Fossil fuel burned in transportation contributes 40% of greenhouse gases (GHG). Since a reduction in GHG emissions is essential to mitigate Global Climate Change, transportation systems must offer mobility without pollution. Communities have to be designed in a way that allows people to be free of the necessity of owning a car. Human needs like home, work, services, and leisure activities must all be in a proximity to one another that allows mobility by walking, biking or public transportation. Being independent of the personal vehicle enriches people’s lives in many ways. For instance, people would be more in touch with their neighborhoods noticing what’s going on around them as they make their way to i.e the grocery store or public transit station; people could naturally get exercise and reduce obesity; the cost for gas, insurance, repairs of a vehicle would be eliminated or reduced; and, of course, the air, water and soil would be cleaner if people chose to let go off their cars more often.

What is necessary to reduce emissions without limiting mobility is a myriad of steps and differs greatly depending on where you live. Urban dwellers may have an advantage over country dwellers.

1. Walk
2. Bicycle
3. use public transit
4. carpool
5. lobby your city/county to improve/increase transportation options
6. choose your personal vehicle according to mileage and emission (see comparison chart)