Many U.S. cities have ambitious renewable energy goals but few have much influence over the multi-state power grids that deliver their electricity. A new coalition of cities and communities in the mid-Atlantic and Midwest is changing that, banding together to influence the PMJ Interconnection, a wholesale network that includes cities like Cincinnati and Washington DC that have 100% renewable energy goals. Heidi Ratz and Lori Bird explain how the new coalition works—and offer a sign-up form for cities in the 13-state PMJ territory who want to join. 
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Can a city where pedestrians, cyclists and children get injured or killed on the roads be truly sustainable? In a new Big Ideas into Action WRI podcast, Nicholas Walton meets an Ethiopian builder whose life was changed forever by a single road crash, and WRI road safety experts in Istanbul, Bogota, and Mexico City on how they are working with city partners to make roads safe for people. “We need to have more people walking and cycling. But if it is very dangerous for them, they will not be able to do it,” says Claudia Adriazola-Steil, Director of Health and Road Safety, with WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. “So we have to think about road safety as this enabler that can make cities more sustainable, that can make them more livable.” Read more.

Experts predict that by 2050 climate change will reduce the areas of the world suitable for coffee cultivation by half. In many of the countries at risk, the coffee industry will require fundamental changes to respond to these impacts. A new WRI report shows how mobile information applications, mapping projects, and other strategies in Costa Rica can help farmers protect your morning brew. Read more.