Climate Change

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Plans for Copenhagen's First 'Climate Adapted' Neighborhood Unveiled

By better integrating the natural and built environments, while enforcing standards of livability, Copenhagen seeks to transform its Saint Kjeld’s neighborhood into "a showcase area for climate adaptation technology," reports Damian Holmes.

August 30, 2012 - World Landscape Architecture

Rising Sea Levels Threaten Boston's Historic Treasures and Much Else

Citing a "near-term risk" of rising tides, city planners in Boston are grappling with how to prepare residents and businesses for the effects of climate change, reports Monica Brady-Myerov.

August 22, 2012 - NPR

Increasing Urbanization and Climate Change Converge to Create Tsunami of Disasters

Stewart M. Patrick looks at the convergence of trends in natural disasters and urbanization in the developing world and sees a dire threat to the world's urban populations growing.

August 17, 2012 - The Internationalist

If You Can't Stand the Heat....Stay Out of Phoenix

Already the hottest major American city, Peter O'Dowd describes how planners in Phoenix are preparing for the increased sizzle brought on by global warming.

August 17, 2012 - NPR

James Hansen: Extreme Weather Linked to Climate Change

NASA scientist James Hansen, considered to be the 'godfather of global warming' has co-authored a new report that shows the connection between 'extreme weather events', such as the drought most of the U.S. is now experiencing, and climate change.

August 7, 2012 - PBS NewsHour

U.S.: Historic Drop In Carbon Dioxide Emissions

The first four months of 2012 saw 'energy-related, CO2 emissions' drop to levels not seen since 1992, according to the EIA. Graphs show an 18% decrease in carbon emissions from coal, with lesser amounts from natural gas and petroleum from a year ago

August 6, 2012 - Reuters - U.S.

Extreme Weather Threatens Infrastructure Across America

Airplanes sink in melted asphalt, trains derail along kinked tracks, highways buckle over dry soil; these aren't scenes from a science fiction film depicting a future plagued by global warming. Climate change is here, and it's taxing our grid.

July 26, 2012 - The New York Times

Unsettling Infographic Details the Impending Disappearance of World's Natural Resources

The BBC has provided an infographic timeline indicating when scientists and researchers predict valuable resources and ecosystems will disappear, urging planners and officials to address the dangers of current population and consumption levels.

July 25, 2012 - BBC

Assessing the Impacts of Shifting From Coal to Natural Gas

In a 2-part series, NPR reports on the rapid downfall of coal as an energy source and its replacement by natural gas - each now produces about one-third of America's electricity. Fracking is key to increased NG supplies - but it carries its own risks

July 17, 2012 - National Public Radio

Global Warming: It's Real, And It's Here

Editorial draws attention to the impact of global warming on our cities and advocates planning for climate change.

July 2, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Cities Built By Air-Conditioning

A device invented to cool factories changed where and how our cities formed.

July 2, 2012 - The Atlantic

So Cal Looks at Ways to Beat the Coming Heat

While the east coast suffers through a brutal early summer heat wave, researchers in Los Angeles have announced the findings of the most advanced regional climate modeling ever conducted, which shows that So Cal will feel the heat soon enough.

June 22, 2012 - Streetsblog LA

Latin American Cities Take Charge in Climate Change Planning

Raillan Brooks examines a new report from MIT, which shows that Latin America has a higher percentage of cities planning for climate change than other sections of the globe.

June 11, 2012 - Next American City

Earth at the Precipice

A new paper by a group of international scientists warns that the planet may be at the tipping point of causing a rapid irreversible transition to a "state unknown in human experience," reports Bettina Boxall

June 9, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Should Taxpayers Have to Keep Waterfront Homes Afloat?

William Brangham takes a look at Norfolk, Virginia, where rising sea levels have made major floods increasingly commonplace – and increasingly burdensome for taxpayers.

May 3, 2012 - Grist

APA Conference Keynote Focuses on Challenges of Communicating Climate Change

Meghan Stromberg reports on the opening keynote from this year's annual APA national conference, taking place in Los Angeles through April 17th. Dr. Andrew Weaver spoke about the disconnect between climate change science and public perception.

April 16, 2012 - Planning.org

The Surprisingly Cheap Path to Halting Climate Change

James West reports on the findings of a new report from the United Kingdom's leading climate change watchdog that confirms stopping climate change is much cheaper than you might think.

April 8, 2012 - Mother Jones

Will the Near Future be a Harsh Climate for Suburbs?

In this excerpt from her new book, "Before the Lights Go Out" author Maggie Koerth-Baker warns of the converging crises of peak oil and climate change on suburban areas.

April 3, 2012 - Scientific American

Simple Steps to Climate Resilience

Kaid Benfield highlights nine low-tech steps that he recommends can help communities prepare for the coming changes in global climate.

March 29, 2012 - Switchboard

Capturing Carbon in Rocks Gains Traction

Michael Coren explores a potentially solid idea for carbon sequestration - turning our greenhouse gas emissions into underground rock formations.

March 22, 2012 - Fast Coexist

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.