You could resolve to lose weight, get fit, reduce debt or knock off all three by decreasing your time in the driver’s seat this year. That’s one of my resolutions — to drive less.
My motivation for driving less is to reduce my contributions to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Vehicles account for almost 30 per cent of Calgary’s emissions — less driving and driving cleaner vehicles could lower the impact of vehicles on our city’s atmosphere.
Quebec has upped the ante on this resolution. In an effort to stimulate reductions in GHG emissions, Quebec, with 20 per cent of its emissions coming from light vehicles, has become the first in Canada to adopt new emissions standards. Its resolution begins Jan. 14, with increasingly strict limits on maximum GHG emissions for light vehicles manufactured between 2010 and 2016 that are sold in Quebec.
The regulations are modelled after California’s stringent auto-emissions standards that came into effect in 2004. The province would have moved forward a couple years ago, but it was waiting to see how legal battles between the auto sector and the state of California would conclude.
Charles Larochelle, assistant deputy environment minister in Quebec, says emissions from vehicles will be trimmed by about 35 per cent by 2016 because of the new regulations.
While the Obama administration has indicated it will adopt equivalent standards across the U.S. by 2012, plans are less clear here. That means it’s up to individuals to curb transportation-sourced GHG emissions. Hence, my resolution.
There are clear benefits to reducing personal vehicle usage. The Canadian Automobile Association calculated the average annual cost of operating a personal vehicle is $11,480.
Commuting via public transit to work, grouping errands together and walking more means less vehicle wear and tear, and less fill ups.
Populations are healthier in places renowned for walkability and good public transportation. For example, obesity rates in Denmark are less than 10 per cent whereas they are 23 per cent in Canada. Excess weight increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, some cancers and gallbladder disease. Walking to the train, the store or the bank does make a difference.
But the reason for my resolution to drive less mirrors that of Quebec’s new emissions standards — concern for air quality and GHG emissions. So, this year I’m going to take transit more, walk more and drive less.
Adrienne Beattie is a Calgary-born writer who has covered urban issues since 2001 and has an English degree from the University of Calgary.
