Impact of Transportation Sector on Climate Change

Mobility has a crucial role in society and the economy. An efficient and accessible transport system is essential for the quality of life of citizens and for planetary health.

Mobility has a crucial role in society and the economy. An efficient and accessible transport system is essential for the quality of life of citizens and for planetary health. However, this sector remains one of the biggest environmental challenges that we are facing.Transportation plays a significant role in global GHG emissions, with most of its share originating from burning of fossil fuels because transportation sector is the primary consumer of petroleum products.  The largest contributor by far is freight and passenger road transport. Transportation currently accounts for approximately 21% of global emissions. Even with projected improvements in efficiency, emissions from transportation are going to increase to 23% of total CO2 by 2030 (IEA WEO 2009). In some studies dedicated to the future of the GHG emissions, transportation emissions are estimated to account for an even larger fraction of future emissions, with greater reductions in emissions coming from other sectors. This result is not surprising if one considers the continuing growth of transportation all over the world. Carbon dioxide is not the only GHG emitted by transportation. Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are the other two in addition to this Unsustainable Transportation leading cause of Global warming and unfortunately today’s world beats with traffic congestion, technological revolution, population dynamics, environmental concerns, urban development and more. There are also about 1.3 billion vehicles in the world today and this figure is expected to grow to 2 billion by year 2050. In addition to this vehicles emission are believed more difficult to control than other emissions sources, like power generation plants and industries, because they are many and scatter, and can cause more harm or destruction costs because vehicles are used closely by the people hence health effects are likely to be felt by them-climate Change. Hence now the Earth is warming, rainfall patterns are changing, and sea levels are rising. These changes can increase the risk of heat waves, floods, droughts, and fires. So to save our planet and to tackle these challenges due to urban transport in world required a mind shift and I want to suggest the following ideas. I recommended to United Nations, researches, scholars and governments have to working on Sustainable Urban Mobility and planning for addressing the challenges related to mainly urban areas since Creating sustainable transportation solutions is one of the greatest challenges facing cities today but also a great opportunity for the low-carbon development of cities.  Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) can massively improve the overall quality of life for residents by addressing major challenges such as congestion, air/noise pollution, climate change, road accidents, unsightly on-street parking and the integration of new mobility services. Sustainable urban meaning mobility “Meets the needs of the present mobility without compromising the ability of future generation’s mobility to meet their own Needs”. Encourage electric cars and trucks use electricity as fuel, producing fewer emissions than their conventional counterparts. When the electricity comes from renewable sources, all-electric vehicles produce zero emissions to drive. Indorse fuel-efficient vechile use less gas to travel the same distance as their less efficient counterparts. When we burn less fuel, we generate fewer emissions. When emissions go down, the pace of climate change and global warming slows. Transport in private cars and trucking give way to different modes of public transport. Like bicycle and pedestrian lanes, car sharing and rail freight.