Making Green City Mobility a Reality
Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The effects of this are being observed in global climate change, causing extreme weather patterns, and affecting all aspects of our lives. One way in which we can combat this is by focusing efforts on developing sustainable mobility in our public infrastructure.
‘Sustainable Urban Mobility’ Definition
Sustainable urban mobility (also called ‘green urban mobility’ or ‘green city mobility’) is the use of public transport, walking, and cycling to move around a city.
This form of transport can contribute to improving quality of life, increasing physical activity levels, and reducing air pollution levels in urban areas. However, to deliver these benefits, we cannot separate energy and mobility.
The Future of Transport Systems Lies in the Power of Renewable Energy
Transportation is a major polluter. It produces around 20% of the world’s CO2 emissions, and, with more than 80% of America’s population living in urban areas, transport is doing a great deal of harm to our cities and the people who live in them.
However, it may surprise you to hear which mode of transport produces the highest CO2 emissions. Many people might think that aviation is the most polluting form of transport, but this contributes only 8% of all CO2 emissions from the transportation sector. The main contributors to CO2 emissions in the transportation sector are:
Buses and minibusses are way down the list at only 7%.
How can we reduce this pollution?
The answer lies in renewable energy. Clean and environmentally friendly, it is a better option for sustainable development. It is a key solution to both climate change and air pollution.
Renewables such as solar and wind power can be used to power transport systems such as electric vehicles, aircraft, ships, buses, and trains.
Transport cannot run without energy, and the transport system of the future will be powered by renewables.
Is the Transition to Renewable Energy a Reality?
The transition to renewable energy is already happening. For example, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. However, there are barriers to overcome if we are to deliver a more sustainable transportation system powered by renewable energies.
The first barrier is the fact that renewable energy sources are intermittent, meaning that they are not constant and can be unpredictable. They can’t (yet) provide enough power for a full day.
The second barrier is the cost of renewable energy sources when it comes to building or retrofitting vehicles with these systems.
Third, the development of renewable energy for transport has been hindered by the prohibitive cost of battery chargers. And, of course, the limited distance that electric vehicles can travel before needing to be recharged.
We also need to find better ways of delivering energy to cities or to develop cities that are designed to be sustainable, with their own sources of energy. This transition comes with a huge initial cost. But what is the cost if we don’t make this switch in our cities?
Renewable Energy Is Changing Cities to Be Greener, Healthier, and More Efficient
Renewable energy is a sustainable and clean source of fuel that is harnessed from natural resources such as wind, geothermal energy, and solar power. It has been making an impact on the world in the form of green cities and sustainable cities. These cities are examples of how renewable energy is changing the way we live.
Where renewable energy and green mobility systems are being introduced into cities, we are witnessing a change for the better. Occurrences of health problems such as respiratory ailments and heart disease are falling. Injuries caused by road traffic accidents are less likely. People can move around more freely, and children can play in newly established green areas.
We Must Start Transitioning Transportation Towards Renewable Energy Today
As more of our population moves to metropolitan areas, the need for efficient and sustainable transportation becomes increasingly important.
The use of renewable energy for powering transport will hugely reduce the carbon footprint of urban mobility systems. It will also help to create green cities with sustainable urban mobility systems which can be well-connected with other modes of transport such as walking, cycling, and public transport.
To deliver the health and environmental benefits of green mobility, we must make sustainable urban mobility a key consideration in all our urban planning and construction projects.
At ACB Consulting, we are committed to helping improve the communities in which we live, work, and play – including how they are conceived, designed, and created. To learn more, contact ACB Consulting.