URBAN OMNIBUS
Yes indeed, today in America we know that something is wrong, and we would like things to be better. Certainly the design disciplines have been energetic in engaging the converging crises of energy, housing, infrastructure, environment, climate change…
Archive for the ‘Sustainability’ Category
Excerpts from The Brian Lehrer Show, with Gov. Rendell and Steve Anderson
Thursday, January 14th, 2010Wednesday, Jan. 13th
Steve Anderson, Managing Director, InfrastructureUSA.org, & Governor Edward G. Rendell, Building America’s Future, discussed infrastructure with WNYC radio host Brian Lehrer. Excerpts are available below, and you can listen to the entire program under “Infrastructure Matters” on WNYC.org.
View this complete post...Transportation Adaptation to Global Climate Change
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER
Rising sea levels, greater weather variability, and more extreme weather events like hurricanes, permafrost thawing, and melting Arctic sea ice are just some of the important changes that will impact transportation networks and infrastructure. Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable. A large portion of the nation’s transportation infrastructure is in coastal zones: nearly half of the U.S. population lives within fifty miles of the coast, and many roads, rail lines, and airports were built at or near water’s edge to take advantage of available right-of-way and land. Increasingly intense storm activity and surges, exacerbated by rising sea levels, are putting an ever-increasing range of this coastal infrastructure at risk…
InfrastructureUSA Speaks with Robert D. Yaro, President, Regional Plan Association
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009Robert D. Yaro is the President of Regional Plan Association, America’s oldest independent metropolitan policy, research and advocacy group. Mr. Yaro co-chairs the Empire State Alliance and the Friends of Moynihan Station, and is Vice President of the Forum of Urban Design. He serves on Mayor Bloomberg’s Sustainability Advisory Board, which helped prepare PlaNYC 2030, New York City’s new long-range sustainability plan. Since 2001 Mr. Yaro has been Professor of Practice in City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania. He also taught at Harvard University and the University of Massachusetts…
View this complete post...Climate Change in the United States: The Prohibitive Costs of Inaction
Thursday, November 12th, 2009UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
“Recognizing the urgency of global warming, policy makers are beginning to pursue solutions to help us avoid the worst effects of climate change, while transitioning the nation to a clean energy economy. However, the debate over comprehensive climate and energy policy often focuses on the costs of climate action, rather than on the serious economic and environmental consequences if we fail to act. One study shows that if global warming emissions continue to grow unabated—a high-emissions scenario—the annual economic impact of more severe hurricanes, residential real-estate losses to sea-level rise, and growing water and energy costs could reach 1.4 percent of GDP by 2025, and 1.9 percent by 2100 (Ackerman and Stanton 2008).”
Guide to Operating and Maintaining EnergySmart Schools
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
“Through a commitment to high performance, school districts are discovering that smart energy choices can create lasting benefits for students, communities, and the environment. For example, an energy-efficient school district with 4,000 students can save as much as $160,000 a year in energy costs. Over 10 years, those savings can reach $1.6 million, translating into the ability to hire more teachers, purchase more textbooks and computers, or invest in additional highperformance facilities. Beyond these bottomline benefits, schools can better foster student health, decrease absenteeism, and serve as centers of community life.”
Dump the Pump Video Contest Entries
Monday, November 9th, 2009American Public Transportation Association:
“Each June, APTA sponsors National Dump the Pump Day. The day is designed to encourage people to get out of their cars and ride public transportation to raise awareness of the financial and environmental benefits of public transportation.
Join other public transit agencies from coast to coast as they come together to encourage [...]
A Systems Approach to Water Resources
Thursday, October 29th, 2009AMERICA 2050/ REGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION
“Climate change, underfunded infrastructure, outdated management approaches, and the pressures of urbanization are creating a looming crisis for America’s water…”
Cars Are Expensive: Transit Savings Report
Thursday, October 15th, 2009It’s probably not news that taking public transportation can save you money, but do you have any idea how much money?
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