Carpool Wednesday: The second Earth Week challenge [Video]

As part of Earth Week, WJ’s Green Team issues the second challenge. Carpool to school on Wednesday.

Jesse Liptak, Staff Writer|April 17, 2017

Roman Gioglio

Carpool Karaoke is an extremely popular segment on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Why? Aside from the entertainment value of the karaoke aspect, carpooling provides a fun and environmentally friendly way to get around. As the second Earth Week challenge, Wednesday, April 19, will be Carpool Day at Walsh Jesuit. Its goal is to reduce the number of cars in the parking lot as much as possible.

            As the climate rapidly changes, members of the school community are called as “stewards of God’s creation” to help preserve the environment. Solving climate change may seem a daunting task, but it must be attempted. Carpooling is just one simple way to reduce our carbon footprint. If only 50 drivers choose to carpool every day, over 660 pounds of carbon monoxide and 1,118,000 pounds of carbon dioxide will be removed from the atmosphere. This shows the monumental difference a small group of dedicated people can make.

            Taking advantage of carpooling also reduces traffic. If Americans choose to carpool just once a week, traffic would be reduced by about 20%. Fewer cars on the road also means less demand on the nation’s oil supplies. Senior Gavin McIntyre remarked, “Saving gas is one of my favorite parts about carpooling.”

(Roman Gioglio)
With senior Ellen Hudock at the wheel, WJ students prepare to take the carpool challenge on Wednesday.

            Along with saving the environment and reducing traffic, carpooling also has a great social aspect. Alyssa Dabrowski, ’17, said, “It’s not boring in the morning [when you carpool].” Senior Matt Hoffmann and sophomore Vanessa Rivera sing together during their commute to and from school. When asked if he will participate in Carpool Day, Cole Rico, ’18, volunteered, “Absolutely. I love sharing the aux.” Even the staff and faculty are involved. Mr. Vince Williams, of WJ Campus Ministry, stated, “I have driven behind Ms. Knox for forty minutes on the way to school before, so it (carpooling) just made sense.”

            Carpooling offers benefits to everybody involved, so find a friend (or someone new) and help save the earth with this easy, fun activity.  Reduce the number of cars in the parking lot on Wednesday. And, as always, buckle up and drive safely, WJ.