US cities become environmental laboratories - ForumDaily
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American cities have become environmental laboratories

In the United States, city governments have the opportunity to experiment in urban planning and introduce innovative methods of environmental protection.

First of all, local governments are less organized than state and federal governments. They are closer to the townspeople and companies working here. And finally, local authorities can quickly change the requirements for construction organizations and companies that are engaged in transportation, as well as export and processing of waste. All of this affects greenhouse gas emissions.

That is why American cities have become laboratories for testing new strategies to combat climate change, prevent environmental degradation, and use alternative energy sources. Thanks to existing nationwide connections, innovative urban strategies are subsequently applied at the state level and even the entire country. Thus, American cities are the initiators of positive environmental change.

“High-rise” green spaces

In 2001 year Chicago a garden was laid out on the roof of the 11-storey city administration building. Earlier, on hot days, the roof overheated, but now the plants create shade and reflect heat. As a result, the roof temperature decreased by half, and the annual bills for the building’s energy supply were reduced by almost $ 10 thousand.

Today the city can be proud of 418 in thousands of square meters of “high-rise” green space. Roof gardens retain rainwater and absorb many air pollutants. Chicago is the nationwide leader in “green urban planning”: there are more 120 environmentally sustainable buildings, and most of them have green spaces on their roofs.

Flowers instead of smoke

From a fading industrial city with steel plants spewing black smoke and soot into the sky, Pittsburgh turned into a lively eco-friendly metropolis. Thanks to the cooperation of the mayor's office, trade unions, businessmen and scientists, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations, ideas, projects and startups in the field of clean energy have become the engines of the new economy. Well-paid “ecological” jobs have been created.

Even during the first acquaintance with Pittsburgh, you can see the impressive achievements of the city in the field of environmental protection. The 33-storey office building The Tower at PNC Plaza, opened last year, meets the most stringent requirements of the US Green Building Council. Its owner, PNC Financial Services Group, hopes that the building will earn the reputation of the greenest skyscraper in the world. It has 2 such important features:

  • the geothermal climate control system uses underground river water to cool and heat the building;
  • Solar energy comes to the ventilation system along with fresh air, which is subsequently used for heating.

In addition, the skyscraper has a double facade: employees can enter the space between the individual glass panels and breathe the fresh air of environmentally friendly Pittsburgh.

Bright lights, green city

In 5 areas New York one of the most environmentally friendly transportation systems in North America. More than half of city buses run on alternative fuel. New subway trains are equipped with energy-saving braking systems that, when the train stops, convert heat into energy.

The city has improved air quality by replacing polluting fuel oil with cleaner fuels. Emissions of carbon dioxide per capita in New York are lower than in other US cities.

The “Million Trees in New York” program finished planting by the end of 2015. City services planted 70% of trees along streets, in parks and other public places. The remaining 30% will be planted by homeowners, business owners and non-profit organizations on their own land plots. Also noteworthy are the efforts of New York in the field of ecological land use. Due to the redevelopment of post-industrial facilities and wastelands, New York is expanding its green spaces, so that all New Yorkers have access to parks within walking distance. As of 2014 year, 44 hectares of new park areas have been added.

The city is rebuilding its coastlines for recreational use by improving water quality and access to the beaches, planning to open the 2030% of the coastline to 90 in the year.

Carbon reduction

As a result of the application of federal standards and state regulations for vehicle exhaust gas, today American cars and buses emit far less pollutants than ever before. In a number of cities they have gone even further: here they are experimenting with zero-emission fuel in full swing.

Photo: depositphotos.com

Photo: depositphotos.com

Los Angeles - A recognized leader in reducing carbon emissions. The city has the largest natural gas bus fleet in the United States - about 2,2 thousand. According to the city authorities, after switching to natural gas, the daily reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is 1,36 tons.

Other measures are being taken in public transport. The test operation of the first of the 5 planned electric buses has already begun. Each such electric bus can transport 120 passengers over a distance of 275 kilometers without additional charge.

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