Article Analyzation

I read an article on how the reduction of carbon emissions could happen if we made more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly streets. The article highlighted how even a small percentage (6%) could reduce carbon emissions be about 5 gigatons. But there are also drawbacks, including the fact that it is dangerous to walk or cycle on city streets. If a car or truck is parked illegally and a cyclist or walker goes around it, the result could be fatal.

Some cities want to switch to all electric vehicles, but that can be problematic as well. EVs are expensive, take a while to charge, and are very quiet, so no one can hear that they are coming. The switch to pedestrian-friendly streets is an easy, simple way that could cost many people nothing.

What surprised me is just how much CO2 we emit on a regular basis, and what strides are already taking place to help reduce that emission percentage. These streets in particular sound like they could have a huge impact on city life and the atmosphere. I like how people seem to be open to the idea of pedestrian streets in cities — at least enough to use them. It is important that in a big movement such as this that support is given, and it might end up including more people as it catches speed.

Finally, it surprised me how fatal some streets could be in cities, and how careless some drivers can be. The cause of death for a man named Russel Franklin was a hit by an illegally parked truck. Possibly if that truck had been parked in a safer place, the accident could have been avoided. But, later that week, a pedestrian was killed on the same street. I think that in order to exact change on the pedestrian-friendly streets, drivers have to be a thousand times more careful with where they are driving, while pedestrians also have to be careful and abide by foot traffic laws.

Overall, if we work together to change streets in some cities, we could be one step closer to saving the environment. Research says that in about 12 years if we raise the world temperature by another half degree Celsius, the global warming change is irreversible, and it will never return to the same way it was again. Change, especially in cities, can’t happen in 20 years, 10 years, or even 5 years. In order for us to remain safe and functioning globally, we have to start change now.

Read the article HERE