#quiet-skies-program

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Roam Research
fromenglish.elpais.com
3 hours ago

How to measure bad smells: the citizen science that is challenging the stench of rotten eggs and cabbage soup

Different methods exist to scientifically measure odors, but they often fail to assess the discomfort caused to individuals at a distance.
Design
fromPsychology Today
15 hours ago

The Future of Brain Health Is Architecture

The built environment significantly influences mental health, mood, and performance, with neuroscience guiding design for improved well-being.
San Francisco
fromFuncheap
11 hours ago

EarthFest Weekend at SF Zoo

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens will host EarthFest Weekend on April 18-19, featuring live entertainment, activities, and conservation-focused organizations.
Environment
from99% Invisible
1 day ago

Service Request #4: How Does the Grid in Phoenix Work? - 99% Invisible

Phoenix's extreme summer heat underscores the critical importance of a reliable electrical grid for survival.
Science
fromFuturism
7 hours ago

Chinese Scientists Bioengineering Plants With Firefly Genes to Glow, in Effort to Light Cities at Night

Genetically engineered bioluminescent plants can enhance urban environments, attract tourism, and provide alternative lighting solutions.
NYC politics
fromGothamist
1 day ago

New Yorkers stopped composting after city stopped giving them fines, report shows

Enforcement of composting fines in New York City has decreased, leading to a significant drop in compost collection since 2025.
#environmental-advocacy
Public health
fromKqed
2 days ago

In 2026, the Bay Area Still Has Lots to Learn from 'Silent Spring' | KQED

MAHA and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. share skepticism of corporate power but diverge on issues like vaccines and pesticide regulation.
Environment
fromwww.cbc.ca
1 week ago

Why environmental advocates are speaking out against a planned development in northeast Pickering | CBC News

Environmental advocates oppose a planned development in northeast Pickering due to concerns about flood risk, water quality, and endangered species.
Public health
fromKqed
2 days ago

In 2026, the Bay Area Still Has Lots to Learn from 'Silent Spring' | KQED

MAHA and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. share skepticism of corporate power but diverge on issues like vaccines and pesticide regulation.
Environment
fromwww.cbc.ca
1 week ago

Why environmental advocates are speaking out against a planned development in northeast Pickering | CBC News

Environmental advocates oppose a planned development in northeast Pickering due to concerns about flood risk, water quality, and endangered species.
New York Islanders
fromCurbed
1 day ago

This Electric-Green Stream Is Actually a Good Thing

Clove Lakes Park in Staten Island faces odor issues linked to wastewater management, prompting investigations by environmental authorities.
fromSFGATE
1 day ago

Seabirds are dying in large numbers along California beaches

"They didn't even try to fly away. They just feebly made noise," a woman told the Santa Barbara Independent on Saturday after spotting over two dozen dead or dying cormorants near Goleta Beach. "A few were on their stomachs, wings spread [and] gasping for breath.... Heartbreaking."
Miami Marlins
Mission District
fromsfist.com
1 day ago

Friends Who Bought Dirt Alley' Are Looking For 1,280 People to Help Transform It Into Public Art

A public art project will transform a barren alley in San Francisco's Sunset District into a 1,280-piece art quilt.
Bootstrapping
fromTheregister
1 day ago

When a billboard survives the wind, but not the boot

A malfunctioning billboard in Cheyenne humorously highlights issues with the GRUB bootloader used in Linux systems.
NYC music
fromStreetsblog California
2 days ago

The Week in Short Videos - Streetsblog California

Streetsblog NYC announced a themed action movie starring Sebastian Stan, alongside updates on videos and federal land fracking proposals.
New York City
fromGothamist
1 day ago

Reforms to 'wild west' private trash industry come to Manhattan's Chinatown

Manhattan's Chinatown will implement new trash reforms requiring businesses to use authorized waste companies by May 2024.
fromArchDaily
2 days ago

Coldefy Leads Winning Masterplan to Transform Budapest Brownfield into Rewilded Urban District

The regeneration plan includes over 10,000 apartments, new transportation links, and commercial and civic spaces, forming a comprehensive urban redevelopment strategy aligned with 15-minute city principles.
Renovation
fromPhilosophynow
3 days ago
Philosophy

The Collective City

Islamic philosophy invites plurality and coexistence, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and the acceptance of error in understanding.
Agriculture
fromTasting Table
2 days ago

