As the U.S. grapples with climate change, activists are challenging the traditional expansion of highways, highlighting the environmental and community impacts.
Shannon Osaka reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Activists are pushing against highway expansions, citing increased emissions and harm to communities, especially low-income areas and communities of color.
- A coalition named Freeway Fighters is advocating for a national moratorium on highway expansion, while some states consider stricter emissions targets for new projects.
- Despite the push for electric vehicles, the U.S. transportation sector remains a significant source of carbon emissions, with highway expansions contributing to the problem.
Key quote:
“We don’t often think of it in those terms, but expanding highways is essentially like building new oil pipelines.”
— Ben Crowther, policy director for America Walks
Why this matters:
Highway expansions not only contribute to climate change by increasing carbon emissions but also affect community health and exacerbate social inequalities. Racism and political disenfranchisement underlie transportation inequities.
