How Carpooling Helps the Planet

Back in the early days of the Model T, enterprising auto owners “shared” their cars and competed with public transportation in exchange for a jitney, or the five-cent streetcar fare. But it was during the Second World War that carpooling began in the traditional sense.  With posters proclaiming, “When you ride alone, you ride with Hitler,” people were persuaded to help the war effort by carpooling.  Then again in the 1970s, the energy crisis brought another wave or ridesharing to the country.  But cheap gas and a roaring economy put carpooling in the backseat for the next few decades.  Today, though, concerns for money and the environment are causing carpooling to pull back into the fast lane.

Carpooling saves money, but it also saves wear and tear on your vehicle and takes more cars off the roads.  Why is this important?  According to the SightLine Institute, a small car gives off more than half a pound of carbon dioxide per mile. A medium car emits 1.1 pounds, and an SUV or 4-wheel drive emits 1.57 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile.  Congested traffic wastes not only 4.2 billion hours, it wastes 2.9 billion gallons of fuel.  That’s almost 3 billion gallons of nonrenewable resources literally going up in smoke.

Almost 11 percent of American commuters carpool, and this represents a reduction of millions of pounds of carbon dioxide that is released into the air.  More widespread carpooling would help improve air quality and reduce greenhouse emissions.  The California Air Resources Board estimates that 50 percent of all air pollution in the state is a result of cars and trucks.  When you reduce your driving by as little as 10 percent, you can cut greenhouse emissions by 0.2 to 0.8 metric tons a year.  Swapping short car trips for walks is even more efficient, because trips under 15 minutes emit more carbon dioxide per mile.

Many commuters don’t bother carpooling because of the pervasive belief that their one car doesn’t have that much of an impact on the earth.  But when you add up the emissions, the fuel, and especially the emissions and fuel burned in traffic delays, it adds up to a substantial negative impact.  Reversing this, walking short trips or bringing a coworker or two on your commute can mean significant improvements.  One person, or rather one car, has the ability to impact air quality.  If more than ten percent of drivers are cutting driving by at least ten percent, it is certainly making a difference to the planet.

Carpooling, ridesharing, liftsharing, or any other term you want to use, reduces emissions, reduces our dependence on nonrenewable resources, saves some of the billions of gallons of fuel that is wasted, relieves congestion on roads and streets, and can even improve the quality of your commute.

Most carpoolers share rides with their friends, family members, or coworkers, and there are also resources available online and through state transportation agencies that can match potential drivers and riders.  Breathe easier on your commute; it does make a difference. s