• Print off copies of our Urban 4x4 'stick-under-the-wiper-blades' leaflet (more information below) - Click here

Transport is essential in the modern world. It drives our economy, and it means we can go on holiday! However, the fuel we use in most transportation: cars, trains, boats, planes - is oil. Oil's running out - and using it creates climate change.

We must therefore ask governments and companies to invest in new - non-fossil fuel transport technology. We must also travel less.

Air transport is the biggest polluter - it's also the fastest growing form of transport. We must stop our love affair with the aeroplane, and stop building new runways and airports.

What is IoM FoE doing?

• We are asking individuals to use their cars less
• We're asking people to get on their bikes, and use public transport more
  
• We're asking people to holiday at home and in the UK more
• We are urging companies to send their staff on less foreign travel - and to use video conferencing, e-mail and telephones more.

The Isle of Man is an area with one of the largest per capita volumes of Urban 4x4s in Britain. An 'Urban 4x4' is a fashion item or status symbol, rather than one needed for the trade or profession of the owner.

These cars are both irresponsibly polluting, and more dangerous to other road users because of their extra weight and restricted rear views. With global warming a clear and present danger it should be unacceptable to drive a machine that has a fuel consumption of only around 25 miles to the gallon - even when it's brand spanking new.

Driving a Urban 4x4 needs to be as socially unacceptable as drink-driving. 4x4s should remain working vehicles for those that really need them.

For an independent 'Which?' report suggesting 4x4's are a bad choice, judged against a range of criteria - click here

What is IoM FoE doing?

• We are trying to change the way people think about urban 4x4s 
• We're asking people to buy smaller cars
• We're asking people to get on their bikes, and use public transport more

What you can do:

1. Print off copies of our Urban 4x4 'stick-under-the-wiper-blades' leaflet. To download an A4 pdf to print out at home - Click here

2. Get into a discussion with the 4x4 urban owner nearest where you live. Here are some discussion points:

Pollution:

• 4x4s pump out more CO2 than other cars and contribute massively and unnecessarily to climate change.
• The size of the average engine has increased, meaning even more fuel consumption.
• The frequency of people driving these large cars is increasing, and slower moving traffic increases journey time and creates even more pollution.

Safety:

• The roads on the Isle of Man are now overcrowded - which makes them less safe.
• Most families own more than one car - and these cars are often parked on the road. The dimensions of these cars have increased - again making them more of a hazzard.
  
• The dangers facing pedestrians and cyclists are at an all time high.

Health:

• People being over dependent on car travel, means less excercise and an increased chance of health conditions ranging from future strokes and heart attacks to type 1 and 2 diabetes. Car dependency is also fueling our obesity epidemic.
• There's a link to increasing cases of asthma, particularly in children.
• This increases future costs to the NHS and costs everyone.