Transportation
The transportation sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for nearly 45% of Washington State’s total emissions. Our state’s investments and policies around transportation can either support residents in reducing their carbon footprints or reinforce our car-centric culture. By investing in sustainable transportation options—such as expanding public transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure— we can reduce car dependency, lower emissions, and improve air quality.
Sustainable transportation investments are especially important to address the long-standing disparities in transportation infrastructure that disproportionately impact communities of color and low-income communities. Most major high traffic roadways were purposefully built through BIPOC and low-income communities increasing their exposure to air pollution. These same neighborhoods are often missing vital sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes, making it impossible for people with disabilities, seniors, and other vulnerable groups to move safely. The lack of frequent and reliable public transit limits work opportunities or forces people into car ownership. All people should have access to reliable and safe transit to access the essential services people need to live and to thrive.
Transportation Advocacy for Climate and Social Justice
Given the large proportion of greenhouse gases and pollution connected to transportation, it is one of our priority areas of advocacy. We work in collaboration with groups like Transportation Choices Coalition, Disability Rights Washington, and Front and Centered to advocate around the state transportation budget with a large emphasis on expanding public transit across the state. We center a Transportation Justice Agenda that reorients investment of transportation funds and prioritizes safety with clear standards for improving transit and sidewalks. In previous sessions, we have helped win free public transit for all youth under 18, funding for schools to purchase zero-emission school buses, and funding to help cities plan for biking routes.
In addition to funding, we also advocate around transportation safety, planning, and access. This includes pushing back on laws that have been disproportionately enforced against people of color and people who are experiencing houselessness such as J-walking as well advocating for a moratorium and divestment from building and expanding highways in frontline communities. environmental injustice.
Join our people-powered team fighting for climate legislation in Washington state
During the legislative session in January–March, we’ll send you two easy-access Civic Action Team emails per week to push for essential legislation.