The New York Climate Exchange’s Post

Transforming cities into sustainable ecosystems is more critical than ever. Trust for Public Land is at the forefront, greening alleys and schools in LA, combating urban heat islands and capturing stormwater. https://lnkd.in/eTNN8Win

I just came across this inspiring article about Seattle's bold move to combat climate change: Seattle preps for new rules requiring more than 4,000 buildings to cut fossil fuel use by 2050. https://lnkd.in/gF_ENzm7 Seattle is setting a remarkable example by proposing new rules that will require over 4,100 buildings to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This initiative encompasses a range of structures from skyscrapers to community centers, aiming to significantly reduce the city's carbon footprint. Buildings are a major source of emissions in Seattle, contributing 37% to the city’s total, primarily from oil and natural gas usage. The implications of this policy are profound. It's not just about reducing emissions; it’s about inspiring collective action against climate change. The plan received wide-ranging support from environmental groups, labor organizations, and the housing sector, underscoring the collaborative effort in drafting these standards. Seattle joins other cities like Washington, D.C., Boston, and New York in adopting performance standards for existing buildings, signaling a growing trend in urban sustainability efforts. This is a huge step towards a sustainable future, and I'm eager to see the positive changes it brings about. What are your thoughts on this initiative? Let's discuss how such measures can shape our approach to urban planning and environmental conservation! #Sustainability #ClimateAction #UrbanPlanning #Seattle #EnvironmentalPolicy

Great article! Why the best climate activist is a good urban planner? “Unlike buildings, transport or waste management, urban planning is not an emissions sector per se – therefore, when reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate actions, local and national governments rarely share information on their land-use policies. However, evidence shows that adjusting how we plan our cities and towns will define how we face the climate crisis”. https://lnkd.in/dX57-SXw

As part of our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, we are welcoming community feedback around tree protection on private properties.  We are asking community members to help gauge the importance of trees in their daily lives, as well as their experience with trees in the community through a public engagement survey. Through public consultation, we can better understand our urban tree canopy today, as well as develop ways to protect the benefits that trees provide throughout Orangeville. This will carry those benefits through for the future of our Town. Orangeville faces two main challenges surrounding the preservation and enhancement of the tree canopy: urban intensification and climate change. These issues have made investigating tree protection measures a priority.  Some quick facts on the Town’s urban tree canopy: • As of 2021, Orangeville had a tree coverage of 24 per cent. • 79 percent of the existing tree canopy is on privately owned land • The Town has a goal of reaching a 40 per cent canopy by 2040 The Private Tree Preservation Survey will be available until October 25. Participate by visiting orangeville.ca/treesurvey

Seattle's #BEPS policy was crafted with input from tech experts, enviro advocates, labor, building owners, and more! It's projected to reduce building emissions by 27% by 2050, making it one of the most impactful actions Seattle can take. These are the three things to know about this transformative legislation: 1️⃣ This is a rare piece of consensus legislation where technical experts, advocates, community members, and building owners came together over more than two years of engagement to craft effective and fair legislation that meets the urgency of the climate crisis. 2️⃣ Seattle's BEPS legislation is projected to reduce building emissions 27% by 2050 (or nearly 10% of total emissions) making it one of the most impactful and equitable actions Seattle can take today in our fight for climate justice.  3️⃣ At the City Council, the legislation will be sponsored by Councilmember Lisa Herbold and heard in the Council’s Select Committee on Climate Action formed by Council President Debora Juarez. Read more: https://bit.ly/3QxQCTq

