Environment

With the Winter Olympics fast approaching, the editor of Vancouver Magazine takes a shot at capturing the big picture of the city that has become a model for planners everywhere.

February 2, 2010 - The Walrus

As part of a $133 million renovation of a federal building in Portland, the Government Services Administration plans to add 200-foot high "vegetated fins" that will carpet the building with plants and - hopefully - energy savings.

February 1, 2010 - New York Times

Cityscape Farms has developed a new technique for farming fish along with vegetables in combined urban food systems that allows them to farm in developed areas.

January 29, 2010 - Good

Twitter, iPhones, and new sites like SeeClickFix make it increasingly easy for citizens and governments to communicate. Along with newly available data sets, these "Gov 2.0" apps may signal a new era of active citizens and responsive governments.

January 29, 2010 - CNN

In the U.K., new carbon emission standards may mean that great numbers of buildings from the 1960s and 70s will need to be demolished.

January 26, 2010 - The Times Online

Certain fertilizers will be banned from use during summer months and rainy times of the year in Pinellas County, Florida after a recent ruling by the County Commission.

January 21, 2010 - St. Petersburg Times

Lawns - long known to be the main culprit in urban water consumption, now can be blamed for another environmental woe - greenhouse gas producer in excess of whatever carbon it 'sinks'. The gas is nitrous oxide - 300 times more potent than CO2.

January 21, 2010 - University of California @Irvine Press Office

Huffington Post writer Seth Bauer experiences one of Duany's famous, unstoppable rants about the state of the American environment.

January 20, 2010 - The Huffington Post

By combining three water purchasing approaches -- permanent rights, options and leases -- cities can better manage water supplies to avoid high costs and supply reductions, according to a new study.

January 20, 2010 - Penn State Live

For possibly the first time, the EPA has issued a report the directly links climate change mitigation with local land use strategies, says Patty Salkin.

January 19, 2010 - Law of the Land

A key committee has recommended a novel approach to distributing revenue from a forthcoming cap & trade scheme, the key strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the CA Air Resources Board in order to meet the reductions mandated in AB 32.

January 19, 2010 - The New York Times - Environment

This piece from Urban Omnibus looks at ideas to counteract global warming by adding more trees to urban areas.

January 18, 2010 - Urban Omnibus

A temporary urban garden has been erected in Shenzhen, China by a group of artists. The garden represents the amount of agricultural land is necessary to feed all 4.5 million of the city's residents.

January 17, 2010 - Inhabitat

Cities along the British coast are being warned that sea level rise over the next 100 years will have significant destructive effects. Officials are being cautioned to consider city-altering plans that shift populations away from endangered areas.

January 16, 2010 - Guardian

A new report from the Health Effect Institute concludes that there is a strong correlation between exposure to traffic and heart ailments.

January 15, 2010 - The New York Times

In a world increasing concerned with reducing global warming, people and nations are embracing trains as an alternative to cars and planes because of their reduced carbon footprint. However, cost and time remain critical factors for travelers.

January 15, 2010 - CNN - Eco Solutions

Officials in Hawaii have unveiled a strategic plan for removing garbage and debris from the ocean near the Hawaiian Archipelago.

January 15, 2010 - The Honolulu Advertiser

While many of his supporters have criticized President Obama for not acting far or fast enough on their respective causes, Daniel J. Weiss argues that the President's environmental achievements in his first year were significant.

January 14, 2010 - Center for American Progress

Winter brings snowy conditions to roads in many cities, and many react with snow-melting salt solutions. But the physical and environmental damage of salt is leading some to look for other means of fighting the freeze.

January 14, 2010 - NRDC

Vancouver is preparing to take the global stage when it hosts the Winter Olympic next month. With all the sports-related pomp, the city's unique approach to sustainability will also fall under the spotlight.

January 14, 2010 - Los Angeles Times