Tag Archives: Climate Change

The State of the Transport System 3/7

March 7, 7AM-8AM a.m. PST

Transport accounts for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is the world’s second fastest growing source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Major action is needed to transform the transport system to meet climate goals – from shifting to zero-carbon cars, trucks, ships and planes; to improving the availability of clean, modern and affordable public transportation; to providing safe walking and cycling networks; to implementing new measures to reduce unnecessary trips and wasted fuel.

Join Systems Change Lab and WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities on March 7 for a high-level discussion of the current state of play in the global transport system and the five critical shifts needed to achieve global climate goals:

  1. Guarantee reliable access to safe and modern mobility
  2. Reduce avoidable vehicle and air travel
  3. Shift to public, shared and non-motorized transport
  4. Transition to zero-carbon cars and trucks
  5. Transition to zero-carbon shipping and aviation

Panelists will explore the shared importance of vehicle electrification and shifts to active mobility, the role of various actors in catalyzing new solutions for aviation and maritime shipping, the status of tipping points in driving exponential progress, and how a systems approach can help us reimagine transport as we know it.

This session will set the stage ahead of Transforming Transportation 2023, organized by the World Bank and WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.

Moderator: Ani Dasgupta, President & CEO, World Resources Institute

Opening Remarks: Felipe Ramírez, Urban Mobility Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

Panelists:

  • François Bausch, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Mobility and Public Works and Minister of Defence, Luxembourg
  • Maruxa Cardama, Secretary General, SLOCAT Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport
  • Binyam Reja, Global Practice Manager for the Transport Practice in the Infrastructure Vice Presidency of the World Bank
  • Sandra Roling, Director of Transport, The Climate Group

Click here to learn more.

Click here to register.

Third Act National Day of Action 3/21

Please join Third Act Sacramento in a National Day of Action on 3.21.23 when people across the country will withdraw their money and cut up their credit cards from the Four Big Dirty Banks: Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Citibank; the biggest funders of fossil fuel projects.

The goals of this action are:

1) Shame these banks for bankrolling our climate crisis.

2) Let the banks know that we won’t be complicit in the destruction of the earth.

3) Pressure the banks to stop funding fossil fuel projects.

4) Have fun while helping to create a healthier, more livable future.

This National Day of Action is for all ages, and all are encouraged to sign the pledge to move your money. Volunteers in Third Act Sacramento have created a factsheet on local alternative banking options that do not fund global heating and destruction of our precious earth. For more information about the Day of Action and other creative protests in the lead-up to March 21, go to https://thirdact.org/national-day-of-action/ or contact us at thirdactsac[at]gmail[dot]com.

Information on local actions: find the Sacramento or Davis actions on the map and sign up to receive more information and updates.

ECOS Support for City of Sacramento Transportation Infrastructure Adaptation Plan Grant Application

On February 22, 2023, ECOS submitted a letter of support for the City of Sacramento Transportation Infrastructure Adaptation Plan Grant Application to The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program.

Below is an excerpt.

Sacramento is one of California’s oldest cities and our city’s transportation infrastructure is some of the oldest in the region. Sacramento is also home to over a half million people and three-quarters of the region’s disadvantaged communities. This older infrastructure is not ready for the current and worsening strain of climate change. Award of this funding would allow the City to begin the necessary work to ready our community’s transportation network for the increasing risk associated with climate change and ensure a high level of service to our most vulnerable community members.

Click here to read the letter.

New Federal Climate Laws – Use Them to Go Electric and Save Money

On January 25, 2023, Edith Thacher and Lisa Howard, of the local Citizens’ Climate Lobby chapter, spoke to ECOS members about the climate aspects of the Infrastructure Act, Growing Climate Solutions Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). They described the tax credit program in the IRA that is available to you.

The 117th U.S. Congress passed several bills that will have a powerful impact on the development of renewables and the increased efficiency and electrification of buildings. Edith and Lisa covered these bills and how you can access the funding for electrification and other climate-related improvements.

You can view the slides of their presentation used in the January 25, 2023 presentation by clicking below.

Click here to view the slides.