Birders (and other naturalists too) spend lots of time traveling in
search of interesting quarry. Our driving choices have a significant
impact on the environment (and our wallets). Climate change resulting
from consumption of fossil fuels used to power our vehicles presents
a real peril to the organisms we seek. It is imperative that we
improve our driving habits in order to protect the ecosystem and its
inhabitants for future generations.
Like a good field guide, the steps to identifying better vehicle and
driving habits are fairly straightforward. This guide is divided into
two parts: Vehicles and Driving Habits.
According to the USEPA, the difference between a car that gets 20
MPG and one that gets 30 MPG amounts to $870 of gas per year (at a
fuel cost of $3.48/gallon). A gallon of petroleum when burned releases
approximately 20 pounds of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere – so
all savings are important to our planet’s health. Burn less,
spend less as the axiom goes.
Most cars in use today in the United States use some form of petroleum,
so the kind of car you drive can significantly lower fuel consumption.
An example: A 2007 Jeep Liberty 4WD SUV with a 3.7 liter, 6-cylinder
engine has an EPA mileage figure of 15 MPG City/20 MPG Highway. A similar
Jeep Patriot with a 4-cylinder gas engine gets 22 MPG City/24 MPG Highway.
Both vehicles are 4WD with good interior space and ground clearance – suitable
for off road birding – but the Patriot has the edge with better
fuel economy and a lower purchase price. Likewise, try to select a
vehicle smaller and more efficient than the one it replaces. Also consider
a more efficient pre-owned car – cost depreciation is avoided,
and less money must be spent to take the “new” car home.
Here are a few 4-cylinder, birder-friendly, relatively-efficient nameplates
to consider - pre-owned or new: Chevy Cobalt, Ford Focus,
Honda Civic/Element/Fit, Hyundai Accent, Jeep Compass/Patriot, Scion
xB/xD, Nissan Versa, Subaru Forester/Impreza/Outback, and Toyota Corolla/Matrix/Prius/RAV4/Yaris.
Skip unnecessary expensive option packages and try to select the most
efficient engine/transmission combination offered that meets your needs.
Driving habits have a big impact on fuel consumption too. And now
is NOT the time to become complacent about lower fuel prices;
they will rise again. The ways we drive are just as important as the
vehicles we operate. Remember to carpool whenever possible (birders
tend to be good at this, but improvements are always welcome). Aggressive
driving reduces any vehicles’ fuel economy by up to 33%, so try
to drive as sensibly as possible – avoid rapid starts and abrupt
stops, steadily accelerate to highway speed, and do not speed; fuel
economy is reduced by as much as 23% when traveling over the posted
speed limit. Make sure to turn off the engine when idle for more than
30 seconds – especially at birding hot spots. Even
excess weight in a car decreases its fuel economy, so it pays to clear
out unnecessary items in order to save an additional 2%. Maintain proper
tire pressure and tune up intervals to save 3% more. Collectively,
drivers affect a vehicle’s efficiency almost as much as the car
itself.
Finally, resources are available to help drivers identify additional
fuel economy measures to safeguard the environment. Most car dealers
post a free EPA Fuel Economy Guide right next to the model brochures
in the show room. This comprehensive guide lists annual fuel economy
figures for all vehicles sold in the US, including data for various
engine and drive train configurations. Mileage calculation methods
for new cars changed in 2008, so posted mileage estimates are now much
more realistic than in years past. Online, the best go-to site
for fuel economy ratings and driving tips has to be the EPA’s
own www.fueleconomy.gov page.
Be sure to keep the environment in mind when you make your next vehicle
purchase, and do your part to keep our club green!
 Bill
Cutler
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