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It's  that unless we make some big systematic changes, climate change is going to get rapidly worse. And so will its effects on our everyday lives.  

This requires transformation within many of society’s big systems, like energy, fashion, food and travel. 

At Â鶹ÊÓƵ, we know what the UK could look like when sustainable and active travel is at its core.  

We research and give evidence to the far-reaching benefits that walking and cycling can have for everyone. And the ways it can benefit the planet too.  

Big changes are inspired by us as individuals by making small changes to our lives. And together, we can create a collective demand for a world we want to see.

When we start to walk, wheel and cycle more we’re not just boosting our own physical health and happiness but also creating a greener, safer environment for those around us.  

It’s not just people we’re benefitting but the natural environment too.  

Here are the five ways getting active can have a positive impact on the planet.  

Here are five ways that walking and cycling can help protect the environment

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1. Reduces air pollutionÌý

Air pollution is the term given to the small particles, chemicals and gases that are released into the air.Ìý

Motorised road transportÌýcontributes to air pollution through its use of fuels. WhichÌýincludes carbon dioxide (CO2),Ìýnitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.ÌýÌýÌý

All of theseÌýhave an impact onÌýourÌýhealthÌýand on theÌýhealth of theÌýplanet.Ìý

For example, CO2Ìýtraps heat into our atmosphere. The warmer our atmosphere gets, the harder it is for us to live in a healthy and happy way.Ìý

By choosing to walk and cycle a journey rather than using a car you are helping to reduceÌýair pollution.

It's estimated that 5.2 million car trips could be saved over a year thanks to our work with schools and projects like the Big Pedal.

These car trips will equate to approximately 8.5 million miles of car journeys removed from our roads.

And this decrease in car travel would mean a potential saving of approximately 2,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. A huge win for cleaning up our air.
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2. Creates a need for more green spacesÌýÌý

If more people walk or cycle, we’ll need more traffic-free spaces.

And many of these will be green spaces. Areas with trees, plants and wildlife.

This is important for the environment because treesÌýand other plants take some of the carbon dioxide out of the air.

They, therefore,Ìýreduce ourÌýcarbon emission levels and increase clean air.Ìý

Better air quality and green, open spaces are not only good for the environment but they're also good for our physical health and for our mental health too.Ìý

Access to the outdoors and being able to move safely around local areas haveÌýalso never been more important than throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.Ìý

An increase in demand means that local governments can work to re-design our cities and towns for the health and safety of the community.

3. Boosts biodiversity

BiodiversityÌýrefers to theÌýnumber andÌýtypes of plants and animals thatÌýexistÌýin a particular area. ItÌýdescribesÌýall life on earthÌýand how it interacts with each other.Ìý

High levels of biodiversityÌýareÌýcrucial for many reasons.ÌýA healthy ecosystemÌýis responsible for the quality and variety of our food, as well as the quality of our air and water.

Climate change is greatly affecting the amount of biodiversity we have on earth.

As the temperature gets warmer and the weather gets more unpredictable, fewer plant and animal species can survive. Ìý

Switching to walking or cycling for more of our shorter journeys helps to protect biodiversity.

It createsÌýless noise, less air pollution, and results in fewer emissions that are warming the atmosphere.ÌýÌý

We can helpÌýtoÌýprotect our green spaces by showing its importance to communities, and to plant and wildlife. This will lower the risks of these spacesÌýbeing usedÌýfor new roads and motorised transport links.
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4. Reduces noise pollutionÌý

Noise pollutionÌýis unwanted or disturbing sounds that affect the health and wellbeing of humans and animals.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Ìýnoise pollution affects the ability of local wildlife to survive.ÌýÌý

Animals have to alter their behaviour and locations to avoid noise pollution. And these changes have a knock-on effect on our whole environment.Ìý

When certain birds leave a certain forest, .ÌýThis is linked toÌýbiodiversity and shows the complex, natural systems our environment requires.Ìý

Walking or cycling helps to reduce the number of motor vehicles using the roads, lowering congestion and the noise that comes from engines.ÌýÌý

Less noise from vehicles and idle trafficÌýhelpsÌýlocal wildlife toÌýstay andÌýthrive.

5. Inspires behaviour change

Choosing more active ways to travel like walking and cyclingÌýhas importantÌýbenefits for us as individuals.ÌýÌý

Staying activeÌýis good for our physicalÌýhealth. It also helps to boostÌýourÌýmoodÌýandÌýcan evenÌýsave usÌýmoney.Ìý

When youÌýmake aÌýcommitment to walk and cycleÌýmore, those around you will see the difference you're making.

They may evenÌýbe inspired by the benefitsÌýthey see you experiencing andÌýgive it a go themselves.Ìý

By inspiring others around you to walk and cycle more we start to build a ‘new normal’.

One simple action we can take to protect the environment is to walk, wheel or cycle our short journeys.Ìý

Our 2019 Bike Life survey foundÌýthat only 28% of residents think cycling safety in their city is good.Ìý

But as more people ditch the car, we’ll help build momentum and demand for better access to safe, traffic-free environments.

When there’s more of us moving around in a sustainable way, this creates a greater demand for green spaces and pushes local governments to improve our towns and cities to make them healthier, safer and less car-oriented.Ìý

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Find out why walking and cycling are great for your mental health.

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Feeling inspired and want to do more? Take a look at our list ofÌý5 things you can do in your local area to help protect the environment.