What is the connection between public transport and climate change?

If just one commuter of a household switches from driving to using public transport, the household’s carbon footprint will be reduced by 10 percent.  If a household gives up its second car altogether, a household can reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent.

Public transport is a green industry and transit agencies are working to make it greener. Public transport is part of the solution to helping reduce greenhouse gases.  In fact, thanks to public transport the United States of America’s carbon footprint is reduced by 37 million metric tons – the equivalent of 4.9 million households using electricity in a year.

An individual switching to public transit can reduce his or her daily carbon emissions by 20 pounds; that’s more than 4,800 pounds in a year, a figure that is more than the combined carbon emissions reduction that comes from weathering your home and using energy efficient appliances and environmentally-friendly light bulbs. These figures have been released by the American Public Transportation Association in support on Earth Day 2008.

Public transport agencies across the USA are joining in the celebration of Earth Day on April 22 with a variety of green initiatives and activities aimed at raising awareness and improving the environment.

Source: American Public Transportation Association