It's no secret that climate change is an imminent threat to our planet. But there are certain steps we can take and local laws we can implement today to reduce carbon emissions and prevent the worst effects of climate change from happening.
One city taking action is New York City with Local Law 97, which sets a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions levels. The law also requires all new buildings in NYC over 25,000 square feet to reduce emissions by 80% starting in 2024.
This blog post explores how the local law 97 could affect NYC residents and the city’s carbon emissions.
Carbon Emissions Limits for Buildings
Cities are trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by implementing carbon limits for buildings. NYC's Carbon Emissions Limits for Buildings Local Law 97 is a good example of this. The goal of the law is to reduce emissions from buildings by 80% by 2050.
There are a lot of steps building owners can take to comply with the law, like upgrading heating and cooling systems, installing insulation, and using LED lights. Buildings that don't comply with the law could face fines or even revoke their permits.
Reducing carbon emissions from buildings in NYC is important because they account for about 70% of citywide emissions. Implementing Local Law 97 is a good way for NYC to meet its goals for reducing emissions.
How Do Buildings Emit Carbon?
If you live in New York City, buildings are likely to surround you. It's also possible that these buildings emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases when they burn coal for heat. The EPA estimates that the average emission from coal-fired power plants is around one million metric tons of CO2 per year.
That means if there are 100 buildings in NYC emitting CO2, each building contributes to about three days worth of emissions on average. These numbers might not seem like much at first glance, but when we consider how many people live in NYC and what a huge impact these emissions can have on our climate, the numbers add up quickly.
Local Laws in New York City
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