City Stories
A key challenge in this new Human Age is to lessen the ecological footprint of the world’s cities, even as their populations expand. The Anthropocene tells the stories about resilient urban coastal infrastructure, low carbon transportation systems, and nature-inspired architectural designs.
For mountain lions, artificial light is both a problem to be solved and a potential tool
Bright lights cause cats to shun important habitat such as road crossings, but they could also be used to discourage animals from preying on livestock
Instead of Trump’s Wall, Let’s Build a Border of Solar Panels
A solar border would alleviate a range of binational problems. For one, it would have a civilizing effect.
New cement will cool you down in full sun—without electricity.
The strong building material could go in walls and coatings, and make buildings more bearable in sweltering heat without using AC
Far-reaching study spells out how to drastically cut the energy footprint of buildings
The formula, which calls for a combination efficiency technology and peak load management, could eliminate need for one third of US coal and natural gas power plants
Who’s winning the race to net zero, presidents or mayors?
The answer will determine both the speed and efficacy of climate action.
Cities need new types of pavement capable of absorbing a flood. This team has a customized recipe.
Australian researchers devised an algorithm for permeable pavement tailored to local soil and rainfall conditions
The hidden climate impact of micromobility services
A new study shows that rented e-scooters and e-bikes replace walking and public transit trips, increasing the climate impact of getting around the city
David and The Upcycled Garbage Truck
David Beckham’s $500,000 electric Jaguar conversion could unleash a carbon-free Goliath—the kind that picks up your trash
Carbon markets could finance green wastewater infrastructure for a huge win-win-win
Researchers found that green wastewater infrastructure could achieve stringent water quality standards, sequester 4.2 million metric tons of carbon emissions—and save $679 million per year.
Growing rooftop spinach in CO2 recycled from building ventilation quadruples growth
In buildings with lots of people, CO2 emissions from human respiration is surprisingly high; a research team wondered if HVAC could be unlikely companion to food production.
