path2positive

“We need new leaders, more leaders to address climate change. Leaders that can connect and inspire the best in others.” Climate change demands big solutions that can scale up and truly match the breadth of this pervasive challenge. This includes…

This week, we saw many stories highlighting local climate leadership and a few fun Christmas stories. Our favorites are below.  Don’t forget to check out our blog post from earlier this week summarizing 5 Ways to Garner Support for Climate…

Our ‘Hot off the press’ Recommendations Report summarizes the results from several working sessions from the American Climate Leadership Summit, which we convened October 25 and 26, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. with more than 300 national leaders from across…

We’re back to rounding up the most important stories for each week that you might have missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of…

For Immediate Release  SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 14, 2017 – Prominent Utah leaders from business, government, higher education, faith communities and civic organizations united on Nov. 14, 2017 to sign a declaration acknowledging shared responsibility for protecting Utah’s economy, air…

The 2017 America Climate Leadership Summit has brought hundreds of leaders to the “mantle,” to discuss the next steps for addressing our changing climate. Among them are local government leaders like the Honorable Greg Nickels.  The Hon. Greg Nickels is the…

Philosopher George Santayana famously said, “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” When it comes to planning and action around climate change, though, we need to flip his advice: If we wish to avoid repeating the…

The American Climate Leadership Summit is an annual event that brings together leaders from multiple sectors including ecoAmerica specialty sectors, health, faith, and communities. Each year, ecoAmerica publishes a report of recommendations to help move communities, health leaders, and faith…

Communities can come face to face with mental health issues during and after disasters. This is a reality that was made clear after Hurricane Katrina – when survivors showed signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Now, Harvey, Irma and Jose…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Last week, leaders from Los Angeles to Washington DC came together to discuss how they are tackling some of the greatest climate challenges in their communities. The event, Climate Day LA, invited business, community, faith, government, and nonprofit leaders in…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Araceli Campos is Executive Director of the Miguel Contreras Foundation and is a speaker for Climate Day LA. Tell us about your work on climate change. We serve working families in LA County.  This includes strengthening the wellness of communities where people migrate,…

Robert Garcia is the Mayor of Long Beach and a speaker at Climate Day LA. Tell us about your work on climate change. I’ve made protecting our climate an important part of my agenda as Mayor. Long Beach is a coastal…

Rachelle Wenger is the Director of Public Policy & Community Advocacy of Dignity Health and a scheduled speaker for Climate Day LA 2017. Tell us about your work on climate change.  Our climate and sustainability goals include reducing waste, evaluating what…

Much of the recent progress on climate in America has happened at the city and state level – and in the wake of President Trump’s announcement that he plans to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, local action will…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

For many people, whether they accept the existence or seriousness of climate change is not so much about science as it is about identity. People define themselves in large part by the social or political groups they belong too –…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Climate change is already affecting us in many ways. Around the country, communities are dealing with and preparing for the physical impacts, including sea level rise, extreme heat, flooding, and drought. But there’s another side of climate change that community…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Climate change affects all of us – but some more than others.  Women, children, people of color, the poor, and the elderly suffer the impacts more acutely. The reasons vary. Some populations are dependent on industries like agriculture, which can…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

We asked Path to Positive: Los Angeles members, What inspires you to take action on climate change solutions in Los Angeles? Here are some of their answers. John Beynon, United Nations Association and Whittier Area Environment Coalition“Information coming out of…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

For local officials in conservative communities, addressing the ever-more-visible impacts of climate change requires a delicate balance. Ignoring their regions’ vulnerabilities is not an option – but in many cases, neither is uttering the words “climate change.” So polarizing and…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and new climate research are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and practical climate solutions are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Upton Sinclair once wrote, “It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” And for many Americans working in extraction industries throughout the country, it can be difficult to imagine…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and practical climate solutions are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Climate leaders in Los Angeles just announced what may seem like an impossible task. Rather than pursuing the typical laundry list of climate solutions, Mayor Eric Garcetti and his team are starting with a bold goal—lowering the city’s temperature. Over…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and practical climate solutions are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Drive through any city and you’ll inevitably happen upon neighborhoods that have seen better days. Older houses, run-down buildings, and antiquated infrastructure can blight any community. But where some see neglected neighborhoods, others see climate opportunities. While less flashy than…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and practical climate solutions are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Home to one of President Trump’s grand estates, perhaps the country’s most competitive electoral swing state, and host to some of the most divisive partisanship in the country, Florida represents an epicenter of hard hitting politics in America. You may…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and practical climate solutions are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

When we think of our nation’s strongest climate leaders, cities like New York and Los Angeles often come to mind. With vast resources, deep pockets, and environmentally conscious residents, implementing climate solutions in these cities often comes with broad public…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and practical climate solutions are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

Sun, rain, or snow, walking is an eco-friendly form of exercise most people can do throughout their lifetime. According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, walking has numerous preventative and therapeutic health benefits. It’s also easy: It comes naturally, requires…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and practical climate solutions are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories of…

On the list of areas in need of innovation and investment when it comes to community climate solutions, transportation ranks high. Accounting for roughly a quarter of man-made fossil fuel emissions, it can often seem like low-hanging fruit for mayors…

Each week we share the stories that shouldn’t be missed. Local climate leaders, the latest in community climate action, and practical climate solutions are all featured to highlight the good news coming out of cities. These are the top stories…

This year has been a tumultuous one for climate change. While progress was made, international agreements were put into place, and cities, states and countries have sprung into action—the political commitment to climate action at the federal and global stage…

2016 has been a roller coaster of a year when it comes to climate action. Many of the positive developments now seem under threat, and there is a growing concern that hard-fought gains may be lost as we enter into…

Developing new climate solutions isn’t always easy, and often times the clearest paths to making an impact are the ones that are most challenging. This is especially the case in cities, where climate action plans focusing on mass transportation, city…

President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to reverse much of the progress our nation has made on climate. His recent appointment of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, a fierce critic of the Environmental Protection Agency, to be the EPA’s administrator is…

Mona Telega is a Principal at the Monmark Agency and Chair of the Committee on the Environment at the American Institute of Architects (COTE AIA | LA). There, she and her team create programs to advance sustainable built environments and encourage…

Vermont is now home to the nation’s first 100% renewable-energy city. The largest city in the state, with 42,000 residents, Burlington has grabbed the attention of mayors across the country searching for a model they can emulate in transitioning to…

As families are still gathered for this long weekend, many are gearing up to hit the shops to find the best deals that follow Thanksgiving Day and kick off the new holiday season. However, the long weekend can be better…

The events that have transpired over the past two weeks have left most in the climate community shocked. ecoAmerica’s President, Bob Perowitz, spoke to these concerns last week, and helped us all rethink our path moving forward. But with a…

12 minutes ago, as I started writing this… it was reported that Hillary Clinton conceded the election to Donald Trump. We should no longer have to argue, as we know and have always said, that people say what they think they…

Richard Jackson, MD, MPH, is a Professor at the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles. A pediatrician, he has served in many leadership positions in both environmental health and infectious disease with the California…

While more often than not our news feeds are filled with the devastating impacts, seemingly insurmountable challenges, and overwhelming reality of climate change, progress is being made at every level. And this year in particular has seen great strides forward…

Just this week, a coalition of over 85 mayors met at the United Nation’s Habitat III conference on cities in Ecuador. Their message was simple: cities and local governments are increasingly responsible for the costs and consequences of regional and…

Over the past year and a half, there have been bold and inspiring moves in the right direction when it comes to climate. The Obama Administration put forward the Clean Power Plan, a landmark policy that promises to move the…

Every few weeks I jump on the Metrolink Train in Southern California. From the station a block from my house to Downtown Los Angeles is about 45 minutes, much preferable to the near 90 minutes that I might otherwise spend…

For too many mayors and municipal leaders, climate action remains a task that seems out of reach. Cities often have limited resources to devote towards developing a comprehensive climate action plan, the absence of funds to allocate to a full…

This has been a banner week for climate. While community leaders, mayors, and local officials throughout the country work to develop and implement climate action plans—several in particular stand out. The common thread between the approaches these cities are taking…

When we think about the range of climate solutions, it isn’t often that we consider systemic choices made by city planners and commercial developers over a span of many decades. This may be beginning to change. Suburban sprawl is the…

State and local governments are leading the way when it comes to the development and implementation of climate solutions. While each is pursuing different avenues to meet sustainability goals, they each are improving the lives of residents by fostering cleaner,…

The bad news is that western states are still hurting for water, drought conditions prevail, and climate-driven weather patterns appear not to promise relief in the near future. The good news, according to one analysis, is that many communities have…

Thirty miles east of Downtown Los Angeles is the city where I was raised and currently live, La Verne. A small community hugging the foothills, it has a long history in Southern California for its orchards of orange trees. Where…

City leaders are constantly on the lookout for programs that can be implemented to improve the lives of residents in their communities. While cost restrictions, political considerations, and logistical constraints are always limiting factors, there is one simple climate solution…

Over the past twelve months, governments have made enormous progress in working towards climate change solutions. The historic international agreement reached in Paris at COP 21, unprecedented bilateral agreements made between China and the United States to reduce emissions, President…

