Reliance on Gas-Powered Transportation Is Destroying Climate and Our Health
Gasoline and diesel cars, trucks, ferries and airplanes contribute 45% of the greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey. In addition, the high levels of car, truck and airplane traffic in our state release smog and particulate matter that contributes to the high levels of asthma and related ailments affecting our residents.
The New Jersey Chapter’s Transportation Committee is working to help reduce these emissions on multiple fronts. These include:
- Promoting legislation to fund electric school buses.
- Working with NJ Transit to improve service levels and public information. This is a cost-effective way to make the existing public transit infrastructure a better alternative to private autos.
- Promoting a plan to run NJ Transit trains using renewable solar energy in place of a new gas-fired power plant that is proposed in the Meadowlands.
- Lobbying for Federal funding for new NJ Transit services such as the Hudson River Gateway tunnels and new light rail service in Bergen County and between Camden and Glassboro.
- Opposing new highway building like the proposed widening of the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkways through South Jersey and Essex & Bergen Counties, respectively.
Electric School Bus Campaign
Replacing America’s diesel school bus fleets with electric will have a significantly higher impact on overall air quality and global warming than replacing diesel transit buses. One study estimated that nationwide school buses emit 5.3 million tons of greenhouse gases each year, compared to 2 million tons for transit buses. Converting diesel school buses to electric is one of the most significant actions we can take to protect our children’s health and lessen air pollution.
Learn more about how electric school buses can significantly benefit our environment.
How You Can Help
We often hold campaigns to email State and Federal legislators, and look for ways to raise awareness in local communities by writing letters to the editor. Join our work: contact the transportation committee at transportation@sierraclub.org to volunteer.
Resources
NJ Incentive Programs for Purchase of Zero Emission Light Duty Vehicles and Residential Charging Stations (July 2023)
The Sierra Club's Clean Transportation for All Campaign (Information Sheet)
Clean Transportation for All: Building a Frequent Service Bus Network for Northeastern New Jersey (Report)
Clean Transportation for All: Improving Access to New Jersey Public Transit Information (Report)
Transportation Policy (Report)