GRA
Well-known member
Via GCC:
I've occasionally been taken to task for my position that EVs alone aren't going to get us where we need to be by 2050, and that we also need to reduce the amount of VMT by redesigning our cities to reduce distances and emphasize alternative means of transportation (walking/biking/transit) to cars. From the article:
They've just published what is in effect the 3rd edition with more recent data , but I haven't gotten my hands on a copy yet:
The End of Automobile Dependence:
HOW CITIES ARE MOVING BEYOND CAR-BASED PLANNING
https://www.islandpress.org/book/the-end-of-automobile-dependence#sthash.lNnbQ4cb.dpuf https://www.islandpress.org/book/the-end-of-automobile-dependence
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2015/11/20151112-cboc.htmlReport finds road transportation sector in Canada likely to fall far short of 2050 GHG emissions reduction target
I've occasionally been taken to task for my position that EVs alone aren't going to get us where we need to be by 2050, and that we also need to reduce the amount of VMT by redesigning our cities to reduce distances and emphasize alternative means of transportation (walking/biking/transit) to cars. From the article:
Unfortunately, the report itself is behind a paywall, but I expect the excerpts give an adequate idea of its main points. Those interested in the subject may find this book, "Sustainability and Cities: Overcoming Automobile Dependence" (1999; it was preceded by "Cities and Automobile Dependence" in 1989) a good starting point: http://islandpress.org/book/sustainability-and-cities. . . Canada is making progress reducing its GHG emissions and will continue to do so for the next decade. The challenge is that we are not moving fast enough. Relying on technological solutions alone will not be enough for Canada to meet the 80-by-50 goal. Canada needs a coordinated approach that supplements our focus on technological improvements with efforts that change the way we use transportation and that reduce demand for road transportation. The challenge is significant for Canadians who will need to dramatically rethink their travel habits to achieve even a 50 percent reduction target in road transport emissions. . . .
The report makes a number of recommendations to help bring Canada closer to an 80% reduction in GHG emissions from road transport, including:
- Continued improvement in vehicle performance and efficiency. <snip>
- Further adoption of alternative vehicle technologies, such as hybrids, plug-in electric, natural gas and biofuels.
- <snip>
- Getting people out of cars and onto other modes of transport. For the past 20 years, consumers have shifted their purchasing decisions away from passenger cars toward passenger trucks (including minivans, crossovers, and sport utility vehicles). This trend has partially offset the benefits of fuel efficiency improvements in both categories. Further, the average distance travelled per vehicle is declining slowly and the average occupancy per VKT remains stubbornly below two.
Canada’s cities are spending on urban transit systems, but their spending is limited by available tax revenues, making it a challenge to grow transit services faster than population grows. Cities are also spending on alternative transit modes (walking and cycling) and on encouraging their use. Some cities are considering addressing congestion through fees, parking costs, and other measures.
As Canada moves toward 2050, the challenge of getting people out of their cars and onto other modes of transportation will remain one of the largest we face. This will require governments, cities, businesses, and people to change the way they think about getting where they need to go.
Considering lower carbon freight options such as rail and marine transport. <snip>
Reducing demand for transportation. The challenge is that reducing demand requires behavioural change, and that is not easy to accomplish. Individuals choose to act to reduce emissions knowing that their actions will benefit society, but may not bring sufficient personal benefit to justify the change based on self-interest alone. Governments can provide incentives, but individuals must make the choices.
They've just published what is in effect the 3rd edition with more recent data , but I haven't gotten my hands on a copy yet:
The End of Automobile Dependence:
HOW CITIES ARE MOVING BEYOND CAR-BASED PLANNING
https://www.islandpress.org/book/the-end-of-automobile-dependence#sthash.lNnbQ4cb.dpuf https://www.islandpress.org/book/the-end-of-automobile-dependence