No matter how you slice it, a driverless car is still a car. An electric car is still a car. An e-hail car is still a car. All the techie fairy dust in the world can't turn cars into the liberators of all the street space they dominate. pic.twitter.com/pffDL6vOg6
— Janette Sadik-Khan (@JSadikKhan) January 31, 2019
Masses of European students + their supporters take to the streets + online petitions in climate protests
What's the best way to fight the President's climate misinformation? "I would frankly ignore him, and I would talk about the facts of climate change. Really, what we should be debating is a solution.”
An East Harlem community garden gives many good things to its neighborhood
Now, NY cities can get state grants to install energy-saving LED street lights
US Intelligence officials cite climate disruptions as threats to global security, yet again
The gap between Canada's Paris climate action pledge + actual cuts in GHG emissions is gappier due to the fossil fuel extraction industry
As the first city in the US to pass a law requiring cuts to GHG emissions with provisions for building energy retrofits, how is Washington DC tackling the details of getting it done?
Congestion pricing or steeper fare hikes are the only options for funding the MTA, according to Governor Cuomo
Renewed + rising attention to climate change is no guarantee of political success for a Green New Deal
Boston has a zero carbon emissions goal for its electric power supply by 2050 + a carbon neutrality goal for its transportation sector, how will it get there?
A NY State ban on plastic bags gets Buffalo editorial support
The best deal in New York is a boat that costs the same as the subway. https://t.co/wqUYTclJ1C
— Vox (@voxdotcom) January 29, 2019
Lyrics for the 21st century climate movement "Don't stand in the doorway, don't block up the hall, for he that gets hurt will be he who has stalled, there's a battle outside and it is ragin'"
NY politics is a disaster for mass transit, some thoughts on how to fix the MTA
Faced with the risk of both fast sea level rise + estuary flooding, Virginia Beach, VA has a plan for mitigation + adaptation with dozens of specific action proposals
At Davos, Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, says a Green New Deal is an idea who's time has come + he's a fan
Wind power scores in a Budweiser ad to be aired during the Super Bowl
For your consideration, Sidewalks Toronto sees the opportunity to aim for the climate positive in the waterfront Quayside development
The U.S. and its electric power sector are not on track to reduce carbon emissions to the level necessary to stave off the worst effects of climate change, according to an @EIAgov report.https://t.co/GNTrP9yQeU
— Utility Dive (@UtilityDive) January 25, 2019
The New York Times seeks an investigative reporter who deeply understands the complexities of climate science + policy. Candidates should demonstrate that they can shape important investigative stories, write them with clarity + have a clear record of high-impact journalism
What happens when a metro area tries to plan for mass transit now, anticipating high rise population density coming later?
In cities round the US, ride hailing services reduce mass transit ridership. NY data is highlighted in the report
8 reasons why climate change is a global public health emergency
"Sustainable CUNY’s Smart DG Hub will continue its collaborative efforts to create a pathway to the marketplace for energy storage with new guidance documents in development for Lithium-Ion battery permitting. This is one of several CUNY-led works in progress on energy storage that include working with UL, FDNY, NYC DOB and other City agencies to establish criteria that will help speed up approvals. These initiatives support Mayor de Blasio’s goal of 100 MWh of energy storage in NYC by 2020 and Governor Andrew Cuomo’s recently announced goal of deploying 3,000 MW of energy storage in New York State by 2030." Source: CUNY Building Performance Lab
Cars don't belong downtown.
— John Upton (@johnupton) January 24, 2019
"You can see that you’re actually reclaiming the space and can use it for other purposes than parking cars." https://t.co/LKWM5uF0pO
Urban Green Council convenes an advisory committee to look at the current capabilities of heat pumps + the technical challenges of installing them in large existing residential buildings. Here's why: electrification of heat + hot water will play a critical role in NYC’s long-term emissions reductions + meeting its 80x50 climate action goal.