Before You Lay Landscape Fabric In Your Edible Garden, Here's What You Should Know - Tasting Table

Landscape fabric can harm edible gardens by blocking nutrients, preventing beneficial insect migration, and leaching plastic into the soil.
Pets
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 days ago

Swifts spark joy!' Why these beautiful birds need our help and 10 ways to give it

Swifts are declining in population due to habitat loss and reduced insect availability, necessitating conservation efforts.
#sustainability
fromNature
6 days ago
Environment

How buildings and cities can be aligned with life

Buildings currently harm the environment, but regenerative design can restore ecological systems and reduce waste through nature-inspired strategies.
fromEarth911
1 week ago
Environment

Earth911 Inspiration: The First Step To Sustainability

Sustainability begins with recognizing the connection between humanity and nature, free from artificial boundaries.
Brooklyn
fromBrownstoner
2 days ago

Brooklyn Creative Reuse Opens at Industry City

Brooklyn Creative Reuse provides affordable art materials and creative classes while promoting sustainability by keeping art supplies out of landfills.
Environment
fromNature
6 days ago

How buildings and cities can be aligned with life

Buildings currently harm the environment, but regenerative design can restore ecological systems and reduce waste through nature-inspired strategies.
Environment
fromEarth911
1 week ago

Earth911 Inspiration: The First Step To Sustainability

Sustainability begins with recognizing the connection between humanity and nature, free from artificial boundaries.
San Jose Sharks
fromSan Jose Spotlight
3 days ago

San Jose rolls out the welcome mat at Arena Green - San Jose Spotlight

Arena Green Park in San Jose has undergone significant renovations, making it ready for public use and community events.
SF music
fromFuncheap
3 days ago

What Comes After

What Comes After is a choral event exploring themes of resilience and transformation through music and dialogue.
fromFast Company
3 days ago

See it: Air temperatures and pollution around the world are captured in real time in these animated weather maps

We created Earth in Action to provide a lens into what's happening on our planet, as it happens. Whether it's something typical, like the current air temperature, or an extreme event like a major dust storm, we wanted to provide an opportunity for people to see them.
OMG science
Online marketing
fromThe Cool Down
3 days ago

Resident shares photo of giant, driver-distracting billboard in neighborhood

Mobile billboards are criticized for intruding on public spaces and contributing to advertising saturation and environmental issues.
fromHigh Country News
3 days ago

Letters to the Editor, April 2026 - High Country News

The fact that the Burns Paiute and Bannock Shoshone tribes are still battling our government and politicians for protection of the sagebrush steppe habitat and our native sage grouse isn't spiritually uplifting.
Social justice
London
fromianVisits
3 days ago

Exhibition charts how the City of London ended up owning Epping Forest

Epping Forest was preserved by the City of London after a series of legal actions and purchases in the 19th century.
fromHigh Country News
3 days ago

How HCN is helping fill a growing need for local news - High Country News

More than a third of the nation's local newspapers have folded in the last 20 years, with the Western U.S. being especially hard-hit, including significant losses in Utah and New Mexico.
Media industry
Health
fromMail Online
3 days ago

'Office Air Theory' claims your office is making you UGLY

Office environments may negatively impact appearance, leading to symptoms similar to 'sick building syndrome'.
fromHigh Country News
4 days ago

Forest Service overhaul sows confusion, concern - High Country News

"Nobody is asking for this. None of the farm groups want this. No one in conservation wants this. Nobody." Robert Bonnie, former Forest Service undersecretary, highlights widespread opposition to the reorganization.
Washington DC
SOMA, SF
fromStreetsblog San Francisco
4 days ago

Op-Ed: Don't Blow Sunday Streets - Streetsblog San Francisco

San Francisco's budget cuts threaten the Sunday Streets program, vital for community health and cohesion, by eliminating significant funding from the Department of Public Health.
California
fromStreetsblog
5 days ago

No Kings Rallies Throughout California - Streetsblog California

Record attendance of 8 million at No Kings rallies across the U.S., with significant participation in California's major cities.
Coffee
fromTasting Table
4 days ago

Don't Throw Out Coffee Grounds, Put Them On Your Patio - Tasting Table

Coffee grounds effectively repel ants and can prevent infestations when used proactively.
Non-profit organizations
fromStreetsblog New York City
5 days ago

