Environment
Vermont Climate Impact Fee Heads to Governor’s Desk
Inspired by the EPA’s superfund cleanup program, the bill aims to hold companies responsible for contributing to climate change and its harmful impacts.
What Does Sustainability Mean in Space?
NASA is developing a sustainability strategy to clean up space debris and plan for the future as near-earth orbit becomes more cluttered.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit Launches First Ever Climate Action Plan
In addition to reducing emissions, the agency officials hope the climate action plan will help increase ridership and boost their competitiveness when applying for federal transit funding.
Planting Trees Where They are Most Needed
Recently, the U.S. Forest Service awarded over $1 billion in competitive grants to expand equitable access to trees and their benefits. Grantees include Los Angeles County and TreePeople, who are working to plant trees where they are most needed.
Expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Approved
President Biden just signed a proclamation to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by over 100,000 acres.
New Documentary Highlights Regenerative Agriculture and Climate Change
Common Ground is a recently released documentary which urges viewers to rethink our relationship with soil and approach to agriculture and food production.
A Cutting-Edge Planning Hackathon in Seattle
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe covers an atypical urban planning and policy gathering called an “Urban Resilience Hackathon,” which was held at the University of Washington in Seattle late last month. For a day, the event showcased collaborative problem solving and innovative thinking in addressing urban challenges.
The BLM’s Conservation and Landscape Health Rule: An Explainer
Why is the agency’s effort to put conservation on an equal footing with other uses so controversial?
HUD Issues New Flood Protection Rules
Housing that uses federal funding will be subject to stricter regulations that reflect increasing flood risks.
Preserving, Restoring, and Revitalizing Juneau's Downtown
For the past six years, a commission of Juneau, Alaska, residents has examined every aspect of downtown and created Blueprint Downtown to lay the foundation for what comes in the next 20 years.
Solar Production Threatens Fertile Farmlands
Solar installations are causing soil erosion and raising concerns among farmers in some of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions.
Opinion: Why Environmentalists Should Support NYC ‘City of Yes’ Zoning Reform
The housing-oriented component of Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes proposal could serve the double purpose of making housing more affordable and reducing GHG emissions and car dependency.
Organic Waste Raising Methane Emissions From Landfills
Landfills are an overlooked but significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
Alaska Village Becomes Test Case for Climate Change Relocation
The Yup’ik village of Newtok is the first Alaska community to begin a full-scale relocation necessitated by the impacts of climate change. Another 31 Alaska communities remain vulnerable.
Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient
A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.
Just Transition: Bringing Equity to the Clean Energy Conversation
A new report from the Environmental Defense Fund offers a roadmap for countries, energy companies, and other stakeholders to navigate the complexities of transitioning to clean energy while ensuring equity at every step of the process.
LA County Releases Draft Community Forest Management Plan
LA County's Chief Sustainability Office just released the discussion draft of Room to Grow, the first Community Forest Management Plan for the county.
Southern Water Infrastructure at Risk From Climate Impacts
A water main breaks somewhere in the United States every two minutes, according to an estimate from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
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
