development
Newsletter
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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.
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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.
Credit: Haneen Krimly/Unsplash
California startup launches innovative cement technology to cut carbon emissions
California startup Fortera has developed a groundbreaking technology that captures and recycles carbon emissions from cement production, launching its first commercial application at a major facility in Redding.
In short:
- Fortera, a California-based startup, has developed a new technology that captures carbon emissions during cement production and reincorporates them into the process, potentially reducing the industry's significant carbon footprint.
- The technology will be implemented at a CalPortland facility in Redding, California, marking its first large-scale commercial application.
- Initial production will blend the new low-carbon product with traditional materials, aiming for a 10% carbon reduction, with aspirations to increase this significantly over time.
Key quote:
"Our target is about being a ubiquitous solution that can work really at any plant."
— Ryan Gilliam, CEO of Fortera
Why this matters:
Cement production is a major source of global carbon dioxide emissions, integral to building modern infrastructure but environmentally problematic. Current efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of cement production include improving energy efficiency, using alternative fuels like waste and biomass, and developing innovative materials that can replace traditional cement.
Ramped-up US construction exposes workers to an unregulated toxic.
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Western wildlife's epic journey highlights survival and challenge
Mule deer, pronghorn, and elk make complex and perilous migrations across Western landscapes, a journey crucial for their survival amid increasing human encroachments and environmental challenges.
In short:
- Infrastructure improvements like wildlife overpasses have significantly reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions in Wyoming, saving lives of both animals and humans.
- Despite facing obstacles such as roads, subdivisions, and industrial developments, migrating ungulates like deer 255 and 665 manage to travel hundreds of miles, maintaining healthy populations.
- Conservation efforts are underway, but they face resistance from lawmakers and landowners, hindering the protection of crucial migratory routes.
Key quote:
"I am significantly concerned about mule deer."
— Brian Nesvik, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Why this matters:
As urban sprawl continues to eat away at natural habitats, animals find their traditional migration routes obstructed by highways, cities, and farmland. This fragmentation of landscapes forces them into closer quarters with humans, leading to increased conflicts, road fatalities, and diminished genetic diversity as populations become isolated. Climate change compounds these issues, altering the availability of food, water, and suitable habitats.
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A new era of growth in the dry West faces water woes
As Western states juggle expansion and water scarcity, communities from Las Vegas to Phoenix are hitting the brakes on development.
In short:
- Recent legal and executive actions across Western states are limiting new construction due to the scarcity of water resources, underscoring the clash between booming populations and dwindling water supplies.
- The Nevada Supreme Court ruled against a large development outside Las Vegas, highlighting the challenges of balancing growth with environmental sustainability and water rights.
- Efforts to reduce water consumption in places like southern Nevada, through more efficient homes and restrictions on water use, point towards possible solutions amidst growing concerns.
Key quote:
"The era of limits is upon us."
— Kathy Jacobs, director of the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions at the University of Arizona
Why this matters:
Communities across states like California, Arizona, and Nevada are grappling with the reality that water, once considered an abundant resource, is now a critically limited one. In 2022, Arizona experienced the worst drought conditions in more than 1,000 years, which dried up reservoirs, exposed regulatory loopholes and further exposed environmental injustice.
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Builders resist stricter energy codes for new homes
In a clash over climate and affordability, home builders are lobbying against stricter energy efficiency standards for new houses, citing cost concerns.
In short:
- Home builders in various states, including North Carolina and Michigan, are opposing new energy efficiency building codes, arguing they increase housing costs.
- The industry claims these codes add significantly to construction costs, though federal studies suggest a much lower impact.
- Climate advocates and some builders counter that energy-efficient homes offer long-term savings and environmental benefits.
Key quote:
"The notion that building this way is too expensive or too complicated … I just don’t buy any of that."
— Rob Howard, green builder
Why this matters:
This resistance to energy-efficient building practices is significant as it hinders progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from homes, which account for a significant portion of U.S. emissions. The debate underscores the challenge of balancing economic interests with urgent environmental needs.
Op-ed: When a home is not a sanctuary but a sickening, expensive trap.
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Montana judge halts development over water concerns
In a landmark decision, a Montana judge has blocked a new housing development, citing inadequate groundwater protection.
In short:
- A Montana court ruled against a new housing development due to concerns over declining groundwater resources.
- The case highlights the tension between housing demand and environmental sustainability in water-stressed areas.
- The ruling could set a precedent, potentially impacting future developments across Montana.
Key quote:
“The pendulum for the longest time was largely swinging in support of development at any cost."
— Guy Alsentzer, executive director of Upper Missouri Waterkeeper
Why this matters:
This ruling is a significant moment for public policy, balancing the need for housing against the imperative of sustainable water use, which is crucial for both ecological health and human well-being.
Be sure to read: Tainted water imperils health, traditions for Montana tribe.
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