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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Viral social media posts have led some to get creative about making the most of their AC units.</li><li>Your AC unit isn't meant to maintain 60 degrees, according to veteran repairman.</li></ul><p>As the US and UK face blazing temperatures in a record-breaking summer, many are looking online for tips on getting the most out of their air conditioner, but not all hacks are true solutions for your cooling system.</p><p>Here's a list of online tips that Insider researched to label fact or fiction.</p><h3>1. Putting shade over your AC unit</h3><p>Photos and videos of outdoor air-conditioning units under the shade of an umbrella went viral across social media platforms as residents tried to keep their systems cool enough to run smoothly. One Texas <a href="https://www.facebook.com/corpuschristicronica/photos/a.110129134015455/593299185698445/">news outlet took to Facebook</a> to promote the hack and even reported residents saying there was a "very noticeable difference in their cooling and electric bill."</p><p>In a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thewilliebeast/video/7121388713686519086?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7113234263076275758">TikTok</a> that's garnered over 8 million views, a Texas handyman debunked this theory and offered a better solution — cleaning your outdoor unit. He advised residents to "grab their hose" and spray their air-conditioning unit with water to clean out any debris. </p><h3>2. Closing vents in an empty room</h3><p>Closing vents in unoccupied rooms may seem like a simple solution for central air users, but it may be doing more harm than good. This hack forces your unit to work overtime and could lead to duct leakage and pressure imbalance, according to <a href="https://www.pgecurrents.com/2022/07/14/three-energy-saving-myths-debunked-to-enhance-energy-efficiency-this-summer/">Pacific Gas and Electric Company(PGE)</a>.</p><h3>3. Turning your AC all the way down </h3><p>New York Mechanical &amp; Cooling manager Anthony Arnica recommends setting the thermostat to a "normal temperature" instead of turning it all the way down. His exact recommended temperature: 75 degrees.</p><p>"Air conditioners are designed to maintain 70 degrees in your home  — not 60, not 50," Arnica told Insider.</p><p>"Set it and forget it."</p><h3>4. Changing AC filters</h3><p>Whether your unit is in the window, wall, or roof, you should be cleaning your air filter, according to Arnica. He recommends monthly cleaning for wall and window units, and cleaning central units every three months.</p><p>A dirty filter will cause your air-conditioning unit to work harder, use more <keyword id="11917806" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="energy" source="Orion">energy</keyword>, and ultimately cost you more, according to the PGE report.</p><h3>6. Schedule preventative maintenance </h3><p>"Everybody always calls when it's broken," Arnica said.</p><p>He recommends scheduling maintenance semi-annually or seasonally depending on your system. In a <a href="https://www.studyfinds.org/hot-heads-many-adults-have-ended-friendships-relationships-over-ac-etiquette/">2020 report on "AC etiquette,"</a> air-conditioning product expert Mark Woodruff supported preventative measures.</p><p>"Scheduling regular preventive maintenance is the best way to ensure peak performance," Woodruff said. </p><h3>7. Closing doors of empty rooms  </h3><p>Although it's a common belief that closing off empty rooms will save money on operating a central air-conditioning unit, <a href="https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/verify/weather-verify/air-conditioning-closing-doors-wont-save-you-money-central-air/536-7154839e-1cd1-4d37-819b-d2f4ab0e0f8a?tag1=wtlvshare&amp;fbclid=IwAR0C3HZHqaOuQnDzkcLdZ_jk-yhfo4oMKn1XzZMOGsUmXfUgLALU2FpGANQ#l5veleoczd4ng243wdd">First Coast News</a> reports that the hack is ineffective and may even cost you.</p><p>"Common central <keyword id="14197674" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="air-conditioning" source="Orion">air conditioning</keyword> problems occur when rooms are closed off and air flow through the home is disrupted," the <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/common-air-conditioner-problems" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. Department of Energy</a> says in a report on energy saving.</p>

Air-conditioning hacks: The do's and really-don't-ever's of keeping cool during a hot summer

