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Dear <<First Name>>,
This week we were reminded of the urgency of the climate crisis when the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted an ‘atlas of suffering’ - unless we take meaningful action to reduce global carbon emissions.
We’re doing that at the local level.
At today’s Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice and L.A. River Committee - which you can watch here - we considered two related proposals that will help us create cleaner and healthier air for Angelenos, while reducing the transportation sector’s reliance on fossil fuels - the single largest source of carbon emissions in California.
The first is my initiative with Councilmember Krekorian that will create a citywide master plan for Electric Vehicles, including charging locations and infrastructure. With California expected to receive $56 million for this work in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to build out this network and quickly transition away from vehicles powered by fossil fuels..
This is also about environmental justice. For too long, historically marginalized communities living by our freeways have had to breathe dirty air emanating from vehicles. Our investment in EVs will lead to cleaner air and ensure these communities benefit from this new network.
The City of Los Angeles isn’t alone in this endeavor - Los Angeles County, LA Metro and MetroLink are also creating their own plans to electrify their vehicular fleets and eliminate carbon polluting transportation options. Rather than duplicate these efforts, I’m calling on all of us to work together to decarbonize our transportation sectors by tackling the common challenges we all face - funding, procurement of equipment, siting of EV stations, etc.
Successfully addressing the climate crisis won’t just be powered by hope, but by action. While this week’s UN IPCC is troubling, we also saw the first steps of a worldwide treaty to address plastic waste - an effort I’ve been leading here in Los Angeles.
So let’s continue to move forward here toward a Greener L.A.
Be safe and well,
MITCH O'FARRELL
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