Emission impossible?

Couldn't car-less? Justin Rowlatt says bye to his car

David Cameron may be trading his gas guzzler for a more eco-friendly car, but the most sure-fire way to cut emissions is to give up the car altogether. Who would be so crazy? Step forward Newsnight's Justin Rowlatt.

In its 80 years the BBC has asked its reporters to do many extraordinary things for a story. Colleagues have climbed the highest mountains and journeyed to the most dangerous conflicts - I have even seen a correspondent hide himself in the boot of a Mercedes to get the interview he needed. But I never expected the BBC to ask me to do what I did a few days ago.

On Tuesday morning last week I stood with my wife Bee and our two young daughters, and watched as a very nice man winched my car onto the back of a truck and then drove it away. I am told it is now "in storage" in some distant car park.

The BBC has stolen my car! Not only that, it did so just weeks before our third child is due.

I am no petrolhead but I've owned a car virtually ever since I first passed my test 20 years ago Justin Rowlatt (above, in his first car) Follow Justin Rowlatt's progress as Newsnight's Ethical Man

It is part of a year-long experiment in "ethical living" dreamt up by my editor at Newsnight. He suggested the idea to me on my first day on the programme, back in early February. I've never been particularly concerned about ethical living or the environment, but it was my first day and it seemed unwise to refuse. My family and I have been living with the consequences ever since.

One of which is that - come Saturday morning - I am running with three-year-old Zola on my shoulders while Bee is trying to herd our uncooperative four-year-old, Eva, up the street. We've got tickets for a puppet show at 11am, and we'd completely forgotten that we couldn't just leap in the car.

It is unusual to find one's job affecting one's personal life quite so directly and - as we bundle aboard a Tube train - I am wondering if this project is worth all this effort. The look Bee shoots me suggests that at this moment, she certainly thinks I have made a big mistake.

We have already tried to give the way that our home is powered an ethical makeover. Our homes are responsible for around a quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions, so I was hoping to make some big inroads in my carbon footprint. But just like living without wheels, it was not easy.

Exhausted options

The rules of the project are pretty strict: I can make whatever changes to my lifestyle I wish, but I have to pay for everything I do. The idea is that I face the same dilemmas as anyone else, and knowing that I have to pick up the tab certainly does focus the mind.

Good for the environment, but maybe not for family life

The obvious ways to cut back on energy use - insulation and double-glazing - were simply too expensive and, even with the grants on offer, would take years of energy saving to pay themselves back. We had to look elsewhere, and use a bit of imagination to cut our emissions without breaking the bank.

I am realising that living without the car is going to take a bit of initiative too. I am no petrolhead but I've owned a car virtually ever since I first passed my test 20 years ago. When Sara and I first discussed the possibility I might get rid of it, I didn't think it would be that much of a hardship. After all, we live in London, which is probably better served by public transport than almost anywhere else in the country.

The Tube gave us a moment to catch our breath, as we sped through London on Saturday morning. But the tension rose again immediately when we tried to corral the children out of the station.

"We can still get there on time if we're quick," I tell Bee, more in hope than certainty because the girls are starting to get seriously annoyed by our constant imprecations to "hurry up" and "come on".

Meanwhile, Bee is getting seriously annoyed with me. The producer, Sara, has insisted that I make a video diary of my life without a car and now, as we struggle down the road, I am trying to film our progress.

It is good stuff: fractious kids confronting frustrated parents. Precisely the kind of thing Sara wants, I tell myself, as Bee shouts at us all to get a move on. What I need now, I think, is a shot of Bee.

How many ethical men does it take to change a light bulb? Justin Rowlatt tries his hand

As I swing the camera onto her I know I'm in dangerous territory. I want to capture the flash points of our first days without a car but at the same time I know I must also give my heavily pregnant wife (4 weeks and 5 days to go) the support she needs. It is a tough call and, when Eva bursts into tears, I realise I have judged this very badly indeed.

"If you don't stop filming immediately," Bee tells me furiously, "I will shove that camera...."

We just made the show on time. It was great, but when we finally get home four hours later all our tempers are frayed. Bee vanishes upstairs for a rest, leaving me with the girls who are tired and irritable.

I take the easy way out. I bang on CBeebies and the kettle.

If we'd planned the journey a bit better then things wouldn't have been so stressful, I reflect as I drink my tea. But there's no question, it would have been a whole lot easier in a car.

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Add your comments on this story, using the form below.

I cannot figure out who is worse (1) your boss for asking a man with a pregnant wife and kids to give up the car or (2) the husband for agreeing or (3) the wife still living with the husband who suggested something he's already agreed to with his boss...
Colin Oliver, Uckfield, East Sussex

Neither myself or my husband own a car. We chose our home partly because it had good public transport links, and we do not need a car for everyday life. There are times when it would come in handy - taking rubbish to the tip, visiting friends and family who are inaccessible by public transport - but these are few and far between and we can easily get a lift on those occasions. You just have to be a bit more organised and patient if you're going to get used to trains, buses, cycling and walking instead.
Heather, Stockport, UK

Well, it's all very well to charitably try and give up using a car. Try not actually having a driving licence and being in the ninth month of learning to drive (as it is so expensive and difficult to find time to do so), yet desperately needing to drive because you live in a rural area. What seems to be a rather glib 'let's see if we can be smugly courageous in giving the car up' could have been an opportunity to write about how crippling it is to be without a driving licence and a car, especially those who live in rural areas. Try finding a job that doesn't ask for a driving licence, or if you can apply, being able to get there and back, or if you can manage both of those, not having to put up with twelve hour working days....
Gwen, Gooderstone

For nearly 20 years I have had no vehicle.These days most people are agog if don't have one BUT a car in a major city is a luxury NOT a necessity.We have buses AND legs.We have become a lazy nation and to say it's safer to take the kids in the car to school than walk or the bus is a lie look at your traffic accident statistics! Wake up UK, stop being lazy and get fit too!!!
karen, Brum

Interesting experiment, Justin... As you seem to have already discovered, time - in spite of traffic jams! - is what you lose by swapping a car for public transport. After 30 years of car ownership, financial problems forced me to sell my car about 6 months ago. My opinion to date is that, if public transport (in the Shire counties at least) were properly integrated, easy to understand and use, then givng up The Car might work... but not if you want to carry anything bulky - internet shopping becomes the answer there! I have learnt that walking is the one advantage of no longer having a car - the waistline shrinks rapidly! Mainline trains are generally o.k., but it's the waiting for connections at stations where waiting rooms seem to be a "morning only" thing which gets to me. So wrap up well and double or triple the time you previously allowed when travelling by car. Oh, and don't attempt to travel at all at weekends: "engineering works"..! But, hey, you're saving the planet and improving your health...! Give me my car back any day..!?
Jeremy, Alton, United Kingdom

I don't drive and neither does my husband. We've lived in rural towns and capital cities, gone on holidays all around the world, and we both manage to go to and from work each day, with a 2 year old in tow, all without a car. After discussing the subject with car-driving colleagues, it dawned on me that as non-drivers we tend to organise ourselves so much better - we can't just hop in the car and drive when we forgot something so we have to get it right first time. Sure there are times when we wish we could drive but at the end of the day our lives are a lot cheaper and easier without it.
Jennifer, Netherlands, ex-UK

Justin has just experienced what a lot people have to do everyday, then he goes home and puts on the two biggest power-hungry items in our homes! You do not need to drink tea or stick the kids in front of the one-eyed babystitter - Grab some jucie and a jigsaw instead!
Phil, Nottingham

Honestly I don't know what all the fuss is about - we dn't own a car and never have done. I don't even have a drivng licence. Tesco's deliver the food, I take the train to work and my partner walks. We live in York, which isn't famed for it's public transport provision. I do a job where i go out to see clients - i go via public transport. All living car free takes is a little fore-thought. If the government wants us all to use our cars less though, thwy may like to give more thought to improving public trasport and making it more affordable.
Victoria, York UK

Never had a car, never had a problem
Paul Beaumont, Stockport, UK

"If we'd planned the journey a bit better then things wouldn't have been so stressful."
Afraid not. It's near impossible to plan anything when it comes to public transport. I got up at 6:30 this morning but didn't get into work 9 miles away until 09:30. Joy.
Lynnette , Cardiff, Wales