Anyone following climate action over the past decade is well aware that some of the greatest strides in renewables have come from the broad acceptance and implementation of solar panels. The combination of decreasing costs, increasing generation capacity, and programs…

As anyone that lives in or visits Los Angeles knows, if you want to get around, you need a car. While this perception is especially true in LA, residents of cities throughout the country have a similar dependence on car…

In our world of exponential population growth and rapid urbanization, environmental conservancy often takes a backseat to development. We see this happening all around the globe: in Asia, the Mekong River is being dammed to provide hydroelectric power to surrounding…

California is known for its beautiful beaches, healthy lifestyles, and attention to all things green – so anyone who has visited the Port of Los Angeles may be surprised to see the environmental and health consequences that can result from…

Developing and implementing an ambitious climate action plan is becoming more and more common for mayors and city leaders throughout the country. As an increasing number of Americans begin to see climate impacts in their everyday lives, and start to…

Confused about all the Mayoral coalitions and partnerships aimed at local climate solutions?  You’re not alone.  Just last week, two powerful new coalitions aimed at supporting mayors in the US and across the globe were unveiled, bringing together more powerful…

Developing and implementing a climate action plan is often a big task for mayors and city leaders. With countless demands, all requiring a share of already scarce time, resources, and attention, sustainability programs are sometimes seen more as a burden…

If you take a good look at any city, large or small, one of the first things you may realize is how much of our communities are dominated by infrastructure devoted to transportation. Roads, highways, parking lots, and the like…

One of the best ways to clear up traffic congestion in our cities is to convert daily drivers into public transportation consumers. However, investing in new buses, subways, and light rail is often not a real option for cities due…

Across the country, city and community leaders have been making progress on developing and implementing climate solutions. Facilitating rooftop or community solar programs, incentivizing water-wise landscaping, and pushing strong energy efficiency standards for new construction are some of the actions…

Early this month, I had the great opportunity to tour several environmentally friendly homes located throughout my community. The outing was part of a city garden tour featuring native and drought resistant landscaping, grey-water recycling systems, solar panels and a…

Mere months after releasing one of the country’s most ambitious climate action plans, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced a “down payment” of $127 million in spending to implement the measures laid out in the new policy. In the world…

With a baby on the way, my wife and I last week met with a local, eco friendly cloth and compostable paper diapers company to set up our service. To our surprise, we were informed that the city of Los…

This Tuesday, climate leaders in San Francisco made a major step towards making the city a model sustainable city. In its quest to become powered entirely by clean energy by 2025, the city’s Board of Supervisors approved a policy that…

Philadelphia and New Orleans are two of America’s great cities. While their differences may seem greater than their similarities, both cities are on the frontlines of climate change. New Orleans and Philadelphia, and countless other cities across the nation, are…

Several years ago, as a graduate student, I participated in a school-based community garden serving at-risk students in a working class community. Since then, I have witnessed a tremendous growth of public gardens sprouting up in and around the community…

Salt Lake City is feeling the effects of climate change, and city leaders are taking note. For many cities and states throughout the country, the issue continues to divide politicians and residents, and exposes existing partisan cleavages. However, leaders in…

In San Diego, California’s second largest city, Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer was thrust into the middle of a decision that could potentially chart the city’s climate path for the coming decades. After winning a special election, and defeating a Democratic…

The consequences and opportunities of climate change are local, and it is the imperative of mayors to inspire their communities to act on climate. This is the message of Jackie Biskupski, Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Cindy Lerner…

This was an important week for mayors and climate. Three seemingly unrelated climate stories reveal a stark picture of the increasingly urgent call to action facing US mayors. As the leaders most responsible for preventing climate risk and dealing with…

In Southern Florida, the consequences of climate change are real. They threaten homes, businesses and are visible to residents throughout the region. In Miami, city and municipal leaders have been vocal critics of state and federal inaction, and have been…

Last year, the Obama Administration announced one of the country’s most ambitious climate action plans, the Clean Power Plan (CPP). The aim of the plan is simple: phase in major changes in the way that nation gets its power thereby…

One of the great triumphs across the country has been the realization among city and community leaders that climate change is real, it is happening now, and it is caused by human activity. More difficult though has been the task…

Large climate impacts like sea level rise will, for many cities, require investing in large infrastructure projects. However, some cities in low-lying areas may have another solution at the ready: nature. In an ambitious collaboration between Miami-Dade County, an environmental…

The transition to clean energy can be an especially politically contentious issue. That is why focusing on economic impacts of clean power is so attractive. As state, city and community leaders look for ways to slash utility costs, clean power…

Solar energy has been growing to new heights over the last decade. Homeowners are enjoying the benefits of capturing their own power, and many who have access to net metering can even earn credit for excess generation. One of the…

Often, in discussions of climate solutions, policymakers target mass transportation, clean energy generation, and changing consumption habits. All important aspects of a robust climate action plan. Less discussed, but perhaps as or more important than all other solutions, is the…

Better known for the Golden Gate Bridge, sourdough bread and Alcatraz, San Francisco is now playing host to mayors and world leaders to show off the city’s new cutting edge recycling plant. As urban populations grow, and world cities become…

As many regions throughout the country continue to struggle from a record setting drought, city leaders have begun to search for tools to reduce consumption, improve efficiency, and increase conservation and storage. While many climate solutions depend on large investments…

In Maryland, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act of 2016 just made its way to the governor’s desk. The bold new policy aims to slash the state’s fossil fuel emissions by 40% over the next decade and a half. Already receiving…

It has been 100 days since the COP 21 talks in Paris, and the real work of developing and implementing climate action plans is already underway. The talks and the difficult work ahead have illustrated the importance of cities and…

Mayors throughout the US are working through their climate tool-kit in search of effective climate solutions that can be quickly and easily implemented. One area that is often overlooked, perhaps due to its ubiquity, are streetlights. In a recent survey…

One of the challenges that mayors and city leaders face as they develop climate action plans is insuring that all communities are able to reap the rewards and opportunities that can accompany climate solutions. This is especially the case for…

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu spoke before the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority this week in an effort to urge action on climate. Louisiana is at the forefront of climate change, with much of the state threatened by rising…

A new proposal before the state house and senate threaten to derail climate action plans across Massachusetts. The new policy affects the State’s robust net-metering program, which allows residents who invest in solar the opportunity to sell excess power back…

A coalition of climate leaders has formed in Mason City Iowa. City officials, along with faculty and students from the University of Iowa’s Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) are working together to create multiple climate action plans that would…

With increasing technology, a more supportive public, and a recognition of the growing challenges and opportunities of climate change, mayors throughout the US are on the constant lookout for tested and proven climate solutions. Fortunately, recent agreements from the COP21-Climate…

Cities are moving quickly to develop and implement bold climate action plans. One of the leaders in this sprint to climate solutions is Seattle Mayor Ed Murry. In a bold new initiative, the mayor at last week’s Climate Leadership Conference…

In America’s heartland, a church, a synagogue, and a mosque are coming together to build a true interfaith campus – the first of its kind in the world – and the most environmentally sustainable church, also the first of its…

Climate change has been conspicuously absent from recent GOP presidential debates. The divide between those accepting and denying the reality of climate change has long split down partisan and ideological lines. However, as more and more mayors and city leaders,…

Americans are increasingly becoming concerned with how climate affects the health and well being of their families and communities. They are looking for leadership from all levels of government—local, state, and federal. However, in a new report released by the…

One of the most important trends for cities implementing climate solutions is the push to invest in “going green!” But what does this really mean? For many, the transition to green includes steps like increasing building efficiency, investing in becoming…

The announcement of the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan prompted immediate action throughout the country. At the state level, policy makers and elected officials varied in their responses—as many challenged the federal program in federal courts. At the lower levels…

Often the greatest hurdle to climate action is the misperception that investing in climate solutions will cost jobs. In Illinois, lawmakers are addressing this head-on, and have introduced a bill that would boost local economies, create clean jobs, and improve…

In California, an experiment is underway which may change how communities act on climate. Three cities are collaborating in an effort to enlist residents to work on implementing climate solutions. Dubbed the Cool Block program, community climate leaders seek to…

With more than half of the world’s population now living in cities, mayors and community leaders are increasingly on the front lines of the consequences of climate change—rising sea levels, more severe weather events, and public health challenges. However big…

Rural communities, residents and utilities have traditionally relied on cheap, dirty fossil fuels. Often too remote to be connected directly to the national energy grid, rural Americans have traditionally banded together into co-ops, generating and purchasing enough power to sustain…

San Diego is California’s second largest city, and when officials there take action, others follow. This is why the city’s recently announced climate action plan is so important. The new policies include a commitment to 100% renewables by 2035, and…

Sometimes the greatest hurdles to getting residents to act on climate are the most simple to resolve. This is especially true in large cities and urban centers where residents don’t yet make use of mass transit, cycling paths, and walking…

Climate leaders in Oregon are at it again as the State Senate considers a bill that would redefine where residents source their energy. The bill would eliminate coal energy production by 2030 and would double the amount of renewable generation.…