Just because tourism + shipping in the Arctic are becoming possible doesn't mean anyone should actually go
Dive into the scientific research behind the headlines about rising ocean temperatures driven by a changing climate
New polling finds 70% of Americans see climate change as a reality, but only 34% support coupling a carbon tax with cutting back current fuel efficiency + emissions regulations
Either we learn from past mistakes or we'll be doomed to repeat them. Start here
Solar panels to create 13 MW of electricity to be installed at JFK, some of it for airport use, some of it for low-cost power in nearby neighborhoods
New York could become the first U.S. city to charge people for driving a car downtown — that is, if Governor Andrew Cuomo gets his way. https://t.co/TYJUMUtxQ7
— grist (@grist) January 22, 2019
New polling finds a sharp upswing in Americans who think climate change is real, it's happening now + it's worrying
After languishing for a decade, Spain vows to reboot its climate action plans + make them 'socially just'
The climate impact on monsoons, along with the impact of more local pollutants, will have an immense impact both inside India + beyond
Won't stay in Siberia, when it comes to the melting permafrost/climate feedback loop. PS: it's not just Siberia
It's looking likely that Andrew Wheeler, a BFF of the coal industry, will run the EPA
Eat less meat + transform how farmers grow crops
Explore the overlaps between designing healthier cities + greener ones
Yes, there are climate + energy strategies that can make things better
Australians asking, "Hot enough for you? instead of saying, "Gidday mate"
What are the green plans of candidates running for the office of NYC Public Advocate?
James Turrell's MoMA PS1 Skyspace Interrupted by Neighboring Luxury Condo Development https://t.co/R0CB6pLNSC
— Robin Pogrebin (@rpogrebin) January 18, 2019
Some Economics 101 for calculating the costs of what's happening to the planet + to us
Racial + ethnic disparities characterize the distribution of US rooftop solar installations
"Economic and political troubles during 2019 might influence the flow of investment in the 'cleaner future', but they will not halt it."
— BloombergNEF (@BloombergNEF) January 16, 2019
Our editorial and analysis team bring you 10 predictions for 2019. https://t.co/GGG1khBrFL
Urban land use rules are a power tool for creating a Green New Deal
Meet Susanne Torriente, the Miami Beach policy wonk who directs the city's climate resilience efforts
The League of Conservation Voters seeks a Legislative Director to steer advocacy work on a broad suite of environmental policy issues. The applicant should have a proven track record in federal government relations, command of national climate policy, experience with many environmental issues, good political judgement + committed to racial + environmental justice
One thing's for sure, Governor Cuomo's ideas for L train repair + how the MTA makes big decisions stir up controversy + questions
...even when lawmakers don't call it climate action when amending land use rules + transportation patterns
In @CrainsNewYork I urge NYS Supreme Court to invalidate the taxi congestion surcharge, arguing it's discriminatory, arbitrary & unjust and should be shelved until the startup of inclusive congestion pricing. I also outline a fairer & more effective plan: https://t.co/QOghGmYQRK
— Charles Komanoff (@Komanoff) January 15, 2019
Is a 100% renewable energy goal the best way to make the Green New Deal a reality?
Leading with congestion pricing + climate change, the NY League of Conservation Voters publishes its agenda for 2019 NY State green policy
On Sunday, wind turbines produced 25% of Europe's electricity!
— Kees van der Leun (@Sustainable2050) January 14, 2019
Denmark 99%
Germany 69%
UK 33%
NL 30%
Spain 27%
Austria 27%
Belgium 24%
Portugal 20%
Poland 20%
(no data for Ireland) pic.twitter.com/9Ah5zR7sAa
Innovative finance guidelines + products point to the possibility of climate-friendly finance getting mainstreamed
Are the days numbered, finally, for plastic bags with Governor Cuomo's latest move? BTW, he's also looking to expand NY's"Bottle Bill"
NY transit advocates petition Bill de Blasio to appoint a “Bike Mayor” to encourage coordinated cycling policies across City government
In his 2019 State-of-the-City address, Mayor de Blasio had nothing to say about taking new climate actions
China could be the century's renewable energy superpower, while undermining last century's fossil fuel-exporting nations
New research finds that oceans are heating up 40% faster than predicted just 5 years ago
The 12th annual ACEEE report with state-by-state energy efficiency scorecards is here
EnergyFit, a pilot project launched in 2016 by the Pratt Center, sought to grow the number of energy efficiency upgrades in 1-2 family homes in Brooklyn. What's the takeaway?
