HOW TO GUIDE 2013
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION HELPS OUR ENVIRONMENT
A bus is twice as efficient as an automobile for every passenger mile traveled
Important Points... • Walk or Bike. No bus or train station near your house? Walk or bike to the nearest public transportation hub to help the environment and burn some calories. • Contribute. Public transportation contributes to your city or town’s green technology and job growth. • Keep it Local. If Americans used public transportation for a mere 10 percent of their trips, the U.S. could reduce its foreign oil dependency by up to 40 percent. • Save Some Cash. According to the American Public Transportation Association, those who use public transport can save an average of $764 per month or about $9,167 annually (based on the national gas average and monthly reserved parking spots).
When thinking of the various ways you can clean up your environmental act, there’s one easy alteration you can make. Switching from driving your car to taking public transportation can play a significant role in cutting greenhouse gasses and improving quality of life over time. It offers an immediate alternative for those seeking to reduce their energy use, far exceeding the combined benefits of switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, weatherizing your home and replacing old appliances. Using public transportation not only effects the environment directly, it does so immediately. Air quality and traffic congestion improve dramatically with fewer cars on the road. The more popular public transit gets, the more long-term investments will be made into its improvement and expansion. Riding the bus may not be your idea of “improving quality of life,” but read on and you may just change your mind! Public transportation in the United States may not be quite as advanced as some other countries, but increased investment is already on the table in many major cities. Realistically, no one wants to give up the freedom and convenience of driving their car. You may even think, “what’s one more car on the road?” However, individual transportation contributes to about 28 percent of total carbon emissions in the U.S! Public transportation, on the other hand, saves up to 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. That’s the equivalent of the emissions from electricity generated for 4.9 million households. That equals every household in Washington D.C., New York City, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles combined. That’s an overwhelming number, but that’s why it’s important to look at the numbers. For instance, when just one person takes public transportation for a 20-mile round-trip commute, his or her carbon emissions will decrease by 4,800 pounds per year. That’s equal to a 10 percent reduction in a two-car household’s carbon footprint. If that’s not reason enough to make the switch, letting someone else drive your commute everyday could seriously improve your mood.
Using public transportation not only effects the environment directly, it does so immediately. Read a book or get extra work done instead of fuming in traffic twice a day. Reasons to switch How bad is carbon? Carbon is one of the greenhouse gasses that helps regulate radiation in the atmosphere, but many scientists think too much carbon may lead to elevated temperatures and less oxygen in the oceans. Trees naturally control the amount of carbon in the air by absorbing and using it, but an overproduction of carbon, plus massive deforestation in many countries interferes with this function. Even public transportation agencies are constantly looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Some are investing in environmentally friendly vehicles such as diesel electric hybrids, which are 40 percent more fuel efficient than conventional diesel buses. Other innovative investments include installing solar technology and constructing facilities that meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environment and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. There are other reasons to give up your car. Gas prices are as high as ever and every penny you’re spending on gas, you’re not spending in your local economy. Public transportation saves the U.S. the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually and saves the equivalent of 900,000 automobile fill-ups every day. Oil extraction and use alone can be devastating for the environment. Noise pollution from seismic waves sent into the ground to seek out oil reserves can cause whales and dolphins to strand themselves ashore.
Thousands of gallons of oil spill each year, resulting in widespread effects throughout the ecosystem that are impossible to remedy. Pollution from oil drilling has also been linked to instances of cancer and land demolition, affecting many people’s lives and homes. Daily impact Most people are aware of the detrimental consequences of emissions and oil drilling, but what about the daily impact that driving has on our lives? Our land and infrastructure resources and design are directly related to how we move people and goods. Public transit allows more people to live in denser neighborhoods, thus preserving land and decreasing traffic congestion. Public transit also decreases the need for parking lots, roadways and driveways. Even on a smaller scale in suburban areas, public transit can help spur redevelopment around town centers or central shopping districts to conserve resources and promote local spending. Transit-oriented development generally is planned to use smart land strategies to create dense, walkable neighborhoods that require less driving. Air quality is definitely an issue that impacts us on a daily basis. When a car engine runs, there are several different types of particles emitted that can have detrimental effects. Hydrocarbons, some of which are known carcinogens, consist of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and tiny particles of solids, such as metal and soot. Emissions also create smog including ozone and other aforementioned goodies. This stuff hangs out in the atmosphere and causes many long-term effects on human health and happiness. Particulates can aggravate symptoms of asthma or trigger attacks. Smog is also harmful to elderly who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, emphysema, bronchitis or hardened arteries. Nitrogen oxide can reduce resistance to infections and can induce heart and lung problems. Ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) causes coughing, eye irritation and respiratory problems.
Take twice daily to relieve gas pains. With service throughout Merced County, you can get where you’re going without worrying about the effect of gas prices on your wallet.
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HOW TO GUIDE 2013