Maldives is building a floating city to adapt to climate change
The floating city’s sustainable design goes beyond climate adaptation, with renewable energy powering the city through a smart grid.
Cities
Tokyo to build massive green neighborhood
Apart from boasting 24,000 square meters of green space, the entire neighborhood will use 100% renewable energy and seek WELL and LEED certification.
Austin redirects police funding to buy transitional housing for homeless
The Austin City Council voted unanimously to purchase the Texas Bungalow Hotel & Suites for $6.7 million. The hotel is slated to become transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness.
Gothenburg, Sweden develops world’s first zero-emissions zone
The developers hope to make the city one of the world’s largest-scale testing grounds for zero-emission technologies. If the initiative works as proposed, Gothenburg Green City Zone will implement 100% emission-free transport modes by 2030.
Somerville, Massachusetts decriminalizes naturally occurring psychedelics
The Somerville City Council voted 9-0 to decriminalize the possession of entheogenic plants, including psilocybin mushrooms and ibogaine.
Saudi Arabia is building a zero-carbon city in a 100-mile straight line
The unconventional city will feature “zero cars, zero streets, and zero carbon emissions,” according to a statement by Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Cambridge, Massachusetts to be first US city to post warning stickers on gas pumps
“The gas pump stickers will remind drivers to think about climate change and hopefully consider non-polluting options.”
San Francisco, Oakland, and Seattle ban natural gas in new buildings
In November, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voted to ban natural gas in new buildings. On December 2, Oakland’s city council did the same. Now Seattle Mayor Durkan announced a proposal to ban natural gas in new commercial and large multi-family construction for space and most water heating.
Anchorage introduces team of mental health first responders
Starting next year in Anchorage, Alaska, a new team of mental health first responders will replace police for emergency calls for someone with a mental health issue. The Mobile Crisis Team is funded by a new local alcohol tax and the team is trained to be dispatched to situations police do not have adequate training to address.
Quebec to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035
The move is part of the province’s $6.7 billion investment over the next five years to help it reduce its impact on climate change.