Category: urban policies

One city sets a good example in promoting sustainable energy

EiD has written before about San Diego’s plans to switch completely to renewable energy. Claire Trageser provides this report on the KPBS radio website about just how San Diego plans to do so. It is an encouraging story. It would be good to know, however, what role improved energy efficiency plays. For this interested, the … Continue reading One city sets a good example in promoting sustainable energy →

San Diego showing real leadership

At the recent climate conference in Paris, much attention was given to cities. Yes, many were highlighted because of the severe air pollution problems but others were noted for the efforts they are making to promote sustainable energy – either renewable energy or improved energy efficiency. Matt Richtel writes a good article in the New … Continue reading San Diego showing real leadership →

Cities play a key role in our sustainable future

We’ve had so many initiatives at the local or city level related to sustainability, climate change or energy and there is a good reason for that. Action can be mobilised and results achieved with good city commitment. Chris Mooney discusses their importance in a recent article in the Washington Post.   Why Earth’s future will … Continue reading Cities play a key role in our sustainable future →

Cities are key to deciding our planet’s climate future

For many years, we have realised the power of cities to address our climate and energy concerns. There are a growing number of initiatives to mobilise urban policies. Chelsea Harvey writes in the Financial Times about a new study by the New Climate Economy that details how great a lever that cities can be.   … Continue reading Cities are key to deciding our planet’s climate future →

Grime isn’t the pollution sink that many thought it was

Jonathan Webb provides a good article on the BBC news website about recent rooftop experiments to better understand the overall effect of grime that all our cities suffer from. You may be surprised by the results.   City grime 'breathes back out' polluting nitrogen gases Scientists say the grime which clings to urban surfaces "breathes … Continue reading Grime isn’t the pollution sink that many thought it was →

NREL report examines energy use in cities and proposes next steps for energy innovation

What U.S. cities are doing to reduce their energy use is outlined in a new report from the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that sets the stage for broader discussion and analysis. Given increasing urbanization and their large energy footprint, cities are a prime focal point for establishing a clean energy future. The … Continue reading NREL report examines energy use in cities and proposes next steps for energy innovation →

One mayor in US shares his views on the importance of improved energy efficiency

It is encouraging to hear from Jim Gitz, mayor of Freeport Illinois explaining on the journalstandard website about the impact of implementing energy efficiency measures.   Mayor's View: Freeport can save big bucks by implementing energy cost-saving measures At Monday night’s meeting, Water & Sewer Director Tom Glendenning outlined new energy saving proposals to cut … Continue reading One mayor in US shares his views on the importance of improved energy efficiency →

Communities play an increasingly important role in the energy transition

Michael Levitin writes a good article in the Guardian explaining that publicly-run renewable energy programmes are flourishing across the US, as states from California to Massachusetts and Ohio embrace the switch from fossil-fuel based power.   Community energy model is speeding US move to renewables Sewage and solar power may be odd bedfellows in the … Continue reading Communities play an increasingly important role in the energy transition →