Public transportation saves 37 million tons of CO2 annually.

Each year, public transportation saves 541 million hours in travel time, which in turn, reduces stress and decreases congestion on busy roadways.

In 2008, more than 10 billion trips were taken on public transportation, the highest level in more than 50 years.

U.S. public transportation saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. This is equivalent to the emissions resulting from the electricity generated from 4.9 million households or every household in Washington D.C., New York City, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles combined!

Public transportation systems, like the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, are investing in environmentally friendly vehicles such as diesel-electric hybrids, which are up to 40 percent more fuel efficient than conventional diesel buses.

Public transportation saves the U.S. the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually – more than three times the amount of gasoline refined from oil imported from Kuwait.

Public transportation prevents 900,000 automobile fill-ups each day.

According to the most recent Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) report, Americans living in areas served by public transportation save 340 million gallons of fuel annually.

The transportation sector produces one-third of all greenhouse gas emission in the United States. Effective strategies to reduce these gas emissions must include improved fuel economy, reduced carbon content in fuels, and reduction in the growth of vehicle miles of travel.

Each year, an individual can achieve an average savings of more than $8,000 by living with one less car and taking public transportation instead.

Switching to public transportation reduces individual carbon emissions by 20 pounds per day or 4,800 pounds per year.

Public transportation offers an immediate alternative for individuals seeking to reduce their energy use and carbon footprints.

The average household in which at least one member uses public transportation drives 16 fewer miles per day.

Analysis of a typical two-car household reveals 20% of carbon emissions come from natural gas, 25% from electricity, and 55% of carbon emissions from private vehicles. There is a potential 30% savings from private vehicles if one car can be eliminated.

Champaign-Urbana boasts the 8th highest percentage nationally, 8.98%, of "Green Commuters."

In 2010, the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District provided over 10 million rides.

The District uses 750,000 gallons annually to travel 3 million miles.

The preliminary function of this group is to share information, enhance efficiency, and build capacity for projects rooted in the discipline of sustainability. By gathering practitioners, we hope to alleviate recognized barriers and help our organizations and communities to take tangible steps forward."

The Urbana Sustainability Initiative was presented to the Urbana City Council in April 2007.

The Climate Protection Agreement was signed in May 2007. The agreement declares the City’s commitment to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol target. The Kyoto Protocol calls for a 7 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2012.

The first City of Urbana Sustainability Advisory Commission was appointed in July 2008. The role of the Commission is to advise the Mayor and Council in identifying the highest priorities for city government and citizens to achieve sustainable management of natural resources—water and energy in particular.

The U-CYCLE recycling program, one of Illinois’ first residential curbside programs started in 1986, is a significant environmental initiative.

Since the late-1970s, farmers from the region have gathered in Urbana to provide local produce to citizens. Today the Market at the Square is one of the largest and most diverse farmers’ markets in Illinois.

In January 2008, the Public Works Department formed a Green Team to look at sustainable measures that can be incorporated into Public Works activities.