The green movement has made it apparent to nearly everyone that making changes to personal transportation is a key factor in environmental sustainability.  Cars and light trucks are responsible for over one fifth of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions each year.  Even so, many individuals are too busy or too entrenched in their routines to change their daily habits.  Spending just thirty minutes to reevaluate and update your day to day actions can significantly improve your carbon footprint.

Begin by making a list of the places you visit frequently, such as the office, gym, grocery store, kids’ schools, and so on.  Check Google Maps to find out how many miles each destination is from your home.  You should consider walking to any destinations under two miles, and biking to anywhere ten miles or nearer.  For farther locations, try your city’s public transportation system.  Many cities have websites to help you plan your trip and tell you how long the trip will last (for example, this site plans trips all over the greater Los Angeles area).  Consider these destination specific tips:

• For the office: Try arranging a carpool via mass email or a signup sheet in the break room.  This will save you gas and could introduce you to new friends.
• For the grocery: Some markets offer vanpools to take you home with your groceries, so try walking to the store and using this service to get home.  If your grocery store does not have this option, talk to your neighbors about making weekly carpool trips to the market.
• For school: Walk or bike with your kids to school, or if they’re old enough, have them walk or bike on their own.  This is great exercise for children, especially to bookend long hours of sitting in class.
• For the gym: Look for a gym within a few miles of your house.  Ride your bike there (it’s silly to drive your car to get exercise when you could be getting it on the way).
• For running errands: Keep a list of items you need to pick up and only go when necessary, rather than running to the store every time you need a particular thing.  Also look for neighborhood alternatives to stores farther than five miles.
• For going out: This is another arena in which seeking local options can be both beneficial and enjoyable.  Try neighborhood restaurants and entertainment venues that you can walk to—you may end up discovering new favorites.

Of course, even after restructuring your transportation, automobiles are still a necessary part of modern life.  Thus, the type of car you drive is a crucial component of sustainable living.  In general, smaller is better because it equates to increased gas mileage, but check the specific model for details.  A 2009 ranking rated the Toyota Prius as the most fuel efficient vehicle on the road, followed by the Smart Car, the Volkswagon Jetta, the Toyota Yaris, and the Mini Cooper.