Chapter 4

There is no planet B

Travelling green In English, a scooter is this:

1) Read the blog entries. Pick out all the different means of transport that are mentioned.

I have been experimenting the best way to get to my work in an eco-friendly way. It is not
that far, 7 miles, so I tried an old electric scooter I had, but it only got me halfway to work. I
had to call my co-worker to come and pick me up. Then I thought about riding my bike, but
I need to buy a city cruiser bike, because my mountain bike is not suitable for city cycling.
But a recent eco-tip opened my eyes to an electric bicycle. So, I challenge all my readers to
think long and hard about how close you live to work, and the viability of using one of these
electric bicycles instead of driving.
Simon V., 20, Melbourne, Australia.

Public transportation is a great thing.

Our public transportation system is a joke. If a system is good, people will ride.
It uses much less fuel, is less polluting, cleaner, saves highway space, causes fewer traffic
accidents.
I would use public transport if it were available in my area.
Rango A., 17, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.

I used to pay $10 a day for parking. I knew there were cheaper options if I parked a bit
further away from the university, but I always had some excuse for not doing it… Now that
I’ve started carpooling1, the walk doesn’t seem so dismal2. I love the company, have made
a great friend, love that we are reducing the number of cars on the congested streets and
that we are helping to reduce carbon emissions.
Cassandra B., 19, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

1
Carpooling = covoiturage
2
Dismal = depressing
 2) Match each blogger with his/her favourite means of transport.

Simon
Rango
Cassandra

3) Classify all the means of transport mentioned from the most eco-friendly to the least green.
Pick out the pros and cons 3 for each.

Means of transport Pros Cons

(advantages) (drawbacks)

4) Write your own blog entry, giving your opinion about all the means of transport that you use
the most.

3
pros and cons = avantages et inconvénients