The transportation sector is responsible for the largest portion of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. It contributes nearly 30 percent of total emissions, more than manufacturing, resource extraction and the electric sector. Of that, 81 percent comes from single-occupancy vehicles like cars and trucks. This year, Wisconsin has seen heat waves, poor air quality, droughts and flooding exacerbated by climate change. It is clear that we need to do something to decrease carbon emissions from the transportation sector.

In addition to reducing private vehicle vehicle miles traveled to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we are mindful that traffic crashes kill thousands annually and that about 30% of Wisconsin adults are non drivers. Pollution from cars - air and plastic - is a public health nightmare, with high asthma rates near highway corridors, and car tires shedding accounts for 45% of microplastics in our waterways, by far the largest source. In addition to being some of the world's biggest polluters, single occupancy vehicles are costly burdens on our working class and poor neighbors. Expanding public transit accessibility and moving away from car-focused infrastructure is not just good for the environment, it's good for our pocketbooks and addressing socioeconomic inequities.

Our team is doing just that by fighting costly and damaging highway expansion projects, advocating for transit funding and supporting pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. This year we are not only on the defense against harmful projects and proposals, but we are moving the offense by advocating for Regional Transit Authorities that would better support regional public transportation. 

Help us continue to gain momentum by giving toward our goal of $1750.

Visit the main page to see how the overall fundraiser is going or to visit other team pages: https://donorbox.org/locally-grown