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A BLUEPRINT FOR A

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

ABOUT COOL CITIES

Cool Cities is a giant screen film to be exhibited in museum theaters globally, and a coordinated educational project designed to raise awareness of how advancements in urbanization science, technology and engineering are building a sustainable future in cities, including many of the world’s most iconic.

This website serves as your resource to stay informed on urban sustainability topics, and get inspired in ways you can engage in your own community. 
Explore inventive sustainability ideas and technology in
Innovations, find Spotlight stories of people and cities making a difference, and go to Take Action for steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

 

As the project progresses in the next few years, we envision the expansion of digital resources including guest editorials by sustainability experts, city sustainability case history videos, and an interactive learning component. Stay tuned.

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About

A VISION FOR MORE

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES

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TAKE ACTION

If you care about the future of our planet,
you CAN make a difference.

People, communities, cities, businesses, schools, faith groups and other organizations are taking action. We’re fighting like our lives depend on it — because they do. Help preserve our ecosystems for our future generations, and discover how you can help using the links below. Reading this was your first step. Why not go one further?

CHECK ON AIR QUALITY

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Look up the air quality data in your city! The global BreatheLife campaign "mobilizes cities and individuals to protect our health and our planet from the effects of air pollution."

FIND OUT WHAT CITIES ARE DOING

Find out what cities are doing to create a sustainable future! Learn about the work of networks such as Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign and C40 Cities.

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RESOURCES FOR ENERGY SAVINGS

Check out the Natural Resource Defense Fund’s wealth of resources for energy savings in your daily life.

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THE STRANGE, TUMULTUOUS LIFE OF SOLAR POWER AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Curious how solar panels looked in 1883? Can you guess which presidents installed solar panels at the White House? Check out this intriguing write-up from the University of California's Carbon Neutrality Initiative!

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EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF CLEAN ENERGY

Explore the future of clean energy from the Union of Concerned Scientists: Power Ahead page.

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FOOD WASTE & GREENHOUSE GASES

If global food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases. And in the US, roughly 40% of food we produce never gets eaten. Learn how you can help change that in this video by Vox and University of California.

TRY HOME-GROWN

Consider the health and environmental benefits of growing some of your own food. A home-grown food project can be easier than you think. Start with some information published by University of New Hampshire and One Green Planet.

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THE REAL IMPACT OF SINGLE-USE ITEMS

Since the 1960s, the amount of waste by weight has more than doubled in the United States, according to data from the EPA. Learn the real impact of single-use items on our planet, and what you can do today to make a difference in this Vox/UC video episode.

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LESS IS MORE

You may have heard of driving less, flying less, and eating less meat, and you might wonder how much your individual action really counts. More than you might realize! Read about the influence you have on others when you lead by example, highlighted in item #9 of BBC’s “guide to the most effective strategies.”

Take Action

INNOVATIONS

World urbanization brings some of our greatest challenges: air and water pollution, demand on water resources, pressure on land for development, agriculture, materials, stress on ecosystems, among others. Because of their impact and influence, cities hold exceptional promise for positive global change.

 

Scientists, engineers, urban planners, architects, and many more continue to generate, test and improve creative solutions for sustainability. We’re collecting these diverse ideas, not to endorse any single solution, but to feed your curiosity and imagination – the future is in our hands.

Click on any of the topics below to explore more!

[Disclaimer: The organizations or companies linked here do not amount to an endorsement by the Cool Cities team.]

Innovatons
Contact

CONTACT US

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