In an effort to make the six-month event a success, Shanghai and US-based Environmental Defense Fund, or EDF, has jointly launched the Green-Commuting Project to encourage people to choose greener means of transportation.

Zhang Lingge is project manager with China Office of EDF.

"Green-commuting can not only save energy and reduce pollution, but also help to create a healthy environment. The green transportation means include taking bus and subway, car-sharing, bicycling and walking."

The project in Shanghai is scheduled to take effect from May of this year to March 2011, more than one year longer than the duration of the Expo.

Zhang Lingge says the Green-Commuting program is not aimed at improving the Expo alone.

"This event is a good opportunity to promote the idea. As a lot of people will gather in the city and cause some traffic problems, we have to pay attention to ensure better traffic flow and clean air. But we hope to see people choose green means of travel every day, not just during the Expo."

Zhang Lingge says various 'green' activates are to take place in schools, communities, automobile clubs and enterprises.

"For example, we will implement an online Green-Commuting calculator. It's already available at People's Daily's website. After punching their travel routes into the calculator, commuters receive readouts detailing the amounts of CO2 and other pollutants their trips would generate. For the Shanghai expo, we will design a more convenient calculator."

The Green-Commuting project was carried out in Beijing from June to September of last year when the city was holding Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Zhang Lingge says records showed that during those two months, more than 80,000 car users in Beijing voluntarily opted for public transportation, reducing about 9000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Besides efforts from residents, the Green-Commuting Project also requires a convenient public traffic system. The Shanghai municipal government is working to expand its international airport and build new railway stations. If all goes as planned, by 2010, the metro lines in Shanghai will have increased from 8 to 11 with a daily passenger capacity of 6 million.

Better City, Better Life---the theme of the 2010 Shanghai Expo represents people's common wish for better living in an urban environment. We hope to continue seeing more people take part in reaching this goal.