Environment

What Do You Value More -- Clean Air Or Clean Water?

The power company says the controversial Klamath River hydroelectric dams are a source of clean energy that does not contribute to carbon emissions. Environmentalists and fisherman believe the dams have damaged the river and threatened livelihoods.

April 25, 2007 - The New York Times

New York City Considers Congestion Charges

New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg unveils ambitious sustainability plans.

April 25, 2007 - The New York Times

Urban Noise Causes Birds To Sing At Night

High daytime noise levels in urban areas have caused birds to sing at night to avoid the competition. This goes against the previous thought that streetlights were confusing birds into thinking it was day.

April 25, 2007 - BBC

Transporting Green Energy May Threaten Natural Resources

As California tries to meet its goal of 20% renewable energy use by 2010, it faces the challenge of transporting all that renewable energy without negatively affecting the state's other natural resources.

April 25, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor

Canadian Beacons

Like many of their American counterparts, Canadian municipalities aren't waiting for their federal government to act on environmental issues, and are taking some bold initiatives of their own to reduce resource consumption and pollution.

April 25, 2007 - The Vancouver Sun

Military Wastes Pose Environmental Risks in California

Munitions, toxic chemicals, and even radioactive wasts at current and former military sites in California pose a serious environmental risk. The extent and scale is unknown as sites predate environmental standards.

April 24, 2007 - The Sacramento Bee

Drought May Ruin Australian Agriculture

Australian farmers may soon lose access to irrigation if drought conditions don't improve -- which may prove to be the first climate-change related disaster to hit a developed nation.

April 24, 2007 - The Independent (UK)

Global Warming Island

A peninsular area of land in Greenland has become an island off its coast due to rising sea levels, which scientists attribute to global warming.

April 24, 2007 - The Independent

Moving For Your Health

With mounting evidence that the lifestyle promoted by car-oriented suburbia can lead to increased risk of obesity, the idea of people consciously moving to a healthy-oriented, walkable neighborhood isn't so far-fetched.

April 24, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

The Next Generation of Sustainable Development

National award winning "green development" is getting attention in Salem, Oregon.

April 23, 2007 - Salem Oregon Statesman Journal

Raising The Roof On America's Malls

The tide in mall development is changing to incorporate elements of nostalgia for 'Americana' and a hometown feel, complete with story lines, but concerns over traffic congestion and over-development persist.

April 23, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Republicans Warm Up To Fighting Climate Change

Conservative lawmakers are using climate change as a political issue. Environmentalists are not happy.

April 23, 2007 - The Sacramento Bee

$900 Billion Insurance Risk From Global Warming

Congressional investigators calculate the insurance risk of crop damage and flooding due to climate change.

April 23, 2007 - MSNBC

County Sued Because General Plan Doesn't Consider Global Warming

In the first suit of its kind in the state, if not the country, a Southern California county was sued by environmental groups because their general plan doesn't consider the effects of global warming. The state attorney general has joined the suit.

April 23, 2007 - The San Bernardino Sun

Why Environmentalism Is Dead

Hal Clifford believes that climate change makes other environmental causes insignificant.

April 22, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Concentrating Housing Near Freeways Is Bad, Even In Portland

An atmospheric scientist is telling local officials in Portland, Oregon, that the concentration of new housing in existing high density areas may be a bad practice, as these areas tend to be located near freeways, and therefore high pollution.

April 22, 2007 - The Portland Tribune

NYC Long-Term Plans Expected To Include Congestion Pricing

In an Earth Day speech, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to unveil a plan for the future that is sure to have contentious elements, the most provocative being a congestion pricing scheme that he has long resisted.

April 21, 2007 - The New York Times

The Ethanol Hoax: How The U.S. Is Losing Its Edge

In transportation, energy, and green technology the U.S. is falling behind, writes Nicholas Von Hoffman.

April 20, 2007 - The Nation

New York City Puts A Price On Its Trees

After a two-year tree census, the city has been able to put a dollar amount on the value and benefits received from its trees.

April 20, 2007 - The New York Times

The Native Approach To Water Conservation

Native plants are increasingly being favored by cities to reduce the amount of water they use.

April 20, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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.