*If viewing this page on a mobile device, click the dropdown menu titled “All Geology” for links to the other sustainable transportation webpages (Car-Share Services; Local Transit Systems; Turlock Transit; Using Alternative Transportation).

“Common opinion holds that universities should be a beacon for society; they should be inclusive, honest, and sustainable, and encourage free speech and critical thinking. Consequently, universities have been regarded as institutions with significant responsibilities to help resolve issues of sustainability as well as serve as role models to society by implementing sustainable plans that entail monitoring the negative consequences of university operations. Students in higher education should be educated on sustainable development and sustainable practices”

(Yañez et al., 2020).[1]

Trees on Stan State campus during autumn

 

Quick Facts on the current state of air pollution in the Central Valley

  • In 2022, the American Lung Association gave all counties in the San Joaquin Valley an F grade in “High Particle Pollution Days” and “High Ozone Days”[2]
  • The Fresno-Madera-Hanford region was ranked 1st in cities most polluted by daily particulate matter
  • The San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland region, which includes Stanislaus County, was ranked 5th in cities most polluted by daily particulate matter
  • As a result of poor air quality in the Central Valley, life spans in the Central Valley are shorter and asthma rates are higher compared to other parts of California and the rest of the country[3]
  • Vehicle emissions (nitrogen oxides and particulates) are a primary producer of air pollution in the Central Valley

We are all affected by adverse health and environmental effects caused by vehicle emissions. Therefore, each of us has a responsibility to curb vehicle emissions and this may be achieved through increased use of alternative modes of transportation. Alternative modes of transportation, or sustainable travel, include using public transit or car-sharing services, biking, carpooling/vanpooling, and walking. Participation in sustainable travel has environmental, health, and financial benefits. Visit Stanislaus State's Sustainability website for more information on Alternative Transportation Recommendations


Crowded parking lot

 

Quick Facts on private car ownership

  • More than 99% of new passenger cars sold worldwide still rely on fossil fuels[4]
  • On average, cars are parked 95% of the time[5]
  • The average gas price in California is $5.369 (as of 8/14/22)[6]
  • Researchers at MIT have identified that “Consumers systematically underestimate the true private cost of car ownership” and “if consumers did accurately account for the cost, they would own fewer cars.”[7]

[1] Yañez, P., Sinha, A., & Vásquez, M. (2020). Carbon footprint estimation in a university campus: Evaluation and insights. Sustainability. 12(1), 181. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12010181

[3] Sankey, J. (2021). Faculty and student research: Air pollution, health, and a 51 million mile/year student commuter campus.

[4] Andor, M. A., Gerster, A., Gillingham, K. T. & Horvath, M. (2020). Running a car costs much more than people think—stalling the uptake of green travel. Nature 580, 453–455.

[5] Morris, D. (2016). Today’s cars are parked 95% of the time. Fortune. https://fortune.com/2016/03/13/cars-parked-95-percent-of-time/

[6] Gas prices. (n.d.). American Automobile Association. https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=CA

[7] Moody, J., Farr, E., Papagelis, M. & Keith, D.R. (2021). The value of car ownership and use in the United States. Nature Sustainability 4, 769-774. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-021-00731-5


Sustainable Transportation webpages were created by Vivian Aguilar

Updated: August 09, 2023