development
Newsletter
Credit: Serenethos/Big Stock Photo
Urban planning may worsen flood risks in cities
A study from UC Irvine suggests that urban street layouts and building density may be exacerbating flood severity in areas already vulnerable to extreme weather caused by climate change.
In short:
- Researchers found that "urban form"—the density and layout of buildings and streets—can intensify flood risks in cities.
- A new formula was developed to help urban planners assess how changes in land use could impact flood hazards.
- The study highlights the vulnerability of densely populated areas, where residents often have limited protection or escape options.
Key quote:
“Detailed modeling worldwide is presently impossible for many cities because of inadequate data, so our team was motivated to develop a new way of looking at flood risk based on the form of the built urban environment.”
— Sarah Balaian, UC Irvine doctoral candidate in civil and environmental engineering
Why this matters:
As cities grow and climate change worsens, understanding how urban design impacts flooding is critical for protecting vulnerable populations and reducing potential disaster impacts.
Related:
Keep reading...Show less
Credit: Andrei Prodan/Pixabay
Conservationists work to protect Alabama’s vital delta from climate change and development
Alabama's Mobile-Tensaw Delta, one of North America's most ecologically diverse areas, faces growing threats from climate change and development, prompting conservationists to act.
In short:
- The Mobile-Tensaw Delta is home to over 350 fish species and hundreds of bird species, making it one of the most biodiverse regions in North America.
- Conservation efforts focus on acquiring land, restoring ecosystems and altering dams to protect fish habitats and mitigate climate change impacts.
- Advocates emphasize the importance of collaboration between private landowners, government agencies and conservation groups.
Key quote:
“We’re losing things that haven’t been discovered, and there are things still here that we think are gone.”
— Ben Raines, environmental fellow at the University of South Alabama.
Why this matters:
The delta’s health is crucial to the survival of many species and the ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico. Protecting it ensures the preservation of one of the most biologically diverse areas in the United States.
Related EHN coverage:
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Florida farmland faces threats from development and climate change
Florida's agricultural land is rapidly shrinking due to increasing development and climate change, jeopardizing the state's position as a major supplier of fresh winter produce in the United States.
In short:
- Florida's farms, which provide a large portion of the nation's winter produce, are at risk of being converted to residential and commercial uses by 2070.
- Climate change and rising sea levels also threaten Florida's agricultural land, potentially reducing the state's capacity to produce fruits and vegetables.
- Florida farmers face financial pressure due to competition with Mexican imports and lack sufficient legal protection against land conversion.
Key quote:
“Once farmland is converted to a neighborhood, it can’t reverse back. If you lose farmland, it is gone.”
— Zhengfei Guan, agricultural economist
Why this matters:
The loss of Florida's farmland could disrupt the U.S. winter produce supply and increase reliance on imported fruits and vegetables. This dependency raises concerns about pesticide use and food security, impacting both health and environmental sustainability.
Keep reading...Show less
Credit: Ar. Md. Afnan Hossain/Unsplash
Tech billionaires’ plan to build eco-friendly city faces opposition in California
A company backed by Silicon Valley billionaires aims to create an eco-friendly city in Solano County, California, but faces local opposition over environmental concerns and land use.
In short:
- California Forever, led by former Goldman Sachs trader Jan Sramek, plans to build a new city on 60,000 acres of farmland, promising solutions to housing and sustainability issues.
- Despite spending millions to gain support, the plan was withdrawn after local opposition and a poll showing 70% voter disapproval.
- Critics argue that developing existing communities is a better solution for housing and environmental issues than creating new cities.
Key quote:
“Building housing in existing communities is one of our best climate solutions, and paving over 17,000 acres of non-irrigated farmland is not.”
— Sadie Wilson, director of planning and research, Greenbelt Alliance
Why this matters:
Creating new cities from scratch raises questions about environmental sustainability and resource use. While such projects promise innovation, they often face hurdles in balancing development with ecological preservation and community needs.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Mny_Jhee/Big Stock Photo
Chip manufacturing expansion in the West requires careful resource management
The Biden administration’s CHIPS Act is set to transform the Western U.S. into a semiconductor hub, but it poses significant challenges related to water and energy resources.
In short:
- The CHIPS Act will provide $29.5 billion to support semiconductor production in the U.S., with a focus on the Western states, to reduce dependency on foreign supply chains.
- New semiconductor factories, such as those planned by TSMC and Intel in Arizona, require substantial water and energy resources, raising concerns in drought-prone areas like Arizona.
- TSMC’s facilities are expected to create 6,000 permanent jobs, and Intel’s expansion could add 700 jobs in New Mexico, leading to significant economic growth and increased housing demand.
Key quote:
“Energy, climate tech, batteries, EVs, quantum computing, health-care diagnostics—at the center of all of this are (semiconductor) chips.”
— Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Why this matters:
The push to increase U.S. semiconductor production aims to bolster national security and economic resilience, but it may exacerbate resource strains in regions already facing environmental challenges. Balancing industrial growth with sustainable resource management is crucial to ensure the long-term viability of these initiatives.
Related: Biden aims to transform US with historic $1.6 trillion investment
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Timothy O. Roberts/Big Stock Photo
Mapping wetlands in Maui aims to protect sensitive areas
Maui County has nearly finished mapping wetlands to mitigate flooding, enhance wildlife habitat, and provide other environmental benefits.
In short:
- The mapping, nearly complete, spans Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, identifying 52,000 tracts of potential wetlands.
- Some homeowners oppose the map due to fears of property devaluation and increased regulations.
- The initiative stems from a 2022 ordinance aiming to prevent further loss of wetlands and increase resilience to climate change.
Key quote:
“What we did with our county ordinance is that we stipulated that it only had to meet two of the three requirements out of the recognition that there’s lots of wetlands that we have lost and just because a place is dry doesn’t mean it couldn’t be restored to a wetland.”
— Kelly King, former County Council member
Why this matters:
Wetlands are crucial for biodiversity, flood control, and carbon sequestration. Protecting and restoring them helps combat climate change and supports ecological balance.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Heather Mount/Unsplash
Tourism boom in West Texas community raises concerns over water supply
As tourism and development surge in Terlingua, residents worry about depleting water resources, prompting debates over sustainability and future water availability.
Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Eli Hartman report for The Texas Tribune.
In short:
- Terlingua's tourism and development have dramatically increased water demand, causing concerns about the sustainability of local water resources.
- Residents like Rick and Georganne Bradbury, who haul water to locals, see wells running dry, while developers argue there is sufficient water for future growth.
- Efforts are underway to better understand and manage the region's water resources amid growing concerns of shortages.
Key quote:
“There’s no way we can say, ‘There’s unlimited water supply, everyone come and take whatever you want,’”
— Brewster County Judge Greg Henington
Why this matters:
The dilemma facing Terlingua is one that many rural communities encounter as they grow: balancing development with sustainability. At the heart of the debate is the question of future water availability. Proposals to drill deeper wells or import water from other regions are being discussed, but these solutions are not without their challenges and controversies. Deeper wells could lead to further depletion of the aquifers, while importing water is costly and logistically complex.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
