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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Energy and Environment

Monday, September 10, 2012

Energy and Environment

Consequences of transportation for the human and natural environment (chapter 2, section E)

  • Highway vehicles emitted 82% of all transportation carbon dioxide emissions in 2005. [E-2]
  • Transportation emitted 54% of the nation's pollution from carbon monoxide, 36% of nitrogen oxides, 22% of volatile organic compounds, and 1.4% of sulfur dioxide in 2006. All of these emissions have declined in the last decade despite a rise in vehicle-miles of travel. [E-3]