Environment
Supreme Court Wetlands Decision: Depends On Your Point Of View
The Supreme Court rules that the federal government does not have the power to reach far upstream to protect every wetland in a watershed. Depending on your choice of news source, the decision protects the environment, or limits regulation.
Louisiana Island Has That Sinking Feeling
A small Louisiana island community faces the inevitability of losing their homes to the ocean, while the federal government plans a levee system that will exclude them.
Study Links Urban Universities To Global Change
In the context of the World Urban Forum, a Canadian columnist says that the "higher education industry" could be the most important industry in the world, and could have a dramatic impact on the relationships between cities worldwide.
'Murky' Supreme Court Decision Limits Clean Water Act
Major environmental decision by the U.S. Supreme Court could limit the federal government's protection of wetlands.
Oil Drilling Runoff Slides Past Regulation
Water runoff from oil drilling sites will now face far fewer regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency, allowing possibly contaminated dirt and debris to flow directly into streams and wetlands.
Melting Permafrost Could Make Global Warming Worse
A new study finds that melting permafrost in Siberia could make global warming significantly worse by releasing up to 500 billion tons of Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere, almost as much as the 700 billion tons currently in the atmosphere.
Bush To Establish Largest Protected Ocean Area
President George Bush plans to establish the world's largest protected ocean site, an act which will preserve a sensitive coral reef ecosystem on islands and atolls near Hawaii.
Eco-Friendly Design And Construction Need To Go Mainstream
Auden Schendler wonders why you can't buy an eco-friendly house in any average subdivision in America.
EPA Weakens Groundwater Rule After Energy Industry Pressure
Environmentalists criticesd a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency decision to change a measure designed to protect groundwater near oil drilling sites and other construction zones.
American 'Eco-Philanthropists' Buy And Preserve Land In Chile
A rich married couple from California has bought more than 2 million acres of land in Chile in efforts to preserve a sensitive environment, but the land they own has literally divided the country in two and challenged local farmers' right to harvest.
The Double-Edged Sword Of Coal In China
Coal usage is transforming China into an industrial nation at an alarming cost to both the Chinese people and the world. A new coal plant built using antiquated technology goes up almost weekly. [View the video, "China's Dark Cloud".]
Spanish Neighborhood To Mix Housing And Agriculture In 'Sociopolis'
The new development in Valencia, Spain, harkens back to a 1,000-year-old way of life, integrating small agricultural lands with housing, using a modern, high-rising twist.
Global Warming: The Cost Of Inaction
Writer Elizabeth Kolbert warns that "reckless" delays in countering global warming can be dangerous.
Students' Research Ignites Political Firestorm
Why are politicians and the members of the logging industry attacking a graduate student's research paper?
L.A. May Run Partly On Wyoming Wind Power
The Los Angeles power department has approved a contract with a Wyoming wind farm to purchase the equivalent of 1% of the city's annual energy needs. The city council is expected to finalize the contract within weeks.
'Category 5 Foolishness'
An interview with environmentalist journalist and author David Helvarg about hurricanes, coastal development, New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and Bush administration policies.
Federal Land Sale May Fund Local Wilderness Development In Utah
Population growth in scenic St. George, Utah, has officials trying to sell federal land to pay for municipal projects. Other western states may follow suit.
Great Lakes Wind Turbines Pose Formidable Risks, Enticing Rewards
The Great Lakes represent an excellent source of untapped wind energy, but the hurdles would be formidable, particularly the "visual pollution" aspect presented by the 400 foot machines.
India's 'Green Building' Revolution Gathers Momentum
India's "green building" pursue U.S. LEED (Leadership in energy and environmental design) certification.
Chinese Government Publishes Review Of Recent Environmental Policies
The State Council Information Office publishes a white paper entitled "Environmental Protection in China (1996-2005)", which "gives a systematic introduction to the unremitting efforts made...in environmental protection over the past ten years."
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
