On the topic of driving less, and hence lessen the need for lithium mines etc. for EVs, I'd like to help encourage more collaboration between wilderness advocates and urbanists. The urbanists have a strong, well-reasoned critique of car-centric city design and for them, EVs don't solve any of those problems. They have been coming up with ideas and solutions to make cities less car dependent for years now and so they're natural allies. Many of the ideas they advocate for--safety, old school mixed use zoning, robust public transportation, spaces that encourage community, more freedom of choice--have appeal across the political spectrum as well. California has been making strides in this area too, as with 2021's SB 9, which took aim at zoning that required single-family housing, though there's been legal challenges to that this year. There's also talk of loosening restrictions on ADUs (accessory dwelling units) which are great for creating more affordable housing options.
YouTube has some great urbanist channels including City Nerd, Not Just Bikes, Oh the Urbanity, Inspired Infrastructure, and Strong Towns.
Thank you for an outstanding environmental update! Your substack and Bill McKibben's substack called "The Crucial Years" are two of the best sources for environmental news on the web.
Hi Ron! I echo your sentiment, but would add that as estimable as Bill's newsletter undoubtedly is, in my own opinion Rebecca's surpasses it, both in fine-grained detail and broad analysis. This Owl in America series is non-pareil.
Michael, I missed this comment at the time, but I'm so grateful to have noticed it now. Your kindness is non-pareil. And it just made my month. Or my year.
Driving less is an essential conversation in the community. I confess to driving a stick shift 2011 Jeep Wrangler to navigate these mountains. Yet, I am learning to smile when I turn down an invitation that would exceed my voluntary gas rationing (one tank, or less, per month). A few years back, it felt awkward. Now talking about the little things we do daily to make a difference over time— that just feels right.🌱🌿💚
You are a brilliant source of deep dive information! Thank you for your vigilance!
I super appreciate these letters.
On the topic of driving less, and hence lessen the need for lithium mines etc. for EVs, I'd like to help encourage more collaboration between wilderness advocates and urbanists. The urbanists have a strong, well-reasoned critique of car-centric city design and for them, EVs don't solve any of those problems. They have been coming up with ideas and solutions to make cities less car dependent for years now and so they're natural allies. Many of the ideas they advocate for--safety, old school mixed use zoning, robust public transportation, spaces that encourage community, more freedom of choice--have appeal across the political spectrum as well. California has been making strides in this area too, as with 2021's SB 9, which took aim at zoning that required single-family housing, though there's been legal challenges to that this year. There's also talk of loosening restrictions on ADUs (accessory dwelling units) which are great for creating more affordable housing options.
YouTube has some great urbanist channels including City Nerd, Not Just Bikes, Oh the Urbanity, Inspired Infrastructure, and Strong Towns.
Thank you for an outstanding environmental update! Your substack and Bill McKibben's substack called "The Crucial Years" are two of the best sources for environmental news on the web.
Hi Ron! I echo your sentiment, but would add that as estimable as Bill's newsletter undoubtedly is, in my own opinion Rebecca's surpasses it, both in fine-grained detail and broad analysis. This Owl in America series is non-pareil.
Michael, I missed this comment at the time, but I'm so grateful to have noticed it now. Your kindness is non-pareil. And it just made my month. Or my year.
Ron, I'll continue to work hard to live up to that. Thank you.
Wishing you and yours well; we need you!
Driving less is an essential conversation in the community. I confess to driving a stick shift 2011 Jeep Wrangler to navigate these mountains. Yet, I am learning to smile when I turn down an invitation that would exceed my voluntary gas rationing (one tank, or less, per month). A few years back, it felt awkward. Now talking about the little things we do daily to make a difference over time— that just feels right.🌱🌿💚