“Rails-to-trails…? As in, you’re against railroads?”

I hear that question, or one like it, all too often. People assume that, because unused or abandoned rail lines get transformed into trails, we at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) want to see rail lines fall into disuse so they can be converted to trails.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Rail systems are absolutely vital to our nation’s transportation system. Rail travel is an efficient way to move people and goods while emitting a tiny fraction of the greenhouse gases than private automobiles. In fact, much of RTC’s work to promote transportation options for those who cannot or choose not to drive hinges on linking with public transportation. After all, the vast majority of those who access transit do so by walking or biking.

Rail-trails preserve rail corridors. Only after a railroad has determined there to be no other feasible use do RTC and local groups work to ensure that the corridor is not lost forever. Additionally, a rail-with-trail (a trail sharing an active rail corridor, usually separated by a safety buffer) offers another unique transportation connection between transit and trail.

The basic process of a rail-trail conversion goes something like this:

• A railroad decides that a rail line is no longer needed;
• The unused rail corridor sparks interest as a trail;
• A (new or existing) community group or local agency fundraises and purchases the corridor;
• Planners and designers conceptualize the trail, and builders develop the trail;
• A friends-of-the-trail group or a local agency manages the trail;
• The trail is enjoyed by all!

Of course, that’s an oversimplification. RTC works with local groups to navigate trail-building opportunities. One such method of converting rail-trails is through the 1983 railbanking law. Railbanking allows rail-trail conversions on an interim basis. Through railbanking, a community can use the corridor as a trail for an indefinite period, with the possibility of future rail use.

RTC’s critical Early Warning System notifies individuals of abandonments in their region, allowing communities to railbank the corridor within a very limited allowed timeframe. Read more about railbanking, including information on how to sign up for RTC’s Early Warning System.

Preservation is at the heart of all rail-trail conversions. These ribbons of steel formed the backbone of our nation for much of its history. To lose these historic pathways would represent an enormous loss. I’ve ridden many rail-trails over the years, and am always awed by the beauty and history along these corridors.

What does all of this have to do with climate change? As I mentioned in my July blog post, rail-trails are perfect for people who wish to ride more but want quieter or car-free places to do so. And because rail-trails run along the corridors of past transit routes, rail-trails link communities and people in much the same way as railroads once did. Rail-trails put an ecologically smart twist on an old fashioned concept—conserving our resources while preserving our history.

 On Tuesday July 8, 2008, 22-year old Alice Swanson was struck and killed by a trash truck just a few blocks from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s national headquarters in the Dupont neighborhood of Washington, D.C. While tragedies such as this are always heart-breaking no matter where they occur, this one was a close-to-home reminder for our Washington, D.C.-staff—many of whom ride through that neighborhood daily—that the need for more and safer places to bicycle has never been greater.

Bicycle safety is closely related to Climate Ride. If you consider that more and more people are turning toward bicycling for transportation in the wake of skyrocketing gas prices and climate concerns, then you know that means more people on the roads. More people on the trails. More people who need safe places to make the choice to bicycle easier.

For the last 22 years, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has been working to provide these safer places, creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. There are currently 15,000 miles of rail-trail nationally, with rail-trails in each state. They provide safe transportation and recreation options to millions of Americans each year. And as more people use rail-trails in lieu of driving to destinations, the better off it is for our planet.

Understanding what rail-trails are is key to understanding how they can impact our climate. A rail-trail is a mutli-purpose trail (walkers, bicyclists, inline skaters, equestrians, wheelchair users…all are welcome!) created from an unused railroad line.

Railroads—once the gold standard of mass transportation—have been in decline since the mid-1960s. Lines that once connected vibrant communities withered in disuse. RTC saw these corridors for the true gems they are—opportunities to revitalize transportation choices for all Americans and preserve an integral part of America’s history.

With guidance and technical support from RTC, local and regional groups or government entities are turning unused railroad corridors back into mass transportation routes, except now powered by humans instead of coal or steam. Old tracks and ties are removed; the corridor is graded and surfaced to best suit the needs of the users; connections are made to homes, businesses, schools, and other trails and transit options; and communities reap the benefits.

