- Raven Hernandez is the founder & CEO of Earth Rides. It’s an all-electric ride-hailing service.
Imagine this sunny Tennessee weekend. Neighbors are mowing their grass, while parents are fixing up the garage and kids are riding down the street on their bikes. You look up to see a blue sky. You take a deep inhale and exhale the fresh air.
But what if it wasn’t so blue?
Many states across the country, including Tennessee, are suffering from severe air pollution. Our blue-sky future may be gone if we don’t take tangible action by the government, corporations, and consumers.
The State of Tennessee currently ranks 23rd nationally on air-qualityThis is compared to Wyoming which is at the top and California last.
Our daily actions can pollute the environment and negatively impact our air quality. It can be difficult for people to know where they should start when it comes to cooking on a gas stove or driving to the grocery store.
There are two things you can do today to help the Earth and our state get cleaner air.
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There are two steps to cleaner air
The first step is to do your own research. Ask questions.
What cutlery is used by your favorite restaurant? Are you able to opt-out of it being included in delivery or pickup? If you don’t like lawn maintenance, check out the Best no-mow optionsFor your area, mowing the lawns.
The second? The second?
Check to see if the clothing store you go to is on these sites. Fast fashion. Actively support companies that promote the enhancement of our environment and air quality, rather than reducing it.
You have the freedom to choose.
There is always an easier way to protect the Earth.
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What is Earth Rides?
Earth Rides is focused on providing rideshares using electric vehicles (EVs) and no hybrids.
Earth Rides’ goal is to promote and accelerate clean technology adoption. Electric vehicles have been around for a long time. proven lower carbon-footprintThey are more efficient than their gas and hybrid counterparts. Although electric vehicles are not perfect, they are better for the environment than their gas and hybrid counterparts.
This is why innovation in the fields of sustainability and clean energies must continue.
Private and public companies are now investing heavily in environmentally conscious business practices that help to create a cleaner, greener future.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), has, for example, committed to being a “Tennessean Valley Authority” in the State of Tennessee. Stewardship of healthy environment and a prosperous economyBy emphasizing the importance and energy efficiency of solar and wind.
The Gigafactory, Tesla’s electric vehicle building, is expected to be the biggest and most efficient. It will also be powered by renewable energy. Rainwater harvesting and reuse will cool the robots used in Tesla manufacturing.
A central underground storage system will sequester 25 percent of the factory’s roof runoff, which is 1 million square feet. This system will save approximately 50,000 gallons per year. Potable city water in excess of 7.5 million gallons
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A call to action for fellow citizens
Companies, consumers, and most importantly, the creation of sustainable manufacturing processes is a huge win. Front-line communitiesPeople who live near factories.
You, the individual, are the third link to environmental improvement.
This Earth Day, I ask you to make it an Earth Year. First, by making small changes in your daily life. Second, by voting with your paycheck for companies whose policies help to protect our environment.
Collective action can make the Earth and air healthier for everyone.
Raven Hernandez is the founder & CEO of Earth Rides, an all-electric ride hailing app. Raven, along with Peter Smith, graduated from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. They launched Earth in October 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee to accelerate the adoption of clean technology..
