A study shows that 32-43% of the lead in the London air was originally from leaded fuels, banned 20 years ago. The concern is that most cities likely to be affected by the pollutant, which is particularly harmful to children’s brains. Damian Carrington discusses the issue in an article on The Guardian website. Legacy … Continue reading Leaded fuels, banned 20 years ago, still have impact on our environment
Category: urban policies
Urban sustainability – preparing for post-COVID tourism
Johannes Novy, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, School of Architecture and Cities at the University of Westminster discusses in an article on the Conversation website what urban tourism should look like after COVID, using Amsterdam as an important model. Amsterdam is laying down a model for what tourism should look like after COVID When … Continue reading Urban sustainability – preparing for post-COVID tourism
Decarbonising London’s Square Mile heating system: heat pumps and geothermal technology
We know that to reach our long-term climate and energy objectives, our heating systems will have to be decarbonised. Jillian Ambrose writes on the Guardian website about plans for buildings in London’s Square Mile. What are your views? Low-carbon heating system to warm up London’s Square Mile One of the UK’s largest low-carbon heating … Continue reading Decarbonising London’s Square Mile heating system: heat pumps and geothermal technology
New EEA assessments on urban environmental change
European cities have the potential to lead the way towards green, sustainable future, according to two assessments on urban environmental change, published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) recently. Cities play pivotal roles in shifting to green, sustainable future Cities face huge challenges in trying to shift to a greener future in the wake … Continue reading New EEA assessments on urban environmental change
COVID-19 has helped researchers better understand the relationship between economic activity and the environment
Although COVID-19 itself, and the associated containment measures, have had tragic consequences for societies, it also serves as an unprecedented natural experiment that helps us to better understand the relationship between economic activity and the environment. Frederik Noack, Assistant Professor, environmental economics, University of British Columbia; Dominic Rohner, Professor of Economics, Université de Lausanne; and … Continue reading COVID-19 has helped researchers better understand the relationship between economic activity and the environment
Public transit is hanging by a thread in many cities around the world and that’s a disaster for the world’s ability to address that other global crisis: climate change
Public transit offers a simple way for cities to lower GHG emissions, but the pandemic has pushed ridership, and revenue, off a cliff in many big systems. Somini Sengupta, Geneva Abdul, Manuela Andreoni and Veronica Penney discuss latest developments in an article on the New York Times website. Riders Are Abandoning Buses and Trains. … Continue reading Public transit is hanging by a thread in many cities around the world and that’s a disaster for the world’s ability to address that other global crisis: climate change
Helsinki’s housing industry has launched a project to try to make residential buildings as energy-efficient as possible
It is encouraging to see the importance the city of Helsinki is giving to promote energy efficient construction. Anton Stoyanov discusses a pilot project in an article on The Mayor website. Helsinki on the lookout for the builders of the city’s most energy-efficient building Helsinki’s housing industry has launched a project to try to … Continue reading Helsinki’s housing industry has launched a project to try to make residential buildings as energy-efficient as possible
Cape Town sets an example to African cities to develop a climate strategy
Alanna Rebelo, Karen Joan Esler, Michael Samways and Patricia Holmes of Stellenbosch University together with Tony Rebelo from the South African National Biodiversity Institute explain in an article on The Conversation website how Cape Town is addressing climate change. Cape Town's climate strategy isn't perfect, but every African city should have one It may … Continue reading Cape Town sets an example to African cities to develop a climate strategy
Sustainable growth is priority for city of Helsinki
Dorn Townsend writes on the New York Times website about developments in Helsinki, Finland. As we give more and more attention to policies and actions at the local level, it is encouraging to see such efforts as are underway in Helsinki. What is the situation where you are? Helsinki Makes Sustainability a Guiding Principle … Continue reading Sustainable growth is priority for city of Helsinki
Two new EEA reports on the need for action to improve adaptation nationally and locally
Despite the increasing awareness of climate change impacts and the need to adapt, many of Europe’s cities and towns are struggling to handle the impacts of heatwaves, severe droughts and destructive floods. Two European Environment Agency (EEA) reports published today stress the urgent need for action to improve adaptation and resilience at local and national … Continue reading Two new EEA reports on the need for action to improve adaptation nationally and locally
