Reduce your vehicle use by 25 percent this year
The U.S. is one of the world's most car-centered countries. Think about NASCAR and our love affair with the "great open road". But anyone who regularly sits in traffic in Los Angeles, Washington, DC, or Chicago can attest to one of the downsides of America's very real love of cars.
And there are other costs – ones that impact way more than your daily commute. Our car-happy culture comes with a price: personal vehicles such as cars, pickup trucks and motorcycles account for about 60 percent of emissions in the U.S. transportation sector.
So whether you're a three-car family or a city-dweller who rarely takes the car out for a drive, taking the pledge to drive less is one of the biggest contributions you can make to reduce your GHG emissions and help mitigate climate change.
And since we're a country of SUVs, electric cars and public transportation folks, Team Earth scientists figured out what the emission reduction would be for "an average American" and came up with about 2,300 pounds. Yep, another ton. So if even half of all Americans committed to reducing their driving by a quarter, we would prevent the emissions of almost 158 million metric tons of greenhouse gases – that's like taking almost 1.9 million cars off the road, forever.
Now, imagine that mellow, smog-free commute!
The “How To” Here's the good news: Cities across the country are working to improve public transportation options, and the President recently announced billions of dollars in funding to help make it even easier to get around without getting in a car.
Work from home or take the subway or bus, even if only one or two days a week. Run errands all at once rather than going back and forth from home. Ride your bike to work – not only will you reduce emissions, but if you get your exercise this way, you can get rid of your gym membership!