27 % of the greenhouse gas buildup in our atmosphere comes from transportation. "The majority of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation are CO2 emissions resulting from the combustion of petroleum-based products, like gasoline, in internal combustion engines.(http://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgem … ation.html). As you can see, transportation is a huge contributor to our global carbon footprint. There are many possible solutions to this growing problem. One of them is biking. Biking to and from places in your vicinity is a great form of exercise and it doesn't emit harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. However, it is difficult for people to take up biking in big, metropolitan cities like Houston. This is why I believe that big cities should invest in biking lanes on the roads or in sidewalks for bikers. Another possible solution is carpooling. Carpooling is a great way to reduce the community's carbon footprint. Instead of having a car for every person, find people in your area who participate in the same activities as you and carpool  with them. An average car can fit at least 5 people. That is at least 5 people reducing their carbon footprint which can make a huge difference. And lastly, another solution is public transportation. While a bus does release more CO2 than a car, 30 cars, or however many people on a bus at one time, produces more CO2 than one bus. There are many solutions that would lower the 27% greenhouse gas buildup from transportation, but are people willing to make these changes to help the environment?

I completely agree. I can't ride my bike to school because I live so far. So instead, I go by car. I carpool to and from school with other students, so that reduces my carbon footprint. I agree that big cities should invest in biking lanes so that more people can ride their bikes safely. Another way to have green transportation is to invest in a electric car. Even though it's very expensive, you are releasing less carbon.

It's very interesting that you mentioned cities invested in biking lanes because in Oakland, California, where I am from, we do have biking lanes; we also have these lanes in the more well known nearby city San Francisco. Furthermore, in response to your comment about how biking is especially difficult in large urban areas, the company Citi is an example of how cities have compensated for that. Citi created a system that features thousands of bikes across hundreds of stations in New York City and New Jersey, two major cities that undoubtedly contribute greatly to transportation pollution. Though there have been similar rent-a-bike systems around the United States, this company was the first to make international headlines. When I went to New York City a little over year ago, I saw these bikes available to rent and I thought about how significant of an impact riding a bike has when thousands of people choose to participate. This Citi system leads to fewer people using taxis, buses or cars to transport themselves in probably one of the most visited cities in the nation; as  a result, there must be a lower carbon footprint. In fact, according to an article by Alex Vickers called "Citi Bike's Grand Impact," the bikes prevent 439 tons of CO2 from being released (read more here: http://bikeshare.com/2014/01/the-good-a … citi-bike/). However, for places that do not have bike lines or easily accessible rentable bikes, carpooling, I agree, is a wonderful option. My teammates and I carpool to soccer practice three times a week in order to reduce our footprints and not waste gasoline. In response to your last question, it is definitely up to us, the next generation to start making changes in our lives now so when we reach adulthood, we have created habits that will benefit rather than harm the environment.

I completely agree with the biking lanes suggestion! It sounds like a great way to save our environment, and it may even be fun. I still have yet to find someone to carpool with before and after school.

It is a very good idea because you need to have a transportation if you live far away of your destination so why not to ride an green transportation that doesnt pollute that much