There are ample ways to get from point A to point B; our animals at the Aquarium display a variety every day! As they’re making moves crawling, slithering, flying, swimming or a mixture of the aforementioned, we should consider our own transportation plans. The start of a new school year means the opportunity to keep the planet top of mind while rethinking our daily commutes.

Transportation Takeaways
Did you know that transportation – including planes, ships, trains, cars, trucks and more – accounts for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States? These vehicles of all shapes and sizes typically move by using petroleum-based products such as gas and diesel fuel. Unfortunately, those are released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and become part of the larger group of greenhouse gases blanketing the earth, increasing earth’s temperature.

The largest contributor to these emissions is actually the smallest modes of transportation on the list. That’s right – it’s the everyday vehicles we all drive (like cars, pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans) that make up the largest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions (57%) within the transportation sector.

Create a Climate-Friendly Commuting Plan
From these statistics, it’s clear that our individual actions really can add up to make collective impact in reducing emissions. Whether it’s a significant shift from your standard transportation or a switch-up one day a week, everyone can make an environmentally conscious difference when planning their daily commutes.

• Lace up your sneakers and opt to walk
• Grab a helmet and head out on a bike
• Craft a weekly rideshare calendar with coworkers, parents or neighbors
• Take a seat on public transit
• Don’t idle in your car
• Budget for a future hybrid or electric vehicle

Don’t discredit the individual impact you can make in reducing emissions for the larger modes of transportation too, including planes, trains, ships and trucks! Your daily consumer-driven decisions can alleviate their impact as well.

• Choose train travel over air travel when applicable
• Opt for direct flights or minimal layovers to save on fuel emissions
• Buy local and reduce shipping needs via truck or cargo ship

It’ll take some creativity, flexibility, planning and preparation to modify our traditional travel modes, but together, we can create climate-friendly commuting plans! Looking for more ways to get involved? Join us at a conservation event in your area!

Published August 8, 2022