Reducing Greenhouse Emissions Through Community Engagement
The Washoe County, NV, community is addressing the negative impacts of climate change and the inequitable effects on vulnerable populations through its "Green Recovery Plan." This plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air pollution while addressing the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially... Read more
Planning for Climate Resilience and Extreme Weather Events
Travis County, Texas's fifth largest county, faces many climate emergencies and weather hazards. The frequency of 100-degree days has doubled in the last 40 years, and extreme rainfall, flooding, and drought risks have escalated. These climate hazards threaten all residents, particularly low-income families, older adults, and non-English speakers. The county's... Read more
Addressing Extreme Heat Through Urban Forestry
The City of Jacksonville, FL, is experiencing the devastating effects of climate change and urban heat island (UHI), leading to more frequent and intense heat waves. These heat waves significantly threaten public health and infrastructure stability, especially in historically disinvested communities that face intersecting vulnerabilities. Jacksonville is partnering with FUSE... Read more
Strengthening Climate Resilience Through Data-Driven Planning
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (UG) is dedicated to addressing climate risks and developing a resilience plan that protects the citizens of Kansas City, Kansas (KCK) and the built environment. This endeavor requires interdisciplinary and intersectional approaches, including culture change strategies to engage stakeholders who... Read more
Energy Efficiency in Water Utilities
The community strives to address the high energy consumption issue within the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO). Despite previous efforts to improve energy efficiency, there is still untapped potential for energy savings within SWBNO's facilities. The community is dedicated to reducing energy consumption to operate more cost-effectively... Read more
City-Wide Composting for Environmental Justice
The City of Albuquerque is working towards addressing climate change, equity, resilience, and sustainability through various initiatives. However, there is still a significant amount of work to be done. One area of focus is the potential impact of widespread composting, which is highlighted in both the Food & Agriculture Action... Read more
Human Rights and the FIFA World Cup
Kansas City, Missouri, is preparing to host the FIFA Men's World Cup in 2026 and recognizes the importance of addressing potential human rights impacts that may arise from the tournament. The City is establishing a Human Rights Advisory Council to support this effort, which will work closely with FIFA officials.... Read more
Designing an Inclusive, Accessible, and Green Lakefront
The community in Northern Cleveland is trying to solve the lack of equitable access to green space, particularly for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) residents. Despite the shoreline on Lake Erie offering natural amenities and recreational areas, it is cut off from the city by railroads, a highway,... Read more
Advancing Equitable Strategies for Vehicle Electrification
The City of New Orleans has set an ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2035 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Since transportation is responsible for 44% of the city's GHG emissions, the City aims to transition 75% of its fleet to low- or no-emission vehicles... Read more
Supporting LA County’s Transformation into an Actively Anti-Racist Institution
The pandemic highlighted systemic racism in Los Angeles County, particularly in communities of color. The government has committed to not just recovering from COVID-19 but also transforming the system entirely. The Board of Supervisors has declared racism a public health emergency and established an Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Equity (ARDI) Initiative... Read more