1. MET 12 Global Climate Change – Lecture 12
Transportation
Shaun Tanner
San Jose State University

2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Transportation~ 30% of all end use emissions
That there is a link between CO2 and global temperatures is irrefutable as this diagram shows, but exact details of the link and all the possible feedback mechanisms are not clear.
The interaction of positive and negative feedback effects associated with the greenhouse effect is currently a critical issue for the scientific community.
Transportation~ 30% of all end use emissions

3. Climate Solutions
Transport
Housing
Food

4. Burrito (Beef): 850 calories: $6.10
Burrito (Veggie): 830 calories: $5.75
Calories per dollar: 140
CO2: 3.8 kg
CO2 per dollar: 636
Calories per dollar: 145
CO2: 0.5 kg
CO2 per dollar: 94

6. How far can you travel on a burrito?

8. Driving 55 In 1974 55 mph national speed limit law passed
2% reduction in highway fuel consumption
lives saved annually
Law altered in 1987 and repealed in 1995
That there is a link between CO2 and global temperatures is irrefutable as this diagram shows, but exact details of the link and all the possible feedback mechanisms are not clear.
The interaction of positive and negative feedback effects associated with the greenhouse effect is currently a critical issue for the scientific community.

9. 10 to the 15 BTU of energy = quad

11. Miles per gallon

12. Highway Speed Limits

14. Fuel efficiency versus speed

15. Assignment
Campaign to reduce highway speed limit 1. Calculate fuel and CO2 emissions for bay area trip to Lake Tahoe (and return) driving at a speed of 55 mph and 75 mph. 2. Calculate equivalent measures: plastic bottles, plastic bags, burritos and iPods 3. Write a pitch (1 paragraph) advocating for speed limit reduction
That there is a link between CO2 and global temperatures is irrefutable as this diagram shows, but exact details of the link and all the possible feedback mechanisms are not clear.
The interaction of positive and negative feedback effects associated with the greenhouse effect is currently a critical issue for the scientific community.

16. Data San Jose to Lake Tahoe = 230 miles Avg vehicle: 35 mpg @ 55 mph
1 gallon of gas burned = 20 lbs of CO2
1 water bottle ~ 1.7 lbs of CO2
1 plastic bag ~ 0.14 lbs of CO2
1 iPod ~ 50 lbs of CO2
1 veggie burrito ~ 1.1 lbs of CO2
1 beef burrito ~ 8.4 lbs of CO2
22.6 million licensed drivers in CA
10,000 miles per person