get involved
reduce your emissions
Oil-Dependent Nation
According to the Alliance to Save Energy, the United States is home to less than 5 percent of the global population but uses about a quarter of the world's fossil fuel resources - burning up nearly 25 percent of the coal, 26 percent of the oil, and 27 percent of the world's natural gas.
Transportation accounts for approximately two-thirds of the oil consumed in the U.S., releasing almost 1 pound of carbon dioxide (CO2) per mile driven, along with other pollutants. Besides contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, our driving frequently compromises air quality in the Denver area. Air pollution adversely affects our health and the well being of Colorado's ecosystem in which we live and recreate.
Source: Pew Center on Global Climate Change.
Chart title: Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Chart data: Passenger Cars: 36%; Light Trucks: 19%; Heavy Trucks: 16%; Other 11%; Aircraft: 10%;
Marine: 5%; Rail: 2%; Buses: 1%.
Easy Action Tips
Know Your Impact
Take this auto audit and then try to change it. By lowering your impact, you'll save money on gas and vehicle maintenance, and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
Formula:
Total miles per week divided by vehicle's fuel economy = gallons of gas used each week
Gallons of gas used per week x 52 weeks = gallons of gas used per year
Gallons of gas used per year x 19.56 pounds of CO2 = pounds of CO2 you generate a year
Example:
175 miles per week divided by 20 miles per gallon = 8.75 gallons used each week
8.75 x 52 weeks = 455 gallons of gas used per year
455 x 19.56 pounds of CO2 = 8,899.8 pounds of CO2 generated a year
Reduce Your Automobile Usage
Take mass transit, carpool, limit your daily trips, and walk or bike more. Combine errands together to minimize unnecessary driving. Visit www.drcog.org for commuter, carpooling and Bike-to-Work Day information. Visit www.rtd-denver.com for bus and light rail schedules.
Buy a More Fuel Efficient Vehicle
Pick a car that gets 32 mpg or better and has a low-emission vehicle rating (ULEV), or purchase a hybrid car (current models offer 48-56 mpg, depending on driving conditions). The difference between a car that gets 20 mpg and one that gets 30 mpg amounts to $663 per year, assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually and a fuel cost of $2.65. That's $3,313 extra in fuel costs over five years. Learn more and compare the fuel economy of different vehicles at www.fueleconomy.gov.
Consider a flex fuel vehicle (FFV), which can use either gasoline or E85 (a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline). Flex fuel technology reduces petroleum consumption by about 25 percent and provides a moderate reduction in greenhouse gases. Investigate alternative fuels: Contact the National Alternative Fuels Data Center at (800) 423-1363 or www.afdc.doe.gov.
Keep Your Car Maintained and Drive Sensibly
The fuel efficiency of your vehicle depends a lot on how it is manufactured, but there are also a variety of practices that you can adopt to improve performance. By keeping your car well maintained and adjusting your driving habits, you can save considerable wear and tear on your vehicle and realize savings at the gas pump.
- Maintain correct tire pressure - an under-inflated tire can mean a 5 percent fuel efficiency reduction.
- Perform regular tune-ups. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
- Avoid "warming up" your car and excessive idling.
- Remove unnecessary weight from your car.
- If you have a rack on top of your car, consider removing it. The aerodynamics of a rack can reduce your fuel efficiency up to 30 percent.
- Drive at 55 mph. This uses 30 percent less fuel than driving at higher speeds. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
- To reduce ozone, fuel up when it's cool (in the mornings and evenings), and stop at the click.
- Drive gently: aggressive driving such as speeding, rapid acceleration and braking wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.
Buy Local
The average piece of produce travels 1,000 miles before it reaches a supermarket shelf. Buying locally-produced items helps reduce
pollution and supports Colorado's farming economy. From June-October at metro area farmer's markets, you can find fresh produce like
green beans, lettuce, potatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, and much more. You can also find other treats like eggs, Colorado
honey, cheeses, wines, preserves and fresh-cut flowers. Find a market near you.
