Ten Across

Electrifying our vehicle fleet will eliminate a significant share of U.S. carbon emissions and is expected to make transportation more affordable for many over time. Similarly, automating vehicles could make commuting less of a chore.   While important goals for our transportation future, there are still many environmental tradeoffs associated with the roads upon which these vehicles will travel and the growing volume of drivers which we don’t often consider. Conservation journalist Ben Goldfarb covers these in his book “Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet.”   The latest #TenAcrossConversations podcast offers some important lessons and observations for the future Ben discovered in his reporting on the growing field of road ecology. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gCD5eYpU

In June, we spent a lot of time thinking about the future of #transportation safety and sustainability— a critical topic for this region, as transportation-related emissions and risks along the I-10 transect are on the rise. For more, check out 10across.org/insights for our podcast with “City Limits” author Megan Kimble and our recent blog on Ten Across metros leading the nation in pedestrian fatalities.   We concluded the month with a new #TenAcrossConversations podcast featuring Ben Goldfarb, author of “Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet." In this discussion, Ben described how the science of road ecology and Ten Across initiative have both created an observatory for us to explore a more harmonious future between humans, infrastructure, and nature.   Thank you, Ben, for this connection and your insights! Listen to the rest: https://lnkd.in/gCD5eYpU

Ten Across gets its name from an iconic American highway— the 10. It's only fitting that Ten Across founder Wellington Reiter, FAIA sat down with author Megan Kimble on #TenAcrossConversations as her new book “City Limits” is challenging many previously held notions of progress and efficiency surrounding the U.S.’s iconic interstate highway system.   In this clip, Megan explains the fundamental law of road congestion—discovered by economists nearly 70 years ago—and why it is rarely factored into state departments of transportation roadway planning.   Hear more insights on U.S. #transportation history and its influences today here: https://lnkd.in/gxKaX4Hc

Transportation accounts for nearly 30% of all U.S. emissions. This is a likely byproduct of our autocentric culture and infrastructure. Only New Zealand rivals the U.S. in per capita personal vehicle ownership and our roadway network is twice the size of China’s.   Author Megan Kimble argues in her new book “City Limits: Infrastructure, Inequality, and the Future of America's Highways” that there needs to be greater climate action around our transportation policy and land use planning today— especially in her home state of Texas. Here, on-road #emissions account for nearly half a percent of total worldwide emissions, which exceeds the volume of some whole countries.   Though attempts are being made to return some #greenspace back to their residents due to growing public demand, highway expansion is still a top priority of the state DOT, Megan explains in our latest #TenAcrossConversations podcast. Listen for more: https://lnkd.in/gxKaX4Hc

The #TenAcrossConversations “Financing Our Future” podcast series is exploring the developing market and investing behaviors around #climate today.   The Brookings Institution senior fellow Xavier de Souza Briggs recently stopped by to provide insight on the federal strategies behind investing conditions found in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Although the the scope of these climate bills are historical, they represent only a fraction of the total sum of investing or public action available for achieving long term resilience in the US.   Green bonds may also represent a significant share of this work. In this clip, Xav explains how more investors want to create positive, long-term change by purchasing bonds which clearly define ways in which it can address a local, national, or global climate impact.   Listen to the rest of his discussion with Ten Across founder Wellington Reiter, FAIA: https://lnkd.in/gWzcUweB

Continue listening to the #TenAcrossConversations “Financing Our Future” podcast series with this latest episode on federal #climate finance mechanisms and strategy.   Listen in as Ten Across founder Wellington Reiter, FAIA chats with The Brookings Institution senior fellow Xavier de Souza Briggs, who shares his insights on impact investing and how federal and state leaders can ensure equitable deployment of climate funds across diverse communities in the Ten Across region and beyond.     Hear what else Xav recommends leaders do to meet the moment on the two largest surges in national climate investment: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act here: https://lnkd.in/gWzcUweB

We were sad to say goodbye today, to our most recent 10X/APM Research Lab Data Journalism Fellow Rithwik Kalale, but we're also so excited to see what he will be doing in his next chapter. Thanks for all your great work Rithwik! We wish you all the best as you continue to expand your journalism talents. https://lnkd.in/dvHMjsU8

The #TenAcrossConversations “Financing Our Future” podcast series seeks to show how consistent and scaled cross-sector participation is necessary to address the growing costs of #climate change.   How will insurers and other sectors address growing investor demand for more thorough and uniform corporate climate impact disclosures? Listen to our recent episode with Steven M. Rothstein, founding managing director of the Ceres, Inc. Accelerator for Sustainable Markets, where he chats with 10X Executive Director Wellington Reiter, FAIA about a growing push for private sector accountability and involvement in mitigating climate impacts, both for their own benefit and the overall health of the economy.   Listen in: https://lnkd.in/gvT-ycZw

In a recent survey conducted by the accounting firm KPMG, over half of the respondents believe #government agencies could be using #AI to improve delivery of services such as health care or motor vehicle regulations. Gen X and Baby Boomer respondents saw the most room for improvement when compared to Gen Z and Millennials. https://lnkd.in/g_nrBcdr   Curious to learn how local governments are making use of this tech? Hear firsthand from public officials in the cities of #Phoenix, #Tempe, and #Cleveland about how their offices are looking to strategically deploy or regulate AI into the future in this recent #TenAcrossConversations podcast: https://lnkd.in/g_RxYsUA

Three 10X universities will be part of a new organization that aims to help communities across the country create policies and take actions to manage and mitigate extreme heat. The new Center for #Heat Resilient Communities is a partnership between UCLA, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, and will be funded by a more than $2 million federal grant. In this recent KJZZ 91.5 FM Phoenix interview with Mark Brodie and co-lead Ladd Keith we learn about this new partnership and how it will work to help cities be able to take the steps they need to deal with extreme heat challenges. https://lnkd.in/e9BbfA8y