From economic upswings from tourism dollars, to increased health and wellness as people add more activity into their daily lives, to the ability to burn more calories instead of carbon as communities become less dependent on oil—rail-trails create healthier places for healthier people…and a healthier planet.

To learn more about how rail-trails are built, check out RTC’s FAQ on rail-trail conversions.

And to join the movement to provide more and safer facilities for people to walk and bike to get where they’re going—making a difference for the climate at the same time—register for RTC’s online Rail-Trail Network.

We were planning to cap the number of riders for Climate Ride at 100, and indeed, we would have been thrilled to reach that number. Our colleagues in the industry told us to consider it a victory to sign up even fifty cyclists in our first year. But climate change is an issue that weighs heavily on the minds of many Americans, and people want to make their voice heard.

wo weeks ago, ninety participants had registered, showcasing incredible support and enthusiasm for Climate Ride. And so we have decided to open it up to 20 more people. That’s right, we now have space for 120 riders for this unique event. So tell your friends and colleagues—there is still space to join.

Word of Climate Ride has been spreading around the internet. Here are a few of the many places on the web where you can read about Climate Ride:

Dirt Rag Online
Sierra Club Blog
Sierra Club Energy Newsletter
Bicycling Magazine Online
Mother Jones
Rails to Trails
It’s Getting Hot in Here
350.org
Climate Biz
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Xtracycle
Clean Air - Cool Planet
Focus the Nation
Facebook
Going Green DC
Pedal Pushers Online
Play it Green
Dane101
Global Warming 101
Ride for Climate
The Missoulian

As well as countless others, including small bicycle clubs all over the country. If your site links to us, let us know!

Wood Turner is the director of Climate Counts.

Estimates suggest there are upwards of 300,000 fast food restaurants in the United States, one for approximately every 101 Americans. My guess is that the actual number of restaurants changes rapidly. In a world with “billions and billions served,” how could we be more precise than “thousands and thousands serving”? That’s not to mention franchises popping up of every shape and size and even the specter of venerable institutions in the industry being absorbed by yesterday’s
also-rans and what that will mean for consumers.

In a general sense, we know what fast food means for American consumers. Quite simply, it’s convenience and affordability. In a culture perpetually on the run, who has time to cook balanced, natural meals at home? And with gas prizes pounding the wallets of families in “forced marriages” with their cars (as Colin Beavan of the blog No Impact Man says), who wants to spend more than a few bucks on something as important as food? Our self-imposed rat-race has driven millions of us into the waiting arms of the highly profitable fast-food industry.

Unfortunately, the cost of that now almost 80-year embrace with the drive-thru far exceeds what consumers can buy from the value menu. The industry has long been criticized for its impact on national health care by contributing to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and the effects of childhood obesity. It’s been the target of animal-rights advocates and, more recently, forest advocacy organizations because of its packaging impacts. And now, it’s become increasingly clear that the industry is a laggard on global climate change. In our annual Climate Counts scores of well-known consumer companies on their commitment to addressing climate change, four out of six companies (Yum! Brands, Burger King, Darden Restaurants, and Wendy’s) in the food services sector made no improvements in their scores from 2007 to 2008. That’s in a year when 84% of the companies we scored actually improved their scores, some significantly. It adds insult to injury when you consider that those four companies earned scores of one point or even zero points on a 100 point scale (100 being the highest possible score) for two years running. (Two other food services companies, Starbucks and McDonald’s, score significantly higher than the other four but much lower than many other companies we’ve investigated.)

What do the scores mean? They mean these companies are not measuring their climate impact, they’re not substantively and comprehensively working to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, they’re not supporting good public policy on climate, and they’re not being open and transparent with consumers about any real commitment to making climate actions a part of long-term business strategy. These companies spend tens of billions of dollars every year on energy, and by some estimates, as much as 80% of that energy is wasted through outmoded buildings and restaurants and inefficient food storage. Their impact on climate and our communities is all too clear.

