Did you visit Fiji or Caracas on your trip to work this week? Probably not, yet figures from the 2000 U.S. Census tell us that in total, Harvard residents travel the equivalent of 4.8 times around the world every workday.

The thought is staggering, but here are the census figures: In 2000, of the 2,674 total workers ages 16 years and older in Harvard, about 84 percent of them—2,237 people—drove to work in a car, van, or truck, an average of 32.5 minutes one way. At an average speed of 50 miles per hour, this is a daily commute of 54 miles per worker, or 120,800 miles total for all Harvard commuters—4.8 times around the globe.

The miles per hour and total distance will vary, depending on whether the majority of travelers are sailing along Interstate 495 or are snailing through the Concord rotary. Either way, it is a lot of miles.

What is the impact of all this travel?

At 20.2 miles per gallon, the EPA average for 2007 light vehicles (cars, SUVs, vans and light trucks), 120,800 miles represents just under 6,000 gallons of gasoline a day. When gas was $2.50 a gallon, Harvard commuters took $15,000 a day out of town with them. According to an October Reuters article, “analysts expect gasoline prices could rise to a never-before-seen $3.50 or $4 a gallon if oil prices hold near current levels into next spring when drivers hit the roads in greater numbers.” At those prices, Harvard’s outlay jumps to between $21,000 and $24,000 a workday. And what about the environmental effects? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a gallon of gasoline emits 19.4 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air. By this calculation, Harvard’s commuters are responsible for the addition of 116,400 pounds of carbon dioxide per day to the earth’s atmosphere.

Harvard commuters looking for ways to help abate global warming and air pollution—and to help with the pocketbook when gas hits $3.50 to $4 a gallon—have options available that could help reduce the number of miles driven each day. Workers who have the choice of telecommuting could consider making greater use of that option. Others could consider ride sharing, using the commuter rail, and combining errands into single trips.

Solutions are out there.