According to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, one quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions in Cook County are created just by transportation, with three-quarters of that coming just from passenger vehicle operation. This means that one-fifth of all of the county's emissions comes from personal vehicles.
In comparison transit vehicles account for less than one percent of all transportation emissions, with walking and cycling a not even making the chart. Infact more emissions are emitted from the methane released from decomposing garbage than from transit vehicles.
While battery electric vehicles do not emit any emissions while in operation, they still add to emissions through the electricity generated to charge them and the manufacturing and disposal of the lithium-ion batteries. This leads to the lifetime emissions of an electric vehicle only being half of an internal combustion engine vehicle.
Even if all cars combustion engine personal vehicles were replaced with electric vehicles they would still contribute to a tenth of the county's emissions. This also wouldn't solve the issues of the road noise and microplastics caused by the tires or the overbuilt infrastructure necessary for operation and storage of them.
2019 Emmisions Data collected by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Enviromental Protection Agency showing the lifecycle emissions of an electric vehicle using data from Argonne Nation Lboratory
Whether its visiting family and friends or patronizing a business, saying how you got somewhere can get others thinking about mobility options. Most people assume everyone gets to a location by driving but hearing that there are other ways may get them to support it more.
Stay informed by signing up for the Go Evanston newsletter. We will send out updates about city projects and changes to our transit network alongside information about micro-mobility and transit related events.
If you have issues getting around your area or feel unsafe doing so, letting your city representative know is the first step towards changing it. There are ward meetings regularly held to meet them in person, but they can also be emailed at any time. They will either let you know what they can do or forward your concern to someone who has that jurisdiction.
Multiple public works projects happen every year with a majority of them involving the public right of way. Attending these meeting or writing a response to the proposal can help make sure that the projects account for all modes of transportation
While most major capital projects are federally funded, smaller local projects and transit operations receive a majority of their funding from the state. Write in to your state representative or senator to let them know how transportation funds should be distributed.