Progress is being made in Maryland. This week, in a bipartisan vote, Democrats and Republicans came together in the state’s Senate, and overwhelmingly supported a new bill that would require the state to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 40% over…

How much greenhouse gas is your city emitting? Do you know the levels of pollution in your city’s air? These are questions that should be considered by mayors and community leaders in every city—as municipal officials take into consideration the…

Alaska’s rural communities have long been self sufficient—having to deal with the challenges of extremely remote locations, a lack of roads and transportation options, and being disconnected from the grid. Out of necessity, residents and community leaders throughout the state…

El Nino is anticipated to bring a wet and rainy season to the record droughts that California has faced for over four years. However, one year of rainfall won’t be enough to pull the state out of its serious water…

Solar has quickly become one of the greatest resources in the transition to clean energy. Falling prices, an increased availability of community solar programs, and technology that is more efficient than ever are all major factors in the rise of…

An unprecedented coalition of 17 governors from across the country just pledged to take bold new action on climate. Elected leaders from both sides of the political divide are increasingly recognizing the necessity, and the benefits, of investing in climate…

Not long ago, solar energy was relegated to a small number of homeowners able to shoulder the burden of high cost panels. However, much has changed in recent years, and developments in technology, lowered price points, and more accommodating utilities…

In Connecticut, the last remaining coal-fired power plant just received its death sentence. Five years from now it will be shut down; replaced by a cleaner natural gas power plant. The transition to cleaner energy represents a greater shift away…

Now employing more workers than the coal industry, solar represents a growing source of both power and jobs in communities throughout the country. The Solar Foundation, an organization that analyzes the impact and issues surrounding solar generation, just released a…

“Dad, what do you do for a job?” As parents, we often get this question from our children. For me, as a long-time professional environmental campaigner and policy hack, the answer has never been easy. The issues I have worked…

Does your city have an investment fund? Do city workers have a pension? The chances are that you answered yes to both of these questions. It is also likely that at least some of those investment dollars are tied up…

Bold action is underway in New England. States throughout the region have begun weighing options for meeting clean energy goals, and everything is on the table. The goal: signing long-term contracts for renewable energy generation that will fundamentally transform where…

As the price of oil reaches record lows, President Obama has announced a new plan that would tax oil to pay for the latest in renewable transportation technologies. The $10 per barrel fee would raise more than $300 billion, and…

In Massachusetts this week, state and local leaders rolled out plans to make renewable technologies available to all residents. Traditionally, renewable and clean energy systems have been cost prohibitive for many Americans—available only to the more affluent communities and residents.…

Developing and implementing an ambitious climate action plan can be a difficult, and often expensive, endeavor for small cities. Identifying possible solutions and mobilizing resources to effectively advance climate solutions can often seem out of reach, and as though the…

Mayors are always seeking the newest solutions to advance climate action in their communities. While attractive, the latest in solar, wind, and increased efficiencies come at a cost, and may be prohibitively expensive for many municipalities. However, there is good…

Communities throughout the country and the world are beginning to take bold action on climate. The effort to implement meaningful climate action plans cuts across sectors, and relies upon leaders from business, health, higher education, communities and faith. This effort…

As residents on the east coast recover from the record snowfall of winter storm Jonas, the usual suspects are in full force claiming that cold weather is evidence enough that climate change is a myth. In a series of new…

Mayors and community leaders have traditionally focused their efforts at building and maintaining infrastructure, implementing new programs, and working with residents to improve the quality of life for city dwellers. So often, these improvements are complex, but from time to…

In an effort to address the growing problem of traffic, and the prohibitive costs of expanding roads and infrastructure, mayors are now nudging residents to take up cycling. The transition from horsepower to pedal power helps save cities money, improves…

Mayors have been playing an increasingly important role in the fight against climate change: implementing bold climate action plans that enlarge green spaces, improve access to public transportation, transition to clean energy, and facilitate green job growth. However, mayors cannot…

On the heels of some of the hottest years on record, political leaders around the world are finally waking up to the necessity of taking bold action on climate. 2015 had some banner achievements: the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan,…

Elected officials and climate leaders in New York just took a major step in committing to climate solutions. Their plan: to invest $5 billion into the clean and renewable energy sectors over the next ten years. In a move spearheaded…

With constant competition for scarce resources, the development and implementation of bold climate action plans can be a difficult endeavor for city leaders. One solution to this problem is to focus on solutions, which rely less on resources, and more…

As mayors and community leaders work to implement climate solutions, one of the greatest challenges is communicating with residents about the need to take action. To facilitate local government officials in their climate action, researchers have identified key strategies for…

Mayors and city leaders are constantly searching for new and innovative ways to bring climate solutions to their communities. Grand Junction, Colorado is a standout, particularly for its investment in transforming the city’s sewage into usable power. And so far,…

Mayors across the country are charged with the difficult task of bringing jobs to residents, building up infrastructure, and providing a healthy environment for families. However, too often, the solutions to these challenges are at odds with one another—and bringing…

This week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in his state of the state address, announced an ambitious new plan to slash fossil fuel emissions in the state, and reinvest in renewables. The aim of the plan is to quickly phase…

What do the rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline, development and implementation of the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan (CPP), and the Paris Climate Negotiations all have in common? Each of these marks a bold step forward in addressing fossil…

2015 was a banner year for climate action. The Clean Power Plan, the Paris Agreement, and a number of local and state actions throughout the country proved that leaders are finally getting serious about climate change. However, many elected officials…

In communities throughout the country, mayors and regional leaders have pushed hard to facilitate a transition to renewable energies—like solar and wind. Some of their greatest impediments to this shift come from locally operating utilities. However, in a statewide effort…

For decades, climate change and environmental issues have been hijacked by political discourse. One’s political ideology often drove support or opposition to bold climate action. However, recent years have seen a shift in public opinion. More and more Americans are…

Environmental conservation, climate change, and clean energy have traditionally generated deep political divides. As the consequences of climate change have increasingly become visible in cities, regions, and states throughout the country, elected leaders on both sides of the aisle are…

When looking for climate inspiration, mayors and local leaders tend to turn to one another. However, much can be learned by looking internationally, and by identifying opportunities to implement climate solutions that have already been proven elsewhere. Bold climate leaders…

In August 2015, President Obama announced a new Clean Power Plan (CPP), which seeks to dramatically reduce the levels of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the United States. While some states across the nation begin to take steps to fulfill the…

Solar power has experienced an explosion of growth over the past few years. New investments have made solar technologies more efficient, affordable, and have helped to spread solar’s populatiry throughout the country. Last year, rooftop solar set new records, however,…

In 2005 an important meeting took place between would-be presidential candidate, John McCain, and then Florida Governor Charlie Crist. After covering campaign strategy and politics, McCain left Crist with one final thought: the need to act on climate change. A…

2015 was an incredible year for the climate movement, with leaders in every sector speaking out and demanding climate action. ecoAmerica continued to empower those leaders through summits, programs, and research designed to reinforce effective climate messaging and strategies. It…

One of the major disputes at the recently held COP 21 climate talks involved the need for an enforcement scheme to ensure that climate pledges would be met. With too many countries unwilling to accept such measures, a compromise deal…

2015 was an important year for climate action – and one of the most significant climate achievements was the defeat of the Keystone XL pipeline. After seven years of wrangling with the oil industry and politicians, Americans won an important…

Much has happened this year globally, across the US, and here at Path to Positive Communities. Leaders from all sectors have a lot to be proud of, and their work in 2015 may just mark a turning point for finally…

Last August, President Obama released the details of a comprehensive plan to implement strict new carbon standards primarily targeting power plants and industry. Dubbed the Clean Power Plan (CPP), the new regulations aim to address all sectors affected by fossil…

Last week the US Congress passed its first budget in six years. Quickly signed into law by President Obama, the deal marks a major development in the path towards renewable and green energy investments. The incentives and tax credits send…

Following COP 21 in Paris, mayors around the globe have been tasked with implementing ambitious climate action plans that will lead their country towards reaching their pledged goals as specified by the Paris agreement. For national, state, regional, and city…

Houston, we’ve got a problem. And if the former chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is calling the bluff of the nuclear industry, we know it’s a big one. The recent climate talks in Paris have heightened discussions about how…

With the Paris talks now over, many around the country are eagerly waiting to see how the country will fulfill its emission reduction targets. While this has captured the public’s attention, across the US, city and local officials have been…

One of the most contentious issues debated at COP21 over the past two weeks was the disparate levels of emissions released by developed and developing countries. Emerging economies have traditionally struggled to secure finance opportunities needed to transition to renewables,…

The COP 21 talks in Paris are over. After months of planning, and nervous anticipation by climate leaders, a deal has been reached. While these international negotiations are often regarded as top-down agreements, the real work of implementing climate solutions…

Now that the much anticipated talks in Paris have come to a close, and a deal has been reached, the real work on implementing climate solutions begins. With each country pledging its own reduction targets, there is a great deal…

It’s the day after the huge event Aimee Christensen helped organize— “Climate and Capital” on the sidelines of COP21, to inform and encourage investment in climate solutions—but she is not showing any signs of slowing down. She hops from one…

