Environmental facts about carpooling
Here are some great environmental reasons to get involved in La Trobe's carpool program.
Car fumes are the second largest contributor to greenhouse gases. In Melbourne motor vehicles cause 80 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) and 60 percent of the nitrogen oxides in urban air pollution.
An average small car, with an engine size of 1.6 litres produces about 200 grams (0.2 kilograms) of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometre.
Car fumes are a huge contributor to global warming. Some of the global warming consequences that scientists are beginning to see evidence of include: melting glaciers, severe droughts, water shortages, coastal flooding, rising sea levels, more intense hurricanes, disruption of habitats and the spread of tropical diseases such as malaria.
The chemicals emitted from car exhausts are toxic and have harmful effects on humans. Direct air pollution causes respiratory diseases, irritation to the eyes, and exacerbates existing breathing problems such as asthma in children and other medical conditions in the elderly. Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness and poor mental alertness.