Aside from the many Enviromental Advantages for doing so, there are many Economic, Social, and even Emotional, Advantages. Let's break it on down on Why Carpool?
Environmental Advantages:
Every Fossil Fueled Engine on the road today, Emmit Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Nationwide, two-thirds of the carbon monoxide emissions come from transportation sources, with the largest contribution coming from highway motor vehicles. In urban areas, the motor vehicle contribution to carbon monoxide pollution can exceed 90 percent.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. A product of incomplete burning of hydrocarbon-based fuels, carbon monoxide consists of a carbon atom and an oxygen atom linked together.
Why is Carbon Monoxide a Public Health Problem?
Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream through the lungs and forms carboxyhemoglobin, a compound that inhibits the blood's capacity to carry oxygen to organs and tissues. Persons with heart disease are especially sensitive to carbon monoxide poisoning and may experience chest pain if they breathe the gas while exercising. Infants, elderly persons, and individuals with respiratory diseases are also particularly sensitive. Carbon monoxide can affect healthy individuals,impairing exercise capacity, visual perception, manual dexterity, learning functions, and ability to perform complex tasks. In 1992, carbon monoxide levels exceeded the Federal air quality standard in 20 U.S. cities, home to more than 14 million people.
What's Been Done to Control Carbon Monoxide Levels?
The Clean Air Act gives state and local governments primary responsibility for regulating pollution from power plants, factories, and other "stationary sources."The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has primary responsibility for"mobile source" pollution control.2 of 4 Automobiles and Carbon Monoxide The EPA motor vehicle program has achieved considerable success in reducing carbon monoxide emissions.
EPA standards in the early 1970's prompted automakers to improve basic engine design. By 1975, most new cars were equipped with catalytic converters designed to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. Catalysts typically reduce carbon monoxide emissions upwards of 80 percent. In the early 1980's, automakers introduced more sophisticated converters, plus on board computers and oxygen sensors to help optimize the efficiency of the catalytic converter.
Today's passenger cars are capable of emitting 90 percent less carbon monoxide over their lifetimes than their uncontrolled counterparts of the 1960's. As a result, ambient carbon monoxide levels have dropped, despite large increases in the number of vehicles on the road and the number of miles they travel. With continued increases in vehicle travel projected, however, carbon monoxide levels will begin to climb again unless even more effective emission controls are employed.
When commuters drive alone in large numbers, they can contribute significantly to smog and air pollution. By using carpools, van pools, public transportation, or biking/walking they are helping to make the environmental cleaner for all Americans. Like recycling, Commuter Choice programs can contribute to ensure clean and safe environment for ourselves and our children. (EPA420-F-98-029 December 1998)
Economic Advantages:
Most of the Economic Advantages are obvious, however, did you ever think about the Advantages Economically for the future? One will of course save money now and the immediate future with regards to their own pocketbook. Imagine though how much money we could be saving in relations to dollars spent on:
FIXING THE DAMAGE DONE BY POLLUTANTS! THIS ALONE COULD RUN INTO BILLIONS OF SAVED MONIES!.
Monies that could be used for the betterment of humanity? Feeding the Hungry, Housing the homeless? the list goes on!
Social/Emotional Advantages
I can think of no greater gift than to be part of something. To know that I am attempting to do my small part towards the betterment of our great Planet, to be part of a collective of individuals who are trying to help in whatever way they can. This social advantage cannot but lead, to an Emotional one. Not only does this fulfill a great desire in one self to aid others, as we all have that Emotional need to connect, not only one on one, but with the world.
