Another Subway Slowdown
The scheduled 2020 delivery of an initial batch of test cars from a $1.4 billion MTA purchase of 535 subway cars is not expected to begin arriving until early 2021. Hope it's not a COD deal
November 30, 2020
Paris: Bike Theft Epidemic
Let's hope there's a cure for the bike theft epidemic sweeping Paris
Needed Now: Smarter Streetscapes
COVID's lesson for a safe, healthy, vibrant NYC
; re-think, re-do street life + mobility resources
Fannie, Freddie Face Fierce Climate Risks
The trillion dollar federal mortgage-backing giants FANNIE MAE + FREDDIE MAC could take an enormous hit, big enough to knock the economy into a tailspin, if the climate crisis ravages their housing portfolios
New Delhi: Bad Air Days, Every Day
What explains the chronically poisonous air of New Delhi?
A Holiday Lagniappe
November 28, 2020
GOP: Government For Pollution
"For more than a decade, the GOP has stood alone among major right-of-center parties in industrialized democracies worldwide in its refusal to endorse climate science. But during the Trump era, the party’s rhetorical emphasis shifted. The major Republican point of agreement is now to insist on fossil-fuel use as an inherent good." Jonathan Chait
Arizona: Where Green Is Blue And Red
Believe it or not, Arizona's net-zero carbon pollution plan is something Democrats + Republicans have agreed on
PV's And Pollinators
Is there a greenwashing risk in the buzz about solar-power friendly pollinator installations?
Curb Any And All Enthusiasm
Hm, methinks we're well under way on all 5: https://t.co/Vmxe6E5SFQ
— Gernot Wagner (@GernotWagner) November 28, 2020
November 27, 2020
More Offshore Wind For NYC
The NYC Council hears testimony about plans for a Rockaway offshore wind project - the visionary becomes the expected
November 26, 2020
Applying Appliance Standards
Appliance efficiency standards are one of the most successful and cost effective regulatory efforts in US history, and most folks don’t know that. https://t.co/RlIcvVWWrR
— Jonathan Koomey (@jgkoomey) November 26, 2020
November 25, 2020
November 24, 2020
The Persistence Of Big Coal
Basin Electric persists in burning coal to create the electricity it sells to community co-ops in the midwest, even those that want power alternatives
John Kerry: US Climate Envoy
President-elect Biden names John Kerry as his special climate envoy + gives him a seat on the National Security Council
The Arctic: Nothing To Be Thankful For
Even as winter darkness descends across the Arctic, a year of record-breaking heat continues. Temperatures last weekend across the entire Arctic basin hit 12 degrees F above normal, with some areas measuring as high as 30 degrees F-plus above the norm. https://t.co/88WZAMKlmP pic.twitter.com/czZVAjjXoA
— Yale Environment 360 (@YaleE360) November 24, 2020
November 20, 2020
Starchitect to NYC: Get Rid Of Street Parking
A master of designing space, world class architect David Rockwell, sketches out streets that replace parked cars with myriad better urban uses + amenities
Rising On Madison Avenue
Designed with COVID safety + climate consciousness a new office building will emerge from the cocoon of the 20th Century MetLife Building at One Madison Avenue (scroll way down in article)
Climate Science 201: Hurricanes
Scientists delve into identifying climate links to the record-shattering number of hurricanes in 2020
Self-Guided, Green Infrastructure Walking Tour
Put on your mask, use this map, take an Open House NY walking tour
America Now - Poles Apart
I've suspected this for a long time. And the biggest casualties of this divide, the top 3 most politicized issues in the US are ...
