Environment & Infrastructure Activities

The Environment & Infrastructure sector concerns the physical and organizational structures needed for society to operate.

Planetary Citizens might advocate for green building, sustainable urban planning, and resilient infrastructure that can withstand environmental changes.

This sector aims to develop systems and structures that support both human and environmental health.

By promoting eco-friendly construction, efficient resource use, and innovative urban design, Environment & Infrastructure seeks to create sustainable and resilient communities.

These efforts help to mitigate the impacts of climate change, reduce environmental degradation, and ensure long-term sustainability for future generations.

By fostering community involvement and integrating advanced technologies, this sector strives to build a harmonious and sustainable future.

1. Green Building – Promoting construction practices that reduce environmental impact.
2. Sustainable Urban Planning – Designing cities that are environmentally sustainable and livable.
3. Resilient Infrastructure – Developing infrastructure that can withstand environmental changes.
4. Renewable Energy Integration – Incorporating renewable energy sources into infrastructure planning.
5. Efficient Transportation Systems – Creating sustainable and efficient transportation networks.
6. Water Management – Implementing systems for sustainable water use and management.
7. Waste Management – Developing efficient waste reduction and recycling systems.
8. Public Green Spaces – Creating and maintaining parks and green areas within urban environments.
9. Smart Cities – Utilizing technology to improve urban living and environmental sustainability.
10. Sustainable Materials – Using eco-friendly and sustainable materials in construction.
11. Community Involvement – Engaging communities in planning and maintaining sustainable infrastructure.
12. Climate Adaptation Strategies – Developing strategies to adapt infrastructure to changing climate conditions.

Here are 12 pioneers in the Environment and Infrastructure sector:

1. The Green Building Council: Promotes sustainable construction practices.
2. Green Building Council
3. C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group: Supports sustainable urban planning.
4. C40 Cities
5. Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI): Focuses on resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
6. RMI
7. Solar Impulse Foundation: Advocates for renewable energy integration.
8. Solar Impulse
9. Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP): Develops efficient transportation systems.
10. ITDP
11. Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS): Works on sustainable water management.
12. AWS
13. Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA): Promotes efficient waste management.
14. ZWIA
15. National Park Foundation: Supports public green spaces.
16. National Park Foundation
17. Smart Cities Council: Advances smart city technologies.
18. Smart Cities Council
19. Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute: Focuses on sustainable materials.
20. Cradle to Cradle
21. ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability: Engages communities in sustainable planning.
22. ICLEI
23. Global Adaptation Network (GAN): Develops climate adaptation strategies.
24. GAN
25. Boardy – AI assisted fundraising matching service. 
26. Website:  go.boardy.ai/500founders

These organizations and leaders are at the forefront of fostering sustainable environmental practices and building resilient infrastructure for a better future.

Effective Actions in Environment and Infrastructure

Many of the systems shaping our daily lives are so familiar they disappear from view. When we pause long enough to notice them—how we move, build, consume, and dispose—we begin to see infrastructure not as something “out there,” but as an expression of collective values made visible. This moment of awareness is powerful. It reminds us that meaningful change begins not with grand gestures, but with conscious attention to the structures we participate in every day.

We live within many social operating systems that direct many of our actions and are so familiar they are often invisible to us. These socially constructed operating systems include governments, economies, education systems, cultures, and physical infrastructures such as transportation, water supply, waste management, housing, businesses, recreational areas, cultural centers, energy generation and delivery, and other architectural constructs, all working within our natural environment.

Because other sectors address other environmental issues, we will focus here on physical infrastructures. 

For Yourself

As best you are able:

·      Choose walking or bike riding over driving.

·      Choose public transportation over private vehicles.

·      Skip the trip.

·      Reduce, reuse, and recycle materials.

·      Donate and shop for second-hand goods.

·      Reduce your travel and commuting distance to save time, money, and environmental costs.

·       Vote with your dollars. Support socially responsible businesses when you shop and invest.

For Your Community

Advocate for:

·      Improved public transportation.

·       Bike lanes.

·       Bike sharing services such as Citi Bike and many others.

·       Placemaking and 15-minute cities that allow you to live, work, play, and relax within walking distance.

·       Green infrastructure.

·       Parks, green acres, and other forms of open spaces.

For our World

·       Make polluters pay. Monetize externalities. This can include carbon fee and dividend systems and other forms of ecotax, extended producer responsibilities, recycling programs, hazardous waste prevention and recovery, and other implementations of the pottery barn rule.

·      Protect and preserve wilderness areas.

GiveLively – Our GiveLively portal lets you contribute with just a few clicks, right on the site. The form is mobile-friendly, issues an instant tax-deductible receipt, and lets you cover processing fees so 100 % of your gift fuels Planetary Citizens programs.

PayPal – Prefer the world’s most trusted digital wallet? Use PayPal for a fast, secure one-time or monthly donation. Your account or any major card works, and PayPal’s buyer protection adds an extra layer of confidence while supporting our mission.

Zelle® – For fee-free, bank-to-bank giving, send your contribution via Zelle to  zelle@planetarycitizens.net. Funds arrive in minutes with no middle-man costs, ensuring every dollar goes straight into advancing harmony among people and planet.