|
These are general links only, local links can be found
in the
Where You Live
section.
General Resources
-
Clean
Energy-Environment State Partnership Program
The Clean Energy-Environment State Partnership
Program is a voluntary state-federal partnership that
encourages states to develop and implement
cost-effective clean energy and environmental
strategies that help further both environmental and
clean energy goals and achieve public health and
economic benefits.
-
EPA's
Global Warming Site
EPA's Global Warming Site presents
comprehensive information on climate change. It
provides an introduction to atmospheric change
including the causes and potential impacts of global
warming. The site also describes the science of
global change, as well as mitigation options to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Information on
related programs and activities at the local, state,
and federal levels of government is available.
-
DOE's
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Urban
Heat Island Group
This web site contains a tutorial on the heat
island effect, results of LBNL's heat island and cool
roof research, links to other sites, and a database
comparing various roofing materials.
-
DOE's
Center for Sustainable Development
This site offers information on a range of
sustainable development concepts, including heat
island reduction strategies. It provides overview
articles, slide presentations, and links to
educational materials.
-
DOE's
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network
The Office of Building Technology, State and
Community Programs hosts this web site, which
includes information about energy and buildings for
homeowners, commercial building owners and operators,
building designers, researchers, and public
officials.
-
NASA's
Global Hydrology and Climate Center (GHCC)
The National Aeronautic and Space
Administration web site provides information on the
center's work to reduce heat islands. GHCC uses
aerial photography and infrared remote sensing
technology to tell cities "what's hot" within their
jurisdictions. This technique can help cities set
priorities for local action.
-
NOAA's
National Climatic Data Center
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's National Climatic Data Center is the
largest weather data archive in the world. This site
allows users to link to searchable databases offering
climate and weather data including national, state,
and local surface temperature information.
-
United States
Geological Survey (USGS) Geography Information
The USGS geography web site provides access to
the USGS National Map Viewer. This tool allows the
user to observe global, national, and local level
land-use and land-cover information, and other
geospatial data.
-
International
Council on Local Environmental Initiatives
(ICLEI)
ICLEI's urban heat island web site contains
information tailored to local governments interested
in adopting and implementing cool community
strategies. The site provides background information
on heat islands and includes a model government
resolution and policy framework.
-
PositivEnergy
This site focuses on community energy
conservation and contains links to a number of heat
island mitigation projects. It emphasizes actions
taking place in California.
Top of page
Vegetation & Urban Forestry
-
USDA Western
Center for Urban Forest Research and Education
This U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest
Service web site provides information on its research
and products, including urban forest guidelines for
California, a comprehensive study of the Sacramento
urban forest, air quality and energy reduction
benefits of urban forests, and evaluations of parking
lot shade tree ordinances.
-
USDA Forest
Service's National Urban and Community Forest
Program
The Forest Service's National Urban and
Community Forest Program helps state forestry
agencies, local and tribal governments, and the
private sector manage trees and forests in urban
communities. The program's goals are to build
awareness of the need for urban forestry; reach out
to underserved communities; create partnerships
between business, government and nonprofit
organizations; and manage urban forests in a
sustainable manner. Regional affiliates such as
Urban
Forestry South
also carry out these goals.
-
American
Forests
This web site provides information about the
benefits of trees and tree planting. The site
describes several tools, including a regional tree
guide for developing appropriate planting strategies
and American Forest's CityGreen software for
calculating the economic benefits of trees in urban
settings.
-
Selectree
Database
This database provides a tree species index
compiled by the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute at
California Polytechnic State University. As one of
many tree selection criteria, the site contains a
"biogenic emissions" search option. Selectree
Database has an emphasis on southern California
cities.
-
The
T.R.E.E.S. Project
The T.R.E.E.S. Project was created by a
coalition of government agencies and
environmentalists and offers an integrated approach
to resolving issues of drought, flooding, air and
water pollution, landfill closures, high energy
costs, youth unemployment, and urban blight. The site
discusses how tree planting can address many of Los
Angeles's environmental and social problems.
