(This story was originally published in The Elevator in June, 2022.)

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in warm weather throughout Oregon’s seasons. 

As a result of climate change, global warming has begun to create irregular weather patterns with rising temperatures. 

Gas emission vehicles are one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gasses. They also contribute to respiratory diseases from smog and air pollution that are produced.

Transportation accounts for about 40% of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions, Kathleen George said, a committee chair on The Environmental Quality Commission.

Although most vehicles are gas emitted, understanding their influence on the climate can educate people to find new solutions.

The Influences of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Climate Change is caused by greenhouse gas molecules that are in the atmosphere. These molecules absorb light and prevent some of it from escaping the Earth. The molecules absorb the heat and then radiate it essentially warming the planet. 

The main gasses responsible for the greenhouse effect are carbon dioxide methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor that are released through human activities. In Oregon, greenhouse gas emissions are mostly caused by burning fuel, chemical reactions, and industrial processes. 

Around 80% of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy used to power homes, cars, and businesses. A large portion of this also comes from large transportation vehicles that require more gasoline.

While many Oregonians value the state’s natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and clean habitats, climate change has already started to take a toll on the environment.

Carbon pollution has been raising average temperatures, resulting in more intense storm events, drought, severe wildfire seasons, and threatening the extinction of wildlife that aren’t able to adapt to the rapidly-warming planet.

Central Oregon’s glaciers may experience significant melt as the snowpack that normally protects them in the warmer months starts to melt earlier in the year. Snowpack is also expected to decline by at least 60% in the next few years.

Actions to Reduce Climate Change

Oregonians have suggested ways to reduce the number of greenhouse gasses that are being emitted into the atmosphere. Some of these ways include converting to electric vehicles or hydrogen-powered vehicles, converting to ethanol and renewable fuels, and reducing energy use.

Converting to electric vehicles will decline the use of fossil fuels. Electric vehicles will also save money since they do not need extra oil changes and the electricity is cheaper per mile than gasoline. Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles only release water and warm air which are not harmful to the environment. 

These vehicles are simple to maintain, cheaper to refuel, fun to drive, and account for 25% of all registered vehicles, and at least 50% of new annual sales.

Battery-powered cars also have an environmental cost, taking into account the energy and raw materials they require, but electric vehicles are much more preferable for the climate than gas emission vehicles.

Later this year, Oregon, Washington, and California are all expected to adopt bans on the sale of cars fueled only by gasoline, starting in 2035. This will apply pressure on car manufacturers to produce more electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The typical passenger vehicle emits around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Using ethanol and renewable fuels is more beneficial for the environment since they have lower carbon content and are more affordable fuel options.

Since 2016, The Clean Fuels Program at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has already cut greenhouse gas emissions by 6.5 million tons. This program offers incentives to develop affordable fuel alternatives, it has fostered over a $200 million market in fuels with lower carbon content, including ethanol and renewable diesel.

Small changes in daily routine such as not taking unnecessary trips when driving can also have an effect on creating a cleaner environment.

The Future of Oregon

Adding more clean and electric trucks on the road might help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon. This would also help people with respiratory illnesses that suffer from unclean air.

Starting in 2025 The Advanced Clean Truck rule will require manufacturers of heavy-duty and medium vehicles, large pickup trucks, buses, and tractor-trailer rigs to sell a certain percentage of zero-emissions electric vehicles. This will cut down a big part of the emission that is typically released since these vehicles burn more fossil fuels.

“So, while heavy duty trucks and buses which are usually filled by diesel, only account for 4% of vehicles on the road nationally, they’re responsible for 23% of greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon.” Rachel Sakata said, a senior air quality planner at The Department of Environmental Quality’s.

Manufacturers of pickup trucks and vans will notice that zero-emission vehicles will make up 7% of their Oregon sales starting in 2024. By 2035, manufacturers of trucks, vans, and buses would need zero-emission vehicles to make up at least 40% of their Oregon sales, Sakata said.

A study done by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Union of Concerned Scientists found that by 2050 Oregonians could save $21.1 billion and avoid around nearly 84,000 respiratory illnesses if the state begins to transition to zero-emission electric trucks now.

Conserving energy and considering the amount of energy that is being used during an activity can prevent the overuse of fossil fuels released into the atmosphere. 

It is important to understand how our actions and carbon footprint are affecting our environment, especially when finding easy ways to reduce it, Edward Brook said, who is a Professor at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.

Using different methods to cut down the number of fossil fuels used in daily life will save money and lower the amount of greenhouse gas molecules emitted into the atmosphere. This can reduce the effects of climate change and create a clean environment for Oregon again.