Cedar Rapids Unveils Sustainability Plan

Cedar Rapids is prioritizing achievable actions with the new iGreenCR Action Plan.

1 minute read

December 13, 2019, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Cedar Rapids Flooding

Matt Herzberger / flickr

The city of Cedar Rapids has revealed a framework for its first municipal sustainability plan, called the iGreenCR Action Plan, to target specific actions to respond to climate change by reducing carbon emissions.

"The plan’s focus now is on municipal operations, while a focus for communitywide goals — engaging businesses and industry, nonprofits and neighborhoods — is expected to be developed over the next year, reports Brian Morelli. The article includes a soundbite from Eric Holthaus, Cedar Rapids sustainability coordinator.

As noted by Morelli and reported in a separate article by James Q. Lynch, the Cedar Rapids City Council's counterparts at the Linn County Board of Supervisors recently declared a climate emergency in response to rampant flooding and loss of agricultural and set a goal for net zero emissions by 2050.

Thursday, December 12, 2019 in The Gazette (Cedar Rapids)

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

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.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Bronze statue of homeless man (Jesus) with head down and arm outstretched in front of St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington D.C.

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.

5 seconds ago - The New York Times

Historic stone structure surrounding natural spring in India with plaques.

Restoring Northern India’s Himalayan ‘Water Temples’

Thousands of centuries-old buildings protect the region’s natural springs and serve as community wells and gathering places.

1 hour ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Blue Bublr bikes parked at station on sidewalk in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee to Double Bike Share Stations

Bublr Bikes, one of the nation’s most successful, will add 500 new e-bikes to its system.

2 hours ago - OnMilwaukee