Program on the Environment

Each year, millions of taxpayer dollars and investments are used to propel sustainable development, but these efforts can go unrecognized without adequate and understandable communication. As we rely on this funding to continue these improvements, we need to identify ways to improve our communication, ensuring that we can continue to invest in projects that benefit our natural environment and make sustainability simpler for all. During my internship with Sound Transit, I focused on improving how sustainability outcomes are tracked and communicated. I developed two digital tools: one to track project costs and investments in sustainability, and another to analyze emission reports from the construction of capital projects. Additionally, I interviewed staff across multiple departments to gain an understanding of current communication practices and identify possible gaps. Together, this research allowed me to visualize and contextualize how funding and careful decision-making influence the environmental impact of a project, and to determine how these efforts are best communicated. Through my conversations and research, I identified five factors that play a key role in the successful communication of sustainability initiatives: frequent and well-displayed communication, interactive designs, tailored information and data, tangible evidence, and the clear presentation of economic benefits. For sustainability to be successful, it needs to be intuitive and easily accessible. By incorporating these aspects into public-facing communications, we can bolster public confidence and help keep communities engaged and informed, providing the support necessary to continue fostering sustainable development.