More than 75 percent of American workers still drive alone to work. Emitting roughly 1 lb of CO2 per car per mile, solo drivers contribute mightily to greenhouse gas pollution.

Want to make a difference? Try a ride sharing program. You'll cut your emissions by half (or more), save money and maybe even make new friends. Two options to consider:

Metro VanPool
If you drive 10 miles or more each way, VanPooling can be a great solution. It works like this: You and at least four others with a similar commute apply online (Don't have a group? You can simply search the VanPool Riders Wanted list to see if an existing route will work for you). Your group assigns a primary driver (who rides free), a backup driver, and a bookkeeper to collect fares. Metro gives basic instruction and lends you a van.

Metro covers insurance, fuel and maintenance. Riders pay a monthly fare based on the pool's size and round-trip mileage (we bet it's less than you currently spend for gas and parking). And the perks don't end there: VanPools may use freeway express lanes, take "Transit Only" lanes on arterials, and scoot to the front of ferry lines. Some King County employers offer subsidies and better parking to poolers. 

Goose 

At the other end of the ride-sharing spectrum is Goose, a no-strings carpool network designed for commuters with irregular schedules. Register here and you can use Goose's free text-message service to find a ride (or offer one) when you choose--even minutes before you leave.

Using your cell phone, you text Goose to request a driver or a passenger (you can also set rides up online). Goose locates a match, then directs you both to a neutral meeting spot. Running late? Goose connects your cell phone anonymously to your ride buddy's so you can handle the problem quickly. And Goose lets you decide who's in your ride network--it can be friends and co-workers only, or open to all users. The service is now available to all commuters in Washington state through a partnership between Goose Networks, WSDOT, and King County Metro.

Learn more about VanPooling, or click here to download a VanPool fare chart. Read more about Goose here. Fore more ride-sharing options, check out the Urban Mobility Group or RideShareOnline.