«Ecological awareness» has become a transversal concept across the different sectors of society, catalysing new ethics that make each individual responsible for the construction of a better world. As a clear sign of the times, it is in this scenario that the issue of sustainable mobility is evident.
Socioeconomic development has generated new and more frequent needs to travel. In cities, major human masses, which tend to be concentrated at peak hours, travel the same routes day in day out. The residential dispersion around urban centres, where the activities and services are agglomerated, is a mark of modern life. This phenomenon, accentuated in the last few decades, has caused a growing use of individual transport, with harmful consequences, in the long term, for environmental preservation.
In turn, these imperatives of mobility have led to an exponential development of the transport network which, in a complex architecture of schedules and itineraries, assures a series of connections essential to the accomplishment of the most diverse routines, associated to the family, to work, school and leisure.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development defines «sustainable mobility as the ability to meet the needs of society to move freely, gain access, communicate, trade and establish relationships without sacrificing other human and ecological values, today or in the future».
The promotion of sustainable mobility is considered a fulcral step to diminish the emission of greenhouse gases and reduce the weight of energy consumption in the transport sector, which in overall terms represents a very significant portion of this expenditure.
Among the internationally defended strategies, in particular, is the option for biofuel, as an alternative to fossil fuels which are still predominant. Another path involves the introduction in the market of «next generation» vehicles, endowed with intelligence to reduce energy costs.
A third measure, tested with some success in various cities of the world, refers to the integration of different modes of transport, in order to diminish congestion. Experience shows that access to rapid and accessible public transport counteracts the tendency to use private cars in daily travel.
The path can also be tread by bicycle or on foot. Both options, environmentally friendly and with recognised impact in terms of public health, are becoming increasingly popular. Corresponding to this trend, urban management strategies are increasingly favouring the creation of bicycle paths and pedestrian routes.
Assuming the safekeeping of energy reserves as one of the greatest challenges faced by humanity in this dawning of a new century presumes an ethical commitment with future generations and a necessarily individual accountability, expresses in healthier lifestyles, compatible with the highest human and ecological values.
