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Angelina Tsuboi is a software developer — and has been since she was a kid. At 16, when she decided to add “student pilot” to her resume, she already had over nine years of programming experience. While she was already keen on making solutions more accessible to the world, she found a new barrier in her pursuit of becoming a pilot: the overwhelming cost to obtaining a private pilot's license. Tsuboi embarked on an arduous and seemingly endless scholarship search, so she put her programming skills up to the task and created a solution. That solution is Pilot Fast Track, an app that allows users to find customized scholarships, tailored by certification, aircraft preference, location, gender, ethnicity, and more, helping reduce financial barriers to the aviation industry. “Women in aviation…

Taking off with his skateboard and a mission, Chad Caruso left Venice Beach in March 2023 for a 3,000-mile journey across America. His goal? To raise awareness and funds for youth addiction — all while celebrating six years of sobriety. Caruso is a well-known skateboarding social media creator and athlete, and he credits skateboarding as an outlet for redemption and improved mental health. He shared updates of his trip on Instagram and TikTok, taking selfies next to semi-trucks on the highway, icing his feet in hotel buckets, and sharing screenshots of his daily activity logs. “I wouldn't have been able to attempt this skate across the country without the energy and focus that sobriety has given me,” Caruso wrote on a GoFundMe page. “The goal of this fundraiser is to…

It was 2021 when three North Carolina teenagers — Eli Hill, Jackson Holcomb, and Creek Hyatt — stumbled upon what they thought was just a big log in Lake Waccamaw. Once they recovered the item, their parents called up the North Carolina Office of State Archeology — which then tapped the North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission (NCAIHC). Two years later, the artifact is now confirmed to be an over-1,000-year-old canoe belonging to the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe. The NCAIHC ensured the Indigenous community would be involved in the removal and preservation of the canoe, which is still fully intact at 8.7 meters long, made from pine. According to Michael Jacobs, the Chief of the Tribe, the canoe is what's known as a dugout, a one-piece boat made by hollowing out…

GOOD Discover what public transportation options exist in your city. You can explore more by tapping into the power of apps like Citymapper (citymapper.com) or Moovit (moovitapp.com), or by visiting your city's official website. BETTER Learn more about what communities around the world are doing to create accessible modes of transit. Check out “Happy City” by Charles Montgomery from your local library or watch “The Human Scale” to get started. BEST Engage in meaningful conversations with your local representatives and become an advocate for improved transportation infrastructure, such as the expansion of bus routes, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks.…

Gert-Jan Oskam was in a motorcycle accident in 2011 and became paralyzed from the hips down. Now, he has regained control of his lower body with the help of brain implants and artificial intelligence. Scientists accomplished this feat by adding implants to Oskam's brain that create a “digital bridge” between his brain and his spinal cord, bypassing injured sections. Researchers used an AI thought decoder to read Oskam's intentions as electrical signals in the brain and match them to muscle movements. The machine-learning program observed which parts of Oskam's brain lit up as he tried to move different parts of his body, matching the activity of certain electrodes with specific thoughts. Then, researchers used another algorithm to send electrical signals to parts of his body, which sparked movements like muscle…

Active Towns, hosted by John Simmerman, takes you on a journey with experts in transportation, planning, and community development. Together, they uncover the unsung heroes, hidden gems, and groundbreaking initiatives transforming communities into vibrant hubs of activity. Join The War on Cars hosts Sarah Goodyear, Aaron Naparstek, and Doug Gordon as they dive into the battle between cities and cars. Prepare for intense debates, stories, and eye-opening interviews that challenge the status quo and ignite a revolution in urban planning. The American Planning Association (APA) podcast unpacks the daily challenges and rewards that planners face. With expert analysis, eye-opening stories, and fresh perspectives, it's your backstage pass to the captivating and ever-evolving world of urban planning.…

