World Car Free Day has been encouraging motorists to give up their cars on September 22nd since the early 1990s. This is not an unreasonable request, people! With a mission to encourage greener, eco-friendly methods of transportation, World Car Free Day is about informing people of the many alternative methods of transit. Whether you are biking, walking, taking the train, riding the bus, or carpooling, there are many ways to get from point A to point B and back again.
The first car rolled onto the streets in 1886 and the increasing number of motor vehicles that have come into existence has significantly damaged the air quality. There are over one billion motor vehicles on the planet today, and this doesn’t account for the mopeds, motorcycles, or scooters! People have become dependent on their cars and fear the idea of finding other means of transportation.
Although World Car Free Day is typically held in Washington DC, which is a major metropolitan area, you can celebrate without a car wherever you live. Exposing yourself to sustainable ways to get around works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic. People who carpool, vanpool, or use buses, trains, and bikes more frequently can lessen the amount of environmental pollutants that are released into the atmosphere.
While we encourage people to care for their bodies from a dietary standpoint, we also need a healthy planet to survive. Care for the planet because it provides us with so much! The more we pollute the environment, the more we increase our risk of developing health issues that stem from airborne toxins. Ditch the keys today and find a method of transportation that best fits your mobility. See if your city is hosting a car-free event and join the festivities!
