Environmentalism

Kerfluffle Over Green Building Rating Systems

The latest dust up over green building rating systems, especially their efficacy relative to each other, highlights the danger of mixing the ideals of environmentalism with the self-interest of running an environmentalist organization.

May 20, 2014 - Ecobuilding Pulse

These Nuns Have Made Fighting Climate Change Their Mission

Across the United States and around the world, groups of Roman Catholic nuns are quietly supporting a supposedly extra-religious cause: environmentalism.

October 20, 2013 - The Atlantic

Chinese Government Responds to Growing NIMBYism

For the last 30 years, China has led the world in economic growth at a hefty environmental price. Widespread protests have prompted the cabinet of China to mandate a "social risk assessment" for industrial projects, reports Keith Bradsher.

November 16, 2012 - The New York Times

When It Comes to Conservation, the Tables Slowly Turn in the Global North-South Divide

Announced at a recent United Nations summit on biodiversity, India’s pledge of $50 million to assist developing countries with conservation efforts marks a significant shift in the way environmental protection is funded worldwide.

October 28, 2012 - The New York Times

Escaping the Pitfalls of Professional Discourse

Kaid Benfield returns to his popular blog at the NRDC's Switchboard site after a three-week hiatus, with thoughts on the purpose of his writings and how "overly familiar vocabulary can lead to overly familiar thinking."

September 5, 2012 - Switchboard

Anti-Agenda 21 Platform Part of Long Property Rights Tradition

While it might seem like the Agenda 21 conspiracy theorists have arisen quite quickly out of the murky backwaters of the Republican party, Llewellyn Hinkes-Jones traces the lengthy enti-environmentalist roots of the movement.

September 2, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

China's Housing Tries to Go Green, but Fails

A so-called "eco-friendly" apartment complex complete with solar panels that derives more than 90% of its energy needs from coal? China struggles to take sustainable development seriously.

July 21, 2012 - USA Today

Environmentalism, Renewable Energy and NIMBYs

Jennifer Runyon asks if environmentalists are doing the right thing by pushing regulations that make the cost of building renewable energy projects prohibitive.

September 25, 2011 - Renewable Energy World

Environment and Clean Energy Not Behind GOP Surge

U.S. Environmentalists say that despite a Republican rout in the recent election, the rejection by voters of California's Prop. 23 (which would have suspended enviro regulation if unemployment was over 5.5%) shows that wasn't the issue.

November 4, 2010 - The Christian Science Monitor

Reframing the Sustainability Argument

This podcast features a discussion with designer Bruce Mau, who talks about sustainability and why he loves the suburbs.

October 9, 2010 - Climate Desk

The Failure of Voluntarism

I recently read an article containing a World War II-era poster: “When You Ride Alone You Ride With Hitler.” The authors of the article asked whether governments could use similar powers of persuasion today to discourage energy consumption and thus address climate change.

December 3, 2009 - Michael Lewyn

If You're NIMBY, You Aren't Green

Environmentalists in Berkeley and Oakland are realizing that the inner-city development they protested in the past is actually more eco-friendly than the alternative.

July 6, 2009 - East Bay Express

Retiring Environmental Hero Shaped Water Policy

An exit interview with Tom Graff, who joined Environmental Defense Fund in 1971, when the environmental movement was just getting started.

April 3, 2009 - The Planning Report

Grassroots Environmental Movement Sprouts in China

Environmental activism is on the rise in China. It's not a fast rise, but its existence is seen by many as a major step.

April 16, 2008 - BBC

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.

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