We invite you to join Ceres and Our Transportation Future for a webinar on June 25th at 1pm ET highlighting the regional public health and economic benefits of the proposed Transportation and Climate Initiative. 

Transportation systems across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic need serious work. They are old, broken, congested, polluting, and in need of revenue. These issues not only stifle economic growth, they also aggravate public health risks. We also know higher exposure levels to particulate matter increase risks of asthma and cardiovascular disease among other illnesses. 

A recent preliminary study from Harvard University demonstrated the correlation between long-term exposure to particulate matter and increased rates of morbidity from COVID-19. These health risks disproportionately impact communities of color -- the same communities that would benefit most significantly from more robust transit systems and less polluting forms of transportation. One proposed policy to address these challenges is the Transportation and Climate Initiative — a regional effort to reduce vehicle emissions and invest in a clean, modern transportation system. Nearly a dozen states have been working together to design a regional market-based cap-and-invest program to tackle both the environmental and capital needs of our transportation system. 

Hear from the following experts about the potential benefits of the program and how you can get involved:

Dr. Neelu Tummala 
Clinical Assistant Professor
George Washington University School of Medicine

Matthew Strickler  
Secretary of Natural Resources
Commonwealth of Virginia