A new study by the University of California found that cities around the world could save $24 trillion and lower urban vehicle emissions by 11% by 2050 by improving bicycling infrastructure and …
Copenhagen’s new parks build community green space while protecting from floods
Rather than opting for "gray infrastructure" solutions to flooding, such as building new pipes to handle heavy rainfall, Copenhagen is creating new parks and transforming old ones so that its parks …
“Bicycle autobahn” will connect Germany with a system of 100km of dedicated bike routes
Recently, Germany opened the first 5 kilometers of a new "bicycle autobahn" system that is planned to cover the country with 100 kilometers of routes. The bicycle-only highway will use old railways …
Composting reduces methane emissions while saving water, energy, and money
Composting kitchen scraps and food waste reduces greenhouse gas emissions by emitting significantly lower levels of methane than that same food waste would emit in a landfill. Since food waste makes …
Youth in Kenya protect forests and preserve community assets
A group of young people in Kenya, many of whom were previously involved in crime and drug sales, have created the Muiru Youth Reform Group, helping to save trees from illegal logging. Using a special …
Take a walk for your health and the health of your community
The benefits of walking are huge for individuals, communities, and the planet. This year's National Walking Summit extolled the benefits of strategies to increase the walkability of communities, from …
CicLAvia cleans air in Los Angeles and gets people moving
Every few months, Los Angeles has a day where they close a group of streets to cars and open them to human-powered means of transportation. A study of last year's CicLAvia event showed that air …
The Thirsty Energy Initiative Tackles Water-Energy Nexus
Hundreds of millions of people do not have access to clean water or energy or both, and demand for these resources is growing around the world. The World Bank's Thirsty Energy Initiative is a program …
New commercial buildings in France must have green roofs or solar
As of last March, new buildings in French commercial areas are required to have either solar panels or partial green roofs. This initiative will help France to both increase the percentage of …
Recycling co-op improves livelihoods for street waste sorters in Morocco
In Morocco, an effort that began in 2011 is now employing 150 people to sort waste for recycling. The Attawafoq Cooperative is one of 16 waste sorting centers that hire individuals who previously …
Vertical ocean farming absorbs carbon while providing jobs, food, and coastal protection
A new open-source model of vertical ocean farming created by GreenWave can sequester carbon while growing crops for food, energy, pharmaceuticals, and even cosmetics without any need for fresh water, …
Eat less meat for your health and the health of the planet
In February, the top nutritional advisory panel in the United States, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, recommended that Americans should eat more plant-based foods and less meat for the sake …