Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is also a committed climate change activist. His documentary on the topic airs Oct. 30 on the National Geographic channel. At the U.N., he asked leaders to take bold action. Yet, as an Angeleno, he opposes increased density.
In September 2014, Leonardo DiCaprio was designated a UN Messenger of Peace with a special focus on climate change, Earlier this month at the White House, "he premiered his new documentary, Before the Flood, where DiCaprio travels the world, witnessing the devastating effects of climate change: dramatic sea-level rise, deadlier storms, and longer and more devastating droughts," writes Alissa Walker for Curbed Los Angeles.
"This is the most important issue of our time," he says in the film, as he stands before the United Nations, calling on leaders to take "bold, unprecedented action." The documentary explores the connection between political will and personal decisions.
A few weeks earlier, DiCaprio’s name had made headlines for another reason. He was listed as one of several "concerned Angelenos" endorsing the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative, a ballot measure that would cripple LA’s efforts to grow denser and more vertical. The initiative grew out of opposition to taller buildings and transit-oriented development in Hollywood.
The initiative, which was to appear on the City of Los Angeles' ballot next month, was pulled back and will be placed on the March 2017 ballot.
Walker details the connection between increased density and reduction of carbon emissions, describing how both the Los Angeles initiative and Santa Monica's anti-density measure, would exacerbate emissions by restricting density.
She makes an impassioned case as to why climate activists should support increasing density, particularly in a city like Los Angeles, which "as one of the largest cities on Earth area-wise, with a statistically heavy reliance on single-passenger vehicles, could absolutely have an outsize impact on keeping the world’s temperatures below that 2 degree point of no return..."
However, Walker doesn't explain why climate activists oppose increasing urban density. In looking at Preserve LA's argument in support of the measure in which DiCaprio and other celebrities are cited, nothing is mentioned about climate change. Rather, neighborhood character is more of an issue, hardly the "defining crisis of our time," the term DiCaprio uses to describe climate change.
- Los Angeles' Contentious 'Neighborhood Integrity Initiative' Explained, February 3, 2016
Hat tip to LA Metro Headlines.
FULL STORY: Attention Leonardo DiCaprio: LA's anti-density movement is bad for the environment
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.