Environment

Lake Michigan Continues to Rise, Damaging Property and Infrastructure Along the Way
A tide that began to rise in 2019 hasn't receded, according to local sources along Lake Michigan.

Biden's New Climate Plan Would Spend $2 Trillion in Four Years
Biden is amping up his campaign promises to leverage the federal government in the fight to reduce greenhouse emissions in the U.S. economy.

Washington Dam Removal Project Required Lots of Work, Expected to Deliver Big Benefits
It took years of work to remove a dam owned by the city of Bellingham in Washington State, but for wildlife in the area, the project is definitely worth the effort.

The Greener Side of Hong Kong: Five Parks to Visit
Most people only know Hong Kong as an urban jungle and one of the densest cities in the world. However, there are actually green places where its residents can go for exercise and relaxation.

20 Years Later: Envision Utah's Quality Growth Strategy Deemed a Massive Success
The state of Utah created Envision Utah in the late 1990s to address growth while maintaining quality of life and protecting the environment in the state. The plan set goals for 2020, so it's time to evaluate its success.

Trump's Latest Deregulatory Itch: The National Environmental Policy Act
In a move called "one of the biggest — and most audacious — deregulatory actions of the Trump administration," President Trump yesterday announced plans to weaken the National Environmental Policy Act for federal infrastructure projects.

Jan Gehl on 60 Years of Designing Cities for People
The 10th anniversary of "Cities for People" offers the occasion for this interview with Jan Gehl, who has devoted a 60-year career to ideas about humanistic city planning—ideas of increasing relevance in 2020.

From Ventilators to Ventilation: The Shifting Focus of the Pandemic
Ventilator availability is a major indicator for states in the South and West that are seeing record hospitalizations, but in New York, where Gov. Cuomo announced that New York City had moved to Phase III of reopening, the topic was ventilation.

House Committee Calls for Stronger Federal Role in Planning to Deal With Climate Change
The new "Solving the Climate Crisis" report could provide guidance and direction if federal leadership in Washington, D.C. finally decides to take aggressive steps to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to a changed climate.

CDC Sued to Force Release Racial Demographic Data on Coronavirus Spread
Systemic racism is blamed for the glaring and tragic racial disparities of the COVID-19 illness in the United States.

The Post-Pandemic Economy Could Be Dirtier Than Ever
The environmental gains at the beginning of the pandemic were only temporary., and there are signs more signs every day that the economy will be dirtier than ever in the future.

A Bad Day to Be a Pipeline: Judge Shuts Down Dakota Access; Atlantic Coast Pipeline Canceled
Two of the most controversial pipeline projects in the United States were dealt massive blows within the span of 24 hours.

Does Density Aggravate the COVID-19 Pandemic? Early Findings and Lessons for Planners
A new study finds that county density is not significantly related to the infection rate, but higher density counties have significantly lower virus-related mortality rates than those with lower densities, possibly due to superior health care.

GIS Community Brings Maps to the Coronavirus Fight
Data-Smart City Solutions at the Harvard Kennedy School is monitoring the use of GIS technology to inform the public health response to the coronavirus pandemic.

A Plan for a 'Just Green Recovery'
The Rhodium Group charts a path toward an economic recovery plan that would also achieve social and environmental benefits.

Advocates: Equity Lacking in the New Houston Climate Action Plan
Advocates and local residents are expressing concern about a lack of direct support in the Houston Climate Action Plan for underserved neighborhoods that have already experienced some of the worst effects of climate change.

Water Recreation Brings $18 Billion Annually to Colorado
Water recreation is an important contributor to the state's economy. A recent report found that water-related activities contribute an annual $18 billion to the state's economy.

New Study Reveals Massive, Unaccounted Flood Risk
The Federal Emergency Management Agency undercounts the humber of homes at substantial risk of flooding by some 70 percent, according to a report released this week.

Emission-Free Heavy-Duty Trucks Requirements Approved in California
California is the first state to require manufacturers to produce zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

Stacey Abrams Leads New Effort to Mobilize Climate Action in the U.S. South
The South has some catching up to do on implementing plans to curb carbon emissions and prepare for climate change, but the region, collectively, has a lot of reasons to do so.
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