
Recognizing companies, organizations, and individuals promoting real
change in transportation has never been more important than it is
today. Blue Sky Award
TM winners include many of the
visionaries working to implement clean, advanced solutions in
transportation. Transportation plays a very large role in global air
pollution, climate change and energy security, and that role is
growing. Over 600 million cars are currently registered for road use
worldwide, and the number will continue to grow rapidly - especially in
developing countries - during the years ahead. By the year 2010, total
vehicle registrations are expected to top 1 billion, with each vehicle
driven an increasing number of miles every year. Even at current
levels, the transportation sector in the U.S. is responsible for
one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of the carbon
monoxide pollution - as well as nearly 50% of nitrogen oxides and 40%
of the volatile organic compounds that combine to form smog. More than
5,000 deaths occurring each year in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
can be attributed to smog levels above those set by the federal
government.