In the photo above the red equals recent Cambridge tree losses; yellow equals tree gains (2014)
COULD MORE GEOTHERMAL BE IN CAMBRIDGE'S FUTURE?
Cambridge Climate Risks
Where is our energy use accessed? And where will new substations be placed when Cambridge goes all electric.
Cambridge Environmental Advocacy Groups
Areas of Flooding Risks in Cambridge
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Cambridge Climate Related Documents
Ongoing Loss of the Cambridge Tree Canopy
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Above Cambridge tree mapping images from Kent Johnson's new 2009-2020 interactive map (see above link)
*Note the "Cambridge Tree Canopy Update" for (2009-2020) changes the 2009-2018 tree canopy loss from 18% to 1% using an implausible method. The 2009-2014 maps above show the original data.
Tree Specialists
Other Reports
Heat Pumps
BEUDO (Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance)
2023 Cambridge City Council BEUDO Decision: Estimated Emissions Reduction:
All New Large Buildings Must Comport with BEUDO but Cambridge City Council has now required retrofitting all older large buildings at a greatly excelarated pace or owners face steep fees: only large residential buildings (condos and rentals) excluded, but will have to meet state mandates
All New Large Buildings Must Comport with BEUDO but Cambridge City Council has now required retrofitting all older large buildings at a greatly excelarated pace or owners face steep fees: only large residential buildings (condos and rentals) excluded, but will have to meet state mandates
Large buildings will be required to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035, while mid-size buildings must do so by 2050. This is more ambitious than the state and national commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To achieve these targets, this requires reducing emissions by approximately 50% by 2030 and 70% by 2035. Controversies: While large buildings with condos and rental units are not included, religious buildings, hospitals, and historic buildings are. The algorithm that takes energy use and converts it to GHG emissions is not accurate, e.g. it does not account for buildings where "100%" renewable is being purchased. Heavy fees will be paid by those who don't meet lead-up yearly goals and Eversource Energy has indicated that those who need upgrades or hookups for new projects will hav to wait many months or more. In addition, prior to the vote, CDD (those responsible for collecting the data) had not analyzed this data nor indicated the largest emitters.
Cambridge Climate Vulnerability Map
WE MUST DO MORE AS A CITY TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE:
What Matters: Prioritize and Protect our Mature Trees. Retain our current green spaces and add to them. Add more parks and open spaces in the denser parts of the city. Create a viable public transportation System. Limit new labs and large housing developments. Encourage employers to allow staff to work from home (whereever).
What Matters: Prioritize and Protect our Mature Trees. Retain our current green spaces and add to them. Add more parks and open spaces in the denser parts of the city. Create a viable public transportation System. Limit new labs and large housing developments. Encourage employers to allow staff to work from home (whereever).
Saving our Mature Trees is Critical to our Climate Viability (and Environmental Equity). It takes 30-40 years for a young tree to grow large enough to provide the critical shade needed to lower temperatures and cool our neighborhoods the the environment at large. Plus 1 in 4 trees in Cambridge die within a few years of being planted.
It is critical to keep existing mature trees and safeguard access to sun and open spaces which their root systems and branches need to thrive
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CCC Climate Related Events
An August 2, 2021 City Hall Rally to support our Diminishing Tree Canopy was co-sponsored by CCC along with 15 other Cambridge Civic groups supporting trees.
