Make your sustainable MOVE!

According to scientists, cutting the carbon footprint associated with mobility would be the fastest route in meeting the 1.5°C target set by the Paris Agreement. Join the #AnatomyofAction to explore solutions to make travel healthier for people and the planet.

How do means of transportation affect nature and human well-being?

1. Transport is responsible for one-fifth of global CO2 emissions alone: cars and buses account for 45.1% of them, while aviation for 11.6%[1]. This makes mobility one of the six-sector solutions to climate change[2]!
2. Daily exposure to air pollution endangers our health by affecting our respiratory, cardiovascular and defence systems. On average, air pollution shortens human life by 2.2 years, with peaks of 5.9 years in India, thus becoming a greater threat than smoking and HIV/Aids[3]. This is not to mention that pedestrians account for more than one-third of fatalities caused by road crushes in low-income countries.
3. Vehicle exhausts are found to have detrimental effects on animals and plants, thus further jeopardising wildlife and biodiversity.

#AnatomyofAction: sustainable living is only 15 steps forward

Through the Anatomy of Action framework, you can engage in a 15-day challenge that will take you on a sustainable living journey to live better and lighter. The toolkit outlines the top-level changes attainable through individual behaviour – allowing us all to contribute to SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), and many more!

Cutting across five lifestyle domains – food, stuff, move, money, and fun –, the #AnatomyofAction global movement speaks with one voice to demand governments and businesses to facilitate citizens in live in a sustainable way.

Become an activator and experiment with new mobility choices: you may discover that cycling home at the end of a long day benefits your mood, or that you may meet interesting people while sharing transport. 

After having explored FOOD and STUFF domains, it is now time to enjoy a different way to MOVE around.

#KEEPACTIVE

Human powered transport is a way of life for many in world. Walking three hours per day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 16%, and by 11% when you actively commute to work.  [4]Perhaps, cargo bikes are experiencing a renaissance in offering a cleaner, safer, and more efficient service to transport people and freight short distances, as compared with cumbersome trucks[5].

For cities’ inhabitants, walking and cycling is becoming the preferred means for many and more people, counting for one-third of global trips. In the Global South, walking represents the unique transport mode for many citizens, reaching 70% of daily journeys in some cities[6].Though, this was further encouraged by safety measures during the pandemic, most urban settings still lack cycle lanes and crosswalks, while traffic congestion is a daily reality.

To make soft mobility[7] a viable option, we need to question our way of using – and owning – cars to focus on the power that we all have to provide for our needs through our own forces! By joining the Anatomy of Action, you may advocate local policymakers and city councils to facilitate this shift by making walking and cycling routes safer and improving infrastructure – such as parking stations for bikes or pedestrian areas in city centres.

Opting for soft mobility solutions for short journeys demands systemic transformation but will be significantly offset by gains in air quality, human health risks, and ultimately climate change.

#SHAREYOURRIDE

Similarly, public transport connects you to the local community. Your route can also become a daily break, a moment where to enjoy extra time by reading a book or listening to music. Embrace the Anatomy of Action to channel a nature-positive meaning to your routine!

For long-journeys where public transport infrastructure is lacking, bear in mind that carpooling apps can reduce traffic congestion by a factor of three while still meeting the needs of the same amount of people! Also, they may allow you to make new, interesting acquaintances – with personal boundaries in place, of course. Nevertheless, commuting by car still brings a higher carbon footprint as compared with non-motorised or large-capacity transportation options.

#GOCLEANER

Over its life cycle, an electric vehicle will generate about 18 to 29% fewer greenhouse gases emissions than cars with a traditional combustion engine. It is important to keep in mind that replaced vehicles can still end up on the road and cleaner cars still require the use of metals and other resources that harms biodiversity and the natural world. So finding comprehensive policies that cover the life cycle of the vehicles is crucial.

When possible, opt for alternative modes of transport to cover short distances and if you have a car, keep it for as long as possible. If you can, avoid buying a car at all: consider city bike and car rental schemes! Indeed, walking and cycling can move from 6 to 8 times more people per hour than what automobiles can do in the same space[8].

Rethinking how we move around has great potential to reduce our toll on the planet.

Show the world that transport alternatives exist and enjoy discovering new sides of the city you live in! The #AnatomyofAction is your next MOVE to turn your daily habits into concrete climate activism.

Enjoy the journey of seeing the world at a slower pace.