Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Cities

Environmental Pollution Scenario: Review and Summary

Although cities contribute to both waste and global warming because of population density and the demands of urban life, they also offer the potential to conserve energy in terms of transportation costs, in comparison to suburban and rural areas. The compact nature of cities makes alternative transportation such as buses, subways, walking, jogging, and bicycle use a feasible alternative to using cars. Regarding the effectiveness of public transportation, in terms of mitigating the effects of global warming it is estimated that "public transit reduces carbon monoxide emissions by nearly 745,000 tons annually. This equals nearly 75% of the carbon monoxide emissions by all chemical manufacturers in the United States" (How public transportation helps the environment, 2014). Public transportation also reduces smog-generating pollutants by 100,000 tons per year (How public transportation helps the environment, 2014).

Finally, using public transportation reduces U.S. dependency on oil in a meaningful fashion: "public transportation in the U.S. saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline every year -- about equal to 300,000 cars filling up every day" (How public transportation helps the environment, 2014). From the point-of-view of commuters, using public transportation is of personal benefit. It allows them to avoid traffic jams, to work on the train or bus rather than paying attention to the road, and by taking cars off the road, it makes the commute far more pleasant and ambient for all concerned. Cities can incentivize public transportation by providing affordable public transportation passes and also discouraging car use by charging for parking and through other forms of taxation (such as a fuel tax and tolls). Although it is costly to build a public transportation system and to maintain it, the cost savings in the long-term outweigh the potential negatives.

Another valuable source of alternative transportation is bicycling. Unlike public transportation, which merely reduces the carbon footprint of the commuter, bicycling is a completely sustainable and renewable source of energy in the form of human effort alone. It also has the advantage of providing exercise to users: instead of burning calories in a gym which requires air-conditioning and electricity, commuters can easily fit more movement into their busy lives through cycling. Many cities around the world including Amsterdam, make bicycling a vital part of the city's culture. "Small changes to infrastructure can make a big difference for commuter cyclists. Copenhagen has introduced new foot rests to help you catch your breath at the lights, and two-wheelers in London can now signal that they are waiting for the green bike by pressing a button" (Tackling congestion in cities by encouraging cycling. 2014, thisbigcity).

However, there are some inevitable obstacles in encouraging cycling: putting in more bicycle lanes can be controversial because car drivers resent having to share the road with cyclists: even many pedestrians are angry when cyclists refuse to share the roads with them or come onto the sidewalks, nearly running them over when space is at a premium. There also are safety concerns for many riders, particularly for women who have not been encouraged to be athletic for most of their lives. A recent report yielded the finding that "women accounted for just 24% of all U.S. bike trips and continue to be underrepresented in bicycle advocacy leadership roles" (Baur 2014). The need for safer infrastructure and encouraging more people to bicycle is critical: "many female cyclists are not willing to take to the streets without infrastructure that makes them feel safe. We're talking cycle tracks that offer physical barriers between the cyclist and vehicular traffic or separated bike paths… prioritizing bicycle facilities, from painted bike lanes to cycletracks to neighborhood greenways, that make cycling more comfortable for those who are deterred by riding with traffic" (Baur 2014). However, when proper investments are made, bicycling can be an important component of creating a less congested and greener city.

A final and perhaps less controversial measure to spare the environment is walking. Walking -- or in some cases, running to work, of shower facilities are provided at the destination -- is yet another commuting option that has zero impact for cities. Everyone can walk: even the elderly or people who are too timid to cycle or who live in areas not feasible to reach on a bicycle. Even if some people's workplaces are too far away to travel to on foot, at minimum for closer stops walking on safe sidewalks and streets is a potential alternative means of transport. Financially, it is incumbent upon the city to maintain sidewalks and places for people to walk anyway, so the additional cost outlay may not be as prohibitive as one might initially assume.