Climate Change

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NYC Design Chief on Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding: "What Do I Do?"

New York's chief urban designer, Alexandros Washburn, addresses the monumental task of rebuilding New York after Hurricane Sandy and preparing for the next storm.

October 11, 2013 - Places Journal

Within Decades, Historic Heat Will Be the Global Norm

Get used to hearing about historically hot temperatures. Using 39 of the world’s foremost climate models, researchers have developed "climate departure" dates for cities around the world to predict when temperatures will exceed historical norms.

October 10, 2013 - The New York Times

Science Takes a Back Seat to Canada's "Resource Rush"

In an editorial for The New York Times, Verlyn Klinkenborg bemoans the Harper administration's silencing of scientists in favor of political ideology, resource extraction, and public ignorance.

September 30, 2013 - The New York Times

Developing a Block-by-Block Understanding of the Impacts of Climate Change

The best models of the impacts of climate change have been devoted to understanding global, or even national, changes. But NASA has devoted significant computational resources to projecting future climate conditions at the neighborhood level.

September 30, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

In Sobering Report, U.N. Climate Panel Establishes “Carbon Budget” for Humanity

The synopsis of the IPCC's fifth major climate assessment was released today in Stockholm. With near absolute certainty, the panel identified humans as the cause of the dangerously warming planet. Could the report propel languishing negotiations?

September 27, 2013 - The New York Times

Earl Blumenauer on America's Unwise Approach to Disaster Planning and Recovery

Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer talks about the failures with federal natural disaster relief and how the country should build its resiliency to climate change with The Planning Report.

September 27, 2013 - The Planning Report

Can Bill Gates Provide America's Next 800 Years of Electricity?

He's transformed the personal computer, health outcomes in the developing world, and education opportunities in the U.S. For Bill Gates's next act, the Microsoft founder is trying to turn atomic trash into treasure.

September 26, 2013 - The New York Times

Cut Emissions to Save Lives, If Not the Planet

Even if our warming planet wasn't threatened with environmental catastrophe, the case for reducing fossil-fuel use is an easy one to make. A new study shows that reduced air pollution from cutting emissions would save millions of lives by 2100.

September 24, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Disaster-Insurance Premiums Provide a Guide to Smarter Living

Disaster insurance isn’t just a pain in the neck. It could help us live better within a changing climate.

September 17, 2013 - The Conversation

Is U.N. Panel Being Overly Conservative with Climate Change Predictions?

As one of the world's most respected voices on climate change prepares the final draft of its latest report on the warming planet, a debate is playing out behind the scenes as to whether it is intentionally downplaying the potential impacts.

September 10, 2013 - The New York Times

Satellite PIcture of Hurricane Sandy

NOAA Report Links Extreme Weather To Climate Change

A report by NOAA & UK's Met Office says climate change may have contributed some of the extreme weather events in 2012.

September 7, 2013 - The Guardian

Red transmilenio bus stopped at station in Bogota

10 Most Innovative Sustainable Cities Recognized

Siemens and C40 have announced the winners of the inaugural City Climate Leadership Awards, recognizing the global cities demonstrating leadership and innovation in fighting climate change across ten separate categories.

September 7, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Pristine Lake George to be Made a 'Smart Lake' to Monitor Climate Change

New York’s Lake George will soon be wired to more monitoring technology than any other body of water in the world.

August 29, 2013 - Grist

Coastal Flooding Could Cost $1 Trillion Annually by 2050

By 2050, scientists believe that flooding could inflict $1 trillion in annual loses globally, up from $6 billion per year today. The United States and China are well represented in a list of the 20 cities facing the highest annual flood costs.

August 26, 2013 - The Washington Post

Three Feet of Sea Level Rise Very Possible by Century's End

A preview of the next major United Nations climate change report is taking a stronger stance on the role of humans in causing global warming and predicting a possible sea level rise that would endanger cities such as London, New York, and Shanghai.

August 20, 2013 - The New York Times

Confessions of a Failed Energy Martyr

Somewhere along the ramifying pathways of the possible, Raymond Welch became an energy consultant. In this Terrain.org guest editorial, he rants on a troubling future that he helped create.

August 15, 2013 - Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built + Natural Environments

California Already Confronting ‘Significant’ Impacts of Climate Change

A new report by state scientists identifies three dozen environmental indicators that confirm the effects of climate change on California are ‘significant and growing.’

August 14, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

A Sunbaked New Mexico Hits its Boiling Point

Harsh climate and persistent drought have accelerated New Mexico's desertification over three years of record-breaking heat. With 87% of the Western U.S. experiencing a drought, is New Mexico the canary in the coal mine for an increasingly arid area?

August 12, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Republicans Back Urgent Climate Action

Four former EPA heads in Republican administrations, from Richard Nixon to George W. Bush, have penned an op-ed in The Times calling on members of all parties to support President Obama's recent climate initiatives and do more to curtail warming.

August 2, 2013 - The New York Times

Portland Streetcar Bike

7 Ways Portland Is Better Than Your City

On a recent trip to Portland, land use attorney Bill Adams couldn't help but make comparisons to redevelopment efforts elsewhere. He found 7 tangible areas in which Portland shines through its copious clouds.

August 1, 2013 - UrbDeZine.com

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.