'Game-Changer': Non-Profit Throws Financial Lifeline to Open Streets Program - Streetsblog New York City

The new funding model for open streets provides upfront financial support to volunteer organizations, improving efficiency and community engagement.
Canada news
fromwww.cbc.ca
4 days ago

Toronto council approves major Swansea Mews rebuild despite community concerns | CBC News

Toronto city council approved a rebuild plan for Swansea Mews, but former tenants feel it does not meet their needs or desires.
Design
fromArchDaily
1 day ago

Cultural Centers Beyond the Building: 6 Unbuilt Projects Integrating Landscape

Cultural centers are evolving to reflect diverse architectural explorations and redefine public institutions' roles in various contexts.
Environment
fromLos Angeles Times
1 day ago

Contributor: For water and mining policy near Salton Sea, keep in mind local children's health

The Salton Sea's shrinking water levels are causing toxic dust that impairs lung growth in local children, particularly affecting low-income communities.
US news
fromThe Washington Post
1 week ago

NYC's newest hobby is cleaning up trash and documenting the filth

Volunteer groups in NYC are actively cleaning up trash, fostering community bonds, and promoting shared responsibility for urban cleanliness.
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 days ago

Why reducing air pollution deaths isn't just about reducing air pollution

Air pollution is the second-largest risk factor for early death globally. Traditionally, our response has focused on reducing the levels of pollution people breathe, but this is only part of the story.
Public health
NYC politics
fromStreetsblog New York City
2 days ago

State Bill Would Stop Highway Expansions Near Vulnerable New Yorkers - Streetsblog New York City

New York State will halt highway expansions near public housing and asthma hotspots to protect vulnerable communities from pollution.
Mission District
from99% Invisible
4 days ago

Service Request #3: Why Is There So Much Litter in San Francisco? - 99% Invisible

San Francisco's struggle with public trash can placement reveals deeper issues in urban waste management and human behavior.
fromSan Jose Inside
2 days ago

County and Partners Celebrate Completion of Unique Affordable Housing Project

"To address housing affordability in our community, we need all types of affordable housing options, including affordable ownership opportunities that allow individuals and families an opportunity to build equity alongside housing stability," said Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong.
East Bay real estate
NYC music
fromConsequence
2 days ago

Bush Bring Atmospheric Ambiance to NPR's Tiny Desk Concert

Bush performed a Tiny Desk Concert featuring four songs, showcasing a reimagined, atmospheric sound and an intimate arrangement.
Renovation
fromArchDaily
3 days ago

Youth Commons / Studio RE+N

A neglected rooftop in Songyang County transforms into a vibrant community commons despite initial design flaws and lack of facilities.
Agriculture
fromEarth911
2 days ago

Infographic: Tips for an Environmentally Responsible, Low-Maintenance Yard

An environmentally friendly approach to yard maintenance can save time, money, and effort while benefiting the local ecosystem.
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
3 days ago

Transit officials announce clean air investments in South Bronx thanks to congestion pricing revenue | amNewYork

Congestion pricing funds will replace diesel trucks with hybrid models to reduce air pollution in the city.
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

Painting eyes on takeaway boxes can stop gulls stealing chips, study shows

When faced with a choice between a box with eyes painted on it and a plain box, the gulls were slower to approach the box with eyes and less likely to peck at it.
Pets
fromNextgov.com
4 days ago

Citizen Science Month 2026 is about more than just stargazing

Citizen Science Month is built around a goal of 2.5 million 'Acts of Science,' tying the annual event to America's 250th birthday through a simple but powerful idea: lots of small contributions can add up to something really meaningful.
OMG science
London politics
fromwww.bbc.com
4 days ago

New bin rules begin in England but not all councils are ready

New rules mandate weekly food waste collections in England, but many councils are unprepared to meet the deadline.
Social justice
fromPUNCH
5 days ago

What Does a Bar Owe Its Neighbors?

