So you are an expert on turning out your lights, fixing leaky faucets, and recycling, but how about greening your commute? Here are some tips to take your commute to the next level of green:
1. Consider carpooling. Perhaps a friend, neighbor, or significant other works close to you. Carpooling not only saves money on gas, it also reduces the amount of vehicle emissions in our air. Imagine the great conversations you can have all the while knowing that you are saving green and riding green. For more information, see www.NuRide.com or www.erideshare.com
2. Take a bike ride. Leave the car at home for the day and ride your bike to work. Biking has the added advantage of being good for your health. Exercise is known to reduce stress — and you will feel better knowing that you are caring for Mother Earth as you pedal your way to work.
3. Let someone else do the driving. You have always noticed those big comfy community buses on your daily commute, and Earth Day is a great day to check them out. See the following website for information on finding public transportation in your community:
http://www.publictransportation.org/Pages/default.aspx
4. Use public transit. If you live in a major metropolitan area, take advantage of public transportation, including bus, trolley, rail, and/or subway service. Public transit is the most energy efficient form of public transportation. Although there is continuing debate as to the true efficiency of different modes of transportation, mass transit is significantly more energy efficient than other forms of travel. A 2002 study by the Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute found that public transportation in the United States uses approximately half the fuel required by cars, SUVs, and light trucks. In addition, the study noted “private vehicles emit about 95 percent more carbon monoxide, 92 percent more volatile organic compounds, and about twice as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide than public vehicles for every passenger mile traveled.”
Source: Lyndsey Layton, “Study Lists Mass Transit Benefits”, Washington Post,
July 17, 2002, Page B05.
Please post on employee bulletin boards.
