Around the world, farmers are walking away from lands that were once cultivated or grazed because those lands have been “farmed out.” The causes range from damaging agricultural practices to desertification, from lack of market access to migration. It can be cheaper to walk away from the land than to work it.
Fahad Akhtar
"I inspired from my family and community to uses natural sources instead of artificial. "
POINTS TOTAL
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Fahad's actions
Health and Education
Host a Film Screening
Health and Education
I will host a virtual film screening and discussion about women's and gender equality issues.
Health and Education
Start a Social Media Campaign
Health and Education
Through social media, I will raise awareness about gender inequity in education by sharing the information found in the links below.
Health and Education
Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will spend 1 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.
Health and Education
Research Barriers to Participation and Representation
Health and Education
I will spend at least 1 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.
Health and Education
Connect With A Nonprofit
Health and Education
I will connect with a local nonprofit working on issues affecting women, girls, and/or trans and nonbinary people in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.
Health and Education
Help Students Overcome Health Barriers
Health and Education
I will donate 2 Femme Kit(s) to help people who menstruate overcome health and sanitation barriers to being able to attend school.
Health and Education
Make School More Affordable
Health and Education
I will raise funds to help make school affordable for girls around the world.
Health and Education
Fund Family Planning
Health and Education
I will donate to supply a community with reproductive health supplies.
Health and Education
Learn about the Need for Family Planning
Health and Education
I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.
Land Sinks
Explore My Area
Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 5 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.
Land Sinks
Research Peatlands
Peatland Protection and Rewetting
I will spend 5 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.
Land Sinks
Plant Trees
Temperate Forest Restoration
I will plant 5 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.
Land Sinks
Support a Community Garden
Multiple Solutions
I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.
Land Sinks
Learn More about Silvopasture
Silvopasture
I will spend at least 1 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.
Land Sinks
Local Perennial Biomass
Perennial Biomass Production
I will spend at least 1 minutes finding out if anyone is working on perennial biomass projects in my region and how I can get involved.
Land Sinks
Contact your Elected Officials
Abandoned Farmland Restoration
I will contact 1 elected officials to voice my opinion on the importance of restoring farmland in my region, including both public and private land.
Land Sinks
Learn about Temperate Forests
Temperate Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 1 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.
Land Sinks
Advocate for Forest Protection
Forest Protection
I will contact 1 congress people or representatives to advocate for public policy that protects forests and the enforcement of existing anti-logging laws, as well as the rights of local people to protect and restore the land in their communities.
Land Sinks
Buy Bamboo
Bamboo Production
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
Land Sinks
Choose Better Wood Products
Forest Protection
I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.
Land Sinks
Forest-Friendly Foods 2
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will replace or remove from my current diet the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products that are known to contribute to deforestation.
Land Sinks
Forest-Friendly Foods 1
Tropical Forest Restoration
I will spend at least 1 minutes researching the impact of my diet to see how it contributes to deforestation.
Buildings
Explore Other Buildings Solutions
All Buildings Solutions
I will spend at least 1 minutes researching other Drawdown Buildings Solutions.
Buildings
Research Retrofitting Incentives
Building Retrofitting
I will spend at least 1 minutes finding out if my city, region, state, or country offers incentives for retrofitting existing buildings.
Buildings
Learn about 'Green Gentrification'
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 1 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.
Buildings
Tour a Green Roof
Green and Cool Roofs
I will set up a visit or a virtual tour of a green roof in my city, and ask about the codes and process for installing a green roof.
Buildings
Learn about the Legacy of Redlining
Multiple Solutions
I will spend at least 1 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.
Buildings
Online Energy Audit
Multiple Solutions
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Buildings
Donate
Improved Clean Cookstoves
I will donate to nonprofits that install clean cookstoves in low-income countries.
Buildings
Replace Manual Thermostats
Smart Thermostats
I will replace manual thermostats with smart ones.
Buildings
Install A Toilet Tank Bank
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water a day or 330 gallons (1,230 L) a month by installing a toilet tank bank.
Buildings
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day or 450 gallons (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.
Buildings
Fix Leaky Faucets
Low-Flow Fixtures
I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities. Fixing leaky faucets can save up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water a day or 270 (1,020 L) gallons of water a month per faucet.
Buildings
Research Heat Pumps
High-Efficiency Heat Pumps
I will spend at least 1 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.
Buildings
Upgrade My Windows
Insulation
I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.
Buildings
Plan to Insulate
Insulation
I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.
Industry
Choose Recycled Paper
Recycled Paper
I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.