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 Nature-based solutions such as green walls and roofs can help to address the effects of climate change in various ways. However, despite increasing support for these eco-friendly infrastructure options, there are missed chances for their broader adoption at present. In fact, The ‘Heat resilience and sustainable cooling’ report from the Environmental Audit Committee, published at the start of the year, calls for the Government to do more to expand these green spaces. They’d particularly like to see further adoption in urban locations, and that “measures must prioritise disadvantaged areas currently underserved by access to green space.” Trees, parks, and green roofs and walls have cooling effects as temperatures rise, aid flood resilience, improve air quality, biodiversity, and our wellbeing. Despite these benefits, ‘living roofs’ are not as common a feature in the UK as they are in many of the world's well-known cities. It’s crucial for our planet that government, both national and regionally across the UK, revise their approach regarding nature-based solutions and implement the recommendations set out in this recent report. Have you come across any notable instances of nature-based solutions in the UK? Feel free to share them in the comments below! See a summary of the report at: https://lnkd.in/etSHW_Rn #GreenBuildings #GreenConstruction #LivingWalls #LivingRoofs #GreenRoofs #GreenWalls #Biodiversity #BiodiversityNetGain #CarbonSequestration #FloodResilience #AirQuality 

How much does urban #landuse and #housingpolicy matter for #climate and the #energytransition? As we found out: "addressing America’s chronic housing shortage intelligently — by building more housing where people most need it — can deliver similar climate impact as the country’s most aspirational transportation decarbonization policy". Useful work by the #urbanism team at RMI: Jacob Korn , Jackie Lombardi, Raghav Muralidharan, Anna Zetkulic, Zack Subin, Heather House, Miguel Moravec and Benjamin Holland. https://lnkd.in/ewTkYpBe

We need more housing to accommodate population growth, but it's crucial to integrate environmentally sound planning and development practices for a sustainable future. Take Larrabee Springs, for example. They've embraced green-built practices, constructing more than 340 affordable, solar-powered homes while prioritizing environmental stewardship. By investing in green building techniques, they've not only created housing to meet the needs of our community but have also heavily invested in improving the surrounding land and ecosystems, restoring and creating 23 acres of wetlands, buffers, and stream corridors. It’s a model worth repeating! To create a more sustainable future for generations to come, we should ensure that the land we inhabit — and its ecosystems — continue to flourish. . . . #SustainableDevelopment #EnvironmentalStewardship #GreenBuilding #LarrabeeSprings

🌿 Embracing the Green Canopy: A Vital Shield Against Rising Temperatures and Water Loss 🌿 Greetings, LinkedIn community! 🌍 As we navigate the challenges of a changing climate, it's crucial to shed light on impactful solutions that not only combat rising temperatures but also contribute to sustainable water management. Today, let's delve into the vital role of canopy cover in mitigating ground temperatures and reducing water evaporation. 🌳 The Power of Canopy Cover: A Natural Thermoregulator 🌳 Research consistently highlights the remarkable impact of tree canopies in creating a cooling effect on the ground. By providing shade, they act as nature's own thermostat, significantly lowering temperatures in urban and rural environments alike. This not only enhances our comfort but also plays a pivotal role in reducing the urban heat island effect, creating more livable and resilient communities. 🌊 Water Conservation through Canopy Cover 🌊 One often underestimated benefit of a flourishing canopy is its ability to reduce water evaporation. Trees and vegetation act as natural moisture regulators, shading the ground and minimizing the loss of water through evaporation. This is especially critical in arid regions and areas facing water scarcity, where every drop counts. 📈 Backed by Science: Studies Supporting Canopy Cover Impact 📈 In the coming days, I'll be sharing studies that delve deeper into the science behind the cooling and water-conserving properties of canopy cover. These studies underline the need for strategic urban planning and afforestation initiatives to harness the full potential of nature in our fight against climate change. 💚 Join the Canopy Conversation! 💚 Let's amplify awareness about the importance of canopy cover and its role in building more sustainable and resilient communities. Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas in the comments! Together, we can make a lasting impact on our environment and pave the way for a greener, cooler, and more water-efficient future. #CanopyCover #ClimateAction #Sustainability #WaterConservation #GreenSpaces #EnvironmentalImpact #UrbanPlanning 🌳🌏

I believe that cities are the core for climate change and urban planners have the power to control it. Urban planners can control the amount of vehicles that move in the city, the vegetation, the type of buildings and Green House Gas emissions.