Earth Day: To walk, bike or drive?
Inspired by anti-war movements, former U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, Wisconsin, held the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 in aneffort to bring attention to environmental concerns he said were being overlooked by the U.S. government and its people.
Inspired by anti-war movements, former U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, Wisconsin, held the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 in aneffort to bring attention to environmental concerns he said were being overlooked by the U.S. government and its people.
About 20 million Americans participated.
Today is no different. Over the past several years there has been a national focus on going green and saving energy.
One way residents can go green today, and even in the months to come is to walk or ride bike when going on short trips instead of driving a car, said Natashia Ash, owner of Healthy Results Inc. in Dickinson.
“Not only is it more environmentally friendly, but it can save people money,” Ash said. “There are also many health benefits associated with walking and biking.”
On average a 150-pound person will burn about 462 calories an hour biking, 264 calories walking and 132 calories driving a car, according to livestrong.com.
“These two exercises can improve heart and lung function, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes, relieve stress, help with weight loss, and it’s good for bone density,” Ash said.
Some of the negatives to walking and biking are it takes longer to get to your destination, weather can be an issue, you cannot have passengers and you cannot transport goods as easily.
Biking and running can be hard on your joints too, Ash said. But if you go further walking you will get the same benefits.
Miles: 1 5 10
Car
Calories burned: 132 calories/hour or 2.2 calories/minute
Sitting its 80 calories/hour or 1.3 calories/minute
Energy (20 miles per gallon)
Gas: 6.4 oz. 1 qut. ½ gallon
Oil: .032 oz .16 oz .32 oz
Emissions
Hydrowcarbons: 2.8 g 14g 28g
Carbon Monoxide:
20.9 g 104.5g 209 g
Oxides of Nitrogen:
1.39 g 6.95g 13.9g
Carbon Dioxide
.9 lbs 4.6 lbs 9.16 lbs
Money: $3.79 per gallon
Bike (10 miles an hour)
Calories an hour 500
Calories: 200 1,000 2,000
Energy
Oil: enough to grease chain
Emissions
Carbon Dioxide (breathing):
.021 oz a minute or 1.26 lbs an hour
Money: $0
Walk (3 miles an hour)
Calories an hour 300
Calories: 100 500 1,000
Energy: 0 0 0
Emissions:
Carbon Dioxide (breathing)
.021 oz a minute or 1.26 lbs an hour
Money: $0
Facts from
EPA.gov
Livestrong.com
The walkingsite.com
bikediva.com
Bts.gov
Tags: earth day, news, walk, bike, drive
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