Outside of the Paris “beltway,” (called the Boulevard Périphérique) far from the climate talks and the palaces and villas where side meetings and donor discussions are taking place, are suburbs that are home to many of Paris’s immigrants, including Muslim…

John Hill is using communication skills honed over 23 years of work in Washington, D.C., every day this week in Paris at COP21. As Assistant General Secretary for Advocacy and Organizing at the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) Board of Church…

Noah Kittner, a PhD candidate in energy and resources at U Cal Berkeley, ran cross country as a high school student in Raleigh, North Carolina. He may have learned a thing or two about endurance back then that is helping…

The grand postmodern hall in the “Order of the Architects of the Isle of France,” a stately building near the gare de l’est train station in Paris, is abuzz with a language that is not French—emphasizing the diversity of a…

At the last COP meeting, in Copenhagen in 2009, there was only one side event focused on health and climate—two areas that are particularly important to cities and communities. This year at COP21 in Paris there have been several every…

With the COP 21 climate negotiations underway in Paris, countries have begun to outline climate commitments and to push others to increase pledges to cut carbon emissions. However, delegates from the United States are confronted with an additional hurdle—the knowledge…

Last week, we released our latest research report, Let’s Talk Climate: Messages to Motivate Americans. Collaborating with Lake Research Partners, ASO Communications, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, ecoAmerica has developed market-tested messages designed to engage Americans on climate solutions and…

For the next two weeks, local and community leaders from across the country will be in Paris to take part in International Climate Negotiations. In a series of events specifically geared to municipalities, leaders will learn and collaborate on strategies…

Over the next two weeks, climate leaders from 190 countries will descend upon Paris in hopes of reaching new agreements on climate change. Despite failed promises from previous conferences, hope is growing that real progress in Paris can be made.…

As the international climate negotiations get underway this week in Paris, leaders across all sectors are beginning to explore the most effective ways in which to make a meaningful difference on climate. One area particularly ripe for climate action is…

Climate change increasingly poses risks to all nations and can no longer be ignored. While debate and political action often stymie national action, cities are well situated to craft and enact bold climate action plans that can slash greenhouse emissions,…

Local and community leaders are key to advancing climate solutions. Their work has drastically amplified national and international efforts to decrease greenhouse emissions and improve the lives of individuals through cleaner, healthier, more economically stable cities. However, in addition to…

In the wake of the horrific attacks on Paris, resilient city leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to working together on some of the world’s greatest challenges. Be it terrorism or climate change, cities are often best situated to act boldly…

New York has long been a leader on advancing climate solutions. Echoing earlier efforts, leaders in the state have recently laid out plans that rethink the state’s energy system. The plan involves a series of ambitious new programs that seek…

Cities are the new frontline for climate action. With a majority of the world’s population, and responsible for a majority of the world’s fossil fuel consumption, mayors and city officials are best positioned to develop and implement climate solutions. However,…

Driving to the grocery store, a café, or to work in a dense urban area can turn even a short trip into an unexpectedly long commute. Congested streets, difficulty finding parking, and the stress of navigating downtown avenues all add…

Miami is sinking. As sea levels rise due to melting glaciers, city officials in Miami Beach are confronted with the real effects of climate change. The rising waters threaten the low-lying city, but in ways that are not always so…

Impoverished and minority communities have long been disproportionately affected by pollution. One city, which embodies this long-standing problem, is the small community of Commerce, not far from downtown Los Angeles. For decades, the community has suffered from toxic pollutants, poor…

Over a year ago, ambitious city leaders in Amsterdam decided to boldly experiment with a new technology. The plan: to retrofit bike paths with new pavement segments with embedded solar panels. The solar roads look and feel like a normal…

87 Mayors from across the country are stepping up to meet the challenges of climate change. After years of waiting for congressional action, city and community leaders recognize that advancing climate solutions must begin at the local level. To meet…

Residents throughout Washington will soon be faced with a decision that could reverberate in cities and states throughout the country. That decision? Whether or not to implement a carbon tax. While many ideas on taxing carbon have been floated in…

Miami Beach is on the frontlines of climate change. Sitting less than 6-feet above sea level, the city is already prone to flooding at high tides and is particularly vulnerable to the threat of storm surges. So as sea levels…

Cities are now the economic powerhouses in America. Most Americans live in urban areas, and the top 20 cities countrywide generate the majority of the country’s GDP. They also are responsible for creating the majority of waste, emissions, and pollution.…

An energy revolution is underway in Texas. While better known for its sprawling oil fields, Texas now has more wind energy capacity than any other state. And the investments in renewables are beginning to pay off. One of the state’s…

With less than a month to go until the meeting of nations in Paris to negotiate new targets for climate change, leaders in California are planning and refining their strategies. Most of the delegations to the UN conference will be…

This week, city officials in Portland will decide whether they want to put a halt to all new fossil fuel developments and activities in their city. The resolutions under consideration would have two primary effects. The first would be to…

States and cities are increasingly on the frontline in the fight against climate change. With leaders from private, public and academic sectors recognizing the need to address climate change, a search is on for a solution that all can agree…

Recently, a number of studies have called into question the assumed benefits of too many trees in densely developed urban areas. The research suggests that trees may be responsible for trapping harmful pollutants by obstructing avenues that pollutants would otherwise…

Cities have become a hotbed of climate action. Responsible for the majority of the world’s population, economic output, and greenhouse gas emissions—they have become indispensable components of any serious plan to combat climate change. While national leaders are still navigating…

For decades, climate change has been a politically charged issue in American political discourse. Candidates and office holders often had to carefully navigate the science of climate change with alternative considerations, such as their local economy, jobs, and political affiliation…

For all of the discussion on the consequences of climate change, ocean acidification is one of the greatest challenges that remains absent from political and public discourse. A byproduct of fossil fuel emissions, ocean acidification occurs as a result of…

The United Nation’s Climate Change Summit this December in Paris, seeks to develop and implement bold new climate change goals that countries will sign onto and commit to meet. However, cities around the globe have already begun to take action,…

With less than 6 weeks until the long-awaited UN Climate Summit in Paris, leaders are looking for opportunities where the least amount of resources can have the greatest climate change impacts. While large-scale projects and international agreements are necessary components,…

In NYC, leaders from all sectors are converging to explore possible avenues for climate action. With a population of over 8 million, and countless miles of coastline, the city is on the front lines of climate change. This fact was…

Throughout Denmark, coastal cities, towns, and villages are consistently under threat of rising waters, which is being exacerbated by climate change and rising sea levels. While many municipalities focus their efforts entirely on climate change mitigation, a host of cities…

A common misconception among those wary of implementing bold climate action plans is that working towards sustainability comes with costs that may simply be too high. However, as technology progresses, ambitious climate action plans have become economic opportunities for communities…

As the countdown to the Paris COP21 Climate talks approaches, leaders are intensifying their search for answers on how to best address climate change. The international negotiations will feature leaders from roughly 190 countries, however, a growing number of city…

Los Angeles has a well-deserved reputation as a trend setting city, a place that sets the standard on style, fashion, art, and music. At the center of all this influence is Hollywood and the film industry. Some of the most…

As the world searches for feasible climate solutions that have the potential to make a significant dent in greenhouse gas emissions, leaders are increasingly turning to mayors as the possible solution. With over 80% of the planet’s carbon budget already…

City leaders often look to businesses, non-profits, and municipal partners for inspiration in implementing climate action plans. However, one under appreciated source of climate solutions is academia. Researchers and students at Cornell’s School of Sustainable Design are undertaking bold new…

C40 Cities and Climate Leadership Group, an organization devoted to empowering cities worldwide, just released a new report examining the role of cities in shaping the world’s carbon budget. Their research suggests that urban policies can have a major impact…

While national governments fumble attempts to make progress on climate targets, a growing number of organizations are calling on cities to pursue bold action. This comes as an increasing number of research institutes have found that cities alone can make…

Top-down leadership has been the prevailing model for advancing climate solutions at the state and federal level. However, Washington voters, through a coalition of community groups, are now attempting to leverage citizen action to implement bold climate policies in the…

Strong leadership on climate change solutions can be found in cities and states throughout the US. However, valuable and innovative lessons regarding how to advance climate solutions can also be found by examining international actors. One country providing a particularly…

As the Paris Climate Negotiations approach, it is becoming increasingly clear that mayors are taking the lead on climate change action. The advancement of climate change solutions by mayors around the world illustrates that committing to bold action on climate…

Boston has long been strong on climate, and ahead of the upcoming Paris climate talks, the city hopes to cement its place as one of America’s climate leaders. To this end, the city called upon sustainability directors from 19 cities…

California is an anomaly for climate action in the United States. With its unique blend of progressive politics, high tech and environmentally conscious industry, and an abundance of natural beauty—the state is able to pursue ambitious climate policies. However unique,…

Chronic inaction on climate change by national and international governments has made many refocus efforts at getting local governments to take action. Many have called for national government support and financial assistance to communities so that monetary aid is more…

