Travis Charles Banks: Tragedy, a Climate Solutions Superpower

Realizing his childhood dream of owning a construction company, Travis Charles Banks is the founder of Gravel Road Builders & Construction Services. He is helping to reach drawdown by implementing sustainable building practices and green infrastructure through his construction services. Travis grew up in the lower ninth ward, one of the hardest-hit areas during Hurricane Katrina, which is part of the drive that has inspired Travis to keep moving through adversity. Travis is a sixth-generation construction tradesperson, and growing up, there were many opportunities to learn multiple trades by working with his dad, uncles, and other family members in construction. For Travis, building a better future for Louisiana is part of his life's calling and legacy.

One of the most important things you can do regarding climate change is talk about it.

• Travis calls himself a “student of life” and a “jack of all trades”—identities he honed during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown when he was inspired to try and learn new things. “I started discovering trades and talents I didn't know I had,” Travis learned how to bake bread, play guitar by watching YouTube videos, and plant vegetables for food. Have there been times in your life when you felt inspired to learn new skills out of boredom or necessity? Can you relate to Travis’ experience being in lockdown? If so, how?
• Travis’s childhood dream was always to have his own construction company. He was inspired by his dad (a contractor), family members, and generational knowledge of the construction trade passed down by elders. During the summers, Travis would accompany family members working as electricians, plumbers, painters, HVAC, and more. “I was like a sponge sucking up knowledge, soaking up everything I could.” Shadowing and helping family members on the job was essential learning before he dove into architecture, business, and engineering courses at Louisiana State University. The pairing of learning skills from family members and engaging in formal education opportunities allowed Travis to run a successful construction company. What is your dream career? Would you be interested in shadowing someone who does this job? How might generational knowledge or educational opportunities help to bridge your understanding in this area? 
• Travis grew up in the lower ninth ward, one of New Orleans’ hardest-hit areas from Hurricane Katrina. He says his family knew how to prepare for hurricanes and manage evacuations from other storms. Hurricane Katrina, though, was a different kind of hurricane: “When it hit, it was like life changed forever.” After being displaced from their home, Travis recalls a moment when his older sister purchased a sketchpad, which allowed him to practice architectural drawing. “Tragedy has always been my strength, so I just taught myself to draw.” Over time, Travis became determined to always keep moving forward. “I've been through Katrina, I went through Rita, and all sorts of things, and you are not going to stop me.” What obstacles and challenges have you experienced, and how might they provide clarity in ways you might not have otherwise realized?
• Travis incorporates sustainability practices in his construction business, including net-zero technologies and the use of building insulation made from materials (like hardy board) that can endure Louisiana’s high-moisture levels and flooding. Travis says that green infrastructure is essential to New Orleans in the face of climate change. It is now necessary to incorporate strategies that capture and redirect water in ways that allow it to replenish the soil through permeable pavers, plantings, and rain barrels. What are examples of green infrastructure in your community? Where are there opportunities that could benefit from these practices?

Learn about the solutions in this story.

• Solution Sectors: Buildings, Electricity
• Solution: Building Retrofitting
• For more on all of Project Drawdown’s climate solutions, visit drawdown.org/solutions
• Learn more about Travis’ work at Gravel Road Builders & Construction Services

Explore Climate Solutions 101, the world's first major educational effort focused solely on climate solutions. This video series combines Project Drawdown’s trusted resources with the expertise of inspiring, scientifically knowledgeable voices from around the world: drawdown.org/climate-solutions-101.

Visit the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, a resource that shares research, communications strategy and opinion polling on climate communications.

• Drawdown Ecochallenge, presented by Ecochallenge.org, is a fun and social way to take measurable action on the top climate solutions. Take the challenge, and see how a few weeks of action add up to a lifetime of change for you and the planet. If you want to take action on climate solutions like Travis, start a challenge today. 
• The Drawdown Labs Job Function Action Guides are practical resources that highlight specific, high-impact climate actions employees in common corporate professions can take at work. 
• ChangeX connects people with proven ideas for strengthening communities with the resources needed to implement those changes. Explore countless ways to improve your community and help the world reach drawdown.
• Climate Generation’s Green Careers for a Changing Climate Instructional Supplement (for Grades 6–8) contains resources to help young people learn about Green STEM Careers—paths that use STEM skills to help reduce the impacts of climate change. Throughout this instructional supplement, students use Project Drawdown resources to make important connections between climate solutions and different careers.
• Solutions Journalism Network highlights the importance of reporting stories of climate solutions in the media to create a more equitable and sustainable world. Visit their Teaching Climate Solutions resource to find curated collections and the latest examples of climate solutions journalism.
• SubjectToClimate (StC) is a nonprofit online connector for K–12 leaders of all subjects to find materials on climate change at no cost. Explore StC’s educator-generated database to connect to Project Drawdown-based climate education resources.