Who We
Are
Our Envisioned Outcome
It’s simple. Our mission is to reduce greenhouse emissions in the transportation sector.
Immediately. And forever.
This means innovating zero emissions transportation infrastructure, adding better choices for how people get around, and implementing it now.
We serve as a catalyst for change in cities, regions, states and nations globally, transforming mobility. The final result? Connected communities that provide equitable economic growth and environmental benefits.
Talking about this is important but so is action. See our What We Do and What You Can Do pages.
ZET's Leaders
Suja Lowenthal
Board Chair, City Manager of Hermosa Beach
Never before have I felt the crisis and despair that our earth is in as I do today. Polluted air, water, and soil, and a warming climate are harming life on earth in both imaginable and unimaginable ways. Simply put, we are in an existential crisis. We as individuals, communities, cities, states, and nations are called on to act. We have waited decades for nations to agree on the solutions that only nations can commit to and implement. We cannot wait any longer. We cannot forgo individual and small-scale actions waiting for nations to collaborate on big solutions. Often, the efforts of a small group of thoughtful individuals can lead to cities, states, and nations acting. This is where we are today. We cannot hold off individual and small-scale actions anticipating global policy agreements. We need both. I have joined a small group of thoughtful leaders who decided that a gondola system removing 3,000 vehicle trips off the road each game day, reducing carbon emissions by 150,000 metric tons per year, is a worthwhile endeavor because I believe local climate and environment improving strategies inspire action in other communities, over time leading to shifts and action at broader levels. This has been my experience as a local elected official for 15 years and a member of a municipal staff team for 30 years. It is the fundamental message of “think globally, act locally (Patrick Geddes).” Globally, large scale zero emissions transit is achievable. It must start somewhere. In our corner of the universe, we are starting with a gondola system to replace 20% of trips to and from Dodger Stadium, delivering appreciable community benefits locally while doing so. We can do this.
Hear from Suja Lowenthal
David Kim
Senior Vice President at WSP
My name is David Kim. I’m a longtime transportation leader and former California Secretary of Transportation. I cannot tell you how important this project is for the future of LA. We need to do everything possible to give people more travel choices that do not involve driving their car. Expanding zero emission transit is essential if we care about improving air quality, reducing congestion, promoting equity and improving safety.
Now, everyone who has been to Dodger Stadium knows that most people drive to games and how frustrating it is to deal with congestion. That’s the way it has been for decades. But the status quo is unacceptable.
We have a choice – we can let it continue or we can do something about it. If you want positive change, LA ART is for you.
I’ve personally been on other aerial gondola systems around the country and I’ve seen how much those communities and their residents benefit. It’s time for LA to have one as well.
Hear from David Kim
Amy Arentowicz
General Counsel at McCourt Partners
One of my favorite quotes is “be the change that you wish to see in the world” – and I believe that this sentiment is more important now than ever before. Every single one of us has a duty and responsibility to respect our planet and protect it for future generations. We all need to play a role in helping the environment, which is why I am excited to be a part of an organization that is dedicated to advancing zero emissions public transportation in a city that so desperately needs it. Having spent the bulk of my professional life in New York City, I understand profoundly how access to public transit can impact the ways we come together and create communities. It’s time for us to start thinking more creatively about how we move people around in Los Angeles and I know that at ZET, we will champion innovative and equitable solutions.
Hear from Amy Arentowicz
Felix Aguilar
American Lung Association National Committee Member
As a family doctor, I have committed more than 25 years to caring for children and adults with respiratory diseases. I have family members that have asthma. I must do something about the air quality in Los Angeles during climate change—traffic-related air pollution is a significant cause of illness. Zero emissions transit is critical for the future health of Los Angeles. As a Board Member of ZET, I am working to make that future a reality.
Hear from Felix Aguilar
Hilary Norton
California Transportation Commissioner;
Executive Director at FASTLinkDTLA
I support Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit because I want to see more zero emissions transportation in an easy, high quality way for people traveling in wheelchairs and parents and caregivers pushing strollers to access Dodger Stadium, Chinatown, Los Angeles State Historic Park and Union Station. It will expand sustainable transit connectivity for Dodger game days and every day.
Hear from Hilary Norton
Marc Futernick
National Director of Sustainability at US Acute Care Solutions
Hi, I’m Marc Futernick. I’m an emergency physician. Zero Emissions Transit is important to me because I believe the health and future of Los Angeles depends on drastically cutting our emissions. I care about health. Air pollution and climate change are causing more asthma, heat stroke, and heart attacks. Reducing emissions will improve the health of all Los Angelenos, especially those in areas most impacted by traffic. I’m committed to making zero emissions a reality through my work with ZET. Together, we can do this.
Hear from Marc Futernick
Jordan K. Lang
President at McCourt Partners
Hello, my name is Jordan Lang, President of Aerial Rapid Transit Technologies, where we are committed to introducing an innovative, zero emissions gondola system to Los Angeles; because we need climate friendly transit alternatives if we are ever going to meet our climate goals!
We have some of the best weather in the world in LA and life is simply better outside of our cars. It’s better for our well-being, our community, our streets, and our future. But we must do our part to protect it and keep it clean and sustainable…
Growing up in Santa Barbara, where California’s environmental protections were born – CEQA – the idea of caring for and protecting our environment was instilled in me from a very young age.
Now with a young daughter myself, I hope to instill the same stewardship for the environment through my example. It is important that we take care to preserve and protect our natural resources so that they can be enjoyed by future generations.
Living in Hermosa Beach allows me to always enjoy the outdoors but it’s also a reminder of how we must continue this work – my wife and I enjoy taking our daughter on bike rides to emphasize the importance of protecting our environment.
Being on the ZET Board allows me to continue to champion a solution to advance emissions-free transit solutions in LA and work with amazing people to ensure a greener, cleaner and more connected LA.
Hear from Jordan K. Lang