Walking, the first mode of transport, is the most sustainable way to get around, obviously we can’t always walk from point A to point B. Sustainable mobility or transport is evolving quickly as consumers are increasingly demanding modes of transport should be faster, more innovative and green as well. Mobility with low impact on the environment is changing from consumer to business and even government.

Zipcar – “I take public transit, but need a car sometimes. I don’t want the hassle of owning a car. I want to do my part to take care of our planet.” Zipcar is a service that has quickly taken off to serve more than 50+ cities in North America and the UK. It’s simple, join Zipcar and get a zip card. Reserve a car on your mobile, online or by phone. Hold the zip card over the windshield to unlock the car. Drive away, gas and insurance included. Return when done.

Tesla Cars –Gas stations, routine oil changes, and frequent maintenance quickly becomes rather “last century”. These cars aren’t your regular small hybrid or electric. One rider said, “ The Roadster (Tesla) isn’t a good car – it’s a great sports car. Period. And it just happens to be electric”. Petrol won’t last forever and the mantra of the company is Clean Energy is the Future, and it’s kind of cool that clean can still go 0-60 in under 4 seconds.

Body Warmth – The Paris Metro will help to heat a public housing project in the city center. The project is based on geothermal technology aims to draw heat from subterranean passages and move it to heat exchangers before supplying heating pipes.

Zero Waste – General Motors has announced that 62 of their plants have achieved a zero landfill status by recycling or reusing the normal plant wastes. More than 2 million tons of waste will be reused or recycled at GM plants this year.

Military Green – You usually don’t think of the military as a group that would be going down the alternative energy route, but in fact they are. Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy, announced a new initiative to develop and test bio fuels.  Green goals?  By 2020 half of the entire Navy energy used will come from alternative sources (White House blog).

Prediction – Sustainability is the capacity to endure. Petroleum based transportation is harmful to the environment. Oil supply is in terminal decline and petroleum prices are climbing through the roof. People are seeking clean and sustainable alternatives, not only because of higher oil prices; people are becoming increasingly educated on ethical consumerism. The days of 12 miles a gallon will soon be behind us.

Image by Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo from Stock.Xchng