Everyone deserves to move around the world, recreate, and play with ease. While disabilities can contribute to mobility challenges or require folks to use wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids, disabled folks still deserve the resources and tools necessary to not only navigate the world, but to also have fun. While these resources should be commonplace, systemic ableism and discrimination often create even more barriers to all “standard” forms of recreational activities or modes of transportation. Whether it's poorly designed infrastructure of parks or roads, high prices on adaptive equipment, or simply ignoring the needs of disabled folks, activities like cycling, hiking, or athletics can be difficult to embrace. But thanks to advocacy efforts and advances in technology, adaptive activities have come a long way. Take cycling, for instance, an…

When Katya Echazarreta was a little girl, she used to pretend her Barbie doll was an astronaut preparing for a mission in space. Now, Barbie has created a doll modeled after her: a real-life astronaut, who was the first Mexicanborn American woman to visit space — and the youngest, at just 27 years old. The young electrical engineer is pursuing her Master's at Johns Hopkins University and has worked on five missions with NASA. Last summer, she ventured out on a mission of her own with an organization called Space for Humanity. Her work? To analyze the “Overview Effect,” a phenomenon of experiencing the world with a completely new perspective after seeing Earth from above, which psychologists study to better understand the cosmos and our relationship with the planet. “I…

DO YOUR RESEARCH Instead of booking the first available flight, try to find one within your budget on a newer aircraft or one that flies directly to your destination. You can also research airports that curb their emissions! MAKE DIFFERENT CHOICES When your travel day comes around, make smart, eco-conscious decisions. Pack light, bring your reusables, eat plant-based meals, and use digital tickets to reduce your personal environmental impact. OFFSET YOUR EMISSIONS If you have the means, consider offsetting the carbon emissions of your flight. Apps like Commons help users track their carbon footprint and invest in a vetted portfolio of climate solutions.…

Jake Fedorowski has always loved running. What they didn't love? Being misgendered when registering for marathons and other races. Fedorowski brought up the issue with local running organizations in the Pacific Northwest, and as requests for inclusion began to take off, they decided to create blueprints so others could create non-binary divisions in races, too: The Guide to Non-Binary Inclusion in Running. This work goes beyond just a new category in the running world. It also requires intentional efforts to use gender-inclusive language, offer gender-inclusive restrooms, create prizes and awards for non-binary runners alongside cisgender participants, and flesh out score results and data that are inclusive and meaningful. The guide is a free, 24-page document that is accessible to any race director or community member prepared to implement the new…

Grace Mabika first had the idea to make bikes while working as an English teacher in Mouila, a small town in the West African country of Gabon. She noticed that many of her students walked for hours each day to get to school, of course with an additional burden on young women who had more labor to attend to once they were home every day. “But we have the resources here in abundance to create simple solutions to impact local communities,” she told The Guardian. Mabika co-founded her company, Bamga Bicycles, in 2020. It's the first company in Gabon to make bikes out of bamboo. The process goes like this: Raw bamboo materials are dried in the sun, carved into bike frames, and varnished. Later, handlebars and wheels, made by…

Delta Flight Products has debuted a new, accessible seating option for passengers who use wheelchairs. The new product design was revealed at the annual Aircraft Interiors Expo in June 2023 and was developed alongside UK-based accessible travel group Air4All. The design makes it so that wheelchairs can be secured where a standard seat would go, allowing wheelchair users to remain in their own chairs during flights. It also includes a standard headrest, tray table, and cocktail table. Currently, wheelchair users face a painful and unsafe process to (hopefully) maintain mobility throughout air travel. First, they must check in their wheelchairs and be taken to their gate with an airline-provided wheelchair. While some airlines offer in-flight wheelchair access, many folks are bound to their seats during their flights. Plus, many wheelchairs…

