If you would like to save money on gas, and help the environment, a homeless New York City man's newly released app can help you find carpooling buddies. The 99¢ app went on sale December 10, 2013.

Here at AutoCreditExpress.com, we know that saving money is a priority for most people these days. Many of us are still feeling the effects of the Great Recession, so we welcome anything that will help us keep a little more money in our pockets. At the same time, we know that helping the environment will make the world a better place for us and future generations.

Trees for Cars Carpooling App

Homeless Man's App Helps You find Carpooling BuddiesLeo Grand created the Trees for Cars app during 16 weeks of coding lessons taught by Patrick McConlogue. The pair met every morning for lessons on the bench where Grand sleeps, using used textbooks and a refurbished Chromebook. The result of this unusual partnership is an app that allows drivers to find nearby people who would like to ride with you.

In addition, the app also tracks how much Carbon Dioxide (CO2) you are saving by not driving separately. A gamification platform even allows you to compete with other users to save the most CO2. According to Grand, "Trees for Cars is a great way to build relationships, strengthen communities, help each-other financially and energy wise, all under the umbrella of saving the environment."

Grand plans to use the proceeds to help fund additional programming education. He also hopes to end his days of living on the street, by acquiring a job as a computer programmer. By taking a chance on an offer made by a stranger, he may have turned his life around, while making the air we breathe less polluted.

Environmental Significance

Although CO2 is a naturally occurring gas that is important to our planet, too much of it in the atmosphere can cause problems such as global warming and ocean acidification. This affects plant and animal life. In addition, high levels can cause health problems in people, including:

  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Drowsiness
  • Confusion
  • Headache
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Unconsciousness

The emissions produced by burning fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal have caused CO2 rates to increase, especially in urban areas. Another cause of increased CO2 in the atmosphere is the fermentation of beer and wine. It is the human-produced CO2 that is of greatest concern to planet Earth.

As We See It

We can all breathe a little easier thanks to the contributions of environmental champions like Leo Grand. Although most of us still need to rely on gasoline-powered cars as our main form of transportation, we can all do our part to help the environment by carpooling whenever possible. If you keep your car in good running condition, you will also save money while helping the environment.

We can also decrease emissions by driving an electric or hybrid vehicle. In addition, newer fuel-efficient cars do less damage to the environment than the gas guzzlers of the past. If you are in need of a more environmentally friendly vehicle, apply online here, to find out how much you could borrow.