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Global Warming News
For Immediate Release:
2006-02-23
For More Information:
Contact Rob Sargent 617-747-4317 “Driving Global Warming” Study Compares Global Warming Pollution from Commuters in Rhode Island’s 39 Towns
New Public Transit Alliance Calls for Smart Transit Investment, Better Options for Commuters As the new home of RIPIRG's environmental work, Environment Rhode Island can be contacted regarding this news release. PROVIDENCE - A report released February 23 points to the daily commutes taken by Rhode Islanders to and from work as contributing to global warming pollution. The town-by-town rankings underscore long-standing concern that the growth of suburban employment and the explosion of “exurban” residential development in formerly rural areas of the state pose major challenges to the state’s efforts to reduce global warming emissions. Newport was ranked Number 1 for producing the least amount of global warming pollution per worker followed by Providence and North Providence. Charlestown was ranked Number 39 for producing the most global warming pollution per worker. Hopkinton, Glocester, Burrillville and Narragansett were also ranked among the towns that produced the most global warming pollution per worker. The report shows that denser towns, where people tend to live closer to their workplace, especially near the Providence metropolitan area, have the best records, while outlying suburbs have the highest levels of per-worker commuting-related global warming pollution. The report uses recent US Census data to look for the first time at commuting pollution on a town-by-town level. “This data gives us a revealing look at one of the most pressing environmental and public health problems of our generation,” said Chris Wilhite, Climate Campaign Organizer for Clean Water Action. “Fuel economy in cars and trucks isn’t close to where it should be in 2006. That combined with sprawling growth is putting the state and region on a collision course with global warming. We have to reduce pollution from the transportation sector, and we have to start now.” “This report solidifies the fact that New England needs new, clean transit solutions,” said Jennifer Tuttle of Sierra Club’s Rhode Island Chapter. “The state is making the right decision by working on the new commuter rail lines to Warwick and North Kingstown. By investing in alternative transportation Rhode Island can lead the nation in smart transportation solutions to global warming.” Other findings of the report include: *The average commuter living in South County or western Rhode Island produces two to three times more carbon dioxide from his or her daily commute than the average commuter living in Providence. *Commuters traveling to work from exurban communities along the I-95 corridor produce significantly more emissions than those living in densely populated cities and towns. *Increasing residential population density, shifting more commuting trips to transit, and encouraging workers to live near their place of work can reduce carbon dioxide emissions from transportation. “A thoughtful approach to reducing vehicle travel has to begin from a detailed assessment of who is driving, how much they are driving, why, and where,” said Matt Auten, Advocate for Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group. “The US Census Bureau’s survey data enabled us to come up with a detailed portrait of one important source of vehicle travel: the journey to and from work.” Commuting is directly responsible for five to eight percent of the state’s carbon dioxide emissions. And, the report’s authors argue, decisions that influence commuting—such as where to live and where to work—influence the trips people make for other purposes as well. “This review identifies which towns in the state are responsible for the greatest amount of commuting-related emissions of carbon dioxide, and suggests ways that the state can effectively reduce emissions,” added Auten. The report makes seven policy recommendations that will help the state and region to get a handle on the transportation sector’s contribution to global warming pollution. 1. Implement tailpipe emission standards “If we do all of these things, and get on track to cut power plant pollution through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, then we’ll be heading toward meeting our global warming pollution reduction goals,” said Wilhite.
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