Carbon-Free Communities: Pairing Land Use and Mobility Mary Bell Austin Green To Do Carbon Free Mobility conference Oakland, CAMarch 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 Sources 2004 GHG emissions by Sector (Gross emissions: 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: