Question

What are two ways to reduce air pollution and slow climate change??

Answer 1

Go by bike rather than car; turn down the thermostat in your home or office

Answer 2

Ebaxter is right, as always - though most actual research on the subject (and the little bit that there is tends to be published in less erudite publications, i.e., The Journal of Improbable Research) indicates that biking rather than driving does not reduce CO2 emissions by as much as everyone thinks.

The reason is that the energy for bicycling comes from foods which require fast, long distance, and in many cases refrigerated shipping. Refrigerated shipping is incredibly energy inefficient because you have to not only keep the food cold, but ship the entire refrigeration unit as well and ship it quickly.

The considerable economic gains from cycling actually come not from reduced gas energy consumption but from reduced wear and tear on the roads. And by combining exercise with commuting adds a little time (~30 min) to my commute, but saves a lot of time (~1 hr) I would otherwise have to spend going for a run or whatever before or after work. And speculatively, on a societal basis, we would probably spend a lot less money on health care for lifestyle related illnesses if everyone did the same (though possibly more on bike accident related injuries).

Food for thought anyway. I will try to find that article.

Answer 3

Interesting comments - I guess you mean bananas in particular.