Solar energy use has grown substantially in recent years both in the United States and globally. The first solar battery was developed in 1954 by Bell Labs, and large scale solar plants began popping up in the 1980s and 1990s, but it wasn't until the early 2000s that solar technology gained significantly in popularity. Two factors made this possible: a) new financial models that made solar technology more affordable and b) government subsidies for solar energy.
As the U.S. federal government retreats from energy and environmental regulation, local and regional efforts across the United States are scaling up. Cities, in particular, are intensifying their commitments to fight climate change and are playing an increasingly important role in the sustainability of the planet. Energy is at the center of the sustainability challenge, as it is both central to modern life and causes environmental and socio-economic damages through our dependence on fossil fuels. Cities are beginning to understand the importance of a renewable energy economy to maintain a healthy living environment for their communities, as well as to ensure the future sustainability of these communities. One way cities are demonstrating their energy priorities is by pledging to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050 under the Sierra Club's 'Ready for 100' campaign. This paper will survey 56 cities that have made community-wide commitments to 100% renewable energy, over half of which have pledged since just 2016, analyzing the primary motivations for these pledges, including but not limited to: financial and economic opportunity; public health; environmental preservation; climate goals and action plans; and lack of federal action. It will also examine the structure of these commitments, tools used for implementation, political challenges, and the importance of collective efforts in meeting environmental goals.
Solid waste management is a challenge for large urban areas around the world. Removing garbage from residential, institutional and commercial locations in cities is a major logistical and operational task. Waste management is usually a function of local government, and is often a city's largest budget item. Solid waste generation rates are rising fast, particularly in cities experiencing increasing population rates and higher economic activity, putting pressure on municipal governments to deal with rising costs and environmental impacts. This case study examines waste management practices in three cities: New York City, Hong Kong and Beijing. We begin by assessing New York City to provide an overview of waste management practices in a large, complex U.S. city. We then focus on Hong Kong, and finally on Beijing, to provide detail on the waste management practices of two major Chinese cities and learn how they are dealing with the growing volume of waste generated by these large cities. In each of the three cases we describe the history of waste management in that locale, the status of waste management today, and discuss the challenges faced in each location. Finally, we compare the practices in these cities, and detail the technical, managerial and political issues that define the waste management system in each place.
Under former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York City adopted one of the most aggressive sustainability policies in U.S. government. Responding to the needs of future New Yorkers, the city analyzed its anticipated growth, the growth rate of services required to meet the needs of a growing population, and the impact of that population on aging infrastructure, and developed a sustainability roadmap that has served as a model for cities around the world.
The global demand for energy is predicted to increase by as much as 40% by 2030 (EIA, 2016). To meet future energy needs of the growing global population, the world needs to transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy. Of the available renewable energy sources, solar power is one of the most promising options for the future, and has a key role to play in the ongoing transition to a sustainable economy. Solar energy use has grown substantially in recent years, both in the United States and globally. Bell Labs developed the first solar battery in 1954; and large-scale solar plants began to appear in the 1980s and 1990s, but it wasn't until the early 2000s that solar technology gained significant popularity. Three factors made this possible: a) advances in solar technology, b) new financial models that made solar technology more affordable and c) strong government policies to support solar energy. This case study examines the growth of solar and renewable energy worldwide, and discusses general barriers to implementing solar. It will then examine policies that support and incentivize solar energy in three cities: New York City, Hong Kong and Freiburg, Germany. We describe the history and background on sustainability and energy policies in each city, examine the major local barriers to solar, and the drivers of renewable energy policy in each place.
