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Carbon dioxide levels are higher today than they have been at any point in the last 800,000 years. As of 2017, transportation generated 29% of greenhouse gas emissions. Typical passenger vehicles made up 59% of the transportation emissions. The average person emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide from transportation every year. There are over 1.4 billion cars on the road as of 2018, with this number expected to double by 2036, the carbon emissions from transportation are only going to rise.

Although completely getting rid of carbon emissions from transportation is out of the question, there are many things we can do to reduce emissions. First, we could rely more on public transportation which would reduce the average person’s carbon emissions. Next, use alternative transportation whenever possible, such as walking or biking. With a society that revolved around public transportation rather than personal transportation, carbon emissions could be drastically reduced.

https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/fast-facts-transportation-greenhouse-gas-emissions

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-advice/how-many-cars-are-there-in-the-world-70629

https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/greenhouse-gas-emissions-typical-passenger-vehicle

With electricity being one of the leading causes of US carbon emissions, it is important to lower our affect on the environment. Since the first solar panel model was built in 2015, there has been a lot more research put towards making more efficient solar panel models. Everything has its pros and cons, the same idea goes for solar energy/ solar panels. Switching to solar power for your home/business could offer a lot of savings in the long run. Electricity bills would be significantly reduced, and federal and state tax benefits are available to those with solar panels. The solar panels would lead to energy independence and smaller carbon footprints.

Unfortunately, solar energy isn’t perfect. Solar panels have a high initial cost. Once they are installed, they can’t be moved to a new location (if you move). The use of your solar energy would be dependent on the weather. Finally, solar panels are not offered, or convenient, everywhere.

The initial cost of installing solar panels is significantly larger than an average electricity bill. However, in a 20 year period, it can be expected to save anywhere between $10,000 and $30,000. Eventually, the solar panels would start to pay for themselves. Also, to influence the purchase of solar panels, there are federal and state tax benefits for taxpayers to claim 30% of the installment costs. Since coal and gas are limited resources, their prices depend on how limited they are. Solar energy is a bottomless pit (so to speak). The use of solar energy would also lead to a smaller carbon foot print, which is good for everyone.

There have been a few big companies that have switched to solar energy. Amazon has committed not only to solar energy, but wind power as well. (All numbers are coming from 2018 and have likely changed) Amazon had 33.6 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity and will add one million megawatt hours every year. (For reference, in 2012, it was calculated that one megawatt of solar energy could power between 150-210 houses). Macy’s had almost 40 MW of solar capacity. Ikea had close to 45 MW. General Growth Properties installed 50.2 MW of solar capacity. Costco Wholesale had 50.8 MW. Apple had nearly 80 MW of solar capacity installed. Walmart had 149.4 MW installed. Target had 203.5 MW of solar capacity.

Solar energy has both pros and cons, but ultimately it is better for everyone. Many big companies have already started using solar panels. With these big companies supporting the use of solar energy, eventually, more companies would make the switch.