by Addie Renner<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There needs to be greater investment in infrastructure and the electrification of public transportation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Poor\u00a0public transportation infrastructure has many consequences and is discussed often, whether it\u2019s the airport worker complaining about having to spend half her paycheck on bus fare because she has to change busses multiple times, a lecture about the transportation sector accounting for a significant proportion of emissions, or a professor leading a discussion about the absence of convenient public transportation access at Duke that disproportionally impacts workers, public transportation is at the front of sustainability and justice issues.\u00a0There needs to be policy pushing\u00a0<\/a>[EA1]<\/a>\u00a0on the local level for the infrastructure and the electrification of public transportation. Additionally, air pollution is one of the greatest pollutants in many urban areas that has several health and environmental impacts. There needs to be further climate focused\u00a0policies\u00a0<\/a>[EA2]<\/a>\u00a0on the local scale that address investment in and the development of an accessible electric mass transit system to reduce emissions and air pollution effects.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The United States has a unique challenge of personal vehicle dependency, most residents own a vehicle rather than relying on alternative modes of transportation. Charlotte is a prime example of this dependency, according to UNC Charlotte Urban Institute<\/a>, only 7.9% of Charlotte households do not own cars. Charlotte is very car dependent due to the lack of walkable neighborhoods.[1]<\/sup><\/a> The 2018 State of the Environment Report for Mecklenburg County<\/a>states that \u201c90% of ozone-forming air pollution in Mecklenburg County comes from mobile sources like cars, trucks, and construction equipment.\u201d[2]<\/sup><\/a> Additionally, the report states that \u201cMecklenburg County only narrowly meets the health-based standard for ground level ozone.\u201d[3]<\/sup><\/a> It is clear that air pollution, more specifically ground level ozone, is an issue that Charlotte residents are experiencing along with its many health and environmental effects. The Charlotte residents are not alone in this, much of the U.S. population consists of rural land that is completely void of any public transportation systems. The effects experienced in Charlotte from air pollution could be reduced by environmental policies geared toward infrastructure and development <\/a>[EA3]<\/a> of emission free mass transit systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Considering the serious impacts that ground level ozone has on the health of residents and the environment<\/a>[EA4]<\/a> , there should be climate policies in place to reduce the sources of this pollutant.[4]<\/sup><\/a> Since the greatest source of this pollutant is personal motor vehicles which residents are extremely dependent upon, the need for an electric public transportation system is crucial. Electric vehicles are essential for the reduction of emissions created by the transportation sector. Currently in Charlotte there are two methods of public transportation, the bus, and the Lynx light rail. The current development of the light rail is not practical or developed to the extent that would make it an accessible option for most people. Increasing the development of the light rail and having multiple lines would increase the accessibility and potentially reduce the number of cars, decreasing emissions from the transportation sector. Additionally, pollutants are not confined to city lines or state boarders, air pollution is a nationwide issue that impacts all citizens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Increasing the accessibility and efficiency of public transportation has many benefits beyond reducing harmful greenhouse gasses. According to the drawdown project, \u201cwith good urban design, mass transit can help embed mobility, livability, and sustainability in cities.\u201d[5]<\/sup><\/a> Investment in the development of electric mass transit system would not only benefit the climate but also increase mobility and livability in the United States. The broad scope of impacts can aid in the formation of policies, especially if not framed as an environmental issue. Urban infrastructure, clean energy industries, economic mobility and environmental justice are all areas that stand to improve from policies, and the narrative can be shifted to create bipartisan support around this environmental issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n [1]<\/sup><\/a> Reid, Carolyn. \u201cCar-free in Charlotte? It isn\u2019t easy | UNC Charlotte Urban Institute | UNC Charlotte.\u201d n.d. https:\/\/ui.charlotte.edu\/story\/car-free-charlotte-it-isn%E2%80%99t-easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [2]<\/sup><\/a> \u201c2017-2018 Annual Monitoring Network Plan – Mecklenburg County Air Quality.\u201d 2017. Environmental Protection Agency<\/em>. A Division of the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency. Accessed March 4, 2024. https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2017-12\/documents\/ncplan_mecklenburg_county_2017.pdf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [3]<\/sup><\/a> \u201c2017-2018 Annual Monitoring Network Plan – Mecklenburg County Air Quality.\u201d 2017. Environmental Protection Agency<\/em>. A Division of the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency. Accessed March 4, 2024. https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2017-12\/documents\/ncplan_mecklenburg_county_2017.pdf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [4]<\/sup><\/a> \u201cHealth Effects of Ozone Pollution.\u201d EPA<\/em>, Environmental Protection Agency, https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/ground-level-ozone-pollution\/health-effects-ozone-pollution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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