One
thing most people in the U.S. can agree on is this: we
hate sitting in our cars in traffic. It's a hassle, it's
annoying, and it's a complete waste of precious time.
But Americans are spending more and more time
sitting in traffic jams as the years goes
on.
And it's not just bad
for the drivers — it's bad for the environment,
too. Gridlock is a major cause of
pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, due to
the increased amount of fuel consumed as cars simply sit
on overcrowded roadways, unable to move.
Researchers
recently compiled a list of the top 25 most
traffic-gridlocked cities in the U.S. Two states
contributed the most cities to the list: Texas and
California.
In California, the cities of
San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego , and the capital
city of Sacramento score high-ranking spots on the list.
Meanwhile, Texas adds Houston, Dallas, and Austin to the
Top 25.
These seven cities alone make up more
than one-quarter of all locations named on the list.
That means California and Texas are especially
responsible for contributing to the U.S.'s carbon
footprint — and for making commuters' lives hell.
But
there is a way forward. Both states'
governments must invest in robust public transportation
systems to help free us from the nightmare of gridlock,
and reduce our carbon footprint! Sign the
petition.
