Undoubtedly, one of the main perks of student life at Stevens is the easy access to bustling cities like New York City, Jersey City, and Hoboken itself. At the heart of these cities is the fact that everything can be reached by foot, train, or bus. This is not the situation everywhere, though; many urban and suburban areas are still reliant on cars as the main mode of travel due to a lack of mass transit infrastructure. The damaging effects of cars on the climate are being amplified, and at the same time, people are advocating for more public transit options. In a place where the effects of climate change are prominent, efforts to stop its advancement or even reverse the effects are necessary. However, by taking advantage of local transportation initiatives or even continuing to walk and bike, these effects of climate change can be greatly reduced.
Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Within that, 57% of those emissions come from private transportation like cars and SUVs. When measuring the carbon emissions of different forms of transportation in pounds of CO2 produced per mile traveled per passenger, there is a stark difference between car and train emissions. According to the US Department of Transportation, cars release about a pound of CO2 on average, which is about four times as much as the average heavy rail.
Besides emissions, there are other factors to take into account regarding forms of transportation. Land usage is another environmental concern; when highways are built, forests and other natural habitats must be torn down to make space. Highways and other roads take up a large amount of space but still require a greater distance to reach a destination than public transportation. Contrastingly, public transportation is a form of high-density development, so less land can be used to travel a greater distance. Although there are fewer mass transit options in less populated areas and, therefore, a greater reliance on cars, it is entirely possible to forgo car usage entirely in more densely populated areas.
The environmental benefits of walking and biking greatly outweigh the possible convenience of driving. As was stated by former mayor Dawn Zimmer, “[the city is] trying to make Hoboken a place where people have the option to live car-free.” In a walkable city like Hoboken, some benefits include decreased air pollution, minimal land usage, and more active use of space. When land is used for people rather than cars, there is a greater emphasis on using public spaces like parks. Within these parks are plants that actually have a cooling effect on the environment. Meanwhile, paved roads can increase the city’s temperature due to the absorption of heat.
Luckily, there are plenty of transportation options with low to no carbon emissions in Hoboken. In fact, the city once boasted public transportation usage at 56 percent among commuters living in the city. This is thanks to PATH, NJ Transit, and the NY Waterway, which provide travelers with a plethora of services. Additionally, walking and biking are common ways to get around short distances. The Citi Bike program in New Jersey was launched in 2021 by Mayors Bhalla and Fulop of Hoboken and Jersey City, respectively. With over 800 bikes across the two cities, it is not only sustainable but it is an efficient and accessible way to travel.
So, the next time you’re walking down Washington Street or taking the ferry to Midtown, take a moment to appreciate not only the world around you but also the fact that you’re doing your part to create a greener society.
