Energy Production and Transportation
The Frog will explore The Climate Action Handbook: A Visual Guide to 100 Climate Solutions by Heidi Roop in the first 100 days of 2024
In the first `100 days of 2024 we will explore 100 climate solutions that may “empower you to evaluate, engage, and act” to address on-going climate change as an individual on your terms.
The US has a strong car culture. So much of our development – from the interstate highway system and prevalence of suburbs – was predicated on the idea that cars mean freedom. I started my early career in Virginia commuting on the DC Metro system, and extensively used bus services in college in Maryland and graduate school in Massachusetts. I was quite comfortable with, and even took for granted, the built infrastructure for public transportation that was available for my use.
When I move to Minnesota I was startled by how primitive and relatively useless the local public transportation system was. For the Twin Cities area, it is getting better with investment in and construction of light rail and express bus lines. I now live very close to where I work and on those days I choose to not work from home, I SHOULD ride my bike. But, despite the fact that my family is already thoughtful about our driving habits and try to organize trips to minimize them, I have to admit that driving my car is not only more convenient, it is an ingrained habit.
We live in a suburb where you have to drive to get food and supplies – we have a Target within walking distance, and we hear there might be another grocery store built soon. We have committed to walking to those stores more frequently. I am exploring e-bikes for my family which will make those trips even easier. I look forward to the day where we can move somewhere where what we need to live is within a convenient walking distance.
The gasoline powered cars we drive contribute mightily to climate change. When your gas tank is empty, do you ever wonder where the gasoline you bought went? I will use my car as an example. It has a 15 gallon tank (this specific argument only works with Americans, if you want it for the rest of the world, I can convert to metric units). Gasoline has a density of 6 lbs/gallon, so when my tank is full, there is 90 lbs of gas in the tank.
For every pound of gasoline burned, 3 pounds of carbon dioxide are produced. So every time I drive my car to empty, I emit 270 lbs of carbon dioxide. I fill up every three weeks or so, so that is over 2 tons of carbon dioxide pollution that I am personally responsible for emitting every year, just through the routine use of my (actually reasonably fuel efficient) car.
As I wrote in an earlier post, I wish that carbon dioxide was not colorless and odorless and was easier to visualize. I think if we saw plumes of carbon dioxide gas blowing out of the back of our cars, it would be a powerful visual signal that would motivate thoughtful citizens to drive less. As Heidi points out, reflecting on how much and how far we drive, walking and biking more if possible, and utilizing public transportation are habits we all must embrace to make a difference.
How to get started thinking about changing your habits? In the United States “35 percent of vehicle trips are under 2 miles”. Simply deciding to not drive for one of your short trips will have a measurable impact – saving 4 gallons of gas a year. Walking and biking are the best options. Deliberately combining trips is a good alternative. Taking the bus makes sense – yes it burns fuel, but it is going to do that anyway. If you decide to take the bus instead of driving yourself for one trip a week, that is still a significant 3.4 gallons of gas not consumed.
Seems like a modest contribution. The real power is in a wholesale, societal change of driving habits where all 300 million or more of us decide to do it. The Get Around Greener tool at Breaking Boundaries is a good place to explore your options in a guided experience. You can find suggestions tailored to your lifestyle and get advice on new practices that could soon become new habits. “All you need to start walking is a pair of comfortable shoes.” Indeed.
It is going to be a challenge to change our car dominated infrastructure and make the investments needed in transportation systems where emissions are minimized. As always, start in your own community and model the behavior. Look into establishing bike lanes, expanded access to public transit, or lobby for the conversion of existing buses and ferries to battery or fuel cell alternatives. As ever it starts with being mindful of your current habits, reflecting on your local resources, and (literally) taking one step at a time.
Next Up: Climate Action in 2024 – Day 11: Consider Carpooling and Rideshares
Howard Creel
#rescuethatfrog
Email: rescuethatfrog@gmail.com