Pope Francis has proven to be one of the strongest global voices pressuring action on climate change and environmental stewardship. Earlier this year, the Pope released Laudato Si, an encyclical calling on world leaders to consider the social, economic, and…

For over two decades, international negotiations have failed to make substantial gains in the battle against climate change. While many are focusing on how to increase international collaboration, others have begun to refocus their efforts on getting cities to develop…

New York City has committed to cut greenhouse gas emissions from privately owned buildings by 80% over the next 35 years, and the City’s Mayor, Bill de Blasio, just released a new plan to speed up that process. The plan…

On average, 35% of municipal energy budgets are reserved for the treatment of fresh and wastewater. This financial burden is also a window for opportunity—whereby energy efficient treatment options could potentially free up much needed funds that could be reallocated…

When they signed the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative’s Path to Positive Proclamation in Dubuque, IA, on September 18, 14 U.S. mayors made a historic commitment to take action to reduce climate risks and protect the future of their…

In an effort to bring green energy to all residents, California recently released a multimillion-dollar plan that will bring solar to communities that are often overlooked or unable to invest in clean energy solutions. The ten-year plan includes a budget…

Last week the Pope toured through the US, bringing with him a message of hope and a call to action on climate change. His efforts were echoed at Climate Week NYC, and an in an important series of new commitments…

This week saw the Pope speak before Congress expressing the imperative to act on climate. In New York City, the Climate Group hosted its seventh annual climate week to draw together leaders and explore climate solutions. In the South, 14…

Climate change is a world problem with local solutions. As countries around the globe are gearing up for the UN Climate Change Conference this December in Paris, many nations are looking across borders to identify viable climate solutions. This cross-country…

CDP, a strategic research group that focuses on finding economically viable business solutions to climate change, recently released a report emphasizing the indispensible role of cities. While they surveyed a diverse mix of cities from around the globe, a common…

Cities have become a focal point in the fight against climate change—and this is a major week for action. From a meeting at the United Nations, to an event in New York, and throughout the Mississippi River Basin, climate leaders…

Working towards climate solutions is a struggle that many city and community leaders regularly encounter. Research consistently shows that investments in renewables help to improve local economies, grow jobs, and make cities better places to live. For communities though, what…

As the world becomes more urbanized, and as populations increasingly shift to cities, community leaders will be presented with a host of new challenges and opportunities prompted by climate change. In response, the United Nations is convening a summit on…

This December, the Conference on Climate Change will take place in Paris. Already, prime ministers, presidents, religious and even corporate leaders are anticipating the direction of international negotiations, and the promise of climate action. In an event jointly hosted by…

Vermont is often associated more with maple syrup and autumn leaves than clean power. However, the state has long been a model of sustainability—illustrating how leadership by residents, communities, and elected officials can make a difference when it comes to…

Last Friday, political leaders in California’s State Assembly voted on a piece of legislation that would dramatically shape the sustainability future of the state. In an overwhelming show of support, the bill, which is now awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature,…

The choice between prioritizing economics or the environment remains a strong burden for city leaders. However, this week, current and former mayors from New York City, Houston, and Rio de Janeiro are calling for strong climate action that will improve…

For decades now, the difficulties in addressing climate change have been multifaceted—involving economics, national security, and even technological feasibility. Today, much has changed, and all that stands in the way of climate action is political will. But the situation is…

Cities across the country are in a constant struggle to provide for their residents, while maintaining financial security. This is made more challenging as municipalities are forced to spend precious resources on mitigating the threats of a changing environment. However,…

California is in the middle of an historic drought, but what is certainly a dire situation has brought about unprecedented conservation numbers—showing that when called upon, residents and communities can meet and exceed water conservation goals. The conservation targets that…

In Virginia, city and state leaders are seeking new and innovative ways to encourage climate friendly investments. To this end, Governor McAuliffe, created a commission to explore opportunities for implementing climate solutions that would also improve the state’s economy. The…

Urban sprawl and climate change create an environmental double-threat for many cities throughout the United States. Increased infrastructure, housing projects and roads prevent the slow, natural, absorption of rainwater into the ground, and often require vast networks of drainage corridors…

In an unprecedented move, at the Asia Pacific Resilience Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii’s Governor David Ige made public his intention to lead his state towards 100% renewable energy. The bold actions instantly transform the state into a world climate leader,…

In California, momentum is building to put into place new policies that would cut the state’s oil consumption by up to 50%. The plan already has the support of Governor Jerry Brown, and momentum is building in the state legislature…

President Barack Obama this week trekked to Alaska’s Arctic Circle to address the nation about climate change. The combination of historic wildfires, thawing permafrost, and melting glaciers all served as the backdrop for the President’s push to lead the nation…

Last week marked the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Leaving behind nearly 2,000 casualties, leveling homes, and blazing a trail of destruction throughout the Gulf—the Hurricane exposed how vulnerable cities are to natural disasters. While it is impossible to claim…

In 2012, California implemented a bold cap-and-trade program aimed at reducing fossil fuel consumption and emissions. The program has been a success, generating nearly $2.2 billion. These funds have been a much welcomed boost to the state’s budget, and are…

This week President Obama addressed the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was to promote a new series of loan guarantees to provide municipalities with the resources to invest in renewable energy. These commitments are just…

Texas energy production evokes images of sprawling oil fields, but that is about to change. As the Texas economy and population grow, so too does its appetite for energy. To meet demands, in a state where oil was king, solar…

This December, Paris will host the UN Conference of Parties, bringing together leaders from countries across the globe in the hope establishing far-reaching climate agreements. The meeting will feature a coalition of U.S. mayors and city officials, emphasizing the increasingly…

Increasingly impatient with stalled action by politicians in DC—state, local and regional officials now rely on one another for assistance in implementing climate solutions. This is especially the case in Massachusetts, where state grants in excess of $2 million are…

Energy generation and access has long been controlled by a limited number of monopolies. Consumer choice has mostly been absent, and geography has been the primary determinant of where one’s energy comes from. This is all beginning to change. Rooftop…

As populations concentrate in major world cities, communities are increasingly becoming political powerhouses. Recognizing this, former New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is calling for bold action on climate change by specifically focusing on cities to take the lead. Each…

More than just aesthetically appealing, recent research points to numerous benefits associated with increased tree-canopy and city greenery. Urban trees have been linked to greater health and wealth of residents: people report feeling better and enjoy a higher salary than…

National political discourse still features intense “debates” over the reality, effects, and potential responses to climate change. However, at the local level, leaders from both sides of the aisle are forced to confront the challenges of a changing climate.  Alaska,…

In the last year, California’s economy grew 27% faster than the country’s as a whole. It has seen greater job creation than any other state, and continues to be an economic leader. All of this happened while the state was…

A constant struggle for city leaders is maintaining infrastructure. Across the country roads are crumbling, bridges are in disrepair, and pipes are bursting. In fact, a recent assessment gave the US a D+ for an inability to maintain its once…

For many small and rural communities, investing in clean energy can often seem like a luxury simply out of reach. With already stretched city coffers, constructing new projects like wind farms or solar plants simply is not a realistic option.…

A delegation of US mayors and other elected leaders visited the Vatican on July 22 for an audience with Pope Francis.  A part of a contingent of 60 worldwide leaders, the mayors of New Orleans, New York, Minneapolis, Boston, Portland,…

The recently proposed Clean Energy Plan laid out by the Obama Administration aims to decrease by a third the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that result from energy production. However, rather than being a one size fits all approach for…

As sea levels continue to rise around the globe due to climate change, low-lying cities and regions will be particularly affected. In the United States, this is especially true in Florida, where 2.4 million people live within 4 feet of…

Last week the Obama Administration released its Clean Energy Plan, which seeks to reduce by one-third the amount of emissions released from electricity production. Many communities have already made the commitment to develop cleaner energy solutions, including the small southern…

One of the primary consequences of climate change is the increased incidence of extreme weather events. One example that has proven particularly damaging in cities is heavy rainfall. Extreme precipitation can lead to flooding, runoff of trash and toxins, which…

The new clean power plan set forth by the Obama Administration this week is already being lauded as the biggest climate policy proposal in US history—even a legacy-maker for the President. While most of the media’s attention has been focused…

This week, the Obama Administration issued new rules to address climate change. The ambitious federal plan aims to significantly decrease emissions from a previously untouched sector: power plants. While contributing 1/3 of carbon emissions, power plants have long gone unregulated—until…

Last year, in a historic climate march across the nation, nearly 700,000 concerned citizens took to the streets to demand climate action. The marchers, united in their frustration with a lack of political leadership, peacefully allied with non-profit organizations, faith…

For over four years, California has been in the midst of a historic drought. Wildfires, diminishing water supplies, and punishing setbacks across numerous sectors of the economy are only some of the consequences. And there are no sign of things…

This week, federal, state and local officials met in New York to discuss the risks and opportunities posed by climate change. The meeting was prompted by the Environmental Protection Agency, which is seeking to educate city and regional leaders across…

Everything is bigger in Texas, they say. This sadly applies to the threats the Lone Star State faces from climate change. A recent spate of historic floods, droughts that have ravaged the state, and heat-related illnesses have already taken their…

