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.
City Forward: How Innovation Districts Can Embrace Risk and Strengthen Community
Innovation Districts and anchor institutions such as hospitals, universities, and technology hubs can drive economic growth and employment opportunities. But their benefits can sometimes fail to reach the residents of the neighborhoods they are built in.
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.
Managing the Climate Crisis: Designing and Building for Floods, Heat, Drought, and Wildfire
The climate, relatively stable for centuries, is entering a new phase. In 2020, 22 major weather and climate events in the U.S. resulted in 262 deaths, with each causing more than $1 billion in damages. This trend is continuing with heat waves, extended droughts, extended wildfire seasons, and increased coastal and river flooding.
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.
Effective Conservation with Ignacio Jiménez
Wildlands Network hosted a virtual discussion with conservationist and author Ignacio Jiménez about his book Effective Conservation: Parks, Rewilding, and Local Development. This event was hosted and moderated by Wildlands Network Conservation Programs Director Juan Carlos Bravo.
Conservación Efectiva con Ignacio Jiménez
Tuvimos una conversación virtual con el conservacionista y autor Ignacio Jiménez sobre su libro Producción de Naturaleza: Parques, Rewilding y Desarrollo Local. Este evento estuvo moderado en español por el Director de Programas de Conservación de Wildlands Network, Juan Carlos Bravo.