Environment

Carbon Tax: A Norwegian Case Study Since 1991

Norway's carbon emissions have increased 15% since imposing a carbon tax in 1991, unlike neighbor's Sweden and Denmark where emissions decreased with their carbon taxes. Unlike the oil industry which became carbon-lean, Norway's drivers didn't change

October 1, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Building Ban to Protect Northwest Salmon

In an effort to protect endangered salmon in the Pacific Northwest, the National Marine Fisheries Service is calling for a building moratorium near rivers in the Puget Sound region.

October 1, 2008 - Seattle Post Intelligencer

Nature Gains Constitutional Rights in Ecuador

A new constitution has been approved in Ecuador, and among its amendments are specific articles that grant inalienable rights to nature.

September 30, 2008 - The New York Times

BP's Chief Scientist Advocates Higher Gas Prices

BP's chief scientist provides his insight into solving the energy and climate crises, including the affect of higher gas prices and separating transportation from the heat and power sectors when dealing with strategies to reduce carbon emissions.

September 29, 2008 - Technology Review (MIT)

Higher Gas Tax Or Driving Restrictions? Bejing Tackles Pollution

Implementing auto regulations and restrictions or raising the gas tax is the debate amongst the public as to how to lower air pollution from the growing car population. However, getting older cars off the road may be the most effective.

September 27, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Planning an 'Eco-City'

This piece from Scientific American looks at plans for three "eco-cities".

September 27, 2008 - Scientific American

Suburbia and Pig Farms: It Stinks

The suburbs of Tewksbury, MA, a quaint New England town, have developed uncomfortably close to one of the largest pig farms in the state.

September 26, 2008 - Boston Globe

Dangerous Pockets of Methane Gas Discovered

Scientists along Russia's northern coast are reporting that methane, a greenhouse gas twenty times more potent than carbon dioxide, is being released into the atmosphere at an alarming new rate.

September 25, 2008 - The Independent

A Person the Next President Should Listen To

Wired Magazine calls Mitchell Joachim 'a Frederick Law Olmsted for the 21st Century'. Joachim is at the forefront of thinking about the ecological footprint of cities, and one of Wired's 'People the Next President Should Listen To.'

September 25, 2008 - Wired

A Living Museum in Golden Gate Park

Renzo Piano's new Academy of Sciences building in San Francisco is bursting with green technology and alive with plants.

September 24, 2008 - Bloomberg.com

House Hunting on Two Wheels

Real estate agents at Pedal to Properties, a Colorado-based company, gives house tours by bike.

September 24, 2008 - Rocky Mountain News

In Wake of Hurricane, New Beachfront Property Faces Seizure

An obscure law in Texas outlawing buildings on public beachfront could be invoked to seize hundreds of properties. Hurricane Ike has pushed the tide line closer to many homes, making them subject to the law even if they weren't damaged.

September 24, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

Palin's Environmental Legacy

VP candidate Sarah Palin recently commented on the love and respect she and her fellow Alaskans have for the environment, but locals say that in her time as mayor she 'fouled her own nest.'

September 23, 2008 - Salon.com

A Great Lakes President?

Presidential candidate Barack Obama has announced a $5 billion plan to restore the Great Lakes, funded by reductions in tax cuts for oil companies.

September 22, 2008 - The Detroit Free Press

Dams Threaten Future Water Supplies

Humanity has over-engineered the world's hydrology through dam-building, writes Rachel Olivieri.

September 20, 2008 - AlterNet

The Death of the Lawn

More and more lawns across the country are getting axed and replaced with gardens.

September 20, 2008 - The Oregonian

In Energy, It's 'All Of The Above' That's Necessary

An MIT professor testified before Congress for a broad policy to address energy and climate crises - including carbon pricing, carbon sequestration, expanded fossil fuel and nuclear production, and more research spending.

September 19, 2008 - MIT News

Roadmap to a Green Economy

A new report from the Center for American Progress recommends a 'green' economic overhaul for the U.S. that would create a "comprehensive clean energy transformation" for the country.

September 19, 2008 - The Progress Report

Barrier Islands Like Galveston Are Risky Business for Builders

Having been previously destroyed by a hurricane, Galveston has always been vulnerable, despite its sea wall. Hurricane Ike is a reminder of why building on barrier islands is so risky.

September 15, 2008 - LiveScience

20 Most Sustainable Cities

Ethisphere looks at sustainability plans for large cities around the world and picks out the best ten large and mid-sized cities.

September 14, 2008 - Ethisphere

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.