View of highway on the edge of the ocean entering manila, philippines.

Philippines' climate-resilient city faces hurdles of equity and sustainability

New Clark City, a $2.5 billion development north of Manila, aims to be a climate-proof metropolis but faces concerns over displaced Indigenous communities, economic inequality and dependence on fossil fuels.

Maggie Wang reports for Grist.

In short:

New Clark City is designed to be a backup capital, built inland to avoid flooding and typhoons that threaten Manila.
Critics argue the project may displace and 65,000 people — including 18,000 Indigenous Ayta people — without proper compensation or consent.
Despite sustainability claims, the city may struggle with limited affordable housing and reliance on fossil fuels.

Key quote:

“When you start building a new community, you alter the topography of the area, and therefore you also alter the way water flows.”

— Harold Aquino, civil engineer and disaster resilience researchers at Massey University of New Zealand

Why this matters:

Climate-resilient cities could protect vulnerable populations, but without inclusive planning, they risk deepening social inequalities and environmental harm. New Clark City is looking to find a balance between infrastructure resilience, cultural preservation and economic accessibility to serve all residents, not just the affluent.

grist.org

Philippines' climate-resilient city faces hurdles of equity and sustainability

China ramps up solar and wind power as clean energy output shatters global records

Melting ice and microplastics signal deepening disruption in Antarctica’s climate system

New technologies promise to transform farming, but most haven’t delivered yet

New rules to protect U.S. workers from extreme heat face political delays

California struggles to electrify trucks as Trump administration blocks state rules

The hidden cost of powering your phone might be someone else’s cancer

Toxic mine runoff cleanup revives West Virginia waterways and extracts rare earth elements

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.