Climate change

Climate Change is on everyone's minds these days.  It's in the press, it's in the board room, it's in government policy and plans.  Everyone is looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint but what does that mean and what does it have to do with commuting? 

What is climate change? 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer).  The scientific community has reached a strong consensus:  the world is undoubtedly warming, and the warming is largely the result of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from human activities.

How do commute trips cause greenhouse gas emissions?

In the US, transportation accounts for approximately one-third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is the fastest-growing major source of greenhouse gases. In Washington State, transportation accounts for nearly 45% of GHG emissions.  Transportation emissions are related to the amount of carbon dioxide in the fuel and how much fuel is used. Between 1990 and 2003 GHG emissions from passenger vehicles increased by 19 percent; an increase caused both by increased sales of light-duty vehicles (SUVs, minivans, etc.) and the increase in the number of miles Americans travel every year. From 1990 to 2004, Americans increased the number of miles driven annually by about 34%. (source:  Environmental Protection Agency).

The principal greenhouse gases emitted from transportation are:

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) : Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), solid waste, trees and wood products, and also as a result of other chemical reactions.
• Nitrous Oxide (N2O) : Nitrous oxide is emitted during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste as well as during agricultural and industrial activities.

Simply put, by reducing the number of total miles you commute - or sharing those miles with other commuters - you will reduce the number of GHG emissions you produce!  And, reducing your employees' drive alone commute trips is an easy and essential way to reduce your company's carbon footprint.

Tools and resources:   

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability and your commute program can help you achieve certification. 

The King County Climate Plan (1.4 MB .PDF) sets a process in motion to embed climate change mitigation and adaptation as critical factors in the cost-benefit evaluations of all decisions made by King County. It is a companion plan to the 2007 King County Energy Plan, a document detailing internal policies, programs and investments in climate-friendly, renewable energy that are critical to reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions and reducing dependence on foreign fossil fuels. It builds on over 15 years of efforts across King County departments to stop the causes of climate change and to prepare for regional climate change impacts.

 

 

The CIty of Seattle Climate Action Plan website has many good resources including a Quick Start Guide, a resource guide for employers wanting to curb emissions and a carbon footprint calculator (intended to provide Seattle-area businesses with a planning-level greenhouse emissions inventory).

Read Washington State's Climate Action Plan .  Washington has specific reduction goals:

• By 2020, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Washington to 1990 levels, 
• By 2035, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Washington to 25% below 1990 levels
• By 2050, the state of Washington will do its part to reach global climate stabilization levels by reducing emissions to 50% below 1990 levels or 70% below our expected emissions that year.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  has a number of tools and resources to calculate greenhouse gas emissions, strategies at home and work, strategies for transportation, and information on the science of climate change.

The Pew Center on Global Climate Change has facts, figures and numerous white papers addressing climate change policies and strategies for government and business.