“We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator.”
The United Nations published the “Emissions Gap Report 2022” at the end of October, once again calling attention to the vast differences between the changes necessary to prevent the worst effects of climate change. In the United States—much of the remaining gap between where we are with emissions and where we need to be is a direct consequence of planning decisions. It’s the car-centric planning—and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres even went so far as to deploy a tongue-in-cheek metaphor to make a point while announcing the report, saying “We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator.”
Bill Pugh provides an in-depth description of the new report in a guest contribution for Greater Greater Washington, focusing first on the prioritization list for greenhouse gas emission reductions included in the list. Issues of transportation and land use appear early and often. The most important actions for the transportation sector to take, according to the report are to 1) integrate land use and transportation planning to prioritize public transit over private automobiles, 2) investment in projects and programs to make high capacity, low-carbon transportation cheaper and easier, and 3) complete the transmission to zero-emission power for vehicles of all kinds.
According to Pugh, the nation is poised to make a real choice about whether it gets to work immediately on these needed shifts given the huge influx of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. The Greater Washington, D.C. area has two opportunities to make contributions to the effort, according to Pugh: the Visualize 2045 long-range transportation plan for the region and the TransAction long-range plan for the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. Both plans include billions for road funding and would double down on the GHG emitting status quo, according to Pugh.
“This is an opportunity for residents of suburban MD, DC, and Northern VA to demand that their local officials prioritize climate and make necessary changes,” writes Pugh.
FULL STORY: New UN climate report points to compact cities, moving people not just electric cars, to cut emissions
The Inflation Reduction Act's 'Inadequate' Reliance on Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but not enough to prevent the worst of climate change and not as much as walkable cities with far fewer cars on the road.
L.A. Times: California Must Shift Transportation Spending Priorities
Despite its ambitious emissions reduction goals, California continues to spend a majority of transportation funds on car-centric infrastructure.
Can Portland Have its Climate Goals and Expand its Highways Too?
Portland wants it both ways, but so do most places. But if Portland can't quit the car habit, which cities can?
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie