Your green promises:

Walk to school twice a week, Katie Doben, Winchester >> Buy food locally to cut down on carbon emissions, Ali Baylis >> Walk home from school, Rachel Carver, Winchester >> Start growing my own herbs and vegetable, Georgie Cave >> Turn lights off when I leave a room, Poppy De Groot >> Recycle everything that should go in the recycle bin, Catriona Brown, Hampshire >> Start growing my own herbs and vegetable, Alice C >> Cycle to work once a week, Jessie Baker >> Turn lights off when I leave a room, Mona Freidin, New York >> Recycle my household waste, Madeleine, Winchester >> Start growing my own herbs and vegetable, Johnny >> Take showers instead of baths. Nevet Basker, Bellevue, WA, USA >> Turn the tap off when I brush my teeth, Sharon Goldstein, Northwood >> Signed up to a renewable energy provider (Good Energy) and encouraging our visitors and members to do likewise, Moishe House London >> Reject opportunities to see the world, when that means taking a plane, Jeremy, London >> Dedicated to leading the way in environmental efforts through local & vegetarian catering, zero waste & reducing carbon emissions by 10% in 2010, Tzedek, London >> Re-use plastic bags when shopping, Lisa, London >> Find something to make with every item in my organic vegetable box, Penny Kustow, Rickmansworth >> Not use the car for short journeys, Jon, Damascus >> I will not leave the tap running while brushing my teeth, Lucy Freeman, 7 >> I will buy more vegetables from the farmers market, Ben, Stanmore >> I will join the 10:10 Campaign, Naomi, 28 >> I will turn off my laptop when I am not using it, Dave, 25, Golders Green >> I will recycle my paper and plastics, Jo, 46 >> I will reduce the temperature of my washing machine cycles, Evelyn, 35 >>

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Transport

In this section: Cars - Cycling - Public Transport - Walking

Cars

What’s the best car to buy?

Personal car travel is the single biggest contributor to personal CO2 emissions. The average large car such as Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) or four wheel drives emit double the amount of carbon of a smaller car. Hybrid and battery operated cars emit the least carbon. If you are purchasing a new car you can find out more about the most fuel efficient cars here.

How to drive your car

Ensuring your car does not have excess weight will reduce how much work your engine has to do. Driving fast with deflated tyres also increases the amount of fuel consumed so making sure you drive at a reasonable speed with tyres correctly inflated will reduce the amount of fuel you use. For more information about driving your car click here.

Consider joining a car club

If you don’t drive very often, consider joining a car club rather than owning your own car. A car club allows you to borrow a car for the times you need, relieving you of having to pay for annual insurance, MOTs and service costs. It will also reduce the number of cars on the road and help you to reduce your carbon footprint. To find out more about car clubs click here.

You can also sign up to these schemes:

• Carplus

• City Car Club

• Street Car

• Whizz Go

• Zip Car

Cycling

Other than walking, cycling is by far the greenest mode of transport. If you are not a confident cyclist or you are a concerned parent, there are schemes that can teach you or your child to cycle safely on the roads. If you are in the UK and would like more information or want to book a cycling lesson click here.

Cycling in the Jewish community

In the summer of 2009 was the first Tzedek/JCC environmental bike ride, cycling from London to Southend. This is the start of the Jewish community’s environmental cycling network. You don’t need to be a cycling professional to take part, but you do need to be a competent rider on roads. To register your interest for summer 2010 email hannah@jcclondon.org.uk

In America and Israel Hazon is getting people on bikes to think differently about transportation and cycling. Their outdoor programs raise money for cutting-edge Jewish environmental projects. For more information click here.

Cycle to work scheme

The UK government have introduced a Green Transport Plan, promoting healthier journeys to work and reducing environmental pollution. It also aims to make cycling more attractive and accessible by taking advantage of some unique tax incentives. Ask your employer to sign up. For more information click here.

Cycling proficiency

Bikeability is a cycling proficiency test and gives children and adults the necessary skills and knowledge needed to cycle safely throughout the rest of their life. The test is more then just teaching how to ride a bike, it introduces cycling as an everyday activity, an alternative mode of transport which encourages a healthier lifestyle. For more information click here.

Social cycling around the UK

Every year there are large events across the country where cyclists can enjoy traffic-free city centre roads across London, Manchester, Glasgow, Leicester and Hounslow. Skyride encourages people of all ages and abilities to get back on their bikes and enjoy the benefits of a fitter, healthier lifestyle.

Cycling in London

Transport for London have a large amount of information for cyclists, including routes and maps, training, safety and the new cycle hire scheme. For more information click here.

Public Transport (in the UK)

Transport for London (TfL) offers maps, routes, ticket information and timetables for all public transport in the capital, including journeys by Docklands Light Railway (DLR), tube, tram, bus, coach and river. For more information:

• TfL journey planner: Offers full route planning facilities for any destination in London. Includes options for cycling and walking.

• TfL London buses: Bus maps London-wide, including live news on all routes.

• TfL London underground: Maps and live news for London's underground rail network.

• TfL London rail: Overground rail maps for London, including live news on all routes.

Walking

Walking keeps you healthy, saves you money and it’s good for the environment. To plan your route and work out how many calories you’re burning click here.

Walk to school

By 2020 the government would like all schools to be models of sustainable travel where vehicles are used only when absolutely necessary and facilities for healthier, less polluting or less dangerous modes of transport are exemplary. Walking to school is a great way for children to increase physical activity. Further details and resources click here.

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