More Proof: Going Car Free is Better for Your Health and the Environment - Sustainability: business, life, environment | Taiga Company

More Proof: Going Car Free is Better for Your Health and the Environment - Sustainability: business, life, environment | Taiga Company

More Proof: Going Car Free is Better for Your Health and the Environment

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 by Julie Urlaub

We are paying more for our cars than we realize.  Motor vehicle emissions represent 31 percent of total carbon dioxide, 81 percent of carbon monoxide, and 49 percent of nitrogen oxides released in the U.S. (The Green Commuter, a publication of the Clean Air Council).

According to the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey, 25 percent of all trips are made within a mile of the home, 40 percent of all trips are within two miles of the home, and 50 percent of the working population commutes five miles or less to work. Yet more than 82 percent of trips five miles or less are made by personal motor vehicle.  60 percent of the pollution created by automobile emissions happens in the first few minutes of operation, before pollution control devices can work effectively. Since "cold starts" create high levels of emissions, shorter car trips are more polluting on a per-mile basis than longer trips.

The solution? Go car free.  As mentioned in our eco friendly consulting practice, we promote cycling as alternative transportation because it helps the environment by keeping CO2 out of the air and bikes require far less materials, energy and waste in their production than even the ‘greenest’ car.

Now, there is more evidence tying alternative transportation options to better health.  More recently, the post, Why Better Transportation Options Keep You Healthy, offers compelling infograhics and statistics supporting the fact that better transportation options equates to better lives.  Among them: 

• Walkable, bikeable, transit oriented communities are associated with healthier  populations that have more physical activity, lower body weight, lower rates of traffic injuries, less air pollution, and improved mobility for non-drivers. 
• Levels of cycling and public transportation use have reached record highs in the U.S. 
• Transit oriented communities connect people to opportunities: physical activity, jobs, education, and health care.

While we support bike commuting as a win-win for both businesses and individuals looking to reduce costs, embrace healthy living, and promote healthy businesses, public transportation gets people moving too.

One Person Can Make A Difference and GO CARFREE! Carefree knowing that you are doing what you can for future generations!