Improving tree coverage and access to green spaces in LA County could significantly increase life expectancy, particularly in lower-income communities of color. The study's findings provide a blueprint for targeted green strategies that could help reduce health disparities and increase longevity among predominantly Black and Latino residents of "park poor" neighborhoods. The study's authors suggest that policies implemented where they are needed most could lead to a significant decrease in life expectancy disparities across Los Angeles.

Climate change poses physical risks to cities, with urban areas being home to over half the world's population. Extreme heat, flooding, drought, and wildfires are projected to increase in severity and frequency. This report, co-written with C40 Cities Climate Leadership, identifies 15 high-potential actions that can work for many types of cities. It suggests that cities begin by defining the most relevant hazards and understanding the risks those hazards pose to their communities. Nature-based solutions, systemic resilience, and equity are important themes explored in this report.

In "Storms of My Grandchildren," Dr. James Hansen, the preeminent climate scientist, delivers a powerful and urgent message about the looming threat of global warming. With a stark warning that the planet is hurtling towards a climatic point of no return, Hansen calls for immediate and decisive action to phase out coal and achieve a goal of 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This book is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet and the fate of future generations. Recommended for students of environmental science, policy makers, and anyone interested in the urgent issue of climate change, "Storms of My Grandchildren" provides a comprehensive and compelling overview of the science behind global warming and the political obstacles to addressing it. The book is an important resource for those seeking to understand the dire consequences of inaction, and the urgent need for a groundswell of public support to create a tipping point for change. Hansen's message is clear: we must act now to save our planet and our grandchildren from a catastrophic fate.

Trees are not only majestic but also crucial for biodiversity and reducing climate change. However, we are cutting them down at an alarming rate. Planting trees can help capture carbon dioxide and cancel out CO2 emissions. In fact, planting 1.2 trillion trees could capture up to 100 gigatonnes of CO2, and safeguard habitats that otherwise get cut down. Trees also offer a habitat to all kinds of fungi and insects, and studies have shown that they can lower stress and make people happier. Planting a single tree can be a powerful symbolic act, but we need to make big changes to the way we live and reduce the number of trees we cut down in the first place. Learning about the importance of trees and taking the necessary actions to protect them can have a positive impact on the environment and our mental health.

Peter Calthorpe's "Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change" is a visionary work that challenges us to rethink our approach to urban planning. Rather than focusing solely on individual cities, Calthorpe argues for a regional approach that combines green technology and land use transformation to achieve a low carbon economy. With stunning graphics and real-world examples, Calthorpe shows how this integrated approach can lead to not only reduced carbon emissions but also critical lifestyle benefits. This book is a call to action for anyone interested in shaping the future of our cities and our planet. Recommended for urban planners, architects, environmentalists, policymakers, and anyone interested in sustainable development, "Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change" offers a comprehensive and innovative approach to addressing climate change at the regional scale. Drawing on thirty years of experience, Peter Calthorpe synthesizes cutting-edge green technology and land use transformation into a compelling vision for a low carbon economy. This book is particularly relevant for those interested in transit-oriented design, regional planning, and sustainable community development. With its stunning graphics and real-world examples, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to shape the future of our cities and our planet.

Unused shipping containers are being transformed into urban farms, providing fresh, healthy, and affordable produce year-round. Local Roots Farms is pioneering this scalable model of indoor agriculture, using hydroponics and controlled environment techniques to grow crops equivalent to five acres of conventional outdoor farming. By cutting down food miles and providing local leafy greens, Local Roots Farms aims to solve many issues with the current food system, while also addressing urban food deserts. Founder Daniel Kuenzi shares his story and vision with Smithsonian.com.

The UN's Decade on Ecosystem Restoration calls for urgent action to restore freshwater ecosystems. A recent study of Australian stream management highlights the need for collaborative, participatory, and adaptive nature-based solutions. Discover how building communities of practice, implementing nature-based solutions, and allocating more resources for adaptive management can help achieve global goals for ecosystem restoration.

