The city looks to join countries -- the U.S. not included -- who have agreed to meet the environmental provisions outlined in the Kyoto Protocol. Widespread car use is the biggest obstacle to compliance.
"If Seattle is going to do its part to slow global warming, people are going to have to get out of their cars.
That's the cornerstone -- and also the biggest challenge -- of a plan to be unveiled today for how the city can join countries from around the world in trying to meet the Kyoto Protocol, a 1997 international treaty to reduce climate-changing gases such as carbon dioxide.
The report, written at the request of Mayor Greg Nickels, says that if the city really wants to cut greenhouse gases, it needs to spend millions more on transit, build more compact neighborhoods, encourage energy efficiency and use more fuels from plants rather than petroleum."
Achieving that would transform Seattle, the commission members said: Buses would come much more often. Walking and cycling paths would be more plentiful. Buildings and appliances would use less energy. Housing and jobs would be clustered together. And lots of trucks would run on vegetable oil.
There would also be fewer parking spaces, and many of them would cost more. People might have to pay more to drive a car into downtown Seattle, or to drive alone in car-pool lanes.
Thanks to Steve Raney
FULL STORY: Seattle to Kyoto: You can't get there by car

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie