Gators sign up to avoid using cars, reduce carbon dioxide emissions

October 20, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The One Less Car Challenge is attracting strong interest in its second year with 102 teams created by University of Florida faculty, staff and students.

The challenge asks everyone on campus to give alternative transportation a try on One Less Car Day, which is this Friday, and throughout the fall semester.

“We are half way to our goal of 2,000 participants for the challenge. I hope that all our departments and units will start a team, and recruit new people to give alternative transportation a try,” said Anna Prizzia, the director of UF’s Office of Sustainability.

One Less Car Day is the main event and will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday on the Reitz Student Union Colonnade and North Lawn. It will feature prizes and games, including a scavenger hunt where participants can compete to earn prizes.

Those interested in taking part in the challenge can still start or join teams, and log the miles they commute every day with the new, easy-to-use software. Points are awarded for each trip traveled by alternative transportation, including walking, biking, busing and carpooling. This year, the challenge encourages participants to invite a friend, and participants can earn bonus points through referrals. Each person will receive a button indicating the mode of transportation they have pledged to take, which can be worn year round.

In last year’s competition, nearly 1,800 Gators used alternative transportation in more than 28,000 commutes. This accomplishment helped to keep almost 45 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere.

Registration for the One Less Car challenge is ongoing. Members of the UF community can find out more information, sign up for the challenge, and join a team online at http://sustainable.ufl.edu/onelesscar.