GOOD Learn more about the importance of accessible transit and the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities by following disability activists like Emily Ladau (@emilyladau) and Daphne Frias (@frias_daphne). BETTER Connect with and support local disability advocacy organizations and national nonprofits like All Wheels Up to find effective advocacy strategies and help amplify the needs of the disabled community. Visit allwheelsup.org. BEST Reach out and work with your local transportation authorities, city council members, or transit agencies to express your concerns and advocate for accessible transportation options and infrastructure improvements.…

Not Just Bikes aims to inspire viewers to think critically about transportation choices and advocate for positive changes in their own cities. Whether you're an urban planning enthusiast or simply interested in the future of transportation, this channel offers a great perspective on creating better cities. (YouTube) With a focus on both wellknown and lesser-known cities around the world, City Beautiful show cases unique and diverse approaches to urban design, highlighting inspiring examples and lessons that can be applied anywhere to create more vibrant and sustainable urban environments. (YouTube) City Nerd explores iconic city landmarks, transportation systems, and the unique characteristics that define cities around the world. The channel allows viewers to virtually discover hidden gems, uncover urban secrets, and understand how different cities function and evolve. (YouTube)…

While the Big Bad Wolf met its nursery rhyme match with a house made of bricks, researchers are curious: Do car tires packed with dirt provide the necessary structural integrity for buildings? For decades, people have been upcycling car tires in asphalt filler and insulation, as swings on playgrounds, or even as walls — stacked in staggered for mations and packed with dirt, concrete, or bricks. Without these environmental projects, car tires are a pain in the rear, as they take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills and are filthy to burn. While tire walls are common at motor racing facilities or outdoor tracks, the Earthship movement (a style of architecture using natural and upcycled materials that has gained popularity in recent decades) has brought the upcycled architecture to…

□ LEARN MORE Educate yourself on the amazing benefits that alternative transportation offers and understand the specific challenges and barriers that your community faces. □ JOIN A TRANSPORTATION ADVOCACY GROUP: Find a local organization or community group that focuses on advocating for alternative transportation. Collaborate with folks to amplify your efforts and influence those who have the power to make these decisions. □ ENGAGE WITH LOCAL LEADERS: Attend city council meetings, get to know your city council members, or attend public hearings (or write letters and emails!) to express your support for alternative transportation options. □ PETITION: Start a petition to highlight community support for alternative transportation options. Some ideas include having more bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, improved public transit, or access to rebate programs and other incentives. □ PROMOTE…

Most of us are probably satisfied with the care and compassion of our commercial flight attendants sharing snacks and sodas on our journeys in the sky. However, Orbis, an international nonprofit working to end avoidable blindness, knows the true potential of a plane. Meet the Flying Eye Hospital. It's the world's only fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital — all on board an MD-10 aircraft. Equal parts classroom, operating room, and recovery suites, the plane allows clinical teams to learn on board while traveling across the world to end avoidable blindness. Between live surgical demonstrations and a telehealth program called Cybersight, the plane reaches medical students across the globe, training eye care teams full of doctors, nurses, and technicians and making the case for health ministries to invest in the prevention…

WE HAVE GOOD NEWS Sometimes “saving the turtles” looks a bit different than opting against a plastic straw. Along Japan's Nara Prefecture, just south of Kyoto, West Japan Railway workers have taken on a little project to help save turtles in the area. Since 2002, 13 turtles have gotten caught while trying to pass railroad tracks, crushing them in the switch rail mechanism, the part of the tracks that helps switch the trains’ directions. Not only does this kill the turtles, but it harms the whole transportation ecosystem, delaying train schedules and forcing the rails to be serviced before trains can safely journey forward. Railway teams created U-shaped concrete tunnels that sit beneath the railroad tracks where the turtles often travel. The turtles saunter — slow and steady — until…

GOOD Pay attention to signs displaying areas with high wildlife activity or designated wildlife crossing zones. Reduce your speed and stay alert in these areas to allow animals to cross safely. (And encourage others to do the same.) BETTER Support local or national wildlife organizations, like Defenders of Wildlife (defenders.org) that research and implement measures like wildlife crossings and raise awareness about the impact of roadways on animals. BEST Engage with local transportation departments, wildlife agencies, and law enforcement to collaborate on wildlife-vehicle collision prevention, such as roadside signage, speed reductions, and wildlife crossings.…

