Pathway 2.Transportation

CLIMATE, CRISIS, CHOICES: THE CALL TO CONVERSION IN LAUDATO SI
Pathway 2. Transportation
Name
Date

MonthDayYear
Ecological Footprint Score
Carbon Footprint Score
The following worksheet provides a guideline to walk you and your family through an action plan for a sustainable transportation lifestyle. By completing three sections – personal, communal, and transformational – you will be moving toward being able to travel in a more sustainable manner. Let’s get started!

Please invite your family members to help you as you proceed with this worksheet.

Objectives for this Worksheet:
- To learn about actions to save money and reduce my transportation carbon footprint
- To create my action plan based on the options offered on this worksheet
- To learn how I can contribute to my community and neighborhood for a more sustainable transportation lifestyle
CO2 Emissions from Passenger Vehicles

The vehicles that we drive have a large impact on the environment. Every mile, every gallon, and every trip add up to each one of us polluting our atmosphere with CO2. We are called to care for our common home. Below you will find many opportunities to do that.
Personal

Please mark the options you would like to accomplish to reduce your carbon footprint.
Passenger vehicle

I will avoid aggressive driving. Starting and stopping can reduce your gas mileage by 10-40%. Driving without stopping can improve your mileage by 15-30%. (Savings=Medium)I will avoid hauling cargo on my car’s roof. This increases aerodynamic drag, and decreases fuel economy 2-8% when driving in cities, 6-17% on the highway, and 10-25% when driving 65-75mph.(Savings=Medium)I will avoid excessive idling. It can use 1/4 – 1/2 gallon of gas per hour. (Savings $)On longer trips, I will turn on cruise control. (Savings=Medium)I will use less air conditioning while I am driving. (Savings=Medium)When buying my next car, I will pick the least-polluting, most efficient vehicle that meets my needs (Environmental Impact= Medium)I will use traffic apps like Waze to help avoid getting stuck in traffic jams. (Environmental Impact= Low)I will consolidate my trips. (Environmental Impact=High )Other
Electric Vehicles

Consider purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle. Make sure you are charging with a renewable-energy-sourced power station. (Cost=High; Environmental Impact=High)
The following bar graph depicts a comparison of emissions and ownership cost per vehicle in Pennsylvania (PA As described in the graph, cost of ownership in terms of maintenance, taxes, fuel cost, and insurance. The comparison is based on electric cars fueling from the US average grid, from the Pennsylvanian average grid, a gasoline vehicle, and a hydrogen vehicle. Electric vehicle cost of ownership in PA represents a significantly better value compared to hydrogen vehicles, and pounds of carbon dioxide per mile for gasoline and hydrogen is about three times the emissions of electric vehicles. Owning an electric vehicle is not only better for the environment, but also, can save you money.
Public Transportation

I will use public transportation to go to work/on errands. If your commute is 20-miles round trip, the switch to public transportation could lower your carbon footprint by 4,800 pounds annually. (Environmental Impact=Medium)I will bike or walk for trips within a mile. (Environmental Impact=Medium)
What Are My Local Public Transportation Options?
Flights

I will pick a non-stop flight. Take- off and landing are the most fuel intensive parts of a flight, so the more connections you make, the higher your carbon footprint. You can reduce your impact by avoiding connecting flights when you book. (Cost=High; Environmental Impact=Medium)I will travel by economy class. Business class is responsible for almost three times as many emissions as economy because in economy, the flight’s carbon emissions are shared among more passengers; first class can result in nine times more carbon emissions than economy class per person.(Savings=High; Environmental Impact=Medium)I will pack lightly. The heavier an aircraft, the more fuel it consumes. (Environmental Impact=Medium)I will try to avoid flying as much as possible. If you take the train or bus, you save up to 90% in CO2 emissions. (Savings=High; Environmental Impact=High)I will purchase carbon offsets for plane travel This is generally provided through the airline or can be found online, but make sure to do your research first! Some offsets never end up making much of an impact if it’s not a reputable source. (Environmental impact=High)
Communal
- Rideshare/Bikeshare/Use Tandem Bikes
- Carpool with others
  - You can carpool with neighbors to church
  - Carpool to common events (Ex; sporting events, community, etc.)
- Talk to neighbors about the benefits of Public Transit
- Telecommute
  - Programs like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Skype, etc. can help to facilitate online work meetings. This can save everyone a drive to the meeting location, and if done frequently, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly
  - Promoting this concept at work can greatly change the impact you and your company has on the environment
Transformational

Become politically active and let your representatives know you want them to take action to phase out fossil fuel use and decarbonize the country as fast as possible.

Reach out to Local Politicians for better:
- Biking Lanes/Trails
- Public Transportation Routes
- Carbon Emission Policies for Vehicles
1. On average, 76% of adults in the US own cars. Is this reasonable? Does almost everyone need a car?
Type answer
2. What would be something that would need to change for you to take public transportation more?
Type answer
3. Roads frequently breakup the area that animals have to live and make it dangerous for them to try to move to new locations. God calls us to care for all creatures on this planet. What can we do to make our roads more animal-friendly?
Type answer
Closing Prayer

A MOMENT TO REFLECT AND PRAY AS A FAMILY

God of love, show us our place in this world

As channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth,

For not one of them is forgotten in your sight.

Enlighten those who possess power and money

That they may avoid the sin of indifference,

That they may love the common good, advance the wealthy,

And care for this world in which we live.

The poor and the earth are crying out.

O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life,

To prepare for a better future,

For the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love, and beauty.

Praise be to you! Amen
Notes
Should be Empty:

Pathway 2. Transportation

CO2 Emissions from Passenger Vehicles​

Personal

What Are My Local Public Transportation Options?

Communal

Transformational

Closing Prayer

CO2 Emissions from Passenger Vehicles