Unfortunately, not every community has mass transit infrastructure. And sometimes driving is the only practical way to get where you need to go, especially if you’re moving many people, bulky cargo, or animals.

Nationally, 17% of carbon emissions in 2017 came from passenger cars and light-duty vehicles. In my home state of Washington, where energy production is cleaner, private transportation is the largest source of emissions. Clearly, this is an area where individual action can make a big difference.

When possible, find ways to walk, bike, or use transit. But when the only practical option is to drive, do it as efficiently as possible:

• Drive an electric vehicle.
• Drive a hybrid.
• Carpool when it’s feasible and safe to do so.
• Group errands.
• Optimize fuel efficiency
• If you must use a rideshare or taxi service, use the carpooling feature or share the ride.