Dump the Pump Day 2022: breakING away from gas
June 17 is National Dump the Pump Day. As Americans deal with record-high gas prices, many are looking for ways to reduce their reliance on cars – and possibly live a car-free lifestyle.
Why are gas prices so high?
As this piece from NPR explains, two main factors are driving up the price of gas: recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The price changes according to the rules of supply and demand. If there’s a lot of oil, but not too much demand for it, the price stays relatively low. When the opposite happens – there’s not enough oil to meet the demand – the price goes up. This second situation is one we find ourselves in now. Soaring demand is colliding with a reduction in supply, caused by the removal of Russian gas from global markets.
One of the most immediate benefits of reducing our reliance and usage of cars could be a reduction in gas prices. The less we use our cars, the less demand there will be, and the faster prices could come down.
How can you choose a car-free life?
There are several other forms of transportation that are becoming more widely available in cities and towns throughout the United States. Bikes, scooters, and public transit rail systems are all great options, and many cities and towns are rolling out pilot programs or fully implementing these alternate ride-share systems. While there’s been amazing progress in recent years in expanding these programs, plenty of opportunity exists to make sure these programs are successful. As more people choose to use bikes, scooters and rail instead of cars, elected officials will get the message that constituents want more investment in these systems, improving infrastructure and ensuring their long-term viability.
What going car-free means for our future
Reducing our reliance on cars is crucial for our ability to withstand not just large jumps in gas prices, but also to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. As more of us push towards low- or zero-emission transportation options, we’re reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses we individually emit. Emissions from transportation represent the biggest source of emissions in the U.S., representing 27% of all emissions in the U.S. The U.S. still has a long way to go to reach the point where the majority our energy is produced from renewable sources, but a large movement by the public towards low- or zero-emission transportation will certainly help us make significant progress.
At Northeast Maglev, we’re fully supportive of policies and lifestyle changes that will help take more cars off of roads and improve our region’s air quality. Additionally, the Superconducting Maglev (SCMAGLEV) system is an extremely efficient option capable of moving millions of passengers at very high speeds with very low emissions. As the system is fully electric, there’s no emissions from the trains or guideway. Northeast Maglev is committed to environmental stewardship in all aspects of the project and is committed to sourcing the electricity needed for train operations to the greatest extent possible from renewable energy.
We’re excited for the day when the SCMAGLEV will be one of the many options available to people who want to live a car-free lifestyle.