5. Philadelphia
> Ozone Emissions rank: 20th worst emissions
> Reported Carbon Emissions: 16 million metric tons
> Proposed Reductions in Emissions: 20% by undetermined date
> Emissions Reduced in 2010 by EnergyStar Fitted Buildings: 14,700 homes
As recent as 2009, Philadelphia had very few energy-efficient buildings, despite being the fifth largest city in the U.S. Last year, the city received a $25 million grant from the Department of Energy’s Retrofit Ramp-Up program. Between 2009 and 2010, the city increased the number of energy-efficient buildings from 36 to 126. Reducing building electricity use is part of Mayor Michael Nutter’s ambitious plan to make Philadelphia the greenest city in the U.S by 2015. Among the city’s other efforts is a plan to change all of Philadelphia’s traffic lights to LED lights, which use much less electricity than the traditional incandescent bulbs. The city plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% within the next 10 to 20 years. As a port city, Philadelphia is exposed to the one of the worst effects of global climate change – rising sea levels. According to the OECD’s 2008 report, the city has more than $200 billion in property at risk when sea levels are expected to rise to destructive levels. At a local Environmental Protection Agency seminar in March, experts announced that the city has already been affected by climate change. Pointed to as evidence, the city’s fresh water supply has dwindled after warmer regional temperatures have caused decreased annual snow melt, an important source of fresh water.
4. Houston
> Ozone Emissions rank: 8th worst emissions
> Reported Carbon Emissions: not reported
> Proposed Reductions in Emissions: not reported
> Emissions Reduced in 2010 by EnergyStar Fitted Buildings: 47,300 homes
According to a 2008 report, Harris County, where Houston is located, released an average of 18.63 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, more than any other county in the country. Already battling a sinking coastline from overuse of groundwater, the Texas city faces an even greater risk than most for possible rising sea levels; more than $100 billion in property is exposed to the risk of coastal flooding. One report, issued in 2009 by the Environmental Defense Fund, estimates three of every four freight facilities in the Houston area is at risk. While it is often criticized for its lack of action relative to other cities, especially considering it has as great an impact on global warming as any city in North America, Houston has taken some important steps, including having the most green space among the ten largest cities in the U.S., which is important for carbon sequestration – the filtering of CO2 out of the atmosphere. The city also offered free energy efficiency retrofits – which reduce building energy consumption – for several poor communities.
3. Chicago
> Ozone Emissions rank: not Among the 25 worst
> Reported Carbon Emissions: 37.2 million metric tons
> Proposed Reductions in Emissions: 25% by 2020
> Emissions Reduced in 2010 by EnergyStar Fitted Buildings: 54,500 homes
According to The New York Times, climate scientists report major changes in temperature could have a huge effect on the region, causing temperatures of over 90 degrees for 70 days a year compared with the 10 to 20 that occur now. This change would result in 1,200 heat-related deaths per year, and cost the city billions of dollars just for pothole repairs. Chicago has been one of the most aggressive of the nation’s major cities in attempting to avert climate change – as well as preparing for some of its inevitable consequences. The city has been one of the most active in the retrofit movement, with more than 13,300 homes or apartments, and nearly 400 commercial buildings, modified for energy efficiency as of this year. The city’s sweeping Chicago Climate Action Plan (CCAP) has been at the forefront of a variety of measures, including “green roofs,” where a building’s roof is covered with plants to improve insulation and energy use, carbon sequestration, and rainwater capture.
2. Los Angeles
> Ozone Emissions rank: the worst ozone emissions
> Reported Carbon Emissions: not reported
> Proposed Reductions in Emissions: 35% by 2030
> Emissions Reduced in 2010 by EnergyStar Fitted Buildings: 39,800 homes
Los Angeles has the fourth worst particle pollution – and the worst ozone pollution – in the country. Although recent data is not available on greenhouse gas emissions for the city, Los Angeles county did release the second most in the U.S. on average, according to a report released in 2008 by a group called Project Vulcan, which studies carbon emissions. While the California metropolis is located near the ocean, it does not have the same kind property and people at risk in the event of global-warming induced coastal flooding. It does face a wide range of other problems, including dramatically warmer temperatures, fires, severe water shortages, and a haze that will make the city’s current smog problem seem modest by comparison. The city has one of the most serious emission problems. Officials and residents have taken steps to reduce the impact on the atmosphere. As of last year, Los Angeles had more than 500 Energy Star certified buildings, well more than any other city, and nearly double its closest competitor, Chicago. The city, which has one of the worst tailpipe emissions problems in the U.S., was one of the first to implement Bus Rapid Transit, which reduces car emissions by shuttling suburban residents into the downtown business area. The city also sponsors a “Green Power for Green L.A.” program, which allows residents to pay a premium in order to have a portion of their home’s electricity come from renewable sources.
1. New York
> Ozone Emissions rank: 17th worst ozone emissions
> Reported Carbon Emissions: 52.7 million metric tons
> Proposed Reductions in Emissions: 30% by 2030
> Emissions Reduced in 2010 by EnergyStar Fitted Buildings: 36,500 homes
There are few cities in the world more at risk of catastrophe if the worst predictions of climate scientists turn out to be correct. According to the OECD report, Manhattan and the other four boroughs will have $2.14 trillion in property at risk of damage or destruction, as well as 2.9 million at risk of displacement, if sea waters rise by projected levels (2 feet by 2080, according to one analysis). Perhaps this is one reason the city has been one of the leaders in the C40 movement, and its Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is chair of the committee. Unlike the many of the other cities in the C40, most of the carbon emissions in New York comes from energy use in buildings, rather than transportation. Bloomberg’s policies have focused on improving the energy efficiency of buildings, including an effort to paint the roofs of buildings white, which can save as much as 20% on electricity use. Another project aims to replace all the fuel oil burning boilers in the city with natural gas.
Michael B. Sauter
