As we’ve seen in recent events, our communities are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. Last summer, we faced an uninterrupted 10-day stretch of triple-digit heat, and this winter, we were hit by severe storms that caused widespread flooding and successive days of high winds and heavy rains.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and mitigate climate change impacts, urgent, collective action is needed from all of us. Transit agencies around the Bay Area are teaming up to fight climate change by reducing the emissions of their own operations and encouraging riders (that’s you!) to get on board.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is doing our part by preparing a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, electrifying our fleet, optimizing bus routes and service to support additional ridership, and supporting smart land use decisions that promote walkable communities. And we’re not the only ones.
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) is electrifying its bus fleet and prioritizing zero-emission bus deployment in disadvantaged communities. The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is powering its electric trains and stations with 100% GHG-free sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is setting aggressive climate goals, expanding the city’s network of protected bikeways, adding new transit-only lanes, and installing high visibility crosswalks.
Transportation is the leading source of GHG emissions that are causing climate change. So, one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions is to shift your mode of travel from a car to a bus or train. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that public transportation saved 6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2018. This amount is larger than the entire national emissions of 111 individual countries and the equivalent of taking 16 coal power plants offline for a year.
Traffic on Bay Area roads and highways has largely returned to pre-pandemic levels. Instead of sitting in traffic, why not give transit a try? Alternatively, you could try walking, biking (and you can bring your bike on a bus or light rail train), or sharing a ride to your next destination. These no or low-carbon modes are great options to make Earth Day every day.
Whether you live in the South Bay or work in the East Bay, we are all one Bay Area and the choices we make today matter to future generations. Let’s work together to reduce emissions and improve the quality of life for our region.