Sustainable Transportation Initiatives in Three Cities

As reviewed in an August 7 Press Release Michael Replogle and Colin Hughes of the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP) authored the fourth chapter, "Moving Toward Sustainable Transport, in Worldwatch's book State of the World 2012: Moving Toward Sustainable Prosperity, published in April 2012. In their State of the World chapter, Replogle and Hughes highlight three examples of this approach, revealing how it improves transport in urban areas:

Bogota, Colombia

Rapid bus transit in Bogota, Colombia: In 2000, Bogota opened TransMilenio, a BRT system with nine routes extending 54 miles (about 87 kilometers) throughout the city. By 2011, TransMilenio's ridership was up to 1.7 million passengers daily and the fare for a single trip was 1,600 Colombian pesos (about US$0.85).

Followup on Sustainable Transportation Commitments at Rio+20

Many voluntary commitments were made at the June 2012 Rio+20 conference, some of the most notable concerned promises about emissions reduction in transportation. According to an August 7 Press Release from the Worldwatch Institute, transportation emissions are the fastest growing source of global greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions expected to increase 300 percent by 2050. Today, emissions from transportation contribute to approximately 80 percent of the harmful air pollutants that result in 1.3 million premature deaths annually, according to Michael Replogle and Colin Hughes of the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP). The two authored the fourth chapter, "Moving Toward Sustainable Transport, in Worldwatch's book State of the World 2012: Moving Toward Sustainable Prosperity, published in April 2012.

Top 10 Transporation Software Systems

Transportation software helps companies to be more efficient by saving time, energy and effort. This type of software is part of a winning approach that saves money by ensuring that company vehicles follow the most expedient route. This also reduces the amount of fuel needed and burning less fuel diminishes a company's footprint. Below you will find the top ten transportation software systems:

People Want Fuel Efficient Vehicles

According to a Consumer Reports survey, 93 percent of respondents "support increased fuel efficiency." People want greener cars as is evidenced by the fact that 77 percent are in favor of car manufacturers producing more fuel-efficient vehicles, and 80 percent agreeing with fuel economy standards requiring fleet averages to top 55 miles per gallon by 2025.

Breakthrough in Affordable Hydrogen Cars

According to researchers from the University of Connecticut a new process for producing fuel cells could help bring the cost of hydrogen cars down significantly within 10 years.

Video: Why the Keystone XL is so Hard to Kill

Like some immortal zombie, the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline keeps being resurrected from the dead. The American people have spoken out against the project and the President has postponed then canceled the project. How come the Keystone XL keeps being resurrected by the Republicans? This video contains interviews with various people during the August 2011 protests in front of the White House. One of the interviewees is 350.org founder Bill McKibben who adds his views on the powerful lobby that supports the project.

Video: Keystone XL will Raise Gas Prices

Republicans want to push through the Keystone XL and cirucumvent environmental review to reduce gas prices, but the GOP's logic is fundamentally flawed. In addition to endangering water supplies, and increasing carbon emissions the Keystone XL pipeline will also raise oil and gas prices. This is the view expressed by TransCanada pipelines, the Canadian company behind the Keystone XL. This statement was made by TransCanada in response to questions by ranking member Henry A Waxman (D-CA) at a subcommittee hearing. A Bloomberg article echoes the statement and reports that the Keystone XL will push gas prices up an addtional 10 to 20 cents per gallon in the Midwest.

Republicans Vow to Continue Push for Keystone

Republicans want to continue to push for the Keystone XL pipeline even though they failed to get the 60 votes they need in the Senate. Senate Republicans vowed that they will try again to speed up approval of the dirty tar sands project.

GOP's Keystone XL Proposal Fails in Senate

The GOP proposal to reopen the Keystone XL pipeline failed to get the 60-votes it needs to pass in the Senate, but the vote was very close. There were 56 votes in favor, with 42 in opposition. Republicans may have introduced the rider on the transportation bill but 11 Democrats supported the Republican measure.