As city leaders across the country search for ways to implement climate action plans, they are increasingly turning to multi-sector partnerships. Such collaboration efforts bring together businesses, government, non-profits, and community leaders in an attempt to implement programs that without…

The electric car revolution is gaining ground, with manufacturers increasingly developing hybrid and all-electric vehicles. While an improvement on the traditional combustion engine, these cars still contribute to traffic congestion, and clog up already stressed city streets. However, a recent…

As the Pope’s encyclical on climate change wrapped up last week, mayors from across the United States are returning to their cities seeking ways to implement climate action plans. While these efforts are important, and provide a ground up path…

A recent assessment by STAR Communities, which rates cities on their sustainability practices, gave Baltimore a 5 star rating. While perhaps better known for recent social unrest, the city has become a model for sustainability throughout the nation. The success…

Upon meeting with Pope Francis to discuss trafficking and climate change, a coalition of mayors from across the world have pledged to take action on global warming. In an overwhelming show of solidarity, the 60 mayors unanimously signed onto a…

NYC has long been a leader when it comes to climate change action. However, like any large city, one of the biggest challenges that NY faces is dealing with its waste. New Yorkers produce an estimated 15 pounds of trash…

Half of the world’s population resides in cities. With increasing greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel consumption, and a seemingly insatiable appetite for energy, these urban environments are major drivers of climate change. However, where many see cities as environmental blemishes,…

Communities across the country face major hurdles to constructing solar power infrastructure. Inadequate funds, few options for financing, and a lack of government tax credits puts clean energy solutions out of reach for many residents, businesses and municipalities. To overcome…

Yesterday’s post focused on five key recommendations from community leaders that came out of the MomentUs 2015 Climate Leadership Summit. The summary report outlined what community leaders collectively agreed were the most important elements of empowering leaders to actualize climate…

This May, MomentUs hosted the 2015 Climate Leadership Summit, bringing together leaders from across multiple sectors of society—health, higher education, business, faith, and local municipalities—to discuss potential areas to accelerate and amplify action on climate solutions nationwide. The summit put…

Critics have long held that carbon-cap programs negatively affect economic growth, yet a recent piece in the Rutland Herald shows that such worries are unfounded. In 2009, states throughout the northeast paved the way on reducing carbon emissions by committing…

Residents of Finger Lakes, NY are organizing in an effort to block construction of what would be a major hub for fracking. The community, which relies on its picturesque landscape and waterways for tourism, fears that plans for fracking infrastructure…

Two weeks ago, Path to Positive Communities launched its Los Angeles initiative, which seeks to empower faith, business, education, health, and civic leaders with the tools to develop climate action plans. Leaders across the country have responded enthusiastically, working to…

Last week, Path to Positive launched a new, targeted initiative to help empower communities to take action on climate change in Los Angeles. Focusing on business, higher education, faith, health, and civic leaders—the plan aims to explore climate solutions that…

Last week, Path to Positive: Los Angeles launched an ambitious plan to “leverage regional action for global impact on climate solutions.” By focusing resources and efforts on faith, health, business, higher education, and local governments, the program empowers communities with the…

City officials across the globe have a new coalition of leaders to model on their path to climate solutions. Twenty regional and local governments, representing over 220 million people, have made ambitious pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and invest…

Homeowners in Los Angeles are now able to transform their thirsty lawns into drought tolerant gardens with the help of a new program. The Metropolitan Water District (MWD), which serves over 17 million people throughout the greater Los Angeles area,…

Last week, a coalition of 26 mayors from across the nation banded together to pressure national and international leaders to take a more aggressive approach to climate change targets. Against the backdrop of the upcoming climate change negotiations in Paris…

If you’re a city leader grappling with urgent and complex questions, say, about how to close the gap between where your city’s carbon emissions are now and where they need to be in the future, where would you go for help?…

More than 400 cross-sector leaders from Silicon Valley and beyond gathered at the Precourt Energy Efficiency Center’s (sold-out) annual event at Stanford to talk about how to make their organizations and communities more sustainable. And Silicon Valley Energy Summit (SVES)…

California Leaders Gathered To Discuss Climate Change Solutions LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2015  – A standing-room only crowd assembled in the Tom Bradley Room of Los Angeles City Hall on Thursday, June 25, for the launch of “Path to Positive: Los Angeles — Leveraging…

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton is planning for both the long-term growth of his city and for the local impacts of climate change. As James Hohmann points out in this PowerPost video interview with Mayor Stanton, Phoenix is essentially “a blue city…

New York State continues to demonstrate climate leadership with last week’s annoucement of its new energy plan, which aims to double its use of renewable power sources (hydro, wind and solar) within 15 years, while amping up energy efficiency efforts. The…

Bringing a sense of humor and fun seems to come naturally to Marty Doll, communications coordinator for the City of Burnsville, Minnesota, who doubles as the city’s superhero and video star. It turns out that “Sustainability Man” has a very practical super…

Tired of feeling bummed out by gloomy news about climate change? Well, you’re not alone. That’s why the Guardian has partnered with Ben & Jerry’s to launch its new series “Climate Change: Too Hot to Handle”, featuring smart and funny videos, satirical…

A new report on health and climate change maps out the profound risks and impacts of climate change on human health, and the policy responses needed to ensure the highest possible standards of health for communities throughout the world. Both the World…

Cities around the world have been taking the lead on driving policies and programs to reduce air pollution and cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. A few days before 280 mayors converged on San Francisco for this year’s U.S.…

“We are not faced with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather one complex crisis which is both social and environmental. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the underprivileged, and at…

What future do we want? What future do we envision for our cities? For our residents who live, work, and go to school in the cities they call home? What type of “smart” city do we want to build, to…

According to Pew’s latest public opinion poll, centered on Roman Catholics in advance of Pope Francis’ encyclical (teaching) about the environment’s effect on the poor, the views of American Catholics on climate change mostly track those of non-Catholics. Meanwhile, although concern about…

The city of Georgetown, situated in a deeply conservative Texas county, has become a role model for smart energy investment. Under Republican Mayor Dale Ross‘ leadership, the city is planning to power itself with 100 percent renewable energy within the next…

Discussing climate change can be difficult in Montana nowadays. Moving beyond political ideology means focusing on observable changes upon which farmers can agree. According to Alan Merrill, farmer and president of Montana’s Farmers Union, “farmers are mostly a conservative lot”,…

What do optimism, counterarguement, herd instinct, and hopefulness all have in common? Lisa Bennett, a communications strategist who focuses on engaging people to act on climate change, explains that these are aspects of our human nature that we should understand and tap…

A series of new peer-reviewed studies have added to the scientific consenus linking the six-fold increase in earthquakes in Oklahoma to the wastewater injection wells used by the oil and gas industry. Oklahoma is now the most seismically active of the lower…

What’s not to love about sustainable, renewable energy produced by the sun, the wind, the water? City and community leaders across the nation are finding that these forms of energy are becoming increasingly popular across their diverse constituencies, for (mostly)…

There’s been plenty of good news and forward progress for electric vehicles, clean transportation, and the smart grid over the past week, with announcements of new public-private collaborations across diverse communities in California, Minnesota, and nationwide. For starters, San Diego’s utility,…

Despite being on track to meet California’s state renewable energy goals, it looks like solar energy could be deployed even more efficiently and rapidly. A recent study in Nature Climate Change shows that the state of California could power itself up to five…

The good news first: we have the power to influence the weather of the future! All we need to do is choose to make smart policy decisions today which reduce pollution, minimize our reliance on fossil fuels, and shift to…

While May’s “Paddle in Seattle” showdown with Shell’s “climate bomb” made headline news, Seattle has not been a stranger to climate leadership over the years. Back in 2001, the Seattle City Council passed resolutions to adopt Kyoto emission reduction goals…

One of my favorite parts of my job is traveling to different cities and towns across America and giving workshops about climate communications. Not only do I have the opportunity to meet extraordinary people working in local government and business…

The campaign to “re-oak” Oakland — by planting saplings to reestablish the city’s namesake groves of drought-tolerant, fast-growing, California native coast live oaks — aims to reduce air pollution, protect wildlife habitat, and lower the temperature of urban asphalt on hot summer…

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is a video is worth? Ben & Jerry’s metaphor-climate messaging is powerful. While two degrees of warming may make a mess of an ice cream … it’s an absolute…

As communities across our nation continue to experience record rainfall and flooding, high tempatures and drought, and other extreme weather patterns associated with climate change, public debate is escalating about how to best prepare for local climate impacts. In Nashville, for example,…

Despite the fact that Texas contributes more to climate change than any other state in our country, legislation calling for climate-change studies, forecasting, or climate-related policies has failed to gain traction in its capital in recent years. Judging from the absence of…

Climate change is posing a formidable challenge for Oklahoma’s wheat industry: how to plan and prepare for hotter temperatures, drier conditions, and greater extremes in weather. A study in Nature Climate Change estimates that wheat yields will fall by 6% for each…

Innovative “win-win” initiatives seem to be surfacing with much greater frequency these days. Hooray!, we love good news like this, and we need more programs that combine the dual benefits of:  1) equitable access to necessary services (in this case,…

