Skip to content
Skip to main content
header search
The Open University
The Open University OpenLearn
Menu
sticky search
Nature & Environment
Featured content
Free courses
All content
  • Activity
  • 10 minutes

Is your trip killing the planet?

Updated Wednesday, 26th March 2008

Use this interactive to compare journeys and their environmental effects

This page was published over 15 years ago. Please be aware that due to the passage of time, the information provided on this page may be out of date or otherwise inaccurate, and any views or opinions expressed may no longer be relevant. Some technical elements such as audio-visual and interactive media may no longer work. For more detail, see how we deal with older content.

One hundred years ago the average person travelled 13 miles a year. Now the average is 13 miles every day. That's nearly 5000 miles a year!

What's more, approximately 4000 of those miles are by car and under 900 miles are by modes of public transport. We are all beginning to realise that travel has a detrimental effect on the environment, but travel is now an essential part of life, and it's difficult to decide which mode of transport is the best.

There are many unanswered questions about travel and the environment.

For example, is there one single mode of transport that is the best for the environment or does it depend on the journey?

Is it extremely inconvenient and time consuming to travel in an environmentally friendly way? And is the financial cost of a journey similar to the environmental cost, or is the financially cheapest way the most expensive for the environment?

Can you plan a green, hassle-free journey?

 

Become an OU student

Ratings & Comments

Share this free course

Copyright information

Skip Rate and Review

For further information, take a look at our frequently asked questions which may give you the support you need.

Have a question?