China turning over a new leaf on pollution and greenhouse gases.
Despite what you might have heard from politicians about China's use of coal, the country's greenhouse gas emissions are actually declining. "China’s coal use and carbon emissions have dropped for the last two years. In 2015, China cut its coal use 3.7 percent and its emissions declined an estimated 1–2 percent, following similar decreases in 2014," according to an article by Ben Adler in Grist.
This decrease takes place as China enters a new phase of its development, with future growth no longer completely dominated by manufacturing and heavy industry but moving more toward service industries. Adler believes this, along with seven other reasons, point to a long-term revision in China’s attitude toward climate change.
Among the seven reasons highlighted in the article, Adler cites:
- China's soon-to-be-launched carbon market
- New nuclear, solar, and wind power generation
- Updates to China's building codes that emphasize efficiency
Adler concedes that some of the slowdown in pollution is tied to a slowdown in the Chinese economy and that these gains will shrink when Chinese consumers have the confidence to buy, and drive as they have in years past. But, the structural changes will remain and that should be good news to those concerned about climate change.
FULL STORY: 7 Signs that China is Serious about Combating Climate Change
Nevada to Host National Outdoor Recreation Conference
In May 2024, the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals will hold its national conference in Stateline, Nevada, offering opportunities to learn and network in the beautiful setting of Lake Tahoe.
Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023
The world is changing, and planning with it.
Making Natural Gas Power Plants Cleaner
Carbon capture and storage has long been associated with coal-burning power plants. Calpine Corp. hopes to apply the controversial technology to existing natural gas power plants, beginning with a pilot project to start this month in the Bay Area.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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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.