There’s good news from Maryland this month, where Republican Governor Larry Hogan signed laws which allow for the implementation of community shared solar projects. Maryland now joins 22 other states that allow some form of community solar, which expands public access to renewable,…

In recent years, it hasn’t been uncommon to hear complaints that the media is under-reporting the impending consequences and local impacts of climate change. To tackle this issue head-on, last week 25 publishers announced their plan to share each other’s articles on climate…

Call it David versus Goliath. Call it whatever you like. But what’s happening in Wisconsin’s Dane County, Prince Georges County, and in the small townships of Michigan is a clear example of how local governments are increasingly flexing their power to…

That a car-free lifestyle is about to get easier in Omaha is good news on so many levels. By eliminating route redundancies and prioritizing ridership, the city’s public transit system will bring more convenience and better service to (most) transit riders, while more efficiently…

Taking more than six years to produce, New York’s long-awaited, “massive” assessment on the local impacts of fracking concludes that uncertainty over its adverse environmental and public health consequences has “grown worse over time.”  Local leaders throughout the country would be well-served to fully…

One of the 10 principles of climate change communication is to connect climate change to issues that matter to your audience. As Tea Partier Debbie Dooley points out, this sometimes means avoiding the use of climate change lingo altogether, focusing instead…

Rebecca Solnit makes a simple point, although not a new idea, one that’s universally and critically important for all of us regardless of our political leanings. “It’s not the belief of the majority or the work of elected officials that will…

A new report shows that climate change could mean more ozone smog and increased production of allergenic pollen, amplifying asthma attacks and respiratory allergies for one in three American adults and children. These negative health impacts are expected to worsen if…

We all know the power and benefits of good role models in our lives. Here are ten role models energizing the movement for climate solutions who will undoubtedly help inspire and empower your own work as civic and policy leaders…

CleanPowerSF is a near-perfect example of how a cross-sector coalition of city leaders, policymakers, labor, environmental groups, and concerned citizens ultimately succeeded in launching a program to enable a faster transition toward clean energy alternatives like solar and wind … while…

We can see our weather changing before our eyes – we’re experiencing increasingly intense storms and droughts – and we know that our communities must respond accordingly to the significant local and regional impacts. Thanks to the National Wildlife Federation for their new…

After a weekend of celebrating our mothers and feeling thankful for the women mentors in our lives, it seems particularly fitting to pay tribute to Karen Diver, a mother who has emerged as a leader in pushing the American government towards greater…

Although this blog typically focuses on how local leaders in the U.S. are leading on climate solutions and engaging their communities around the local impacts of climate change, this Friday we’ll take a look at top suggestions from climate communicators around…

The desire to avoid the costly implementation of a third cable to accommodate the up-trending peak demand for summer electricity has driven a public education and incentive program for the island residents of Nantucket. A five year collaborative initiative to reduce energy use includes…

A lawsuit over how three counties in Iowa should deal with water pollution from their farms underscores an underlying tension between rural and urban Iowans, both of whom take pride in neighborliness and cooperation. That the water utility, Northern District of Iowa, is suing…

Ready for a suprise? Warren Business Consulting conducted a survey of oil and gas industry insiders who would seem to have reason to argue against the impacts that we’re seeing from climate change. However, this survey shows just the opposite…

A number of mayors are joining together to learn from each other about what’s working in tackling both the global challenges and local impacts of climate change. The two biggest global polluters, the U.S. and China, have finally stepped up…

Governor Jerry Brown’s new ambitious pollution reduction target sends a clear signal to businesses, entrepreneurs, and the American public that California will continue to lead the nation in fighting climate change. Governor Brown’s Executive Order established a California greenhouse gas reduction…

Because North Carolina’s construction costs for solar are below the national median, solar is inexpensive to produce in the state compared to its neighbors. This provides a natural opportunity for N.C. energy producers to export electricity to higher-cost states like…

The “front side” of the Sierra is a not as well-known as the Sierra of Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. But as the drought in California continues and temperatures steadily rise due to climate change, the mountain towns of the Eastern…

The National Adapation Forum (NAF) will convene its second national convention in St. Louis, Missouri, from May 11 to 14, 2015.  Every other year, the National Adaptation Forum gathers the growing adaptation community together to “foster knowledge exchange, innovation, and…

Michegan municipalities are working together to find innovative funding mechanisms for local energy efficiency projects, despite the challenge of falling property taxes and shrinking state revenue shares within the region. The desire for energy efficiency is definitely out there, explains John…

Talk about a win-win situation. New York State’s leaders have decided to fund locally-tailored initiatives focused on how to respond to the state’s changing climate, using $1.8M of the nationwide polluter-pays settlement paid out by American Electric Power (AEP). One…

On Tuesday, Pope Francis sent out a call to care for creation as a matter of caring for all of humanity (via Twitter!). His Papal Encyclical on the environment, due out this summer, is expected to include a call for moral…

In most cases, when something endures for 60 years it is cause for celebration. In Burnsville, Minnesota, however, the celebration last week was about something that was ending after 60 years – coal. The last coal train has rolled to…

Rooftop solar is increasingly popular with residents in Hawaii, in part because the rates they pay for electricity rank among the highest in the nation. But not only has the Hawaiian electric utility failed to adapt its business model to…

We know our elected officials (and electeds-to-be) spend a lot of time kissing babies on the campaign trail. But perhaps their time may be better spent taking action on climate solutions … on behalf of our children. Noah Gue, a wizened…

Two teenagers have spearheaded a legal strategy, dating back to ancient Rome, which holds their state officials accountable to protect the atmosphere – the air we breathe – in public trust for all its citizens. Together with Our Children’s Trust, Kelsey…

Some might think of Bob Inglis as a reformed man. A six-term Republican congressman from one of South Carolina’s most conservative districts, Inglis told the world in 2010 that he believed in human-caused climate change. While this epiphany helped to…

After more than 60 years, the last shipment of coal used to generate electricity for Burnsville, Minnesota arrived by train to its Xcel Energy Black Dog plant. Its smokestack will be demolished and the plant will switch to natural gas by…

The Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance launched this week, with 17 of our world’s largest cities committing to hefty goals to reduce air pollution and climate change impacts. Since urban areas account for nearly 75% of humanity’s emissions, this makes a significant impact.…

A group of next-gen entrepreneurs, most of them in their 30s with little experience in development, are breaking ground on a public village in Utah ski country. Starting with a blank canvas and a great deal of collective searching, both…

Governor Jay Inslee is proposing an innovative, yet practical, two-in-one solution which advances tough new air-quality policies while directing $1.3 billion of new polluter-pay revenues to Washington’s underfunded schools. By focusing on “the education of your children” and the worsening health…

Where can you find a bishop, a doctor, and a mayor talking about climate change, and collaborating on ways to inspire Americans on solutions? The Path to Positive 2015 MomentUs Leadership Summit, that’s where! How often do 200 leaders from across…

It’s been said that there is no such thing as bad press. Local elected leaders and their staff may not completely agree with this, especially if the press brings criticism that takes some of the shine off of the progress…

We are pleased to announce several additional speakers who will be joining our 2015 MomentUs Leadership Summit, taking place May 20-21 in Washington, DC. Our eminent speakers will share their thought leadership to chart a new course on climate change.…

One of the biggest challenges local leaders and policymakers face is understanding what’s most important to the majority of their diverse constituents and stakeholders. As reported by The Washington Post’s Chris Mooney, a number of recent studies help us to…

Mayor Libby Schaaf believes that improving Oakland’s transportation system is critical to ensuring that residents are safe, happy, and healthy. She’s been a vocal advocate for alternative modes of transit and appointed Oakland’s first-ever policy director for transportation and infrastructure…

Climate change is heating up our planet, due to the rise of greenhouse gas emissions, and it turns out that our nation’s city dwellers are feeling the heat even more than our country cousins. Michigan State’s Jianguo “Jack” Liu is…

The local effects of climate change are being sorely felt in Northern California’s idyllic Lake Tahoe, with early season closings for several ski resorts, cancellations of snow festivals, ski races and snow boarding competitions, and laid off ski instructors and…

Curious to know who will be sharing their insights at the 2015 MomentUs Leadership Summit?  In addition to the impressive list of attendees, we are pleased to announce our starting lineup of inspiring speakers. Path to Positive, the 2015 MomentUs…

As California faces its fourth painfully dry year during one of the most severe droughts on record, residents are forced to confront a double whammy of local impacts: steadily warming temperatures plus dwindling water supply due to all-time lows of groundwater and snowpack levels. Despite…

Beer and action may not seem to go together, but they do now – as demonstrated last week when 24 breweries across the nation signed a Climate Declaration to reduce the environmental impact of their operations while also supporting national…

Threats to Utah’s snowpack levels are the biggest climate change challenge facing Salt Lake City. And “the canary in the coalmine” of  Salt Lake City is not alone – cities and states across the nation are dealing with low water…

ecoAmerica is pleased to announce our 5th annual leadership summit. Path to Positive, the 2015 MomentUs Leadership Summit, is being held on May 20th and 21st, 2015 in Washington, DC.  The Path to Positive begins with the simple premise that the greatest obstacle to our nation…

