Transportation is without a doubt, one of the leading causes of climate change. The carbon emissions that come from driving our cars and trucks makes up at least ⅕ of the US’s total emissions; this isn’t even including the smog in urban areas that result from driving. But how will you get to work each morning? Well, there are several alternatives that are better for the environment and some ways that are great sources of exercise as well!
- Biking
Biking, especially in Austin, is a great alternative to driving your car. Luckily, Austin has been implementing more bike lanes to make it easier to travel downtown and in several other areas. Additionally, making bikes requires far less resources than making cars does. So, not only will owning and using your bike combat pollution and climate change, but creating them as opposed to cars as there’s less of a need to mine for materials as well as using less fossil fuels.
2. Buses
While you may be thinking that taking the bus is also emitting carbon emissions; you’re right. However, with this alternative, it reduces the amount of people in cars individually and reduces traffic. Taking the bus reduces less fuel being used per person which outweighs the emissions from the single bus. However, each city is different. Texas is a bigger state and everything is a little more spaced out. Regardless, the busses in Austin, using CapMetro, are still a better alternative than using the fuel from your car.
3. Carpooling
Now, this option is the most appealing on our list because it makes it easier on those who can’t access public transportation or if your job is too far away to realistically bike to. It’s not the most environmentally friendly, but at the very least, it does still reduce carbon emissions. Carpooling is also a better alternative for you local air quality because you are using less fuel driving your own car. It’s also cheaper! You can totally ride with people you work with and help reduce congestion while reducing emissions.
There are several other options too if these aren’t realistic. There are so many cities like Austin where public transportation is more difficult to use as the infrastructure is trying to adapt to support the population boom. However, biking is a realistic option and so is carpooling. These options might be a little more inconvenient, but it won’t be as problematic as the amount of emissions our cars produce daily.