The big green stories of the year, as reported by Grist Magazine, involved hurricanes, climate change, Bush follies, and oh yeah, one or two good things.
"As years go, 2005 ... well, it could have been better. Amidst the war, torture, terrorism, and spying, environmental concerns did occasionally pop into public view. Alas, your bold switch to LED "holiday" lights didn't get the widespread attention it deserved. Instead, David Roberts makes a list and checks it twice, and invites you to make your own nominations.
Among the top 5:
"5. Fuel prices and hybrids - A variety of factors and trends, many temporary, collided to produce spiking gas prices this year. That turned the nation's attention -- finally -- to the fuel efficiency of its automobiles. SUV sales fell and hybrids continued their remarkable success story... It became something close to conventional wisdom that all cars will eventually be hybrids."
Thanks to Grist Magazine
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Move over, LA: St. Louis gears up for Olympics, invests millions in downtown redevelopment
The Missouri city will host the 2028 Olympic soccer group stage and knockout matches.
Mass. votes against statewide minimum lot size for single-family homes
Over 2 million residents voted on Question 7; it was decided by just over 30,000 votes.
Maryland’s $15 billion bridge project gains key approval
The Maryland Transit Authority said the project will create over 60,000 jobs and add $23 billion to the local economy.
‘No clear next steps’ for Chicago's permanent festival grounds
Eleventh Ward Ald. Nicole Lee has suggested Soldier Field as a possible location for the permanent event space.
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
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority