As Congress contemplates how to provide economic relief and create desperately needed employment opportunities for millions of Americans suffering as a result of the economic havoc wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers have the chance to ensure that we build back better, in ways that create millions of well-paying jobs and advance a low-carbon economy addressing the climate crisis. Research shows that smart climate action is not only good for but essential to economic growth. These objectives must go hand in hand.
One way Congress could immediately create millions of good jobs and support state and local governments nationwide is to dramatically increase investment in public transit systems and transportation infrastructure. When every $1 billion invested in public transportation creates nearly 50,000 jobs and returns $5 billion in economic activity. Expanding investment in the long backlog of “shovel-ready” public transportation projects provides desperately needed jobs and economic stabilization immediately and sets up long-term economic growth, higher quality of life for millions of Americans, and a low-carbon transportation sector.