BART celebrates Earth Day with fellow Bay Area transit agencies
As we’ve seen in recent events, our communities are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. Average annual air temperatures in California have risen 2.5 degrees since 1895, and eight of the ten warmest years occurred between 2012 and 2022 (California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment). Five of California’s ten largest wildfires on record occurred in 2020, driven in part by warmer than average temperatures and exceptionally dry conditions (NASA Climate).
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and mitigate the climate change impacts caused by them, urgent, collective action is needed from all of us. Transit agencies around the Bay Area are teaming up to fight climate change by reducing the emissions of their own operations and encouraging riders (that’s you!) to get on board.
BART is doing our part by continuing to offer train service powered by 100% GHG-free electricity sourced from solar, wind, and hydroelectric facilities. And we’re not the only transit agency helping our planet.
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) is electrifying its bus fleet and prioritizing zero-emission bus deployment in disadvantaged communities. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is setting aggressive climate goals, expanding the city’s network of protected bikeways, adding new transit-only lanes, and installing high visibility crosswalks. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is preparing a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan that identifies measures to reduce emissions and vehicle miles traveled, as well as adaptation measures to build long-term resiliency.
Transportation is the leading source of GHG emissions that are causing climate change. So, one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions is to shift your mode of travel from a car to a bus or train. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that public transportation saved 6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2018. This amount is larger than the entire national emissions of 111 individual countries and the equivalent of taking 16 coal power plants offline for a year.
Traffic on Bay Area roads and highways has largely returned to pre-pandemic levels. Instead of sitting in traffic, why not give transit a try? Alternatively, you could try walking, biking, or sharing a ride to your next destination. These no or low-carbon modes are great options to make Earth Day every day.
Whether you live in the South Bay or work in the East Bay, we are all one Bay Area and the choices we make today matter to future generations. Let’s work together to reduce emissions and improve the quality of life for our region.