The Washington Post Reports a small bit of good news regarding climate change, produced on the same day as a large heap of bad news regarding climate change.
"[A] paper published in Nature Communications Tuesday actually contained some of the better news about climate change that we’ve heard in a while," according to an article by Chris Mooney. Which is to say, it's a "modest bit of evidence suggesting a slight, temporary reprieve in the rate at which we’re altering the planet."
The paper is by Trevor Keenan and colleagues from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. It examines the terrestrial carbon sink, which is the capacity of trees, plants, and features of the planet are pulling carbon dioxide from the air.
"What the new study shows is that from 2002 to 2014, plants appear to have gone into overdrive, and started pulling more carbon dioxide out of the air than they had before," explains Mooney. Mooney goes into more of the factors involved with the planet's reaction to the additional carbon in the atmosphere, including some that the casual environmentalist might not have encountered before. Finally, Monney explains that the study does not suggest that terrestrial carbon sinks might save humanity from the effects of climate change.
FULL STORY: If you’re looking for good news about climate change, this is about the best there is right now
LA’s Trees Absorb More Carbon Than Expected, But Can’t Do It Alone
A USC study finds that Los Angeles’ urban trees absorb more carbon than expected, but while they provide crucial environmental benefits, they cannot replace the urgent need for systemic emissions reductions.
To Solve Climate Change: Plant a Trillion Trees
A new study suggests planting enough trees to cover a landmass the size of the United States.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions