You've all heard the news: the price of gas has been skyrocketing. Statistics Canada just released a report that states the price of gas rose almost 9 per cent in one month's time this May. But, according to Statistics Canada, there was only a 2.2 per cent rise in the amount consumers spend on gasoline. To my surprise, Canadians are actually responding to the price of gas and, in turn, driving less. I'm happy with these results, but I'm a bit perturbed that it's taken soaring gas prices to get people thinking about their driving habits, instead of the effects our vehicles have on our environment. Here's my train of thought: Vehicles contribute to air pollution. Environment Canada estimates that there are approximately 18 million passenger vehicles on our roads. That's a lot of air pollution. I guess if the price of gas is the thing that will get people thinking about their mode of transportation, then it's better than nothing. I know that driving is imperative for a lot of people, but there are still some initiatives we can take to help both the environment and our wallets. Here are some tips. • Consider carpooling. Ask around the office, gym or around the kids' soccer pitch and find out who lives close to you. If you find people who are interested, you can take some cars off the road and share the cost of a tank of gas. • Don't idle. According to Environment Canada, idling for 10 minutes a day uses about 100 litres of gas a year. That's a lot of gas and a lot of money. Idling cars also releases twice as many exhaust fumes than moving cars. Ew! • Slow down. If you lower your speed on the highway by 20 kilometres, you will use less fuel. • In the market for a car? Think about purchasing a smaller, more fuel efficient vehicle and be happy knowing that your car creates less pollution. • Try other modes of transportation. Using your public transit system can give you some time to finish the paper in the morning. Or, try biking as often as you can. You'll burn calories, pass by your co-workers sitting in traffic and get great legs. Is the price of gas prompting you to make some changes to your driving habits? Or, were you already making some changes to reduce your ecological footprint? What are some of the changes you've made? What would you recommend others do to help both the environment and their wallets when it comes to driving? I look forward to reading your stories and advice! Read more: Quiz: What's your ecological footprint? Cut your gas usage by up to 30 per cent