Cities
Car boom brings gridlock misery to ‘green and happy’ Bhutan
Bhutan’s growing economy brings growing gridlock – and a potential threat to the country’s vaunted carbon-negative status
Two million in Zimbabwe’s capital have no water as city turns off taps
‘The situation is bad, period’, says spokesman for Harare council, as suburbs go weeks without water and cases of typhoid are reported
Trains deliver emergency water to drought-hit Chennai
Millions of people are experiencing water shortages as Chennai’s reservoirs are running dry and other sources of water are dwindling
EU ‘climate leaders’ plans found lacking
Finland, Sweden, Portugal, France and Germany praised for ambitious targets, but NGO analysis raises questions over details
New York City bans inefficient glass skyscrapers, WA state to end coal
New York mayor announces sweeping climate change programme, while Washington’s power will be carbon-neutral by 2030
Life adapts to Louisiana’s disappearing coast
South Louisiana is experiencing the effects of coastal erosion faster than almost anywhere in the world, but life adapts through the buildings and architecture
7 surprising things about the carbon footprint of your food
From sandwiches to ‘bleeding’ veggie burgers, we’ve rounded up some of the latest research and innovations for a low-carb(on) diet
‘We have brought swallows into Milan’, says father of the vertical forest
Stefano Boeri dreamed up the idea of a living building from a childhood story, now he is exporting them around the world
No heating at -6C: Poor bear brunt of Beijing’s air cleanup
Urban demands for cleaner air have left residents of surrounding towns without heating and cooking as coal systems are ripped out and gas supply falters
New York City aims to be carbon neutral by 2050
Donald Trump’s home city aligns its strategy with tough 1.5C global warming limit, in defiance of the president’s hostility to climate action
US exports of tar sands waste are fuelling Delhi’s air pollution crisis
India has emerged as the world’s largest importer of petroleum coke, an oil byproduct that is now a major cause of pollution in the capital
Sydney and Vancouver are fulfilling climate promises made in Paris
As national governments delay, cities around the world are committing to climate action
Lobbying data reveals carmakers’ influence in Berlin
As a dieselgate-charged election approaches, data reveals German officials met with auto lobbyists more than once every two days to discuss the scandal
Developing disasters: How cities are making hurricanes more destructive
Scientists warn of expanding “bull’s-eyes” as the US builds in parts of the country at ever-greater risk because of climate change and severe weather
Climate threatens ‘Himalayan Viagra’ fungus, and a way of life
A valuable fungus reputed to be an aphrodisiac has been disappearing from the mountains of Nepal, taking with it a valuable source of income
‘Bad-ass business women’ bring solar empowerment to Nepal
NGO that helps women overcome cultural taboos and start their own clean energy businesses to be awarded prize in London ceremony
‘We are praying it rains soon’ – Nairobi on severe water rations
Some districts are receiving just 12 hours of water each week as drought hits the Kenyan capital – home to more than 3 million people
Rain stopped play: Cricket ignores its climate threat
Cricket – that most weather dependent of games – is slow-bowling its way into a future in which English seamers no longer swing and more and more games are washed out
Mumbai highway project threatens new air pollution crisis
Sea breezes have protected Mumbai from air pollution, but a new coastal road will send exhaust fumes from 200,000 cars each day drifting across the city
Why India’s waste pickers are key to a fair climate deal
Low-carbon measures could increase urban poverty if a clean transition is not carefully managed, research from IIED suggests