Speaker: Tony Jordan, President, Parking Reform Network
Tony Jordan: As a father, I'm inspired by my children to care about climate change and climate solutions.
How (and why) are you taking action on climate change solutions in, for, and with your community?
Tony Jordan: I'm Tony Jordan from the Parking Reform Network, and I'm taking action on climate change solutions by building a movement to remove bureaucratic, outdated, and costly parking regulations that are a barrier to more dense, walkable neighborhoods, which are better for our climate and future generations. I work with local partners and advocates to support their efforts by celebrating wins, sharing lessons from difficult fights, and educating the public. This is wonky grassroots organizing that doesn't get a lot of press, but produces great results for housing, transportation, and climate.
Describe a moment when you felt the real-world impact of your work in climate solutions.
Tony Jordan: I'm lucky to see the real world impact in my work all the time. Parking reform impacts housing, transportation, climate change, urban heating and flooding. So, I have partners like Depave that are breaking up pavement to put in gardens or playgrounds. I have affordable housing partners that are building apartments on old parking lots. I have policy partners that are changing laws in cities and states. I am so fortunate to see the impacts now and in the future of our work today.
Who or what inspires/inspired you to care about climate change and climate solutions?
Tony Jordan: As a father, I'm inspired by my children to care about climate change and climate solutions. We're leaving them an uncertain future, an unstable climate, and it's our responsibility to future generations to do the best work we can to mitigate and reverse the damage that we've caused already to our climate and environment. I feel like the work I'm doing on parking reform is the best I can do to have a maximum impact and leave them a chance at a better future.