Do you have a passion for the great outdoors and a love of design? Are you looking for a career that combines creativity, environmentalism, and practicality? If so, a career in Landscape Architecture might be the perfect fit for you! Landscape Architects are professionals who design and plan outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and public areas. They work to create beautiful and functional environments that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sustainable. One of the most appealing aspects of Landscape Architecture is the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, from small private gardens to large public parks and urban spaces. For example, Landscape Architects may design a community garden that provides fresh produce for local residents, or they may create a public park that incorporates sustainable features like rain gardens and green roofs. In addition to designing outdoor spaces, Landscape Architects are also responsible for managing and maintaining them. This includes tasks like selecting appropriate plants and materials, overseeing construction, and ensuring that the space is safe and accessible for all users. There are many areas of specialisation within Landscape Architecture, including urban design, environmental planning, and historic preservation. Some Landscape Architects also work in related fields like urban planning, architecture, and civil engineering. To become a Landscape Architect, you'll typically need a bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture or a related field. Popular undergraduate programs include Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design, and Horticulture. In addition to coursework, many programs also require students to complete internships or other hands-on learning experiences. Helpful personal attributes for success in this field include creativity, strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for sustainability and environmentalism. Job prospects for Landscape Architects are strong, with the field projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. There are many potential employers for Landscape Architects, including public agencies like the National Park Service and private firms like Sasaki Associates and HOK. So if you're looking for a career that allows you to combine your love of design with your passion for the environment, Landscape Architecture might be just the path for you!

Want to make your city a better place for everyone? Let residents have a say! Espoo, Finland did just that, collecting views from over 6,600 residents through the My Espoo on the Map survey. The data produced practical suggestions, like covering a motorway with a green deck and developing riverside areas, and influenced the urban plan for a new neighborhood. Researchers and urban planners worked together using the SoftGIS method, improving the prioritization process to focus on residents' hot spots. The pandemic has changed our view on living, but good urban planning still considers the environment's effect on well-being.

Over 171 trillion pieces of plastic now pollute our oceans, killing marine life and posing a threat to human health. Without action, this number could triple by 2040. Learn about the causes and solutions to this crisis, and how you can make a difference.

Are you interested in creating sustainable and eco-friendly buildings that are both functional and beautiful? Look no further than the exciting field of Green Architecture! Green Architecture is a field of study that focuses on designing and constructing buildings that are environmentally responsible and energy-efficient. This field incorporates a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, architecture, and environmental science, to create buildings that are both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically sustainable. One example of Green Architecture in action is the Bullitt Center in Seattle, Washington. This building is entirely self-sufficient, generating all of its own energy through solar panels and rainwater collection systems. It's also made entirely from recycled materials, making it one of the most sustainable buildings in the world. Green Architecture is a constantly evolving field, with new research and innovations being made all the time. One notable academic figure in this field is Dr. Ken Yeang, who is known for his innovative designs that incorporate living plants into building facades to create natural insulation. At the undergraduate level, students can expect to take courses in sustainable design, green building materials, and renewable energy systems. Potential areas of further specialization include sustainable urban planning, green building certification, and sustainable construction management. Graduates of Green Architecture programs can expect to find a wide range of career opportunities in fields such as architecture, engineering, and urban planning. Key industries for prospective future employment include sustainable construction firms, government agencies focused on environmental policy, and green energy companies. Some notable employers in this field include the United States Green Building Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the architecture firm HOK. To succeed in Green Architecture, students should have a passion for sustainability and environmentalism, as well as strong skills in math, science, and design. If you're interested in creating a more sustainable future through innovative and eco-friendly building design, Green Architecture may be the perfect field of study for you!

The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery paints a bleak picture of the future of our planet as we approach a global climatic tipping point. With vivid descriptions of the most powerful natural disasters in recent history, Flannery provides a riveting history of climate change and its impending impact on our world. But it's not all doom and gloom - Flannery offers specific suggestions for action that individuals and lawmakers can take to prevent a cataclysmic future. This urgent warning and call to arms is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of our planet. Recommended for environmentalists, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of our planet, The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery offers a comprehensive history of climate change and its impact on our world. With specific suggestions for action, Flannery's urgent warning and call to arms is relevant to anyone concerned about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal energy. The book is also valuable for those studying environmental science, meteorology, and related fields, as it offers a detailed analysis of the science behind climate change and its effects on our planet.