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A 135-year-old Victorian bridge has been wrapped in silver foil to keep it cool during a heat wave.</li><li>The local council said it wanted to keep Hammersmith Bridge at a "safe temperature."</li></ul><p>A Victorian bridge in <keyword id="11897569" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="london" source="Orion">London</keyword> was wrapped in foil in an attempt stop it from cracking as the <keyword id="11897975" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="uk" source="Orion">UK</keyword> faced a heat wave this week that could break its high-temperature records.</p><p>The 135-year-old Hammersmith Bridge was wrapped in silver insulation foil that "reflects the sun," the <a href="https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/articles/news/2022/07/keeping-hammersmith-bridge-cool-and-open-heatwave?fbclid=IwAR1wXKz6Ni4TVAPIydFeFLnDPSYiZ4487y1kQJqG7LusMUrzNkBaxJsAXL4">Hammersmith and Fulham Council said last week</a>.</p><p>The council wants to keep the bridge open and working as temperatures of up to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38 degrees Celsius, are forecast in <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcpvj0v07#?date=2022-07-18">London</a> for Tuesday; 104-degree heat is forecast elsewhere in England. The highest temperature recorded in the UK was 101.66 degrees Fahrenheit in 2019.</p><p>The UK's Met Office has issued a "red warning for exceptional heat" for the first time ever.</p><p>The foil is part of a "pioneering £420,000 temperature-control system" designed to keep the bridge at a "safe temperature," the council said, adding that the bridge had to be closed completely in August 2020 after hot temperatures then caused tiny cracks in its cast-iron pedestals. The system also involves a cooling feature that works overnight.</p><p>The bridge is open only to pedestrians and cyclists after it was closed in that 2020 heat wave.</p><div type="image" title="A boat race passes under Hammersmith bridge" height="1228" width="2000" msid="92956893" hostid="261"></div><p>The bridge has four pedestal chains that are anchored to the riverbed. If any one of the chains reaches 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit, "safety engineers will shut the bridge," the council said.</p><p>The council said the Hammersmith Bridge was one of the world's oldest suspensions bridges, which makes it among the most expensive in the country to repair.</p><p>"The temperature-control system allows us to track <keyword id="11911086" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="weather" source="Orion">weather</keyword> spikes and maintain a constant temperature," Sebastian Springer, a project manager working on the bridge, said. "As we deal with the current extreme heat, we are also coming up with innovative solutions to keep the temperature within the threshold."</p>

Victorian bridge in London wrapped in foil to stop it from cracking in extreme heat

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Accountable climate action is necessary to ensure future quality of life.</li><li>Leaders in chemical manufacturing, data tech, government, and accounting are taking steps towards a sustainable future. </li><li>On September 22, 2022 at noon ET, Insider is hosting "Climate Heroes 2022: Working Towards Solutions," a free virtual event featuring speakers from BASF Corporation, Subak, The White House, GIST, and UNEP.</li></ul><p>As climate change progresses, quality of life and livability across the globe is becoming more harrowing. And while record-breaking heatwaves, snowfalls, floods, and droughts impact everyone, marginalized communities are often the ones most affected. <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/05/climate-justice/">The UN states</a> that "the impacts of climate change will not be born equally or fairly, between rich and poor, women and men, and older and younger generations."</p><p>Climate justice is a crucial part of climate action, and climate leaders are innovating solutions and organizing communities and institutions to address these environmental threats. Aggressive policy, impactful data, and collaboration can help mitigate climate change and ensure protections for those most at-risk. </p><p>Insider's multi-session conference, "Climate Heros 2022 - Working Towards Solutions," presented by BASF, features climate trailblazers bringing rigor and justice to climate action. The conference will take place on September 22, 2022, at noon ET and coincides with the release of Insider's Climate Action 30 list during Climate Week New York. </p><p>The event will provide a closer look at what the role of global organizations looks like for accelerating climate action and what business and government organizations can do to engage the community of consumers in the cause. </p><h2><strong>Sessions include:</strong></h2><ul><li>Share the data, save the planet - A conversation with Amali de Alwis</li><li>Tackling climate change is everyone's responsibility </li><li>On Making a Difference - A Conversation with climate activist Jerome Foster II</li><li>Driving sustainable supply chains - A conversation with Anisa Kamadoli Costa</li></ul><h2><strong>Speakers include:</strong></h2><ul><li>Amali de Alwis , CEO, Subak</li><li>Anisa Kamadoli, Chief Sustainability Officer and President &amp; Trustee, Rivian Foundation</li><li>Jerome Foster II, Activist &amp; Member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory </li><li>Marcelo Lu, Senior Vice President Care Chemicals NA, BASF Corporation</li><li>Pavan Sukhdev, Founder-CEO &amp; Goodwill Ambassador, GIST Impact &amp; UNEP</li><li>Catherine Boudreau, Senior Sustainability Reporter, Insider</li><li>Tim Paradis, Future of Business Editor, Insider</li></ul><p>We hope to see you there!</p>

