Support for InfrastructureUSA.org
has been provided by these organizations and individuals:

John Hennessy III,
P.E.

Archive for the ‘Sustainability’ Category

Natural Disasters or Natural Hazards? Why We Need to Rebuild Smarter

Wednesday, October 11th, 2017

“They are natural hazards. They only become disasters where and how we have built our environments.” “And the current plan will be build it back the way it was. Rebuild it back to the past. Rebuild it back to fail again.” -Craig Fugate, Former FEMA Administrator Video by seeprogress on YouTube

View this complete post...

Funding Trees for Health: An Analysis of Finance and Policy Actions to Enable Tree Planting for Public Health

Monday, October 9th, 2017
Figure E1. Trees and Public health. Conceptual model of the linkage between urban forestry funding and health funding.

The scientific case for the benefits of trees and urban nature has become more solid over the last few decades. Trees and other natural features in cities can help regulate water quality, water quantity, and the timing of water flow. They can help clean and cool the air, reducing harmful air pollutants and ambient air temperatures. They lend beauty to our streets, enhance citizens’ lives, and significantly increase property values. When you consider all the benefits that street trees can provide to society, there is a strong business case for increased societal investment. One study in California, for instance, found that for every $1 spent on tree planting and maintenance, urban trees deliver $5.82 in benefits.

View this complete post...

America’s Clean Energy Frontier: The Pathway to a Safer Climate Future

Friday, October 6th, 2017
America

NRDC’s groundbreaking analysis demonstrates clearly that with bold action on energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification of vehicles and buildings with clean power, and electric grid enhancements, the United States can reach its 80 percent by 2050 climate goal. Moreover, we can get there at a much lower cost than any comparable study predicts.

View this complete post...

Wildlands and Woodlands, Farmlands and Communities

Friday, September 29th, 2017

An introduction to a new report by Harvard Forest that describes a vision for a sustainable New England that includes the protection of 70% of the region as forests, and 7% as farmland. More information and the report are available at: wildlandsandwoodlands.org/vision/ww-vision-reports

View this complete post...

Unlocking Private Capital to Finance Sustainable Infrastructure

Thursday, September 28th, 2017
Private Capital to Finance Infrastructure - EDF + Business

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND EDF + BUSINESS Executive Summary Communities throughout the United States are facing unprecedented infrastructure challenges including compromised energy, water, and transportation systems. This is more than just a matter of inconvenience. Unless addressed, decades of neglect and lack of investment will result in loss of business sales, reduced jobs and wages, and […]

View this complete post...

Responsible for what? Carbon producer CO2 contributions and the energy transition

Wednesday, September 13th, 2017
CO2 contributions - Sherco Generating Station - Photo by Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota

The article this accompanies is the third in an important series. The foundational analysis of the contributions of major carbon producers to atmospheric CO2 emissions and methane emissions was the first to appear (Heede 2014), followed by a rich and concrete analysis of the moral responsibilities of the major carbon producers in light of those contributions (Frumhoff et al. 2015). This third analysis not only refines the calculations of the contributions of major carbon producers to atmospheric CO2 and methane emissions but also expands the calculations to include the contributions of those same producers to global mean surface temperature and global sea level (Ekwurzel et al. 2017).

View this complete post...

California Green Innovation Index

Wednesday, September 6th, 2017
FIGURE 1. GLOBAL FOSSIL FUEL COMBUSTION IN CALIFORNIA AND OTHER REGIONS

Despite moves from the current federal administration to roll back policies that manage carbon-intensive energy sources, California continues to lead in implementing statewide policies that incentivize innovation in business, technology and carbon reduction. While California provides a strong template for others to follow in sustaining economic growth while pursuing climate change mitigation policies, there is still work to be done to ensure the state meets its emission reduction goals. Indicators relating to the carbon economy help track this progress and illustrate the changing relationship between economic vitality and environmental quality.

View this complete post...

Guest on The Infra Blog: Anita van Breda, Senior Director, Environment and Disaster Management, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Wednesday, August 30th, 2017
Anita van Breda on The Infra Blog

If there is a change in the direction at the federal level, that means it’s all the more important that we at our individual and at our state and our county levels, make sure we are doing more to step up our engagement. We see examples from different mayors and different cities who are being quite proactive on the climate issue, and corporations are stepping forward, and so we have to focus on where there’s positive momentum and support that moving forward.

View this complete post...

Natural and Nature-Based Flood Management

Friday, August 18th, 2017
The Flood Green Guide

The Flood Green Guide organizes flood management methods into two categories: structural and non-structural. Structural methods involve physical changes to natural features or human infrastructure, including engineered (hard) methods (sometimes referred to as gray methods), such as dams or floodways, and natural and nature-based (soft) methods (sometimes referred to as green methods), such as wetland protection, upper watershed restoration or rain gardens.

View this complete post...

Just Transitions: How Coal Communities Can Outlive Coal

Tuesday, August 8th, 2017

The coal industry has been in decline for nearly a century. That’s good news, since it means less carbon and pollution. But there’s a catch: It can also means fewer jobs and tax revenue for coal communities…But, wait. There is a way to make moving on from coal a win-win proposition. Watch our video to see what happens when labor, environmental, and community groups come together to forge a path forward.

View this complete post...

Follow InfraUSA on Twitter Facebook YouTube Flickr

CATEGORIES


Show us your infra! Show us your infra!

Video, stills and tales. Share images of the Infra in your community that demands attention. Post your ideas about national Infra issues. Go ahead. Show Us Your Infra!  Upload and instantly share your message.

Polls Polls

Is the administration moving fast enough on Infra issues? Are Americans prepared to pay more taxes for repairs? Should job creation be the guiding determination? Vote now!

Views

What do the experts think? This is where the nation's public policy organizations, trade associations and think tanks weigh in with analysis on Infra issues. Tell them what you think.  Ask questions.  Share a different view.

Blog

The Infra Blog offers cutting edge perspective on a broad spectrum of Infra topics. Frequent updates and provocative posts highlight hot button topics -- essential ingredients of a national Infra dialogue.


Dear Friends,

 

It is encouraging to finally see clear signs of federal action to support a comprehensive US infrastructure investment plan.

 

Now more than ever, our advocacy is needed to keep stakeholders informed and connected, and to hold politicians to their promises to finally fix our nation’s ailing infrastructure.

 

We have already engaged nearly 280,000 users, and hoping to add many more as interest continues to grow.

 

We require your support in order to rise to this occasion, to make the most of this opportunity. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to InfrastructureUSA.org.

 

Steve Anderson

Managing Director

 

SteveAnderson@InfrastructureUSA.org

917-940-7125

InfrastructureUSA: Citizen Dialogue About Civil Infrastructure