Suddenly, convenient and cheap food is not so easy and cheap anymore. Inefficient use of energy affects corporate bottom lines – and it hits consumers. But that’s just the beginning. A report released in May from Tufts University and the Natural Resources Defense Council suggests that lack of action on climate will eventually cost our economy $3.8 trillion a year. What’s truly astonishing is the significant amounts of that money that could be saved by businesses and families with a little forward-thinking and some thoughtful investment. But the
time for this action is of the essence.

This summer, Climate Counts is circulating a petition designed to send a clear message to the fast- food industry that it’s time to get serious about climate change. Through our partnerships with artists like Jack Johnson and organizations like the Hip Hop Caucus, we’re asking people around the country to use their mobile phones to get active on climate change by signing our fast-food petition.

It’s time to tell an industry skilled in the art of speed what urgency really means.

Greetings from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC)! My name is Kartik Sribarra, manager of policy outreach for RTC. I’m extremely excited to be participating in Climate Ride. I’ve been cycling regularly for five or six years now, and have always loved walking to get where I was going, avoiding the need to burn oil in the process. I’m honored to work for an organization that has such a strong history of embracing, encouraging and advocating for “active transportation” — walking and biking.

I truly believe in Climate Ride’s mission, and am excited to represent RTC on the ride in September. It’s not hyperbole to claim that climate change may pose a threat to humanity, the likes of which we have never known. If left unchecked, climate change has the potential to cause extraordinary harm around the world. Scientists believe that climate change can increase the frequency and severity of natural events like floods, hurricanes and tornados.

In spite of all of this doom and gloom, such enormous threats present equally great opportunities. Climate change has galvanized Americans, from the individual to the highest levels of our government, from nonprofit organizations to some of America’s largest businesses. Rarely does an issue come about that garners such universal support.

But it’s not just about organizations; it’s also about individuals. One thing I appreciate about the fight against climate change — something that RTC actively promotes — is the role everyone can play in addressing it. By making the very simple (and fun!) choice to walk or bike to get where we’re going, we’re able to fight climate change. To that end, RTC encourages everyone to take the Burn Calories, Not Carbon!^TM pledge. The pledge encourages participants to change the way they travel, committing to walk and bike more and drive less. These personal commitments have many positive impacts on climate change:

• We don’t burn gasoline (private transportation is a leading source of climate change gases)
• Our physical presence is a vote to our elected officials and decision-makers that we need more active transportation facilities.
• We set an example for others that walking and biking are viable transportation options.

This is in addition to the many other benefits of more active transportation, like personal health, breezing past congestion, getting fresh air, being able to stop and talk with neighbors, and more. Plus, we can take the opportunity to travel on some of our nation’s great trails. (To find trails near you, RTC hosts a great online trail-finder, www.traillink.com.)

It’s for these and other reasons that I’m very excited to be doing Climate Ride. Here at RTC, we’re working hard to communicate the connection between more active transportation and healthier people, places and the planet. See you in September!

The Brita Climate Ride is a five day bike tour from New York City to Washington D.C. to promote solutions to global warming. But it is also much more.

The ride is a fundraiser for the non-profits Clean Air – Cool Planet and Focus the Nation. Clean Air – Cool Planet works with cities, campuses, and businesses to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Focus the Nation partners with legislators and colleges across the country, and recently staged the largest national teach-in in history. Both organizations understand the urgency of the problem, and our need for immediate action. Our riders will support these non-profits by asking their friends, family, neighbors, and themselves to donate. Each rider will raise $2,250.

The ride is also a scenic five-day bike tour that will challenge and reward our riders. From September 20th to 24th, our riders will cover 320 miles, pushing themselves to show what is possible on bicycles.

We at the Brita Climate Ride are thrilled how scenic our route is. There are excellent low-traffic roads linking our nation’s largest city and our nation’s capital. The route passes through rural New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, passing through wooded rolling hills, equine estates, and the pastoral scenes of Amish country.

In the evening, after our cyclists have enjoyed a shower and a catered meal, they will gather for a presentation by an expert speaker. The subject matter will range from the expected impacts of global warming to the exciting possibilities of renewable energy. Members of local communities will be invited to join.

