Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation is critical to protect people from the worst impacts of climate change. Transportation is now the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., accounting for 28 percent of emissions in 2016. Transportation pollution also contributes to worsening air quality, leading to serious health problems like asthma and heart problems that hit low-income communities hardest. These communities experience the impacts of climate change first-hand and recognize the urgent need for solutions.

The Heising-Simons Foundation supports Green for All and The Greenlining Institute’s work with low-income communities to advance clean transportation solutions that equitably benefit all communities and mitigate climate change. In California’s Central Valley, these two organizations are partnering with the city of Huron, in Fresno County, to bring green transportation to the city through an initiative called “Green Raiteros.”

Launched earlier this month, Green Raiteros is an electric vehicle (EV) ridesharing program that builds on a decades-old tradition of giving rides to neighbors who are unable to drive themselves and cannot rely on limited public transit to get to important appointments, the hospital, and work. The Green Raiteros program equips Huron with a community resource center to gather people and coordinate EV rideshares to help people get to their appointments quickly and affordably, while reducing tailpipe emissions that contribute to climate change and poor air quality in the Central Valley.

Green Raiteros plans to expand these services to nearby communities with a grant from the state of California, utilizing funds from the state’s cap-and-trade program, which provides funding for projects that help mitigate climate change. The cap-and-trade program is just one example of California’s leading climate policies that many Foundation grantees have helped to develop to reduce greenhouse gases. The Foundation’s grantees continue to be at the forefront of advocating for climate solutions to ensure a low-carbon future that is prosperous for all communities.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Green Raiteros program.