Even if Australia's sprawling suburbs and patchy public transport can often make it hard to manage without a car entirely, but you can still try to drive less, choose a fuel-efficient car and learn fuel-efficient driving.

Car facts

• Road traffic accounts for 16 per cent of Australia's greenhouse gases.
• CO2 emissions from transport in Australia have risen by a third since 1990. 

cars: key steps

• Don't drive to work. Commute by public transport, car-pool with colleagues or neighbours, cycle or use a scooter (try an electric one). And if it's possible, work from home some days.
• Reduce short car trips. Half of car journeys are less than 3km, but car engines are least efficient while still warming up. Replace a few car trips by walking and cycling (or even skateboarding). Combine errands. Shop locally or online. Put a basket on your bike for local shopping trips.
• Avoid gas guzzlers. Make the next car that you buy a smaller and more fuel-efficient model.
• Learn fuel-efficient driving. It can reduce fuel consumption by up to a third.
• Join campaigns for better public transport and cycle networks.
• Get on the bus. Start by working out one regular journey you can do by bus and make it a habit.

want to do more

• See if there's a car club near you. You pay a monthly fee and book a car by the hour.
• Recycle motor oil (http://www.oilrecycling.gov.au/http://www.biodiesel.org.au/).
• Buy products made from recycled tyres. Use old tyres to make kids' swings, plant beds, etc.
• Use biodiesel - make your own from cooking oil (
• Buy an electric hybrid car such as the Toyota Prius or Honda Civic - half the CO2 emissions of similar-sized petrol cars.
• Don't drive the kids to school. Instead, send your children to the nearest school so they can walk or cycle, and propose your school starts a walking school bus scheme.

Fuel-efficient driving

Killer on the road

What a waste!