Climate Change

Mayors and Governors Can Do More on Climate Change Than Just to Denounce Trump
The Paris Agreement gave public officials an opportunity to criticize the President on his climate denial, but these statements ring truer when the officials seek out climate solutions at home as well.

Op-Ed: Slow Growth Fails the Paris Accords Too
Many local leaders spoke strongly against President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accords, but local land use and transportation policies still sorely lack any consideration of climate impact.

Climate Change Will Be Worse for Big Cities
Blame it on the urban heat island effect.

Portland Region's Commitment to 100 Percent Renewables Includes Transportation
The timing of the announcement of deeply ambitious energy goals by the city of Portland and the county of Multnomah was not coincidental.

Breaking News: Trump Orders Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement
The decision means the U.S. will join Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations not to subscribe to the global agreement to reduce greenhouse gases. Trump attempted to leave the door ajar by stating that he would attempt to negotiate "a better deal."
Fracking Opponents Charge Gov. Jerry Brown with Environmental Hypocrisy
The California governor, known for his outspoken climate advocacy, signed the nation's toughest fracking regulation bill in 2013. His response to those who want to ban fracking is that priority must be on reducing oil consumption.

Op-Ed: Obama's Weak Climate Change Legacy
David Bookbinder argues that the Obama Administration dragged its feet on climate change, only implementing last-minute actions that will be easy to reverse.

Creating Dunes to Preserve the Santa Monica Beach Against Rising Seas
The Bay Foundation have built a two acre enclave, "re-wilding" the area with native plants mimicking what it may have looked like before human interference.
When You live at 78ºN, You Become an Expert in Everything
Christin Kristoffersen, former mayor of Longyearbyen, talks about the challenges and adventures of daily life in the Arctic Circle, and the growing impact of climate change.

Mapping the Future of Extreme Weather Events
The ability to predict severe weather events would be a huge benefit to planners, preparing for a new era of resilience. A new study sheds new light on how much rain we can expect, and where, on a warmer planet.

When the Waters Are Rising…
Kiribati’s former president Anote Tong faces climate change’s implications head on and see hope, even as islands become an early warning system for the international community.

Water-Smart Green Infrastructure: The Private Sector Steps Up
A new Urban Land Institute Report details the increasing implementation of citywide green infrastructure networks, including investments on both public and privately owned sites.

On the Bright Side, Rising Oceans Will Send Folks to Texas
A recent study predicts that climate refugees from Florida and coastal Louisiana may disperse to areas around the southeast, with a large number resettling in Texas

Designing for Heat Waves
Climate change means cities around the world will have to deal with a growing number of heat waves.

San Francisco Ahead of Schedule on Ambitious Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals
The city of San Francisco hit its greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets two years ahead of schedule. The city has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 28 percent since 1990—the economy grew by 78 percent in that same time period.

Insurance Industry Reacting as Flooding Moves From Risk to Certainty
Federal legislation and rising sea levels are changing the way homes are insured against flooding. According to this feature article, in fact, flood insurance "is serving as a kind of advance scout into a more difficult future."

Next White House Struggle: Whether to Exit the Paris Climate Agreement
Ending Obama's so-called "war on coal" may go international with the exit from the December 2015 Paris Climate Agreement if EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has his way, but he may encounter formidable opposition from Trump's administration and family.
New Facility Captures Atmospheric Carbon and Stores it Underground
On April 7, the illinois Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage commenced operations, taking carbon that corn sequestered from the atmosphere and storing it safely almost a mile and a half underground in a sandstone formation.

A Toolbox of Green Infrastructure Solutions to Flooding Risks
A new one-stop shop for green infrastructure solutions is available to planners and engineers challenged by flooding.

Managed Retreat from Sea Level Rise
Coastal communities are battling the near certain rising sea levels. As a result, many are faced with the choice to stay and rebuild their homes or begin the process of "managed retreat" away from vulnerable coastal areas.
Pagination
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions