Alternative Transportation

What's the problem?

With a population of 2.72 million individuals, Miami-Dade County’s residents are constantly moving from place to place every day. Most drive cars each day, increasing our carbon emissions every time we go to school, work, or even simply visit family and friends. A solution to reducing our carbon footprint would be to utilize both public and alternative transportation. Unfortunately, public transportation in Miami has not been able to keep up with its urban growth, therefore residents rely on their cars, which are major contributors to air pollution. Because of the limited access of the trains, buses that do not offer frequent and consistent service, trolley systems that do not connect to any other transportation systems that extend to other areas, and the immense heat that circulates our County, people tend to prefer individual cars. Additionally, low income and communities of color benefit less from improvements to public transportation and have less access to certain amenities and destinations.

Why should we care?

Transportation is responsible for 30% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, which damages our natural environment and individual health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, by emitting ozone, particle pollution, and air toxins from our cars, we threaten our air quality in enabling air pollution. According to Mom’s Clean Air Force, exposure to dirty air can lead to increased risk for developing diseases like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or respiratory cancer.  The increased air pollution from transport sources can affect thousands of people, especially those who live near busy roads. Because air pollution is such a widespread problem, it is imperative to find solutions and take advantage of alternative and public transportation.

What can we do?

The government of Miami-Dade County is investing in public transportation to reduce congestion in highways and carbon emissions. Other local non-profits like the Transit Alliance Miami is working towards increasing accessibility to public transportation, in addition to encouraging investments in more sidewalks and bike lanes. One step the County is taking is to adopt an electric fleet for government cars. Schools can also be part of the solution by developing transportation programs that reduce emissions and benefit air quality within schools. These programs can provide students, parents and staff with different commuting options and resources. School-wide programs such as the development and use of carpool lanes, no idling zones, support for a ride-matching system to assist families and/or staff in developing bike and walk groups can help. The transformation of our community will then encourage individual families to seek alternative methods of transportation as they become more accessible.

Green Schools Challenge Activities:

• Community Building (Pre-K through 1st grade) - How Do You Travel?

• Hands On Learning (2nd through 3rd grade) - Transportation Time Travel

• Lab Activity (4th through 5th grade) - Transportation Survey

• Create Your Own (Pre-K through 5th grade) - Submit Lesson Plan click here

Schools can choose to do more than one activity but maximum amount of points a school can earn for this topic is the same. Points for participation will be based on a rubric. Download here.

Alternative Transportation Activity Submission Form Click Here