MET 12 Global Climate Change – Lecture 12

Transportation

Shaun Tanner

San Jose State University

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Transportation~ 30% of all end use emissions

Transport

Climate Solutions

FoodHousing

Burrito (Beef): 850 calories: $6.10

Burrito (Veggie): 830 calories: $5.75

CO2: 3.8 kg

CO2: 0.5 kg

CO2 per dollar: 636

CO2 per dollar: 94

Calories per dollar: 140

Calories per dollar: 145

Burrito

How far can you travel on a burrito?

Driving 55

In 1974 55 mph national speed limit law passed

2% reduction in highway fuel consumption 2000-4000 lives saved annually Law altered in 1987 and repealed in 1995

Miles per gallon

Highway Speed Limits

Fuel efficiency versus speed

Assignment

Campaign to reduce highway speed limit

1. Calculate fuel and CO2 emissions for bay area trip to Lake Tahoe (and return) driving at a speed of 55 mph and 75 mph.

2. Calculate equivalent measures: plastic bottles, plastic bags, burritos and iPods

3. Write a pitch (1 paragraph) advocating for speed limit reduction

Data San Jose to Lake Tahoe = 230 miles Avg vehicle: 35 mpg @ 55 mph Avg vehicle: 25 mpg @ 75 mph 1 gallon of gas burned = 20 lbs of CO2 1 water bottle ~ 1.7 lbs of CO2 1 plastic bag ~ 0.14 lbs of CO2 1 iPod ~ 50 lbs of CO2 1 veggie burrito ~ 1.1 lbs of CO2 1 beef burrito ~ 8.4 lbs of CO2