Transform Joins Transportation and Climate Symposium
Transform Deputy Director Carrie Harvilla with Eli Lipmen from Move LA and Zak Accuardi from the Natural Resources Defense Council
I was thrilled to attend a Transportation and Climate Symposium hosted by the U.S. Department of Transportation on July 11 and 12. At the gathering, hundreds of decision-makers from the private and public sectors — including state, regional, tribal, and local government representatives from across the country — gathered to share and learn about innovative solutions to decarbonize our transportation systems and create more accessible and affordable mobility options for all Americans.
Here are highlights from the conference.
Convenient, Efficient, Clean
Throughout the symposium, representatives across sectors stressed the need for a multi-modal transportation future that is “Convenient, Efficient, Clean.” Transform would add equitable to this list because equity must be part of our climate solutions.
In a workshop focused on shared bikes and e-bikes, I heard echoes of the work Transform has done to raise the profile and expand access to micro-mobility options, like our report, Shared Mobility: How Shared Bikes and Scooters Can Support an Equitable, Climate-Friendly Transportation Network. Panelists from USDOT, e-bike manufacturers, and bikeshare companies discussed micromobility as a first- and last-mile solution that must be included as a part of comprehensive transportation planning. Transform is already working on putting these ideas into practice.
At a lively philanthropy roundtable, grantmakers stressed the importance of decision-makers understanding that investing in transportation systems change is critical to addressing other national and global issues. For example, addressing the wealth gap relies on frequent and affordable mobility options for folks to get to their jobs and educational opportunities. Fostering a strong democracy requires convenient transportation and safe streets so that all voters can get to the polls. If transportation is a barrier to voting, we can’t have a truly representative government..
USDOT looks at decarbonizing transportation
At the event, the USDOT released Decarbonizing U.S. Transportation. Like California’s Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI), the report addresses GHG emissions from the transportation sector. Also like California, transportation is the largest single source of climate-killing emissions, with about 16% of carbon emissions coming from light-duty vehicles such as cars and pickup trucks.
The report suggests strategies for creating a convenient, efficient, clean transportation system, many of which are programs Transform is working on currently or has promoted in the past. These include micromobility, congestion pricing, recognizing the connections between affordable housing and convenient transportation, transit-oriented development, active transportation, and investing in public transit.
It was great to connect with others who care passionately about these issues from around the country, to share ideas and inspiration. Transform has been working on these issues for more than 25 years, and we will continue to be a leader and innovator in this space. We look forward to many more years of fruitful collaboration to create vibrant, climate-resilient, affordable neighborhoods in the Bay Area and beyond.