Oslo ahead in reaching no-emission travel by 2030
New research from Clean Cities Campaign has named Oslo the most progressive in terms of getting rid of mobility emissions, followed by Amsterdam and Helsinki.
Cities
NYC public schools initiate ‘Vegan Fridays’
Over 1 million students in grades K-12 will now have plant-based lunch options at school on Fridays.
LA City Council votes unanimously to end urban oil drilling
This big win follows on the heels of similar recent phase-out votes by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Culver City Council.
Toronto’s first-ever mental health crisis response teams to launch in March
The teams will dispatch nurses and mental health support workers instead of police officers to respond to 911 calls about people in crisis.
New Orleans to rename Robert E. Lee Blvd. for legendary musician Allen Toussaint
The New Orleans City Council voted unanimously to change the name last week. Toussaint was a New Orleans music legend who died in 2015.
Beijing meets air quality standards for the first time
Since 2013, levels of particulate pollution in China’s capital have dropped 63 percent, China Daily reported.
New York City votes to electrify new buildings, ban natural gas
The legislation, which Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to sign, requires electricity-powered heat and hot water in most new buildings under seven stories by 2024 and all other buildings in 2027.
Pittsburgh will become a dark sky city in 2022
Pittsburgh will follow the International Dark Sky Association’s new values-centered outdoor lighting guidelines and switch to lower wattage LED bulbs in streetlights, bridges, and other public spaces.
Tokyo becomes biggest city in Japan to recognize same-sex partnerships
Over 100 local governments in Japan now recognize same-sex partnerships, which grants the right to rent property together and to visit their partner in the hospital.
Barcelona’s bus fleet will soon run on biofuel made from sewage sludge
The initiative is part of the Nimbus Project, which aims to encourage a circular economy in the city, starting with green public transportation.