Greenhouse Gases

Aerial view of oil fields in Kern County, California.

California County Approves Underground Carbon Storage Project

Kern County supervisors voted to support a carbon storage project that will inject climate-warming gases into a former oil and gas field.

October 27, 2024 - CALmatters

Marathon branded gas station with red, blue, and white color scheme in Providence, Rhode Islad.

Providence Could Ban New Gas Stations

The city could prohibit the construction of new fueling stations within city limits to discourage driving and pave the way for more renewable transportation infrastructure.

October 16, 2024 - The Washington Times

Close-up of bright green phytoplankton underwater.

Exploring Ocean Iron Fertilization: A Potential Climate Solution

Researchers are exploring ocean iron fertilization as a potential method for removing atmospheric carbon dioxide, emphasizing the need for controlled trials to determine its effectiveness and ecological impact in combating climate change.

October 14, 2024 - University of Hawai'i News

Electric Vehicle Charging

EVs Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, but They're Not Pollution-Free

To reduce harmful particulate matter emissions, we need fewer cars on the road—electric or otherwise, according to the findings of a recent report.

December 30, 2020 - Treehugger

Social Equity: The Missing Leg of the Three-Legged Stool of Climate Action

Climate action plans cannot succeed without bona fide action on social equity and job creation, argues Murtaza Baxamusa who teaches planning at USC and develops affordable housing Murtaza Baxamusa.

March 13, 2016 - UrbDeZine

China Reforestation

China Plants 'Great Green Wall' of Trees

Net deforestation continues, but at a slower rate as the world's largest ecological engineering project stretches for a planned 2,800 miles. It is hoped the new trees will halt the advance of the Gobi Desert.

April 29, 2015 - Quartz

Op-Ed: Reintroduce California's Historic Restoration Tax Credit

Despite a veto by Governor Jerry Brown, California’s Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins should keep trying to pass legislation to encourage preservation, says Bay area preservation architect Jerri Holan.

October 24, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Is Fracking Less Harmful Than Suspected?

How much methane, a powerful but short-lived greenhouse gas is released during fracking operations for natural gas? Until now, all studies, including those by the EPA, were done by estimates. This study went to over 500 well sites to measure leaks.

September 19, 2013 - The New York Times - U.S.

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

Where’s the Heat Going? Global Warming Lull Befuddles Scientists

Despite record levels of greenhouse gas emissions, global surface temperatures have risen at a much slower rate over the past 15 years than the 20 years prior. Scientists are struggling to explain a warming plateau.

June 17, 2013 - The New York Times

The New Promise of Urban Ecology

Courtney Humphries takes a look at recent federal investment in research on the complex interrelationship between human settlements and the natural environment.

November 26, 2012 - Nature

Why Some Electric Vehicles Are No More Green Than Gasoline-Powered Ones

Paul Stenquist analyzes the surprising influence that geography has on the carbon footprint of electric vehicles.

April 18, 2012 - The New York Times

European Cyclist's Federation (ECF) Study on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emmissions

In the fight against climate change, it is still unclear how, according to SustainableCitiesCollective, "the world’s nations will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve limited temperature rise." A recent ECF study sheds light on the topic.

December 14, 2011 - Sustainable Cities Collective

Encouraging Low Carbon Cities

Controlling carbon emissions hinges on encouraging cities that have small carbon footprints, writes Matthew E. Kahn.

December 17, 2010 - World Policy Blog

Stopping Sprawl, Slowing Emissions, Improving the Economy

A new report suggests that making policies in Canada to avoid urban sprawl development will reduce pollution and boost the economy.

October 6, 2010 - The Vancouver Sun

Transit, Not Traffic Reduction, Helps NYC Hit Greenhouse Gas Targets

Is New York City's green transportation revolution overhyped? It turns out that emissions from private cars actually increased between 2007 and 2009, and that almost none of the city's greenhouse gas reductions came from the transportation sector.

October 5, 2010 - Streetsblog

Artificial Trees Could Be Climate Key

Carbon dioxide is one of the most widespread greenhouse gases produced by humans. Trees can absorb it, but release it when they die. Scientists are looking to build artificial trees to do the job permanently.

August 5, 2010 - National Geographic

Stockholm's Congestion Pricing Cuts Traffic, Boosts Clean Vehicle Sales

Stockholm's congestion charge is not only reducing traffic and greenhouse gas emissions, it's also increasing sales of alternative fuel vehicles.

September 30, 2009 - The New York Times

Differences in City Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Different cities have different levels of greenhouse gas emissions. A new study looks at how they are different and why.

September 30, 2009 - The Economist

Oil Crunch Coming

Peak oil will happen at least 10 years earlier than most governments are expecting, and an oil crunch will occur in the next 5 years, says Dr Fatih Birol, chief economist at the International Energy Agency.

August 4, 2009 - The Independent (UK)

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.