These cities are really doing something to heal the planet!

The cities we live in are key to addressing climate action. Because they were once filled with greenery. As the population grew, so did the need to expand living space and original ecosystems disappeared to make way for concrete jungles. When the Industrial Revolution began more than 250 years ago, cities became engines of the global economy, fueling technological breakthroughs, fostering social growth, and becoming hubs for cultural excellence.

In many places the rich ecological gifts of nature remain just history. Cities began to attract more people and more natural resources began to be consumed.

As we became more aware of the damage our progress has caused, several cities began to take initiatives to heal the planet. Here’s a glimpse:

Green transportation

The most immediate impact of fossil fuels in cities is air pollution. So cities have been taking steps to reduce this.

Singapore is striving to have 80% of its residents live within a five- to 10-minute walk of a subway station. Oslo has been replacing parking lots with bike lanes and parks and banning cars from its city center to prevent air pollution. In the Parisian suburb of Creteil, plans are underway for an aerial tramway that will transport commuters to and from their destinations without polluting the air.  

Green buildings

Buildings silently consume the largest share of fossil fuels in urban spaces and contribute the most to the climate crisis. Surprised? In many major cities, buildings account for around three-quarters of energy-related fossil fuel use.

There are some cool ways to make buildings more energy efficient — well-sealed windows and doors, smart temperature and air circulation systems, smart lighting systems, and building materials that insulate and shield buildings. Many cities are beginning to introduce buildings made from wood that act as carbon sinks. If all cities follow stringent environmental standards, we are bound to see positive change.

Investing in the right kind of energy- renewable energy

Hundreds of cities worldwide have pledged to get 100% of their energy from renewable sources in the years ahead. More than 40 cities have already secured 100% of their energy from renewables, and another 100 have passed the 70% mark. Some cities are accelerating the market transition by directly funding new renewable energy projects. As renewable energy becomes more accessible, we will see more people opting for it.

Reforestation

“If we want trees to survive and thrive and continue to function as effective places to store carbon, and as effective places for people to live and work, and appreciate for their economic, emotional, and cultural value, then you have to make sure that the trees that are being planted are going to thrive and can keep up with the changes that are already happening to them,” Alejandra Borunda, a former climate scientist who writes about climate change for National Geographic says.

It is important to protect the existing forests. It not only benefits the environment, but also provides income to families.

There are several other ways cities contribute to saving the environment, such as urban agriculture, coastal regeneration, figuring out sustainable ways to dispose waste and more. The idea is to figure out innovative ways to regenerate what we have lost, by making conscious choices. A world without cities and development is not possible, but a sustainable world definitely is.

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