Environment
Global Warming May Trigger a 'Perpetual Food Crisis'
A new study predicts that by the mid- to late- 21st century, scorching summer temperatures may result in massive failures of heat-sensitive crops such as wheat.
Exxon to Congress: Give Us A Carbon Tax, Please!
Exxon's CEO has joined Al Gore, Dr. James Hansen, and others on the forefront fighting climate change in requesting a carbon tax, though they make in clear it should be in lieu of cap & trade, the method favored by the Democrats.
Critics May Miss The Green Point of the SmartCode
Communities aren't going to get a green code implemented, or any code, without that code appealing to developers, says Sandy Sorlien. They're building our new sustainable places and infilling our old ones.
The Force Pushing Green Jobs
The New Yorker profiles Van Jones, a leading environmental activist and the driving force behind the movement to create a green energy jobs policy in the United States.
Skyscraper Farms, Agriculture for the Future?
Thirty-story buildings used for crop-growing is a good idea on paper, but the challenges still outweigh the benefits.
Coal Ash Dumps Unregulated, Pose Health Risks
The catastrophic spill of coal ash sludge in Tennessee is a wake-up call: there are more than 1,300 such dumps across the U.S., and, as a result of coal industry lobbying, no federal regulations for safe storage, reuse or disposal of the waste.
Cities and Cognitive Burnout
Compared to natural settings, busy urban environments can be detrimental to cognitive functioning and self-control. Well-designed, biodiverse parks are integral to counterbalancing the concrete jungle.
Rio's "Eco Barrier" Draws Fire
Plans to erect a concrete "eco barrier" around Rio's slum areas being heavily criticized by human rights activists and environmentalists.
Long Term Planning and the Importance of Soil
Degradation of soils has brought down many human civilizations. Our current industrial agriculture practices threaten the future of human existence. A 50-year farm bill is needed to guide policy on a more sustainable path, according to this oped.
Wind Power Embraced in New York City
Small wind turbines are showing up on residential properties in New York City as developers get savvy about cutting energy costs with passive technologies.
Dutch Try to Step Up Flood Protection
This article from Wired looks at new plans to prevent massive flooding in the low-lying Netherlands.
A Place For Sustainable Food in Obama Administration?
This column looks at President-elect Barack Obama's food politics and wonders just how sustainable his administration's food policies will be.
Top 10 Trends in Green Transportation
Inhabitat selects their top 10, ranging from DIY bicycles to the fall of the S.U.V. Notably, transit is barely mentioned.
Is Climate Change an Energy Problem?
Alex Steffen at WorldChanging turns the climate change problem inside out to reconsider whether the form of energy is the true issue, rather than how much is wasted and how we use it.
NYT Editorial And Column Push Gas Tax
A NYT editorial and NYT columnist Thomas Friedman both arrive at the same conclusion - some type of gas tax is essential for both the auto bailout and Obama's goal of greening the U.S. economy.
EPA Lies About Failing Chesapeake Bay Cleanup
The Washington Post has uncovered that the $6 billion, 25 yr. old program to clean up pollution in the Chesapeake Bay has produced little-to-no results -- and the EPA greatly exaggerated their progress.
Wood Burning Ban Saves Lives
Five years ago, the Central Valley became the first area of California to ban indoor wood burning when an 'alert' was called by the air district; other air districts followed in 2008. This study, released in Nov. shows that "no burn" days save lives.
One-Third of Americans Breathing Too Much Soot
People in 46 American metropolitan areas breathe air that exceeds federal soot levels, according to new figures from the Environmental Protection Agency. Nearly one-third of all Americans live in affected areas.
What We Really Need to Learn from Las Vegas
Las Vegas has always epitomized American excess. But with its water supply running out and its constant illumination warming the planet, it also represents the extent of our economic and ecological unsustainability.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
