Community Happenings Kathy McCormick, left, Thurston Regional Planning Council, and Barb Scavezze, Cool Thurston Campaign, chat after the Climate Friendly Transportation symposium at The Evergreen State College on May 9. According to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, transportation accounts for a majority of green house gas (GHG) emissions in Puget Sound. During a small group breakout session the two were part of a discussion on Compact and Transit Oriented Development. Several ideas were generated by the group, which will be posted at http://www.evergreen.edu/sustainability/ontheroad.htm The group also included city, business and community representatives Mike McCormick, Tom Crawford, Whitney Bowerman, Jessica Bateman, Sara del Moral, Fran Eide, and Janine Gates. At the forum, Kathy McCormick said that in 2030, Thurston County's total population will be 373,000. That means an increase from 2008 of 128,000 people. She also said that more than 20,000 people come into downtown Olympia to work each day. Karen Messmer, Olympia city council member and Transit Authority vice president, told the group that providing a variety of transportation choices is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Guiding growth and creating activity centers along major corridors, making it nicer to walk with sidewalks, safe street crossings and direct routes, and reducing vehicle miles traveled are all part of the solution. From 2002 - 2008, bus ridership was up 12% locally. "This is phenomenal growth," Messmer said. Vanpools, ride-match programs and other transportation options were also discussed.
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