-
Treelink
The Treelink Resource Center contains
information on urban forestry with an emphasis on
tree care, maintenance, and management. The site uses
forums, educational materials, and links to other
urban forestry organizations to educate visitors
about tree planting and maintenance.
-
National
Alliance for Community Trees (ACT)
ACT is a nonprofit organization that promotes
urban and community forestry through citizen action.
The site provides access to the more than 50 local
urban forestry organizations that comprise the
organization. ACT also publishes a free electronic
newsletter called Urban Forest Community News.
Top of page
Roofs, Buildings & Energy
-
EPA
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program
jointly sponsored by EPA and the Department of
Energy. The site identifies and promotes a wide range
of energy-efficient products, including cool
roofs.
-
DOE's
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Cool Roofing
Database
This database displays research results on the
solar reflectance and thermal emittances of various
roofing products. The site provides a useful
comparison of cool roofing materials to traditional
options.
-
DOE's Oak Ridge
National Laboratory (ORNL) Building Technology
Center
The ORNL Building Technology Center is a
research facility devoted to developing technologies
that improve the energy efficiency and environmental
compatibility of residential and commercial
buildings. This web site contains research
information on both the building envelope and its
constituent materials. Fact sheets and various
publications also are available.
-
Roofing
Comparison Calculator
This online tool calculates the potential
energy and money saved by installing ENERGY STAR
labeled reflective roofing products on homes and
other buildings.
- American Society
of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE)
ASHRAE is an international membership
organization of engineers. Its web site contains
information about standards and codes;
organization chapters and regions; and heating,
ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration
products.
-
-
American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
International
ASTM International is a not-for-profit
organization that provides a forum for the
development and publication of voluntary consensus
standards for materials, products, systems, and
services. Members develop documents that serve as a
basis for manufacturing, procurement, and regulatory
activities.
-
Florida Solar
Energy Center
This University of Central Florida institute
serves as the State's renewable energy and energy
efficiency research, training, testing, and
certification center. The Center's web site provides
in depth information on cool roofs.
-
US Green Building
Council (USGBC)
The USGBC's mission is to accelerate the
adoption of green building practices, technologies,
policies, and standards. The organization has a
committee-based structure that engages industry,
government, the public, and others to support green
building development.
-
California
Cool Roofs Information
This web site provides information on the
benefits and types of cool roofs, cool roof projects,
and related resources.
Top of page
Green Roofs
-
Greenroofs.com
This web site provides information on green
roof design, from intensive to extensive
applications. It also contains case studies and a
list of product suppliers.
-
Green Roofs for
Healthy Cities
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is a coalition
of private sector firms founded in 1999. Its web site
contains recent research, information on green roof
demonstration projects, and additional
resources.
-
Penn
State Green Roof Research Center
The Green Roof Research Center at Penn State
gathers data on the efficacy and potential of green
roofs to mitigate storm water runoff, capture energy
savings, and buffer acid rain. The site highlights
current research projects at Penn State and provides
a comprehensive list of links to green roof-related
organizations and businesses.
Top of page
Pavement
-
Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) Storm Water Best
Management Practices
This FHWA site includes information on porous
pavements as a best management practice for
addressing storm water.
-
Nonpoint
Education for Municipal Officials Project (NEMO)
NEMO is an educational program for local
officials that addresses the relationship between
land use and natural resource protection. The web
site provides information about how heat island
mitigation strategies such as pervious paving and
planting trees can improve local water quality.
-
American Concrete
Pavement Association (ACPA)
ACPA is a national association that represents
concrete pavement contractors, cement companies,
equipment and material manufacturers, and suppliers.
This site contains research on portland cement
concrete pavements and provides information about
related technical and policy issues.
-
National
Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA)
NAPA is a trade association that represents
Hot Mix Asphalt producers and paving contractors.
