Cities with extensive public transportation systems score high on sustainability and social equity. For example, NYC’s subway system can take you to any of its 472 stations emissions-free, making it a climate-conscious choice.
Cities with extensive public transportation systems score high on sustainability and social equity. For example, NYC’s subway system can take you to any of its 472 stations emissions-free, making it a climate-conscious choice.
The transportation industry is the largest generator of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Motor vehicles are the leading cause of air pollution in the US, but other modes of travel, such as planes and cruise ships, cause greater emissions per trip per person. Large-scale changes to the industry such as the widespread introduction of renewable energy into car manufacturing and legislation that taxes frequent flyers can have a monumental impact on the industry’s carbon footprint.
An individual can assess his or her transportation carbon footprint and make decisions to lower their impacts. For short distances, walking or riding a bike is a low to no carbon emission choice. Another lower emission choice is using public transportation like subways, buses, trains, etc. For longer distances, traveling by train is the most sustainable option, and buses are second to that, since they have significantly lower emissions than planes, especially if they are electric.
Cities with extensive and accessible public transportation systems score high on sustainability and social equity in comparison to suburban and rural areas. For example, New York City's subway system can take you to any of its 472 stations emissions-free, making it a climate-conscious choice for city dwellers.