WALKING is perhaps the most overlooked and undervalued form of transport. In our high-paced, fossil-fuel driven society, it is often forgotten as a form of transport at all.
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Walking is certainly the 'greenest' form of transport we have. Even bicycles need electricity to manufacture, which produces greenhouse gas emissions, as well as additional emissions from mining and transporting the needed materials. Then there is wear and tear of parts and eventual contributions to the Armidale's Waste and Recycling centre.
In a town like Armidale, though, there are many trips we automatically do by car, that many of us could do on foot - if we choose to. Of course, many trips are impractical for walking, especially for those leading busy lives or when carrying bulky items.
Yet for those of us who live in town, whether heading to a café for a coffee, going to the movies or visiting a friend, we can walk more. Walking to work is a great way to prepare yourself for the day ahead. Walking home can be a time for reflection, to slow down and transition back to a focus on your home life.
Each walk we choose over a drive produces a small, but not insignificant, reduction in emissions like carbon dioxide, that drive damaging climate change.
Every car trip begins and ends with some walking. So, we can begin to make a difference straight away. Instead of searching for the closest possible park to our destination, and possibly driving around for a long time searching for the 'ideal' park, we accept 'close enough' and walk the extra few metres.
Aside from helping to reduce emissions causing climate change (and other pollution) every extra step we walk helps improve our health and fitness. Extensive research has shown the benefits of regular brisk walking include weight control, lower blood pressure, increased immunity and a reduced risk of diabetes and cancer.
As a simple, low-intensity and low-risk activity, walking provides many of the same benefits as higher-intensity exercises that have greater injury risks.
Many regular walkers also report on increased feelings of mental wellbeing from regularly transporting themselves about on two feet. One particular benefit is taking time out and slowing down from a too-busy lifestyle (at least for a short time), and 'smelling the roses'.
So, if you are looking for simple, readily-available action to reduce your carbon footprint, increase your fitness and make you feel better - get those walking shoes on!