Increased active transport (walking and cycling),with public transport for longer journeys, could have a substantial role in meeting targets for greenhouse-gas emissions and would result in major public health benefits. These are the conclusions of James Woodcock, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK, and colleagues, authors of the third paper in The Lancet's Series on Energy and Health, titled "Energy and Transport."
The authors say that the adverse health effects resulting from climate change, road-traffic crashes, physical inactivity, urban air pollution, energy insecurity, and environmental degradation are linked via their common antecedent of fossil-fuel energy use in transport. Using a model of London, they show how increased active transport could help achieve substantial reductions in emissions by 2030 while improving population health. They point out that only a car-free London scenario was close to achieving the emission reductions required by 2030.
The authors argue the biggest contribution transport can make to achieving the Millennium Development Goals is through meeting the needs of poor people, especially women. Their trips are primarily local and off-road and improving footpaths and access to bicycles and trailers can reduce the time and effort burden of their common daily activities.
The authors conclude: "Public policies that encourage a transition to a low-carbon low-energy transportation system have the potential to bring substantial public-health benefits by affecting all these health pathways."
Journal
The Lancet