Fighting Climate Change through Better Transit
Transportation accounts for one-third of carbon pollution in the United States, and Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) wants to see that fraction shrink. Climate change legislation seems perpetually stalled in the Senate, to the chagrin of environmentalists and the general public. But in the meantime, noted Blumenauer in a recent op-ed, we can fight climate change by putting more emphasis on upgrading our transportation infrastructure.
Much of Blumenauer’s writing is fairly typical environmental rhetoric – save money, reduce dependence on oil, improve lives – which are all very good points, but begin to feel all too obvious and, if not oversold, under-appreciated at the legislative level. Blumenauer makes some other stat-based assertions that are quite powerful and do well to make the argument for transit bills in Congress. For instance, highway and transit investments made up just 4 percent of funding in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), but are responsible for 25 percent of the jobs saved or created as a result of the act. Furthermore, public transit projects have created twice as many jobs as highway projects.
Blumenauer also stated some revealing facts about public transit from his home district of Portland, Oregon. In Portland, investments in public infrastructure – sidewalks, streetcars, light rails and bike lanes – have shown some excellent results. People in Portland drive 20 percent less than residents of other major cities, resulting in less pollution and savings of $2,500 per year for the average family.
As a resident of the fine city of Portland, this writer happily pays witness to Blumenauer’s assertions on a daily basis. I’ve lived and/or spent a good deal of time in other major metropolitan areas and, when driving in Portland, I can attest to the difference that 20 percent less driving makes. 
There are some bad areas (I mean, 80 percent are still driving), but congestion is significantly reduced, which is good for drivers and bus riders alike; air quality improves and jobs are created and sustained maintaining that infrastructure.
Transit has received some decent attention from the Obama administration. In addition to being written into the Recovery Act, President Obama announced last month another $8 billion in funding for high-speed rail projects, which, according to Blumenauer, will create new manufacturing jobs and give commuters easy alternatives to driving. Other steps have been taken by the Department of Transportation, including the Small Starts program that provides funding for streetcar projects around the country.
On the small note, transit bills and funding for transit infrastructure are definitely a step. As an avid traveler, I wholeheartedly support connecting cities through high-speed rails. In fact, I’m impatient for them. And while we truly need a comprehensive climate change bill that would benefit all green tech sectors simultaneously, enviros everywhere can take some solace in “small starts” like transit funding. After all, given the amount of pollution created by commuters and ground shipping, such investments in infrastructure make up a bigger step than you think.
Photo Credit: autobloggreen & About.com
Posted on February 16th in Solar News by Dan.