This site contains information regarding asphalt
production, use, recycling, and other
considerations.
-
Low Impact
Development Center's Low Impact Development Urban
Design Tools
The Low Impact Development Center, Inc. is a
nonprofit organization dedicated to research,
development, and training for water resource and
natural resource protection issues. This web site
provides information on storm water management
techniques including use the of permeable paving
materials.
-
National
Stormwater Best Management Practices Database
This database was developed by the Urban Water
Resources Research Council of the American Society of
Civil Engineers under a cooperative agreement with
EPA. The database provides access to best management
practice performance data in a standardized format
for over 190 best management practices.
Top of page
Health
-
EPA Air Quality
Index
The Air Quality Index provides communities
with information on local air quality, as well as
what individuals can do to reduce air pollution. The
site also contains air quality forecasts and
publications on the major pollutants.
-
American Lung
Association
This web site provides information on the
effects that both outdoor and indoor air quality can
have on lung function. Also included is information
on pollution sources, tips for avoiding exposure, and
recommendations on how individuals can prevent
pollution.
-
Synoptic
Climatology Group
This University of Delaware group performs
research on a variety of applied climatological
issues that affect human health. Practitioners of
Synoptic Climatology advocate a holistic approach to
weather and climate, and attempt to characterize the
effects of entire weather regimes. Information on
Heat-Health Watch Warning Systems is also provided
here.
-
Centers
for Disease Control
This site provides information on diseases,
including heat-related illness. Information about
excessive heat, tips for preventing heat-related
illness, content on heat stress in the elderly, and
related information can be found here.
-
National
Weather Service, Office of Climate, Water, and
Weather Services
The National Weather Service provides
up-to-date information about weather conditions. The
Web site includes information on the heat index,
historic data on major heat waves, drought
information, excessive heat outlooks, and similar
topics.
-
The
American Red Cross
This disaster relief organization provides
information on what to do in the event of a heat
wave, pysiological indicators of heat illness and
emergencies, and strategies for treatment. The
information is also available in Spanish.
Top of page
Legislation & Guidelines
-
State Energy
Codes
The Department of Energy Office of Building
Technology, State, and Community Programs maintains
this web site, which lists the status of each state's
energy codes.
-
Guidelines
for Developing and Evaluating Tree Ordinances
This site was developed by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture Forest Service, the National Urban and
Community Forestry Advisory Council, and the
International Society of Arboriculture. It provides a
variety of tools and resources for citizens and local
governments interested in developing, revising, or
evaluating local tree ordinances.
-
Cool
Savings Program
This site contains information on the
California Energy Commission's Cool Savings with Cool
Roofs Program.
Top of page
Meteorology & Air Quality Modeling
-
EPA and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Air
Quality Meteorology Developmental Course
This online course provides the meteorology
and air quality background information necessary to
understand meteorological computer models. The site
also contains information on understanding and using
a computational science approach to studying complex
environmental phenomena.
-
International
Association for Urban Climate
- The International Association for Urban Climate
(IAUC) is an organization of members with scientific,
scholarly and technical interests and
responsibilities in: urban climatology, urban
meteorology, urban air quality and other aspects of
the atmospheres above cities, and the interactions
between those atmospheres and the built-up surface
beneath, including social, economic and biological
impacts.
-
The
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
NCAR was established to engage in research on
atmospheric science problems-including climate
change, changes in atmospheric composition, and
weather formation and forecasting-and their impact on
human populations.
Top of page
Planning
-
Envision
Utah
- Envision Utah focuses on local growth issues such
as preserving critical lands, conserving water, and
improving housing and transportation options. The
site contains a toolbox that provides state and local
decision-makers with information on community
development options, including heat island mitigation
strategies.
-
Smart
Growth Network (SGN)
- SGN encourages development that serves the
economy, community, and environment. SGN members
include EPA, environmental organizations, real estate
interests, state and local governments, historic
preservation organizations, and other professional
organizations.
Top of page |
![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}