Are you interested in a career that combines your passion for sustainability and design? Look no further than becoming a LEED Consultant! A LEED Consultant is a professional who helps design and construct buildings that are environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and it is a globally recognized certification program for sustainable buildings. As a LEED Consultant, you will work with architects, builders, and engineers to ensure that buildings are designed and built with sustainability in mind. You will use your knowledge of green building practices to help reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, and lower the carbon footprint of buildings. You will also help clients navigate the LEED certification process and ensure that their buildings meet the necessary requirements. One of the most appealing aspects of being a LEED Consultant is that you get to work on projects that have a meaningful impact on the environment. For example, you might work on a project to design a net-zero energy building that generates as much energy as it consumes. Or, you might work on a project to retrofit an existing building to make it more energy-efficient and reduce its carbon footprint. Typical duties of a LEED Consultant include conducting energy audits, developing sustainability plans, and providing guidance on building materials and systems. There are also many areas of specialization within the field, such as LEED for Neighborhood Development, LEED for Schools, and LEED for Healthcare. To become a LEED Consultant, you typically need a bachelor's degree in a related field such as architecture, engineering, or environmental science. There are also many popular and relevant undergraduate programs and majors, such as Sustainable Design, Green Building, and Environmental Studies. Helpful personal attributes for a career as a LEED Consultant include strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for sustainability. You should also be comfortable working in a team environment and have a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and practices. Job prospects for LEED Consultants are strong, with many opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Notable employers include architecture firms such as Gensler and HOK, engineering firms such as Arup and AECOM, and government agencies such as the U.S. Green Building Council and the Environmental Protection Agency. In the longer term, the outlook for LEED Consultants is very promising. As more and more buildings are designed and constructed with sustainability in mind, the demand for LEED Consultants is only going to increase. So, if you're looking for a career that combines your passion for sustainability and design, consider becoming a LEED Consultant!

Climate change anxiety is a relatively new term, but the fear of the future and the trauma it may bring is not. We are facing an existential fear about our survival, and it is important to understand our impact as human beings on the planet. It is normal to feel anxious about the effects of climate change, but this anxiety can also be a way of digesting the information. As students, it is essential to explore this topic and understand the key concepts of climate change, its impact on our world, and the part we can play in mending the part of the world that is within our reach. Learning about this topic not only benefits us intellectually but also practically as it helps us to make informed decisions about our future and the world we want to live in. Let's embrace the challenge and become part of the solution.

We extract 100 billion tonnes of raw materials annually, destroying two-thirds of Mount Everest each year. But what if we could reuse the materials we've already extracted instead of gouging the planet for more? Architects and builders are leading the way in "mining the Anthropocene" by using waste construction materials to create sustainable buildings. From Rotterdam's Villa Welpeloo to the Brighton Waste House, learn how these innovative designs are changing the way we think about waste. Discover how architects like Duncan Baker-Brown are teaching the next generation to design for deconstruction and create a circular economy.

Experience Africa from a whole new perspective with Edward Burtynsky's latest collection of photographs, African Studies. From the geometric patterns of agriculture to the devastating impact of corporate greed, Burtynsky's aerial images capture the intricate relationship between humans and the planet. Discover the beauty and horror of Africa's vast resources, extracted with both modern technology and centuries-old techniques. Explore the impact of China's shifting economy on the African continent, and ponder the abstract beauty of Namibia's Tsaus Mountains. The African continent is a final frontier worth exploring.

New research shows that the cost of annual flooding in the UK could increase by up to 23% over the next century due to climate change, unless all international pledges to reduce carbon emissions are met. The study, led by the University of Bristol and Fathom, highlights the need for urgent action to mitigate the impact of climate change on the risk of flooding across the UK. The research also identifies the areas of the UK where risks will increase the most, including densely populated cities such as London, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

Detroit is pioneering urban farming, with Hantz Group's innovative plan to plant 15,000 trees on 1,500 parcels of land. Can it really revive the city's neighborhoods and provide fresh produce and jobs for residents? Discover the challenges and opportunities of urban agriculture.

Imagine a world without humans - what would happen next? This thought experiment highlights the interconnectedness of our world and the impact humans have on it. Without our intervention, nature would take over and endangered species would have a chance to thrive. However, the world would never forget us as we would leave our mark. Learning about the environment and the impact humans have on it is not only intellectually stimulating, but it also has practical benefits. By understanding our impact on the planet, we can make informed decisions and take action to ensure a sustainable future. So, let's explore and discover the fascinating world of environmental science and make a positive impact on the world we live in.

Did you know that new buildings alone are responsible for 5% of the world's annual greenhouse gas emissions? Learn how cities are beginning to recycle building materials and plan for disassembly to create greener, more flexible structures. Explore the creation of new tools, marketplaces, and incentives needed to make this a reality. Discover how architects are designing buildings with exposed wood and steel aesthetics that need few outside resources to sustain their construction industries. Join the movement towards a new way to think about ownership and our place in the built environment.