Why Multi-modal Transport Is a Good Investment for Cities.....Clean multi-modal systems can provide safe, equitable, comfortable, convenient, accessible transportation, including mass transit, walking, biking, micromobility (such as electric scooters and bikes and shared bicycles) along with car use. Most U.S. cities depend on cars to get around and design their communities accordingly. But that sidelines and endangers the roughly 20% - 40% of residents in a given community who either can’t or shouldn’t drive, due to factors such as economic limitations, age constraints and disabilities. America’s underfunded public transit systems are frequently unreliable, time-consuming and unpleasant to ride, making it difficult and inefficient for people to reach jobs or other necessary destinations. Car-dependency imposes serious risk to non-drivers, as needing to walk or bike on roads designed for cars all-too-often causes injuries and deaths. Expanded multi-modal transportation options make roads safer for all travelers and increase access to economic opportunity, getting non-drivers to jobs, businesses and other locations that are virtually out of reach without a car. In addition to addressing the inequities of car dependency, multi-modal transportation can provide a suite of community health and livability benefits, including better air quality and reduced noise pollution, some of the largest environmental causes of health issues. Fewer cars on the road and improved road and vehicle design means fewer crashes for those inside and outside of vehicles. And active modes of transportation can improve physical and mental health by helping more Americans exercise. 

Despite these benefits, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds might be used to further entrench car dependency. For example, highway expansions reinforce car dependency (and don’t even alleviate traffic) and perpetuate the unequal health and safety impacts of many car-centered systems. Importantly, if Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments are primarily directed towards expansion of America’s roads, funding could result in an increase in emissions instead of much-needed reductions. Alternatively, communities can choose to use Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to modernize transportation systems, improve equity, and reap a host of health, safety and economic benefits by building multi-modal transportation systems.

The 15-minute Communities Approach.......In denser urban areas, an important element of low-carbon multi-modal transportation systems is building so-called “15-minute communities,” where basic needs like good schools and fresh foods are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. Past these basic needs, community members can reach more distant destinations with quality public transit accompanied by the necessary infrastructure to walk, bike or use micro-mobility options when getting to and from mass transit stations. In rural communities, walking and biking are often unfeasible and mass transit cannot operate frequently enough to reasonably meet transportation needs, so appropriate transportation systems in rural spaces will likely require personal vehicle use. To cut emissions and improve air quality, it will be necessary to shift usage of fossil-fueled vehicles in rural areas towards electric vehicles (EVs). Continued car use must be made safer with strategies like reducing vehicle speeds in high-risk areas and taking a Safe System approach, which places the responsibility for safe roads on transportation design. For rural residents who can’t drive, options like on-demand shuttles could expand mobility.

The Health, Safety and Economic Benefits of Multi-modal Transportation Systems......Health...  Poor air quality is the greatest environmental health risk factor in the United States, resulting in 100,000–200,000 excess deaths per year. Air pollution disproportionately harms low-income communities, minorities and young children; reducing pollution addresses current and historic inequities........[ed. needless to say Trump has probably trashed this progressive strategy.....read on    https://www.wri.org/insights/us-cities-multi-modal-transportation-benefits

These Countries Are Adopting Electric Vehicles the Fastest. WRI Dec 5, 2025 Joel Jaeger Electric vehicle sales have been growing exponentially due to falling costs, improving technology and government support. Globally, 22% of passenger vehicles sold in 2024 were electric. That's 8 times higher than it was just five years earlier. But which countries are leading the pack? In terms of total passenger EV sales, China is the clear leader, with 11.3 million in 2024. It's followed by the United States (1.5 million), Germany (570,000), the U.K. (550,000) and France (450,000). However, the picture changes when you look at EV sales as a share of all car sales. This gives a better idea of which countries are succeeding at electrifying their auto markets the fastest. According to the International Energy Agency, the top six countries with the highest share of EV sales are Norway (electric vehicles made up 92% of passenger vehicle sales in 2024), Sweden (58%), Denmark (56%), Finland (50%), and the Netherlands and China (tied at 48%). Notably, this makes China a leader in both total volume and share of EV sales. Meanwhile, the United States ranks much lower, with EVs at just 10% of passenger car sales.Some developing countries with low levels of car ownership are not covered by the IEA data but have reportedly seen impressive EV uptake in the last few years. A big reason for this is the availability of affordable EVs imported from China. For example, countries like Ethiopia, Nepal and Sri Lanka went from essentially no EV imports five years ago to the majority of their imports being EVs in 2024. By one estimate, EVs will need to reach 75% to 95% of passenger vehicle sales by 2030 to help limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) and prevent many harmful impacts from climate change. This is an ambitious target, and the world is currently off track to reach it. But as the countries here have shown, rapid uptake is possible. With the right policy support, the world can still feasibly get on track.

