Despite having only 4.6 percent of the world’s people, the United States has 35 percent of the world’s cars and trucks,” according to the book “Living In the Environment: Principles, Connections, Solutions” by G. Tyler Miller.

That is why today, the Ithaca College Environmental Society is sponsoring its own local version of World Car-Free Day, an international effort sponsored by Adbusters.

The event is designed to “get drivers out of their cars now and forever,” the Web site said. World Car-Free Day is celebrated in many different places throughout the world, said junior Anna Ehrlich, vice president of ICES. Usually the roads are closed down and celebrations take place in the streets, she said.

Today’s celebration does not officially include the town of Ithaca, but Ehrlich said ICES hopes local residents will choose to participate nevertheless.

Ithaca College’s own twist on International Car-Free Day won’t be going as far as blocking off streets.

ICES has been distributing literature and circulating a pledge asking students not to drive their vehicles today and to think about the environmental issues involved with automobiles such as car pollution, said senior Sean Vormwald, ICES president.

ICES also had a table set up in the Campus Center Wednesday advertising the event.

Sophomore Richard O’Brien said the group’s promotion efforts should pay off.

“I’ll sure give it a try, but somebody is going to have to remind me,” he said.

ICES will have speakers sound off at the Free Speech Rock at noon today who will remind students of the negative impact automobiles have on the environment, said senior ICES member Patrick Pressley.

The main issues ICES wants to get across are global warming, air pollution, and the use of irreplaceable fossil fuels like oil and gas, Ehrlich said.

Most students are receptive to the idea of giving up driving for one day out of the year to make a positive contribution to the environment.

“Sure, I would be willing to [not drive],” junior Meggan Christie said. “It sounds like a good idea.”

Although senior Diane Rosario is interested in participating in World Car-Free Day, she said she would still have to find a ride to campus.

“I live in a house with a lot of people, so I’ll probably car pool,” she said.

For more information on World Car-Free Day, log on to www.adbusters.org.