A recorded public message urged commuters to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, saying transportation accounts for 28 percent of U.S. emissions and offering specific travel alternatives and estimated savings.

The speaker said, “Every day, millions of us get behind the wheel,” and added that the daily commute is “a major source of pollution.” The speaker cited that “transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., contributing 28 percent of total emissions primarily from cars and trucks.”

Why it matters: the message framed individual travel choices as actionable ways to lower household carbon outputs. The speaker said simple shifts — walking, bicycling, taking public transit or carpooling — can reduce a household’s carbon footprint, and promoted a call to action: “Take the Climate Action Counts pledge today.”

Details cited in the message included numeric estimates used to illustrate potential benefits. The speaker said walking or biking “a few trips a week can reduce your household’s carbon footprint by up to 1,000 pounds of CO2 annually.” On carpooling, the speaker said sharing a ride “could cut your CO2 emissions by up to 28 percent.” The message also said driving an electric vehicle “will reduce your emissions by over 70 percent compared to gas powered cars.” These figures were presented as examples in the recorded message and were attributed to the speaker.

The recording did not include identifying information for the speaker, event dates, sponsoring organization or sources for the numeric estimates. The speaker named a pledge program, saying, “Take the Climate Action Counts pledge today,” but did not provide a website, organizer name, or a timeline for follow-up. No motions, votes or formal government actions were part of this recording.

Public takeaways: the message focuses on personal travel choices — walking, biking, public transit, carpooling, or switching to electric vehicles — as ways individual commuters can attempt to lower transportation-related emissions. The recording did not present legislative proposals, binding guidance, or data sources for the percentage and reduction figures cited.