GHG from the Transportation with Us Everyday Life

First, I have a question! Have you ever thought about how much CO2 you emit just by breathing, without any extra activity?

All life on this planet emits CO2, even at this moment. But, do you know how much CO2 is emitted by human alone?

The answer is “1 kg” per person per day. With a global population of 8 billion, the total CO2 emitted by humans each day amounts to “8 million ton”!!! Over the course of a year, assuming the population remains the same, this would total 29 billion tons of CO2 – just from breathing alone …………!

However, remember, this figure only accounts for CO2 from breathing, without any additional activities. We cook, use air conditioning, drive cars, and more.

It’s quite difficult to imagine, right? So today, let’s take a closer look at CO2 emissions, particularly those from transportation.

CO2 Emission from Aviation

For example, a round-trip flight between New York and London, covering roughly 11,000 kilometers (or 6,800 miles), can generate around 1.5 to 2 tons of CO2 emissions per passenger.

Globally, there are typically around 100,000 to 115, 000 flights per day. So, in total……

Can you calculate the emissions?

However, what’s even more surprising is that aviation contributes only around 10% of total transportation emissions. Although flying is one of the most carbon-intensive activities, it accounts for just 2.5% of the world’s total carbon emissions.

Overview of CO2 Emissions by Transportation

According to the data from Our world in Data, Global CO2 emissions from transportation are as follows:

This shows the percentage that each source contributes to total transportation emissions.

Surprisingly, the main contributor to transportation emissions is Road, accounting for about 74 %, followed by Aviation and then Shipping.

Do you think you’re not contributing to emissions just because you don’t fly or drive a car? Unfortunately, we’re all part of the transportation-related emissions problem, whether we realize it or not.

However, what if we were forced to stop using transportation altogether? That would be totally impossible, wouldn’t it? So, what can we do? Let’s explore some environmentally friendly transportation alternatives.

Cycling: The Fast, Fun, and Eco-Friendly Option

If walking isn’t practical for longer distances, cycling is a good alternative. Biking is a zero-emission mode of transportation and can often faster than walking — sometimes even faster than driving.

Plus, just like walking, cycling is beneficial for your body. It builds strength, enhances your cardiovascular health, and can even help reduce stress.

There is an interesting environmental campaign involving bikes. During the UNFCCC COP26 Conference in Glasgow, the ITDP highlighted cities such as Glasgow, which is part of the Cycling Cities Cohort, along with Merida, Mexico City, Jakarta, Rio de Janeiro, and 20 other cities. The Cycling Cities campaign seeks to ensure that an additional 25 million people have access to safe cycle lanes by 2025. It will also collaborate with at least 250 cities to improve infrastructure, prioritize funding, and raise awareness to encourage cycling.

Popularization of Electric Car

Nowadays, advanced vehicles like self-driving cars, hybrid and electric cars are no longer rare. But how widely are electric cars used globally?

According to the IEA 50, nearly 14 million new electric cars were registered worldwide in 2023, increasing the total number of electric vehicles on the road to 40 million. This closely aligns with the sales projections outlined in the 2023 edition of the Global EV Outlook.

Data from Cox Automotive, the parent company of Kelley Blue Book, shows that the average price of new electric vehicles (EVs) has seen a significant decline. In September 2023, the average price dropped by $14,300 compared to the previous year, making it only $2,800 higher than the cost of a new gasoline-powered vehicle.

3. Carpooling and Ride-Sharing: A Greener Way to Drive

Let’s face it, sometimes we need to drive. But even then, there are ways to make your trip more eco-friendly. One of the simplest ways is to share the ride with others. Carpooling, whether with coworkers, friends, or family, means fewer cars on the road and lower overall emissions.

And if organizing a carpool seems like too much effort, ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft offer convenient alternatives. You can share a ride with someone heading in the same direction, cutting down the number of trips and making your ride more sustainable. It’s a small change, but it can have a big impact, especially in busy urban areas.

Data from MDPI, a publisher of open-access scientific journals, shows that car-sharing members in the U.S. reduced individual GHG emissions by 51%. It’s important to note, however, that some people who once relied on public transportation have switched to using car-sharing services. As electric car use continues to grow, it’s clear that this shift will play a key role in reducing environmental impact.

4. Trains: A Great Option for Long-Distance Travel

We often hear that we should use public transportation and consider taking trains instead of cars, right? But how much GHG can we reduce by using trains? Here’s what AMTRAK has made public:

・Rail travel produces up to 83% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than driving.

・From 2010 to 2019, they successfully reduced GHG by 20%, which is equivalent to removing roughly 51,251 passenger vehicles from the road.

Even by choosing how we travel, we can help reduce GHG emissions. It’s simple and easy for all of us to make a difference. So, the next time you use transportation, try to consider how much GHG you would emit from that trip.

How You Can Make a Difference

As we’ve seen, there are various efforts in transportation today amid at benefiting the environment, such as cycling, car-sharing and more. It’s easier than ever to get involved in environmentally friendly events or campaigns, and we all need to join them. However, I understand that there are times when we just can’t contribute, and I sometimes feel the same way. For example, it might be uncomfortable to share a car with strangers. So, of course it’s not mandatory.

 So, what can we do? Can we do something else instead? The answer is “Yes”. Even if we can’t directly participate in these actions, we can still support those communities and encourage companies indirectly by purchasing carbon credits.

With so many transportation options available, there are countless ways to promote a cleaner environment. Starting today, let’s work together to make the world a greener place!