It's been a month of historic announcements in the effort to combat climate change. But a vote today in San Diego might set the standard for ambitious, enforceable action.
"[The San Diego] city council votes Tuesday on a plan that would cut the city’s greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2035. It would also commit the city to using 100 percent clean energy by 2035," reports Andrew Keatts. The plan is expected to pass overwhelmingly, if not unanimously.
San Diego's ambitious climate plan is part of a movement spearheaded by the Sierra Club "to encourage 100 cities to commit to using 100 percent renewable energy in order to decrease their contribute to global climate change."
San Diego's plan differs from the goals of cities like San Jose, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Boston in one, very important way, according to Keats: "it's legally enforceable." The emissions reduction target of 50 percent by 2035 is a requirement, "and the stakes are high: the city could open itself to a lawsuit if it doesn’t deliver."
FULL STORY: Amid Climate Talks, One U.S. City Takes Especially Decisive Action

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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