There are obvious parallels between the anti-vaxxer/anti-masker folks and those refusing to take action to slow climate change.

Both share in their denial of scientific consensus.

Both seek to minimize the extent of a current, pressing problem.

Both refuse to make small changes to their routines, even when maintaining the status quo promises dire results.

Both make a spectacle of caring about those in poverty but without ever addressing what would be most useful, like raises in minimum wage or ensuring safe and convenient public transportation or improving workplace conditions.

Both make wild claims about what most Americans support or oppose.

Both prioritize money in the short-term, to the detriment of public health.

Both believe they are entitled to make poor choices, without any thought to how these decisions impact others.

Both fail to grasp that freedom doesn’t matter much when you aren’t alive.

Both need to stop being coddled, as if all opinions are equally valid.

On Saturday, October 2, 2021, Transportation and Climate Initiative Program advocates from around the state gathered at the Connecticut State Capitol to promote what would create jobs, improve health, and protect the planet — if only the elected officials would get around to passing it.

Why has this stalled?

A few people began grumbling about gas costing more at the pump, and instead of politicians telling them to make better choices — take the bus, ride the train, carpool, drive a more fuel efficient vehicle (and not a vanity truck), switch to an electric vehicle, ride a bike, scoot, walk, live in a walkable community, stop being rural gentrifiers — those in power have been cowering, just as they did when the anti-toll trolls whined about having to pay for their bad choices.

Despite what opponents of TCI have stated, there is support for reducing fossil fuel emissions while adding funds for greener infrastructure (like sidewalks and bicycle lanes, bus stop shelters, along with electric vehicle charging stations), and converting school buses and public transit buses from diesel to electric. Funds made possible through TCI could expand public transportation, giving those who claim they would use it if it were more convenient no more excuses.

TCI would also invest in expanding greenways and trails, which can be used both for work commuting and pleasure riding.

Advocates have been calling for TCI to include rebates for electric bicycles (e-bikes) as this would be a more sincere equity measure than only rebates for electric vehicles, which even with a discount are far out of reach for many, economically. Besides, there are people who can ride bicycles but who cannot drive vehicles, so aside from cost, this would be more inclusive.

Saturday’s rally, organized by Laina Hancock and Kate Rozen, was attended mainly by people riding in on bicycles. There were several electric cargo bikes on the State Capitol grounds, including some that carried children to the event. Others arrived by train or electric vehicle.

How much support exists for TCI? A poll found that 70% of voters from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts were in support of the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program. Those voters included Republicans.

At the same time, The Connecticut Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory shows that our state is unlikely to meet its 2030 or 2050 greenhouse gas emissions goals if it keeps on doing what it’s doing now…which, essentially, is nothing.

We have to be asking our politicians: will you be lazy fatalists, or will you be the kind of people who try?