Global warming has been a catchphrase for several years now. If we experience a super hurricane or a prolonged drought we blame the global warming phenomenon. We know that global warming affects vulnerable life on earth, causes extinction of some living things, increases ocean waters and submerges islands into oblivion. These events haven’t been around during our ancestors’ time. The burning of fossil fuel particularly oil and coal drilled from the belly of the earth are to be blamed. When fossil fuels are burned, they release greenhouse gases- carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide- that blanket the earth. Heat from the sun that originally entered the earth can’t escape out from this blanket and causes global warming. Yet for all these knowledge we haven’t learned and taken action.

From a study, GreenHouse Gas Online revealed that 30 percent of carbon dioxide emissions come from vehicles and other modes of transportation. Buses, delivery trucks and semi-trailer trucks using diesel engines are responsible for one third of these carbon dioxide emissions.

During the 1930s, the trucking industry took over the rails as the main mode of transport of agricultural products from farms to cities. The beginning of the trucking system created a problem of fuel emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide dirtying the highways and roads with repugnant soot. This started the accumulation of man-made greenhouse gases. Further, GreenHouse gas reveals that for the past 100 years there had been a fast accumulation of greenhouse gases starting the process of global warming. Obviously, the need for transportation is to be blamed.

Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine started out using vegetable oil to fuel his experimental prototype, which is named after him. Yet when trucks were invented which run on diesel engines, the fuel that was popularly used was a refined derivative of gasoline the so-called petroleum diesel. But, he was hopeful that people with diesel engines will find a way to use vegetable fuel for his invention. During the 1920’s and 1930’s, several European countries utilized bio-diesels as an alternative fuel.

Utilizing bio-diesels have a lot of ecological advantages- ecologically and economically. The bio-diesels are derived from vegetable or animal oils. The vegetable oils come from rapeseed or soy or even oils from restaurants. Interestingly, these garbage oils used to fry your French fries can be collected, processed and used directly on your diesel engine. A nice way to a healthy environment, no soot nor greenhouse gas is produced. Bio-diesel isn’t only recyclable but is biodegradable too.

Using bio-diesel in trucks won’t emit carbon dioxide. A research in 2000 conducted by Wang and Lyons of the University of West Virginia compared the emissions of trucks on petroleum diesels and bio-diesels. The study showed that using bio-diesel in trucks has lower particulate matter emissions as well as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions as compared to trucks on petroleum diesel.

One gallon of gasoline utilized by a diesel engine releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide. Now, if a trucking company uses 12,000 gallons a year of petrol diesel that would amount to 240,000 pounds of heat-trapping carbon dioxide released in the earth’s atmosphere. Supposing all trucking companies world wide decide to use bio-diesels, we’ll expect a much lesser carbon dioxide emission and then slows the process of global warming. Isn’t that something?

We’ve all loathed trucks using petrol for its noise and fumes. Trucks on bio-diesel smell much better. It is a pleasant surprise to the nose and healthier for those with respiratory diseases. Moreover, bio-diesels don’t contain sulfur and dramatically reduce acid rain. Health wise, bio-diesels lack toxic and carcinogenic aromatic chemicals, which have a tendency to increase cancer cases over time. Because trucks on bio-diesel move less noisily, they are sweet on the ears too.

Some skeptics claim that bio-diesel doesn’t deliver in terms of mileage. But studies reveal that trucking companies utilizing bio-diesel doesn’t make them less efficient. There had been no significant increase or decrease in fuel mileage and they deliver food, furniture or people smoothly. Additionally, the natural cleaning property of bio-diesel adds lubricity to the fuel and protects the engines. This gives you minimal costs to maintain.

Several trucking companies are taking the lead to use bio-diesels exclusively. Convinced that bio-diesels are the way to a healthier environment, Serenity Movers’ fleet of trucks had been operating efficiently on bio-diesels. Their trucks work safely covering 55,000 miles a year delivering furniture.

Just think if all trucking companies run on bio-diesel, we’ll be able to avert the continuous process of global warming and prevent catastrophic weird weather conditions. Undoubtedly, we’ll be able to save the melting of the polar caps where some exotic species of plants and animals thrive and save them from extinction. We’ll be free from the dictates of oil rich countries and pay our farmers their due. We’ll save our money while we enjoy and nurture a productive and sustainable earth that we can endow to future generations.

So, if we want to see a healthier and renewable earth, let’s patronize trucking services that run on bio-diesels. Maybe, all shipping services may follow suit. It’s time we take action.

Lillian Marie Lauran writes on behalf of NY moving company Serenity Movers. Next time you move - make sure to find GREEN NY movers. Choose Serenity Movers New York.