Re/Action on Climate Protection

Profile of GHG Emissions from Transport

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the US transportation sector by 80%-90% over the next 50 years or less is a huge problem. Yet it must be accomplished in order to minimize dangerous interference in the climate. S-clusters can help point to a solution. Let's look at the characteristics of the problem of GHG from transportation.

True cost of transportation

Calculating the true cost of our existing transportation system is the first step to using s-clusters to create the lowest cost, most efficient path to zero carbon transportation.

Why S-Clusters? How does this help Climate Protection?

How does the s-cluster (sustainability cluster) help with climate protection? The s-cluster is a pattern that is extracted from real world examples of sustainability. One of the characteristics of the s-cluster is that it is zero carbon. An s-cluster provides a product or service, essential to life, without increasing the atmospheric CO2 concentration. The s-cluster allows us to identify levers or changes to existing systems that lower total GHG emissions.

Example of S-cluster

An American friend living in Japan pointed out a feature of his neighborhood, near Tokyo, that highlights one of the most important aspects of the zero carbon S-cluster: Local use of locally produced goods. Local food production, of regionally appropriate foods, using sustainable farming techniques, is an integral part of a sustainable, zero-carbon community. Food production should also use local, renewable energy sources for irrigation and farm equipment.

Bootstrapping climate protection

I'm beginning exploration of a concept I call the "climate protection bootstrap". "Bootstrapping" is the process of bringing a diverse collection of components to a state of functioning together synergistically. Local action on climate change can be started up by focused action on leverage points, or "sustainability clusters."