Long before European travelers could get a €39 overnight plane ticket from Ryanair, the EU was connected by a vast network of night trains. They have been relegated nearly out of existence in recent decades, but as the EU sets its sights on decreased carbon emissions and rushes to modernize its railways, trains are seeing a resurgence. Created by Dutch train enthusiasts Elmer van Buuren and Chris Engelsman, European Sleeper's Good Night Train has just left the station. Competing with the boom of discount airlines, the duo's startup sounds a lot like “The Little Engine That Could.” European Sleeper was crowd-funded into existence, and the company has had to set up a ticketing system without support from major railways or state stakeholders. Prices for the European Sleeper service between Berlin…

On a family farm in Italy, over 600 cows contribute to a circular economy. Allow us to explain: The cows produce large quantities of milk — and of course, large quantities of waste. Instead of allowing that waste to contribute to the methane crisis, the farm's owners had the idea to use it for energy. Behind the farm, a structure (called an “anaerobic digester”) extracts bio-methane from animal waste and directly transports it to a gas pump, with which customers can fill their vehicles with cheaper, cleaner fuel. The initiative tackles the energy crisis — especially as gas prices surge — while providing a solution to managing methane emissions. This isn't the only farm using cow dung to do good. Dairy farmers in New England have been powering their farms…

In today's bustling cities, creating safe, accessible, and sustainable transportation systems is vital for fostering a happy and healthy community. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of urban mobility, it's essential to equip ourselves with the knowledge and resources that empower us to make informed choices and contribute to improving our cities. Whether you're a seasoned urban dweller, a passionate advocate for sustainable transportation, or simply someone curious about the world of mobility, let this be your gateway to finding some of the most valuable resources to expand your knowledge, explore innovative solutions, and embark on a journey toward creating a more efficient, equitable, and vibrant future for us all.…

From exploring the global cities that are revolutionizing transportation to the ultimate cross-country road trip, Bloomberg CityLab keeps us inspired with ingenious concepts and stories of people reshaping urban spaces to prioritize human mobility. (@citylab) Better City is dedicated to showcasing innovative city designs prioritizing walkability, green spaces, and efficient transit systems. Their posts take you on a tour of urban landscapes that inspire community, promote active lifestyles, and embrace sustainable living. (@better_city) Next City is a nonprofit news organization bringing you the latest news, insights, and ideas in urbanism, highlighting initiatives that address pressing urban challenges and foster inclusive, sustainable, and equitable communities. (@nextcityorg)…

Thanks to recent events in which orca whales have quite literally overthrown ships in the ocean after countless boats have harmed their kin, social media has been abuzz over the concept of “orcanizing.” As a collective, we seem to admire and find fascination in the orcas’ call to action, but we really could take a lesson from their book in demanding a better seascape for all who inhabit the planet's waters. While the whales do it their way, IFAW has been on land attempting to change the shipping industry for good. IFAW's Blue Speeds campaign was born out of the discovery of a simple and realistic solution to make the seas safer for marine animals: reduced shipping speeds. With a proposed speed ceiling at 75% of existing ship speeds, this…

MOBILE COMMUNITIES When most of us think of the magic of libraries, we imagine the liberation of having free rein over information, entertainment, or a mosaic of resources. While libraries are an amazing place to discover new things, borrow everyday items (like a popcorn machine or a Santa Claus costume!), and connect with others, they also have a unique central location in a community's design and infrastructure. Just as a library is a free communal resource to every member of a community, public transit, like buses, trolleys, streetcars, and trains are, too. If the library is the heart of the community, transit is the blood passing through. While thoughtful and sustainable urban planning hasn't always been a priority (especially in American cities), the love story of libraries and transit is…