Bartenders in urban areas face challenges of homelessness and mental health crises, requiring a balance of compassion, safety, and quick decision-making.
fromState of the Planet
1 week ago

Centering Community in Climate Resilience and Disaster Preparedness

I watched my mom and the attitude she takes to life. She always believes there is a 'better' coming; even if you can't see it now, it is coming soon.
Online Community Development
London
fromwww.theguardian.com
5 days ago

I took off my headphones and noticed a stranger in peril

Wearing headphones isolates individuals from their surroundings, while being present enhances awareness and engagement with the world.
#earth-day-2026
Environment
fromEarth911
1 day ago

Earth911 Inspiration: Show Up for Planet Earth

Make Earth Day 2026 a pivotal response to environmental damage from recent U.S. policy reversals.
Environment
fromEarth911
3 days ago

Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet Is A Call To Activism

Earth Day 2026 emphasizes civic action and political engagement in response to environmental rollbacks, shifting focus from personal lifestyle changes.
Environment
fromEarth911
1 day ago

Earth911 Inspiration: Show Up for Planet Earth

Make Earth Day 2026 a pivotal response to environmental damage from recent U.S. policy reversals.
Environment
fromEarth911
3 days ago

Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet Is A Call To Activism

Earth Day 2026 emphasizes civic action and political engagement in response to environmental rollbacks, shifting focus from personal lifestyle changes.
UK politics
fromMail Online
6 days ago

Is YOUR hometown a solar panel hotspot? Use our map to find out

Labour's push for solar panels faces criticism for being impractical and costly amid rising household bills.
Berlin music
fromFuncheap
2 weeks ago

Free "Ambient Bird" Inter-species Spring Equinox Concert (Berkeley)

Ambient Bird-Indian Rock 2026 is an interspecies sonic environment performance inviting humans, animals, and nature to connect through sound and silence.
Renovation
fromArchDaily
2 days ago

Designed Comfort, Purchased Comfort: Passive Design and Air Conditioning in Hong Kong

Widespread reliance on air conditioning has significantly altered architectural design incentives, particularly in Hong Kong.
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

The dark side of the balloon boom is it time they were banned?

In 2019, scientists found that balloons eaten by seabirds are more likely to kill them than other kinds of plastic yet they do not seem to have been earmarked in the same way as, for example, plastic straws.
Public health
fromDefector
2 weeks ago

Dam It All To Hell | Defector

Hoppers, like Pixar's pre-Disney films, is a delight. The beavers' world is immersive and richly realized, grounded in science but never dry. The plot zigs and zags between moments of absurdity and emotional heft to stirring effect; I cried multiple times, and not just because of the low-hanging fruit of grandma death.
Independent films
Mission District
fromPadailypost
3 days ago

Property owners asked to double fee they pay to fight mosquitoes

Santa Clara County property owners will vote on a new fee to fund mosquito control and pest management services.
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
3 days ago

NYC community boards: What to know about these civic groups, how they operate and why there's a reform push

NYC Community Boards are essential for civic engagement, allowing residents to voice opinions and influence local governance.
East Bay real estate
fromsfist.com
4 days ago

Environmental Group Secures Option to Buy Former East Bay Racetrack, Will Turn It Into Park

The former Golden Gate Fields horse racing track will be transformed into a public park by the Trust for Public Land for $175 million.
NYC politics
fromNew York City, NY Patch
5 days ago

Your Vote Decides Which New York Neighborhood Fix Mamdani Will Tackle Next

Over 11,600 New Yorkers participated in the Mayor's Municipal Madness to select city projects for repair by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
London politics
fromwww.bbc.com
6 days ago

Dismay as allotments set to become graveyard

Richmond Council plans to convert allotments into a cemetery despite significant public opposition and calls for a sustainable burial strategy.
fromArchDaily
3 days ago

The Illusion of Lightness: Designing Civic Voids for Public Life

The original intent of pilotis was to create a sense of lightness that would allow circulation and light to flow beneath a structure, but contemporary requirements render thin columns insufficient for large-scale civic projects.
Renovation
#architecture
Design
fromwww.archdaily.com
4 days ago

Light, Lighter, Lightest: ArchDaily's April Editorial Focus

Building lightly is an ecological and ethical imperative shaped by environmental concerns and technological advancements.
Design
fromwww.archdaily.com
4 days ago

Light, Lighter, Lightest: ArchDaily's April Editorial Focus

Building lightly is an ecological and ethical imperative shaped by environmental concerns and technological advancements.
fromwww.bbc.com
1 week ago

Campaigners celebrate after new town plans dropped

Campaigner Aysha Hawcutt stated that residents were 'not anti-homes', but believed the Adlington plan was 'the wrong proposal in the wrong place'. She expressed pride in the community's resilience against the development threats.
London politics
Agriculture
fromEarth911
2 weeks ago

