The megalopolis in the test of the climate
New York has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, as has the state of the same name. This involves a massive plan to reduce the energy consumption of buildings, the supply of green electricity and the use of less polluting vehicles by the municipality. But like most Western metropolises, New York is struggling with hellish car traffic. In some parts of Manhattan, the average speed of cars is 7.5 km/h. By the end of 2024, a toll system is expected to be implemented to relieve congestion in this area. The profits generated will supposedly be used to improve New York's subway system, which has only a 65% on-time rate on weekdays. In 2015, 67% of trips were made by sustainable transportation, with the goal of reaching 80% by 2050.
The number of trips made by bicycle has tripled since the early 2000s. There are currently 2,000 miles of bike lanes in New York City, including 772 miles physically separated from cars. The public bike-sharing network, Citi Bike, is expanding rapidly, with the goal of reaching a fleet of 40,000 vehicles installed in all five boroughs, including the Bronx (finally!), in the next few years. For all that, after a series of fatal cyclist accidents in 2019, City Hall had to announce a new safety plan. The construction of new facilities and increased police presence are on the agenda.
A rich urban wildlife
There are 121 square kilometers of green space in New York City, representing 14% of the city's total area, spread over 1,942 parks and gardens. There are over 3,000 species of plants in the city. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is one of the most diverse plant areas in the city. This 21-acre park is home to beautiful Japanese cherry trees and rose gardens. The largest park, Central Park, of 337 hectares, offers beautiful lawns, but also rare species, such as the last large stand of American elm. The park is also popular with birdwatchers for its peregrine falcons(Falco peregrinus), which nest in the buildings along the park. Guided tours of the flora and fauna are organized regularly. Visit the Central Park website to learn more. The population of certain animals such as deer is closely monitored. It is recommended not to feed them. The same goes for the coyotes that can sometimes be seen in the Bronx.
New park projects
Despite this rich biodiversity, pollution is not without effect. The city has lost about 24 species of orchids compared to 1990, due to soil degradation. The creation of new islands of greenery is therefore more than welcome. The now inescapable High Line Park, built on former railroad tracks, the disused southern portion of the West Side Line, in the Manhattan neighborhood, is a great example of conversion. These hanging gardens, inspired by the coulée verte in Paris, are an ideal place to stroll or relax. Another interesting conversion project is the former Fresh Kills landfill, which was once home to the debris of 9/11, and is being transformed into a park. The site, portions of which are already accessible, will eventually be three times the size of Central Park.
The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway is a 51-kilometer bicycle and pedestrian path around Manhattan Island. More or less developed in places, this path has three main sections: Hudson River Greenway, the most pleasant portion, the East River Greenway of which certain portions are being developed, and the Harlem Greenway, which must also undergo some work.
Responsible eating
As in other large American cities, residents are increasingly sensitive to environmental issues. This is reflected in the number of farmer's markets where one can buy local products. There are now about 50 of them, the best known beingUnion Square. The second largest farmer's market is the one held every Sunday in Grand Army Plaza. It is also possible to buy produce directly from the farm, at the Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, a farm located on a building in Brooklyn. The most common organic supermarket chain is Whole Foods. There are many vegetarian restaurants, of all kinds (Asian, fast food, Italian...) and in most restaurants there is usually at least one vegetarian option. Even the city's new mayor, Eric Adams, is vegan!
Zero Waste" objective
The goal of former Mayor Bill de Blasio's "Zero Waste" plan to reduce landfill waste by 90 percent is far from being achieved by the end of his term, although his successor Eric Adams has set a goal of achieving it by 2030. In particular, experimentation with organic waste collection is stalling. The use of the brown garbage cans provided in some buildings is struggling to become a habit. At the same time, as part of the "NYC Compost Project", composters have been installed in various parks, with workshops to raise awareness on the subject. They can be found in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, the Queens Botanical Garden and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, on Staten Island. The city encourages buying second-hand and reducing the use of plastic, especially packaging. To stock up on zero-waste accessories, visit Package Free in Brooklyn.