Portland Mayor Sam Adams has an ambitious goal:
We’re also working to make every section of Portland a complete 20-minute neighborhood to strengthen our local economy. Two-thirds of all trips in Portland and in most American cities are not about getting to and from work. So if I can offer quality, affordable goods and services, eliminate food deserts, have neighborhoods with schools and parks and amenities–if I can create these 20-minute complete neighborhoods all over Portland–it strengthens our local economy. We drive 20% less than cities of comparable size, and because we don’t manufacture cars, produce oil, or have car insurance companies, every dollar that we don’t spend elsewhere, will stay in Portland’s economy. There’s about $850 million that stays in Portlanders’s pockets because we drive less. With a 20-minute neighborhood, also reduce congestion and meet our climate action plan goals.
In response, Grist’s Jonathan Hiskes writes ,
Rather than yet another attempt to rebrand climate change/global warming/global weirding, etc, etc., may I suggest that it might be more fruitful to add phrases like “20-minute neighborhood” that flesh out what a response to climate-change looks like? Concepts such as that and location efficiency help illustrate a sustainable vision, they’re not politically charged (for now), and they appeal to notions of health, community, and quality of life along with the environmental benefits.
I think he’s wrong about these concepts not being politically charged, but focusing on a positive vision instead of doom and gloom — or, if you need to get your masochistic fix on, doing both — seems like a no-brainer. Why the entire Enviro movement doesn’t get this is beyond me.
