One quarter of energy used in the United States goes toward transportation (see References 6).
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In 2003, the average U.S. citizen spent more than 100 hours commuting to work each year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data (see References 1). If you're among them, you can make a positive impact by adopting habits that make those 100 hours as green as possible by choosing an eco-friendly mode of transport and, if going by car, maximizing fuel efficiency. Fewer cars on the road also means less space needed for highways and parking facilities and more land reserved for natural spaces.
Leave Your Car Home
Go by bike or walk, choices that eliminate any contribution to air pollution. Taking your bicycle instead of your car reduces emissions by 3.6 lbs. per mile, according to the League of American Bicyclists, and reduces the need for parking facilities. (See References 2)
Go by van pool or heavy rail. These public and shared transportation options reduce per-passenger vehicle emissions by more than 75 percent, according to the U.S. Federal Transit Administration. If these options aren't available to you, other public transportation options result in significant emissions reduction. Light rail and commuter rail trains produced nearly two-thirds fewer emissions per passenger.
Take the bus. Per-passenger carbon dioxide emissions were one-third less when commuting by bus than by private vehicle. Public and shared transportation also reduce the amount of land needed for roads and parking facilities. (See References 3)
If your commute is too far to walk or bike, and you don't have easy access to public transportation, you can still cut down on the number of cars on the road by forming a carpool. Carpooling can save you over $1,000 and up to 5,000 miles of wear and tear on your vehicle each year, as well as cutting daily emissions in half or more. (See References 5.)
Driving Wisely
Drive slowly and carefully. Rapid acceleration, frequent braking and driving at speeds over 60 mph can reduce your vehicle's fuel efficiency by 33 percent.
Remove excessive weight from your car, particularly if you drive a light vehicle.
Avoid idling the engine. If you stop for coffee on your way to work, skip the drive-thru and walk inside instead.
Use cruise control and the overdrive gear to save even more on fuel (see References 4).
Maintain Your Vehicle
Check and replace your car's air filter. A clean air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by 10 percent, the equivalent of 55 gallons of gas per year for the average driver. (See References 5)
Schedule regular maintenance for your car, including oil changes, tire pressure checks and tuneups. Take your car in for service when the check engine light comes on.
Avoid the use of air conditioning whenever possible, as AC negatively impacts your car's gas mileage.
Fill your tank in the evening in order to reduce emissions from gasoline evaporation, and never top off your tank (see References 6). The emissions from 1 oz. of spilled gasoline generate as many ozone-producing volatile organic compounds as driving your car for 56 miles (see References 5).
- U.S. Census Bureau; Americans Spend More Than 100 Hours Commuting to Work Each Year, Census Bureau Reports; March 2005
- League of American Bicyclists: May Is National Bike Month
- Federal Transit Administration; Public Transportation's Role in Responding to Climate Change; Tina Hodges, et al.; June 2010
- U.S. Department of Energy; Driving More Efficiently; May 2011
- U.S. Department of Transportation: Clean Air Resources for Individuals
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Drive Wise; April 2010
First published in 2000, Dawn Walls-Thumma has served as an editor for Bartleby and Antithesis Common literary magazines. Her work has been published academically and in creative journals. Walls-Thumma writes about education, gardening and sustainable living. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and writing from University of Maryland and is a graduate student in education at American Public University.
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