Critical of the current proposals for alternative energy, James Howard Kunstler provides a "wake up call" for citizens, and provides a glimpse at life after the world makes its inevitable transition to a post-oil society.
"There is no question that we are in trouble with oil. The natural gas situation is comparably ominous...What's more, the problems of climate change are amplifying, ramifying, and mutually reinforcing the problems associated with rapidly vanishing oil and gas reserves."
"Still, the widespread wish persists that some combination of alternative fuels will rescue us from this oil and gas predicament and allow us to continue enjoying by some other means what Vice-President Cheney has called the "non-negotiable" American way of life. The truth is that no combination of alternative fuels or systems for using them will allow us to continue running America, or even a substantial fraction of it, the way we have been."
"The key to understanding the challenge we face is admitting that we have to comprehensively make other arrangements for all the normal activities of everyday life."
"In general, the circumstances we face with energy and climate change will require us to live much more locally, probably profoundly and intensely so."
FULL STORY: Making Other Arrangements
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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.
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.
Washington’s New Rent Cap Set Just Below 10% for 2026
Washington’s statewide cap on annual residential rent increases will be just shy of 10 percent next year, down slightly from its current level.
Nature Starts Here: The Essential Role of Nature Centers and Outdoor Programs
Nature centers and outdoor programs serve as vital gateways to environmental education, equity, and stewardship — bringing people closer to nature and inspiring the next generation to care for the planet.
Opinion: California Clean Transportation Efforts Not Addressing Needs of Low-Income Residents
The state’s rebate programs for e-bikes and other light electric vehicles are too underfunded to reach many of the Californians who need them most.
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
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Portland
City of Laramie