SIGN UP NOW: Climate Heroes 2022 &mdash; Working Towards Solutions

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP</span></p><p class="caption">This image made from a video taken on January 7, 2019, shows dead fish along the Darling River bank in Menindee, New South Wales, Australia. An Australian state government on January 15 announced plans to mechanically pump oxygen into lakes and rivers after hundreds of thousands of fish have died in heatwave conditions.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Droughts, heatwaves, and algal blooms are contributing to low levels of oxygen in some Australian lakes and rivers. </li><li>Roughly one million dead fish were found in a river in New South Wales last week.</li><li>To stop more fish from dying, the state government will use aerators to pump oxygen into waterways.</li><li>Niall Blair, the minister for regional water, acknowledged that these machines are only a temporary solution.</li></ul><p>A state government in Australia plans on pumping oxygen into rivers and lakes in response to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of fish.</p><p>Nearly one million rotting fish were found in a New South Wales river last week, and another 1,800 dead fish have been spotted in a lake since then, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/d9e2af972be54bf0bbc67e8bbc6665fc">according to the Associated Press</a>.</p><p>To counteract the low levels of oxygen in the state's waterways, the government has bought 16 aerators that will pump oxygen into lakes and rivers affected by drought.</p><p>According to the AP, experts have said the low oxygen levels in lakes and rivers are the product of droughts, heatwaves, and algal blooms. The dead fish are rotting quickly because of high temperatures; some parts of New South Wales have recently seen highs of about 114 degrees Fahrenheit, <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/australia-fish-deaths-new-south-wales-drought-record-temperatures-darling-river-a8728321.html">The Independent reported</a>. </p><p>Officials are working on cleaning the waterways that contain dead fish, but Daniel Connell, a water expert at Australian National University, told the AP that more fish will likely die this week amid the ongoing heatwaves. </p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-australia-swelters-through-heatwave-as-records-tumble-2018-12">Australia swelters through heatwave as records tumble</a></em></p><p>The Independent reported that critics of the New South Wales government believe that poor management decisions have worsened the effects of droughts in the area. Five years ago, the government cut 60% of the funding for river management in New South Wales, leading to delays in maintenance and environment audits.Because of these cuts, local governments have been less informed when making policy decisions about the basin. </p><p>Connell told the AP that the government likely contributed to droughts and worse water quality in rivers when it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/jan/16/damning-murray-darling-report-says-nsw-well-behind-on-water-sharing-plans">allowed farmers to take water from Australia's primary water system</a>, the Murray-Darling Basin, to irrigate crops.</p><p>"By massively reducing the amount of water in the system, you produce much hotter water, you produce conditions that are much more conducive to algal blooms," he told the AP.</p><p>Niall Blair, the minister for regional water, said these fish will only stop dying if the river flows are improved and the water levels in dams return to normal, according to the AP. He acknowledged that the aerators will not fix the problem. </p><p>"They are a Band-Aid solution; we admit that," Blair said.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li><strong>Read more about droughts and heatwaves in Australia:</strong></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-farming-impact-of-australias-worst-drought-in-living-memory-2018-8" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">Farming impact of Australia's worst drought in living memory</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/heatwave-sweeps-across-australia-2019-1" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">Parts of NSW will hit 47 degrees today as a heatwave sweeps across the country</a></li></ul><aside></aside>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tried-22-day-revolution-beyonce-vegan-diet-weight-loss-2017-9">I went on Beyoncé's 22-day diet - and I lost 15 pounds</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Australia is pumping oxygen into lakes and rivers as a 'Band-Aid solution' to stop thousands of fish from dying

Thailand’s geographical proximity and affordability, along with its platter of delectable food, historical sites, pristine beaches and lively atmosphere, holds a particular appeal for Indian travellers. While tourists from India were forced to limit their travels to the Island country to a 15-day stay under a visa-on-arrival scheme until recently, the Thailand government is now extending its arms wider for us.<br /><br />Thailand's tourism sector has been strategically easing <keyword id="20166202" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="visa-regulations" source="keywords">visa regulations</keyword> to attract visitors from key markets like China and Russia. And now, the country has extended its visa exemption program, allowing visitors from these countries to vacation visa-free for up to 30 days until November 11, 2024. This move aims to revitalise its tourism industry, a key driver of the nation's economy.<br /><br />This is no doubt great news for those wanting to spend more time in the bustling city of Bangkok or immerse themselves in the rich culture and calm of its gorgeous temples. However, there are some rather glaring problems that Thailand is facing, thanks to climate change and the <keyword id="21610692" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="El-Nio-event" source="keywords">El Niño event</keyword> — that impacted India as well.<br /><br /><h4>Water shortage hits <keyword id="21610693" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Phi-Phi-islands" source="keywords">Phi Phi islands</keyword><br /></h4><br />For instance, the idyllic islands of Koh Phi Phi, which attract many Indians every year, are facing a real-life challenge that's anything but relaxing — a severe water shortage after a scorching heatwave gripped Asia.<br /><br />The private company supplying water may have to cut off service entirely, according to Wichupan Phukaoluan Srisanya, president of the Krabi Hotel Association. Island authorities are scrambling for solutions, considering bringing in water from the mainland if the dry spell persists. However, they remain optimistic that the upcoming wet season in May will bring relief, and Wichupan insists that tourists planning trips shouldn't be deterred, claiming they can manage the situation.<br /><br />But whispers of trouble are already reaching potential visitors. Online forums and travel reviews are buzzing with warnings from returning tourists urging others to "check if their accommodation has fresh water" before booking. Some reports even detail tap water running dry in April.<br /><br />While Koh Phi Phi takes centre stage, the heatwave's impact isn't isolated. <keyword id="21563893" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="koh-samui" source="keywords">Koh Samui</keyword>, another popular Thai island, has also experienced dry and scorching conditions. Although the tourism board there assures visitors haven't been affected, the island reportedly relies on water trucks, significantly increasing operational costs for hotels.<br /><br /><h4>Island closure due to coral bleaching<br /></h4><br />A popular island in southern Thailand, <keyword id="21605630" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pling-Island" source="keywords">Pling Island</keyword>, has been hit with a temporary closure due to extensive coral bleaching. This drastic measure by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) highlights the growing threat climate change poses to our underwater wonders.<br /><br />Pling Island recently witnessed intense heatwaves along with many other islands across Thailand and Asia. Due to ocean warming and acidification, corals expel the algae living within them, leaving them pale and vulnerable — a process referred to as coral bleaching. <br /><br />Thailand’s pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs are a major draw for visitors, generating millions in revenue. However, unregulated tourism also puts a strain on these delicate ecosystems. Thailand's proactive approach in closing Pling Island demonstrates a commitment to striking a balance between economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.<br /><br />While natural phenomena like El Niño contribute to warmer temperatures, scientists point to human-induced climate change as the bigger culprit. Warmer oceans are the new normal, with Asia experiencing a faster-than-average rise in temperatures.<br /><br />Pling Island's closure and Phi Phi’s water crisis serve as a stark reminder of that every system has a carrying capacity and we must honour it. It sends the powerful message that even paradise needs a break once in a while to ensure its future remains dazzling.<br /><br />While the tourism-reliant industry of Thailand could greatly benefit from more visitors, mindful travel would help secure the future of the countrymen.<br /><br />

Thailand is now welcoming Indians with open arms, but are its drought-hit islands really prepared for a tourism influx?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Millions more electric vehicles on the road could make the US power grid more resilient. </li><li>An innovation called vehicle-to-grid technology, or V2G, lets EVs supply electricity to the grid in times of need, but it's still in early stages. </li></ul><p>As the US speeds toward a future filled with electric vehicles, it's reasonable to wonder how much more demand the power grid can take. After all, during a recent heatwave, California's grid operator <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/01/us/california-heat-wave-flex-alert-ac-ev-charging.html">urged customers to limit charging</a> their cars to avoid blackouts. </p><p>However, energy and transportation experts say that with some planning, utilities are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-car-wont-overload-electrical-grid-california-evs-2022-10">fully capable of handling more clean cars</a> plugging in. Better yet, electric SUVs, trucks, and buses can strengthen the grid if deployed smartly. </p><h2>EVs can store energy for when it's needed most</h2><p>When electric cars are parked (which is most of the time), their batteries can collectively become a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-vehicles-gm-ford-home-charging-power-climate-change-2022-10">valuable asset to the greater grid</a>, experts say.</p><p>Someday, millions of vehicles could use special bidirectional chargers to absorb energy when it's plentiful and release it back to the grid as needed, helping utilities manage heatwaves and other spikes in demand. This vision rests on something called vehicle-to-grid technology, or V2G. </p><p>Experts like Matthias Preindl, an electrical engineering professor at Columbia University, also anticipate that V2G could help wean the country off dirty energy sources. Solar and wind power are intermittent, so turning the lights on when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing requires storing energy for later. Electric cars could do just that, he said. </p><p>"If we want to go to 100% renewables, which is now the target of many states, that requires a lot of batteries," Preindl told Insider. "And cars seem to be the only really viable solution at the moment."</p><p>If much of the US fleet goes electric, the amount of battery storage available is enormous: The National Resources Defense Council estimates that the 14 million EVs expected to be on California's roads by 2035 could <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/experts/max-baumhefner/how-electric-cars-and-trucks-improve-grid-reliability">power all the state's homes for three days</a>. </p><h2>There's a long road ahead</h2><p>Although V2G is already being implemented in limited ways (mainly through pilot programs), there are hurdles to the technology going mainstream.</p><p>For regular EV owners to supply energy to the grid on a large scale, automakers, charging firms, and utilities will need to standardize the process, Andrew Meintz, a chief engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, told Insider. Participants will also need to get paid by utilities for their contributions, he said. </p><p>A more feasible use case for V2G in the short term could be with large fleets, Meintz said. Amazon, for example, has the money and sway to work with utilities, vehicle makers, and charging companies to iron out the kinks. </p><h2>EVs are already helping out the grid on a small scale</h2><p>Highland Electric Fleets, which provides electric buses and charging infrastructure to school districts, has experimented with V2G as another revenue source since 2021. This summer, its two V2G-enabled school buses in Massachusetts pushed power to the grid almost daily to help the local utility handle periods of high energy consumption, Sean Leach, the firm's director of technology, told Insider. It's planning more extensive V2G projects in Vermont, Maryland, and elsewhere. </p><div type="image" title="An electric school bus from Highland Electric Fleets plugged into a charger." height="1875" width="2500" msid="95340184" hostid="261" sizebytes="642606"></div><p>"At the end of the day, let's use these buses for what they can do. These batteries are huge. They spend a lot of time not doing anything because the routes are very predictable for schools," Leach said. Right now, the firm gets emailed requests to offload energy, but it's working to automate things. </p><p>It'll take a lot of work before we see millions of EVs seamlessly assisting the larger grid. But some vehicles can already share energy locally in useful and interesting ways. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ford-f150-lightning-electric-price-pickup-review-first-drive-2022-5">Ford's F-150 Lightning pickup</a> can provide emergency backup power to customers' homes, so long as they have the right at-home charger. Upcoming trucks from General Motors promise to do the same.</p><p>Edward J. Klock-McCook, a principal at the sustainability think tank RMI, told Insider that if it becomes popular enough, this sort of capability could benefit the grid much in the same way that a full-blown V2G future would. Armed with the big batteries in their Lightnings and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-chevy-silverado-ev-truck-chevrolet-f150-lightning-2022-9">Chevrolet Silverado EVs</a>, homeowners could supply their own electricity during blackouts or when the grid is stressed. </p>

Electric cars won't just solve tailpipe emissions — they may even strengthen the US power grid, experts say

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11892889" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="california" source="Orion">California</keyword> faces a 1,800-megawatt <keyword id="11917806" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="energy" source="Orion">energy</keyword> shortage this summer, the office of Governor Newsom warned.</li><li>A worst-case scenario would leave up to 4 million Californians without power this summer and beyond.</li></ul><p>Millions of Californians could experience blackouts this summer in the face of heatwaves, wildfires, and other extreme weather events, the office of Governor Gavin Newsom and three other state agencies warned.</p><p>The state is facing a significant shortfall in its capacity that could result in widespread losses of power, officials said during an online briefing on Friday, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/california-says-it-needs-more-power-keep-lights-2022-05-06/">Reuters reported.</a></p><p>Officials stated the grid could be lacking anything from 1,700 megawatts to 5,000 megawatts this year. That would be likely to impact between 1 million and 4 million people in the state, the official said, but this would only occur following an extreme event, and was dependent on the success of conservation measures.</p><p>Governor Newson's office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for further comment outside normal working hours.</p><p>Officials from the California Energy Commission, Public Utilities Commission, California Independent System Operator and Newsom said the state would have a shortfall of 1,800 MW by 2025.</p><p>California is highly vulnerable to adverse weather events, particularly wildfires, with Predictive Services projecting an <a href="https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf">above-normal significant fire potential in northern California this summer</a>. According to climate project State at Risk, California is <a href="http://assets.statesatrisk.org/summaries/California_report.pdf">forecast to experience</a> 150 days a year of high wildfire potential.</p><p>The state has put forward an ambitious plan to push away from fossil fuels with the goal <a href="https://www.energy.ca.gov/news/2021-03/california-releases-report-charting-path-100-percent-clean-electricity">to become carbon-free by 2045</a> and a requirement to build up to 6 GW of new renewable and storage solutions annually.</p><p>But Newsom and the officials told reporters recent efforts to reduce carbon reliance have been hindered by supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. </p><p>"We need to make sure that we have sufficient new resources in place and operational before we let some of these retirements go," Mark Rothleder, chief operating officer at the California ISO grid operator, was reported to have said. "Otherwise we are putting ourselves potentially at risk of having insufficient capacity."</p>

Millions of Californians could experience blackouts this summer due to energy shortage, Governor's office warns

