Reduce Miles Driven by a Percentage

Daily transportation and business activities contribute a significant portion to greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, fossil fuel reliance, and air pollution. One solution is by reducing the amount of driving you do. Simply put, if you drive less, you consume less energy.

In 2017, light-duty vehicles in the United States (including cars, S.U.V.s, pickups and most of the vehicles used for everyday life) produced 1,098 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. That’s about one-fifth of the country’s total emissions footprint. A 10 percent cut, therefore, would be roughly 110 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the same as taking about 28 coal-fired power plants offline for a year. To achieve such a reduction, every American driver would, on average, have to cut about 1,350 miles per year.

TIPS TO REDUCE DRIVING:

1. Walk or bike when you can.  
2. Use the bike-share programs if your city or town has them.
3. Take public transit when possible.
4. Carpool with friends instead of driving alone.
5. Use ride-sharing services.
6. Plan ahead to make the most of your trips and “trip chain.” If your grocery store is near other places you need to visit, do it all at once.
7. Work from home periodically if your job allows it.