In this Path to Positive blog, we like to highlight best practices, tips, and success stories about how to most effectively communicate about climate change, often referring to ecoAmerica’s go-to guide, “Connecting on Climate”. The guide shares advice for communicators, for example,…

A sophisticated campaign to manufacture doubt about climate change and discredit climate scientists has used a similar “how-to handbook for fact fighters” and a familiar lineup of some of the same professional “doubtmongers” involved with the tobacco industy’s denial of…

It may seem like common sense to repeal a ban on teaching our children what is known to be true. The fact that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity is now a consensus of both scientists and…

Ann Arbor is moving forward to revitalize hundreds of public housing units in a visionary sustainable community project designed to lower utility costs and improve the quality of life for its residents, while acting as a “learning laboratory” and showcase…

Policies and programs aimed at gaining efficiencies and trimming waste form the backbone of any good action plan. Local leaders have a vast array of tools at their disposal for addressing energy consumption, water usage, materials management, and transportation modes,…

This thoughtful opinion piece by KC Golden, a leader widely recognized for his lifetime of work in shaping climate and clean energy policies and communication strategies, inspires us to think about the wide-reaching power of our local decisions to impact people…

Although we know that political partisanship can pose formidable obstacles to the implementation of climate solutions that benefit the general public, more and more Americans are becoming aware of the serious impacts and risks that climate change poses to our…

Would you like to see how your city’s sustainability efforts compare to those of recognized global leaders in measuring and monitoring their local climate actions? If you agree that “measuring is the first step to managing”, check out C40’s In…

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch has proven that it is indeed possible to make a positive impact in fighting climate change. As the mayor of Connecticut’s largest city since 2007, he has been a tireless leader in driving sustainability initiatives and…

Cities have long been recognized as innovation hubs for progressive policies, creative design, and inclusive public planning processes, motivated by the opportunity to raise the quality of life for their urban citizens. No surprise then, that our city mayors are…

President Obama’s veto of the fast-tracking of the Keystone XL pipeline will benefit all Americans by protecting our right to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities in which to live. By shifting to cleaner fuels – not dirtier ones…

Feeling burned out by bipartisan bickering? Well, there’s good news on the horizon, with “solar solutions” providing a breath of fresh air (pun intended) across the nation. One inspiring example is the progress being made by groups like Conservatives for…

Forward-thinking investment in climate preparedness and resilience makes economic sense at both the federal and local levels. By proactively planning to make communities more resilient and prepared for floods, droughts and other climate impacts, American community leaders will not only…

Leaders from both sides of the aisle have pledged their support for a Clean Energy Bill in Illinois which will pave the way for 32,000 jobs annually. The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition has successfully united diverse interests from business, labor, faith, environmental,…

San Mateo County may be the next to join four other California communities – Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma, and Lancaster – in opting out of relying solely on utilities to buy energy. California is one of six states (the others are…

New York City has taken another bold step toward playing a leading role in climate solutions with its announcement of actionable goals to dramatically reduce carbon pollution and commit to a comprehensive resiliency plan. Nilda Mesa, director of Mayor de…

We often hear that we must do everything we can to combat climate change, there’s no one silver bullet, we must do it all, work with everyone. And we’ve been hearing more about “geo-engineering” as one of the many paths…

There’s been plenty of good news on the jobs front over the past week, with reports of significant increases in clean energy jobs in North Carolina, Minnesota, and Texas. At the same time, news of Apple’s plans to build an…

“Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for ’tis better to be alone than in bad company.” — as written out by George Washington, ca. 1744 On this President’s Day, it seems fitting to reflect upon…

The fossil fuel divestment movement is rallying across six continents and 48 countries for Global Divestment Day to demand action on climate solutions. So far, an estimated 200 institutions worldwide, with combined investment assets of more than $50 billion, have committed…

Our cities play an important role in shaping strategies for long-term economic (and job) growth while minimizing local climate-based impacts. By reporting on standardized sustainability metrics, cities are able to track their progress, evaluate the success of their programs, benchmark…

Affordable housing. Job creation. Equitable support for low income communities. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s affordable housing plan addresses each one of these key issues. But a bold city-wide climate action program can play an equally important role…

President Obama’s recent executive order for a Flood Risk Management Standard aims to make communities across the country safer and more resilient to flooding disasters. In addition the order also   ensures tax dollars aren’t wasted on rebuilding infrastructure that can’t…

On Saturday, some 8.000 Californians converged to March for Real Climate Leadership in Oakland, in what some are calling the largest-ever anti-fracking rally. As Mark Hertsgaard points out in his opinion piece, Gov. Jerry Brown has yet to speak out…

Forward-thinking city leaders and policymakers are listening to the changing priorities of their constituents and working together to transform their communities to become more sustainable, more walkable, more bikeable … in essence, more livable. Across America, city leaders and planners…

Duluth Mayor Don Ness thinks about infrastructure a lot these days. Warmer Minnesota winters have brought more freeze and thaw cycles, which means more potholes to patch and more roads to replace. Storm and wastewater systems pose even bigger problems,…

Burlington, the largest city in Vermont, became the first in the U.S. to use 100% renewable energy – including wind, solar, biomass, and hydro – to power all of the electricity needs for its 42,000 residents. Ken Nolan, who helps…

Here’s a simple quiz to test your knowledge about the opinions of our voting public. Are Americans more likely to vote for candidates who: a) support government action to curb climate change b) campaign on fighting climate change c) question or deny the…

This year’s SuperBowl XLIX scored big points for being one of the greenest sporting events ever, using 100% wind power for all of its electricity needs and using energy-efficient LEDs to light the big game for the first time. The NFL…

Just like in the field of energy technology, early adopters of energy efficiency financing have an important role to play in proving – and improving – cutting edge innovations aimed at making efficiency investments pay. PACE programs around the country…

Today, half of our global population resides in cities, and urban dwellers will account for almost 70 percent of our planet by 2050. The U.S. census shows an even greater slice of the pie for the urban population in America, about 80%…

American citizens view climate change as more important than they did two years ago, according to the annual Pew Research Center policy priorities survey published earlier this month. ‘Dealing with global warming’ ticked up a substantial 10 points since the…

Does paying the same price for both water and energy use sound too good to be true? The city of Portand (Oregon) is testing this possibility by harvesting the energy potential of gravity-fed water moving through its city pipes to…

Residents of Ohio’s Van Wert County, a rural farming community of about 29,000 people, never thought they would see the “windfall” of new jobs, better school services, tech training, and increased tax revenues all from clean wind energy.  Perhaps best summed up…

For voters in the mining regions of Kentucky, the culture of coal is a way of life. Yet, John Yarmuth, Louisville’s Congressman (D) since 2006 and a vocal advocate for sustainable energy policies, won his re-election handily last November. As…

Our urban centers have historically acted as barometers of change and innovation in this country, and it’s easy to see why. As Pooja Bhatia explains in this USA TODAY article, higher population densities come together with greater concentrations of wealth…

If you could invest in something that would outperform the stock market while also helping the planet, wouldn’t you? Here’s why rooftop solar can’t miss. The cost of installing solar on homes has dropped by 60% over the past 15…

Our local government leaders are closest to the hearts and minds of the Americans who live, learn, work, worship, and vote in our communities. So doesn’t it follow that these regional, city, and town policymakers are best suited to engage…

Communities on the front line of climate impacts are leading the movement to address this challenge and prepare for the future. More than 80% of Americans now live in urban communities, including cities, towns, and populous counties. These communities, where…

It is unlikely anyone will look at you and say, “You look great – have you been riding the bus?” But they could because, as a study in the UK has shown, people who use active and transit modes of transportation are…

As American cities reinvent themselves as dense, sustainable centers of commerce, opportunity, and social networks — attracting young, educated residents by the thousands — they are increasingly promoting sustainability in their building stock, land use patterns, and in their transportation…

Among the many anticipated and increasingly observed adverse impacts of a warning climate is a rise of the urban “heat island” effect. Local leaders have begun addressing this problem with simple measures that protect their citizens from dangerous heat while…

According to a recent article in the Washington Post, things are finally improving for millennials on the employment and economic fronts. What are the potential climate ramifications of what appears to be a watershed demographic moment? And how can leaders…

One could debate the cause and effect relationship between the increasing sustainability of American cities and their recent population growth, but whether people are moving to cites because they are more sustainable or city sustainability is rising because of the…

U.S. mayors have established themselves as national and international leaders in the effort to fight global warming. Since having formed the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (MCPA) in 2007, which has now been signed by more than 1,000 mayors, hundreds of…

In the twenty years since the release of Santa Monica’s city-wide sustainability plan, four-term mayor Pam O’Connor has championed climate solutions and community livability to make Santa Monica into one of the country’s greenest cities. The Guardian recently interviewed O’Connor…

As has become abundantly clear over the past several years, climate change is an undeniable global phenomenon that is manifesting itself on the local level through rising heat and sea levels, and increased severe weather and weather-related damage. The local…