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Doug Gordon is an advocate for walkable cities and co-host of "The War On <keyword id="20632" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="cars" source="Orion">Cars</keyword>" podcast. </li><li>He says support has "never been greater" for walkable cities and more bike lanes.</li></ul><p>Doug Gordon hasn't owned a car for nearly <a href="https://jalopnik.com/what-i-mean-when-i-say-ban-cars-1849122955">25 years</a> — and he wants you to join him.</p><p>The NYC-based project lead for a campaign called '<a href="https://www.carfreemegacities.org/">Car Free Megacities</a>' and co-host of <a href="https://thewaroncars.org/">The War On Cars</a> podcast isn't shy about using attention-grabbing language to drive home his message.</p><p>"If saying '<a href="https://jalopnik.com/what-i-mean-when-i-say-ban-cars-1849122955#:~:text=At%20its%20heart%2C%20%E2%80%9Cban%20cars,space%20is%20at%20a%20premium.">ban cars</a>' gets the media talking and people learning about the harms caused by automobiles and makes them consider solutions they might not have otherwise imagined, that's a win," he told Insider.</p><p>Gordon is among many Americans taking steps towards car-free — or <a href="https://www.becomingminimalist.com/how-to-go-car-lite/">car-lite</a> — lives. A 2018 <a href="https://www.arity.com/move/patient-change-gonna-come/">survey</a> of <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-young-adults-cars-attitudes-20181106-story.html">over</a> 1,000 Americans by the <keyword id="11894924" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="transportation" source="Orion">transportation</keyword> technology company Arity found 51% of Millennials felt owning a car was not "worth the investment," compared to 47% of Gen X — Gordon's generation — and 31% of Baby Boomers who said the same.</p><p>While many are doing so for environmental reasons, a myriad of other factors are nudging them as well, including <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/buying-owning-car-inflation-gas-prices-chip-shortage-interest-rates-2022-7">high</a> car expenses, time <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/2019/02/13/report-average-american-spends-equivalent-25-work-weeks-traffic/">wasted</a> in traffic, and <a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/early-estimate-2021-traffic-fatalities">safety</a> concerns.</p><h2>Reducing car dependence promotes "notions of shared responsibility and community"</h2><p>Gordon says living car-free has always had an appeal to him. Growing up in a suburb, he was drawn to New York due to the ease with which one could get around via public transit, walking and cycling. </p><p>It was around 2010 when Gordon was sent down the "car-free rabbit hole," one he has never fully come out of. Plans were introduced to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/17/nyregion/effort-to-remove-prospect-park-west-bike-lane-is-rejected.html">install</a> a protected bike lane along Prospect Park West in Brooklyn, and the announcement attracted significant <a href="https://gothamist.com/news/five-years-later-the-prospect-park-west-bike-lane-war-rages-on">opposition</a>. The controversy made Gordon curious to learn more about the advocates and groups involved, and he was soon sucked in.</p><p>"I immersed myself in the movement," he says, "read a ton of books and started doing a bit of writing on the subject myself, leading me toward getting even more deeply involved and, a few years ago, starting the podcast with my co-hosts."</p><p>Gordon says that while environmental and safety concerns are discussed regularly, he also believes cars can "destroy notions of shared responsibility and community."</p><p>"When you're in your car, you are cut off from your fellow humans and see them not as individuals but as obstacles," he says. </p><p>Gordon sees investments in public transportation, sidewalks, and bike lanes as crucial to creating a car-free infrastructure, adding that <a href="https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/congestionpricing/cp_what_is.htm#:~:text=Congestion%20pricing%20%2D%20sometimes%20called%20value,waste%20associated%20with%20traffic%20congestion.">congestion pricing</a> — charging drivers a fee to access certain areas in an effort to deter more traffic — should be adopted more widely in US cities. He doesn't see <keyword id="11897958" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="Orion">electric vehicles</keyword> as the answer.</p><p>"EVs may eliminate tailpipe emissions," he says, "but they do not make it safe for an 8-year-old or an 80-year-old to cross the street," he said.</p><h2><strong style="background-color: #ffffff;">It's getting more expensive to own a car</strong></h2><p>Gordon believes the goal should be to "reduce car dependency more broadly," particularly due to the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/buying-owning-car-inflation-gas-prices-chip-shortage-interest-rates-2022-7">significant costs</a> associated with car ownership.</p><p>In June, the average monthly car payment reached a record-high of $712, per a Cox Automotive/Moody's Analytics <a href="https://www.coxautoinc.com/market-insights/may-2022-vai/">analysis</a>, driven by rising car prices and interest rates on car loans. Part of the reason Horton sold her used car last September was that it fetched such a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/will-car-prices-drop-back-to-normal-or-stay-high-2022-5">high price</a> — $5,000 more on the online car retailer <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.carvana.com%2F">Carvana</a> than she would have received six months prior, she says.   </p><p>A recent <a href="https://overheardonconferencecalls.com/business/average-cost-of-commute/">study</a> by the work-focused blog Overheard On Conference Calls used census and government data to analyze commuting costs — focusing on gas prices, commute distance, insurance costs and maintenance expenses. It found that the average American driver will spend over $2,900 on their commute in 2022, a 35% increase over the roughly $2,200 spent in 2021. Perhaps unsurprisingly, gas prices were the main culprit: US commuters are on pace to average $657 this year, up from $457 in 2021.</p><h2><strong style="background-color: #ffffff;">American infrastructure doesn't make car-free life easy </strong></h2><p>Moving forward, Gordon is optimistic because support for more walkable city centers and expanded bike lane networks has "never been greater." He believes there is a "if you build it, they will come" nature to these initiatives, in that major opposition "tends to evaporate" once they are finally enacted.</p><p>He adds that embracing slogans like "ban cars" may rub some people the wrong way, he <a href="https://jalopnik.com/what-i-mean-when-i-say-ban-cars-1849122955">believes</a> the pros outweigh any cons. </p><p>He's less optimistic, however, in the ability of public officials to "stand up to the vested interests of drivers, automakers and the fossil fuel lobby." With the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/river-rhine-europe-energy-germany-heatwave-climate-water-shipping-coal-2022-7">heatwave</a> spanning Europe and the <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/united-states-megadrought-worst-over-1000-years-how-long-could-last-1719472">droughts</a> impacting the western US, Gordon believes the proper sense of urgency is lacking.</p><p>"We need to move with all deliberate speed to reduce carbon emissions," he says, calling the oft-used argument that we need parking space instead of bike lanes, pedestrian plazas, or bus services "counterproductive." </p><p>"The systems we've built to preserve a car-centric status quo don't serve humanity or the planet very well," he added. "Ultimately, it's the climate that will have the final word."</p>

