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. But how?
Electric Vehicles
Many climate advocates prioritize electric vehicles as the main solution to climate change impacts from transportation. As the electric sector continues to become cleaner and more renewable, electric vehicles certainly play an important role in the transition to carbon-free transportation. However, electric vehicles are not the sole solution!
As climate advocates push for all sectors to become electrified, we will continue to see an increase in electric use. This makes energy efficiency and conservation, as well as updated transmission and distribution infrastructure, even more important. Additionally, relying on single-occupancy vehicles – electric or otherwise – has a wide range of negative environmental impacts, including increased sprawl and exurban development in areas that could otherwise be conserved, as well as increased pavement that contributes to water pollution, flooding and hotter microclimates. Rather than believing that an electric vehicle will remove all of the harms of the transportation sector, it is worth looking for ways to decrease how much we drive, which can be measured by Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).
VMT Policies and Rethinking Land Use
An often overlooked piece of solving the transportation sector puzzle is to promote VMT reduction policies and goals. In 2022, the Minnesota Department of Transportation adopted a policy to reduce VMT by 20 percent per capita by 2050. Oregon and Utah have VMT fees to produce revenue for their state transportation budgets. Many climate plans at the local and state levels include goals of decreasing VMT as well. Wisconsin should set a similar commitment to reduce VMT.
To realize these policy goals, Departments of Transportation have to rethink land use decisions. Currently, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WISDOT) overwhelmingly prioritizes highway construction and expansion, which is harmful for many reasons: it makes traffic congestion worse; it increases water runoff, pollution and flooding; it contributes to suburban sprawl; and it reinforces the prioritization of single-occupancy vehicles. One local example of this is the recent flooding of Valley Park in Milwaukee, which abuts the I-94 highway corridor; neighborhood residents are concerned that added highway lanes will add to the flooding in their area and risk the park that the neighborhood has fought so hard for. This is one of many reasons that we have sued on this proposed expansion project.
There is a suite of policies that WISDOT and local governments could and should pursue, including limiting growth in high-VMT areas, building compact mixed-use growth in low-VMT areas and improving multimodal transportation options. A successful path toward VMT reduction is similar to improvements in energy efficiency: yes, individuals can choose to drive less (similar to turning off the lights when they leave a room), but policy and infrastructure changes must happen to make large-scale VMT reduction possible.
Investing in Multimodal Options
Not only are multimodal transportation options like transit, walking and biking important for the health of the environment and climate, but they are also key components of an equitable and accessible transportation system.
For those who cannot drive due to age (young or old) or disability, for those who cannot afford a vehicle or car insurance, for those who have had their licenses revoked and for those who do not want to drive, transit, walking and biking provide essential connections to necessities and to recreation. The Wisconsin Nondriver Advisory Council has published an interactive map that indicates that 31 percent of Wisconsinites are nondrivers. That’s a significant portion of the state that relies on modes of transportation other than driving! Additional studies have demonstrated that access to reliable transportation is one of the key factors for poverty alleviation. And, because people of color are disproportionately likely to rely on public transportation, multimodal options help to decrease racial disparities.
Simply put, having more transportation options (whether it is transit, walking, biking, carpooling, park & rides, or electric vehicles) will be better for quality of life, freedom of choice, healthy environments and carbon reduction!
Current Opportunities
Wisconsin has several key opportunities to make the right choices on transportation, and your advocacy can help us get there.
- Key highways in Wisconsin like the Beltline in Madison and I-94 in Milwaukee are being studied for expansion. Participate in public comment opportunities to make clear to WISDOT that you do not want to see these expansion projects.
- Several public transportation systems in Wisconsin are struggling after years of disinvestment from the state. Participate in local campaigns like #SaveMCTS in Milwaukee to save (or expand!) your local transit system. Many cities in the state have local transit advocacy organizations.
- Wisconsin has not set a VMT reduction goal. Encourage WISDOT, your legislator and the governor to commit to an equitable and clean transportation sector with a goal to reduce VMT in the state.
- Pledge to participate in the Week Without Driving, September 30 - October 6, to learn what life is like when driving is not an option.
As always, you can also consider your personal choices and time spent. Are you able to take the bus or ride a bike to your destination? Can you carpool? Do you have time and talents to share with the Sierra Club’s Transportation Team to help with our advocacy? We’d love to have you en route to a cleaner future with us! If you’re interested in learning more, reach out to cassie.steiner@sierraclub.org.