Benefits & evidence: environmentalCO2 pollution and global warming Cycling produces no direct CO2 pollution. A certain amout will be caused by the production of bicycles, but this is much less than vehicle production. There is a vast amount of scientific research confirming this. Two examples, promoting biodiversity (fee needed) and pollution. Many European Union documents denote the importance of more cycling. |
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Particulates
We know that in cities particulate pollution causes 8% of disease and death. Generally transport contributes to 25% of particulates, (in Birmingham, with little industry, rates may be higher).
Car pollution
We know that every 5000 miles we drive causes CO2 that produces 1 billionth degree of global warming.
Space
Streets should be reclaimed for cycling and pedestrians (European Union).
A simulation to determine your contribution
See our simulation (with an explanation here) and calculate your own contribution. These amounts sound tiny, but in Birmingham we drive 1 billion miles a year, so the city (and its residents flying) is warming the planet about 1 fiftieth (0.02) degree each year. With so many 'car based' cities, the tiny amounts add up to a significant global temperature rise. We can calculate our own CO2 production from driving; we know that transport produces 25% of CO2 produced; we know the amount of global warming (2-10degrees/100years); thereby we can deduce our own contribution. (I appreciate the simulation is not accurate, but it does give an idea of our own contribution.