Industry
Research Cement Alternatives
Alternative Cement
I will spend at least 2 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.
Industry
Go Paperless
Recycled Paper
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.
Industry
Share Bioplastic Disposal Tips
Bioplastics
I will spend at least 1 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 1 friends, family and/or colleagues.
Industry
Launch a Recycling Program
Recycling
I will set up a recycling center at my workplace or school.
Industry
Become A Master Recycler/Composter
Recycling
I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.
Industry
Recycle Everything I Can
Recycling
Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will research and recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community, making sure to not contaminate recyclables with non-recyclables.
Industry
Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion
Multiple Industry Solutions
I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.
Industry
Advocate For More Packaging Options
Multiple Industry Solutions
I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.
Industry
Reduce Single-Use Disposables
Bioplastics
Cheap, single-use items and disposable packaging end up blowing around as litter more often in poor and BIPOC-majority neighborhoods. I will avoid buying and using 2 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.
Industry
Properly Dispose of Refrigerants
Refrigerant Management
I will spend at least 2 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.
Industry
Find a Local Climate-Friendly Supermarket
Refrigerant Management
I will explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.
Industry
Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants
Refrigerant Management
I will spend 1 minute(s) learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.
Industry
Practice the 5 R's
Recycling
I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.
Transportation
Explore Other Transportation Solutions
All Transportation Solutions
I will spend at least 1 minutes researching other Drawdown Transportation Solutions.
Transportation
Express My Support For Equitable Biking Infrastructure
Bicycle Infrastructure
I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact bike routes and express my support for better biking infrastructure.
Transportation
Conduct Virtual Meetings
Telepresence
I will encourage my office to hold meetings virtually whenever possible instead of requiring travel.
Transportation
Go by Bike
Bicycle Infrastructure
I will commute by bike 2 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Transportation
Express My Support For Walkable Cities
Walkable Cities
I will find out who in my city makes decisions that impact neighborhood walkability and express my support for better walking infrastructure.
Transportation
Go for a Daily Walk
Walkable Cities
I will take a walk for 2 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.
Transportation
Use Muscle Power
Multiple Transportation Solutions
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
Transportation
Try Carpooling
Carpooling
I will commute by carpool 2 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Transportation
Advocate For Greener Vehicles
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars, Efficient Trucks
I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on electric and fuel-efficient vehicles
Transportation
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars
I will spend at least 2 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
Transportation
Research and Advocate for High-Speed Rail
High-Speed Rail
I will spend at least 2 minutes researching and advocating for a comprehensive high speed rail network in my country/region.
Transportation
Purchase a Carbon Offset
Efficient Aviation
If I buy a plane ticket, I will purchase a carbon offset.
Transportation
Stay on the Ground
Telepresence, High-Speed Rail
Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).
Transportation
Improve a Bus Stop
Public Transit
I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or implementing some other small improvement.
Transportation
Use Public Transit
Public Transit
I will use public transit 5 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Building With Carbon Storing Waste Products
Engineered Sinks
I will spend at least 2 minutes researching how people can build with carbon-storing materials - including agricultural byproducts - and discuss it with my peers in person or by posting to social media.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Learn about Biochar
Biochar Production
I will spend 2 minute(s) learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Smart Seafood Choices
Ocean Farming
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Advocate for Wetland Protection
Coastal Wetland Protection
I will write 1 letter(s) or email(s) per day to a public official or representative to advocate for policies that protect wetlands.
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks
Restore Wetlands
Coastal Wetland Restoration
I will volunteer 1 hours with a wetland restoration project in my region.
Electricity
Calculate My Carbon Footprint
All Drawdown Solutions
I will calculate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce my negative impact on the environment.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Explore Other Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions
All Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions
I will spend at least 5 minutes researching other Drawdown Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Solutions.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Eat Mindfully
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Tend A Garden
I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Learn More about Regenerative Agriculture
Conservation Agriculture, Regenerative Annual Cropping
I will spend at least 1 minutes learning about the need for more regenerative agriculture.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Composting
Composting, Reduced Food Waste
I will start a compost bin where I live.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Support Nutrient Management
Nutrient Management
I will research and support local farmers who have made the decision to not use synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants
Farm Irrigation Efficiency
I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Give a Microloan
Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders
I will give 1 microloan(s) to women who need help starting a business.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Support Indigenous Peoples' Land Management
Indigenous Peoples' Forest Tenure
I will donate to Native American Rights Fund, which protects tribal natural resources and environmental rights and promotes Native American Human Rights.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Zero-waste Cooking
Reduced Food Waste
I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Smaller Portions
Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Keep Track of Wasted Food
Reduced Food Waste
I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during Earth Month Ecochallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Support Local Food Systems
Plant-Rich Diets
I will source 2 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
Reduce Animal Products
Plant-Rich Diets
I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
Electricity
Explore Other Electricity Solutions
All Electricity Solutions
I will spend at least 5 minutes researching other Drawdown Electricity Solutions.
