Everyday millions of people across North America are waking up earlier and earlier to combat the ever increasing traffic…perhaps it’s time to hit the snooze button and take the train to work instead?
Solo Commuters
According to Transport Canada, the most common method of getting to work is through the use of personal vehicles. Smart Commute reports that over “85% of GTA Commuters drive to work alone daily.” This statistic is alarming considering that the use of personal vehicles in North America is a major cause of green house gases and a leading factor of poor air quality.
In recent years, Environment Canada has highlighted the grave environmental impacts that arise from commuting to work through the use of Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOV’s) and has now began to implement and support more sustainable modes of transportation. Sustainable transportation is defined by the University of Toronto’s Engineering Department as "transit systems that aim to reduce emissions, fossil fuel consumption, the consumption of agricultural land, park land and wildlife habitat.”
Environmentally Ethical Ways of Commuting
With pollution and population on the rise, communities everywhere need to realize that the environment can not sustain SOV’s as the preferred method of travel. Instead of arriving alone to work, after a long and typically stressful drive, why not consider one of these environmentally friendly commuting options:
Walk or Cycle to Work
Take advantage of a nearby place of employment and walk or cycle to work. Being able to walk or cycle to a job is a luxury that helps improve physical fitness, save money and the environment!
Car Pool
Carpooling can save time, money and the environment. Urban planners now implement high occupancy vehicle lanes, which can only be enjoyed by those who choose to carpool into the city!
Use Public Transit
Public transit has come a long way in the past few decades. North American cities are now equipped with buses, streetcars, trains and subways. Try out one of these stress-free methods of travel and see how it compares to bumper to bumper highway traffic.
Work from Home
According to the Human Resources Department of Canada, working from home can improve employee productivity and increase worker morale (not to mention alleviate the stress of a morning commute).
Save the Environment and Save Money
Not only is the environment in need of more eco-friendly methods of commuting but so are today’s commuters. Rising fuel costs and chaotic roadways are stressful realities for the everyday driver, to help save money and the environment, consider leaving the car at home and find an alternative means of transportation.
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