Carbon-Free Communities:Pairing Land Use and Mobility
Mary Bell AustinGreen To Do
Carbon Free Mobility conferenceOakland, CA March 6, 2009
High Expectations
Vibrant, healthy communities What role does
transportation play? Can we work together?
Beyond sustainability
My Challenge to Us All
Apply Ecological Thinking Connect the dots Play well together Integrate solutions
Care Enough to Take Risks Know your discipline Listen to others Seek to collaborate Dare to dream big
The Challenges Before Us
Climate Change Short window of opportunity 80% reduction of GHG by 2050
Peak Everything Oil, water, seafood, farmland . . .
Restoring Ecological Capital Air, water, soil – natural systems
Revitalizing Communities Clean, safe, human scale,
connected
How Did We Get Here?
Cheap oil, cheap travel Gobbling natural resources Becoming too mobile
Building everywhere, anywhere Sprawling infrastructure
Roads Housing Water
Ignoring distance Food Work Goods Travel
The High Cost of Auto-Centrism
Motor Vehicles as dominant mode 95% vehicle miles traveled 90% passenger miles
Environmental Costs Air quality - emissions Infrastructure (roads, parking) Wildlife killed and habitat
impaired Vehicle lifecycle costs
Ties to climate change
California’s Greenhouse Gas Sources2004 GHG emissions by Sector (Gross emissions: 484.4 MMT CO2e) -CA ARB
Post-Peak Transportation
Finding Solutions
Start with Communities What does livability look like?
Quiet, and green space Local jobs, shops, schools, play Local food, clean air, safe water Neighborliness - interaction Human-scale movement
Where does transportation fit in?
Pairing Mobility and Land Use
Changing the paradigm Can you give up your car?
Connecting systems / modes Can you get from A to B without gaps?
Choosing good technology Clean, safe, affordable, efficient
Prioritizing the best modes for scaled needs Walking, biking Great transit Accessories – automobiles, ships, planes, etc
Continuing the Discussion
Questions deferred Dinners tonight
Contact me: [email protected] www.greentodo.com