Videos

A Poison Like No Other: How Microplastics Corrupted Our Planet and Our Bodies

Matt Simon, science journalist at Wired magazine, has published the first book to fully explore the threat of microplastics. Publishers Weekly describes the book as a “lucid, distressing look at a growing environmental concern.” In this webinar, Simon will share how the study of microplastics began in the sea but has now moved to land, the atmosphere, and human health.

A Poison Like No Other: How Microplastics Corrupted Our Planet and Our Bodies

Microplastics are everywhere. They’re in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. They’re small enough to enter our cells, and they can mimic our hormones. Scientists are only beginning to understand the long-term impacts these invisible contaminants have on our bodies—many have been linked to diseases, from diabetes to certain cancers. Plastics are a risk to all of us—made up of over 10,000 chemicals that are harmful to our health and the planet.

Equity and Walkability: Improving Pedestrian Infrastructure in Underserved Neighborhoods

National conversations about equity have expanded into the pedestrian realm and have prompted increasing numbers of communities to examine how to improve pedestrian infrastructure in underserved neighborhoods. Nondrivers represent nearly one quarter of the population and yet often are not included in planning and policymaking discussions. This session looked at how nondrivers are organizing to improve pedestrian infrastructure to better serve people of all ages, as well as those who cannot drive, do not have access to a car, or who cannot afford to own or maintain a vehicle.

Rural Renaissance: Revitalizing America’s Hometowns through Clean Power

  Clean energy doesn’t need to be limited to urban and suburban areas. Any community, no matter how small, can build their own clean energy future. Clean energy, in fact, can be an aspect of thriving rural communities and its presence can spark greater investment, vitality and equity.  

How Zoning Broke the American City and How to Fix It

In cities such as Minneapolis, MN, Fayetteville, NC, and Hartford, CT, key pillars of traditional zoning are being challenged with apartment bans being removed, minimum lot sizes dropping, and off-street parking requirements disappearing altogether. Planner M. Nolan Gray argues that America needs to move beyond zoning to create more affordable, vibrant, equitable, and sustainable communities.

An Inside Look: Animals That Inspire Human Ingenuity

Biomimicry is the process of designing new technologies that are inspired by the animals of planet Earth. The natural world is full of problem solvers with solutions we can use to aid our survival. Woodpeckers, for example, are helping us create safer bike helmets. In everything from fashion to architecture, medicine to transportation, it may surprise you how many extraordinary inventions have been inspired by the natural world.

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