Earth Day is Friday, April 22. To help you celebrate, we offer a sampling of green data collected and published by the US Census Bureau.

According to the American Community Survey (5-year estimates):

• 0.5% of Americans bike to and from work. More men bike to work than women (0.7% vs. 0.3%).
• 10.5% of U.S. residents carpool to work. Men are more likely to carpool than women (11% vs. 10%).
• 5% of U.S. residents take public transportation to work. Women are more likely to take public transportation (5.4% vs. 4.6%).
• About 36,000 households in the United States rely on solar energy to heat their homes.

In 2009, according to data from the American Community Survey, the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island metropolitan area lead the nation in percent of workers who commuted by public transportation at 30.5%, followed by the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area, with 14.6%.

The Census Bureau’s 2011 Statistical Abstract is an excellent source for additional green stats, including on Energy & Utilities: Solar and Renewable Energy, Emissions.

Did you know?

• In 2008, Washington state led the nation in hydro-electric energy generation and Texas was the top U.S. source of wind power.
• Additional states leading renewable energy generation in the U.S. included: California, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New York and Oregon.

The Statistical Abstract also includes data on:

• Geography & Environment: Air Quality
• Threatened and Endangered Wildlife and Plant Species
• Emissions Of Greenhouse Gases by Type and Source

The US Census Bureau is doing more than collecting data on the environment. Our green initiatives include:

• 2010 Census forms were printed on paper with 30 percent recycled content.
• The Census Bureau cafeteria uses biodegradable plates, green drinking cups, and recycled soup containers and napkins. Our cooking oil is recycled to make gasoline.
• Approximately 40% of the Census Bureau’s printers are set for duplex printing – printing on two sides of the paper – saving hundreds of thousands sheets of paper.
• Recycled paper at the Census Bureau is processed at the Arlington Resource and Recovery Facility where it is converted to help generate over 23 megawatts of renewable energy used for heating homes, schools and businesses.

How are you celebrating Earth Day this year? Did we miss any “green stats?” Share them here!