Aug 19, 2009

Telecommuting is likely not a viable alternative for all employees all of the time, but your organization can still encourage green behavior by promoting office carpools.

According to census data, approximately 75 percent of Americans who drive to work do so by themselves.  Automobile emissions are responsible for large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, and EPA studies have shown that trips lasting less than 15 minutes, such as many commutes, cause more emissions per mile than longer trips.

Encourage your company to organize a ride board where prospective carpoolers can find who lives near them and form carpools.  Additionally, encourage your office to offer incentives to people who carpool, bike or commute to work entirely through public transportation.  

Many communities offer resources for carpoolers.  For example, learn more about the Commuter Connections program in the Washington, DC metro area.

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