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​​​​Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions with Alternative Travel

​Did you know that transportation is one of the primary sources for greenhouse gas emissions in the United States? A single gasoline-powered passenger vehicle produces 4.8 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year, comparable to over 5,000 lbs of coal burned, 11 barrels of oil consumed or 196 propane cylinders used for home barbeques.¹

In this article, we are reviewing a multitude of alternatives to the single-passenger, gas-fueled drive to work that you can use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

First, consider teleworking when possible. It completely removes emissions from travel and may also help you with your productivity or allow for a few more minutes of sleep in the mornings!^2​ For someone living 25 miles away from work, eliminating just 5 commutes saves an average of about 220 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. This much reduction is the equivalent of growing a tree seedling for 10 years.³ To learn more specifics, try out the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Calculator.

Next, there are several options provided by the NIH Transhare Program that are feasible depending on location. For example, the NIH Vanpool Program allows employees to ride together to work and offers up to 12 permits per calendar quarter.⁴ Additionally, the NIH’s Transhare Program subsidizes up to $300 per month of travel expenses from mass transit (such as the regional bus system and Metrorail). Choosing these options reduces the cost of travel as well as emissions each week.⁵

If you live particularly close to campus, consider biking or walking, especially during nice weather. These actions not only save you gas money and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, but they can also help you burn calories.⁶ This concept of getting more than just environmental and economic benefits from greenhouse gas emission reductions is known as carbon co-benefits.⁷

In the cases of carpool, vanpool, biking, walking and mass transit, employees can also take advantage of the Guaranteed Ride Home Program, an initiative promoted by the Division of Amenities and Transportation Services and offered by Commuter Connections. This is a helpful contingency plan that ensures you can make it back home in the case of unforeseen circumstances, including unscheduled overtime, unexpected emergencies and family illness.⁸

For those considering new car purchases, electric vehicles can eliminate all direct greenhouse gas emissions from travel. The NIH Bethesda campus has benefits available for electric vehicles, including charging stations and priority parking.⁹ Hybrids can also save consistent percentages of gas compared to their non-hybrid counterparts, which adds up over time. The Department of Energy has more specific information in this regard.

But sometimes, driving alone to work is simply inevitable. In these cases, please go the speed limit and drive sensibly! Not only is this paramount for your health and safety, but it can also increase your vehicle’s fuel economy. Gas mileage sharply decreases as you drive at speeds over 50 mph and reducing your speed by 5-10 mph can improve fuel economy up to 14%. Accelerating and braking gently can increase this to up to 40%, as most of your vehicle’s energy is expelled during inefficient acceleration.¹⁰

As you prepare to commute to work this April, consider alternative ways to report in. These methods can help improve your health, save money and help the environment all at once.

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2023 NIH Earth Day ​​The NIH is hosting Earth Day activities on many campuses this April, including the first in-person activities since 2019. Support the environment this Earth Day and make a difference by attending Earth Day activities on your NIH campus! LEA​RN MORE​​​​

​​Take Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

​2023 NIH Earth Day Scavenger Hunt ​ ​See if you can find all of these things related to the environment while on the NIH Bethesda Campus for Earth Day! ​​  ​​ LEARN MORE​

NEMS Training                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Did you know? A large component of Earth Day is increasing environmental and climate knowledge, especially amongst children. The NIH Earth Day is often paired with the NIH Take Your Child to Work Day to emphasize climate knowledge to the children of NIH staff. To learn more about climate literacy​ at the NIH, please visit the NEMS Training webpage to view a short (20 minute) NIH environmental awareness training video.