The ATU says damning IPCC report shows need for transformative change and a Green New Deal

A grave report recently released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change, stressed the limited time we have to mitigate the irrevocable effects of climate change, including more investment in public transit says the ATU.

The report that Secretary-General of the UN Antonio Guterres called a “code red for humanity” said that it is now indisputable that human influence has caused unprecedented warming and that the situation is almost certain to worsen for decades to come. Low-lying lands and coastal communities are extremely vulnerable, and oceans could very likely rise as high as two meters.

“This report cements the urgent cries that we have been hearing throughout the past several years for transformative change and a Green New Deal that needs to include things such as heavily expanding and investing in our public transit systems and putting forward measures that eases workers into a just transition,” said International President John Costa. “Anything less could be disastrous and leave millions behind in a worst-case scenario.”

As part of this effort to combat climate change, transit agencies should be purchasing zero-emission vehicles. The ATU believes transit agencies must work with the ATU to develop innovative apprenticeship and training programs to ensure transit workers are prepared to repair, maintain and operate these vehicles. v