| 18-04-2008
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) asks: What is the connection between public transportation and climate change? Its answer: Public transportation is part of the solution to helping reduce greenhouse gases. In fact, thanks to public transportation our country’s carbon footprint is reduced by 37 million metric tons –the equivalent of 4.9 million households using electricity in a year.
Public transportation is a green industry and transit agencies are working to make it greener. For example, this year St. Cloud Metro Bus (St. Cloud, MN) has unveiled a bus powered by recycled deep fryer vegetable oil and Metro Transit (Minneapolis, MN) will power its Hiawatha rail line with wind energy.
“Riding public transportation is one of the most powerful weapons Americans have in combating global climate change,” said APTA President William W. Millar. “We encourage everyone to make a statement this Earth Day, April 22, and take public transportation.”
An individual switching to public transit can reduce his or her daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds; that’s more than 4,800 pounds in a year, a figure that is more than the combined carbon emissions reduction that comes from weathering your home and using energy efficient appliances and environmentally-friendly light bulbs.
If just one commuter of a household switches from driving to using public transportation, the household’s carbon footprint will be reduced by 10 percent. If a household gives up its second car altogether, a household can reduce carbonemissions by 30 percent.
Public transportation agencies across the country are joining in the celebration of Earth Day on April 22 with a variety of green initiatives and activities aimed at raising awareness and improving the environment.
For example, in honor of Earth Day, a bus powered by recycled vegetable oil, a light rail powered by wind, a carbon calculator, and an Earth Week Challenge will showcase public transportation at its “greenest.”
Editor: William Qian from Chinabuses.com
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