Rejoining the international climate accord is the first step into a long journey back into the good faith of the international community working to curb emissions and prevent the worst effects of climate change.

The United States has rejoined the Paris climate accord, after former President Donald Trump spent four years disparaging the international agreement and eventually following through on a promise to withdraw the country's commitment.
"Now, the Biden administration is vowing to make up for what it says is lost time and to repair the country’s standing among nations after President Donald Trump made the United States the only nation to drop out of the accord," report Dino Grandoni and Brady Dennis for The Washington Post.
The country only officially left the Paris climate accord in November, but the to-do list for getting the United States back up to speed is lengthy, according to the article.
"The administration plans to ratchet up the U.S. commitments to reducing emissions while pressing countries including China and India to curtail construction of coal-fired plants and urging Brazil to preserve more of the Amazon rainforest. At the same time, Biden will have to contend with a deeply divided Congress and other competing factions at home as his administration crafts a regulatory and legislative agenda for cutting emissions."
With so much work on the horizon, Grandoni and Dennis bookmark April 22, Earth Day, as a particularly big event. The White House is planning a summit of world leaders as a prelude to a U.N. climate conference scheduled for Scotland in November.
FULL STORY: U.S. officially rejoins Paris accord, vowing to make up for lost time

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service