ASC's Intersections Newsletter — August 25, 2023
Nora's Note
The power of women’s voices. This Saturday marks the 103rd anniversary of the signing of the 19th Amendment and the beginning of ASC’s 31st year in business. Throughout the last three decades we have witnessed firsthand the impact of women-owned business enterprises (WBEs) across a multitude of industries—igniting innovation, propelling economic growth, and driving change for a more sustainable and inclusive future. The link between women’s participation in business and public policy and a more peaceful and sustainable world has been extensively documented, yet many women in the US and around the world still face significant barriers to inclusion in decision-making positions. Black women, the most likely demographic group to face respiratory issues from air pollution in the US, have been some of the most vocal leaders in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation. This Women’s Equality Day, let’s embrace action for change with equity, inclusivity, and accessibility at the forefront, ensuring a just transition that builds on the legacy and contributions of the women leaders before us and among us.
Transportation
NYC proposes all zero-emission, accessible rideshare vehicles by 2030. To support cleaner, more accessible transportation in New York City, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) recently proposed the Green Rides Initiative. If approved, the initiative would require 5% of rideshare fleets to be either zero-emission or wheelchair-accessible by next year, rising gradually to 100% in 2030. The proposed rule connects to other NYC initiatives for transportation electrification, including PlanNYC’s goals to expand EV charging and transition city bus fleets to zero-emission vehicles. Read more to learn how to comment on the proposal. (Source: SILive.com)
Gothamist: Wider cargo e-bikes could be coming to NYC streets
Baltimore Banner: Maryland wants to encourage development around transit stations
WGLT: Connect Transit restores peak and late-night service after overcoming driver shortage
Mass Transit Mag: Push continues for restoring passenger rail to southern Montana
Tampa Bay Times: Pinellas transit agency among best in North America, industry award says
Climate
Report highlights importance of Maine salt marshes and seagrass for carbon storage. Research from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that protection of salt marshes and eelgrass beds is crucial for environmental conservation. Preserving these coastal marshes could salvage more carbon per acre than forests. Approximately 1.7 million metric tons of carbon could be stored by increasing conservation efforts in salt marshes along 54,000 acres of these habitats from Maine to Long Island. Read more about the link between salt marshes and efforts to fight climate change. (Source: Maine Public)
The Hill: Federal analysis says IRA, infrastructure law could save customers billions on energy bills
Canary Media: US climate law introduces billion-dollar ‘game-changer’ for nonprofits
Associated Press: US launches program to provide electricity to more Native American homes
Axios: The new climate law is upending the solar landscape
Economic Development
Global wealth projected to rise as inequality falls. A recent report has shown a shifting landscape of wealth in the US. While global wealth slightly declined in 2022, global median wealth rose by 3%. Specific demographics such as millennials and Hispanic Americans experienced wealth growth in the US, mainly due to having higher investments in housing and lower investments in the stock market. Older generations and non-Hispanic whites faced an overall decline in wealth. Read more about projected shifts in inequality and global median wealth. (Source: Axios)
Route Fifty: Governments have faith that church property can help solve the housing crisis
Smart Cities Dive: Federal infrastructure investments buoy engineering and construction firms
Canary Media: The US climate law is fueling a factory frenzy. Here’s the latest tally
Streets Blog: Parking spots are turned into people space as a Lakeview garage becomes an apartment complex
About Arch Street Communications
At ASC, we help government agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations across the globe communicate issues that affect people’s lives. We’re the bold, nimble, women-owned small business (WBE) that has supported strategic communications programs to build stronger communities for 30 years.
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