Get off the road

by katie bittner

The increase in the use of greenhouse gases is creating a layer around Earth’s atmosphere, trapping the heat and leading to increased temperatures. In fact, in the US, we are responsible for 4,745 million metric tons (mt) of Greenhouse gas emissions and China is responsible for 9,877 million mt. Comparing this to greener economies, such as Norway and Sweden, where their carbon emissions are 34.90 million mt and 33.70 million mt, respectively.

Following this, 15% of our carbon emissions come from passenger cars. So how can we work on making that percentage smaller? This can be done in many ways: carpooling with a co-worker to work, riding your bike to the gym, or walking to your favorite coffee shop. All these options will reduce the CO2 emissions that come from driving our cars. You could also take public transit or electric or hybrid vehicles.  

Start a non-profit cleaning service that aims to keep public transportation clean. This non-profit will clean public transportation systems, like trains and buses. When these vehicles are retired for the day, this business will do a full wipe down and clean of the interior, ensuring a clean ride for our citizens. With the cleanliness of public vehicles, a priority, we anticipate the increase in public transportation goers to be 30% within the first 5 years. 

Create a carpooling app that allows people to carpool with others who are going to the same places they are. This app will require full background checks and a messaging and video chat feature, so carpoolers can get to know each other before their journeys together. We plan on this app increasing carpooling by 10% in the first 3 months. 

Start a newsletter that explains to citizens the different ways driving their cars is harming our environment. And all the different ways they can reduce their driving time. Anticipating that this newsletter will reduce the number of cars on the road by 40% by the year 2030. 

Here are some ways that we are working on this climate issue:  

I urge all viewers to think these propositions over. We only have only Earth, let’s work hard to keep it healthy, not only for us but for future generations as well. These are small adjustments to our daily lives that will make a significant impact in the long run. To read more about this issue and the long-lasting effects of global warming, please visit: NASA: Global Climate Change

And please always remember the wise words spoken by the infamous Paris Hilton

Katie Bittner takes full responsibility for the information posted. The information on this page represents that of Katie Bittner and not that of California State University, Sacramento.