Carbon dioxide: (CO2) is a natural constituent of air. It is a colourless, odourless and noncombustible gas which is slightly more than 1.5 times as dense as air.

It is formed both by natural processes, through the decay of organic material and the respiration of living organisms, and by the combustion of fuels containing carbon. It represents about 0.033% of the air.

Although it is not toxic at normal concentrations, emissions are of major concern because CO2 is the most pervasive greenhouse gas and is estimated to account for about two thirds of global warming.

Cars are responsible for around 15% of all CO2 emissions in the UK.

A car will produce roughly its own weight in CO2 for every 6000 miles it drives.

Although engine technology has become more efficient in the last decade, our overall demand and usage of cars has increased. Additional features such as power assisted steering and air conditioning have an impact on our CO2 emissions.

Bike technology has also greatly improved greatly over the same period, making riding one a lot easier. They still emit no CO2, have no need for power assisted steering and have built in air conditioning as standard.

CO2 emissions are not funny. They affect our climate and lead to floods, desertification, droughts and storms.

[close window]