Outer boroughs have the train tracks, what's needed is train service to provide rider relief
NYC Transit chief, Andy Byford, publicly lists his not-yet-resolved concerns about Governor Cuomo's no-shutdown-fix for the L train
The Kigali Amendment entered into force as the calendar turned to 2019 and with it, the world began to put the clamps down on some of the most potent greenhouse gases on Earth. Now if only the U.S. would sign on. https://t.co/Fv83zLKRsz
— NRDC India (@NRDC_India) January 10, 2019
The Sierra Club fleshes out what a Green New Deal with 5 bi ideas
Not the first to demand a Green New Deal, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez needs to spend time with long-standing grass roots activists
"I like the urgency and energy she (AOC) + groups like the Sunrise Movement are bringing to this task. So for now I say: Let a hundred Green New Deal ideas bloom! Let’s see what sticks and what falls by the wayside."
It's a new week. How do you plan to #ChangetheClimate this week? pic.twitter.com/9UlLZOjHDp
— Change the Climate (NYC) (@ChngetheClimate) January 6, 2019
Stay tuned for a NYC Council bill that would require the City to develop a plan by the end of 2019 for the phase out of all natural-gas fired power plants + replacing them with renewable energy generators
Preview how climate science could impact Juliana v United States, a law suit brought by young people against the federal government, claiming the “nation’s climate system” is critical to their rights to life, liberty + property + asserting the federal government has violated their substantive due process rights by allowing fossil fuel production, consumption, + combustion at
'dangerous levels'
"Imagine if our efforts, from community-driven renewable energy enterprises to climate policy, integrated a new kind of "emotional intelligence" - which can say, yep, we know, this is hard, scary, exciting, overwhelming, + you may be feeling x and y. Let's talk about it, let's figure it out together." Renee Lertzman, psychologist
The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General is hiring an Assitant Attorney General responsible for management of affirmative environmental litigation with a priority on civil enforcement actions, natural resource damage suits, litigation involving the federal government + promoting environmental justice.
UNESCO World Heritage sites with "outstanding universal value" are at risk from climate disruption impacts
US carbon dioxide emissions rose 3.4% in 2018, per new expert report
What's the deal with the Green New Deal? Not at all definitive, but a place to start
Here's what congestion pricing is - a map to a fairer + more rational transportation system - not a death threat to taxi drivers or an arbitrary tax
In the city of Lahore in Pakistan, #airpollution levels this winter have on some days hit five times the legal limit. Many in the city of 11 million complain of headaches and burning eyes and throats #climate
— Thomson Reuters Foundation News (@TRF_Stories) January 7, 2019
➡️https://t.co/QlRx5Mwhkg
📸 REUTERS/Mohsin Raza pic.twitter.com/czx3PujvFR
Take a closer look at what the GOP calls "innovation" for solving our climate crisis + what's well known about how it actually works effectively + large scale
First takes on what a Green New Deal for NY could mean, including some legislative + policy ideas already on the table
5 major European banks adopt low-carbon lending practices + collaborate on means to track their progress + determine where to cut investments
The House Energy + Commerce Committee will devote its first hearing to the economic + environmental impacts of climate change
A Japanese steel maker/utility consortium scraps plans for a coal-burning power plant after government signals environmental concerns
Gov. Cuomo derails de Blasio's 15 month L train repair shut down by announcing a no-shut down fix
A reminder for aspiring climate lawyers, 0 - 3 years out from law school or your LLM: The Sabin Center is hiring a fellow for 2019-2021. Application deadline is January 15. Check out the details here: https://t.co/3qOsHsQ95B pic.twitter.com/vWXPmy8Iv5
— Mike Burger (@ProfBurger) January 3, 2019
What are the top financing levers for driving decarbonization across critical industry stocks?
If you think China's global Belt + Road infrastructure plan won't affect you, you'd be wrong
Double good news for UK electricity, generating levels at their lowest since 1994 + renewables producing 33% of that power. BTW, population is up + economy's doing OK
How to transform buildings + other urban conditions into instruments for environmental sustainability by working with the biosphere -- an essay by urbanist Saskia Sassen
What are top items on New York's energy to-do list for 2019?
A 1.2 MW community solar array now lighting up Brooklyn homes + small businesses
The beginning of the end for climate silence on TV news shows
Think cost-benefit analysis is just for nerds? Here's how the EPA is weaponizing it to undermine limits on emissions of mercury, a neurotoxin
Norway's electric cars zip to new record: almost a third of all sales https://t.co/n6srFvQF3N pic.twitter.com/LzqUTT9xgw
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) January 2, 2019
What's all this about wooden construction for high + mid-rise buildings?