Despite the ups and downs, there are reasons to feel optimistic.
In an article for CNN, Sophie Tanno outlines five positive developments in the renewable energy world in 2023. “Renewable energy records have been set, the world celebrated one of its greatest environmental wins and countries made a cautious but historic step towards a fossil fuel-free future.”
According to Tanno, “The year 2023 is on track to see the biggest increase in renewable energy capacity to date,” and the COP28 summit led to an “unprecedented commitment” to shift away from fossil fuels worldwide. “How impactful this deal ultimately is will depend on what countries do next to implement it,” Tanno adds, “But that a deal was struck at all on fossil fuels was widely welcomed seen as a breakthrough.”
Deforestation in Brazil is down by 22.3 percent, while the ozone layer, damaged by CFCs, is recovering steadily. On the transportation side, electric vehicles saw a surge in popularity as more models became available and affordable, but sellers expect demand to drop off as consumers wait for cheaper models with longer range.
FULL STORY: After a terrible year of climate news, here are 5 reasons to feel positive
Swapping your gas car for an EV is greener than keeping it, research shows
An EV repays the 'carbon debt' caused by building it after 4,400 miles.
Uber Abandons Climate Commitments, Kills EV Incentive for Drivers
The company is dropping its pledge to fully electrify its fleet by 2030 and eliminating a monthly bonus for drivers who switch to EVs.
10 States Follow Through on Promise to Put 3.3 Million EVs on the Road
Rebate programs are at the heart of collaborative success.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
New Jersey’s second-largest city bans standalone data centers
Jersey City will continue to allow co-location facilities, such as those meant for research institutions that store their own data.
Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
Phoenix announces new on-demand transit service, more frequent RAPID buses
Both new services will launch in October, and are part of Phoenix's Project Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association