The reliance on fossil fuel-powered vehicles has led to an increase in air pollution, carbon emissions, and environmental degradation. The burning of gasoline and diesel fuels releases carbon and other pollutants, exacerbating global warming and contributing to health problems such as respiratory diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution kills 7 million people worldwide every year, with the primary sources being fuel oils, emissions from vehicles, natural gas to heat homes, and by-products of power generation. Additionally, traffic congestion and urban sprawl lead to increased fuel consumption and higher emissions.
Coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, public transport ridership plummeted, falling by as much as 90% in some cities. Since then, it has rebounded to around pre-pandemic levels, most common in low and middle-income countries such as Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa, where the majority of the population relies on public transport. However, this drop has created long-term impacts on transportation systems, such as a decrease in revenue for transit operators and a reduction in employment, services, routes, and quality. Estimates state that global public transport must double by 2030 if the world is to limit global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F) and avert the worst impacts of climate change, highlighting the urgent need to increase public and sustainable transport infrastructure immediately.
Sustainable transportation refers to systems and practices that minimize environmental impact while promoting economic and social well-being. This includes:
Public Transit: Buses, trains, and subways reduce the number of individual vehicles on the road, lowering emissions per capita.
Electric and Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles: These vehicles produce little to no emissions compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars.
Cycling and Walking: Active transportation not only reduces emissions but also promotes healthier lifestyles.
Carpooling and Ridesharing: Reducing the number of single-occupancy vehicles helps cut down on congestion and emissions.
Sustainable Urban Planning: Designing cities with bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly spaces, and efficient public transit systems encourages people to rely less on cars.
There are many benefits of sustainable transportation. The most vital one is a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning to electric vehicles, expanding public transit, and promoting non-motorized transportation significantly decrease carbon dioxide emissions. Governments and organizations worldwide are setting ambitious targets to phase out gasoline and diesel vehicles in favor of electric vehicles. Improved air quality and public health are also favored benefits since sustainable transportation reduces pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, leading to cleaner air. This results in fewer cases of asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues caused by poor air quality. Investing in green transportation solutions promotes economic savings and job creation by opening doors to industries like electric vehicle manufacturing, public transit expansion, and infrastructure development. Additionally, electric vehicle owners benefit from lower fuel and maintenance costs compared to traditional cars. Less traffic congestion is an anticipated result of the rise of public transportation, cycling, and ridesharing, which decreases the number of vehicles on the road and makes commuting more efficient. Lastly, there is also a preservation of natural resources. A shift away from fossil fuels reduces dependency on non-renewable energy sources, helping to protect ecosystems from oil drilling, deforestation, and other environmental impacts.
i am all for alternative fuels/electric vehicles, we need to talk more about the hydrogen energy that we can be using, very informative stuff
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ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that cycling is one of the best ways to get around to places near you and keep the air clean I do notice one problem. In the United States, a lot of people would have a hard time being able to cycle all the way to work. We are ranked 10 worldwide i believe when it comes to obesity so to expect a large number of people to cycle is at the current time a bit much to ask maybe in the future but to expect an average American to bike to work most people would probably fall short and run out of breath and take a car instead since taking a car is much easier.
ReplyDeleteI agree that biking/walking may not be suitable for many Americans due to large amounts of health conditions. Additionally, most cities in the U.S. were not designed to be walkable/easy to get around without a car in general as much of our urban growth occurred congruent with a rise in the automotive industry.
DeleteI was also thinking this when I was writing my previous post. I also think the reason for a lot of Americans health issues is because of the amount of accessibility and easiness of driving a car, getting a fast and quick meal, Etc. There are so many reasons as to why the United States has these issues. I will not lie, I also find myself looking for easier ways to accomplish harder goals. It’s just how our country has developed.
DeleteI honestly hadn't though about how COVID must have effected public transportation. It makes a lot of sense how it affected ridership.
ReplyDeleteAs a resident of the midwest I realize how important cars are to getting around and getting your needs met. Yet, it is hardly the fault of the individuals who must get their kids to school, get to work, go to the grocery store etc, if the public transportation in their city is nonexistent or subpar. We are lucky to be on a walkable college campus, where bus rides are free, and so many areas are accessible. I wish the rest of America could reach that pinnacle.
ReplyDeleteSustainable transportation reduces emissions, improves public health, boosts economic growth, and preserves natural resources, making it a crucial solution to combat climate change.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you discussed a variety of tactics, including EVs, public transportation, and urban planning. The benefits section, which included improved air quality, less traffic, and economic expansion, was very intriguing. It would be nice to see instances of cities setting the standard for environmentally friendly transportation.
ReplyDeleteIt really shows how urgent it is to rethink how we move around. I agree that sustainable transportation is key not just for the planet, but also for our health and economy. It’s inspiring to see how solutions like public transit and clean energy vehicles can make a real difference if we invest in them now. We need more support and awareness around this issue before it’s too late.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. I wonder what might come of our country in the coming years in terms of air pollution and public transportation. In some areas of the US public transport is not really reliable or feasible because some places are just too remote. We need to be doing more on how to figure out a better solution for transportation.
ReplyDeleteI read this morning that China has 550 cities connected to each other via high speed rail. Think of the enormous carbon savings not only on personal transportation but on transportation of good. Our highways are full of semi-trucks. So sad to see China charging into the clean future and America heading full speed into the problematic past.
ReplyDeleteI think it was in the Nomad Century that the author said our cities will be unrecognizable in the future. After reading this blog I hope public transportation can help with this unrecognizable transformation sooner than expected especially when public transportation needs to double in the next five years to keep global warming under 1.5C.
ReplyDeleteI know that if the US was structured more like Europe with it's continent-spanning public transit systems I would very much like to take advantage.
ReplyDeleteI have read a bunch of articles on this. We really need to find a way to shift towards a more sustainable future, which means having sustainable transportation. By taking public transportation, we reduce individual emissions of CO2 and lower the burning of fossil fuels. It's important to the environment we take steps to protect the Earth from emissions. Another way would be investing in renewable energy sources in everyday life.
ReplyDeleteI have often heard that flying is the worst thing for carbon footprints and many environmentalists encourage people to stop flying. If you must fly, they offer ways to donate to a carbon offset type of thing. It's sad to think of the celebrities who fly so often in their private jets, so unsustainable.
ReplyDeleteI was also going to comment on this. It is disheartening to hear about the number of private jets and aircraft that are flown. A huge pollutant emitter.
DeleteI really liked how you broke down the different solutions, not just electric vehicles, but also public transit, walking, biking, and smart urban planning!
ReplyDeleteI like that you mentioned the different ways that we can get from plact to place in a more sustainable fashion. There are plenty of countries that do things this way why can't the US?
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ReplyDeleteI did not think at all about how the pandemic affected public transportation, I just assumed that there would have been less pollution in general because people weren't going out and about as often. I try to take public transportation as often as possible to help offset the other ways that I cannot avoid emitting carbon emissions in my life, but this post really helps emphasize how important that can be!
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