NEW YORK, Jul 17 (IPS) – Cities, once seen as modern utopias that foster innovation, inclusivity and commerce, have ultimately turned out to be hubs for environmental degradation. While the concept of urban living is inextricably linked to humanity, ways have been proposed to make them less damaging to the environment. One such solution is the idea of a sustainable city, otherwise known as a metropolis that efficiently consumes fossil fuels and removes emissions with respect to the lifespan of the planet and the economic well-being of its citizens. Cities can also be considered sustainable as long as they limit the impact of consumption through means such as recycling or using healthier energy sources. While this may sound like a simple path forward in the Earth’s journey towards decarbonisation, we must consider a plethora of issues, including transportation, housing, production, commerce and comfort.
An example of a sustainable city is Bristol, England. The BBC article, “Lower CO2 Emissions Recorded in City by 2022,” states that greenhouse gas emissions fell by 7.5 percent between 2021 and 2022, partly due to higher bills that encourage people to use less energy. Similar moves can be seen in many other urban environments, as citizens are encouraged to prioritize financial stability over excessive consumption. Additionally, emissions related to commerce are said to have fallen the most. Furthermore, Bristol has introduced “Clean Air Zones,” designated areas where high emissions result in fines, for vehicles in an effort to reduce their emissions from transportation. Many of the vehicles in these zones, which are hybrid and electric powered, adhere to these restrictions. While Bristol has struggled to reduce vehicle emissions, it is taking the right steps to completely reduce its carbon footprint. This is what makes this city truly “sustainable” as it sets guidelines for citizens to consume fossil fuels in a responsible and ethical manner.
Zurich, Switzerland is another sustainable city that uses various methods to ensure lower carbon emissions. According to the article “Top Five Most Sustainable Cities in the World,” Zurich is known as a “cyclist’s paradise.” The city offers universal access to bicycles, free and widespread. In addition, Zurich has implemented a large number of bike lanes and car-free roads. This contributes greatly to reducing transportation-related emissions, as cars are used less frequently. Furthermore, the fact that these bikes are free to use is something that other metropolises can learn from. For example, New York City has also implemented public bicycles that cost around $19 per day, which greatly discourages their widespread use. Zurich pales in comparison to New York, so one can only imagine how beneficial it would be if larger metropolises adopted these healthier habits. Furthermore, the same article states that Zurich produces 80 percent of its electricity from renewable sources and recycles over 40 percent of its waste. Zurich is truly a sustainable city, as it encourages its citizens to consume less energy and responsibly rewards what they actually consume.
Sustainability efforts are also prominent in Asian countries. One example is Singapore, which has built a reputation over the years for its use of “green spaces.” Green spaces are designated areas dedicated to preserving nature for recreational use in parks, fields, and other urban environments. According to the article “Asia’s Eco-Warriors: 12 Cities Making Strides In Sustainability,” other countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, and Vietnam have also turned their attention to preserving green spaces. The progress of these countries contrasts sharply with that of North America. The United States in particular is losing much of its green space due to rampant industrialization. Ecosystems are being disrupted, and cities are often choosing to use land for housing instead of green space. The article “America’s open spaces are vanishing; NY has lost 344 square miles since 2002” states that America’s development has contributed to the loss of over 68,000 square miles of forests. Furthermore, every state has seen a significant loss of rural space this century. It is clear to see that sustainability for North American locations is secondary to trade and housing. While Singapore, South Korea, and China also have strong, thriving economies, they seem to be able to successfully balance this with sustainability.
This raises the question of whether sustainability is realistic for all corners of the world. Smaller or less densely populated locations have a greater ability to adopt healthier consumption habits because they are inherently simpler. For example, compare New York City to Wellington, England. Wellington has a population of approximately 213,000, while New York City’s population is over 8 million. Therefore, Wellington will have a much easier time adopting healthier habits like recycling and tracking. Larger cities have larger economies and greater demand for transportation, energy, and housing. While it may seem impossible, large metropolises like New York City have the potential to become sustainable, or at least more sustainable than they were before. However, we must consider these differences to create an effective plan. “New York’s Gradual Transition to a Sustainable City” states, “Our local regulatory architecture is pressuring large building owners to decarbonize and make their energy use more efficient. Our electric utilities are struggling, but are slowly replacing fossil fuels with renewables. Some of our early attempts to put wind power in the ocean are proving less cost-effective than we had hoped, but new technologies are being developed every day.” This indicates that larger cities are struggling to implement sustainable practices, as there is a thriving economy to consider as well. However, there are steps being taken that are allowing larger cities to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. New York will never be a commercial powerhouse and a significant contributor to emissions, because that is the way the city is built. Efforts like using alternative fuel sources will have a big impact on carbon emissions, but that practice will not be widespread for decades, but it is important that we take the first steps now. Sustainability is possible for the world, it will just take time and effort.
5. https://www.bxtimes.com/americas-open-spaces-vanishing/
Oritro Karim is a recent graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology and works as an illustrator, graphic designer, painter, and writer.
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