In today’s modern world, cars are essential to many activities. Whether it’s for getting to and from work, school, or just running errands, cars are necessary. Unfortunately, that convenience has come at an unfortunate cost – car obsession. With the rise in global emissions, car obsession has become more apparent than ever, and there are a few ways to combat it and come to a more sustainable solution.

The first step is to realize that car obsession is real and it has a significant impact on the environment. Every time you take a car out for a spin, you’re contributing to increasing levels of carbon dioxide emissions, which in turn, are impacting global temperatures and the larger environment. Overspending on cars and excessive use can lead to additional, negative environmental impacts such as air pollution, water pollution, and habitat destruction. Rethinking and reducing your car usage, then, is essential.

For those already obsessed with cars, the first step is to monitor your habits and keep track of how often you’re taking your car out, as well as the number of miles you’re driving. When you’re able to visualize the data, you’ll gain some real insight into where you can reduce car use. To gain an even better understanding of when to reduce car usage, you should make a conscious effort to take public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible. Depending on the city you live in, there may be carpooling or ride-sharing services you can utilize as well.

You should also make sure to take care of your car. Regular maintenance is important, especially if you want your car to run efficiently and not require more fuel over time. This maintenance should include checking the tire pressure, oil levels, and looking for any leaks. Also, replacing your car’s air filter regularly will ensure your car breathes better and runs more smoothly.

When your car is up and running, there are other methods to reduce your car obsession. Carpooling is an excellent way to reduce your overall emission levels without having to sacrifice transportation. Carpooling combines multiple people for the same route and car, thus reducing the number of cars on the road. It’s a practice that’s growing in popularity with the rise of new transportation apps like Uber and Lyft. When carpooling isn’t an option, you might want to consider alternatives to driving. With the ever-increasing variety of bike rentals or apps like Bridj that will get you to your destination through public transportation, you can easily avoid having to drive to your desired destination.

The last step of combatting car obsession is to understand how to utilize public transportation more effectively. High-frequency transit lines, such as light-rail or bus corridors, can often be more convenient than driving and can even be quicker depending on your location. To learn the location of public transit stops, consult with local transit authorities or websites to get the most up-to-date information.

By implementing some of the strategies mentioned above, you can easily reduce your car usage and help slow the impact of car obsession on the environment. This is an issue that’s bigger than every single car owner and needs to be addressed on a larger societal scale. As car owners, we have the responsibility to find the most sustainable methods of transportation available to us and reduce our car obsession. With the right attitude and dedication, car obsession can be defeated.