Convenience Comes at the Environment's Expense

Fast delivery convenience carries significant environmental costs through packaging waste, carbon emissions, and resource consumption, but individual yard management choices can meaningfully reduce environmental impact at a local scale.
Design
fromYanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News
4 days ago

Biomimetic Architecture Reaches New Heights With This Bird-of-Paradise Yoga Space - Yanko Design

Thilina Liyanage's architecture translates animal gestures into functional designs, exemplified by the Rifle Bird Yogashala inspired by the Victoria's riflebird's courtship display.
UK politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 weeks ago

Nearly three-quarters of England's woods inaccessible to public, study finds

73% of English woodland is publicly inaccessible, with ancient trees particularly restricted, prompting campaigns for right-to-roam legislation.
fromState of the Planet
5 days ago

From Classrooms to Climate Impact: Two Careers Flourish in Singapore

"Singapore is in a very unique position because they face a lot of land constraints, so there are few ways for them to generate their own renewable energy. Singapore is pushing for integrated energy systems throughout ASEAN, so that renewable energy produced in other countries can be brought back to Singapore. There's a very distinct, coordinated effort for countries to come together to work on climate change and energy security in a way that I haven't really seen."
Environment
London politics
fromwww.bbc.com
3 weeks ago

Residents to grow food on 'unloved' public land

Hounslow Council launches Right to Grow initiative allowing residents to cultivate food on unused public land, becoming only the second London council to adopt this policy.
Miscellaneous
fromArchDaily
1 month ago

7 Unbuilt Masterplans Reimagining Urban Futures Through Ecology and Collective Space

Unbuilt urban masterplans explore adaptive spatial frameworks that recalibrate mobility, ecology, and collective life through climate-responsive design and public space integration across diverse global contexts.
Environment
fromEarth911
1 week ago

Guest Idea: What Really Happens After You Drop Off Recycling?

Recycling involves a complex journey from collection to sorting, influenced by local policies, technology, and consumer demand.
World news
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Drives me crazy: Mumbai residents plead for respite from musical road'

A 500-metre musical stretch on Mumbai's Coastal Road plays Jai Ho at target speeds, disturbing nearby residents and prompting formal noise complaints.
fromArchDaily
3 weeks ago

Designing the Sensory City: Architecture, Light Pollution, and Urban Noise

For most of human history, night arrived as a planetary certainty. Darkness spread across landscapes, and the sky revealed thousands of stars. Today, that sky is disappearing. Artificial light spills upward from cities, scattering through the atmosphere and turning night into a permanent haze. Research mapping global sky brightness shows that more than 80 percent of humanity now lives under light-polluted skies, and the Milky Way has vanished from view for over a third of the world's population.
Environment
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Feeling chirpy: how listening to birdsong can boost your wellbeing

Previous research has shown that people feel better in bird-rich environments, but Christoph Randler, from the University of Tubingen, and colleagues wanted to see if that warm fuzzy feeling translated into measurable physiological changes. They rigged up a park with loudspeakers playing the songs of rare birds and measured the blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels (a marker of stress) of volunteers before and after taking a 30-minute walk through the park.
Mental health
fromwww.dw.com
2 months ago

The city that swapped parking for green space

Though they're individually tiny, parking spots quietly play a dominant role in shaping urban landscapes. Most US cities dedicate at least 25% of their developable land to them. Some, even more. That land usage doesn't only determine the way a city looks. It also means covering large swathes of urban areas in heat-absorbing asphalt, which contributes to making summers hotter and heightens the risk of flooding since it prevents drainage during storms and heavy rainfall.
Miscellaneous
fromArchDaily
1 month ago

Health, Habitat, and Civic Infrastructure: Designing the City as a National Park

Cities around the world share a common goal: to become healthier and greener, supported by civic infrastructure that restores ecosystems and strengthens public life. The question is how to reach this. Global climate targets, local building codes, and municipal standards increasingly guide designers and planners toward better choices. Still, many cities struggle to translate these frameworks into everyday, street-level comfort and long-term ecological protection.
Environment
Environment
fromEarth911
2 months ago

8 Ways to Reduce Your Impact Today

Simple daily choices—using reusables, conserving water, swapping to LEDs, and avoiding single-use plastics—reduce environmental impact while saving money.
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