The Transportation Climate Change Connection

The transportation sector consumes more than two-thirds of oil supplies in the United States each
year and accounts for approximately one-third of the United States carbon dioxide emissions. A draft
of the Fourth U.S. Climate Action Report states that the current United States climate policy will
culminate in the emission of 9.2 billion tons of greenhouse gases in 2020, which represents a 19
percent increase from 2000 levels. These higher levels of greenhouse gases contribute to rising
temperatures while causing numerous transportation problems as abnormally hot days become more
frequent and extreme. Due to the threat of such impacts and the finite supply of oil, myriad players in
the transportation industry are researching conservation measures and alternative energy as well as
the development of infrastructure and attitudes that promote emission reductions. This research
examines a variety of practical and feasible solutions to decreasing greenhouse gases within the
transportation sector based on the notion that as a result, new jobs would be created, billions of
dollars could be saved, and dependence on foreign oil would diminish leading to greater national
security while mitigating climate change.