Electricity
Watch a Video about Methane Digesters
Methane Digesters
I will watch a video about methane digesters (also commonly known as anaerobic digesters).
Electricity
Solar Water Consultation
Solar Hot Water
I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.
Electricity
Learn More about Biomass
Biomass Power
I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.
Electricity
Advocate for Solar Installation
Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
I will create a plan to and advocate for solar installation at my business, apartment building, or campus.
Electricity
Rooftop Solar Consultation
Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.
Electricity
Support Companies Leading in Green Energy
Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics, Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in creating or purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.
Electricity
Support Microgeneration in Low Income Countries
Small Hydropower, Micro Wind Turbines, Microgrids
I will make a donation to a nonprofit that installs microgeneration in low income countries.
Electricity
Learn More About Geothermal Energy
Geothermal Power
I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.
Electricity
Choose LED Bulbs
LED Lighting
I will replace 5 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
Electricity
Spread the Word about Energy Alternatives
All Electricity Solutions
I will research and tell 3 people each day about the benefits of alternative energy sources like wind turbines, solar energy, geothermal energy, and methane digesters.
Electricity
Communicate With My Elected Officials
Onshore Wind Turbines, Offshore Wind Turbines
I will write or call 2 elected official(s) telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.
Electricity
Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits
Onshore Wind Turbines, Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics
I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.
Participant Feed
Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.
To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Sinks Contact your Elected OfficialsDo you have any personal connections to a farm or farmland? If so, what are they? What feelings are evoked for you when thinking about declining farmland?
Fahad Akhtar 3/30/2021 9:15 AMDegraded farmland is often abandoned, but need not be. Restoration can bring these lands back into productivity and sequester carbon in the process.
Around the world, farmers are walking away from lands that were once cultivated or grazed because those lands have been “farmed out.” The causes range from damaging agricultural practices to desertification, from lack of market access to migration. It can be cheaper to walk away from the land than to work it.
There are an estimated 950 million to 1.1 billion acres of deserted farmland around the world—acreage once used for crops or pasture that has not been restored as forest or converted to development. This land offers an opportunity to improve food security, farmers’ livelihoods, ecosystem health, and carbon drawdown simultaneously.
To feed a growing population and protect forests from deforestation for fresh farmland, restoring abandoned cropland and pastureland is key. Bringing abandoned lands back into productive use can also turn them into carbon sinks. Where soils are left to erode, abandoned farmlands can be a source of emissions.Restoration can mean the return of native vegetation, the establishment of tree plantations, or the introduction of regenerative farming methods. Active restoration is labor intensive, yet necessary for cultivation to revive. Programs to finance regeneration are a necessary stimulus to action, helping landowners make changes without having to bet the farm. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Sinks Local Perennial BiomassClimate scientist Katharine Hayhoe states that "The reason we care about climate change is because it affects the people and places that we care about." What is happening (or will happen) in your area that will affect the people and places you care about?
Fahad Akhtar 3/30/2021 9:14 AMBiomass provides a stepping stone in the transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and according to Project Drawdown, biomass energy as a climate change solution must come from waste from mills and agriculture or sustainably grown perennial crops. Annual grain crops like corn and sorghum depletes groundwater and requires high inputs of energy, and harvesting biomass (wood) from native forests "is nothing less than an atrocity. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Sinks Learn More about SilvopastureHad you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?
Fahad Akhtar 3/30/2021 9:13 AMAn agroforestry practice, silvopasture integrates trees, pasture, and forage into a single system. Incorporating trees improves land health and significantly increases carbon sequestration.
Silvopasture is an ancient practice that integrates trees and pasture into a single system for raising livestock. Research suggests silvopasture far outpaces any grassland technique for counteracting the methane emissions of livestock and sequestering carbon under-hoof. Pastures strewn or crisscrossed with trees sequester five to ten times as much carbon as those of the same size that are treeless, storing it in both biomass and soil.
