Gigi On Earth

The transportation sector is responsible for around 25% of Canada’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, making it the second-largest contributing sector to Canada’s overall emissions. Most emissions come from on-road transportation, which includes light-duty vehicles (like cars, sport-utility vehicles, and pickup trucks) and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (like larger pickup trucks, cargo vans, buses, and freight trucks).

Canada’s ambitious Net Zero by 2050 climate action plan rightly identifies the electrification of light and heavy-duty vehicles as a cornerstone of its strategy. Transitioning our transportation system to clean energy is essential in the short term, not only to cut down on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but also to reduce air and noise pollution. Cleaner air means healthier cities, and quieter streets offer a more peaceful urban environment—a promising vision for our future.

Yet, while electrifying personal vehicles is a step in the right direction, it’s not a comprehensive solution. When we evaluate the environmental impact of cars, the focus often rests solely on the emissions they produce. However, this narrow view overlooks the broader consequences of maintaining a car-centric society. Even with electric vehicles (EVs), we still face the challenges of building and maintaining vast road networks, creating extensive parking infrastructure, and dealing with the environmental burden of disposing of vehicles at the end of their lifecycle. Moreover, with electric cars tending to be heavier than their gasoline-powered counterparts, we may see accelerated wear and tear on roads, leading to quicker degradation and more frequent repairs. The spread of asphalt brings with it increased runoff and heightened flood risks—environmental issues that cannot be ignored.

A truly sustainable city is one that is also livable. The current emphasis on EVs seems more like a quick fix—a treatment for the symptoms rather than the root causes. Cities dominated by cars face numerous issues beyond emissions: they contribute to accidents, make sidewalks less safe, and limit the spaces where children can play, forcing families to rely on cars to access safe recreational areas. Pedestrians are relegated to the margins of urban life, often finding themselves seeking respite from the very cities they call home. In contrast, a livable city naturally encourages walking and cycling by prioritizing spaces for people over vehicles.

Canada’s transportation action plan clearly prioritizes the electrification of vehicles, but when it comes to public and active transportation, the commitment appears to be limited to financial allocations without a concrete strategy. There’s a pressing need for a robust public transportation plan that goes beyond electrification. Consider the potential of a comprehensive rail plan to reduce short-haul flights in Eastern Canada, or the development of suburban rail networks that make sustainable travel accessible to more regions. Imagine a strategy that extends train services to national parks, democratizing access and reducing the environmental impact of car travel to these natural treasures.

Electrification is undeniably a crucial component of sustainable transportation, and the infrastructure required to support it is vital. However, it’s equally important to place a significant focus on enhancing active and public transportation. Canada’s current approach seems to envision a future where we continue to rely on cars, albeit electric ones. Yet, with the population density in the Eastern Corridor and on the West Coast, there is immense potential for innovative, density-reliant transportation solutions that could transform the way we move.

In the quest for a sustainable future, let’s not settle for half-measures. It’s time to expand our vision beyond electric vehicles and create cities where public and active transportation take center stage, fostering environments that are not only sustainable but also truly livable.