Car dependency is a state of mind. I have lived in the US, Japan and Europe and I have not owned a car for the last 25 years: there is no need if you choose the right lifestyle. If you choose to live far from work, school and shops then you need a car. But your choice pollutes the world, destroys the countryside, leads to congestion and leads to the alienation of society which was not possible when people lived in tight knit, non-car communities. Cars may give freedom and pleasure, but at huge cost to society and the environment. The alternative is simply a nicer way to live: close to neighbours, schools, shops and the community.
Jo Owen, London

I never have owned a car - not because of finance, nor because of any inability, but simply because it's illogical. You start on an ego-trip, and then expose your pride and joy to dodgem-drivers. Now OK, if you're handicapped or live upwards of two miles from public transport, then perhaps. Otherwise, use public transport and walk, get a cab, or hire a car when you really need it: I do, and it works, saves money, pollution and energy making the blasted thing, and helps your health. Not to mention your spoilt brats.
Jel, Swansea

I never have owned a car - not because of finance, nor because of any inability, but simply because it's illogical. You start on an ego-trip, and then expose your pride and joy to dodgem-drivers. Now OK, if you're handicapped or live upwards of
,

Back in the 80s when recycling was starting to more than flourish,the children returned from school one day to ask , 'What can we do for the environment' we had a discussion about the possibilities and then I suddenly said, 'I know I WILL GIVE UP MY CAR' and so I did, for 8 years we no longer ran a second car. The experience was enlightening and wonderful, I was subjected to a certain amount of pity as there were those who chose to believe that we could no longer afford a second car. What it did for me and my children was make us walk everywhere, see more and meet more people in our village. Have a day off work and try walking and it is surprising how many people you talk to.My children were horrified at the time but got used to it. It will enrich your life once you have adjusted.Although we did have the use of my husband's car evenings and weekends.
Sue Poole, Egham, Surrey

I wonder how many times you've left it till the last minute to jump in the car, got caught in a jam, couldn't find a parking space and ended up arriving late for something?
Simon Geller, Sheffield UK

I would love to sympathise with this gentleman's plight, but having never owned a car in my life it is a little difficult. Get used to planning journeys hours in advance to make it to bus stops and train stations in time, carrying everything (amazing how much shopping actually weighs) and probably being physically fitter...
Kate, Oxford, UK

Justin has discovered two things: Firstly, living without a car is difficult, and secondly it is quite possible. He will be saving a fortune, improving his health - if not his family relationships - and doing a lot for the environment. Most of his journeys can be done on public transport, walking or cycling but, when a car is needed he can still one. If he joins his local car club he could still easily access a car when it is the most appropriate mode for a given journey. However, he will already have noticed that the alternative options are frequently more suitable.
Philip Igoe, Leeds

It's just a matter of forming habits - I don't have a car, and cycle most places within a couple of miles, and catch the train/bus at other times. I don't miss a car, though I admit it's only possible to do this because I live close to a supermarket, in a city. Though even when I do find myself walking a couple of miles to get to my destination from the nearest train station, I am comforted by the fact that I am keeping fit.
Fiona, Edinburgh

A nice effort that demonstrates just how difficult it is to do without a car. You can increase your contribution by going to mailing preference and stopping your junk mail. I calculated based on published figures (financial ones) that unsolicited mail adds about 1% to UK carbon emissions when production, distribution and disposal are calculated. If we all did this it would certainly help met our Kyoto targets. Can't see the Government banning it though, too much vested interested, even the environmental groups use it.
Paul Mursell, Swannington UK

Coping in London without a car is pretty easy, I've never owned a car and never really needed to, trains, buses, tubes and Bicycles have all served me well over the years. However having moved away from London and now having 2 small children makes not having a car more and more difficult. We've survived until now but local bus services are being cut back (apparently everyone in our area drives) and at the weekends travelling by train has become torturous thanks to constant weekend enginerring works. So just at the time everyone should be being helped out of their car, we feel like we are being pushed into getting a car.
Marc, Winchester UK

I've been waiting for the BBC to undertake a project such as this for a while. I worked in and around London for a good 14 years without the use of a car and did find it cumbersome somewhat and was always happy when offered a lift by a fellow worker. However, I see something more than just saving the planet here, I see the possibility of a family learning to communicate with one another in a more practical way. Bringing them closer. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for Justin and family and hoping that all goes well. We shall see.
Nicola Graamans-Gedye, Rotterdam, NL

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