Environment

Great Places in Balance With Nature: Beyond Low Impact Development

As an emerging area of sustainable practice, Low Impact Development's current one-size-fits-all application is inadequate to effectively fulfill its guiding principles, writes Jonathan Ford, who proposes five LID planning and design strategies for achieving great places in balance with nature.

30 January 2012 - 2:00pm

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Why the Politics of Climate Change Matter

Suzy Khimm reports on a new study that demonstrates politicians affect the way that Americans view the issue of climate change more than almost anything else, including news, weather, or science.

13 February 2012 - 8:00am

The Washington Post

Why NASA's Spectacular Image of the Earth is So Disturbing

NASA's amazing high definition update of its infamous "Blue Marble" photograph of Earth is disturbing not for what can be seen, but for what cannot.

10 February 2012 - 10:00am

Mother Jones

A Call For Regenerative Cities

Sustainability is not enough. Because so much damage has already been inflicted upon the world's ecosystems, Anna Leidreiter argues for the need for regenerative cities that positively enhance 'ecosystem services.'

1 February 2012 - 1:00pm

The Global Urbanist

Thinking About Sustainability on a Global Scale

In an opinion piece, noted economist Jeffrey Sachs explores what it will take to achieve the 'triple bottom line' of sustainable development, which the UN puts at the top of the global agenda.

1 February 2012 - 9:00am

Project Syndicate

As New York Plants One Million Trees, Benefits—and Some Burdens—Grow

The city’s MillionTrees program fights asthma and global warming. But tightening maintenance budgets, increasingly severe weather and decades-old planting decisions complicate trees’ contribution.

1 February 2012 - 5:00am

City Limits

California Moves Ahead With Streamlining of Envionmental Regulations

Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown announced reforms to the state's Environmental Quality Act that will ease approval for infill development and special projects. Josh Stephens provides the details.

30 January 2012 - 10:00am

California Planning & Development Report

The Fallacy of Wetland Restoration

Sarah Laskow reports on new analysis indicating that in restored wetlands, plants, insects, and animals do not reach their former abundance, density or diversity.

24 January 2012 - 1:00pm

Good

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2 comments

Driving Species to Extinction

A new report highlights the threat posed to a wide range of species by the extraction of fossil fuels in the United States.

22 January 2012 - 5:00am

CommonDreams

Freedom Bulbs and the Political Debate on Climate Change

In announcing a new initiative led by ULI and the Greenprint Foundation, Ed McMahon looks at the disconnect between politicians and the marketplace in the debate around climate change and U.S. energy policy.

21 January 2012 - 11:00am

Urban Land

Nation's Largest Net-Zero Mixed Use Project Planned for Philadelphia

Branden Klayko reports on the pioneering project planned by innovative Philadelphia design-build developers Onion Flats.

20 January 2012 - 10:00am

The Architect's Newspaper

Converting Excess to Energy in NYC?

Jarrett Murphy writes of a single but significant line in Mayor Bloomberg's recent State of the City address which offers a potential solution to the city’s intertwined fiscal, garbage and energy problems.

18 January 2012 - 8:00am

Next American City

Bjarke Ingels' Architectural Response To 'Singularity'

Joerg Haentzschel interviews the young architect Bjarke Ingels. Through offices now established in Copenhagen and New York, Ingels is slowly pushing his 'pragmatic utopian architecture' into the mainstream.

16 January 2012 - 9:00am

032C

Simple, Inexpensive Measures Identified to Reduce Global Warming

A new study produced by an international team of scientists focuses on efforts to reduce the production of two shorter-term pollutants, rather than carbon dioxide, that drive climate change.

16 January 2012 - 6:00am

The Washington Post

Your Prius Won't Save You

In his new book, The Conundrum, David Owen pierces the magical thinking that has repackaged high-end luxury goods, such as hybrid cars, as virtuous and the idea that we can consume our way out of trouble.

14 January 2012 - 7:00am

Txchnologist.com

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15 comments

Gas Prices and the Value of Walkable Communities

The average family paid 25% more in gas in 2011 than they did in 2010. With that trend expected to continue into the foreseeable future, the case for the importance of walkable neighborhoods will grow along with it.

14 January 2012 - 5:00am

PlaceShakers

To Frack or Not to Frack

A key ruling on whether and/or how to allow the High Volume Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing (or fracking) method of extracting natural gas is imminent in New York State. The decision could set a nationwide precedent.

13 January 2012 - 6:00am

THE DIRT