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Josephite Justice Network

Seeking to live in right relationship with each other and all of creation
- TRANSPORT -

REMEMBER RECOGNIZE

The development in the 20th century of oil There is a search for more fuel efficient
driven means of mass transport is one of vehicles and for alternative fuels.
the major contributors to global warming.
Bio-fuels are a possible solution and the
Globally, land transport contributes 14% EU has a target of 10% biofuel transport
of greenhouse emissions. by 2020. This has had the effect of taking
land out of food production; in Tanzania
Air transport contributes 1.5% to global 20% of farm land has been turned over for
emissions. the production of biofuels. This is repeated
in other African countries producing food
The pollution and congestion from the
shortages and increased poverty.
volume of road transport in our cities can
have negative effects on the quality of life. Increased costs for petrol can have a
positive effect if they reduced dependence
Dependence on oil for transport has to be
on private cars and result in provision of
reviewed not only for ecological reasons
better public transport.
but because the world is close to “peak oil”
production. Oil is a finite resource. The desire for “out of season” produce
transported half way around the world
Oil dependence also has also economic
adds to the greenhouse gas emissions
consequences as high fuel cost have a flow
because of the transport required.
on effect through the economy and impact
more on the poor.

A call to ecological conversion


“Perhaps reluctantly we come to acknowledge that there are also scares which mark the surface of
our earth: erosion, deforestation, the squandering of the world’s mineral and ocean resources in order
to fuel an insatiable consumption.
Some of you come from island nations whose very existence is threatened by rising water levels;
others from nations suffering the effects of devastating drought.
God’s wondrous creation is sometimes experiences as almost hostile to its stewards, even something
dangerous.
How can what is ‘good’ appear so threatening?”
Pope Benedict XV, WYD, Sydney.

Prayer

Father, we know that in all creation only the human family has strayed from the sacred way. We know
that we are the ones who must, together, come back to walk in your sacred way. Father, teach us love,
compassion and honour, that we may heal the earth and heal each other.

(A prayer from the Obijway nation of Canada )


.

* Plan travel more efficiently, share transport with others where possible
* Monitor your fuel consumption each month; check the car’s fuel efficiency
* Develop a better driving style; drive smoothly, look ahead, stay within the speed limit
* See to regular maintenance of your car; don’t drive on under-inflated tyres.
* Don’t use the car as a storage area; extra weight in a vehicle increase fuel consumption!
* Air-conditioning in car uses 10% more fuel so use only when necessary
* Use public transport if and when possible; for long trips trains and coaches rather than planes.
* Introduce the idea of the “walking bus” for parents to get children to school
* Try walking yourself..... or get a bike!
* Support campaigns that aim to make us less car dependent and improve public transport.
* Eat locally produced foods; “eat locally, survive globally”.
* Avoid buying goods with a lot of packaging; they have added to transport fuel costs.
* Check out Greenfleet (www.greenfleet.com.au) a not-for–profit organisation that plants trees to off-set
carbon emissions.
*Check out eco-driving tips at www.wwf.org.au/takeaction/eco-driving-tips

Prepared for all Josephites by the Josephite Justice Network.

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