Anti-Keystone XL Ad Campaign

An ad campaign spearheaded by grassroots organization 350.org states that the completion of the Keystone XL pipeline will result in higher domestic gas prices. The opponents of the pipeline argue its construction could raise prices at the pump by 10 to 20 cents per gallon in the Midwest and Rocky Mountains.

The Keystone XL and Rising Fuel Prices

As fuel prices rise Americans need to understand that gaining access to Canadian tar sands oil will not decrease the price gas and it may even increase it. Republicans argue that with rising gas prices it makes no sense to hold up a project that could deliver to market an additional 830,000 barrels of oil a day.

Republicans Refuse to Let the Keystone XL Die

Just when we thought it was safe, the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline project has once again reared its ugly head. Even though President Obama said no the pipeline, Republicans are trying to push it through as an amendment to the Transportation Bill.  Any day now the Senate will vote on an amendment that would force approval for the pipeline. Republicans in the House of Representatives have already passed the energy portion of their transportation bill, which would grant Keystone a permit. But this is the first time that the pipeline has had an up or down vote in the Senate.

The Green Economy is the Right Solution for our Troubled Times

The green economy offers a powerful solution to both a warming planet and economic volatility. There are a host of political and economic crises in the world today. The Eurozone crisis is expected to be followed by a European recession. In China we are seeing strong evidence of a slowdown and many are calling for major economic reforms. Finally, the hope and promise of the “Arab Spring’ has given way to a winter of discontent, as the Arab world suffers due to a weak economy and high unemployment.

The Success of RGGI Carbon Trading Shows Cap-and-Trade Works

Despite opposition from Republicans, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has been shown to be very successful. A January 28th New York Times article reviewed RGGI a carbon trading initiative launched by ten northeastern states in January 2009. According to independent reports the emissions reductions have been greater and cheaper than expected, and have produced substantial fringe benefits in terms of lower overall electricity costs, more jobs, and greater regional independence of fossil fuel imports.

Video: Reducing Emissions Through Forest Preservation with REDD

This video deals with the crucial role that forests play to reduce emissions and manage climage change. Specifically the video offers a simplified understanding of REDD which is an abbreviation for "Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries." This video explains the workings of REDD, the key mechanism to reduce forest loss which significantly contributes to climate change.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Video: Carbon Credits Explained

This video offers a simplified explanation of carbon credits and carbon finance. First it reviews greenhouse gases or GHGs, then it uses the example of a coal plant in the developing world to demonstrate how credits are earned and traded.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Video: Walmart's Sustainability Efforts

Walmart's sustainability efforts are making a positive impact on a global scale. These efforts are evident from the products they sell to the packaging, to the way those products are used by their customers. Sustainability is inextricably embedded within their overall business strategy and carbon reduction is a key element of their sustainability program.

Ten Greenest Trucking Companies in North America

Trucking companies are increasingly responding to the demand for transportation with a smaller footprint. Many companies are looking to be more environmentally responsible throughout their supply chains and in response trucking companies are implementing a wide variety of sustainable practices. With the aim of reducing their emissions, many trucking companies are using their vehicles more efficiently or incorporating vehicles that are less dependent on fossil fuels.

GM Collaborating with LG to Develop EVs

Consumer electronics leader LG Group, the second largest South Korean conglomerate, is expanding its collaborating with with automotive giant General Motors (GM), the largest US automaker. The new partnership will see the two companies team up to design and build hybrid and fully electric vehicles.

The Crucial Role of Public Private Partnerships in US Battery Technology

Public private collaborations have played a fundamental role advancing the US position in the development of commercial scale energy storage systems for cell phones, laptops, hybrids and electric vehicles. National laboratories conduct vital research that make it possible for the private sector to achieve commercial scale.

According to Jeff Chamberlain, who currently heads up battery research and development for Argonne National Lab, "In the U.S., businesses tend to invest in research that will pay off in the short term. National laboratories are filling a gap by conducting the essential research that will change the game 10 to 20 years down the road."