Carbon aside, the advantages of silvopasture are considerable, with financial benefits for farmers and ranchers. Livestock, trees, and any additional forestry products, such as nuts, fruit, and mushrooms, generate income on different time horizons. The health and productivity of both animals and the land improve. Because silvopasture systems are diversely productive and more resilient, farmers are better insulated from risk.
Silvopasture often runs counter to farming norms and can be costly and slow to implement. Peer-to-peer education has proven effective for spreading it. As the impacts of global warming progress, appeal will likely grow, because silvopasture can help farmers and their livestock adapt to erratic weather and increased drought. That is the climatic win-win of this solution: Silvopasture averts and sequesters emissions, while protecting against changes that are now inevitable. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Sinks Explore My AreaHow can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?
Fahad Akhtar 3/30/2021 9:11 AMSpending more time outdoors enhances our sense of deep knowledge & appreciation for surroundings. It enhances our skills and deeper understanding about the environment and society where we live.We meet different kind of people in our outdoor environment which belong from different culture tradition beliefs and are having different set of moral values in their life. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Sinks Support a Community GardenWhat are the multiple benefits of community gardens, including carbon sequestration? Why do these benefits matter to you?
Fahad Akhtar 3/30/2021 9:09 AMCommunity gardens can help reduce negative environmental impacts by promoting sustainable agriculture; reducing food transportation costs and reducing water runoff. Humans, plants and animals can all benefit from urban agriculture since it creates habitats and improves the ecology of the area. Community gardens Help improve air and soil quality. Increase biodiversity of plants and animals. Reduce “food miles” that are required to transport nutritious food. Can replace impervious structures and improve water infiltration. Can reduce neighborhood waste through composting. Positively impact the urban micro-climate. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Sinks Research PeatlandsMuch of Indonesia's peatlands have been drained so they could be replaced with palm oil or pulp and paper plantations. How can you make choices that help to protect peatlands, even if you live far away from one?
Fahad Akhtar 3/30/2021 9:08 AMPeatlands are a type of wetlands that occur in almost every country on Earth, currently covering 3% of the global land surface. The term ‘peatland’ refers to the peat soil and the wetland habitat growing on its surface.
Peatlands are highly significant to global efforts to combat climate change, as well as wider sustainable development goals. The protection and restoration of peatlands is vital in the transition towards a low-carbon and circular economy.Damaged peatlands contribute about 10% of greenhouse gas emissions from the land use sector. CO2 emissions from drained peatlands are estimated at 1.3 gigatonnes of CO2 annually. This is equivalent to 5.6% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Fires in Indonesian peat swamp forests in 2015, for example, emitted nearly 16 million tonnes of CO2 a day. This is more than the daily emissions from the entire US economy. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Conduct Virtual MeetingsHow can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?
Fahad Akhtar 3/30/2021 9:05 AMConferencing solutions offer more benefits than meets the eye. Consider these examples of how the right video conferencing strategies can make your business stand out.Display clean, crisp videoVideo quality can make or break the professionalism of the presentation. Use a web conferencing solution that displays high-quality video. Superior video quality elevates the professionalism of the presenter.Make joining easy
Attendees want to join the video conference meeting without hassle. By making access easy and secure, small businesses project a secure, simplistic approach to video conferencing for all attendees. Features such as personalized meeting rooms and instant meeting access make attendees feel at ease.
Add a personal touchVideo conferencing allows small businesses to keep a personalized approach to communicating. Virtual meetings make participants feel like they are in the same room.Improve productivityVideo conferencing allows small businesses to streamline communication with both internal and external customers. Alleviate playing phone tag or sending multiple emails by knocking out all the agenda items in one fell swoop.Connect remote teamsMost small businesses have staggered teams that may work outside of the office. Whether someone is working from home or connecting to the meeting on the go, video keeps everyone connected. Multipoint video functionality easily allows multiple participants to be both seen and heard.Save time and money on travelSmall businesses have limited resources and video conferencing can reduce the need to travel. Use this as a means of reducing the bottom line.
Collaborate through a video room
Online conferencing with GlobalMeet allows small businesses to collaborate with ease. Participants located in a video room can use VRC (video room connector) technology to exhibit a professional quality web meeting.Maximize your small business video conferencing strategy
You can take advantage of these video conferencing strategies and more for free. To see VRC integration in action for your huddle room, schedule a demo of GlobalMeet VRC. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Express My Support For Equitable Biking InfrastructureWhat do you like most about biking in your city? What would you like to improve?
Fahad Akhtar 3/30/2021 9:04 AMBicycles offer an alternative to cars and fossil-fuel transport, especially in cities. Infrastructure is essential for supporting safe and abundant bicycle use, thereby curbing emissions.
