(photo by Kindel Media)
In the wonderful article by Peter McCartney of the Wilderness Committee, "System Change not Climate Change,", the section about EVs and public transit really resonated.
This is especially impactful as First Things First Okanagan Climate Action is hosting a webinar on EVs September 19, 2024. Deep Dive Channel
The benefits of Electric Vehicles over Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) ones can't be denied. But tons of EVs on the roads with huge batteries will not solve our community's or our planet's problems: health, equity, safety, job security, affordability, and, of course, local and global emissions and extreme climate events.
From the article:
"Electric vehicles (EVs) are a vital technology for the green transition but the goal shouldn’t be to have one or more in every garage. With smart community planning and serious investment in alternatives, most people should be able to live without a car.
Research shows we can reduce the amount of lithium required for batteries in electric vehicles by up to 92 per cent simply by prioritizing transit, cycling and walking, limiting the size of batteries, and recycling the materials.
Communities with less traffic and more travel options are safer, healthier and quieter places. Meanwhile, it will require fewer environmental impacts from mining." https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/publications/system-change-not-climate-change
Our leaders and city planners have to focus on improving public transit, especially to neighbourhoods at a distance to a bus hub. On demand mini-buses are being used in communities to help people park their cars and get to a bus stop. Safe active transportation routes are great but can only provide limited connections to services for vulnerable populations, seniors and youth.
How can we help our communities to transition away from cars to public transit?
Comments