'We rarely talk about human infrastructure': Augusta advocates combatting climate change

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read
Augusta Transit Deputy Director Oliver Page, center, presents their Climate Action Plan alongside Augusta Commissioner Jordan Johnson, left, and Citizens Climate Lobby Volunteer Paige Brookmeyer, right, at a press conference on combating climate change at the Augusta Public Library on Telfair Street in Augusta, GA on Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Augusta Transit Deputy Director Oliver Page, center, presents their Climate Action Plan alongside Augusta Commissioner Jordan Johnson, left, and Citizens Climate Lobby Volunteer Paige Brookmeyer, right, at a press conference on combating climate change at the Augusta Public Library on Telfair Street in Augusta, GA on Thursday, March 23, 2023.

Nurse and Citizens Climate Lobby volunteer Paige Brookmeyer on Tuesday explained how climate change is a health crisis.

"Of course we have the strains of heat, but also, the poor public health in general," she said. "With overburdened doctors and nurses caring for a sicker population, the more pollution you have, the sicker people are going to be."

Brookmeyer was one of multiple Augusta leaders and advocates who held a press conference in the Augusta Public Library hosted by Sustainable CSRA to discuss the issues of climate change and what they are doing to combat it.

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Augusta Public Transit Deputy Director Oliver Page highlighted their Climate Action Plan, which details how they hope to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 50%. One of the big ways they plan to make that happen is by replacing five of their old gas-powered buses with new electric ones. The new buses made by GILLIG are expected to join the fleet by the end of 2025.

The buses are being funded about $6.3 million from the Inflation Reduction Act. However, Augusta Public Transit Director Sharon Dottery said in February that they also need to build the chargers and infrastructure that can support those buses. The city is currently working on getting a Georgia Power grant to make that happen.

Augusta Public Transit looks to introduce GILLIG's electric buses to its fleet, but will need to build the infrastructure first.
Augusta Public Transit looks to introduce GILLIG's electric buses to its fleet, but will need to build the infrastructure first.

"We often talk about infrastructure from an underground standpoint (like with pipes), but we very rarely talk about human infrastructure," said Augusta Commissioner Jordan Johnson. "We very rarely talk about the fact that folks have to be able to get from point A to point B safely and efficiently. But what happens when they get from point A to point B? They're breathing air that's not conducive for them to be able to live a whole life"

Workforce development will be handled by Rev. Brendolyn Jenkins Boseman, executive director of The Imani Group, whose EMERGE Initiative looks to foster training in a variety of areas from solar panel installation and electric vehicle maintenance to hazardous waste operations and other environmental remediation.

"These global certifications, that can be gained in six-to-eight weeks, can be life changing opportunities in our community," Boseman said.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta leaders, activists discuss climate change strategies