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Failure to reform the U.S. transportation system risks deepening the country's dependence on oil and eroding global economic competitiveness. Is there a long-term strategy that can stabilize gas prices, finance America's transportation infrastructure, and decrease the deficit?
Transportation greenhouse gas emissions represent a common challenge to the United States and European Union in transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
The transformation of America's cars—and trucks—presents a unique opportunity to cut oil use and mitigate climate change without requiring economy-wide action, at least not in the near term.
China has become a driving force in global motorization, but future harmonious growth will depend on equitable and efficient measures that minimize the energy and environmental effects of China’s burgeoning transportation sector.
As Congress debates where and how much to cut the budget, distinct guideposts for investment in the U.S. infrastructure can be used to end wasteful spending and foster long-term economic growth.
It is necessary to maximize carbon reductions within the transportation sector by determining the effectiveness of carbon reduction measures combined with demand side strategies such as pricing, land use, and investment.
Given that on-road transportation has the greatest negative effect on the climate compared to all other economic sectors, cutting air-pollutant emissions from this form of transportation would be good both for the climate and for public health.
A component of the new climate and energy bill aims to tackle transportation carbon, which accounts for over 30 percent of domestic carbon emissions and over 70 percent of domestic oil consumption. Pricing transportation carbon is a contentious—but ultimately crucial—component of managing climate change.
Road transportation is the greatest contributor to global warming for the next 50 years. U.S. policy makers must take steps to reduce emissions, promote green growth, and mitigate transportation’s harmful effects on the climate.
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