The climate conference, though, will likely continue through the day, as many of our riders are themselves experts on the subject. We expect to learn from each other as we ride, and be inspired at lunch breaks and water stops.

Our destination is our nation’s capital, where we ride for obvious reasons: we want our government to take leadership and chart a course for a clean energy future. We want renewable energy that will end our economy’s dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil. We want better public transit and we want bike lanes so that we can safely bike to work. We want a safe climate and a better future.

This ride is an opportunity to make a difference, make a statement, and be inspired. Join us for a ride to the nation’s capital.
 

Wood Turner is the Project Director of Climate Counts

Consumer climate action isn’t just about switching to compact fluorescent lightbulbs or buying recycled. While people across the country are taking action to reduce their own carbon footprint, some consumers are using their power to push companies to take action themselves - and it’s paying off.

In early May, Climate Counts released its second annual Climate Counts Company Scorecard. We launched our Scorecard last year with the hope that creating a simple, easy-to-understand ranking of companies would motivate both companies and consumers to step-up their efforts on climate change. We applaud the work of companies that are taking a leadership role in creating products that help our marketplace and our society as a whole become more accountable for the impact they have on global climate change.

With the release of the second Climate Counts Company Scorecard, we can report that many well-known companies have embraced a leadership role on corporate carbon management, not only through the development of products that reduce the carbon footprint of those who use them, but also through companywide accounting of the greenhouse gas emissions that occur during design, development, production, and distribution of those products. Companies that recognize the impact of their products AND the impact of their operations are both connecting the strategic dots for their organizations and modeling the kind of climate action that consumers should be following.

The new Climate Counts Company Scorecard shows a real shift towards greater climate commitment across most industry sectors — with 84% of scored companies improving their Climate Counts scores. Looking at the companies that showed the most improvement—Google, Levi Strauss and Anheuser-Busch—shows the diverse kinds of great American companies committed to paying attention to global climate change. Of course, it also tells us which companies and sectors are still not taking it as seriously as they should be. (Click here to download our pocket shopping guide.)

But let’s go back to how and why companies like this can truly lead consumers on a pathway toward real sustainability. When we developed our 22-criteria scorecard, we consulted academics and NGO experts who agreed that the climate metrics, or key performance indicators, that make up our scorecard were not only appropriate for measuring company climate performance but also represented a strong “transit” map for climate-conscious companies seeking a set of standards to drive their future climate action and innovation. Our evaluation of company climate action focuses on four key metrics, specifically whether companies have

• MEASURED their climate footprint
• REDUCED their climate impact
• SUPPORTED (or blocked) progressive climate policy initiatives
• Made their climate protection efforts PUBLIC and TRANSPARENT

Why are these metrics important? Because they represent critical components of a comprehensive climate protection strategy that relies on three pillars: government regulation, business innovation, and consumer activation. Only companies that are measuring their impact on climate change can develop innovations that reduce the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from their operations and their products. True business innovation occurs when corporations embrace a collaborative relationship with policy makers and with consumers. Corporate climate leaders are not hiding from what most assume is the future legislative and regulatory framework for climate protection; they’re helping shape it to make it stronger.

Accepting accountability. Achieving real reductions. Supporting good public policy. Being increasingly open and transparency about climate action. We believe these are the measures of great, forward-thinking, future-friendly companies. At Climate Counts, we hope that next generation of great companies is not only comprised of those not yet thought of, but that it is anchored by the kinds of great companies and beloved brands that have been so much a part of all of our lives already. Join us in letting those companies know that climate change is an issue that matters deeply – to all of us.

Welcome. We are assembling a team of bloggers—riders participating in Climate Ride, representing a number of different organizations.

Each rider will share their experiences—their training, fundraising, and personal perspective on Climate Ride. Brita Climate Ride is attracting a variety of intriguing people who are involved in the many solutions to global warming. Come back soon, and you will be able to read their posts (A list of users is on the sidebar of this blog–click on a user to read only their posts).