National EV Sales Follow a Pattern of Exponential Growth.....While EV sales have started accelerating in different years for different countries, they are all following a similar "S-curve" pattern of growth. This is a typical trajectory for the adoption of innovative technologies. Once a technology reaches a tipping point — for example, when EVs become cheaper than traditional gas- or diesel-powered vehicles — the trajectory curves upward. Eventually, growth diminishes as the technology approaches 100% saturation. Norway, for example, has already reached this slowing-down phase as EVs have exceeded 90% of its passenger vehicle sales. The initial acceleration and eventual slowdown create an S-curve.  

Norway is the world leader on EV adoption rates, growing sales from less than 1% to more than 90% in 14 years. To meet 2030 climate targets, the world needs to scale up EVs sales roughly as fast as Norway. Other countries have also begun rapid growth in recent years: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and China are other leading EV adopters after Norway. In every country, once EV sales reached 1%, they accelerated. This acceleration happened faster in some places than others, but has typically followed an S-curve pattern.,,,,,to read the article- keep on scrolling     https://www.wri.org/insights/countries-adopting-electric-vehicles-fastest.

The Top 12 Climate Developments of 2023 The past year saw historic developments in climate, energy, and more to help move us toward a clean and secure future.RMI December 19, 2023 Laurie Stone This past year saw some unfortunate climate milestones. It will be the hottest year ever recorded. Devastating floods swept Libya, Brazil, and China. Drought and record-high temperatures sparked catastrophic wildfires in Canada, Greece, Italy, and Hawaii. And global emissions of climate warming pollution will set a new high. Yet, there were also some promising and inspiring developments as well. From the implementation of the biggest US climate bill in history to new movement to slash methane emissions, we continue to make progress. Here we list the top 12 climate developments that give us hope for a clean and secure future — in no particular order......

1. Global investment in clean energy hits all-time high......Global investment in renewables and other clean energy technologies is on track to hit $1.8 trillion in 2023, $500 billion more than in 2022. RMI research shows that the growth in solar, wind, and battery capacity has brought the global electricity system to a milestone moment — where the transition away from fossil fuels has become hard to reverse, suggesting fossil fuel demand has peaked in the electricity sector and will be in freefall by the end of the decade.

2. The biggest climate bill in US history makes historic gains.....A year after passage, the impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act has already exceeded early estimates. In 2023, the IRA led to $372 billion in new private clean energy investments, more than 211,000 new clean energy jobs, and almost 50,000 new manufacturing jobs. Interestingly, the impact of the IRA to date has been weighted toward traditionally Republican-leaning regions.

3.Electric mobility skyrockets......Global electric vehicle (EV) sales reached an all-time high at almost 18 percent of global vehicle sales in 2023. And in the United States, EVs are on track to easily surpass 1 million annual sales for the first time ever. Demand for electric bikes (e-bikes) took off too, with global sales of approximately 40 million outpacing those of passenger EVs. In India, more than half of all new three-wheeled vehicles sold and registered in 2023 were battery-operated. Trucks are also going electric, with RMI finding that the majority of medium- and heavy-duty trucks are electrifiable today. Globally, EVs already displace 1.5 million barrels of oil consumption per day, with that expected to rise to 1.8 million barrels in 2023. Even Barbie and Ken charged into the EV fervor.

4. A loss and damage fund, finally!......On the first day of the annual UN climate conference, COP28, leaders made a historic decision, agreeing to launch and capitalize a loss and damage fund. Details on the loss and damage fund, which will provide financial assistance to climate-vulnerable countries, have been debated for over a decade. At COP28, the UAE and Germany pledged $100 million each, and the United States promised $17.5 million

Cherokee Central Schools........The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Cherokee Boys Club electrified Cherokee Central Schools' fleet as part of their commitment to environmental conservation and to support a tribal resolution prioritizing renewable energy goals. They chose electric school buses over propane-burning alternatives for environmental benefits and because the new bus technology would bring workforce opportunities to their community. In addition to students noting the lack of diesel fumes and drivers praising the quiet rides, the transition has yielded substantial economic benefits, such as $300 to $500 in fuel savings per electric bus each month and reduced maintenance costs. It has also supported community resiliency as demonstrated this past summer when their electric school buses provided power back to their electric utility, Duke Energy, helping reduce grid strain during heat waves. It also fostered workforce development opportunities, with three Cherokee Boys Club technicians receiving specialized high-voltage training from the dealer and bus manufacturer. Cherokee Boys Club Service Manager Donnie Owle and Master Technician Cliff Cochran also provided high school interns with hands-on electric vehicle (EV) training experience — including converting golf carts to solar electric — preparing community members for participation in the green economy. 

Despite these successes, there were some challenges. Because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean School Bus Program limits eligibility to certain types of applicants, nonprofit school transportation providers like the Cherokee Boys Club could not apply directly. Instead, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians had to set up complex arrangements to channel grant funds, which added administrative difficulty to the process. In addition, in the early stages of the transition, the Cherokee Boys Club was surprised by the high infrastructure costs for necessary upgrades for EV charger installation.......read on    https://www.wri.org/insights/tribal-nations-electric-school-bus-transition