Fall quarter breezes in, motioning Bruins to pledge to try one cleaner commute for themselves and the environment.
Traffic in L.A. can be a nightmare, but what is truly disturbing is the impact personal vehicles have on the atmosphere. Clean air is essential for our health and the health of the environment. Replacing miles driven in a car with a walk, bike ride, public transit trip, or even carpooling can go a long way towards helping everyone breathe easier. In support of improved air quality and other environmental benefits, UCLA celebrates Sustainable Transportation Month in October, encouraging students, staff, and faculty to go with a cleaner commute for one trip that month with a chance to win a prize.
Transportation is the biggest source of air pollution in our state, about 50% of California’s total. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year. Tailpipe emissions discharge toxic gases and particles that can lead to health problems, including asthma and heart disease, and also contribute to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Significantly, there are disparities in who is harmed by air pollution. The American Lung Association has stated that dirty air disproportionately threatens certain racial and ethnic groups, along with people in low socioeconomic positions, due to preexisting health conditions and living near major sources of pollution, causing higher exposure to hazardous emissions.
Like people, animals, plants, and entire ecosystems can suffer the effects of air pollution. Noxious chemicals or particles that enter the air can create acid rain, directly contaminate the surface of bodies of water and soil, and, through increased greenhouse gas emissions, cause Earth’s overall temperature to rise.
Changing commuting habits and moving away from driving alone is a step in the right direction to improving air quality. The UCLA Sustainability Plan identifies reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips as a key initiative that contributes to overall greening efforts and helps establish UCLA as a healthy, resilient, sustainable campus.
UCLA Transportation provides several sustainable transportation programs for commuters, including public transit pass programs and incentives to bike to campus. By hosting Sustainable Transportation Month in October, the department aims to raise awareness of the direct impacts commute choices have and encourage Bruins to try out sustainable alternatives that not only clear the air and lower their carbon footprint but also save money, reduce stress, cut back on traffic congestion, and lower noise pollution.
Ready to get moving sustainably and contribute to cleaner air? Head to the UCLA Transportation website to learn more and make your pledge to try walking, biking, public transit, carpooling, or telecommuting once during October instead of driving alone for the chance to win a prize.