carpooling with friends whenever our schedules allowed. So many people drive separately that could be carpooling. The less cars on the road, the better!
My husband and I both walk to work and do not own a car. We carpool with friends when necessary, and very rarely we borrow or rent a car and take care of all of our car errands all on the same day. Cuts back on our carbon footprint and on our traffic irritation as well as helping us stay fit, too!
My daily commute is carbon-free, since I drive my Leaf that I charge with a roof-top solar system. I’d love to be able to use a zipcar for those trips that are outside the current range of my electric car!
Yes! I turn down jobs that are too far away from me! I work from home finally! I bike up to 6 miles for business meetings in the HOT ARIZONA DESERT HEAT! AND I MAKE SURE MAKE SURE WE HAVE A DD WHEN WE GO OUT AT NIGHT! BECAUSE CABBING IT wastes time, gas, money, and spreads CO2.
AND on my way to my business meeting this morning, I uploaded a picture of me biking to my facebook so all the 3000+ people knows I did it in the heat! For society, for the world!
GreenSpanTheGlobe.com for more ways on reducing Co2 impact! I today started working for http://www.EFAZ.org (Environmental Fund for AZ) I would love to partner with Inhabitat! Let’s make magic happen!
GreenSpanTheGlobe.com (I know it should be a .org but I haven’t filed anything yet, but I want to be a B Corps. You guys should look into it! Too bad there are no G Corps…yet…
Walk to work with a pair of “green” rubber shoes (e.g., http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/03/18/sole-purveyors-of-green-rubber-shoes-strike-partnership/)!
Ride a bike!
I love Zip! I wish I had thought of it ;~)
as city folk, we take mass transit 90% of the time. we rarely take cabs. we usually walk everywhere when feasible. however, as a filmmaker, my boyfriend had to rent a Zipcar to return equipment, lights, cameras etc. PLUS we live for adventure and getaways, so those two occasions, we rent a car. the way we reduce our footprint is by planning the best direct route and if possible parking and walking as much as possible. it takes planning such as knowing where the most central area is in the place we’re traveling to but I can tell you we walk whenever possible.
If all else fails, CARPOOL! I’m always surprised at how few people do this. Not only are you saving money, saving gas, and saving the environment, you get to cruise past everyone in the carpool lane!
I also work from home and I only drive to the grocery (when I am going to buy more than my bike can handle) and to the dog park with Timber, my 2 year old Lab mix. I would love to get rid of my car and forget about all the troubles associated with owning and maintaining an automobile while taking advantage of a Zipcar.
Several thoughts come to mind! Simply finding alternative ways to go places with out turning on the keys to the car- Bike, walk backwards, skip, rollerskate etc!! Secondly, my family strongly believes in buying meat from local and sustainable farmers. It not only benefits local farmers, but most of the meat in our stores have been shipped on trucks across the US or beyond! Reducing the fuel for shipping by eating locally benefits greatly!!
1) Riding a bicycle, or if that is too daunting/far then getting a motorbike.
2) Working from home, even if it is just part time.
3) Ensure your car is serviced and running as economically as possible.
4) Upgrade your car to a hybrid or ‘greener’ car.
We could use a Zipcar on the island of Malta!!
I went from a Honda Civic to a Toyota Prius, then added the electric only switch to my Prius and run through the last mile of my commute that is 35 mph in electric only mode.
For as much driving as i do, this would be an amazing win! I’m a college student of Architecture going into green design particularly and working for a budding green architecture group called gorilla design. What an awesome thing to support (driving a zip car). I love how much this would help my local area reduce pollution.
If I commuted I’d carpool. I’d drive calmly, keeping RPMs under two, by getting enough sleep and meditating. I’d listen to a book while commutiing. I’d work from home and jobshare. All of that!
I have three ways I try to reduce commute C02 emissions:
1.Telecommuting from home when I can
2. When I have to catch a ride to work, offering shorter, quieter driving routes that use less gas
3. I’m really enjoying the hubspot bicycle share in Boston – such a great way to reduce C02 emissions, even if you don’t have your own bike.
Rent a Zipcar, of course! I recently moved to San Francisco from Portland, OR. I left my car behind and haven’t looked back since. It’s just so easy to rent a Zipcar in my neighborhood. If I want to take a weekend getaway, pack up the pooch for a trip to the vet, purchase houseplants from a nearby nursery, or even do a lot of grocery shopping for an upcoming party, Zipcar is always part of the plan. Thanks Zipcar for helping me keep it simple and reduce my carbon footprint. I’m not perfect, but Zipcar helps me do my part.
Live close to work and/or the grocery store. I live within walking distance!
If biking, walking or talking public transit are impossible, and you must commute by car, then be sure to use CRUISE CONTROL! It increases MPG and reduces emissions by pushing on the accelerator evenly, which helps the engine run more efficiently. We’re so sporadic in our driving that the constant acceleration and deceleration kills our mileage. Just a tip! Try it out and measure your MPG to see if it goes up!
Never touch the brake!
If you can’t take public transportation I find the best way to reduce your CO2 footprint is to carpool to work and make sure you keep your car maintained, tires properly inflated, and don’t carry a lot of unnecessary items. Also, don’t rush to work so that you can keep a steady pace and step lightly on the gas and brake pedals and avoiding hard accelerations.
The best way to reduce your CO2 footprint on your commute is to get a remote job working from home. That is what I did!