Earth Day 2008: Invest in Your Planet – Ride Public Transit

NYPTA Member Earth Day Activities

Earth Day 2008 is April 22.  At a time of heightened environmental and energy concerns, many of you may be asking yourselves what you can do personally on Earth Day and every day to insure a sustainable environment for future generations.  The best answer to that question may be right outside your front door or just down the block – public transportation.

Public transportation use is one of the most effective actions you can take to actively promote sustainable environments and communities.  Public transportation offers an immediate alternative for individuals seeking to reduce their energy use and carbon footprints.  What’s a carbon footprint? It’s a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced.  Reducing your individual carbon footprint reduces greenhouse gases and improves the environment.

Using public transportation delivers far greater benefits than other energy saving household activities, such as using energy efficient light bulbs or adjusting thermostats.

Commuting by public transportation — one of the most significant actions to reduce household carbon emissions

A single person, commuting alone by car, who switches a 20-mile round trip commute to existing public transportation, can reduce their CO2 emissions by 4,800 pounds per year, equal to a 10% reduction in all greenhouse gases produced by a typical two-adult, two-car household.  By eliminating one car and taking public transportation, a savings of up to 30% of carbon dioxide emissions can be realized.

The New York Public Transit Association encourages you to invest in our planet by riding public transit on Earth Day and every day. Click here to access our interactive map that will link you to the public transportation system where you live. Riding public transportation is easy. At a time of record gasoline prices and environmental concerns, a ride on public transit is a small investment that will deliver major returns.

---

Click an icon below to link this article to the social bookmarking site of your choice.