New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled plans on Sunday for a more energy-efficient city where pedestrians would be shaded by more trees while breathing cleaner air. The proposal saves water by rebuilding aging water mains, fosters support for mass transit, creates more energy-efficient buildings and pledges to plant a million new trees by 2017 that will help with pollution by cleaning the air.
The plan calls for cooling the city in the summertime by planting 23,000 new trees annually along city streets, as well as boosting forestry programs with $26.5 million in additional dollars each year. (Washington Post)
In a nod to the city of London which instituted a similar plan, the mayor wants to charge a fee for vehicles entering the most congested areas of Manhattan.
Bloomberg’s office has worked for more than a year to finalize the package.
Energy issues, climate change, and air pollution are all key matters up for consideration at the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development next week in New York, running through 11 May. More than 2,000 delegates and citizen groups will attend the meeting, which makes recommendations that affect all countries.
More and more cities are taking steps to address these issues. Read about 320 US mayors going green and embracing the Kyoto accord in this article published on 23 October, 2006, by the Good News Network.