Bicycles are on the rise as cities attempt to untangle traffic and unclog skies, urban dwellers seek affordable transportation, and diseases of inactivity and billowing greenhouse gases become impossible to ignore. Infrastructure is essential for supporting safe, pleasant, and abundant bicycle use, and includes:- Networks of well-lit, tree-lined bike lanes or paths—the more direct, level, and interconnected the better.
- Well-designed intersections, roundabouts, and points of access, where bicycles and cars meet.
- Access to public transport, secure bike parking, city bike-share programs, and workplace showers.
In the places where cycling thrives, programs and policies complement physical infrastructure. Educational initiatives target cyclists and motorists alike, for example, and stricter liability laws protect those on two wheels. Numbers from the world’s cycling capitals are compelling. In Denmark, 18 percent of local trips are done on two wheels, and in the Netherlands, 27 percent—with virtually zero emissions.
A virtuous cycle is clear: With more infrastructure come more riders. Perhaps counterintuitively, with more infrastructure and more riders, safety improves. And the more bicycles there are traversing a city, the more it reaps numerous returns on investment, including the health benefits of cleaner air and greater physical activity. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Explore Other Transportation SolutionsWhat did you find out? What is the most interesting fact you learned?
Fahad Akhtar 3/30/2021 9:02 AMTransportation solutions address alternatives, fuel efficiency, and electrification.
Shift to Alternatives
Alternative modes of mobility reduce demand for fossil-fueled transportation or replace it altogether. With public and “pooled” transit, we can make the most of available seats. Compact cities, intentional infrastructure, and advanced communication technologies make it possible to walk, cycle, or simply stay put.
Enhance Efficiency
Where combustion engines remain in use, vehicles can be made far more fuel-efficient through mechanical improvements, lightweighting, better design, and more artful operation.
Electrify Vehicles
Electrification of vehicles completely replaces petroleum—and has even greater benefits when paired with renewable electricity generation.These transportation solutions have the potential to save money and preempt pollution, but the transformations required are substantial and the sector can be slow to move. Vehicles remain in use for many years. New transportation infrastructure is expensive and takes time to build. Clean fuels for airplanes remain distant. But many of the solutions can, if done intelligently, create more equitable mobility and livability in our cities and communities, without forfeiting the stability of our climate. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric VehicleReducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?
Fahad Akhtar 3/30/2021 8:57 AMThere are many reasons to make your next vehicle purchase an electric car. Lower fuel costs, environmental stewardship, and energy independence are all compelling reasons to go electric with your next car. Here are the top three benefits of electric vehicles.
Reduce or even eliminate your fuel costs.Weekly trips to the gas station to fuel up your car are expensive, especially when the ever-fluctuating price of gasoline is high. By choosing an electric vehicle, you can forget about paying for gasoline and being at the mercy of gas prices. Not only is electricity less expensive than gasoline, it also has a much more stable price point, meaning that rapid price swings are all but eliminated by going electric.You can reduce your costs even further by installing a rooftop solar installation to charge your electric vehicle. When you produce your own free electricity, you avoid increasing your monthly electric bill by plugging your electric vehicle into the grid. Due to the remarkable flexibility of electricity generation, it is possible to entirely remove fuel costs from your life.
Reduce car emissions to help the environment
Humans have historically had a very negative impact on our environment, and switching to an electric vehicle is one way to reduce further damage to the earth. Carbon dioxide emissions from traditional vehicles contribute to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and accelerate climate change. All-electric vehicles don’t release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when you drive them, and hybrid electric cars use their battery to greatly improve the distance you can travel with a gasoline-powered engine.Electric vehicles can be fueled by electricity from renewable sources, such as wind, hydropower, and solar, while gasoline can only be produced through intensive extraction and transportation processes. Electric vehicles are also built to be more environmentally friendly than conventional vehicles, as the large battery inside your electric car can be recycled. By choosing an electric car, you can reduce your carbon footprint and pollution impact to help preserve our natural environment.
Become energy independentOwning a conventional vehicle means being tied to the gas pump – the only way to fuel your car is by buying gasoline. Electric vehicles are fueled by connecting to the electric grid, and electricity can be produced through several generation methods. Importantly, electric vehicles allow you to become energy independent, through the installation of renewable electricity generation such as a solar array to fuel your car. By pairing a solar PV system with an electric vehicle, you can become energy independent and produce free electricity from the sun to power your car, instead of buying fuel at the gas pump.