Californians are privileged to live in a state famous for its natural beauty and innovation. Beneath the surface of this powerful state, however, lies a serious concern: the alarming state of our air quality.
He People’s Collective for Environmental Justice (PC4EJ) and environmental justice communities across the state of California submit an urgent action request to Governor Gavin Newsom and the Legislature to prioritize clean transportation investments in the revised California state budget. We have long had to act. Our communities have suffered the deadly consequences of poor air quality, and our health continues to be at risk in our own homes and schools. In California we are already experiencing extreme weather disasters and the consequences of burning fossil fuels. Together, we have the opportunity to act now.
We express our gratitude to Governor Newsom and the Legislature for their commitment to the budget process during these times of fiscal uncertainty. Clear lines of communication are vital as we navigate limited resources and an urgent need for change. While we appreciate that the May revision of the California State budget did not propose further cuts to clean transportation, we must emphasize that we need more significant investments to combat the dire state of our air.
Let’s face the harsh reality: California has the dirtiest air in the country, and transportation is the main culprit. Nearly all Californians breathe air that does not meet national and state air quality standards, endangering their health and lives. The burden of this burden falls disproportionately on low-income and underserved communities, whose neighborhoods have historically been targeted for disinvestment and consequently chosen as locations for routes and transportation hubs. These communities have endured decades of environmental injustice, compounded by limited access to clean transportation alternatives.
In the Inland Empire, warehouse development has led to increased truck trips and exposure to diesel emissions. Furthermore, aside from the disproportionate rates of asthma and cancer in places like San Bernardino, communities and workers are also now facing displacement as a result of the industry’s uncontrolled growth. California has a tremendous opportunity to partner with environmental justice advocates to bring great community benefits to Inland Empire families through a zero-emissions and just transition.
He People’s Collective for Environmental Justice calls on state leaders to deliver, to the greatest extent possible, on the promised $10 trillion package for zero-emission vehicles approved in the 2021 and 2022 budgets.
While this commitment is significant, it falls short of the estimated $150 billion needed to transition our cars, trucks, and buses to zero-emission vehicles and to establish the necessary charging infrastructure. Citizens must join forces with public funding to ensure a timely transition, unlocking an estimated $1 trillion in benefits, including reduced fuel costs, improved public health, and reduced carbon pollution.
Although the market for zero-emission vehicles is expanding rapidly, the benefits of clean transportation do not reach all Californians equally. Low-income and communities of color face enormous barriers, from the high cost of electric vehicles to limited access to affordable financing and reliable charging infrastructure. These communities also face a greater and deadlier risk of adverse health outcomes due to cancer-causing contamination of diesel. It is imperative that California prioritize clean transportation and climate programs that directly benefit these communities.
California’s pollution reduction efforts depend on urgently replacing medium- and heavy-duty trucks, responsible for a staggering 82% of cancer-causing diesel particulate matter and 58% of the smog-forming pollutants in our air. The state must invest in programs for medium and heavy vehicles, infrastructure development and training initiatives to safeguard the health of the communities where the logistics industry continues to target and expand in our neighborhoods.
We are at a crossroads where decisions made today will determine the future of regions like the Inland Empire and the lives of its inhabitants. California must seize this opportunity to create a permanent and stable funding stream for clean transportation. The perpetual boom-bust cycle of clean transportation funding only makes effective long-term planning more difficult.
By prioritizing investments in clean transportation, California can bring life to low-income and communities of color, alleviate environmental injustices, and pave the way toward a healthier, more sustainable future. The moment to act has come. Let’s make our commitment to cleaner air, justice for our frontline communities, and a brighter future unwavering.
Andrea Vidaurre (she/her) grew up in the Unceded Tongva Territories, also known as the “Inland Empire” of Southern California and graduated with a BA in Global Studies from the University of California, Riverside. She has lived at the intersections of multiple issues that led her to engage in work that improves the quality of life in her communities. For the past two years, she has worked on environmental justice issues throughout the Inland Empire. She is a co-founder, member, and policy analyst of the Peoples Collective for Environmental Justice, a community organization focused on combating environmental racism and finding solutions through community work.