— Prof. Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) November 20, 2020
#3 coronavirus
#2 race and ethnic inequality
#1 climate change
https://t.co/QQGL4NxjBD
A Little Climate Preparedness Can Go A Long Way
Helping businesses to identify climate risks can improve both their physical + financial security
November 19, 2020
Zoning Resilience
Think zoning is a bore? Then take a look at proposed zoning standards, a big first step to keep coastal NYC safe in an era of rising flood risks
Congestion Pricing Prognosis
Despite the promise of cleaner air, better traffic conditions + lots of revenue for NYC, the federal chokehold on congestion pricing isn't likely to be released any time soon
November 18, 2020
Making The Building Grade
Now, just like restaurants' health grades, NYC buildings must publicly display their energy performance letter grade
MoMA: Greening Architectural Design
Will MoMA make sustainability in architecture an A-List item with its new Emilio Ambasz Institute for the Joint Study of the Built + the Natural Environment
Red, Blue And Green
The boom in solar + wind power make a mush of the usual blue state/red state divides
New Alliances
Tesla, Uber + several electric utilities team up to advance their common interest in boosting the EV industry
November 17, 2020
Give A Hoot
Barry, the Central Park owl, is an A-List celebrity in an A-List urban green place
The 'Mean Red' Blues
Holly Golightly called her worst moods the "mean reds", so what to call Paul Krugman's dire column about what US COVID reaction foreshadows about climate action?
November 16, 2020
EU: Big Offshore Wind Plans
The European Commission targets offshore wind power capacity growth of 250% by 2050, calls goal "feasible"
Spain: Home Power Plant
A new solar + battery storage tandem claims it can make Spanish homes function as virtual power plants
Help Wanted: Press Secretary
Evergreen Action seeks a press secretary to help advance the fight to put bold climate action at the top of America's agenda
Congestion Pricing Foes Regroup
Despite grave threats to mass transit budgets, local foes of congestion pricing are rising again
November 14, 2020
Trending: Beyond 'Sustainable' Fashion 1.0
Loose talk about sustainable fashion is SO over
November 13, 2020
Climate Crisis: All Hands On The Biden Deck
"Decisions made in the first 100 days will directly impact progress on climate action in the first two years of the first term. Moreover, they will be critical early signals of climate’s importance to domestic + international constituencies". Climate 21 Project
Once Upon A Time...
...There was children's playground in a Euro-style courtyard in Brooklyn
Geothermal Heating 101
Using geothermal heat to warm + cool buildings is much more straightforward than using geothermal heat to create electricity. Dig down
Defining 'Net Zero'
The climate crisis sprouts myriad technical terms. Here's help for the non-technical climate citizen on the meaning of 'net zero'
Georgia On My Mind
eo“Donald Trump has been to climate regulation as General Sherman was to Atlanta...Hopefully it won’t take as long to rebuild.” @MichaelGerrard spoke with @nytclimate about Trump's environmental legacy. Read more: https://t.co/TIQ83si4na
— Sabin Center (@ColumbiaClimate) November 13, 2020
November 12, 2020
On The Electric Bus/Off The Electric Bus
With expressions of support for electric bus fleets from the Biden team, what's NYC been up to with its pilot electric bus program?
Fake Grass Roots
If you're a climate-damaging fossil fueler that can't find grass roots support, then make it up
November 11, 2020
Barcelona: Car Ban Blossoms
In one of the most significant reconstructions of any city in the past century, #BCN is moving forward with a plan to free up 70% of its road space for active travel & trees using #carfree superblocks w/ 6 MPH speed limits https://t.co/ywX5LE42d8 #BCN #BCNHistòrica #urbanplanning
— Mark Abraham (@urbandata) November 11, 2020
Help Wanted; Senior Climate Campaigner
Greenpeace USA is searching for a Senior Climate Campaigner/Project Lead
Making Room For Green Hotels
Transforming a 1960's office building into a 21st century net-zero energy hotel is underway in New Haven
Renewable Energy Gains Despite Fossil Fuel Losses
While the fossil fuel industry suffers steep losses, renewable energy that creates electricity will grow 7% in 2020
39 Steps Toward Climate Security
39 winnable proposals for a winnable Biden Administration climate strategy
November 10, 2020
Don't Move There
Why are Americans flocking to cities like Phoenix, Houston + Miami, places the climate crisis will make virtually uninhabitable?
The End Is Near...
