Latest news with #urbanenvironments
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers unveil innovative tool to tackle growing problem with city design: 'Many cities lack consistent, street-level data'
Researchers unveil innovative tool to tackle growing problem with city design: 'Many cities lack consistent, street-level data' This new technology could lead to greener, healthier cities. A new report by Smart Cities Dive looked into a new open-source artificial intelligence model by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis that tracks vegetation growth and loss in urban environments. Canopy coverage in cities is measured by a metric known as the Green View Index, and this new AI tool found that greenery has decreased by between 0.3% and 0.5% per year. Although the decline in green areas is concerning, this technological advancement has made tracking canopy coverage easier than ever. Hopefully, this will lead to more trees being planted in places that lack access to green space and inspire city planners to prioritize making urban areas greener. Green spaces are known to have a positive impact on mental and physical health and can make exercise more enjoyable and accessible. According to The Health Foundation, neighborhoods with more access to greenery tend to have a higher life expectancy. Increased tree coverage could have an even more tangible impact on life-and-death situations by reducing heat-related deaths. One article in the Journal of Environmental Management estimated that a 10% increase in tree coverage could mean 50 fewer heat-related deaths a year in Salt Lake City and around 3,800 fewer in New York City. In addition to the impact on our health, more trees equal less pollution and a cleaner planet with better air quality. Buildings in areas shaded by trees often require less air conditioning, meaning that energy demand goes down. Having the ability to track green space more efficiently and effectively will help highlight streets where canopy coverage is desperately needed. The research scholar who led the study, Giacomo Falchetta, said, per Smart Cities Dive, "Many cities lack consistent, street-level data on vegetation coverage, making it hard to prioritize areas based on existing conditions and inequalities." He added that the model "supports the prioritization of existing vegetation maintenance for areas of cities where GVI is on a declining trend." Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Globe and Mail
07-08-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
Carnegie Council Unveils New Ethics-Based Tool to Accelerate the Implementation of Climate Action in Cities
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - August 7, 2025) - Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs has released a new free-to-access tool for professionals working to address or limit climate change impacts in cities. Drawing upon insights from a global community of ethicists, city government actors, and nonprofits, the tool provides a framework and interactive guide for how ethics can be applied to accelerate the delivery of climate action, better serving communities within urban environments, both today and into the future. [ Explore the tool ] To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Cities are at forefront of climate change accounting for approximately 70 percent of global CO 2 emissions yet covering only 2 percent of Earth's land. Even for those who recognize the urgency of taking climate action within cities, such as municipal employees, nonprofits, and private companies, there remains a lack of tools and long-term strategic guidance to assist with ethical implementation of climate mitigation and adaptation efforts at the local level. In response, the Council's Carnegie Ethics Accelerator convened a group of experts from around the globe to examine the unique moral and political challenges of advancing climate action within cities. From the Accelerator meetings, the Council developed a suite of resources for practitioners to leverage, including the Climate Action in Cities Tool, a short issue brief, and a selection of applied ethics strategies. These tools are designed to enable creative and innovative thinking when planning climate action interventions, adaptable to a wide range of stakeholders with varied resources. What implementation challenges are you aware of where applied ethics strategies could help? Carnegie Council wants to hear from you. Access the tool and select "Submit a Challenge" on the homepage to share your own ideas for how applied ethics could help accelerate the implementation of climate action. Your submissions and participation are essential for helping us expand and refine the tool over time. About Carnegie Council: Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs is an independent 501(c) (3) nonprofit institution that works to empower ethics globally by identifying and addressing the most critical ethical issues of today and tomorrow. From our Global Ethics Hub in New York City, the Council identifies emerging ethical issues; convenes leading practitioners, academics, and next-gen leaders; builds active communities by embracing multilateralism and exploring shared values; and frames ethical perspectives by educating and engaging with audiences around the world. Founded by Andrew Carnegie over a century ago, the Council is the only nonpartisan institution working to empower ethics across international relations and defend the moral principles of international cooperation, democracy, humanitarianism, and fidelity. For more on the intersection of ethics and climate action, subscribe to the Carnegie Ethics Newsletter. To attend a Global Ethics Hub event, sign up to receive Event Announcements. Contact: To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Associated Press
07-08-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Carnegie Council Unveils New Ethics-Based Tool to Accelerate the Implementation of Climate Action in Cities
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - August 7, 2025) - Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs has released a new free-to-access tool for professionals working to address or limit climate change impacts in cities. Drawing upon insights from a global community of ethicists, city government actors, and nonprofits, the tool provides a framework and interactive guide for how ethics can be applied to accelerate the delivery of climate action, better serving communities within urban environments, both today and into the future. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] [ Explore the tool ] To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Cities are at forefront of climate change accounting for approximately 70 percent of global CO 2 emissions yet covering only 2 percent of Earth's land. Even for those who recognize the urgency of taking climate action within cities, such as municipal employees, nonprofits, and private companies, there remains a lack of tools and long-term strategic guidance to assist with ethical implementation of climate mitigation and adaptation efforts at the local level. In response, the Council's Carnegie Ethics Accelerator convened a group of experts from around the globe to examine the unique moral and political challenges of advancing climate action within cities. From the Accelerator meetings, the Council developed a suite of resources for practitioners to leverage, including the Climate Action in Cities Tool, a short issue brief, and a selection of applied ethics strategies. These tools are designed to enable creative and innovative thinking when planning climate action interventions, adaptable to a wide range of stakeholders with varied resources. What implementation challenges are you aware of where applied ethics strategies could help? Carnegie Council wants to hear from you. Access the tool and select 'Submit a Challenge' on the homepage to share your own ideas for how applied ethics could help accelerate the implementation of climate action. Your submissions and participation are essential for helping us expand and refine the tool over time. About Carnegie Council: Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs is an independent 501(c) (3) nonprofit institution that works to empower ethics globally by identifying and addressing the most critical ethical issues of today and tomorrow. From our Global Ethics Hub in New York City, the Council identifies emerging ethical issues; convenes leading practitioners, academics, and next-gen leaders; builds active communities by embracing multilateralism and exploring shared values; and frames ethical perspectives by educating and engaging with audiences around the world. Founded by Andrew Carnegie over a century ago, the Council is the only nonpartisan institution working to empower ethics across international relations and defend the moral principles of international cooperation, democracy, humanitarianism, and fidelity. For more on the intersection of ethics and climate action, subscribe to the Carnegie Ethics Newsletter. To attend a Global Ethics Hub event, sign up to receive Event Announcements. Contact: Samuel Bradshaw Carnegie Ethics Accelerator Lead [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit
