When the combined cost of coal and oil extraction equals America's annual budget deficit, how do we account for the cost of prevention? Amy Larkin discusses the "environmental debt" - the coming "centerpiece of our financial troubles."
"Would you rather federal, state and local governments spend our money on preventing extreme weather in the future or on recovering from extreme weather?...Would you rather pay more for electricity, gas and mass transit infrastructure today or try to recover and rebuild from ever more extreme droughts, hurricanes and wildfires in the future?"
Interested in the fine accounting behind environmental costs to society, Amy Larkin says her questions are not rhetorical.
A 2011 Harvard University study found that the real annual costs of coal and oil extraction and combustion combined are nearly equivalent to the U.S.'s annual budget deficit of $1.1 trillion. These costs include "externalities," collateral costs paid by governments, businesses, families and healthcare providers.
Taking heed of environmental costs, global financial accounting organizations are incorporating Whole Lifecycle Analysis in their reports.
FULL STORY: Let's talk about environmental debt
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.
Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.
Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)