Government is really good at saying ‘no.’ Rule-making is all about saying “don’t do this” and “don’t do that.” Sometimes solving problems means saying yes. Like, yes, we can fix that stinky, polluting car. In steps the philanthropic entrepreneur, Environmental Initiative.
Launched in 2017, Project CAR works with local car repair shops to cover the cost of fixing emissions control and exhaust systems for qualifying lower-income Minnesotans. Nearly 600 cars have been repaired since the program began, eliminating 32 tons of emissions. Project CAR is focused on fixing the estimated 25% of passenger vehicles that cause 90% of vehicle air pollution in Minnesota.
Folks who are driving the car which contributes the most to declining air quality are also stretched by other priorities.
Cathy Heying, executive director and founder of The Lift Garage, an established partner of Project CAR, praised the program’s expansion, expressing enthusiasm for the collective impact such partnerships can generate. “Customers come in with all sorts of needs, and, often, environmental impact is not their top priority due to cost constraints. So, this program is amazing because customers want to do the right thing for the environment and this program allows them to do that while also improving their car’s functionality,” she said.
This non-profit ends up offering a two-for-one. They provide people with transportation to go about their daily lives and they reduce a negative externality to the local public. All this without interfering with the owners’ everyday flow of finances and obligations.
What other low hanging fruit are our there for the entrepreneurs to capture?
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