Carbon Footprint

Transportation is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, with personal vehicle use making up about half of all transportation-sourced emissions in Canada. That means changing your personal vehicle usage habits is one of the best ways individuals can have an impact on improving air quality and the environment.

When you consider for each CarShare vehicle about 15 personal vehicles have been retired, that means for the Grand River CarShare fleet nearly 250 vehicles are no longer on the road. This year alone that means a 700-tonne reduction in CO2 emissions, and that means cleaner air for all of us.

Carsharing also helps reduce vehicle emissions because when people join CarShare, they end up driving less than when a car was sitting in their driveway. As a CarShare member, people learn to be more efficient with how they plan their trips, and only use a car when other options such as cycling, transit, or walking, aren’t feasible for the trip they’re making.

How well do you do with your greenhouse gas emissions? Transportation is only one factor in the impact we all have on the planet, but it’s a big one. Calculate your own Ecological Footprint by visiting www.myfootprint.org.