The potential of the coronavirus to influence the way we travel and where we live is explored in this deep dive that also imagines how the world might benefit from less vehicle travel, during and after a pandemic.
An article by Steve Winkelman commences as follows:
Don’t just do something, stand there! Few of us could have imagined that a key strategy to save millions of lives was to just stay put. (Practitioners of meditation and mindfulness were probably better prepared.)
Billions of us, indeed are staying home, avoiding travel and driving shorter distances. We are figuring out which trips are truly essential, what we can afford and which travel modes and patterns are safest. At the same time, millions of people do not have the choice to work from home or the luxury to stay put. And that exacerbates longstanding structural inequalities pertaining to race and income.
The full article, linked below, is the second in a series by Steve Winkelman for Green Resilience that explores how lessons from the pandemic response might help accelerate climate action. This article focuses on the greenhouse gas emissions of transportation, the ongoing debate about how much density is causing transmission of the coronavirus, and more.
FULL STORY: Mobilizing Against COVID-19 (by staying put)
Falling Transit Ridership 'Disastrous' for Greenhouse Gas Reductions
With ridership at record lows and agencies struggling to stay afloat, public transit around the world will need robust investment to recover after the pandemic.
Can Emissions Reductions Last Beyond the Pandemic?
The dramatic reductions in carbon emissions during the last year only highlight how drastically humans must change behavior to meet climate goals.
Pandemic Public Transit Fears Unfounded
A knee-jerk history of coronavirus in New York City is being revised.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Poorest NYC Neighborhoods Pay Price for Delivery Boom
The rise of ‘last-mile’ e-commerce warehouses — and their attendant truck traffic and air pollution — is disproportionately impacting the most historically disadvantaged parts of the city.
Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.
California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
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