Climate Change

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Close-up of bright green phytoplankton underwater.

Exploring Ocean Iron Fertilization: A Potential Climate Solution

Researchers are exploring ocean iron fertilization as a potential method for removing atmospheric carbon dioxide, emphasizing the need for controlled trials to determine its effectiveness and ecological impact in combating climate change.

October 14, 2024 - University of Hawai'i News

Flooded Houston street with half-submerged cars during Hurricane Harvey.

Migration to Disaster-Prone Areas Persists

Regions at high risk for flooding, wildfires, and other climate-fueled disasters continue to see rapid population growth.

October 14, 2024 - CBS News

Wildfire burning under power transmission towers and large trees at night.

Intense October Heat Wave Raises Fire Risk in California

Unusually high temperatures across the state are prompting power shutoffs and could fuel more destructive wildfires.

October 3, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Close-up over shoulder of person holding smartphone with extreme heat warning and 105 degree temperature indicated.

Experts Call for Extreme Heat Action Plans as Communities Face Growing Risks

Experts are urging cities and counties to develop heat action plans and personalized heat warnings as extreme heat becomes a leading cause of climate-related deaths.

September 29, 2024 - NBC Los Angeles

Aerial view of cooling towers on data center roof.

Data Center Emissions Far Outpace Tech Company Claims

In-house data centers owned by several major tech companies likely produce over six times as many greenhouse gas emissions as their owners estimate.

September 18, 2024 - The Guardian

Aerial view of Honolulu, Hawaii with oceanfront.

Honolulu Has a New Chief Resilience Officer

Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed Ben Sullivan as executive director and chief resilience officer for the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency.

September 16, 2024 - Spectrum News

Close-up of food waste inside a black plastic compost bin.

Massachusetts Has the Nation’s Only Successful Food Waste Ban

The state has reduced its methane emissions by 25.7 percent per ton of waste following a law that seeks to eliminate food waste from landfills.

September 13, 2024 - Fast Company

Sandbags and red water-filled cylinders lined up on a concrete pier to prevent flooding.

Planning for Future Floods

New climate and flood models are needed to understand growing flood risks.

September 12, 2024 - Governing

Green highway sign with white text with distances for Palmdale, Lancaster, and Los Angeles, California.

Rising Heat Threatens Growing California Cities

Many rapidly growing inland California cities are facing increased extreme heat days due to climate change, putting more residents at risk of health issues and overwhelming local infrastructure.

September 9, 2024 - Cal Matters

Stormwater

Study: Outdated Stormwater Infrastructure Exacerbates Flooding

Infrastructure built to mitigate flooding a century ago no longer serves current needs.

September 6, 2024 - Tech Xplore

Solar panels, wind turbines, and power line tower against sunset sky.

Renewable Energy Under Pressure: Lessons on Grid Resilience in Extreme Weather From Texas and California

How preparation and modern infrastructure can prevent power failures in an era of climate change.

September 4, 2024 - Yale Climate Connections

View from the summit of Hazard Peak in Montana de Oro State Park, San Luis Obispo County, California

$10 Billion Climate Bond to Appear on California's November Ballot

Voters will decide on Proposition 4, a climate bond to fund critical state environmental initiatives, including water projects, wildfire risk reduction, sustainable agriculture, and parks to help the state meet its climate goals.

August 29, 2024 - Capital Public Radio

An aerial view of a lock and dam between two waterways with miles of marshes into the background of the image.

New Plan for Lake Okeechobee Targets Toxic Algae

The new Everglades strategy marks a “cultural shift” for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: rather than focusing primarily on flood control, the new plan seeks to balance the needs of the entire watershed, including limiting the spread of toxic algae.

August 28, 2024 - Inside Climate News

Flooding

US Department of Energy Announces 10 New Climate Resilience Centers

The Biden administration has awarded $10 million for an additional 10 climate resilience centers as part of the Justice40 Initiative.

August 27, 2024 - Utility Dive

Group of five people standing in a wetland park smiling at the camera during a cleanup event.

Building a Greener Future: Youth Leadership in Climate Action

The L.A. County Youth Climate Commission empowers young voices to influence sustainable policies, prioritizing environmental justice and addressing top issues like cleaner air, green spaces, and green buildings.

August 20, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Hands holding up climate change protest signs against blue sky.

Language Matters: “Climate Change” Generates More Concern Than “Climate Crisis”

A recent study found that the terms “climate change” and “global warming” are more familiar and generate greater public concern than less recognized terms like “climate crisis” and “climate justice.”

August 19, 2024 - University Of Southern California

Dusty desert landscape with low visibility and few scraggly plants.

Racing Toward Dystopia

The latest installment in the Mad Max franchise is a more urgent warning about the perils of climate change and megalomania than ever before.

August 14, 2024 - Common Edge Collaborative

Hand holding up an analog thermometer outdoors with trees in background.

Study: Urban Trees Lose Cooling Benefits in Extreme Heat

A robust tree canopy can help reduce the urban heat island effect and lower air temperatures, but the impact is reduced as temperatures rise.

August 14, 2024 - University of New South Wales

Close-up of traffic congestion from behind cars on a freeway in the San Francisco Bay Area.

States Claim Highway Expansions Reduce Emissions

The argument is being used to channel climate funding to projects that expand automobile infrastructure, according to an analysis from Transportation for America.

August 12, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Asphalt road on coast with collapsed segments from erosion.

We Must Relocate to Prepare for Climate Change, and We Must Do it Now

As flooding, sea level rise, fires, and other climate impacts increase, we’ll need to move about 20 million Americans by 2100. Here’s how we can rethink managed retreat to get ahead of the rising tides.

August 8, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.