It’s time for bold action on climate. Yes, this has been said before. But progress is slowing—perhaps even reversing—as the current administration rolls back policies to protect our environment and pulls the United States out of the Paris Agreement.
Here in California, transportation accounts for 50% of our total climate causing emissions and without a solution that addresses this “elephant on the road,” we won’t meet our ambitious goals.
Another looming crisis is the health impact of diesel emissions from trucks that contributes to high rates of cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including asthma. In fact, it is estimated that 70% of cancers in California are related to toxic air pollution. This is especially bad for our kids whose lung capacity, and even IQ, can be hindered by toxic air.
But we are at a point where the technology is now available to not only address toxic air, but reduce the impacts of vehicles on climate change. If we could dramatically accelerate the deployment of zero and near-zero emissions vehicles—electric and natural gas cars and trucks—we could reach a point where they would be less expensive and go further than any internal combustion engine could.
In Southern California, we are working on a campaign that would do this by asking voters to vote on a ballot measure that would fund exactly this—incentives for clean cars and trucks. Southern California is half the population of the State of California, the fifth largest economy in the world and if we can reach a scale big enough in this market, it could impact the world market.
So as a dad and an activist for taking action on climate change and clean air, I hope you will vote for our effort in the LA2050 Grant Challenge. This $200,000 grant will go to the most popular idea in LA County for activating people to take action and change the world. And isn’t that what Dads 4 Change is all about?!? [Yes, it is—Editor]
Check out our proposal and vote for “Move LA, a project of Community Partners” in the LIVE category for our “Vision 2020” plan. Anyone in the U.S. can vote with an email or phone number. And check out some of the other amazing nonprofits working to address homeless, help integrate asylum seekers, and more at https://activation.la2050.org/. Voting ends on Friday, June 29 at 5pm PT, so cast your ballot today!
Eli grew up in Bermuda and settled in Los Angeles. He is a dad-of-three, world traveler, nonprofit director, and Commissioner in the City of Los Angeles. He has written about being a dad for Grok Nation and City Dads Group. You will usually find him walking, biking, or taking public transit with his two kids. You can also find him on Twitter and Instagram.
