What could a city like New York achieve if it repurposed some of its 3 million curbside parking spots? It could help drivers kick their addictions to cars and avert climate catastrophe, writes Henry Grabar, author of the new book “Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World.”
“The real estate industry will play a key role in implementing these new standards and must move quickly to do so. That task might seem daunting, but the affordable housing sector has demonstrated that sustainable construction is both feasible and financially viable.”
Meal delivery programs are uniquely positioned to keep the most vulnerable safe during climate emergencies.
City Limits takes a multimedia look at how food waste is repurposed at the Department of Sanitation’s 33-acre composting facility in the Fresh Kills section of Staten Island. The site is part of New York City’s effort to operate “the nation’s largest composting program” and limit the climate impact of its waste sector, which accounts for 4 percent of citywide emissions.
New York has 123 homes constructed under the environmentally friendly “passive house” building standard certified by Passive House Institute US. But architects and environmental experts say it should become the norm, especially for affordable projects in New York City.
Known as the Climate Change Super Fund, the legislation was included in the Senate’s one-house budget proposal, but didn’t make it into the Assembly’s proposition. Lawmakers are pushing for the bill to make it into the final budget due April 1.
City councilmembers introduced new legislation Thursday to change the city’s fire code and allow homeowners more space on their roofs to install solar panels.
“The answer is clear. We need to stop burning fossil fuels in buildings. It’s not too late for New York’s gas utilities to help us do that.”
“Trees cross party lines and geographic lines. They are the great uniter,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who with his fellow borough presidents is pushing City Hall to commit to funding the additional plantings in the sustainability plan the administration will publish in April.
As of last month, the state had doled out just over $2 million of the $27 million set aside for the relief fund, according to recent data shared with City Limits. In total, 405 of the 554 New Yorkers who applied have been approved, and 352 have actually received the aid.
City Limits uses investigative journalism through the prism of New York City to identify urban problems, examine their causes, explore solutions, and equip communities to take action.
Founded in 1976 in the midst of New York’s fiscal crisis, City Limits exists to inform democracy and equip citizens to create a more just city. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by foundation support, ad sponsorship and donations from readers.
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