Governments should definitely spend more money improving all forms of public transportation. These include buses, subways and trains, because this is the best way to preserve natural resources and reduce pollution.
As a planet, we’re dealing with a finite amount of natural resources. Once they're gone, they can't be replaced. But we seem to forget that and consume the natural resources at an incredible rate. Among wealthier counties, some families have two or three cars. As soon their teenagers get their driver's licenses, they’re going to have cars so their parents won't have to drive them to their destinations.
Public transportation hasn't been sufficiently developed except for big cities, such as New York City or Boston. Because of this, suburban areas surrounding cities have been allowed to sprawl widely. This means that people can't go to the grocery store without driving their cars. Every place is too far away from where they live. If there were better and more frequent modes of public transportation, people would be able to give up their cars.
As a result of all cars being driven by people, we’re dealing with terrible pollution problems. In big cities, there are certain days during the summer when the elderly and people with respiratory problems are advised not to leave the house. Ten years ago this warning was common. Public transportation would cut down on air pollution.
Public transportation also creates a sense of community. People who travel to work together, using a carpool, get to know each other. The car isolates people from their neighbors; however, people feel they need to drive because they can't always take the public transportation because it is inconvenient their schedules. If more money were available, buses, subways, and trains could run 24 hours every day.
I always try to take public transportation when I can and I encourage friends and neighbors to take it. I think we must support public transportation in order to create a better world without pollution and save natural resources.
|