Community Power Minnesota: Transportation and Happiness

When you think of your daily commute, what feelings come to mind? Would “happiness” be at the top of your list? Dr. Yingling Fan, a professor at the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a research scholar at its Center for Transportation Studies wants to transform the way we experience transportation. With the help of Minneapolis—St. Paul residents, Dr. Fan has developed an innovative “Transportation Happiness Map” that captures the positive emotions tied to biking, reliable public transportation, safe and scenic paths, and avoiding traffic behind the wheel. Local community leaders and public officials see this data as the groundwork for clean transportation and infrastructure development that prioritizes the health of people and our planet. Watch as Dr. Fan and local leaders activate their community power to bring innovative solutions to our climate and public health crises.

As part of The Redford Center’s ongoing civic engagement initiatives, Community Power films spotlight local voices and their stories of unity and collective action to build a healthier, safer, and more just future for all. Introducing clean transportation stories from states across the country, each film invites the public to take action on environmental justice issues, while featuring local activists that shift perceptions on what it means to be an environmentalist and a voter. Learn more about The Redford Center at www.redfordcenter.org.

TAKE ACTION FOR CLEAN TRANSPORTATION, JUSTICE

AND JOBS

Get the Free Community Power: Clean Transportation Action Toolkit

The public’s acceptance of the climate emergency has peaked – but the will to act is still lacking. Technical solutions are not enough. We need a radical cultural shift to drive mass participation and collective, global action. 

Get the free Community Power: Clean Transportation Action Toolkit, designed to help audiences learn more about the urgent need to support clean transportation for a more just environmental future. It includes helpful facts, tips, and resources to help you make a difference in your community. 

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Name

David Cornfield

David J. Cornfield is a skilled systems design engineer, an accomplished venture capitalist, and a passionate philanthropist. He launched his career at Microsoft, after graduating from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, with a degree in Systems Design Engineering. David is a board member of the Seattle International Film Festival.

Linda Cornfield

Linda A. Cornfield is a savvy media investor, passionate philanthropist and engaged environmental advocate. Linda earned an M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management and a B.S. from Miami University (Ohio) in Systems Analysis.

Ali Fujino

Alison Fujino serves as Interim Executive Director of the Far Star Action Fund, overseeing operations and developing and implementing management strategies for the Fund. Prior to joining Far Star, Ali co-founded and executive directed the Drachen Foundation, one of the first web-based digital collections of all things kiting. Ali brings a combination of fine arts and science expertise, having earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Georgetown University and Fort Wright College, and a Masters of Forestry Management from the University of Washington. As a volunteer, she program managed top run documentaries and continues to advise non-profits on their organizational operations and management strategies.

Olivia Johnson

Olivia Johnson joined the Far Star Action Fund as production and advocacy associate in 2021. At the Fund, Olivia manages social impact initiatives in partnership with organizations like The Redford Center. Before joining the Fund, Olivia graduated with degrees in Environmental Studies and English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, going on to hold positions in the television department of William Morris Endeavor and Paper Kite Productions, developing programs that aired on Comedy Central, Fox, NBC, Adult Swim, and Netflix. She wrote and directed the award winning independent short film Empty Nest, and has produced independent short films, including XOXO, Darla, and What Kind of Day Has It Been? Most recently, she directed and edited short documentary Caddisfly.

David J. Cornfield

David J. Cornfield, a skilled systems design engineer, an accomplished venture capitalist, and a passionate philanthropist. He launched his career at Microsoft, after graduating from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, with a degree in Systems Design Engineering. David is a board member of the Seattle International Film Festival.

Linda A. Cornfield

Linda A. Cornfield is a savvy media investor, passionate philanthropist and engaged environmental advocate. Linda earned an M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management and a B.S. from Miami University (Ohio) in Systems Analysis.

Ali Fujino

Alison Fujino serves as Interim Executive Director of the Far Star Action Fund, overseeing operations and developing and implementing management strategies for the Fund. Prior to joining Far Star, Ali co-founded and executive directed the Drachen Foundation, one of the first web-based digital collections of all things kiting. Ali brings a combination of fine arts and science expertise, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Georgetown University and Fort Wright College, honored and a Masters of Forestry Management from the University of Washington. As a volunteer, she program managed top run documentaries and continues to advise non-profits on their organizational operations and management strategies.

Olivia Johnson

Olivia Johnson joined the Far Star Action Fund as production and advocacy associate in 2021. At the Fund, Olivia manages social impact campaigns in partnership with organizations like The Redford Center. Before joining the Fund, Olivia held positions in the television department of William Morris Endeavor and Paper Kite Productions, developing programs that aired on Comedy Central, Fox, NBC, Adult Swim, and Netflix. She wrote and directed the award winning independent short film Empty Nest, and has produced independent short films, including XOXO, Darla, and What Kind of Day Has It Been? and written and directed the independent short, Empty Nest. She graduated with degrees in Environmental Studies and English from the University of California, Santa Barbara.