An anti-car activist wants to get city-dwellers walking again for the sake of their mental health, wallets, and the environment

<p><a href="https://businessinsider.com/100-people-transforming-business-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></p><div type="image" title="A flat drought landscape" height="2667" width="3557" msid="87611456" hostid="261"></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>2021 was marked by devastating, costly climate disasters from heat waves to wildfires to floods. </li><li>Corporate leaders started to recognize the role that business plays in mitigating climate change.</li><li>Insider highlights the top 10 people tackling climate change in business right now.</li></ul><p>Heatwaves. Wildfires. Drought. Storms. 2021 showed us that the climate crisis is here, and we're already paying the price. According to <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/news/us-hit-with-18-billion-dollar-disasters-so-far-year">reports</a> from the Biden administration, there have been 18 "weather/climate disaster events" in the US over the past year that cost more than $1 billion each. </p><p>The immediacy of climate change and the upheaval of the pandemic have fundamentally changed how businesses approach <keyword id="11896309" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="sustainability" source="Orion">sustainability</keyword>. Where business was once seen as the enemy of the environmental movement, corporations are starting to position themselves as part of the solution. Across industries, sustainability is the new way to do business, essential to minimizing risk, improving productivity, and achieving growth.</p><p>"Since the pandemic, there's such a heightened awareness around climate change and around social inequality," Rebecca Marmot, chief sustainability officer at <keyword id="12367975" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="unilever" source="Orion">Unilever</keyword>, told Insider. </p><p>Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Insider featured 10 business leaders across a variety of industries who are making climate change a top priority and aligning company goals with social and environmental responsibility. Insider's list includes sustainability officers from <keyword id="11892740" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="google" source="Orion">Google</keyword>, <keyword id="11929276" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="united-airlines" source="Orion">United Airlines</keyword>, <keyword id="6355174" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ford" source="Orion">Ford</keyword>, Unilever, and <keyword id="6361649" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="goldman-sachs" source="Orion">Goldman Sachs</keyword>. Then there are companies you may not have heard of, like <keyword id="12499487" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="evgo" source="Orion">EVgo</keyword> or Strella Biotech, who are engineering the products to make sustainable living possible, from the electricity we use to the buildings we live in to the food we eat.</p><p>There is an unprecedented push in the C-suite to make sustainability a top priority, said Lauren Riley, the managing director of global environmental affairs and sustainability at United Airlines. According to GreenBiz's report, "<a href="https://www.greenbiz.com/report/state-profession-2020-report">State of the Profession 2020</a>," more sustainability leaders are entering the C-suite - today, 26% of sustainability officers report directly to the CEO, compared to 19% in 2018. </p><p>"What was once a separate issue - environmental issues over here and business decisions over there - it is highly integrated right now, which is exactly where it needs to be," Riley said. "Climate change will affect the future of business."</p><p>Companies like Google, Amazon, and Ford are making bigger promises to reduce their carbon footprint, setting goals to become carbon-free and reduce emissions from their products or supply chains. These new commitments also reflect a shift to go farther than reducing harmful emissions - large corporations are investing their profits back into smaller organizations to bring them along. Kate Brandt, chief sustainability officer at Google, said part of her plan is partnering with 500 cities to reduce local government's carbon footprint.</p><p>Corporate action will hardly be enough to curb the climate crisis alone, and critics might be right that the business world dragged its feet for too long to undo the effects of a century of unchecked emissions. But the corporate world is signaling its commitment to being a part of reversing climate change, and that's a huge shift.</p><p>These leaders are a part of that movement - many of them have backgrounds in government or nonprofit roles, and they speak to how shifting to the private sector impacts their view of an integrated approach to mitigating climate change. Brandt, for example, was the nation's first federal chief sustainability officer under President Barack Obama. </p><p>"We're at a moment where everyone needs to be involved," Brandt said.</p>

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