... but before January 20, 2021, what environmental rules will Trump try to erase? The Midnight Watch Project will warn us
Quote Of The Day
The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals + emperors so that, in glory + triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds." Carl Sagan. With thanks to Wordsmith.org
Now You Can Track NYC's Climate Progress
If what gets measured gets managed, the the Sabin Center NYC Environmental Law Tracker is a necessary tool for concerned citizens
India: Don't Inhale
Less than 1% of people in India live in an area that meets international air quality standards. Kolkata faces some of the worst conditions. Our fellow @amaruthfrancis published a report on measures the city could take to advance clean air. #ClimateAction https://t.co/aa5zNfXzPb pic.twitter.com/JUZfPp9zjl
— Sabin Center (@ColumbiaClimate) November 10, 2020
Lessons Learned From Citizen Pollution Monitoring
Citizen monitoring can be a powerful tool for advancing environmental compliance at the local scale, but a deeper understanding of differences in water quality + air quality monitoring is needed
November 09, 2020
Congressional Winners
Contrary to the interpretations of some Democrats, in the 2020 Congressional race Green New Deal + Medicare for All supporters got re-elected not ousted from office
Biden Plan - Climate Action And Much More
BuildBackBetter November 8, 2020
Yes We Could, Now We're Doing It
Energy efficient + Passive House construction, from 24 unit apartment buildings to the giant NYCHA, NYC + other urban leaders are making climate friendly affordable housing a reality
November 08, 2020
Elections Have Consequences
November 06, 2020
Climate Voters MIA
While record numbers of voters express concerns about the climate crisis, it's not a deciding issue for them, according to one recent exit poll
The Fire Next Time
California extends requirements for insurers to cover homes in fire-prone areas, but just for one more year
Global Eating Disorder
The world's food system + our eating habits must change in order to starve the climate crisis
Climate Attribution Data Base Launched
Climate attribution science, which makes connections between weird weather episodes + climate change causes, gets a new searchable data based at Columbia Law School's Sabin Center
Street Eats
Dining out doors could become a permanent feature of NYC, expect more changes than where to put your plate
November 05, 2020
Donald J. Trump State Park
In case you were wondering what the public gets to enjoy at the NY State Donald J. Trump Park + what kind of tax benefit Trump enjoys, now you'll know
November 03, 2020
Talking About All The Days After Election Day
Nope, We STILL Don’t Get to Give Up. Reposted from Hot Take
By Mary Annaïse Heglar
Back in January, when we got to go places and do things, I moderated a climate justice panel with impressive women of color to a very fancy crowd in downtown Manhattan. It was one of those events with wine and snacks and even lots of art. I could tell that lots of the ladies, and it was mostly ladies, in the crowd were those that “lunched” and “summered.” I even got a very fancy vintage dress out of the whole ordeal.
Anyway, it all fell apart when an old white man took advantage of the question and answer period to lecture us all on how everything we were doing about climate change was wrong (after admitting that he himself had done it all wrong for 30 years). That, somehow, led to a white woman responding to him to announce that unless Trump is removed from office, it was all hopeless and we might as well give up. While I agreed with her that removing Trump was of paramount importance, I reject the idea that “giving up” is ever an option. She stormed out and I moved the panel on.
I regret nothing.
I bring this story up now because it’s truer now that it’s ever been: we do not get to give up. No matter who wins which election. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. It might get harder, costlier, scarier. It doesn’t matter.
Regardless of who the next president is, the work is just getting started. Rest if you need to, but then roll up your sleeves. Do what you can and then go do something else. In between, take care of yourself and take care of each other. We’re in this and we’re in it together.
Last Words On Senate Races...
...and what they could mean for federal climate legislation
November 02, 2020
Getting To Yes On Recycling Li-ion Batteries
What are the lessons from recycling lead acid batteries that can be applied to crediting a robust market for recycling energy storage (Li-ion) batteries?
NYC Must Improve its Resilience To Natural Disasters And More
8 years after Superstorm Sandy, why is this kind of resilience reveille call still necessary?