Alternative Transportation
What's the problem?
With a population of 9.34 million, South Florida is always moving. Most residents drive cars, contributing massively to carbon emissions every time they travel; which, by the EPA’s count, account for 23 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. A major way to reduce our emissions is to use public and alternative transportation. Unfortunately, public transportation in Miami has not kept up with its urban growth. There is limited access to trains and buses that lack frequent and consistent service, and many trolley systems do not have connections to further places. Currently, low income and BIPOC communities benefit less from improvements to public transportation and have less access to certain amenities and destinations. These issues, compounded with the especially high outdoor heat and humidity in South Florida, result in many preferring to travel in individual cars.
Why should we care?
Transportation is the biggest contributor to the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. According to the EPA, our cars emit ozone, particulate matter, and air toxins that threaten our air quality. Nitrogen oxides from incomplete combustion engines catalyzes the formation of sulfurous and sulfuric acid. This process, which creates acid rain, damages infrastructure and threatens marine life and delicate marine ecosystems. Moms Clean Air Force warns that exposure to polluted air can increase your risk of developing diseases like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and respiratory cancer. Air pollution from vehicles has a massive effect on public health and affects millions, especially those who live near busy roads. It even harms the economy: the EPA estimates that around 4.8 million workdays are lost annually due to poor air quality. Thus, it is essential to find solutions. We must take advantage of alternative and public transportation that reduces the number of emissions and vehicles on the roads. Doing so will help “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages'' (UN SDG 3) while making cities “inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable” (UN SDG 11).
What can we do?
South Florida is addressing these problems by investing more in public transportation to reduce carbon emissions and congestion on highways. Miami-Dade and other counties are also adopting an electric fleet of government cars. Local non-profits like the Transit Alliance are working on increasing access to public transportation and encouraging investments in sidewalks and bike lanes, which may also require green engineers and designers. Schools can help by developing transportation programs that reduce emissions and benefit air quality around campuses. Many schools have adopted “Bike to School Day,” an activity that improves public health on top of reducing carbon emissions and may inspire students to choose their bikes over a car more often. These programs can provide students, parents and staff with different commuting options and resources. Schools can create and use carpool lanes and no-idling zones. A ride-matching system can help families and/or staff develop bike and walk groups. Changes in our communities will encourage individual families to look for alternative methods of transportation as they become more accessible.
Green Schools Challenge Activities:
Community Building (Pre-K through 1st grade) - I Spy
Hands On Learning (2nd through 3rd grade) - Building a Vehicle Using Nature
Lab Activity (4th through 5th grade) - Cycle On
Create Your Own (Pre-K through 5th grade) - Submit Lesson Plan
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.
