* * Working draft for peer review and comment of 17 July 2019
</b>The basic concept is simple in principle, namely: to identify and put to work a strategic package of proven, street-tested, cost-effective measures, tools and means to reduce GHG emissions from the mobility sector in a cooperating city or place by a targeted five percent (or better) in a year or less. Realization of the concept on the other hand is highly demanding and requires considerable technical competence, abundant political savvy and leadership by daily example.
The underlying goal is highly ambitious, and perhaps not immediately evident. It is about people and choices, and not so much about infrastructure or vehicles. We are talking here about influencing behaviour of individuals and groups in this specific part of their day to day lives. Since indeed the only way that we can successfully make this critical transition in a functioning democracy — is no less than to change behaviour by creating a transformed urban (or rural, or other demographic) ecosystem of connected realities, time, space, perceptions, awarenesses, values, fears, prejudices, habits and, hopefully in parallel with this an wide array of “better than car” or at least satisficing mobility choices. The key to all this being to offer what are perceived as better choices for all when it comes to daily life, climate, mobility, environment and democracy impacts. The challenge we now face is to accompany this transition, and this in the teeth of a rapidly degrading environment and still a largely skeptical world.
Editor’s note: Please forgive the obtuse language in the above. We can and will simplify and clarify. Thank you.
In this context the concept of open planning and real-time sharing of information on work in progress and results as proposed in this program is intended to facilitate the process for all. Important since human beings are rarely enthusiastic about “trading down”.
The Five Percent strategy can only succeed with vigorous inclusion and partnership from Day 1 with civil society, the private sector, the media and the school system at all levels from pre-school to university. Along with a strong dose of willingness to listen to all sides and still find your way. (It is going to get hot in this particular kitchen from time to time so better be prepared for the heat.)
Other sections to be developed here in the coming month:
- Cooperating/collaborative programs and projects
- Cities – Initial contacts with cities eventually interested to participate in some way, perhaps to take the Challenge.
- Schools, universities, companies, other activity nodes
- Audits, measurement, evidence . . .
- Data, simulation and modeling
- World Transport Policy and Practice (two special issues in 2019 and 2020)
- Youth Initiatives
- Master Classes
- Payment for contributions, articles
- External costs
- Sponsorship (different levels, projects. . . )
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Ex Sum: About World Streets Climate/Habitat/Mobility Action Plan
WORLD STREETS is betting its future over the coming two-year transition period on the ability of certain ambitious responsible cities, nations, groups organizations and citizens in different parts of the world to come together to break the downward pattern of climate stress — and specifically plan and execute highly aggressive near-term initiatives aimed at (a) sharply cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the mobility sector and (b) this within a period of months, targeting specifically the year 2020 as our proof of principle. And accomplishing all this while working with ecosystems of tools, policies and strategies that harness proven, cost-effective, readily available, measures, technologies, operational and management competence. And during all of which it is our job at World Streets’ to make widely known and support these challenge projects and demonstration as as best we can. More: climate/newmobility.org and/or https://worldstreets.wordpress.com/tag/climateactionplan/
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About the project convener:
Eric Britton
13, rue Pasteur. Courbevoie 92400 France
Bio: Founding editor of World Streets (1988), Eric Britton is an American political scientist, teacher, occasional consultant, and sustainability activist who has observed, learned, taught and worked on missions and advisory assignments on all continents. In the autumn of 2019, he committed his remaining life work to the challenges of aggressively countering climate change and specifically greenhouse gas emissions emanating from the mobility sector. He is not worried about running out of work. Further background and updates: @ericbritton | http://bit.ly/2Ti8LsX | #fekbritton | https://twitter.com/ericbritton | and | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbritton/ Contact: climate@newmobility.org) | +336 508 80787 (Also WhatApp) | Skype: newmobility.)
WORLD STREETS __ A New Mobility Action Plan for 2022 