Transportation is one of the top four categories contributing to our carbon footprint.
According to Hedges & Company, there are 1.47 billion cars on the road today worldwide.
Of those, 19% or 284 million are in the United States.
And the transportation sector in the US makes up 29% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Three recommended actions to help get this number down include:
- Leaving your car parked all day.
- Spreading the word of the impact.
- Riding a bike.
My Perspective
While I see the recommended actions as good ones, those might not work for everyone.
Below are some additional actions to consider:
- Work from home 1-2 days a week (if permitted) to avoid commuting.
- Reduce / group your errands and create an efficient route.
- Avoid idling waiting in lines.
- Consider walking somewhere close that you might normally drive.
- Evaluate your current driving patterns and see if you can find efficiencies.
Small changes compounded by many across the country can make a difference.
Driving less might provide some peace of mind spending and open more time doing things you enjoy.
Your Turn
How could you eliminate miles driven today?
When you think about your driving habits, what would be some easy ways to reduce miles driven?
What drives could you replace a car with public transportation, a bike, or a walk?