It's been a month of historic announcements in the effort to combat climate change. But a vote today in San Diego might set the standard for ambitious, enforceable action.
"[The San Diego] city council votes Tuesday on a plan that would cut the city’s greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2035. It would also commit the city to using 100 percent clean energy by 2035," reports Andrew Keatts. The plan is expected to pass overwhelmingly, if not unanimously.
San Diego's ambitious climate plan is part of a movement spearheaded by the Sierra Club "to encourage 100 cities to commit to using 100 percent renewable energy in order to decrease their contribute to global climate change."
San Diego's plan differs from the goals of cities like San Jose, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Boston in one, very important way, according to Keats: "it's legally enforceable." The emissions reduction target of 50 percent by 2035 is a requirement, "and the stakes are high: the city could open itself to a lawsuit if it doesn’t deliver."
FULL STORY: Amid Climate Talks, One U.S. City Takes Especially Decisive Action

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

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In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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