OSE will be updating the Seattle Climate Action Plan starting this fall. The City is committed to doing its part to significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in order to take us further down the path of a healthier, more sustainable Seattle.
In order to achieve this goal, we need the support of the community as well. Together, we have the power to make a big difference in our climate impact.
To help us better align our efforts with what works for the community, we would love your thoughts to the following two questions:
- What do you think would motivate people to take action/change their behaviors in ways that help reduce carbon emissions?
- What do you think the main barriers are to people changing their practices and behaviors in ways that help reduce carbon emissions?
Submit your responses via the comments section of this post.
Pam Emerson says
Embrace biking as transportation (in addition to recreation). Barriers: 1) Lack of safety due to lack of appropriate infrastructure ->> and the resultant perception that biking as transportation is at best a “niche” suitable only for the intrepid and fierce (read: young – middle-aged men). 2) Transportation messaging that frames any gain for bike infrastructure as a loss for (real) modes like driving or transit. Loss of space, loss of parking, loss of budget, increased liability, etc. When the reality is biking infrastructure costs FAR LESS per mile to build and maintain (than any other mode, save walking) and is the ONLY mode (again, save walking) that also brings with it gains in human health (esp. childhood obesity) and carbon neutrality.
Yours,
Pam E. ;^)
David Hymel says
We should work to recruit homeowners at the block level to begin the process of building sustainable neighborhoods. Start by recruiting homeowners in the RainWise footprints, like Ballard, to recruit other neighbors for rain gardens in clusters. Parallel effort to provide energy audits through Seattle City Light. Then looks at transportation choices like electric vehicles, bicycling, walking. Engage sustainability groups to overlay training and education in home repairs, recycling, permaculture, and so on, in the same neighborhood. Leverage the work of NW Seed who is doing parallel work to install solar PV in Queen Anne and now Magnolia. Create rain garden clusters in those neighborhoods, but better, encourage them to work in Ballard and in the existing and upcoming RainWise footprints. I could go on, but that is the essence – working at the block level and in clusters – then link the clusters – using the educated and passionate homeowner advocate to recruit door to door.
David Hymel
Rain Dog Designs
Dori says
Cancel the tunnel project. Use the money to make Seattle safe and convenient for bicycles and pedestrians and to improve public transportation. Revisit the Terrafoil, electric transit vehicle created by Dr. Billy Hartz.
Ed Patton says
Letter to Editor Yakima Herald
7/26/11 Raise Gas Prices
Author Paul Gilding’s book “The Great Disruption” (Why Climate Change Will Bring on The End of Shopping and The Birth of a New World). He quotes Winston Churchill calling on the people of Great Britain in WW2 to do more than their “best. We must do what is “necessary”. Every day wasted will have severe consequences.
Immediate sacrifice by everyone is desperately needed to combat climate change.
In Europe a gallon of gas costs from $5 to $8. They use 50% less energy per capita than the U.S.
The International Center for Technology states that a gallon of gas should cost around $11.00.when you consider military, petroleum subsidies, climate change, respitory illness, ethanol etc.
The national debt was 8 trillion in 1999 and just twelve years latter it is nearly 15
trillion dollars. (largely due to military expenditures in Iraq/Afghanistan)
We should freeze the debt ceiling. For the next five years we should raise the price of gas 20 cents a gallon each year to pay down the national debt. Then add another 10 cents a gallon to upgrade insulation in all buildings creating jobs.
Ed Patton
1304 So. 16th Ave
Yakima WA 98902 509-2481838
Establish a “Pay At The Pump” auto insurance plan across U.S saving consumers billions.An incentive to drive less.
Merlin says
Never ever talk/write about transportation as if it were synonymous with driving. Always give walking/biking/bus directions to every location and event. Never use the word “alternative” when referring to sensible transportation. Thank and welcome bus riders, bike riders and walkers at every destination. Act as if driving a car was truly an odd choice most of the time.
Karen Price says
Make it faster, easier and more affordable for workers and patrons to take mass transit, carpool or bike than to drive alone to the businesses currently on the spokes of Seattle’s mass transit system. Do this by partnering with employers. For example, thousands of people come to the First Hill neighborhood every day to work at or be a customer at the numerous medical facilities and Seattle University. It takes 2 bus trips to get to First Hill and most busses are standing room only during rush hour. These 2 factors deter a lot of people who can drive from home faster and the cost of gas and parking is still affordable. Use the annual Washington State Commute Trip Reduction Survey results or just partner with businesses to survey their employees and customers to learn what zip code they commute from. Use this data to inform direct, express mass transit service from neighborhoods where a large number of employees and customers are commuting from, such as West Seattle to First Hill in this example. Consider using vans to connect people to major bus routes as another solution. In many densely populated countries I’ve travelled to they use vans which come every 5 minutes.
Gwen Cole says
Many have the perception that bus stops and transit stations are not safe. Too many media stories of violence in and around transit stops have fueled this perception. Coupled with the facts that transit is not consistently on schedule and the need to frequently transfer to complete a journey add to the weight against public transit. Not many people want to start a commute at 5 AM to ensure arrival at work at 8 AM.
The war of the roadway continues to fester with the introduction of “sharrows”. The marking on the road surface apparently allows the bike rider to use the center of the drive lane forcing a train of vehicles to follow the bike rider. at 10 – 15 mph. This is not a rational use of a 30 mph road. Unfortunately the bike lines on the curbs are frequently hazardous themselves with potholes, missing storm grates, and side mirrors of parked vehicles.
Separate the bikes from motorized traffics will increase safety and allow intimidated cyclists to start biking. Provide shuttles to loop though a neighborhood to connect transit. Enforce the yield sign on Metro buses by allowing bus drivers to report the license plate of scofflaws. Provide panic buttons at transit stops.
hotels for sale says
National Center for Photovoltaics, which includes the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
nevada auto insurance says
People only change when something affects them personally, or so it seems. There are two options, either offer a higher benefit for consumers willing to use alternate means of travel (public transportation, biking to work, or carpooling), or penalize those who choose not to financially. The only way to get people interested is to find what hurts them the most, and in this economy, it’s their pocketbook.
Orange County Homes For Sale says
“Merlin” has got some great feedback. Welcome public transportation and discourage drivers that insist on driving alone.
Weight Watchers App says
I think public transportation needs a facelift. Right now, every time I see a bus I think “dirty, icky, not for me.” But if it was given a new “brand” I really think that would help a ton.
Business Cards Templates says
The idea of “branding” is a good one. The public transportation system has branded themselves as dirty.
Apartments Provo says
I agree with what Gwen has to say. Every time I even walk by a bus stop (that has passengers waiting) I get scared. I’m not sure why but that’s the mentality of a lot of people these days. But riding the bus is actually pretty safe.
Edujini Consulting says
It’s interesting to see how many people believe that the public transportation system is scary. I take the bus to school and i love it. Saves me gas every day.