The Alameda Climate Action and Resiliency Plan of April 2025 includes the sources of greenhouse gas emissions by sector in Alameda. Notably, 54% of emissions originate from on-road transportation, followed by residential energy at 21% and nonresidential energy at 10%. Solid waste only accounts for 4%, as we already are doing a pretty good job of sorting our waste, diverting 81% of it from landfills. Therefore, although recycling and composting are important, we cannot rely solely on improving recycling and composting to meet the City’s goals of cutting emissions in half by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2045. We must tackle transportation and energy use in our homes and businesses to make a significant dent in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Active Transportation Plan relays a couple of interesting facts about Alameda transportation:
- 63% of all trips in Alameda are 3 miles or less; 31% are less than a mile.
- Despite the short distances, 70% of all trips are made by car.
- 21% of trips are made by walking and 4% of trips are made by bicycling.
Let’s get out of our cars and walk or bike for short trips around town. We have a good and improving biking infrastructure in Alameda, and our island is flat, perfect for easy biking and walking. So haul that bike out of the garage, pump up the tires, and get cycling. It’s fun and good for your health. Walking is another nice way to get around for errands or going out for a meal or to catch a movie at the theatre. With bicycling and walking there is no hunting for parking for your vehicle—or paying for parking—and you save on gasoline as well.
For longer trips, consider taking public transit or combining your bicycle with public transit. The ferry service is a great way to get to San Francisco, and the bus lines are great for getting you around Alameda and the Bay Area. Take the new Oakland-Alameda Water Shuttle to Jack London Square.
Then make your next vehicle purchase an electric vehicle. With Alameda Municipal Power’s 100% renewable energy, an electric vehicle charged in Alameda is a zero-emission way to get around.
The next biggest sector of greenhouse gas emissions in Alameda is residential and non-residential energy use. Two of the most effective actions one can take to reduce natural gas usage in this sector are to weatherize your home or business and electrify your appliances. Check out residential and business rebates offered by Alameda Municipal Power. If you can’t afford to electrify your appliances even with the rebates, there are simple yet effective ways to cut back on natural gas usage. Wash your clothes in cold water, which, with today’s detergents, is as effective as washing in hot or warm water and is gentler on your clothes, making them last longer. Taking shorter showers also helps. Cooking with electric appliances such as an instant pot, slow cooker, toaster oven, or microwave whenever possible instead of the gas stove and oven saves on emissions as well. Put up a clothesline for drying clothes instead of using a gas dryer.
Let’s work together to reduce the biggest sectors of greenhouse gas emissions in Alameda and save money on fuel and energy bills in the process.
Joyce Mercado is an author and member of Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA), as well as the Rotary Club’s president. Her columns are collected at alamedapost.com/Joyce-Mercado. She can be reached at [email protected].
