Boulder, CO (July 18, 2006) - Setting trends as always, Boulder, CO experienced great success with Bike and Walk to Work Week from June 24-30, including nearly 4100 registered participants that took to the streets to commute by bike, foot and public transportation. On June 28th alone, this resulted in nearly 40,000 miles NOT driven and over 15 tons of global warming related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions NOT sent into the atmosphere.
The Boulder-based non-profit, Sustainable Travel International (STI), in conjunction with MyClimate - a global GHG offset leader - calculated employee commute-related emissions savings for the City of Boulder, the Denver Regional Council of Governments and GO Boulder. They also calculated the costs to offset existing transportation-related emissions by investing in renewable energy projects that would eliminate the same amount of emissions elsewhere.
"Boulder County residents saved an estimated 39,597 miles on Bike and Walk to Work Day," explains STI Co-founder and Vice President, Peter D. Krahenbuhl, "which in turn saved approximately 15.5 tons of CO2 from being emitted. This is the equivalent of conserving 1765 gallons of gas, or nearly 400 tree seedlings grown for 10 years." These types of community-based initiatives are timely, as the Supreme Court is hosting what is arguably its most important environmental case in history. It has to determine whether the government should regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs) as pollution, including carbon dioxide (CO2) from automobiles. Not only is transportation one of the largest and fastest growing contributors to global warming, it also contributes to traffic congestion, anxiety and other forms of pollution.
Based on figures supplied by the city of Boulder, STI calculated that the average daily commute is 9.73 miles per person, or 2432.28 miles per year, which is lower than the national average but still results in nearly one ton of CO2 being released into the atmosphere per person per year, based on an average vehicles fuel efficiency of 23 mpg. Through MyClimate, STI provides people with the opportunity to "offset" those emissions by donating to renewable energy projects that double as community development projects in developing countries. "Based on these figures," Krahenbuhl continues, "Boulder County residents can offset their 0.95 ton annual commute related GHG impacts for under $17."
STI also calculated overall GHG impacts based on a 2005 census report of 284,400 residents in Boulder County. With figures suggesting that 180,025 are commuting (63.3% being between the ages of 18-65 and deducting 4.9% unemployment rate), this totals nearly 439 million miles driven to and from work per year and an estimated 171,657 metric tons of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere which equates to over 378,439,765 pounds. Offsetting this amount would be the equivalent to keeping 37,155 passenger cars off the road for one year, saving nearly 20 million gallons of gas, providing electricity to over 22,000 households for one year, or the equivalent of 4,401,472 tree seedlings grown for ten years.
Offsetting this amount through MyClimate would cost Boulder County about $1 million and would help it to achieve any emissions reductions goals as set forth under the Kyoto Protocol to address global warming. This is because MyClimate projects qualify under the strict, World Wildlife Fund supported CDM Gold Standard and mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol. Alternatively, STI also distributes certified project specific, domestic renewable energy programs that could help Boulder transition to renewable energy internally and thereby reduce its own future emissions.
"This may seem like a substantial investment, but would ultimately result in the long-term economic, social and environmental health of Boulder County, and the planet at large. As an alternative, keep in mind that it costs a lot less and makes us all feel better to just get out there on our bikes and go," Krahenbuhl concludes.
For further information please email Peter D. Krahenbuhl, call 303-448-0967 or visit www.my-climate.com.
About MyClimate
The MyClimate foundation is one of the leading providers of high-quality carbon offset certificates for climate neutral business and leisure travel, conferences and events, home and office energy consumption and the like.
About Sustainable Travel International
STI is the North American distributor of MyClimate, and promotes sustainable development and eco-friendly travel by providing programs that help travelers, travel-related companies and destinations protect the places they visit, the places they call home, and the planet at large.
