Environment

Recycling Is Cancelled
Trouble in the global market means trouble at home when it comes to recycling. Municipalities are having trouble paying the extra cost for recycling programs as China stops accepting U.S. waste.

Light Bulbs, a Key Factor in National Energy Savings
Improved light bulbs have led to huge decreases in residential energy use. Changes to federal standards, however, will likely stymie future progress.

A Direct Line From Forest Management to Water Supply
Urban water suppliers have had to learn quickly that fire ecology is a major concern in maintaining a secure water supply system.

Stormwater Project the First Public-Private Partnership for the Army Corps
A $2.75 billion plan to build a channel for flood waters around Fargo, North Dakota is described as one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the country.

Five Years of 100 Resilient Cities
It's been five years since the Rockefeller Foundation launched the 100 Resilient Cities initiative. A new analysis by the Urban Institute evaluates the accomplishments of 100 Resilient Cities so far.

Shipping Container Farms Growing in the U.S.
Hydroponic farming company Square Roots will expand thanks to a partnership with Gordon Foods.

Trump's Budget Would Cut Funding for HUD, Transportation, EPA, More
Presidential budgets usually arrive with zero chance of being adopted without changes, but still important to consider as a reflection of the Executive Branch's priorities.

U.S. Risks Becoming Backwater for Electric Vehicle Sales
Auto analyst John Voelcker discusses the electric vehicle market in the U.S. on NPR. Ominous clouds belie the excellent sales figures for last year, and policies pushed by Trump only ensure that motor vehicles will continue to gulp more gasoline.

Preventing Crime, One Park at a Time
Deborah Marton, executive director of the New York Restoration Project, connects parks and open space to improved public safety.

Auto Industry Reluctant to Support Trump Plan to Freeze Fuel Economy Standards
The auto industry appears to be balking at supporting the Trump administration's plan to freeze vehicle emission standards at 2020 levels even though they initially asked Trump to loosen the rigorous Obama-era fuel efficiency rule that goes to 2026.

Land Use Linked to Mass Species Extinction
A new study puts a number of the risk of land use to the planet's biodiversity.

Surface Storage Skepticism
California has used all its good dam sites, according to this column. And dams are unaffordable.

The Climate Change Lawsuit That Won't Go Away
The now-famous children's lawsuit, featured on 60 Minutes last Sunday, was not filed against President Trump—he just inherited it from his predecessor. Both administrations have tried to have the case dismissed.

Yes, Trump Can Recoup the $3.5 Billion Awarded to California High-Speed Rail
The beleaguered project is still very much alive, despite some media claims to the contrary. As for the Trump administration's claim to two grants awarded to the now-$77 billion project, the state has a deadline to meet if it wants to keep them.

Op-Ed: Congress Passes Public Lands Bill, Ducks Harder Questions
The Natural Resources Management Act enjoyed bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. But it left out contentious issues like wildfires, greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting wildlife corridors.

California Bill Would Increase Wastewater Recycling
In California, a billion gallons of water ends up in the ocean every day. A new bill seeks to curb this practice by requiring treatment facilities to increase recycling and reuse efforts.

Renewables Accelerator to Help Cities With Transition to Clean Energy
Cities across the country have ambitious goals to move to renewable energy, but support at the federal level is lacking. A new program will assist cities with procurement and regulation of renewables.

California's Push to Electrify Its Building Stock
Developers, environmentalists, and other experts discussed the challenge of achieving all-electric homes and businesses at VerdeXchange 2019.

Recyclables Headed to Incinerators or Landfills
China's decision to halt imports of most recyclables from the United States has caused turmoil. With few markets for their recyclables, Philadelphia is sending half of them to a waste-to-energy incinerator in Chester not designed to burn them.

Climate Action and the Green New Deal: Interview with Rep. Mike Levin
Long before winning the congressional seat in California's 49th District, Mike Levin advocated for clean energy and a green economy.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service