Climate Change

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Photovoltainc solar panels in green grass field.

The Climate Outlook for 2024

This year could mark a turning point for climate policy and energy systems.

January 18, 2024 - Yale Climate Connections

Wildfire approaching stucco house with red tile roof.

Home Insurance Increasingly Unaffordable or Inaccessible

Homeowners in places at risk for wildfires and other disasters find it harder than ever to secure an affordable insurance policy as companies leave some states altogether.

January 10, 2024 - High Country News

"Danger - Unstable Cliffs" sign

Atlantic Coast Infrastructure at Risk from Sea Level Rise

New research reveals that some coastal areas are sinking by as much as 5 millimeters per year, which could threaten key infrastructure.

January 10, 2024 - Newsweek

Amtrak train passing over bridge on Alviso Marsh near San Jose, California.

Planning Year in Review 2023: Zoning Reform, a Rail Revolution, and Climate Realities

Last year’s most talked-about planning issues and news.

January 8, 2024 - Diana Ionescu

Graphic with headshot of Danielle Arigoni standing against concrete wall with title for THe Planning Commission Podcast episode "Climate Resilience and an Aging Population."

Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation with Danielle Arigoni: The Planning Commission Podcast

Author and livability expert Danielle Arigoni talks about her new book with the Planning Commission Podcast.

January 8, 2024 - The Planning Commission Podcast

Older Black woman with glasses and braids sitting on city bus, looking out window.

Book Excerpt: Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation

The challenge of adapting our communities to climate change is complex and urgent – but taking the time to recenter our collective efforts in the needs of older adults will be effective in reducing their risk and making all of us more resilient.

January 4, 2024 - Danielle Arigoni

Exterior side view of a single-story brick home missing back half of roof and a debris pile in the front yard.

Commentary: We Need to Build for Disaster, Not Simply Focus on Recovery

As the frequency and severity of weather events increases, building codes need to be adjusted to include resilience principles.

January 4, 2024 - Route Fifty

Cars in traffic jam on Los Angeles highway with road sign in center median warning of extreme heat.

20 Major US Cities Most and Least Threatened by Climate Change

By 2050, climate change will have the biggest negative impact on urban areas located in the Sun Belt.

January 1, 2024 - Policygenius

Rows of solar panels on a large rooftop with two workers in hard hats walking between rows.

How Did the US Fare on its 2023 Climate Goals?

Climate experts are divided on how much progress the nation made.

December 31, 2023 - Grist

Four-story light-colored multifamily apartment building.

HUD Resiliency Awards Target Affordable Multifamily Housing

The Green and Resilient Retrofit program aims to reduce vulnerability to climate challenges and improve energy efficiency in multifamily buildings.

December 31, 2023 - Housing Wire

Close-up of technician wearing gloves installing photovoltaic solar panel.

The Year in Good Climate News

Despite the ups and downs, there are reasons to feel optimistic.

December 28, 2023 - CNN

Aerial view of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant on the Pacific coast in San Luis Obispo County, California.

California's Lone Operating Nuclear Plant Gets Five-Year Extension

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant received approval from the California PUC to operate its two reactors until 2029 and 2030. Five days later, the NRC issued a temporary license renewal.

December 25, 2023 - The Mercury News

Concrete flood control infrastructure under construction in New York City.

New York Flood Control Plan Takes Lessons From the Dutch

The Netherlands has a long history of flood mitigation. U.S. cities, threatened by coastal flooding and erosion, are taking note.

December 24, 2023 - E360

White flag with COP28 cliamte conference logo against lightly cloudy blue sky.

COP28: Beginning of the End for Fossil Fuels?

A deal came together “quickly and unexpectedly" on the final night of the nearly 2-week United Nations climate talks in Dubai, UAE, according to a series of articles by Washington Post climate reporters.

December 20, 2023 - The Washington Post

Flooded street with two-story homes and palm trees being blown in the wind during a hurricane in Miami, Florida.

‘Reverse Migration’ Brings New Risk: Climate Change

Black Americans are flocking to southern states, but many popular destinations face growing threats from extreme weather.

December 19, 2023 - Inside Climate News

Hiawatha National Forest sign near Brevort, Michigan.

Carbon Capture Plan Draws Conservationist Concerns

The Forest Service says storing carbon dioxide under national forest lands is essential to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting climate goals.

December 18, 2023 - Grist

Amtrak train on Southern California coast.

State Leaders Warn of Risks to Southern California Rail Corridor

Coastal erosion and rising sea levels threaten one of the nation’s most scenic—and strategically important—rail corridors.

December 14, 2023 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

White house surrounded by several inches of tidal floodwaters.

A Different Approach to Managing Climate Displacement

As climate-driven flooding and storms put increasing pressure on coastal communities, some say the piecemeal nature of federal recovery and mitigation efforts aren’t cutting it.

December 14, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Walkways and escalator at crowded transit station, with one person walking a bike in foreground.

10 Best, Worst States for Climate-Friendly, Equitable Transportation

California and Kentucky bookend a recent ranking of how well states are using federal infrastructure money to address climate change and racial inequities in their transportation networks.

December 12, 2023 - Route Fifty

Bird's eye view of moderately busy large freeway interchange in California.

Opinion: California Must Walk the Walk on Transportation Emissions

While state leaders tout their climate goals at COP28, residents back home continue to fight highway expansion projects that induce traffic and increase emissions.

December 11, 2023 - Streetsblog California

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.