If we all took the bus, could we stop climate change and all the extreme weather that comes with it?
At first glance, the answer seems to be yes. Forget about cow farts. Driving around in your own car is one of the world’s biggest polluters after flying. And, as many environmental activists have repeatedly said, that’s why public transport could save the world. It’s an obvious solution that many of us still tend to ignore.
That’s why Germany’s recent experiment with the so-called “Deutschlandticket” is so interesting.
Last year, after Russia invaded Ukraine and set off a cascade of rising energy prices, Germany offered its citizens a subsidised ticket for all public transport.
From June to August last year, locals could ride buses, trains and trams between neighbourhoods, towns or cities for just €9 ($15) a month. Alongside 10 million automatic subscriptions to the monthly ticket, 52 million of the fares were sold.
The exercise cost the German government about €2.5 billion ($4.2 billion) to finance and, according to transport authorities, also saved around 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Denne historien er fra February 25-March 3 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra February 25-March 3 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
