Almost all U.S. mayors have some level of concern about climate change in their communities, but local leaders face some challenges in taking action.

A new report from the Boston University Initiative on Cities indicates that most U.S. mayors are concerned about the impacts of climate change on their communities. As Michael Brady writes in Smart Cities Dive, 97 percent of mayors surveyed said climate change was a concern, while over half worry about drought, extreme heat, flooding, and air pollution. Notably, “There was no partisan gap among mayors.”
According to the report, “Mayors said their regulatory powers, especially building codes and zoning, are their most effective tools to address climate change.” Cities are also focusing on replacing municipal fleets with electric vehicles in an effort to reduce emissions in the transportation sector. Per the survey, 74 percent “of mayors support replacing their city’s municipal vehicles before their natural lifecycle ends, which suggests a major opportunity to capitalize on new federal funds for things like electric school buses, fire trucks, and public works vehicles.”
However, “Local climate action can be costly and complicated, and it has to compete with all of the other challenges mayors are facing.” Brady explains, “Major concerns for mayors include the current costs and environmental effects of energy supplies.” Some are also concerned about the political fallout of unpopular decisions, seeking solutions with the fewest hard tradeoffs for their constituents.
FULL STORY: Nearly all US mayors worry about climate change’s local effects: report

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.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
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Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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