Climate & Resilience: Page 10

  • An HVAC worker is seen to perform heat pump maintenance
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    9 states pledge to accelerate zero-emission heat pump sales

    The pledge sends a clear market signal, said the senior policy advisor for an association of Northeastern state air quality agencies.

    By • Feb. 7, 2024
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    adamkaz via Getty Images
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    Neighborhood-scale building decarbonization: 2 approaches

    Relying on the replacement of one appliance at a time isn’t enough to meet federal and state climate goals, said the Building Decarbonization Coalition’s executive director. 

    By • Feb. 6, 2024
  • smart city, smart cities Explore the Trendline➔
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

    From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff
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    Jose Gulias Trigas via Getty Images
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    ASHRAE, ICC unveil draft standard for GHG emission assessment in buildings

    The proposed Standard 240P intends to provide a common platform to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions of buildings, the organizations say. 

    By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 5, 2024
  • An aerial view of a hillside landslide brought on by heavy rains, which caused four ocean view apartment buildings to be evacuated and shuttered due to unstable conditions, on March 16, 2023 in San C
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    California storms sever Amtrak, commuter rail line once again

    Coastal erosion continues to threaten the Los Angeles-San Diego route. Authorities can’t say when it will reopen for passenger service.

    By • Feb. 5, 2024
  • People in a park on a sunny day. Cyclists and pedestrians walk on a path next to a grassy area.
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    Justin Heiman/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Parks need money. These researchers have some ideas about where to get it.

    Selling fallen trees, turning pool houses into year-round spas, and asking hotel guests to donate are among the ideas outlined in a new report by the Center for an Urban Future. 

    By • Feb. 2, 2024
  • As part of a maintenance check, a service engineer inspects the solar cell on a building roof for a damaged part.
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    NewSaetiew via Getty Images
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    FEMA to help communities pay for net-zero energy projects post-disaster

    Communities can now leverage the agency’s grant programs to install solar microgrids, heat pumps and passive cooling when rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations and other infrastructure in disaster’s wake.

    By • Feb. 1, 2024
  • Aerial shot of city streets and tall buildings
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    US cities’ outlook for 2024

    Cities are pushing ahead on innovative bids to build more sustainable, safe and equitable communities, but many of the roadblocks they face likely aren't going anywhere.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024
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    Extreme heat watch: Will cities be ready for summer 2024?

    This year could be even hotter than last year’s record-breaker, some scientists say. Cities are using the winter to prepare.

    By • Jan. 31, 2024
  • The Department of Agriculture (USDA) building in Washington DC.
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    Art Wager via Getty Images
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    Where composting and food waste projects got $11.5M from USDA

    The grants will enhance access to organics drop-off sites in several areas and build on existing capacity in dozens of localities nationwide.

    By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 31, 2024
  • Aerial view shows a road stretching through water with heavy damage in the middle.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    FHWA offers $729M for storm-damaged infrastructure

    The funds will help states rebuild roads and bridges following natural disasters and extreme weather.

    By Julie Strupp • Jan. 30, 2024
  • The flag of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hangs outside the agency building in Washington, D.C.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Zero-waste advocates see opportunity in EPA’s $4.6B GHG reduction grants

    The U.S. EPA is offering funding for states, municipalities and tribes to implement major climate projects, with local plans due by March 1.

    By Megan Quinn • Jan. 26, 2024
  • Two colorful maps side by side, with the left map in clearer resolution and the right map more pixelated
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    (2024). [Map]. Retrieved from NOAA Office for Coastal Management.
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    NOAA releases high-resolution land cover data to boost coastal climate resilience efforts

    The new data is 900 times more detailed than what the agency previously provided. Local leaders have asked for such data for years, but it is often prohibitively expensive, NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said.

    By • Jan. 26, 2024
  • View from below of a twin silver bridges stretching across water.
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    The image by Pi.1415926535 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Connecticut beefs up energy storage incentives to meet 1 GW goal by 2030

    Residential customers can get as much as $16,000 in upfront incentives — up from the previous maximum of $7,500.

    By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 25, 2024
  • A boat is seen in drought-stricken area in Nevada.
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    Ethan Miller via Getty Images
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    Public pensions in liberal-leaning states falling short on addressing climate risk: report

    Failing to curb climate-related financial risk “puts the hard-earned savings of millions of Americans at risk,” the Sierra Club said of its report findings.

    By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 25, 2024
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    Chicago mayor proposes natural gas ban in new buildings

    This marks the first time the city has introduced a building decarbonization ordinance, a city employee said. The proposal drew swift backlash from the local gas industry.

    By • Jan. 25, 2024
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    shulz via Getty Images
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    Google’s top AI tools for cities in 2024

    Tools that identify disaster risks and aim to reduce vehicle emissions were among those a top Google executive highlighted at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting last week.

    By Paige Gross • Jan. 23, 2024
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    Fahroni via Getty Images
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    ASHRAE updates energy efficiency standard for existing buildings

    The 2024 edition of Standard 100 contains new metrics for setting emissions targets and a “simple” compliance mechanism for energy-efficient and low-emission buildings.

    By Joe Burns • Jan. 22, 2024
  • Two people holding rakes stand in floodwater up to their shins in front of a laundromat. A person in a yellow raincoat walks by.
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    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    More heavy rainfall, flooding prompt NYC to create innovation working groups

    Stakeholders will meet for six months to inform existing efforts and come up with new ideas as the city faces a comptroller investigation into its heavy rainfall management.

    By • Jan. 22, 2024
  • The silhouette of a high voltage power line line towers during sunset.
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    imaginima via Getty Images
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    Robot worms, lasers, drones and AI: How the DOE wants to move the US power grid underground

    The U.S. Department of Energy on Tuesday announced $34 million in funding to explore novel approaches to undergrounding power lines to increase resiliency.

    By Robert Walton • Jan. 19, 2024
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    FEMA overhauls disaster aid to help survivors recover faster

    The reforms announced Friday mark the most significant update to survivor assistance in 20 years, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said. However, “implementation will be key,” one expert said.

    By • Jan. 19, 2024
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    Bag bans’ environmental impact mixed in recent studies

    A multi-site study says state and local bans have effectively reduced plastic waste. A separate analysis of New Jersey’s policy found higher polypropylene consumption and carbon emissions linked to alternative bag uptake.

    By Maria Rachal • Jan. 18, 2024
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    Q&A

    What’s next for mobility innovation? This venture capitalist has some ideas.

    Nicole LeBlanc, a partner at Toyota’s investment arm, Woven Capital, is optimistic about the talent and innovation coming to cities.

    By • Jan. 18, 2024
  • Pedestrians and a cyclist cross a crosswalk at a busy city intersection with a burst of sunlight shining through.
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    deberarr via Getty Images
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    6 trends that could shape US cities in 2024

    Cities will contend with a shifting transportation picture, increased urgency to act on climate change, and innovative policies and technologies to address longstanding concerns.

    By , , • Jan. 17, 2024
  • A man stands in a food recovery facility next to a sign that sayd "5 million pounds trucked not chucked"
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    (2023). [Photograph]. Retrieved from NYS DEC.
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    New York solid waste plan aims to boost recycling, lower emissions

    The road map calls for a fee to discourage materials generators from landfilling or combustion, with proceeds going to municipalities to implement their solid waste plans.

    By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 17, 2024
  • Cars make their way toward downtown L.A. during the morning commute
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    US greenhouse gas emissions fell in 2023, despite economic growth: Rhodium

    Preliminary estimates show emissions are now 17.2% below pre-2005 levels, but the emissions reduction rate needs to more than triple to reach Paris Agreement goals.

    By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 16, 2024