CTUP
Transportation and Climate Change Center for Transportation and Urban Planning at UConn
The Greenhouse Effect Source: U.S. EPA State and Local Climate Change Outreach Kit, March 2000
Emissions by GHG 84% http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/
Causes of Climate Change http://www.koshlandsciencemuseum.org/exhibitgcc
Increase in GHGs Since the Start of the Industrial Revolution Source:IPCC Report: Summary for Policy Makers, Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis
Bessy the Science Cow Bessy, the science cow, and her many brothers and sisters are one of the greatest methane emitters. Bessy s grassy diet and multiple stomachs cause her to produce methane, which she exhales with every breath. The sheer size of her herds makes a significant contribution to global warming.
Recent Changes in Temperature and CO 2 Concentration http://www.koshlandsciencemuseum.org/exhibitgcc
Observed Global Surface Air Temperatures Source: Adapted from NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York +1 o C (almost 2 o F) since 1880 Melting of glaciers Sea level rose 4 to 8 inches +2 to 6 o F predicted by 2100
Potential Climate Change Impacts Health Air Quality - Respiratory Illness Weather-related Mortality Infectious and Tropical Diseases Climate Changes Temperature Increase Precipitation Patterns and Extremes Sea Level Rise Source: Anne Grambsch, 1998 Agriculture Crop Yields Irrigation Demands Forests Forest Composition Geographic Range of Forests Forest Health and Productivity Water Resources Water Supply Water Quality Competition for Water Coastal Areas Erosion of Beaches Inundation of Coastal Wetlands Additional Costs to Protect Coastal Communities Species and Natural Areas Loss of Habitat and Species
The Earth is largely a closed system The Earths Carbon Cycle When concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) are upset, the system gradually returns to its natural state. This natural readjustment works slowly, compared to the rapid rate at which humans are moving carbon into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. Natural carbon removal can't keep pace, so the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere increases
CO 2 Emission per Nation or Region http://www.koshlandsciencemuseum.org/exhibitgcc
CO 2 Emission per Capita http://www.koshlandsciencemuseum.org/exhibitgcc
CO 2 Emission per GDP http://www.koshlandsciencemuseum.org/exhibitgcc
Economic Sectors Contributing to Global Warming Transportation Utilities Industry Source: U.S. EPA State and Local Climate Change Outreach Kit, March 2000
GHG Emissions by Economic Sectors Emissions from Transportation is the fastest growing of any economic sector http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/
Emissions by Transportation Modes
What can be done to reduce carbon emissions from the Transportation Sector? 1. Increase Fuel Efficiency Three part solution to reducing emissions from transportation 2. Increase Use of Low Carbon Fuels 3. Reduce Motorized Travel
Increase Fuel Efficiency Two main strategies Technology Change Vehicle Fleet Increased fuel efficiency may lead to the unintended consequence of inducing more travel
Increase Fuel Efficiency http://www.theoildrum.com
Increase Fuel Efficiency http://www.theoildrum.com http://www.theoildrum.com
Use Low Carbon Fuel Examples of Low Carbon Fuel Compressed Natural Gas Propane E85-85% Ethanol, 15% Gas B100-100% Biodiesel 13% Decrease 15% Decrease 22% Decrease 100% Decrease Source: Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
Use Low Carbon Fuel Other Options for Low Carbon Energy Fuel Cell Vehicles (H 2 from Existing US Electric Grid) 21% INCREASE Fuel Cell Vehicles (H 2 from CNG) 53% Decrease Fuel Cell Vehicles (H 2 from Electricity from Renewable Sources) 100% Decrease Electric Vehicle (Electricity from Existing US Grid) 32% Decrease Electric Vehicle (Electricity from Renewable Sources) 100% Decrease Source: Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
Reduce Motorize Travel - USA 1.350 Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) 1.150 Population 0.950 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Reducing Motorize Travel in Portland (OR) 1.35 1.25 1.15 Population Vehicle Miles Traveled 1.05 0.95 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
Reducing Motorized Travel in Portland (OR) Transit MAX Light Rail - 1981 Portland Streetcar - 2000 Tram - 2006
Reducing Motorized Travel in Portland (OR) Walking and Biking Cyclists per Day Bikeway Miles 1991 2007 http://www.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/portland_bike_counts.jpg
Reducing Motorized Travel in Portland (OR) Land use Planning and Urban Design Contain Sprawl Transit Oriented Developments Downtown Revitalization
GHG Emission from Transportation Future Scenarios Scenario 1: Business as Usual 1. No improvement in Fuel Efficiency 2. No de-carbonization of Fuel 3. Continued increase in VMT 1990 2005 2020 http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/
GHG Emission from Transportation Future Scenarios Scenario 2: Improve Fuel - No Change in Travel 1. 5% improvement in Fuel Efficiency 2. 5% de-carbonization of Fuel 3. Continued increase in VMT 1990 2005 2020 http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/
GHG Emission from Transportation Future Scenarios Scenario 2: Improve Fuel - Keep Travel at 2005 Level 1. 5% improvement in Fuel Efficiency 2. 5% de-carbonization of Fuel 3. 0% increase in VMT 1990 2005 2020 http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/
The Need for a Three Part Solution 1. Increase Fuel Efficiency We need all three parts of the solution 2. Increase Use of Low Carbon Fuels 3. Reduce Motorized Travel
We have too much to lose